By Angie Fenton

DAYS BEFORE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE, I WOKE UP IN A COLD SWEAT, MY MIND FLOODED WITH ANXIETY: WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF MY BAGGAGE?

NO, NOT THAT KIND OF BAGGAGE. I MEANT THE LITERAL TYPE – WHERE YOU COMBINE YEARS OF BELONGINGS INTO ONE HOME.

BECAUSE MY SOON-TO-BE PARTNER IN LIFE AND I ALSO OPTED TO BECOME PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS AND START UP A MAGAZINE( AHEM, THIS ONE) IN THE MIDST OF GETTING MARRIED AND INSTEAD OF GOING ON A HONEYMOON, TIME AND MONEY WERE IN SHORT SUPPLY. YET, WE HAD AN ABUNDANCE OF( AGAIN, LITERAL) BAGGAGE.

SO, WE DID WHAT ANYONE WOULD DO AND STUFFED IT AWAY IN THE UNFINISHED BASEMENT, VOWING TO ADDRESS IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

FOUR YEARS LATER, WE’ RE STILL PAYING THE( FIGURATIVE) PRICE BUT ARE FINALLY MAKING HEADWAY, THANKS TO THE ADVICE OF FRIENDS, FAMILY AND EXPERTS.

BUT DON’ T DO WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WAIT TO TACKLE THE ELEPHANT-SIZED ISSUE IN THE ROOM. INSTEAD, MAKE A PLAN BEFORE YOU SAY,“ I DO,” AND PAVE THE WAY FOR MARITAL BLISS – AND LESS BAGGAGE IN ALL WAYS.

Divide and Conquer

Before acquiring new items we purchased together, we looked at what we already possessed – together. Then, we started making divisions: What is junk? What would make good donations? What is sentimental? What should be left for a rainy day next week... or next year? Tag these items with color-coded stickers meant for garage sales( Ben Franklin Crafts sells them) so you know what’ s what or move them into designated piles or sections. This way you know what needs to go first: the junk.

Junk It

I genuinely thought I might have a mild panic attack the day we scheduled 1-800-GOT-JUNK to arrive, but the truth is, it was cathartic. If you can’ t reuse it, donate it, repurpose it or save it because of the condition it’ s in – and goodness knows you can’ t put it all out for the weekly trash collection – make the call. While they were there, it felt like we were shedding weight we never knew we were carrying( and we weren’ t – they were). After the initial visit from the Got Junk crew, we suddenly had more room and opportunity to delve in even further. We also knew we could call them again … and have.( 1800gotjunk. com)

Store It

One of the best pieces of advice my mother has ever shared was about excess baggage. She’ s the queen of shedding clutter and hanging on to items that might be memorable to someone decades down the road.“ You don’ t have to make a decision today.” And, you don’ t. But if you want to reduce your baggage, look for a place that will store your precious cargo outside of your abode.

Just be sure you choose wisely. Businesses like arc Storage, 3525 Grant Line Road in New Albany, offer safe, secure and humidity- and temperaturecontrolled rental units for the items you just can’ t part with but also know you’ re not ready to give up. They also offer an emotional detachment for when you’ re ready to tackle your baggage.( myarcstorage. com)

Give It

As much as I wanted to hang on to the furniture I’ d lived with and loved while single, my husband and I didn’ t need it. Our baby is now a toddler, and we don’ t need to hang on to every single thing that was hers either. But someone else might find it useful and helpful.

Seek out charitable organizations and churches in need of furniture, household goods and clothing. If you can’ t deliver and they don’ t pick up, ask your friends for referrals. You’ ll be surprised at how quickly items you once loved will go to good homes, and how soon your anxiety – and baggage – will be gone.

THE WEDDING ISSUE: EXTOL 83