Stuff & Things

[mlerules]

As I wander about my place, putting things away, looking at what I have and wondering which things I really need, it hits me: I have a lot of stuff and things "just in case." I'm not where I'm going to be. I don't know where I'm going to be. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing. Then again, hanging onto stuff in case I need it really may well result in clogging up the pipeline of where I'd like to be and what I'd like to be doing.

Goal: get no more stuff, at least w/out thinking long and hard 'bout whether I need the stuff and ideally with a give and take built in the process: as something comes in, so something goes out.

Comments

[glitch25.livejournal.com]

One of my sweetie's has that very policy. And she's whittled things down to the point where adding to her "stuff" involves a fair bit of sacrifice in terms of what gets removed its stead. She finds herself on the move quite a bit, and this helps with her ability to pack quickly. :-) I also tease her for the fact that she carries a purse that holds maybe 4 things in it. :-) But they are a precious 4 things.

Been doing a bit of that myself, and the "just in case" theory has accounted for a significant amount of clutter and kludge in my stuff. Its a bit painful, but I've gotten rid of large bunches of stuff on the realization that in 10 years, "just in case" not only never came in to play, but was never a realistic case anyways. IN many ways though, it is very freeing. :-)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Yeah - "just in case" must have some basis in reality or it's just silly. Of course I also find myself reaching the point of feeling silly/lame/whatEVER for having hung onto stuff for so long w/out using it that I almost wanna keep it to prove that 'twas worthwhile keeping for so long...yeah, I know this makes no sense and I'm fighting this one (and winning - or will once I find/take/make the time to do it).

Good to know I'm not alone in the battle. Best wishes taming your piles and getting ready for your next place!

[siouxiequeue.livejournal.com]

I so hear you...
we've been "spring cleaning" since about February, and it's amazing how many things really fit into a category of "because it was a gift" or "because it's pretty, even though I never use it"... now, *THOSE* are good to get rid of - I'm a huge fan of re-gifting to people who will love and *use* things. Still have a lot to get rid of, though... art supplies, however, get special dispensation... I *do* use them...

[ignusfaatus.livejournal.com]

stef has a FEW earthquake kits, I believe. Perhaps you have room for one? It is wafer thin...

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

*smack*

[lionessrising.livejournal.com]

cleaning out the clutter of "just in case" stuff seems to be a theme this spring. We are doing the same thing - getting rid of some stuff we really don't need and purging pieces of the past that we've hung on to for some strange reason. Our recycling bin will be overflowing, I think, for the next couple of weeks.

right now, I'm thinking there is a yard sale in my future.