Jul
28
2007
28
2007
Stuff
Filed under: Stuff, Consumerism, Simplifying, Possessions
STUFF.
It’s amazing to me how much stuff we managed to fit in our cozy little apartment in Bozeman. Even after we had taken all of the important and beloved items to the RV, we were still left with what you see in the above photo. This photo was taken right before we loaded up the truck to get rid of it all. We sold all of the furniture and higher priced items and gave everything else away. Well, almost everything. We kept the little munchkin hiding in the piles. It’s like Where’s Waldo 
Do you see her?
It was very freeing to downsize again…this time was much more drastic than any of our moves before. We ended up keeping only the stack of green totes behind Bella. The funny thing is…I don’t miss any of it. But I do think about “stuff” a lot. Not how to get it, but rather how I can get rid of it! I still go through the RV and make piles of stuff to give away. As we were packing, I started wondering how it all got into my possession in the first place. So…let’s discuss. How DOES all of this stuff get into our homes?
Where does it all come from?
Well, Target of course! Isn’t that where all STUFF originates from?! If it’s not Target, it’s another store that tells you that last season’s style is now out of style. When I think back to my college days of credit cards and endless spending…it was usually when Target changed seasons that I went berserk. All of those cool new things in new colors! Calling my name! Ooooh! It didn’t matter if I had something just like it at home already…whatever the thing was, the new one was better. Then, when I brought it home…the other item that I didn’t want anymore would just get put in a cupboard, a drawer, or the basement….and voila! Follow that sequence enough and CLUTTER IS BORN.
Our dissatisfaction with our current state of possessions is mostly driven by advertising. It’s practically unavoidable. The mall and television are the main culprits…but even without a television and with trying to avoiding the mall, I am still prone to being sucked in by banner ads for natural products or emails from companies I have bought from in the past sending me sale notices, etc. But, I know my weaknesses and I have started to unsubscribe from all of these tempting offers.
Speaking of knowing weaknesses…thrifting, garage sale-ing, ebaying. I’m sure there are many who read this blog who have a love of any or all of those things. But too much love for those things, and clutter will find you too! It used to be very hard for me to even go into a thrift store or to a garage sale without finding all kinds of things that would be “perfect”! When I had a larger living space, it was way too easy to find space to put all of it. But now, I have no extra space. I can tell myself “no” because I can’t imagine where it will go!
So we’ve established that stuff comes from stores…new or used. It also comes from the stuff-giving people in your life. If you have someone in your life who is constantly buying you things, it can be very difficult to handle if you are trying to downsize. Lucky for me, I can just say “sorry…we don’t have any more room in the RV!”. But that isn’t the case for most! My philosophy is to ALWAYS graciously accept whatever it is that someone is giving you. They have obviously given some thought into the matter and it’s important to them that you have it. If you decide later that you just don’t want to keep it, you can give it away, re-gift it to someone else, or if you’re broke…you could sell it! Hey! It’s practical. Some of you may have a problem with my suggestions, but when you’re downsizing…sometimes you have to be brutal. I’m not going to keep a dust-gathering figurine just because someone else thought I should have it in my house. If you have someone close to you who is consistently giving you things against your wishes, it would be wise to sit down and have a heart to heart about your values and goals for your home. You could give them some ideas of things that would be really useful gifts for you…or you can also ask them to give you gifts of their TIME instead. They could have you over for dinner or take the kids so you can have some alone time.
What is “enough”?
This is a question that only you can answer. I often get people asking me how much clothing they should keep or how many toys their child should have. It really just depends on what your priorities are. What works for one person would never work for another. Everyone one will have some types of possessions that will look like “excess” to someone else. The line between necessity and luxury is different for each person/family. You might be surprised at how little you actually need to live. I’m not saying that everyone would be happy selling it all and moving into an RV :). But it’s a really good exercise to truly examine what things are important for you to keep and what things are just taking up time and energy. Ask the hard questions of yourself. Why do you “need” a certain item? Could you live without it and still have the same quality of life? Some of you might have never considered living without a car. You might be surprised at how much stress it relieves! For others, living without a car would actually create more stress.
