...MINIMALIST's Nightmare

 Maybe this article by Mary Randalph Carter should be titled

A MINIMALIST's NIGHTMARE

'The Art of Collecting

I am taking stock of what I own: the things that I possess that fill a house in the country, an apartment in the city, an office. There are objects old and new, large and small; things acquired, things given or bequeathed or simply passed along. Some are sentimental, others utilitarian, but all are evidence of how I have spent my days, of where I have been, of what has inspired me, of what I have loved and who I have loved and who has loved me. They, more than words or pictures, suggest an image of who I am, of what I have become. And though I am a firm believer that there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to collecting, I am happy to share with you some of the lessons learned on my own collector's journey.'

This '30 Day Mins Game' that I have been participating in, has really led to a LOT of introspection... 

How much stuff is TOO MUCH?

Do I really 'want' to be more minimalist?

I think that you can all guess the answer to that question!

"They, more than words or pictures, suggest an image of who I am, of what I have become."

My 'stuff'  "sparks joy" (ie: Marie Kondo Approved - LOL)
I really have no desire to change my design aesthetic, and really have no desire for more 'open space' (other than that being a blank canvas for me to fill!!).  The 'svelteSTUFF' is staying!

~BUT~

(yes, always that Big Butt)

This 30 day challenge has opened my eyes to just.how.MUCH 'behind the scenes' excess that I have!! Socks! Clothes! Tupperware! Candles!  This kind of 'stuff' has been no problem letting go!!

I'm sure that anybody who comes to visit our home (once social distancing is no longer required!!) will find it hard to believe that I purged over 500 items in January 2021, but That's Alright with Me!

enJOY!

& 

be well

...one BEE's Aspirational Clutter

 

2021.

Need I say More?

I have been AWOL.  No good excuses.  We're all well, status quo.  I'm just feeling a need to 'dump' some idle ramblings that are clogging up my brain (ie: brain dump!).

JANUARY of a New Year - FULL of potential and possibility.  I have the same 'intentions' for this year as I did in 2019, 2018, etc... ( You can go back ONE post to see those!!).

S.T.U.F.F.  I have reach my CLUTTER THRESHOLD (Thanks Dana White!), and though I have a HIGH Threshold, one 'intention' that is getting a LOT of attention this year is PURGE, PURGE, PURGE!  I have enlisted two friends (LK & LM) to join me playing the MINS GAME.  We are on Day 7.  Today's mission is to Purge 7 items. Yesterday was 6, and tomorrow is 8.  You get the idea!?!

I have been listening to NUMEROUS Podcasts regarding 'DeCLUTTERING' and 'ORGANIZING' to keep myself motivated.  Motivation is the only thing that is in short supply, because we all know I have PLENTY-o-STUFF!!

  

Thanks to TheCLUTTERBUG I have learned that my organizing style is a BEE.  (Go take the quiz - it's kinda eye-opening!)

Today's 'eye-opener' came from...

BE UNCLUTTERED

and the realization of ASPIRATIONAL CLUTTER (aka: 'FANTASY SELF')

"...In short, “aspirational clutter” is all the stuff you buy for your Fantasy Self. We all have dreams, aspirations, hopes for our lives. We work towards these by getting an education, working hard, earning money, and slowly making our dreams come true."

"... Aspirational clutter is defined by two criteria: These are idle things you’re keeping only for a future version of yourself, and… They’re things that create an obstacle for you today, whether that’s taking up much-needed space or digging at your self-esteem" (apartmenttherapy.com)

  

   This is a HARD one. MUCH self-reflection is involved.

~ Deciding what pursuits are worth investing time in.. 

~ Letting go of those that aren't ~ things (aspirations, dreams) that I no longer desire, or at 53yrs., realize won't (for various reasons) be part of my future.

~ WHO am I?

~ What 'exactly' IS 'MY' Style?

  I like who I currently am (for the most part), and don't want to feel 'guilted' by all the 'un-used stuff' in my current life that was purchased with the intention of a 'Better Version'!

So, with that idea fresh in my mind... Day 7 Purge was much LARGER than required by 'The Mins Game'!

I hit a portion of the 'hanging rack' in our closet! I took a Hard look at each piece... office attire from a previous chapter of my life - GONE!  Tree-Hugger FLAX linen/cotton pieces (who am I kidding that I will EVER pull out a clothes iron??) - GONE!  TWENTY-FIVE items (and 20 hangers!!) later, and I feel a 'bit' lighter...  but I have PLENTY more to sort through for the next 23 days!!

until we chat again,

enJOY

& 

be well!