I so loved this, Sharron. I envy your assertiveness, albeit late-discovered, in sorting out your closet. For all I despise Zuckerberg and his ilk for, I always loved the idea of his minimal wardrobe – something that removes the need to think about what to wear. I've often thought that seven grey T-shirts would suit me just fine for the rest of my days and allow me to to focus elsewhere on things less trivial. I have a post drafted that centres around a few thoughts of Quentin Crisp. His dandy flamboyance and excoriating humour sometimes hid or overshadowed a brilliant mind and some very profound thinking. I worked on a biography of his perhaps nearly 20 years or so ago and remember well the picture archive of his famously dishevelled home. The dust thing is very true!
I look forward to reading your post about Quentin Crisp! Long ago I read his Naked Civil Servant and was an instant fan. He is scarcely known in the US.
Me, too. My first thought was to throw everything into a storage unit and leave the keys with my will. Imagine my kids faces when they open and see a bunch of stuff that really didn’t need an intermediate stop between the house and the dump.
Every speck in my home is deliberately bought or made. I'm keeping it all.... every speck, to be enjoyed till the last moment. The enjoyment includes merely a contented glance as I pass by. Nothing more required. Survivors can have what they will, auction what they don't, give away or burn the rest. I won't care by then. They choose. I have one wool scarf of my Gram's. After 60 years Gramps's cigar is gone from it. Mom's blue and white serving dishes probably won't ever be used again but I like seeing them in the cabinet under the stove. Bare shelf won't provide that calm joy. All the rest is in that same category. Daughter and Grand have the same skills and will enjoy my tools and library. The other makers wait for their turn. There is nothing I can call "clutter". My home has been described as a museum. I like it that way. ))) If I give them <empty> it will mean I don't care about them. Won't do that to them. Good thing we're all different.
I was lucky. In the past 10 years I had to move twice. Every move was an occasion for decluttering.. and I was left with a strict minimum of clothes. But as I am very gifted a couple of months later my cupboards needed to be taken care of.. not by me! I also liked your son’s writing to you. When I was learning English, I used to begin with Once Sapone a Time. I was my teacher’s nightmare.!
Yael! I am so sorry - somehow I missed this thoughtful comment of yours -- way back in July! "Once Sapone a Time!" It makes sense to me! I taught ESL/EFL for many years and my students made delightful errors all the time. They were never nightmares to me. We laughed a LOT!
Laurel, I am so sorry to have missed this nice comment of yours back in July! I don't know why I didn't find it before. I hope you are making headway with your de-cluttering - and thanks for reading at Leaves!
Sorry I missed this sweet comment of yours way back in July! Don't know how I missed it! I imagine you did a major de-cluttering when you moved to your new home. Surprising, though, how it builds up again. I hope you are well and content, Chloe.
Every year we have a “pay what you want” sale down by the road. Old or neglected toys, clothes, books. The vast majority of it gets taken. It feels great to de-clutter and bring a feeling of clarity (even calmness) into the home.
Pay what you want! I love that idea, Justin. One year I tacked up a note in my neighborhood with a photo of a nice, fairly new sofa, but brown in color. I said "FREE or $50 -- whatever works for you". The first person who came by paid me $50 and took it right away. You never know. I was just glad to see it gone.
Speaking as someone working on downsizing a home office that has remained undusted for over 25 years, Quentin was correct: at a certain point, you just can't tell.
I have never met an American who couldn't fill a closet. If there is space - it wants filling! Feels good to do a reversal, I'll tell you. Thanks for reading 🌿Leaves, Jim!
BRAVO! both for your de-cluttering accomplishment and for writing this delightful, hysterical story. It not only made me laugh out loud, head thrown back against the chair, but it inspires me to get moving ... again. De-cluttering happens in wild spurts around here. There's a whole collections of detritus that will be moved to Val's house as soon as they move in ... hopefully by Christmas. Looking forward to the walls echoing.
You are an inspiration, Sharron. We've started the process, but it's slow going because of my wife's health issues. I have the same situation in my neighborhood. Leave it on the curb and soon it's gone. Scavengers from Ciudad Juarez regularly make the rounds. They resell it in Mexico. Everybody benefits.
You nailed it….Clutter in the home, clutter in the mind. You really can’t separate the two. I notice the difference with every step I take, in the process of undoing the puzzle that is of my own making. Great piece, Sharron!
Oh, I think this accounting speaks to a whole lot of us, Sharon. We have too much, why not do ourselves a favor and give it away to those in need? Nobody needs ten sheets, twenty towels... right? Well... the local homeless shelter does.
I so loved this, Sharron. I envy your assertiveness, albeit late-discovered, in sorting out your closet. For all I despise Zuckerberg and his ilk for, I always loved the idea of his minimal wardrobe – something that removes the need to think about what to wear. I've often thought that seven grey T-shirts would suit me just fine for the rest of my days and allow me to to focus elsewhere on things less trivial. I have a post drafted that centres around a few thoughts of Quentin Crisp. His dandy flamboyance and excoriating humour sometimes hid or overshadowed a brilliant mind and some very profound thinking. I worked on a biography of his perhaps nearly 20 years or so ago and remember well the picture archive of his famously dishevelled home. The dust thing is very true!
