And I like "stuff." I struggle constantly with materialism and feeling like I truly "need" things. However, we have too many things, too much clutter, too many items that we just don't use and that are possibly just being tucked away in the basement.
It isn't bad to own things. It's not even bad to own things you don't use all the time. This Thanksgiving I used an electric knife to carve the turkey. It's not used often, but when it is, it comes in handy. The problem comes in when you simply just have things to have them.
• Because it was a great deal.
• Because it used to fit.
• Because you're sentimental and you have a hard time letting go of things that remind you of someone you love.
I remind myself as we pare down, give away and just simply get rid of things that we're cultivating ourselves. Our wardrobe will be nicer when it's easier to find something and when we concentrate on nice quality items, but fewer. Our home is a better reflection of us because I've slowly weeded out the things that I bought in a transition period but didn't suit us. Our lives are richer because it saves money and lends us more time for quality activities if we're not bogged down by the process of accumulating crap.
I looked in one of our kitchen drawers today and asked myself why on earth it was full of things we don't use when space is at a premium in our kitchen (because I do have so many utensils I use all the time).
It's hard to be honest with ourselves and admit when there is simply too damn much. Because it means admitting misspent money. It means misspent time and space. And it means that we probably need to address why we've accumulated so many things. Ironically too often, getting out and shopping was a way to avoid the clutter problem!
I'm admitting all this because though I'm ashamed, we've been working really hard for the last few weeks to really dig in and clear up (and out) this problem. With a one year old it's slow going, but we're enjoying the freedom in owning less.
Let's just call it our Christmastime Clean Out.
Been there! Let me encourage you to keep at it because getting rid of things is the best way to keep from buying unneeded things in the future. That painful process where you had to face mis-spent money, needless clutter and the time it took to clean out will stay with you. I did this a few years ago and my unnecessary spending and accumulating more things that I will have to organize and store has dropped dramatically! Now it's almost as if something has to "qualify" to come home with me. ALMOST always.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Things need to qualify for a need or something we truly love for our home. I used to be great at this, but got off track somewhere.
DeleteWhile I've been off work sick I've done a little sorting out of things as well. It's a tough job! I've got 2 boxes of things, mostly from my closet, that I'm taking into town tomorrow to donate, and I've barely made a dent!!
ReplyDeleteI'm also trying to think twice before I go out and buy anything that I bring into the house. I've spent years with an "it'll do" attitude to my closet and home decor and I'm tired of it. I deserve more than "it'll do", I deserve "that's fabulous"!!
You absolutely do deserve "it's fabulous!" I've had this same thought. That I want to love and be excited by what I can wear rather than just trying to put something on that "will do."
DeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI'm taking a break from my own clutter-clearing mission right now! I also have a little one and it definitely is a time consuming project(and I hate wasting nap time to clean out closets...) but it's been worth it. I keep reminding myself how irritating a job it is, and why I don't want to tackle clutter on this level again. I've been dealing with one project at a time and slowly going room by room. It's very satisfying to sit back and admire the work as I go. Good luck and don't get overwhelmed - baby steps!
It does seem ten times harder with a little one. She either wants to "help" or we're trying to do everything while she sleeps. But I remind myself that we're getting it reined in now so that she'll grow up in a clutter free environment and hopefully learn the lessons of less is more and also to cultivate the beauty around her slowly.
DeleteBonjour Kate!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with materialism as well. My "Style Sunday" posts feature the next thing I have to purchase instead of appreciating what I already have every week!
I do declutter a bit every week though. If you need any help, I'm here! I'm proud of you already though. Letting go of things (...and thinking outside of your native culture) is tough.
...I actually haven't regretted anything I tossed/donated yet, even sentimental items since I still keep the memories. I always appreciate the "freedom" of less more.
~Michelle
For sentimental items we have been doing the , "does it matter enough to keep it or would a picture suffice?" thing. For instance, G was my Senior Prom date and so when I found the invitation and ticket for that I tucked it away with our love letters!
DeleteI'm doing the same thing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, it is sometimes easier than expected and other times très difficile! Good luck as well!
DeleteIt is so hard to keep things out of our homes because the media pushes them in! Over time, I've discovered that keeping out of the stores helps most of all. I find that if I find myself in a bind because I *need* something, I find an acceptable substitute among the things I already own. Keep paring down and you'll be happier. As for sentimental items, I realized that my special box of sentimental items had disappeared. I was heartbroken for weeks - but then I realized the box had been missing for years and I hadn't even noticed. How special was it after all?
ReplyDelete