Minimalism

.....a style or technique (as in music, literature or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.... so says Webster.

Now that is definitely not me, but it is what I am hoping to start practicing...not in a business context, but from a personal standpoint. I don't think this is exactly how the word is meant to be used, but I like the sound of it.

I tend to be a keeper, a saver, a collector, a pack rat....whatever you want to call it. I hate to throw things away or give things away if there is even the slightest chance that I might regret it even ten years down the road. "Darn it! Why did I give that fondue pot away? We could have used that!"This photo is from a website that is all about getting rid of clutter. I might check it out to get some helpful hints.

This fall and winter, my goal is to start unloading. I've done dejunking before, but never to the extent that I want to and need to. When you have lived in the same house for 37 years....you tend to have a lot of stuff. I said once that we needed to pretend that we were moving, because that was the only way we would ever dig ourselves out from under all of the crap we have amassed over the years.

My new feeling is this....cluttered house.....cluttered head. I know I don't want a cluttered head, therefore, I can't have a cluttered house. When you live in a 1000 square foot house, almost anything you set down becomes clutter. It's just the way it is.

My son and his wife hate clutter and their house looks so awesome. They only have what they need. Now, don't get me wrong, they have darn nice things...but they don't have "stuff" anywhere....just their nice things. I will never get to where they are, because I will always like "stuff" and I am me and I like me.....but I would like to "lean" toward that concept a bit more.

This will be one of those overwhelming tasks where I have to tackle it one room at a time, but eventually it will get done. I made some good progress this past year in my workshop. So, wish me luck as I start my project next week. I figure while we are painting and decorating, this would be a great time for it. I'll let you know occasionally how it's going.

So.....are you the pack rat?