Nudged: Drop off donations

There’s the box of old sheets and towels languishing in the corner of the basement, meant for the dog rescue organization.

There’s the huge bag of clothing that’s been sitting in my office, waiting for me to make a trip to the women’s shelter.

There’s the box of household items we no longer use, stuff that someone else could be using.

So much STUFF!

This week’s Nudge is partly about clearing space in my home (and my head) and partly about checking a long-overdue to-do off my list.

Let’s get this done.

What Happened: A year and a half ago…. Ugh! I cannot believe this is how this is starting! A year and a half ago, as I was recovering from abdominal surgery, it dawned on me I had no loose-fitting clothing. I called a dear friend–a savvy shopper–and asked her to order me several pairs of sweat pants and have them delivered to my home. Well, she came through with an abundance of choices, including matching jackets and soft tops that made me feel as though I were being hugged.

I didn’t need everything, and since the items were so heavily discounted (see “savvy shopper”), I decided to pay everything forward and donate the remaining items to a women’s shelter instead of returning them for a nominal refund.

A huge bag took up residence in my office.

Then, a Nudge back in June of this year to “Wear different fabrics” led me to clear out my closet. Several gently worn items were added to the bag.

And the bag sat in my office.

Until this week.

I confirmed the drop-off location and operating hours, made a plan, and saw it through.

The Ah-Hahs: I declined a receipt. This wasn’t about getting a tax credit or any other kind of credit. It was a gift, an offering, a chance to pay forward the gifts of good health and generous friends that have been given to me.

It also felt like the closing of a chapter. It took me many months to recover from that surgery, and this week I felt like I could put all that behind me. I no longer have that visual reminder of my struggles facing me every day.

I hope the pants, dresses, sweaters, and accessories in that bag help someone else feel good. I pray their spirits are lifted, and when they’ve overcome their struggles, they find a way to pay it forward too.