But do I USE it?

So Oscar is in what I might generously call an "exploratory" phase. This was him exploring the cabinet where we keep tea. Little did I know this cabinet also held some plastic utensils about 15 miniature spatulas and several duplicate boxes of tea. So I just let him go at it and used the complete disaster as motivation to see what I have on hand and clear out the stuff I won't miss (ancient, gross, green tea--good riddance).

And since Friday we've had a pretend Japanese Tea Ceremony and a big pitcher of iced tea.

Mostly though, this "exploratory" phase is incredibly annoying and made 1000 times more so by the fact that we have a great deal of stuff. So here's the (latest) plan. I've got a garage sale scheduled with the best garage saler in the Western Hemisphere (my mom) on September 8. I've got till then to clear out.

I'm also reading the 100 Things Challenge right now. I find the author (and the book) a bit annoying and a lot repetitive but it is helping me think about stuff in a different way. I used to keep things because I loved them (for aesthetic or sentimential reasons) or because they might be useful (someday). This run through the house I'm trying to keep stuff I use or enjoy on a regular basis. Yes, the gravy boat only gets used once a year but I know I have it and I do use it. Couldn't say that for the food mill or weird juicer. They're in the garage sale pile now.

I'm still going to have 4 million tea towels (I use a lot of tea towels) but I'm giving away a few aprons and some underutilized dishes. I'm reminding myself that I'm not obligated to keep a gift I don't love just because I love who gave it to me.

So we're not going to have one of those stark, modern homes anytime soon (ever) but I'm hoping we'll have a lot less stuff (at least between ground level and about 3 feet).

Wish me luck.

 

Comments

[Monique]

I have two methods for determining if I keep something or not. The first is that I have become a fan of packing seasonal stuff away. Not only do I pack a winter clothes box (how annoying is it looking through sweaters when all you want is a loose tank top?), but seasonal dishes too. Plus, when I unpack it all, it's like getting presents of stuff I know for sure I'll like. The secondary rule is if I haven't used it in six months, Freecycle it. It really helps keep the clutter down, except that I have a hoarder husband. :)