Took a trip to the library yesterday and hit a bonanza for newer magazines! Woo Woo!
I refuse to subscribe to a multitude of magazines for two reasons -- cost is one, but also, after reading them, what to do with them? I recycle them, but it seems such a waste. We get one magazine and it comes once a week -- a news magazine. After hubby reads it, I read it and then it goes into the recycling bin. Hubby said that although it is an interesting read, he doesn't want to renew the subscription. Fine with me!
However, what I really want to write about is the article in the "Saturday Evening Post" about clutter. The author said that we, as Americans, have more stuff than ever before. It was thought that perhaps we, in our minds, equate success with stuff and happiness with goods.
Good point, don't you think?
I think many people who lived during the Depression don't equate happiness with stuff, but survival with items. So many had so little and it is a fear they don't want to have again.
My parents would always say to me, "Don't get rid of that...what if we have another depression? You'd be happy to have it." It certainly taught me fear. Fear of being without.
I guess the key is to have a happy medium -- enough stuff to enjoy, but not too much.
I am working on decluttering at this house. We certainly have more things than we need. In fact, I'm kind of ashamed of all the stuff we have. I took some items to the auction last week. Not one item could I live without...raised $55.57 for my stove fund!
The article suggested as a decluttering idea was for every item you bring into your house, you get rid of two. I've heard the one for one equation...you buy something, you get rid of something. Maybe this twofer is a better idea.
As with all things...moderation!
Clutter Crazy
July 22nd, 2010 at 02:54 pm
July 22nd, 2010 at 03:21 pm 1279808462
Congrats on the sale of your clutter!
July 22nd, 2010 at 04:51 pm 1279813875
It feels like de-cluttering is the frugal backlash to the new millineum Joneses. The more time I spend in stuff-filled houses, the more I want to go home and de-clutter.
The end goal is kind of the same. I just want life to be simpler. My grandparents just want to be prepared in case of hard times. The manifestation of these similar goals are completely opposite. It's interesting if you think about it.
Of course, having kids just means, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. I am disgusted by whoever invented happy meals and goodie bags. Might have been a good idea at one time or another, but now I am constantly throwing out little toys that I didn't even buy. I feel like I have to de-clutter just to stay afloat. Outgrown clothes and toys and gear is just constant, and we do keep it on the simple side. But it's still contant.
July 22nd, 2010 at 06:59 pm 1279821542
July 22nd, 2010 at 07:34 pm 1279823681
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:38 pm 1279838311
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:34 pm 1279920858
My ultimate goal would be to have NOTHING, not one item in my house that does not have a specific use or purpose, unless it's kept for sentimental reasons. In other words, pare things down to only what I really use. That, to me, is the essence of decluttering.