If you have the special gift of hospitality and you love to open your home to others and serve them…you probably don’t want to get rid of all of your extra dishes. On the other hand, if you have 25 cute coffee mugs, but you have never had more than 2 people over at one time for coffee…you might want to consider downsizing your collection. If you have a home with 2 spare bedrooms, but you only use them one weekend out of the year…you would probably benefit by downsizing your home. If you have people staying with you all the time and you love being able to open your home to traveling guests…then keep the bigger house!
Clothing is a great place to start your downsizing journey because nearly everyone has too many clothes! However, it can be a hard one because there tends to be a lot of emotions there. But they are just clothes, and they don’t make you who you are! If you have a piece of clothing you’re holding onto for sentimental reasons, consider making a throw pillow out of it or frame a piece of it like art. That way you can re-claim the space in your closet and make your memory functional.
If you haven’t been able to fit in those five pairs great jeans for 2 years…it’s probably time to give them away and enjoy the extra space in your closet. If you don’t love how you feel when you where it, it shouldn’t be there. If it stains easily, is hard to wash, or is not practical…it shouldn’t be there. If you haven’t worn it in a year…it’s gone! There are a couple of exceptions of course. If you have a job that requires a certain type of dress code, you will obviously need to keep clothes for work. And if you don’t have laundry on-site, it’s often easier to keep a few more clothes than you think you will need so that you have some available even if you can’t make it to the laundromat.
I’m sure that you have some things in your life that bring you extreme joy when you use them. For me it’s tea, pillows, cookbooks, and photos. Those are things that I will occasionally downsize, but I know that it’s ok for me to have what may look like excess to other people… because I LOVE them. Just know yourself…know WHY you are keeping something around. Only you can decide what works and what doesn’t.
Getting Rid of Stuff
The best way to start your downsizing journey is to JUST START. When I have stuff I need to go through, I create three boxes. The first box says “KEEP”, the second box says, “DONATE”, the third box says “SELL”. You can also have a fourth box that says “NOT SURE”. After you start doing this a lot, you’ll find that less and less goes in the “not sure” box because you get better at making decisions about what is important and what isn’t. Once you have your boxes set up…get busy! It helps to have a non-biased person helping because they can talk some sense into you when you when you need it. When you are done, put the donate box by the door so you can continue throwing stuff into it every day. When it’s full, put it in your car and take it to the Goodwill/Thrift/Salvation Army store that very same day. Don’t delay…otherwise it will sit there for 6 months. After 6 months you’ll find it and think “ooooh…look at all this fun STUFF!”. Just get rid of it fast and don’t look back. You won’t miss it. Take the sell box and sell those items on Craigslist, eBay, or your local classifieds.
Here are some places to focus your efforts:
- Clothing (as discussed above)
- Books: If you haven’t read it and never will, pass it on to someone else, sell it, or donate it to the library. I try to only keep my very favorite books on the shelf.
- Dishes: I like to only keep on hand what I need for my immediate family. One plate, one cup, etc. for each person. The rest goes in storage until we have guests. This also makes doing dishes much more enjoyable.
When you are at a level of possessions that you are happy with…make sure that everything has a place. I cannot stress this enough. When you don’t have a place for something, it just goes on the counter. Clutter breeds clutter, so pretty soon you have a little clutter colony there. You should have a place for keys. A place for incoming mail. A place for pens…and so on. It will be so much easier to clean your house when you can put it all away quickly. I also prefer to have a clean counter-top in the kitchen and bathroom. If you have the space to get your appliances and knick-nacks off of the counter and put them into cupboards or closets…do it. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Replace those items with a simple bouquet of wildflowers, wipe off your empty counter and SMILE!
