Things I've found in the apartment purge

My apartment purge is still in process, but I've made some good progress already. Here are some of the random things I've run across while attempting to de-clutter my home:

At least 3 bags of stuff to give away that I had forgotten were bags of stuff to give away
Honeymoon pictures
A love note from a 2nd grade crush
Many letters from friends
Multiple copies of the same program for various concerts and plays I've been in
Two floral headbands and a glittery Mardis Gras mask
Books I've never read
Records I've never played
Floppy disks with college essays on them. (Yes, when I was in college, we still used floppy disks on a regular basis.)
Crystal glasses that we've never used
Old, gross pillows
So many random computer cables
A brand new Snuggie
A notebook detailing my wedding expenses -- from 8 years ago.
Fully written, signed, addressed and unsent thank you cards. From my wedding. Almost 8 years ago.
A movie stub from The Passion of the Christ
Fake jewelry that's turning funny colors
Barely used bottles of lotions that I don't really like
Almost-empty containers of travel-sized everything

The lesson here? I need a good system for keeping clutter in check, so that I regularly get rid of things I don't need (random movie stubs); enjoy the things that bring back good memories (pictures and letters); take care of nagging responsibilities (thank you notes!!); and don't build up more clutter in the form of things I don't need/won't use.  I've still got a lot more to do, and the countdown for the move has begun, so for the month of May, my Project COPE focus will be on an organized move. (Coming next week.)

Until then, you might like this glimpse into my messy home, or my discussion of this great book about building better habits.