Earlier this summer I had grand plans to get rid of all kinds of stuff in my apartment. I've lived here for over a decade, and when you don't have the impetus of a move, it's a bit of a challenge to go through your belongings with a critical eye and get rid of the things that you don't need or use. I'm in the process of some big changes and so, although I'm a bit behind schedule, I've set aside some time to start purging. I've set aside a particular section of the apartment for each day (living room, bathroom, bedroom, etc.) and have started to get to work. For example, in my bathroom, not only did I go through my cabinets and throw out a ton of stuff, but I cleaned the inside of my medicine cabinet, light fixtures, and every nook and cranny I could reach. In my bedroom I went through the storage bins under my bed, set aside clothes for donation, and cleaned out my jewelry box in addition to basic dusting, cleaning, vacuuming and mopping. Today I've tackled stacks of magazines and paper in the living room and am moving on to my office. The goal is to make room for new energy — not new stuff — and get rid of old, dead weight. Wish me luck.