If you do live in a small space, it’s critical that you de-clutter and put everything away EVERY night. If you let it build up for even one day, it can be overwhelming and get out of control. It’s especially true in the RV…I usually go through at least 2-3 times a day and put stuff away, straighten the counters, the bed, etc. I actually love doing it…because when everything has a place, it’s a JOY to “keep house”!
A Joy to Keep House?!
Yes. When your home is organized and decluttered…you will be a different person. Your outlook on life changes. Situations that seemed out of control and chaotic now seem manageable. When you wake up and walk to the kitchen to make coffee and your counter-top is clean…your day just got that much easier.
The state of your home is in direct proportion to the state of your heart/mind. When you have piles of stuff all over your house, your spirit just gets bogged down with all of it whether you know it or not. When you don’t have to worry about moving your STUFF around, cleaning your STUFF, and storing your STUFF…you have a lot more time to spend doing things things that you love and spending time with your family and friends! And that’s what life is all about.
Posted by Sara @ 2:30 am | Leave a Comment
Sara
Daughter of the Almighty. Wife. Mama. Sister. Friend. Traveler. Photographer. Designer. Tea drinker. Reader. Knowledge seeker. Google lover. Kitchen dweller. Dreamer. Leader. Homebirther. Breastfeeder. Homeschooler. Lover of life.
28
2007
I don’t know where to start! I am def a hoarder… and everything has a memory, so even when I do get round to starting I always end up reading something or thinking about when/ with who/ why/ how I got that thing and never seem to get any further. My kids come round and throw stuff out when i’m not looking- it’s that bad. maybe i should just get a bigger house….
28
2007
Ah, the stuff-giving people. Every Christmas, I turn into a grumpy, anti-social person who looks for ways to get out of family gatherings–because I don’t want the stuff. Seriously, a trunkload every year. Some years, a pick-up truckload. We request less, but this makes people angry. I spend the next 11 months psyching myself up to do it all over again. Ok, I need to go meditate now…
28
2007
I couldn’t agree more- as right now I am in the process of digging my way out from under all the STUFF in our home. It has been affecting my heart and spirit way too much lately and I must climb to the top! Your post is so encouraging… thank you!
Steph
28
2007
Thank you, thanks you for this thoughtful post! I will bookmark it, re-read it, post it on my blog. I am such a Stuff Gatherer, and it drives my husband nuts. I know I hold too tightly to things because it is so hard for me to part with them.
Sometimes I will make a scrapbook page of some beloved items (like a stuffed animal collection) and that makes it easier for me to get rid of them.
28
2007
Good Post! Im working on getting rid of junk myself!
My family is multiplying like rabbits right now and we just cant afford to buy everybody presents for their birthdays so here is what we do!
Every birthday we get together and share a meal and then we bring a gift from our home. This is really fun b/c when Im at one of my sister’s house I can be like ” ya know Heather my birthday is coming up and I really love that lamp!”
Its way more fun then going to the mall and fighting the crowd as well! You have to put more thought into the gift too! Try it out we love it!
28
2007
i’m drooling over all the stuff you’ve gotten rid of and the organization of your current stuff. i don’t think anyone around me understands the desire of my heart to live without the clutter of “stuff” and to live with everything i do own organized. so, it’s encouraging to read this post.
i love your tips and plan to implement them. i’m moving out of my parents house next month, most likely into an efficiency apartment. i’m not sure there’s an efficiency big enough for 26 years worth of stuff… lol. so, i’ll definitely be downsizing during the move.
28
2007
I love this post! You have been such an inspiration to me and my husband, and we’re always so excited when you post a new “Live Lightly” update!
We, too, are trying to make conscious decisions about living “smaller,” and I appreciate you sharing ideas and stories so that others can be inspired. What a blessing!
28
2007
i totally agree with what you say about the state of your home being in direct proportion to the state of your heart/mind.
i know i am a totally different person when i am organized, and i am a FREAK when i am surrounded by chaos!
(which i feel is all too often these days. heh!)
