Friday, November 6, 2009

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?

8 comments:

happileah said...

I am not a packrat, but my sons & husband are. Leaves me feeling all sorts of insane. haha...
I agree though-once your home is clear (even the closets), you'll feel much better.

Mary Richmond said...

I am so there with you. After cleaning out our parents' homes we have even more to declutter. It gets hard when there is emotional baggage attached to certain stuff and that's the stuff I have left to go through. Good luck! I'll be right there with you ;-)

Cathryn said...

I'm not the packrat that my husband is. It's a constant battle between his need to preserve, collect, hoard for "just in case." and my need of going through the house every six months and toss what hasn't been used.

Lanyardlady said...

I do OK with everything but papers and documents. Most of the other stuff I can discard without much angst, but papers and documents are a different story. It's scary, actually. Good luck!

Unknown said...

I'm just like you. A saver and a minimalist wannabe. I hope to clear more things out of our home, too.

Nancy

Oklahoma Granny said...

I am a packrat. When we moved last year after living in that home for 20 years we got rid of a LOT of stuff. Now I try to keep "stuff" to a minimum but it's VERY HARD for me. I wish you much luck!

Angela said...

I am an organized pack rat. I normally know exactly which pile what I am looking for is in :)

jdavissquared said...

I'm a HUGE packrat. I think it's just the way we artists are. Good luck!

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