Questions …. Is it easier to get rid of stuff in tough economic times or harder? Is it easier to live with 5x as much stuff as you need or the bare minimum? Is it hard for you to let go or to just find time to let go?
I find that an uncluttered house makes me feel freer and actually allows me to act freer. I like that feeling of space and feeling like I am not bound by stuff.
I think about my Dad who lived through the Great Depression…. everyone seemed to be so resourceful, so saving and careful with their things. But …. I don’t think the two times, then and now, are really comparable. Its different now even though money is tight. Things are more available now, used items as well as new.
But when is enough … enough?
What are your feelings about stuff and getting rid of it? What are your answers to the questions?
Hello and welcome! I'm Sylvia Britton, and I've been online since 1996 offering encouragement and help in the spirit of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 at Christian Homekeeper. CHK is the original Homekeeping site on the internet
My biggest clutter seems to come from my collection of Christian Books. I dread to give them up since I read them over and over again. I also need to tackle my rubbermaid container of pictures. I am afraid I may never get some of my photos developed with the advent of the digital age. I still have 35 mm film that needs developing.
Kathy, I have the same two problems! Books and pictures. I think I can give up some of my books. I am not a good picture organizer though, but I know that only I can put them together date-wise … ugh …. I don’t want to think about it. lol 😀
Well said, Karen. I think you just got through to me! I spend a lot of time moving stuff from room to room because there’s just no place for it. Here goes throwing stuff away!
I think it can be tougher to get rid of things; people could fall into worry that they might need it later and not have the money to buy it.
My own reaction to midlife is that I have a different perspective on “stuff”. It steals not only my money but time as well. Let’s face it. I don’t have the energy to keep up a house with stuff. Clutter equals confusion. The less I have the more at peace with the day I feel. Clutter clutters my mind!
It felt great to get rid of things!
It seems to me that I am constantly looking at each room in the house and thinking.”Do we/I need this? Have I ever used it? Some things I like to keep are books. Occasionally I will give books and videos to our local charity shops, where they are bought by some-one else and the charity makes money..I like this! Things like lego and board games I keep even if the children have totally outgrown them. I was blessed recently to lend some games to a family who are having a tough time, and they brought a lot of fun and laughter into a couple of evenings for them. I also think of future grandchildren 😉
I’m pretty much a packrat but I am getting better. One thing I’ve started doing: If there is something I want to keep only for sentimental reasons but it doesn’t fit in with my decor etc., I will take a picture of it so that I can still look at it and remember with fondness whoever gave it to me but I don’t have to dust it! lol It’s a work in progress…I still have a loooong way to go.
I have come to a couple of conclusions regarding keeping things. I am hoping that over time my husband will begin to agree with me. As it is right now when I declutter I have to do while my husband is working because he allows emotions to play too big of a part. I think a lot of times someone collecting is just another way to be a packrat. My husband “collects” comic books. He does read them so I give credit for that, but storing them is a HUGE problem. We have them in the garage, closets, etc. It is very frustrating for me so I just try to keep being more creative as to what to do with them.
As far as toys, school work, and other keepsakes I have space designated for them. Once the space is full something has to go. For example, I have an Avon box for each child to save some of their school work. They each have a box for old, favorite toys to save as keepsakes. They also have one box for other keepsakes for over the next few years. When they leave home they will take these boxes with them. The toys in their rooms have a certain amount of space, and they are not allowed to have anything other than that sapce.
(Sorry, I don’t know what happened, but as I was typing, it posted so I didn’t get to finish what I was trying to explain. So here goes, the rest of the story.)
Well, I have to admit—sadly—that I can’t throw away ANYTHING! Thankfully, my husband can throw away EVERYTHING and has on many occasions. So the two of us make a nice blend, which keeps our house about 70% organized. 🙂 I plan to work on that other 30% some time, maybe even sooner rather than later, and maybe even now during this “Spring Cleaning” thing Sylvia has going on. Thanks for your help Sylvia. Wish me tons of luck and muscle.
Well, I have to admit—sadly—that I can’t throw away ANYTHING!
I hold on to things. My mom is a packrat, so I don’t have a good basis for how bills and papers should be organized and when they should be disposed of. My mom keeps everything for many years!
I don’t want to do that. How can I be different?
Also, I’m really having a hard time with is my kids’ school work. I really don’t look at it after they bring it home, but I hold on to it for a long time. How do I decide what to keep and what to throw away?
I wouldn’t consider myself a minimalist. However, I have no problem getting rid of things. I’m at a place in life where I only keep things I truly love or I think are a necessity.
I’ve long since given up the feeling of keeping everything because “so and so” gave that to me, or because I feel guilty because someone (or I) spent money on it. I’m perfectly happy remembering receiving a card, but I don’t need to keep it forever. Same with gifts. If I love it, I’ll keep it. If not, I’ll pass it on to someone else or take it to goodwill.
I’m slowly going through my home and taking stock of everything. Do I love it? Do I need it? Is it special to me for whatever reason? If it doesn’t fit into one of those categories it’s gone!
I do feel so much more free. It’s a relief to not have to deal with so much stuff. To not have to constantly try to organize and reorganize to find a place for everything!
Even though I’ve gotten rid of quite a few things and still going, make no mistake, we still have a lot of stuff! lol