*sigh*
good post sara. thanks!
28
2007
Thank you so much for this post.It was just what I needed. I have just spent the week at a very simple cabin in the mountains and LOVED it. Due to its size, I had a place for everything and did not need anything else. I am totally inspired by my cabin experience and now coming home to reading your post has got the wheels turning. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us.
28
2007
I know you’ve given lists before of what’s in your wardrobe - how about one for life in your RV?
28
2007
I very much needed to read this post! Thank you! I am in the very beginning stages of downsizing. Actually I am in the very beginning stages of living deliberately at all. I am researching blogs like crazy to get ideas and encouragement. I appreciate your posts very much. Keep it up!!!
28
2007
Excellent post! I just hate being inundated with STUFF.
28
2007
Good job…once again you’ve put into words what is on many minds. You’ve given practical ideas to helping all of us declutter!
Love you friend!
28
2007
Thank you for this excellent post. You sound like FLYlady of flylady.net.
I sometimes have a hard time getting rid of clutter (I wish it were a lot easier to drop things off someplace or sell them) but when I look back at the stuff I’ve managed to get rid of over two years, I can recognize a difference!
28
2007
Great post! Here’s the quote that I was thinking of: “Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”–William Morris
28
2007
Hi, I just stumbled across your website while looking up dreadlocks on google, and I have to say you’re definitely an inspiration mostly because of your obvious heart for God,I’ve read quite a few of your posts and I’ve been chalenged, especially by cloth toilet paper, I never even realized that was possible and then dreadlocks I’ve been praying about putting my hair in dreadlocks for a long time and I recently asked the Lord to show me some of the ups and downs and all that jazz, and I went to maybe 10 websites just the day after and all of them were by Christian people with dreads, it was awesome, so this coming weekend my hair is going into locks, well thanks for being a awesome lady of the Lord, I’ll be reading your site often, be blessed.
28
2007
I will be quoting you and putting a link to my post - you have said it best! I am going through this right now and feel as though you snuck into my brain and read my mind
You Rock!
29
2007
Pat rack here, descended from a family of pack rats…
I admire your hard-nosed commitment to downsizing. I do give away boxes of clothes and other household items we don’t need several times a year, but we also accumulate a lot of clutter.
Right now I am focusing my attention on other aspects of my life, but I would like to declutter at some point.
If I may say a few words in defense of those who form sentimental attachments to “things”:
My mother died more than 27 years ago, and my father died more than 8 years ago. I do find it comforting to have many objects in our home that belonged to them. Obviously, these are not as important as my memories and photos, but they still have value to me.
My sister wore our mother’s wedding dress at her own wedding. I recently attended a 40th anniversary party for friends who asked guests to “dress from their favorite decade.” I dug out a fancy top my mother must have bought in the 1960s. It was fun to wear, and I felt a connection with her when I saw many of her friends at the party.
Today I drove by myself to Mount Vernon, Iowa, for a meeting. I was in the car for more than four hours alone, which hasn’t happened for years. I got out some music I used to listen to often in the 1990s and put the CDs on in the car. Some of these were albums I had not listened to for years. I am so glad I kept my whole CD collection and didn’t give away all the music I hadn’t listened to for a year or two. It is wonderful to hear some of those beloved songs after a long break.
29
2007
Excellent post. Whenever I consider buying something under the pretense that I need it to simplify my life, I think of Dickens: “So now, as an infallible way of making little ease great ease, I began to contract a quantity of debt.”
29
2007
Very well put, Sara! I’ve posted several times recently about both getting and getting rid of stuff. It’s a constant struggle for me to avoid replacing clutter that goes away with new clutter, especially when I can persuade myself that the new stuff is of the useful variety. How about a new definition of stuff: “that which clutters up the counters because it does not have a home…”
29
2007
Splendid post, I’m one of those types that hate clutter but love to hoard, time for a good clean-out. My daughter is nearly at the walking stage so if I ever had a reason to declutter, this is it! I’m going to dig out three boxes and start filling them day by day! Thanks for the inspiration!
