Julie Owsik Ackerman
Every year, with the inundation of new stuff at Christmas, I
feel a corresponding need to get rid of old stuff. I like the general rule that
for every new thing I bring into the house, one old thing goes out of the
house. But I rarely follow that rule exactly.
So instead of waiting for that long stretch of free time to declutter
the house—never gonna happen—I’ve been clearing out space little by little. For
example, when I couldn’t find a place in any of our bookcases for new books, I
weeded through the old ones and dropped them off at the library. (Come on, was
I really going to read Midnight’s Children
again?) When I went into the attic to put away wrapping paper, I noticed a
basket full of old magazines, and gave them to a friend who makes collages. I
love the idea of things that were sitting in my house unused could be used and
loved by other people.
A little harder has been deciding what baby stuff to keep. I
have the shoes my little guy learned to walk in, I have the hair from his first
haircut, I have the stuffed lion that we bought him when he was still in utero.
But so many of his clothes, toys, and equipment were just sitting in my attic. Part
of me wants to hold onto it all, in case we have another child. And the rest of
me wants to trust that if we have another child, people will pass on to us what
they’re no longer using. Like if I give things away, what I need will come back
to me. Is this foolish? I’m not sure. But it feels so good to give things that
were sitting in my attic to friends (and strangers) who need them right now. It
feels like by letting go of what I don’t currently need, I’m making space in my
life for new things. I like that idea.
How do you decide what to keep and what to give away?
Julie, I adopted your new thing in/old thing out philosophy a few years ago, although, I have to admit occasionally I cheat a little--buy a new suit and throw out socks.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to furniture, my mom used to call it "squoozing down"
Yesterday at my sister's apartment, I looked around and saw my mother-in-laws rug and china closet, my mom's vanity and curio cabinet, end tables I recycled to my mother over 30 years ago, and a plant table and nightstand that we "sqooze down" last time we had our bedroom painted. Like you, I feel good knowing my stuff has another life :)
Carol, I agree it doesn't have to be an old sweater for a new sweater - it's the spirit of the principle that matters, right? I gave a friend at work some maternity clothes and when I saw her looking beautiful in something that had been sitting in my attic, it gave me a push to put some of my things back into circulation.
DeleteJulie, I'm with you on downsizing the clutter on a regular basis. But you are so right that it's an emotional decision, especially when it comes to baby things. As my son nears his wedding date, I can't help but think about babies in my future, and I have a plastic crate of baby clothes that his wife will probably chuck (and rightfully so), a wooden rocking horse, a child-sized table and chair set, favorite toys, and a 32 year old teddy bear. On second thought, I think I'll keep the bear.
ReplyDeleteI agree - keep the teddy bear! My mom has a few things of ours at her house, and it's very sweet to see the next generation playing with them. But I can probably give away, say, the changing table, right?
DeleteThanks, Julie, for a timely post. I have just come up for air from moving my PA stuff in with my Cape May stuff. Add to that the office stuff I moved in 2011, and I have a lot of stuff. I have yard sale boxes, thrift store boxes, "second opinion" boxes (where I need a friend's intervention)...and don't even ask me about books!
ReplyDeleteMary, your front lawn is the perfect spot for a yard sale. I just may join you out there in the spring with my "de-work" my closets stuff :)
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