We spent the entire afternoon and evening cleaning out our house yesterday. Namely, the garage, backyard and my war-zone of a closet. We decided, as a family, that it is finally time to say goodbye to the well-loved play set that has adorned our backyard, and our memories, for over eight years now.
It’s been a long time coming.
But it’s one of those things that brings back a million memories, so it’s hard to say goodbye. It’s also giant and takes up about a third of the space in the backyard. Ever since we bought a trampoline from a neighbor (and adopted a giant dog) we’ve not had much space for the boys to play because the mammoth play set is taking up so much space. This spring, when we needed a space for our garden, what did we do? We took down the swings and put up our green fencing around the play set. It’s so very clearly time to say goodbye.
Then why is it so hard?
They say they will miss the slide in winter. They’ll miss watching for Dad’s car pulling in the neighborhood from their “lookout”. They’ll miss it being their Nerf base. But, it’s not just the boys. It’s hard for me too. I think I’m hesitant to admit they’re really old enough to not want to play there anymore.
That’s when you know it’s time.
When the reasons for keeping the old thing that no longer serves you, staying in the same job that doesn’t fulfill you, or maintaining the old relationships that only bring you down, are more about comfort than they are about growth, it’s time. It’s time to reassess, clean out and move on. It’s time to discover the possibilities that are available to you when you clear out space for them.
It’s time to take a deep breath and say goodbye.
Unless of course, comfort is your end goal, but I don’t think it is. I think you’re reading this today because you’re working hard to grow and become. You’re seeking to become more and more of the person you were made to be. And that kind of growth isn’t usually comfortable.
It usually looks like hard work.
And we can do it, together.
to more love,
Crystal
