When we studied Walden Pond in school, I was always entranced with the idea of living simply, of giving up the material side of life to commune with nature. Now, I realize that I am far too much of a packrat for that to ever work well. Pretty soon my simple cabin would be full of the leaves that struck me as pretty and the rocks that I’m certain would make good paperweights.

I’m in the process of trying to move back in with my parents. This is no easy task, because the word “trying” here means, “working really hard to find a way to combine two Completely Full rooms into one livable space.” The real problem is that I’m trying to do this without having to get rid of all the things that I have become inherently attached to. I am discovering that this isn’t going to work, because I am overly attached to all things in both rooms. Something’s gotta give…

I am sentimental. I save movie stubs. I have clothes that no longer fit that I am less than inclined to give away because they were a gift. And I still have my favorite pair of jeans from highschool tucked into my closet, though they are so worn out that I’m sure wearing them in public could be classified as indecent. This only scrapes the surface…

I’m working right now trying to clean out my dresser. I’m trying to channel all my logical decision making skills and convince myself that there is really no reason for me to keep the t-shirt that I got on vacation in the Caribbean in the 4th grade! Clearly, it’s time to move on. And yet, there is a whole pile of “giveway” things that never quite make it out the door.

HELP! Support my logic and quell my ridiculous emotional attachments!