29
2007
Just recently started reading from your site…I appreciated this post because I have been sorting and purging like crazy lately. I tend to be the type that has a hard time letting go of anything sentimental. But I just moved back in with my parents for the interim between my lease ending and my move to Mexico (I’m marrying a man there at the end of the year). It would be extremely expensive and difficult to take everything I own with me - talk about prioritizing. I almost wish I could have something that big and important hanging over me regularly to help me from allowing the clutter to re-gather. Of course, one thing I am looking foward to in my new life is a smaller home with less storage space…
29
2007
Wonderful post!! I am in the process of decluttering right now. I am just tired of ’stuff’ Your blog is inspiring!!
29
2007
You are a breath of fresh air. Such an encouragement. Love you!
29
2007
in response to those giving you gifts or things that they believe you need… i have been in conflict for a few years w/ my boyfriend’s mom and grandma who swear that christmas is not christmas w/out gifts… and not only that, if they are practical, then it’s not fun (i was not looked favorably upon when i asked for bands for my hair, thread, a teapot for the stove, and money for a expensive/functional pair of shoes)… thanks for this post because it has reminded me to speak to them now, not october about not wanting tangible gifts for christmas this time around… to actually follow through on a buy nothing christmas (gasp!)
30
2007
love simplicity, decluttering etc… and reading your blog frequently since discovering it. Dh and I simplifyied our lives and did voluntary simplicity 15 years ago now.! Best thing we ever did!
30
2007
I really enjoy reading your blog! My husband and I are about to put our home on the market and apply to bible college. I am dreading going through our STUFF and deciding what to keep, donate, and sell. I know it will be so freeing once I get it done but right now it seems so overwhelming. You have given me some helpful guidelines….THANKS!!
30
2007
inspiring… I will start with our storage room, and then maybe move on to my craft supplies… never-ending and unused crafting love… I always keep it around, “just in case” I’ll need it…
30
2007
Thanks for that, Sara! We are getting ready to move across country and the thought of packing is daunting. This move will only be for six months to a year, and then we’ll be moving AGAIN! I’ve already decided to do a major decluttering now but I’m intimidated to even begin. I’m actually getting started this week, so your post is perfect timing. The main thing I have to decide right this minute is what to do with my extra clothes. I’m hoping to lose a bunch of weight over the next year, and if I do I’ll fit into my clothes…this is my goal. But it’s been a long time since those clothes have fit me…we’re talking 10 years! I have to decide if it’s wisdom to get rid of them and IF I lose the weight then buy new clothes or keep them in case I do actually need them to avoid the new purchases…ah, the dilemmas of life. Your thoughts are welcome!
Thanks…you are a great inspiration!
30
2007
WOOHOO Mama preach! We live in an RV too! With kids ages 11 and 9 this is an adventure, to say the least! We put all of our stuff in storage, but everytime I go to the storage place all I can think of is getting rid of all of it! (Eventhough we are living in the rv while we fix up our house)I got rid of most of my clothes, so now I have about 4 choices. This means I wear the same thing over and over, but I LOVE IT. I am finding it difficult to be creative with meals…I just hate buying propane! But I am making good use of my crockpots…any suggestions?
31
2007
Sara-I am such a sap that I got sad seeing your cute little apartment all boxed up. I looked back over the pics of DM apartment too. I am amazed how far you guys have came on your simple living quest. I know you are very happy with the tour, but having a camper ourselves, do you ever long to be in a “house”? I get claustrophobic in ours. But then again we have a almost teenage son, a 10 yr old son and a 6 yr old son. Four men and a “lady” in a camper=an unhappy lady lol.
31
2007
I think we humans have an uneasy alliance with stuff. On the one hand we are prone to collect too much of it and base our identity and security on it… on the other hand, God made us as physical creatures who appreciate physical beauty and things that touch our senses. I don’t have big answers regarding this tension, but I do recognize that it exists.
