Kilims and other stuff

"Dr. Ferrari noted that clutter is also often the result of an “over-attachment” to our personal items, which makes it difficult to part with them."  The Unbearable Heaviness of Clutter -  Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi (New York Times, Jan 3rd 2019)

Since deciding I will be retiring this summer, (just) one of the consequences of that decision is what to do with twenty two years of accumulated stuff when I move out of my Istanbul school campus apartment in July.  Last year when retirement first loomed as an option, I defined four destinations for my belongings:- if I love it and/or need it in my life - ship it to Essex or take it to Akbuk; if I need (or want) to let it go - donate to school jumble sale/local charities or sell locally to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support UK and Farleigh Hospice, Essex UK - charities that gave such wonderful palliative care to Mum (2006) and Dad (2014). 

"Procrastination is closely tied to clutter, because sorting through and tossing items is a task that many people find unpleasant and avoid." op. cit.

Sorting stuff really is painfully slow - procrastination persists, and letting go hurts - but it feels good when on days like today, I fill two large boxes ready to donate, and successfully sell several items for my Farleigh Hospice fund.  

The Turkish rugs (kilim) pictured today are destined to be sold. Bought years ago, they are beautiful, but have never been on my floor because of the cats.  I'm struggling with this decision because I love them, but it's time to let someone else love them and raise funds for charity at the same time. Probably. 

Kilim: A kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Persian Empire, including Iran, Azerbaijan, the Balkans and the Turkic countries of Central Asia. Wikipedia