Yes, I thought that title would grab you. So now what? What do you do when your life is bigger than the house you live in?
You move, right? But what if this is your house? Why would you ever want to leave something that is so similar to the magical cottage in The Holiday?
My house was built around 1840 and is one of the oldest homes in my town. And in a town where the permit process seems to be a bit loosey goosey with people tearing down heritage homes to put up towering McMansions, what's a gal to do?
If I sold this house I would DIE if someone tore it down and put up something made out of stucco and toothpicks. Actually if I sold this house I'm not sure I could ever even drive past it again.
I could have it designated as a heritage house to prevent it ever being demolished, but that's a bit of a thing.
I've looked for another house. I've spent 20 years looking for a house that's just slightly larger, with a larger lot in my town but what I want doesn't exist.
Actually, there are precisely 2 homes that based on how they look from the outside, I would consider living in. Both are similar to mine but a bit bigger. Higher ceilings, (my ceilings are 7'3" in the front of the house!) and slightly larger rooms.
But who knows what things I'd find out I hate in those houses. I already know all the things that make me crazy in this house.
The other heritage homes in my town, are large, grandiose, mansions or just too big. I do not need 4 bedrooms. What I do need is a larger workshop. More space for my plant starting setup. Just more room for my life. My seed starting, maple syrup making, screen printing, DIYing life.
My One Resolution
Which brings me to this year's New Years' resolution. If you've been following me since the beginning of this blog you know that about 15 years ago I snapped and sold or gave away almost everything I owned and started new.
I'm in that same mood right now.
You can read all about the debacle in this, one of my very first posts.
My New Year's resolution this year is to spend a month editing my house. A full month. In the first two weeks I will go through every drawer, every cupboard and closet until I have created some space.
Because the biggest problem with my house isn't really the size or number of the rooms, it's the lack of storage and the death spiral of a basement I have.
Which means, I am taking 2 full weeks off at the beginning of January. There will be no posts.
Like every other business things are slow on my blog for the first couple of weeks in January. People are busy trying to lose weight and pay bills.
For the last 2 weeks of the month there will be posts but I'll blog at night and work on the basement during the day.
The end result will hopefully be beneficial for both of us. I will have a house that has enough space to accommodate TWO packages of on sale toilet paper. And you will get a small break from me complaining about the fact that I don't have anywhere to put anything.
So wish me luck, have a happy New Year and send snacks. Flat ones that don't take up a lot of space.
It has been a privilege and joy to write for you this year. I couldn't say that the past few years because I was so focused on trying to write for Google, that writing wasn't any fun at all.
Google doesn't laugh. Google doesn't commiserate. Google doesn't suggest any good ideas. Google is a goon.
I much prefer having you here.
Ann
You are inspiring and entertaining!! Your "home ordering" is my own project this spring-Gracias and keep going-we need you!
Laura Bee
Hope the decluttering is going well. I have an 1850s home with a bit too much stuff so I have been doing the same. But I had to join a course. Take Your House Back. So now I follow four bloggers.
Until two years ago you had been the ONLY blogger I followed and still do - I think it's been since summer 2011 when I was in the middle of mat leave and saw your orbs and fell down the rabbit hole, reading your blog from beginning to end. (I remember thinking "I know her!!" Used to watch a lot of Jerry Springer back in the day)
You're awesome and inspiring and so darn funny. Looking forward to seeing what changes and stuff happen this year.
LIZ
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Dana
How many sq feet is your house, Karen?
We lived in a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 793 sq ft house for 14 years. We adopted a newborn 7 years into that 14 years. When we moved here, which is right next door, we were "in tall cotton" (do Canadians use or know that term?) because we have 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. We have so much closet space that we had to get more stuff. 🤣
Shelagh
My husband is committed to move us into a smaller house…we have too much stuff to move! I suspect it is his ultimate goal to reduce my stuff! I’m a fellow hooker…so you know how much stuff that requires plus I have 4 kids…and we all know that kids these days rebound home…I cannot abandon them…so we are at a crossroads…I commiserate Karen!
Debbie
I just accidentally found your blog looking for an interesting red cabbage recipe. I think I’ll make the cabbage but I know I will read your blog starting with the backlist posts!
Debbie
Oh and I need to do some purging too.
Kathy Beyer
Good Luck Sharon. Just a thought.... your bookshelves in your dining room - what if you put doors covering the bottom shelves so you could put 'unattractive' items.
Kathy B
Dee
I think you should preserve the house. Our house was built in 1924.it is small but we make do with creative ways to store things.van you remodel the basement staircase?
Ann Brookens
This is a brilliant idea! I definitely need to do this, too! Good luck, Karen!
Betty Dacko
I feel your pain Karen! - I am in a similar situation and everyday muttering under my breath F*&*KING GENGA! - if things are not placed inside or wedged against something it will not store in the cupboards. Yes, I have stuff but it does get used, nothing extra that just 'sits' waiting for once a year use.
I need more space, but can't afford it- so frustrating.
I wish you a good year, and hopefully find that space for extra toilet paper!
Anne H
I hear you! I moved to this town (the same as yours) to downsize. My house is even smaller than yours and it's a constant battle to find space. I too need to do the room by room again to free up space but also to let go of all the stuff that I'll use later (hahaha). I miss having a garage (we're only allowed small sheds) and my furnace room fits the furnace and a couple of shelves (thank heavens I have a basement). Do I want more room? Nah - I'm not as productive as you are. Enjoy your purge and re-org. Freeing the 'breathing space' of a house is almost as rejuvenating as a long walk in the forest or a good day in the garden.
Leslie Barnard
Happy New Year!! Good luck with your mini (famous last words) renovation! Having Reno'd 4 old houses over 35 years, I know the drill. Though of course the plans are different for each one, the angst/exitement/frustration/inspiration is the same!! Not much you can do to extend your spaces without a permit. What about rebuilding the shed with a 2 story treehouse? Secretly extending the basement with an outside entrance? Building a widow's walk on your roof with a picnic table and a canopy? I'll be busy digging myself out from under the pile of clothing I am giving away.
Gail D.
Same, Girl. But my editing started I. October and it just keeps going. Both our apartment on the UWS of Manhattan and our place in the Catskills. Edit, edit, edit. I’ve been sell, sell, selling.
Do not sell that house What do you use that shed in the backyard for? Can that be reutilized?
Karen
Celebrate the purge! I can relate! I’ll also be waiting with great anticipation your next post! Happy, healthy and storage abundant New Year! Please,post quickly or I may be forced to buy useless space savers from the container store!!
Jeanine
Good luck to you as you declutter! I can't wait to hear wait to hear about your adventures and what you unearth!
Elaine
Wish you luck. I have been waiting for the winter weather to arrive to do some of this decluttering too. Looks like this will be the week.
Kathy
Thanks for the great past year of posts. You rock, Karen
Good luck with your house project and Happy, Healthy 2024