I look forward to reading your post about Quentin Crisp! Long ago I read his Naked Civil Servant and was an instant fan. He is scarcely known in the US.
Albeit he was known very well in NYC through the late 80s and 90s. But I guess that light faded quickly after his death.
Yes!
Those old inboxes can get away from a person!
Me, too. My first thought was to throw everything into a storage unit and leave the keys with my will. Imagine my kids faces when they open and see a bunch of stuff that really didn’t need an intermediate stop between the house and the dump.
The gift that can keep giving!
(Also, I’m clearing out my inbox today!)
Yes! I noticed you were cleaning out your inbox. Thank heavens my pieces are usually mercifully short. Whew!
Every speck in my home is deliberately bought or made. I'm keeping it all.... every speck, to be enjoyed till the last moment. The enjoyment includes merely a contented glance as I pass by. Nothing more required. Survivors can have what they will, auction what they don't, give away or burn the rest. I won't care by then. They choose. I have one wool scarf of my Gram's. After 60 years Gramps's cigar is gone from it. Mom's blue and white serving dishes probably won't ever be used again but I like seeing them in the cabinet under the stove. Bare shelf won't provide that calm joy. All the rest is in that same category. Daughter and Grand have the same skills and will enjoy my tools and library. The other makers wait for their turn. There is nothing I can call "clutter". My home has been described as a museum. I like it that way. ))) If I give them <empty> it will mean I don't care about them. Won't do that to them. Good thing we're all different.
I was lucky. In the past 10 years I had to move twice. Every move was an occasion for decluttering.. and I was left with a strict minimum of clothes. But as I am very gifted a couple of months later my cupboards needed to be taken care of.. not by me! I also liked your son’s writing to you. When I was learning English, I used to begin with Once Sapone a Time. I was my teacher’s nightmare.!
Yael! I am so sorry - somehow I missed this thoughtful comment of yours -- way back in July! "Once Sapone a Time!" It makes sense to me! I taught ESL/EFL for many years and my students made delightful errors all the time. They were never nightmares to me. We laughed a LOT!
Excellent - I’m going thru a major move and can relate - I have to give up things that I’d rather not tho
Laurel, I am so sorry to have missed this nice comment of yours back in July! I don't know why I didn't find it before. I hope you are making headway with your de-cluttering - and thanks for reading at Leaves!
You are very strong to get rid of all that. I shall try to clear out too.
Sorry I missed this sweet comment of yours way back in July! Don't know how I missed it! I imagine you did a major de-cluttering when you moved to your new home. Surprising, though, how it builds up again. I hope you are well and content, Chloe.
Every year we have a “pay what you want” sale down by the road. Old or neglected toys, clothes, books. The vast majority of it gets taken. It feels great to de-clutter and bring a feeling of clarity (even calmness) into the home.
Pay what you want! I love that idea, Justin. One year I tacked up a note in my neighborhood with a photo of a nice, fairly new sofa, but brown in color. I said "FREE or $50 -- whatever works for you". The first person who came by paid me $50 and took it right away. You never know. I was just glad to see it gone.
Exactly, we just want to see the stuff gone! Some people might pay a few bucks, some don’t, and we are perfectly fine with it either way. 🙂
Speaking as someone working on downsizing a home office that has remained undusted for over 25 years, Quentin was correct: at a certain point, you just can't tell.
Looking around my comfy little house, I have to agree with you, Jack.
Bravo, Sharron. It's difficult to do but it's good for the soul.
I have never met an American who couldn't fill a closet. If there is space - it wants filling! Feels good to do a reversal, I'll tell you. Thanks for reading 🌿Leaves, Jim!
Courage, this time is a lovely lioness wearing a flannel plaid shirt and stretchy jeans!
Ha ha ha. No one's ever described me as courageous, Jill. I will take it! Thank you
Awesome. Your son is lucky you are looking out for him.
HA HA HA. My boy takes the good with the bad in equal measure, Marty. Thanks for reading this!
BRAVO! both for your de-cluttering accomplishment and for writing this delightful, hysterical story. It not only made me laugh out loud, head thrown back against the chair, but it inspires me to get moving ... again. De-cluttering happens in wild spurts around here. There's a whole collections of detritus that will be moved to Val's house as soon as they move in ... hopefully by Christmas. Looking forward to the walls echoing.
Yes, enough stewardship. Let children take their things to keep or mete out. It is not really mom's job, is it?
You are an inspiration, Sharron. We've started the process, but it's slow going because of my wife's health issues. I have the same situation in my neighborhood. Leave it on the curb and soon it's gone. Scavengers from Ciudad Juarez regularly make the rounds. They resell it in Mexico. Everybody benefits.
Slow is good. Thoughtful. A little at a time does it, and you don't even have to haul it away... Perfect!
Great piece!
Thank YOU for the inspiration lines, Linda Brown. Really made me think.
You nailed it….Clutter in the home, clutter in the mind. You really can’t separate the two. I notice the difference with every step I take, in the process of undoing the puzzle that is of my own making. Great piece, Sharron!
Oh, I think this accounting speaks to a whole lot of us, Sharon. We have too much, why not do ourselves a favor and give it away to those in need? Nobody needs ten sheets, twenty towels... right? Well... the local homeless shelter does.