We’re focusing on small clutter this week. Junk drawers and magazine collections and all those small things that add up to a lot of stuff.
Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance. – Epicurus
Or… you may be accumulating a box of things that you are terrified to part with because there is one question that keeps running through your head:
What if I need it someday?
It’s a good question. What if you need that fondue set/fuchsia palazzo pants (that you have never worn)/cross country skis (you haven’t used in 7 years)/lime green cork wedges in the future?
Maybe you’ll need them all at once when you host a 70s Caribbean dress Key Party Menu themed apres Cross Country Ski party.
If only we could predict the future. But we can’t. Nor can we store things for every possible scenario that may come our way.
The answer? Keep what you know you need now. Keep what is used regularly for the 95% of your life that you actually happens. Then you can RENT, BORROW or MAKE DO for the rest.
When the 70s Caribbean dress Key Party Menu themed apres Cross Country Ski party happens you:
- RENT the skis. Easy and the money you brought in selling the old skis covers more than the rental.
- BORROW the Fondue set. Many, many people have fondue sets (I used to!) and will be quite happy to loan theirs out. Just be aware that the owner may ask you to keep it because they never use it themselves.
- MAKE DO for your 70s Caribbean themed costume. White shorts from your summer closet, a silk scarf tied on your head, perhaps a trip to a thrift store or a request to friends for a loaner or two.
For Task #6: peel back another layer. That drawer you emptied out this week – go take another look. What else can you let go of if you stop worrying about SOMEDAY and instead focus on TODAY? What else can you let go of if you start believing that the world is abundant and yes, if that crazy disco party ever happens, you’ll find what you need for it.
This is the last post/kick-in-the-pants for small clutter. We move on to bigger, but not always better, things next week.
The only problem with this is that if everyone heeds your advice, there will be no more fondue sets to borrow, because everyone will have gotten rid of theirs! 😉
I definitely struggle with this — both my husband and I had frugal parents, so the concept of getting rid of a perfectly functional item can be difficult. But if I’m not using it, it’s not really functional, is it? Far better to pass it on so that someone else might find some use from it! And there will always be some things that I will have on hand (band-aids, for instance!); the challenge is deciding which things need “back-ups,” and just how much is enough.
Good thoughts!
Cheers,
Shannon
This is perfect! If you haven’t used something in a few years, you’re probably never going to use it again.
…and on the same note, turned out my husband no longer owns a ski jacket. He is using a motorcycle jacket that is just fine (and it is extremely cold this week!)…
On a fun note, simce I live in Switzerland, I not only have a fondue set but use it regularly, too!
However, we are holidaying in a flat in the mountains where a set is not part of the standard equipment – you can rent one at the office for a small sum. Turns out the office was closed when we decided to make our fondue… know what, a saucepan works, too 😉
Hey Rachel! I am enjoying the reminders in this series 🙂 I have thought long and hard about the “I might need it someday” phenomena during the 5 house sits we have done over the past 4 months. Each and every house, bar none, had so much “stuff” infact to the point of hoarding. Being minimalistish I have to check myself in regards to my ego judging others quite often however I have learned valuable lessons living amongst the things of others. As you know we are moving into a much smaller home and having witnessed the over crowding in the houses we have stayed in I am 100% motivated to have less and less and less. G and I have made the decision to purchase a couple of pieces of furniture new, not someone else’s hand me downs. I think this will prevent the breaking up with large pieces because we have chosen items we like and want in our home. We figure if we choose carefully we will have them for a long time. Love to you and the family 🙂 from sunny Oz.
I think the fear that we will need something in the future that we get rid of today is the #1 thing that holds us back from letting go of clutter. I love your suggestion of renting and borrowing.
I’m worrying about the “what if I need it someday” right now with my two heavy winter coats. It’s been two years since I wore one of them; I can’t remember if I’ve worn the other in the past four years. I went to college in snowy mountains, but I’ve since moved to the southern US where a medium-weight jacket meets 95% of my needs. But what if we go skiing! What if I go to a work conference in the north in the winter!! It’s hard and you are right.
Maybe just part with one of them for now? I know those what ifs can really eat at you.
I sold my snow shoes five years ago and had a lot of what ifs. Ended up moving and not having a chance to snow shoe for four years, plus KIDS! But we’re back in snow shoe country and I could see myself trying to get up the mountain next winter. I’ll be renting!