....CONTINUED

So I explained how I like to get rid of things, and clear my house of clutter HERE. But my husband isn't quit on the same page as I when it comes to ditching the "things".  So how do we compromise on things that stay and things that go?  Umm, well, typically I'll tackle a job when he's gone and if I know he hasn't used or worn it in the past year, I kind of just assume that he won't notice it missing anyway.  And 9 times out of 10, my judgment is spot on.  I bet he'll never miss the 8 cloth belts (you know, the ones that come with men's shorts) or the dozens of old shirts that sat folded in the bottom of the closet, or his pairs of work boots that have accumulated over the years.  Because why would anyone resort to the old things, when you have since replaced them with new things? 

But remember how I said I'm right 9 out of 10 times?  Yeah, so there was this ONE time that I went cleaning crazy and gave away all his racing coats that have accumulated over the past 10 years.  They were given to him for various track championships and state/national championships.  Now mind you, these coats are stored in a closet in the hallway and not in our entryway, which means they are not/have not been used in years, so it was fair game (in my mind) to get rid of them.  But I forgot about the second part of my rule... is it beautiful?  Because what I see beautiful vs. what my husband or kids see, is different.  Not so much that he thought his coats were masterpieces of art, but he enjoyed having them and looking through occasionally.  How did he even notice them missing, you ask?!  Of all things, he went in the closet to get the vacuum..... Who'da thunk?!? ;)  *I was thoughtful enough to keep a few coats.  But my lesson here is to maybe get permission before you get rid of someone else's things!

Someday, we'd like to move.... To the country, to a farm, live in a hauler, travel the country racing... who knows.  But when the time comes to pack up this house, I'll have fewer boxes to move, by moving them now!!

Have a happy week!! Maybe do a little spring cleaning!!

 

 

Are you a hoarder or a minimalist?

I googled "the opposite of a hoarder" because I didn't really have a name for what I routinely do, which is get rid of stuff.  And a few articles later, it turns out I might have a psychological disorder, called obsessive-compulsive spartanism.  Of course, the internet exaggerates everything... Like the time I googled Mason's stomach ache symptoms, and then made a doctor appt fearing it was a stomach tumor or appendicitis or some life threatening illness.  Nope, turns out he was just constipated.  There's a big difference between all the scary stuff I read on the internet and just needing to take a shit!  Long story short, I don't actually believe I have a disease of decluttering, but it doesn't even bother me if I do!

 

The older I get, the more I realize I don't like "stuff".  Having things that don't serve me, actually makes me feel burdened and overwhelmed when I see it.  So I purge it.  And I enjoy it (which is where the disorder may actually be true:)).  Usually once a month I go thru cabinets, drawers and closets and get rid of things that accumulated that I no longer use (or no longer fit...kid's clothes).  This month's basket had things like: winter hats/gloves, dvd's, flower vases, home décor, and kitchen appliances.  Yes, I love a homemade Belgian waffle topped with strawberries and whip cream, but I haven't made myself one in over 3 years so the chances of using the waffle maker are slim.  And last month, I debated ditching it, but told myself I'd use it and never did. 

 

 

I have a couple rules when clearing the clutter... One is that if it's not beautiful or useful, I don't keep it.  Even if it has sentimental value (gasp!).  I mean, what's the point of keeping your great-grandmother's china set if all you do with it is keep it in a box in your basement?  You are getting absolutely no enjoyment or pleasure or use out of it if it's stored in a brown box in the dungeon of your house.  If you indeed find it BEAUTIFUL, then keep it.  But try to display it somewhere so that when you walk by it, you will be reminded of your great-grandma.  Or USE it! And if giving sentimental valuable things to strangers (Good Will, Salvation Army, etc) makes you feel uneasy, offer it to other family members who may find a use or beauty in it. 

 

*Of course, there's always exceptions to rules, and I do keep a small box of keepsakes for each of my 4 children. 

 

My second rule is, if I don't have room in my dresser or a hanger for it in my closet, then something needs to go.  If I come home with 4 new shirts but only have 2 open hangers, then 2 old shirts need to go.  And to be honest, there's 100+ shirts hanging in my closet, but I always resort to my current favorite 10 or so.

 

And so I've decided that I'm bordering a psychological disorder of getting rid of things, who's married to someone with a psychological disorder of keeping things.....  :)

 

THIS POST (on how one lives with the other) TO BE CONTINUED....