31
2007
You are so inspiring! I got to get back in gear decluttering and you are helping me get back on track! Thanks!
31
2007
Wow, good for you! It’s always such a good feeling to get rid of unnecessary stuff. Now if only I could convince my roommate to do the same…
31
2007
your site is very inspiring! i’ve learned alot here the last few days reading some of your many entries and viewing some of your photo collections. you have a great eye for decorating and efficient use of space. you’ve got me digging thru cabinets and looking at every shelf, table, drawer with an eye bent on reducing, lightening up. when my energy sags i sit down and spend a few more minutes with some of your entries and my spirit re-energizes and i’m off to another task! thank you so much for sharing your experiences here. your words and photos are really impacting my little corner of the world.
31
2007
Thanks for the inspiring post. Wow! I’m on a mission to get rid of stuff this week and already started loading up my car. Good-Will here I come!
I came over from Katie’s (Simple Katie).
Sandy
1
2007
“The state of your home is in direct proportion to the state of your heart/mind”
This statement holds absolute truth.. an entire book could be born.
1
2007
Just stopping in again because I noticed my name didn’t link properly last time, and it only seems fair for you to be able to find me (if you should so desire) now that I’m reading about you.
Still trying to sort and purge. I thought I got rid of sooo much before moving back home, but I’m discovering it was a lot of work to unpack all I didn’t get rid of. It amazes me how much ’stuff’ we accumulate!
1
2007
What an inspiring post!
I’ve only just begun my decluttering journey and admit that I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders in the middle of a sort (I do the 3 pile thing, too), but afterwards ~ it is pure freedom. The best thing I ever did clothes-wise was to make the decision that every purchase meant the donation of another piece from my wardrobe. I just don’t spend like I used to, now.
2
2007
A wonderful and thoughtful post. I had a dream the other night that I was searching and searching and searching for one particular store but what I found was only the elderly couple who used to run the store but gave up everything and just wanted to enjoy and interact with people. Unfortunately in my dream I ended up being frustrated and still seeking the store to buy stuff! A literal wake-up call for me that I am too attached to things and need to let go!
2
2007
Wow! As you were writing this post, my husband and I were in the final stages of moving out of our two-bedroom apt and into his parents’ basement. It is a somewhat temporary move, which made it too easy to say, “Well, we better keep this in case we need it when we get our own place again…” We were amazed at the amount of stuff we have amassed in just two years of marriage! I’m kind of looking forward to opening all those boxes in a few months and realizing that I really didn’t need (or even remember having!) all that stuff. I’ve given away probably three boxes of clothes this year, which was so freeing. I’m sure doing the same thing with other stuff will provide a breath of fresh air as well! Thank you for the encouragement!!
2
2007
I’m like Melissa, seeing your cute apartment all boxed up made me a little sad, too. Glad you have all those pictures!
I’m taking a semester off school this fall & am determined to pare down the stuff in our house. We’ve been here 13 years, and while I continually send stuff out the door to our favorite charity, I don’t seem to be sending out more than we take in!
Thanks again for a new perspective!
Jen.
3
2007
sara, i think that if we were anywhere in the same side of the globe, we’d be good friends. we live in NW China now, yet I come from Santa Cruz, CA - where I grew up with hippi parents, and very earthy. I so appreciate my childhood, my parents values then, and am striving to live similarly in your many quests. anyhow, thanks for writing and for living to glorify God in the middle of it. that is the best part! Also, I hope its ok to link your blog to ours…but it was an inspiration to simplify again. hope the RV adventure is wonderful!! Ali
4
2007
Sara, I have been following your blog for awhile, and thank you for your God-honoring, thoughtful posts. I completely share in the frustration people are discussing on the comment board of having too much stuff, and the overwhelming feeling of what it will take to purge it all and then organize my home. Why am I scared to get rid of things? I am afraid I’ll need it “someday” and if I get rid of it, I’ll be “stranded” without the item I so “desperately” needed. How silly! I also completely relate to the state of my heart being tied to the state of my home- I have been feeling uneasy, unable to clear the counters or find a place for everything, despite my best efforts to set up a system.
