My husband hates dirt and I hate clutter so we usually function pretty efficiently in the housekeeping arena.
But I have noticed that the longer we live in our house, the more I am accumulating and the less I am giving away. Thus, I am producing the clutter I abhor.
I am not alone.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, I read that 71% of Americans in a recent Storable survey said they re-purchase items they already own because clutter keeps them from finding the original.
Guilty.
We own seven hammers, eight pairs of manicure scissors and five measuring tapes.
Apparently we Americans are fully vested in an environment where:
Plenty of cheap stuff is readily available
It is easier than ever to buy things online from the comfort of our homes and have them delivered within 24 hours to our doorsteps
And one of the 58,000 storage facilities located across our country is within convenient driving distance to most of our homes
The problem is that accumulating stuff can take a steep toll on our mental health, especially for those of us who don’t have basements or accessible crawl spaces.
Over the last year or so I have purchased a six-step ladder,and two three-step ladders to store in my closets in order to reach the highest shelves. My intentions are good, but honestly, half the time it’s just not worth setting up the ladder and climbing up its steps to get down my black sweater with the comfy cowl neck. Why? Not because I don’t love its soft warmth on cool days but because it’s at the top of the pile in my twelve foot high master bedroom closet. Many seasons have passed since I’ve worn it.
My stuff is beginning to own ME.
I am buying things just to manage my things.
I am irrationally attached to things I rarely ever use – like non- prescription sunglasses, four inch black patent leather stilettos, keychains from short, non-memorable trips to Birmingham, Alabama and Shreveport, Louisiana. and three University of Florida t-shirts from the 1960’s.
Here is what I have found in my own life:
Clutter causes me to feel overwhelmed and anxious.
Clutter causes me to have a harder time concentrating.
Clutter induces in me a sense of chaos even when things are generally running smoothly in my life.
And clutter reminds me of all the unfinished tasks in my life.
I didn’t fully realize this until I spotted this arrangement of tulips in my son and daughter’s-in-law home recently.
The starkness struck me – the beauty of the simple arrangement surrounded by nothing else made me realize how jumbled my home was. And how soothing and relaxing an uncomplicated scene can be.
I resolve to do better.
I am going to start small – one drawer or shelf per day.
I am going to work in short bursts – 15 to 30 minutes at most.
I am going to research storage solutions and put in place those that make the most sense.
I am going to get rid of something old if I buy something new.
I’m going to take pictures of my beautiful, newly clutter-free spaces and keep them handy.
Think this topic lacks timeliness? Tune into Apple TV+ series ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’ where Jon Hamm plays a hedge fund manager who loses his job. To continue to support his affluent way of life, he begins robbing the mega-mansions of his neighbors – stealing their liquor, pocketbooks and jewelry. And it all goes unnoticed due to the wild excess of their possessions.
As Hamm so exquisitely sums up: there is “this bizarre fascination with more (and) how ‘more’ has become the watchword instead of ‘enough.’”
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
For those of you who celebrate Easter:
May your bonnets be stunning
May your decorated eggs outstandingly creative and easily found
And your Sunday filled with love, laughter and the joy of togetherness
Happy Easter