Light on pics, heavy on words. Rant warning !!
Odd heading isn't it? It was the word verification for a comment I made on a blog this morning. It made me laugh a little as I had only just finished saying that when we move house I will need to be strict with myself, and have a little cull.
No sooner had I said that to Mr BB then I typed "demecull". Demi-cull! What a great term for packing! Anything I don't use regularly, love to death or need for practical reasons will be going to the great op-shop lottery. Knowing me I will buy a lot of stuff back - this has been known to happen...
There is an episode of the tv version of Winnie the Pooh where rabbit tidies, and as he only has one of a pair of bookends, he takes the single to the tip. Later he sees it at Piglet's and wants it as a pair for the one he just threw out. As we the viewers know, it's the same single one.
Yes, I have done this with Tupperware, fabric, teacups, linen, all manner of things. I see something such as a book, and grab it, only to flick through the pages and see my handwriting in the margin, or my kids' names on the inside cover...
We have moved more than some, less often than many more, with 5 moves in 7 years. It gets very tiring, and one becomes rather good at down-sizing. I know I have donated more than I have bought from Salvos, however as I look around my house, I realise that the next move (in the next couple of months) will require further down-sizing.
Always in the back of my head is the sad story featured on Oprah of a woman who couldn't stop buying things. Her house was FULL of bags of things. Furniture was obscured by STUFF, and it was controlling her life. I keep this picture as a reminder that her 'stuff' was collected and spread out in a warehouse. This pic shows about a third of her excess.
Friends wonder why I have so much STUFF. It's not just that I have it, but I seem to have it ALL out and ON DISPLAY! My cupboards are not utilised well, and my shelves are heaving under the strain. I have decided that this is just me and part of who I am. I have always had clutter, and have never known how others manage to live so tidily. I've also decided that this endearing trait is because I have so many interests and hobbies.
So is it only interesting people who live within clutter? Are all messy people interesting? Of course not. However I think that all the interesting people I know, love, admire, and treasure have fabric stashes, heaving bookshelves, and boxes and cupboards full of UFOs.
My dream is to have a grown-up's bedroom devoid of clutter, just dedicated to restfulness and sleeping. This I am reminded of daily as I climb out of bed and squish between the boxes and crates that double as bedside tables.
As I attempt to accept this trait within myself, why then do I get frustrated that Master 7 lives within a nest of his creations also? Why do I expect order and reason from the rooms of my off-spring when I find it so hard to achieve myself?!
So I return to the Demi-cull, the (half-arsed?) method of decluttering that I formulated in a random moment of procrastination this morning.
I will pick a shelf, a drawer, a cupboard, a shelf, and decide on the spot what isn't coming to the new house. Only things that bring joy shall be retained, unless they have an inherent usefulness I cannot ignore (there would be so much more room in the laundry without that big machine but I think it should come...) It is likely that all things will make it to the new house, however in the absence of a garage, I will be forced to make some big decisions. The trick is, that once sorted, the stuff has to GO. That's sometimes hard too. I have been known to drive around with items in the boot of my car for weeks, only to be brought back into the house at a later date.
In 2 weeks I think I will try my luck at the local weekend Trash n Treasure market. Perhaps I can fund part of the move, or failing all else, get the money for bread and milk! I do know that without trying I can fill the boot and car just from excess in the garage, let alone what's in the house!
I have tried to embrace things like Fly Lady, but they just do not work for me. There are always too many little bits of crap that creep into my life, demanding accommodation. I think an intervention a la the now defunct "Your Life on the Lawn" tv show. Any suggestions on where the hell the Demi-Cull should begin??!!
xx
7 comments:
Having spent over a year culling 7 things (and usually many, many more) - my go to places for a quick fix.
Bathroom cupboards. Get rid of out of date anything, all those lippies and crushed powders and silly little bits and pieces. Most can go straight in the bin. If you're worried, throw in some old gravy or something over the top of it - you won't want it back then.
The other place is the linen cupboard. You can make a big difference there. I kept only what I truly loved (still quite a bit), and used.
Old undies, socks etc. also good for a quick fix.
Magazine pile, recipe cutting pile - all good places to start.
And if you're getting rid of Tupperware or hankies - please let me know first.
triboth CK and I are awful pack rats which drives both my mother and sister crazy however we are NOT 'weirdy store every card and piece of wrapping paper ever rec'd' kind of pack rats.
So a few years ago when I had a friend staying from O/S I was a little stunned (to say the least) when she criticised me for overloading bookshelves and keeping so much stuff! I believe the direct quote was "You have too much stuff for such a small house."
Whoa sister! Back right off and go back and hang out in your minimalistic palace because do you know? Our house works for us!!
btw LOVING 'demecull' :-)
You have the right idea but it seems that the final getting rid of is the big problem right now. You might need to make a date with the op shop or just dump the stuff. If you really want to get rid of the goodies they might even be worththrowing out. Hard call but it will be worth it in the end. It is great to have a grown up bedroom.
I have had some successes at some times in my life to declutter... and then it all accumulates again. I live in a 2-bedroom apartment, and so there is some physical limitations, but I have too much too at the moment.
But......
But Jess...I've seen you cull...and you can be so ruthless! I love your house(s). So many interesting things to look at and go "ooh" over.
I also don't think you have that much stuff either ;-) That pic you have of that woman's stuff is amazing... poor gal - I'd feel totally controlled and overwhelmed with that much.
Still all the best for your demecull! (Love the word) And all the best too for the Trash and Treasure stall...you might find me there looking at your stuff. hehe
I really love the idea of a cupboard full of UFOs
PS my word verification is facial, that's weird.
Jess, my gorgeous gal, maybe you need a cull-party, and invite TLK and me to come and help declutter (I was itching to help my sister on the weekend). I would even offer to squeeze as much in my car as possible and drive it to Vinnies myself to save you the guilt! :) Great posts, great to see you this week.
Ruth
Post a Comment