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| Make Space for Happiness |
It was mostly sunny, today, with some clouds moving in. There's rain in the forecast for tomorrow!
Yesterday (Monday), I had dusted the living room and dining area. I was going to dust the family room, today, but, I didn't. Instead, I brought in the trash cans after they had been emptied, went through this week's grocery ads (it paid to hold off on buying the coffee my daughter likes when it was on sale for $7.99 a package a couple of weeks ago; this week, it's on sale for $5.99 which is my current stock up price), did two loads of laundry, picked a few green beans and one ripe cherry tomato from the garden, watered some of the plants in the front garden with water I had collected in buckets while waiting for the shower water to warm up, etc., had a phone call with one of my cousins and exchanged texts with another, and finished reading this library book, pictured above.
This book examines the acquisition cycles that keep our homes cluttered and identifies seven "emotional clutter magnets" that attract clutter. These clutter magnets pertain to seven important feelings which are: purpose, love, connection, wisdom, confidence, self-respect, and ease. Then she goes on to describe how we try to assuage those feelings with buying things that become clutter and suggests how to fulfill those feelings in ways other than buying things.
All very good insights and useful, proactive steps to take, but, I found it difficult to connect with this book. Why? I think it is because of the author's premise that we are constantly buying things. I used to buy things - mostly books, decorative items, collectibles, craft supplies, etc. No so much clothes, but, definitely fabric for my various sewing projects. They were things that I enjoyed having. I no longer buy a lot of things. I have stopped buying books, I no longer buy decorative items and collectibles, and I rarely buy craft supplies unless I have a specific project in mind (I bought yarn to knit sweaters a few months ago, after I more or less used up my yarn stash). My current clutter comes from items I have bought previously or was given over the years, which I have continued to keep.
Apparently, the author had written a previous book about the seven emotional clutter blocks which prevent us from letting go of our possessions. I think that is the book I need to read, because that's where I am right now - stuck with being unable to declutter what I have. I have requested that book, Making Space Clutter Free, from the library and am waiting for it.
In the meantime, I received an email notification this evening that another library book I had requested has come in. So, the plan is to go to the library tomorrow to return the book I finished reading today and borrow the new book that's waiting for me.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Phone call and texts from cousins
- Weekly trash collection services
- Library books and free library services
- Working appliances
- Video chatting with my daughter
Today's joyful activity was reading.
Brunch was leftover rice and curries; dinner was a tuna salad sandwich (went off the meal plan, a little bit!)
Plans for tomorrow (Wednesday) include M's visit to tend to the garden (if it is not too rainy), a trip to the library, dusting the family room.
How was your Tuesday? What are your plans for Wednesday?
That's great that you are still able to gather from your vegetable garden. I'll be interested to read what you get from Tracy's first book, Making Space Clutter Free, our library did not have.
ReplyDeleteToday, I harvested the butternut squash! There are only some cherry tomatoes left to pick, but, they are still green.
DeleteI will let you know what Making Space Clutter Free has to say when I get that book.
Both my husband and I would buy things in the past but like you not any more. Most things have an emotional connection because we wanted them at the time. Now I ask myself do I want something or need it and will only buy something if I need it. It would be more interesting to me to discover why I find it so hard to let go of things,
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that we spend the first half of our lives accumulating things and the second half of our lives disposing of what we accumulated! I'm hoping to find out why I'm holding on to things when I read the book I've requested from the library.
DeleteI've never been a big spender, but that doesn't mean that I haven't accumulated a lot of things. It did feel good that recently we decluttered two van loads of things. Some of them came from my FIL who is thinking about getting rid of somethings now that he's 90. However, he is still trying to find the perfect home for each object, so it's not going very fast.
ReplyDeleteOne can accumulate a lot of things even if we spend only a few dollars per item. Well done with decluttering two van loads of things. I hope you will find the perfect homes for your FIL's things, even if it does take time to do so.
DeleteI also didn't connect with this book, for the same reasons as you. I rarely shop for things or clothes, actually never did all that much unless it was craft supplies! I don't craft much anymore. My clutter has built up over years, and a lot is inherited mementos I have a very hard time parting with.I ended up just skipping through the book. My library has the author's other book, I might get that when I return this one. I'll be curious to see what you think of that one!
ReplyDeleteI did wonder what you thought of the book, Celie. I guess neither of us are in the intended target group for this book. My clutter, too, was built up over the years. I'm hoping that the author's other book will be more helpful.
DeleteIt sounds like a really interesting book. I must admit that I sometimes buy things when I'm stressed. Especially books. I usually buy them used, but they take up a lot of space! When I get in the mood now I try to 'shop' on Amazon - for the Free books I can get on my Kindle lol. Sometimes it works!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can see if your local library has a copy of the book, Sharon. Like I said, I couldn't quite relate to it, but, someone who buys more things might find it useful. I've stopped buying books, but, I will eat chocolate when I'm stressed! That's not that good for me, but, that's what I do! :D
DeleteI enjoyed reading your take on the decluttering book you just finished especially why you didn't find it all that satisfying for your particular situation. I will look forward to hearing what you think about the author's other book.
ReplyDeleteGreat job holding off on the coffee purchase!
I just picked up the author's previous book from the library, this afternoon! Looking forward to reading it.
DeleteYes! I ordered two packets of the coffee, today (will pick up later this evening). :)