How do I begin to purge... my beloved shoes?!!!

They say, "Thing don't matter".  I refuse to agree.  Simply because they do matter!  I'd be the first to admit that ALL my things matter a great deal to me.  But of course, that is just my opinion... and my opinion is what matters here.  =)

Years after I moved out of my parents' house, my sister who still lives with them decided to box up all my stuff that was taking up space and tossed them (needless to say, not carefully but carelessly) into the garage.  Over time, more stuff got stacked on top of those flimsy boxes and my prized possessions got crushed and damaged from moisture, dust and mainly filth.  When I saw what had happened, I was furious!  I felt a part of my childhood was destroyed...  Yes!  That's how serious it was.  I screamed so loud and got so very angry all because anything I had ever acquired, I respected it.  No matter what the item is, I cherish it.  Perhaps it is the process of acquiring what I own that makes it that much more important for me to also take very good care of these "things".  Either that, or I might have OCD.  Haha.  So, bottom line is that I respect my belongings and I often have a difficult time parting with them.  (No, I'm not a hoarder).  I just really love my things (not clutter)!

Back to how "things matter" to me... Well, shoes matter a lot to me.  I don't know why would a new pair of shoes make me so happy.  This high doesn't last for a long time, I understand.  But making myself smile just for a brief moment is quite enough.  It's sort of like giving a little girl a piece of candy to brighten up her mood.  Just like every other girl, there have been times that I've purchased a pair of heels on impulse, quite a few times as a matter of fact and later regretted it.  Instead of returning them though, I kept them.  I suppose that is how I ended up with over 200 pairs of shoes.  BUT, yet I still find it a bit difficult to part with them... thinking, eventually I'll find somewhere to wear them to.  I've become a shoe collector, I realize!  So, perhaps it's time to suck it up and purge what I won't be wearing now or ever!  After all, how many pair of heels does a girl need??  Don't answer that.

Ok, so I've finally decided to purge at least 50% of my shoes, clothes and handbags since I'm running out of storage space.  So far, little process has come from the "shoe" side but I've been working on it mentally~ trying to convince myself that I've owned the item, enjoyed it and now I can let it go.  These are the words from an ex-boyfriend... and somehow I tend to still remember them...hmmm.  I do wish I had an incentive to part with things that do matter!

These brand new pairs are the newest in my collection and naturally I will not part with them just yet.  I just need to find an occasion to break them in. =)  I love them!  They made me very happy on a very sad day.

(Steve Madden P-Woww in Pewter) so pretty!

(Enzo Angiolini Eastarlite in Gold Multi) Gorgeous!

I think I feel the same way about nice shoes as some gals feel about jewelry.  I love jewelry too... but I think I adore shoes much more.

Part of the "shoe closet"

I must make a point in saying that I do take extra care with my things, especially my beloved shoes.  The way I look at it is if I decide to take something home and own it, I should respect it and continue to love it.  These are of course the material things that some say do not bring the satisfaction of happiness (and I do not beg to differ) but for me, if something I love brings a smile to my face... even if it's just for a few short moments, they then of course make a whole world of difference to me.  If I didn't love what I own, I wouldn't be having such a difficult time purging. Having said all that... I still have to PURGE, and remind myself how I owned and "enjoyed it" so I can feel good about letting it (whatever it is) go. Maybe someone else will enjoy owning it too.

Make Up Memories- Pied Nus from Shiseido

I've been trying to clean out my stuff for the past several months.  Though progress is slow, I'm finally getting some things done.  The next thing to tackle is to sort out all my clothes, bag, and shoes.  Oh the thought of sorting is already overwhelming!  The truth of the matter is, I have way too many pairs of shoes, too many handbags and definitely have too much clothes lurking in my closets that I'll never wear ever again!  I keep asking myself, how much clothes does one need?? After all, there is just 365 days in a year and there are tons of stuff I've not touched in the last year... anyway.... I go back and forth with this, trying to convince myself to get rid of at least 50% of all my "stuff".  Still working on it.

Well, while going through things... and my makeup collection.  This little box presented itself.  OMG, it's just been sitting in my closet unused for at least... umm... about 10 years!  It's the "Cherub Veil" powder from the Pied Nus line from Shiseido (in Lavender).  Pied Nus is now discontinued and was the predecessor to Shiseido's current Maquillage line.  Looking at this cute package brings back a whole lot of memories for me.  I remember I purchased it at Strawberry Store in Hong Kong on a short trip.  I guess I must have brought it back and decided it was too cute to open up to use and stored it away.  I'm sure it's still good, since it's powder and no bacteria can grow in an unopened dry product.  However, I'm debating if I should even open it or just to keep it the way it is for old times sake.

Not only that the Pied Nus line is now defunct, this little container does give me quite a lot of old memories not to mention, reminders.  Ten years ago, I had a certain drive about life that I think I've now lost.  I certainly did not think I'd be in the situation I am currently in.  Not that I didn't not have stress or problems back then, but things were just simpler and more carefree then.  Perhaps I had not experienced so much downfall yet.   I don't think I've ever been happy with myself, what ever the situation or place in time I was at.  Well, I'm here at another juncture in my unstable life and I'm trying to change my outlook and attitude of life.  It's so very difficult and I'm not even sure that I'll succeed at it.  But I'd say taking the first step to move forward is a good sign... it's a positive thing.

Time sure flies, whether if you are having a good time or not.  Naturally when times are good, it's never long enough.  Looking back, this past ten years just flew by in a heart beat.  I really don't know where all the time went.  It is like I fell asleep on day and woke up the next day and everything has changed.  Surely, there are memories to reminisce about, but the more I remember them... it seems the more sadness it takes me back of how much time has past and yet I could be doing a whole lot better in life.  *Sigh*

Well, nothing stays the same forever...AND, nothing IS forever.  (Now I kind of understand why organization experts often suggest to get rid of old things.) Ha ha.

(I think I'm going to leave it "unopen".  The packaging is quite cute.)