(photo courtesy of worththewhisk.com via flickr)
Remember that post about stuff, you know, on consuming things and stuff? It’s been my life since I wrote it. Working on a massive purge of stuff from my home. Making many visits to Goodwill, passing some things along to friends (seems like I’m not alone in not wanting stuff these days), bracing for big change.
I noticed that even though I keep getting rid of all this stuff, I still have so much stuff! Wow. I mean, it’s been hitting me in ways it’s never hit me before. As I go through box after box and hesitantly sever sentimental ties to objects, I reflect on what it took to get to this point. Now, let me set the record straight, I am not a hoarder. I’m not even all that sentimental. I formerly had a policy in place to never throw out a postcard. I’ve cancelled that policy, effective immediately. I have just acquired stuff. I’m getting older, it happens!
As I sift, filter, donate and (regrettably) trash things, I look around and think to myself, “I still have so much stuff!” It makes me feel like I’m eating a giant bowl of noodles that just never seems to end. You eat and eat and eat and the bowl is still full. Has that ever happened to you? It’s delicious of course, but eventually you just feel full, and possibly even terrible. (A lot like a hungry ghost! Check out this wonderful book Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life That Matters to learn more…)
This has all been an amazing life lesson and has completely informed my desire to consume stuff. I’d love to hear from you:
What makes something special to you?
How do you manage your own stuff?
What kind of things do you accumulate the most?
What do you wish you consumed less of?
For the record, I probably accumulate books the most (it used to be shoes)! I also like markers, pens & notebooks. And I tend to like to buy a new dress for a special occasion (weddings, etc). And clothes, but soooo much less than I used to. So much less.
I consume LOTS of healthy and nutritious food and have absolutely no regrets about it!
One last thing, I can’t get enough of the cold sesame noodles at Han Dynasty! You should try them sometime, but don’t eat too much 
I’m really really good at accumulating stuff. All kinds–reminders of special people and memories, books I think would be good to have on hand “just in case”, clothes I can “remake” into something cool or useful, and the list goes on. But I’ve been getting better at letting go of these things too. When I’m in a purging phase, I ask myself, “Will I miss this if it’s not around?” and “Am I really going to use this in the next year?” And if those answers are “No”, I can usually let go. Throwing away birthday cards doesn’t change the friendship, and tossing a book doesn’t make me less knowledgeable. But really, I swear I’m going to dig out my sewing machine any day now and make something wonderful from all that discarded fabric…
Hey Becky, can’t wait to see the awesome duds you make with your extra fabric. So, tell me… exactly when are you dragging out that sewing machine?
As I said… “any day now.”
In time for winter gift giving, or they go. This past winter, I made pocket warmers and wine-bottle sleeves out of some old shirts. Have a skirt>purse project in mind; just need the right belt for the strap. T-shirt throw-pillow cases are also on the list.
Hey there, Roz,
I totally agree that it’s very easy to accumulate – even when you strive to simplify. The thing I’ve accumulated most of is fabric. I love to sew, but rarely do these days. The bins of projects waiting for attention are off the charts. I have tried giving things away and filtering through, but there is just something sensual about textiles that makes it difficult for me to pass up when they are right in front of me. They call out to me with their potential and so I bring them home with hopes of turning them into something else. One day, I still hope to.
S
I think it’s fascinating that both you and Becky responded that way! I have the hardest time getting rid of books. I just sent dozens back to Amazon as part of their trade-in program, and while I was packing them up, I decided to keep a few. I’m in love with learning, so that makes it hard to give them up!
Knowing you creatively approach so many things in life (business, cooking, writing, fitness!), I can’t even begin to imagine how crafty you’d get with textiles! Looking forward to seeing the results when the creative forces align!
I have a lot of stuff, too. It’s really hard when you first start getting rid of stuff to actually do it but it becomes easier and easier. I’ve been purging items all year. I “collect” books mainly, followed by CDs which I am still hesitant to completely get rid of, and a lot of random little things. I’ve started to keep tiny special things from trips, etc. in glass jars. Makes for an interesting display and you actually get to see your stuff! So now when I travel, I pick-up small things, if anything at all, or one big special item. I knew someone that used to fill a mason jar with little things from every trip, and they had a whole bookshelf of them. I kind of loved that and was inspired by it.
Roz, I believe “stuff” is a form of nourishment (or a poor substitute, at best.) Like the “hungry ghosts” you mentioned, accumulation is an attempt to satisfy an imperceptible longing. The sooner we recognize unconscious “eating,” the less stuff we accumulate. (Or that’s been my experience.)
As for what makes something special to me (enough to keep it), it has to be visually appealing or hold a memory that my mind hasn’t wrapped itself around yet. As soon as I become comfortable with the thought of “not having it,” I give the item to someone who will enjoy it — with instructions to pass it along when they’re done with it!
Books top my list, too. And paper. Seems like I’m forever shuffling paper, ha!