How do you organize family bills, paperwork, and miscellaneous items that just end up in piles “to be filed?” Those are taking over my kitchen counter!
6
2007
Elaine: My wardrobe in the RV is simplified, but not overly so. I keep all of my clothes (for all seasons) in one little closet that I share with Matt. Here is a list off the top of my head:
2 pairs of jeans
3 capri pants
4 skirts of different lengths/materials
2 long sleeved t-shirts
6 regular t-shirts
1 linen shirt
1 hooded sweatshirt
2 hoodies
1 fleece pullover
1 fleece jacket
1 linen dress
3 pairs pants
Workout clothes
Bathing Suit
Shoes: Chaco sandals, Chaco flips, Birkenstocks, tennis shoes, slippers
Monica: I really don’t use the stove all that much. I try to keep meals very simple in the warm weather. Sandwiches, salads, soba noodles, raw fresh fruits and veggies. If I do cook, it’s when I’m boiling noodles, etc. We’re pretty simple.
In the winter, I will probably utilize the crock pot more to make soups, etc. My favorite winter meal is soup, salad, and bread. Yum! My meal planning really hasn’t changed that much from when we had a “real” house.
Melissa: Honestly, I really don’t I see cute houses/apts and I can acknowledge that they are adorable…but I don’t long to be in one again. Every time I walk into the RV, I am happy. I love the smallness and the ease of living. HOWEVER, with that said…if there was even ONE more adult in her full-time, I think I might go crazy. So I feel your frustration
Sally: We really don’t have a lot of “paperwork” at all. All of our financial and insurance business is done online (we even receive all statements online). All of our bills are paid by auto-debit from our checking, so no paper there.
The best advice I can give about paper is to only touch it ONE TIME. Bring it in from the mail box, open it, and decide what to do with it right then. Either recycle it, shred it, or file it. Just don’t allow it to pile. Keep an accordion file right in the kitchen/living room, etc. where you can easily file it away.
6
2007
GREAT and NECESSARY post for me today! I am in need of making these changes myself! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
8
2007
Once again, inspiring me. I’ve downsized so much since I “met” you. I still struggle w/wanting to have a Pottery Barn type home at times, but God is working on me there. Hope you are enjoying your time on and off the road.
10
2007
We’re putting our house on the market (today, in fact) and have spent the last two weeks insanely trying to get it ready for showings and, as important, for picture-taking (for real estate websites). We rented a storage unit and put tons of STUFF in there, and now our house looks so much more lovely. So it’s got me wondering: how much of that STUFF do we actually need?
Some of it is books, and since I teach writing and literature, I can’t find a way around needing those. A lot of it is camping stuff (stove, sleeping bags, tents, etc.), and I can’t find a way around those. But some of it’s got to be just pure crap. And I know a bunch of it is stuff we’re saving for when we have a bigger house. So that one will be full before we even move into it.
It’s a bad cycle.
I feel a major purge coming on.
13
2007
sara,
through the conviction of God and peeking into your thoughts the past year, my husband and i have been changing our thinking patterns. i had to laugh at this post- sat evening after spending way more than we had planned at target, we sat in the car with our bags and we both felt rotten. we looked at each other and took it all back. my prayers are with you guys on your adventure!
16
2007
I love how you mentioned Target. I am so guilty of just recently wishing I had some extra money because Target has new fall clothes out. And you know, the majority of clothing and shoe purchases I have bought and regretted? You guessed it. Came from impulse seasonal buys from Target.
