Everything We Need - I know I bring this on myself but someone help me, please!

Everything We Need

Mar. 14, 2008

I know I bring this on myself but someone help me, please!

OK, there must be someone out there like me. I'm a minimalist stuck inside a hoarder's body- or perhaps the other way round.

I walk into the girls room to weed down to five or six outfits plus 2 church outfits... And then comes the conversation in my head: "But I love this little Tshirt... And that one is hardly worn. " and pretty soon I'm stuck. Again! Aaargh!

And we won't even go into what it's like when I try to get rid of books.

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Comments

Mar. 14, 2008 - I hear ya!

Posted by Anonymous

For the longest time, and still sometimes today, I have those same conversations. But the combination of me (a person very effected by too much chaos and visual clutter), 7 people, and tiny house with no storage, and I *had* to just tell my inner self to BE QUIET. Now I get rid of stuff we don't need no matter that I'm crying as I do it. I read somewhere that it's OK to be upset as you are getting rid of stuff, it's like grief in that you really are suffering a loss. But just like real grief, you do move on, and pretty quickly because after all, it really is JUST A SHIRT. ;-)

-Amy (amyable)
http://epiphanysprings.blogspot.com

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Mar. 15, 2008 - Amy, that is really helpful!

Posted by paminoz

I hadn't read that and I thought I had read everything on decluttering. Thanks so much for posting that.

Off to check your blog when I can!

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Mar. 17, 2008 - And they're not teenagers yet...

Posted by CentralianJen

It gets worse...they become teenage girls and the hoarding becomes a monster you cannot tame, and it's not you who is hoarding this time, it's THEM! you will not find teenage girls and clothes under minimalist in the dictionary. ;-)
But seriously, I truly wish I had been a 'less is more' mother with my 13yodd when she was young - I believe my own desire to keep so many gorgeous outfits when she was younger fuelled her own clothing habits now - especially the one where she tries to cull her bulging closet but sighs repeatedly as she states, "...but how can I choose??! They are all so beautifiul!"
Hugs,
Jen
www.mariumregnumfamiliae.blogspot.com

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Mar. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

It can be so hard - its like things hold our memories - very Dr Who, in fact!

Leonie

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Mar. 29, 2008 - I Know

Posted by briarwren

Exactly how you feel! We're in a tiny house, with lots of bodies and too much STUFF. I yearn to get rid of it, but when it comes time to do so, it just does't happen. Just like you said, I have this whole conversation with myself about the items and wind up getting rid of nothing (or extremely little). It's so hard and frustrating.

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Apr. 13, 2008 - clothes

Posted by Colleen

Pam--Have you considered paring down to a few actually in circulation and then storing a few others you really love to replace if the items in circulation get worn out, stained, or otherwise need replacing. If you don't use them before the girls outgrow that size, you can hand off the circulated items and save the stored ones for the next child. By the way, I'm adding your laundry post to the fair.

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2 Peter 1: 1-11 A place to share thoughts and wonderings about education and life and to keep in touch with friends.