This is just one corner of my home:
It’s stacked high with books and magazines and CDs all boxed up. It doesn’t look that bad, right? But this photo was taken after hours of work sorting.
Seeing it now, I realize I still need to reduce MORE. I’m trying to work up the guts to recycle that entire stack of magazines near the front right. This will have to be done bravely, without paging through a single one of them or I’ll lose my nerve in sentiment. I want floor space for my child to play, for my friends to come to visit, more than I want those papers.
The truth is, I own more books and magazines than I will ever have the leisure time to enjoy. Some I have read already and kept because I liked the articles; I keep them for an elusive concept I call “future reference.” I live with the constant illusion that I’ll have oodles of magical spare time in the future to read these things.
I am a victim of consumer culture (as we all are) and I fall under the seductive spell of books, clothes, makeup, accessories, etc. As a woman, I’ve even more a target. I’ve noticed that the majority of “minimalist living” blogs are maintained by young, single men…frankly, it’s easy to live out of a backpack when society doesn’t tell you you’re only valuable if you have the right hairdo or lip color.
I’m realistic. I have a husband and a small child (a veritable clutter-producing MACHINE). But that doesn’t mean I can’t take steps to improve our lives by reducing our household mess. I do this out of love for them, because our home is a collective space for everyone to enjoy. I try to be a good example.
While going through my bathroom shelves last night and tossing things out, I thought about the money I spent on each item. This was painful but I will hold onto the thought. Why? Because I want to recall the feeling again, when I’m standing in a store with three varieties of lotion and four lipsticks in my hand. I need to ask myself, “Is it worth it?” Chances are, it will languish in a drawer or back shelf for years…money down the drain. PUT IT BACK.
Variety is the spice of life. But too many cooks ruin the soup. And just how much spice can you add before the flavors are overwhelmed by each other?
Why do I need fourteen eyeliners in various colors? Will that perfume improve my life, or just clutter my shelves? Do I really have time to read that new Irving Welsh novel? Wouldn’t I rather save that $25.00 and use it to travel someday?