23
2007
Hello, and thanks for all the tips and motivation. As far as the Christmas dilema goes, with one gift-crazy family member I used combination of regifting away and finally asked her to stop (the small apt was the cause and the lucky excuse). For those who must purchase and bother to ask, I plan to request tickets to local attractions, and monetary donations to favorite charities. And one small bottle of perfume that I normally wouldn’t indulge in. All fun and good, and no clutter!
25
2007
Just wanted to say thanks! I was completely inspired today and deep cleaned my bathroom…getting rid of years worth of my private collection of bath and body works stuff! Now I have nice little birthday/Christmas gifts. I just combined partially used stuff of the same scent and cleaned the bottles so they look brand new. They still smell the same. And my bathroom is sparkling clean!
26
2007
Wow, how timely it was for me to find your post today, as I *JUST* posted a blog entry about something very similar on my own blog! I’m just in awe, your thoughts are so organized about this!
4
2007
Reading your article reminded me of a book that I read in May called It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh.
5
2007
oh my gosh.
this was the most helpful post ever. thanks you!!!!!!
21
2007
[…] read a wonderful post some time ago over at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly titled Stuff that was really inspiring. I couldn’t agree more: When your home is organized and […]
8
2007
[…] the other post, Sara at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly wrote about Stuff: all the crap we accumulate that we have no need for. She wrote about downsizing and about reducing […]
10
2007
I quoted you!
11
2007
I just love this post, Sara! (I actually love your whole blog… just found it via link from Zandria’s Keep Up with Me blog.) I’ve been clearing clutter for months now, and it’s really refreshing every time another Goodwill truckload leaves my home. Frankly, if I had my own way, almost everything would be gone… but I live with a packrat, so it’s a little more of a process. Thanks for your post… very inspiring.
29
2007
LOVED UR DECLUTTER IDEAS. I SEE U LOVE TEA. I DO ALSO. I GIVE TEA LECTURES FOR FUN NOT . MY FAV IS MY PRINCESS ABARIE BLEND, A RED & WHITE SWEET HERBAL INFUSION W/ FRUITS & SUCH. I ALSO LOVE BUBBLE TEAS, BLOOMING TEAS & AVEDA TEA W/ LICORICE ROOT. WHAT KIND DO U LIKE?
30
2007
[…] for the New Year and the “cleaning out fest” I am hoping to have this week, here is a nice article on stuff and how we accumulate […]
2
2008
I just found this site and immediately bookmarked it as a favorite. Wow, you have some awesome ideas. I agree with one responder about gifts and being practical. Since we are expecting #2, I simply wanted some much needed items for his arrival in a few weeks. Nope, I was told that those were not “fun” (honestly I think a little long sleeved onsie is fun, but what do I know? Heheheh), not for me (I am a full time Mom, who else is it for) and not something I was going to get so I better get a list out of what I wanted. (thought I just did that) Hehehe, so now I am sorting through stuff to purge because I got a bunch of STUFF for Christmas.
We are purging like mad now that we have a second one on the way and I am going to refer back to your site often. Thanks for taking the time to share your great ideas with us.
31
2008
I know it’s been awhile since you wrote this post, but I just came across it from a link on another blog.
Wow! This is just what I need right now. I am a pack rat, and I have always been so, but recently all the ’stuff’ has been getting to me, and I went through and started getting rid of things. It’s a HUGE project, so reading your post has been good inspiration to keep going.
One thing that I do that helps me get rid of things is I take pictures of them. Everything holds a memory for me, and even though I don’t need the ‘thing’ I cherish the memory. So I snap a photo (which takes up much less space than any object, thanks to digital cameras!) and I’m ready to get rid of it…
15
2008
hi i am writing this comment to say that your site is truley the most amazing site i have ever seen , you are totaly insperational to me .All you are doing is what i always dream of but i cant do because i am only a 14 year old girl !! ☺ so anyway i would really like it if you could find a small amount of time to visit my site www.plain.jane.daisy.piczo.com i have an link to your site on it is that ok ? I am a christian and all you put on here is so helpful and encoraging .Thank you soooooooo much ♥
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