Why do we hold onto stuff? Why do things sit in our cupboards or on our shelves for months, maybe years, and never get used?
I used to be in two minds on this; I liked to have nice things around me, and yet at the same time I disliked clutter and owning anything that was of no use. Now, I think that everything I own should serve a purpose and I’m becoming more minimalist.
It’s not always easy though. I’m trying really hard to let go of stuff. Really hard. When we move abroad I want a clean slate. A really clean {living} slate.
Perhaps, when you’ve been in debt and lived an over abundant credit card fuelled life, you need to come {almost} full circle to fully recover. Perhaps I just want a clutter free home.
What about you, do you hold onto stuff, or do you find it easy to let go? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
{photo credit: ex.libris }
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so so much better than I used to be. I was – well my husband would say I still am! – a clutterer. I festooned my life with nick nacks and I had loads of clothes for any occasion. it was all cheap stuff really, but I could not resist a charity shop or a boot sale – I even had a second hand market stall for a while so I would buy and reseal stuff. Now I am living with a lot less. its still hard to get rid of some stuff though. I have a fair amount of books that I really don’t read or need. and I still have a large bag of stuff to sell on ebay I can’t get rid of!! but am definately moving in the direction of stuff is just annoying, costs money and needs to be tidied up!
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Laura Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I think it takes baby steps Mo, releasing a lifetime of ‘shopping’ takes a long time
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There’s definitely a division in my mind about stuff. I like having pretty things in my life, so my living room is “cluttered” but I think of it as positive, inspirational, happy-inducing clutter. That way it has a purpose and adds to my life. It’s the ugly and pointless clutter that I can’t bear and that I’m trying to rid myself of. Like paperwork and CDs and old magazines that I’ll never read again. And old phone chargers and random unidentifiable keys that I’m still clinging on to (why?!). It’s that stuff that stresses me out.
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I loved this post! As one who has been a “packrat” for years, kept every little thing for a scrapbook, someday I might need mentality, I just know how I will use this, I want a collection, things will make me happy, etc…I have been there! I see rooms in magazines or catalogues that itrigue me…they are simple, necessary furniture (not unpractical things) a few decorations, a mirror, some books…not overdone, just basic. I am working at trying to achieve my whole house in that look. It takes time and once you have become a packrat, believe it takes phases to get to the new you. I lost my job a week ago, so I am determined to spend 2-3hrs each day working at organization, attempting to sell things online and trashing what I can’t. I don’ want to be bogged down with things, life is to fast and furious and has so much to offer! Thanks for reminding me today why I want to depackrat myself.
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Kat if it’s happy inducing then its great…that’s how I feel about my wall art etc, but you’re right when it comes to paperwork and phone chargers that all needs to go!
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Misty, I’m so sorry that you lost your job, I hope you find another one very soon. In the mean time enjoy your organising
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I seem to keep more things now that I have a family. I used to be absolutely ruthless and never had any clutter, but these days, it is an ongoing process to keep the clutter at bay!
I’m trying to declutter every week and also turn some into cash.
Like you, I only want to have things around me that means something to me. I think that clutter can make me feel not connected to my home.
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@littlegreenvillage having a family definitely adds to the clutter, my kids, even though they are now older, still seem to create a lot excess.
PS, I’m so glad you’re blogging again
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Like other commenters I used to be a hoarder. I’m in the (slow) process now of decluttering and although I’ve a long way to go I already feel more free! Just because of the fact that I’m determined to do it!
Teresa x
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Laura Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 3:40 am
@ teresa, yes, I think just the knowledge that you are in the process of clearing the clutter can be very freeing in itself…but gosh does it take so long!
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I find it very easy to get rid of stuff, I guess I just must have a lot of stuff, as I never seem to have any less, however much I get rid of!!
Just catching up on everybody’s blogs – can’t believe how much you’ve all written since I’ve been away!!
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I’ve never been a packrat, but we all have our weaknesses. For me, these things are books, music CDs, and garden gadgets.
I’ve read tons of books on decluttering and simplifying and have recently started a project where instead of making a list of things I need to buy that week I make two lists each weekend: the first is of stuff to get rid of, the second is of food I have on hand and what meals we can make that week. These are very helpful to me, as I am very conscious about not bringing more stuff into the house. Energy I would have devoted to shopping in the past is now on “reverse shopping.” Because I am an (obsessive?) list maker, I take a lot of satisfaction from crossing items off the list and keep a tally of my “found” money.
I also keep a list of other small money saver projects that I can accomplish in short periods of time — such as reviewing utility bills.
I’ve had some success selling used books and CDs online at amazon.com. When I have lots of items I generally take them to second hand bookstores or donate them to community book sales to raise funds for organizations I support.
Of course, I’ve become a fan of the public library and my Kindle reader. Although one can get into the habit of buying lots of books on the Kindle, I buy a lot of free books. I use its sample feature a lot to read snippets and reviews of books I’m interested in, then request them on interlibrary loan through my library (free). I’m told that we will soon be able to check out more Kindle books from the library.
With respect to the garden gadgets — I’ve finally decided that I’m not interested in heavy pots that I have to schlep all over my yard. I’ve sold lots of surplus gadgets (through a specialized plant/garden tools sale I had last spring. So many people are into gardening that I found a lot of interest in garden stuff and had no trouble getting rid of it and felt I got reasonable money. When I first got into gardening I felt I had to have a garden book on every subject. I think I just liked looking at the pretty pictures. There are so many outstanding blogs and agricultural extension resources available online for free now that I’ve decided I don’t need much. I’ve significantly pared back my collection and my goal is to get it down to the 5 books or so that are my “go to” sources. Everything else I can get online. I have a similar love for cookbooks and am attempting to break myself of that habit.
There’s nothing earth-shattering or particularly innovative about my decluttering methods, but what I do tell people is that it’s great to have it as a constant, on-going project. I am more mindful of my purchases and consumption, and it’s a constant reminder of how the small changes we make, over time, can help us close in on our goals.
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