Clutter is very much about being keener to acquire than to let go. We acquire things we need, or more likely just want, but once their usefulness to, or novelty for, us has expired we hang on to them. I feel that there are four main reasons for why we hang on to this clutter and they are, laziness, confusion, fear and indifference. Laziness of course refers to having the stuff there, being aware that it is a problem but refusing to deal with it because you just don't want to make the effort. The problem is this is that while you are "ignoring" it it is gnawing away at your peace of mind. … [Read more...]
The problem is acquiring
Clutter is very much about being keener to acquire than to let go. We acquire things we need or want but once their usefulness to us has expired we hang on to them. I feel that there are three main reasons for that and they are laziness, fear and indifference. Laziness of course refers to having the stuff there, being aware that it is a problem but refusing to deal with it because you just don't want to make the effort. Fear is all about thinking you might need it some day and keeping it just in case. And indifference is being aware that you have clutter but don't mind, don't care or even … [Read more...]
Have faith that you won’t need it one day
As the saying goes ~ "Believe and the Universe will provide." Whether you are religious, spiritual or neither there is a good chance that this saying is true for you. It sure has been true for me, and that is why I never worry about letting go of the things that I don't use. I hold on to very little in the way of things that I only think I might need some day because I have no doubt that... ...I probably won't and never did "need" it in the first place and... ...and anything I do need want can be easily replaced at a later date. One of the reasons I believe these this is that I … [Read more...]
Putting NEED into prespective
I was chatting with an acquaintance recently about clutter and being environmentally friendly and she chose to share a story with me. Below is my rendition of the story as I remember it. The hot water system at her home went on the fritz and had to be replaced. Her husband, being a bit of a handyman, insisted that they buy one and he would install it. Being a busy fellow the weeks went by and he hadn't got around to doing the job. This acquaintance was born and raised in the Philippines where, for her family, the bathing routine consisted of a bucket of water and a cake of soap. One would … [Read more...]
Mini Mission Monday ~ Not So Wanted
Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and "fun" for you to achieve some quick decluttering. This week's mini missions are all about getting rid of things that were acquired out of choice not necessity. Items that, if you are trying to reduce your belongings to just the things you really like or need, should be quite easy to part with. Unless of course you love all the items in these … [Read more...]
From the Archives ~ Keys to staying decluttered
A place for everything and everything in it's place! If you always know where everything is you won't need to replace it because you can't find it. Know the difference between need and want It is easy to convince yourself that something you want is something you need. Don't be fooled by this. Only shop for what you need This one speaks for itself, if you aren't bringing anything you don't need into your home it will stay uncluttered. Make it clear you don't want clutter gifts It is possible to convince most people not to buy you gift or at least insist that people only … [Read more...]
Mad if you don’t ~ Mad if you do?
Clutter is often the result of buying now rather than wisely. This can apply to all sorts of products for various reasons. Here are two common reasons for purchasing this way. The first being that the item has bargain price you'd would be mad to pass it up. And second, the item may not be available later so you would be mad not to grab it now while you have the chance, avoiding future regret. Sound familiar? Here are some examples... Scenario ~ Sally was at the thrift store and saw a microwave oven plate that exactly matched the one for her oven and it was only $2. She had recently broken … [Read more...]
Simple Saturday ~ Book Review – The Overspent American
The Overspent American: Upscaling, Downshifting, and the New Consumer by Juliet B. Schor was published in 1998, but the information seems as relevant today as it did more than a decade ago. The book is geared toward middle and upper-income families, who seem to be caught up in a never-ending cycle of keeping up with the Joneses, no matter who the Joneses are. "The Joneses" are our first error, according to Dr. Schor. In the past, our Joneses (or reference group) would be our neighbors, who all lived in houses about like ours, drove cars similar to ours, and likely had two adults and only one … [Read more...]
Day 290 Recreational shopping.
Recreational shopping, I wish it was an oxymoron like - unbiased opinion or seriously funny- but unfortunately it's not. As the title suggests, people do approach shopping as a form of recreation. Sadly, having disposable income isn't always considered a necessity in the pursuit of such entertainment. Hence the abysmal levels of credit card debt in the Western world. Although I can't claim to be innocent of taking part in the past, I can honestly say that I did not contribute to the credit card debt statistics. Never the less, it is something I am not proud of and I am glad I learnt to be a … [Read more...]
Day 220 Kid’s Wardrobe Declutter Part 2
I wanted to do follow up on yesterday's post with some practical advice on children's wardrobes. I would like you to keep in mind that my children are 21 & 19 now and it has been a while since I had control over what they wear. When my children were small, well actually they are still small but we will come to that soon, I was very lucky that I really didn't need to buy much for them in the way of clothing. Both my mother and mother-in-law are very good at sewing and made most of the clothes they needed. My MIL would buy good second-hand clothing and shoes for them on occasion as well. I … [Read more...]