Page 1 of 1
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:56 pm
by koan
I'm doing a Winter Cleaning event so I might be able to accomplish more instead of incessantly moving around all the "stuff" I never use in an attempt to find the things I need.
The general hope is that I'll discover or create the perfect place for every item in my home so I always know where it is. Meanwhile I'm aiming to discard everything I keep for the wrong reasons. eg)my old digital camera... it just doesn't seem right to throw it in a garbage bag even though it doesn't work anymore.
If there is anything I'm unsure about re keep or discard, I'll post it here and you can all help me figure out if I need it.
so far: condoms: doesn't seem like they'll be useful but I'm still willing to hope :wah:
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:03 pm
by koan
Mostly done with the bedroom though I haven't started laundry. I suspect I'll have more to add by the end of the day.
I think the main problem is just that I need different furniture.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:08 pm
by Ahso!
That reminds me of a joke I heard way back in the 70's. Remember that was Cold War times.
For propaganda purposes, the Soviet government ordered 100 million condoms from an American manufacturer. Knowing it would reach the media, all the condoms ordered were to be at least 10 inches in length and 7 inches in circumference and extra thick for endurance.
When the company manufactured the condoms they labeled all the boxes "medium".
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:11 pm
by koan
Ahso!;1349744 wrote: they labeled all the boxes "medium".
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:20 pm
by Peg
Broken camera--OUT. Why save it if it doesn't work?
Condoms--Keep just 1 just in case. The rest can go. You always can buy more if need be.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:10 pm
by along-for-the-ride
What about those books you have read? Do you keep them or give them away? I have a problem throwing book in the trash.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:12 pm
by koan
If a gentleman can't provide his own, he's not worth the effort
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:30 pm
by along-for-the-ride
koan;1349756 wrote: If a gentleman can't provide his own, he's not worth the effort
:wah: koan...forget about the condoms.....I need advice on books. :wah:
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:32 pm
by koan
books are my weak point. I have a lot of trouble letting them go. I did read that donating them to the library clears room on the shelf for new knowledge while making sure I can always access favourites from the past.
Is that the advice you meant or you're looking for a new title?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:39 pm
by koan
Advice: I have an old hair straightener that I bought for about $30 and I have a new one that's incomparably better that I bought for $120... so do I throw out the old one or keep it for backup in case something goes terribly wrong and I need to service the good one?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:42 pm
by koan
Foam curling rods: bought them to see if they'd come in useful. I've now got short hair. What if I grow it longer again?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:46 pm
by LarsMac
koan;1349760 wrote: Advice: I have an old hair straightener that I bought for about $30 and I have a new one that's incomparably better that I bought for $120... so do I throw out the old one or keep it for backup in case something goes terribly wrong and I need to service the good one?
That is the thinking that led to the clutter.
I have the same problem, BTW. (Not the hair thing, but the clutter)
I am clearing out my stuff in preparation for a pending move.
The several moves, I hauled a lot of the stuff along, thinking I could sort through it when I get to the new place.
This time, I am sorting into two piles. The first one gets packed.
Then I call Sally Ann to come pick up the rest.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:57 pm
by koan
what about a crappy backup router? all ISPs provide wireless routers now so, by the time I might find myself wishing to use it again the technology will be primitive.
But what if I need it?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:28 pm
by koan
tools.
I mean, you have them just because you might one day need them... right?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:30 pm
by koan
Vitamins.
Just because I don't take them doesn't mean I don't need them.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:34 pm
by LarsMac
My motto has always been,
Better to have what you don't need than to need what you don't have.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:55 pm
by koan
On the other hand, if you have trust, you will have the means to acquire what you need when you need it.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:45 pm
by LarsMac
Well, there it is, then.
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:32 am
by Accountable
koan;1349766 wrote: [QUOTE=koan;1349763]Foam curling rods: bought them to see if they'd come in useful. I've now got short hair. What if I grow it longer again?what about a crappy backup router? all ISPs provide wireless routers now so, by the time I might find myself wishing to use it again the technology will be primitive.
But what if I need it?[/QUOTE]Toss them. We've got both curlers and old routers from years ago. Some of the curlers are from the eighties! We use none of them. You can probably get far better for next to nothing now anyway.
koan;1349772 wrote: Vitamins.
Just because I don't take them doesn't mean I don't need them.Check the expiration. Take them if they're still good.
eta: on second thought, toss the vitamins, too. Get some fresh veggies & eat. For Chrissakes, you're wasting away.

Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:00 am
by koan
Accountable;1349808 wrote:
eta: on second thought, toss the vitamins, too. Get some fresh veggies & eat. For Chrissakes, you're wasting away.
:wah:
no fresh veggies for me until after the dental work today
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:11 am
by Bryn Mawr
koan;1349766 wrote: what about a crappy backup router? all ISPs provide wireless routers now so, by the time I might find myself wishing to use it again the technology will be primitive.
But what if I need it?
Does that mean the 14.4 modem I'm keeping "just in case" ought to go too?
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:55 pm
by koan
You could keep it for the off chance you get stranded on a desert island and there are no better options around. :yh_giggle
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:47 pm
by along-for-the-ride
:yh_rotfl
It seems that there is a need for three piles:
1. Things we use now
2. Things we want to get rid of
3. Things just in case we may need them in the future because we never know when they might come in handy and we certainly do not want anything to go to waste and do not want to pay the extra money to replace it
Clearing My Clutter
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:36 pm
by Nomad
Keep whats meaningful and or useful. Embrace the minimalism.