I've never been what you would call a minimalist, not in any way. My idea of a cozy home is one where there are lots of quilts thrown across couches and too many books on the bookshelves. It won't look like a picture in a magazine, but it will be comfortable and lived in and full of things that I love. (Maybe that's the problem...I love too many things, ha! Right now my bedroom walls are overcrowded with art prints and pictures and embroidered pieces, because I'm trying to fit so many things that I love into one room.)
I am peculiar about being organized and having things in their place, though. I feel distracted if my stuff isn't where it belongs. I think I have to be that way, in this case, or things can quickly clutter up.
But lately it seems that certain aspects of Slow Fashion October have been creeping into other areas of my life. I've been trying to weed through my books and movies, deciding what should stay and what should go. I've accumulated a lot of them over the years, and for some reason, it has suddenly become overwhelming. I feel like I'm getting to a point in my life where I'm happy with less.
I love movies, and I like seeing movies that I've never seen before. But when it comes down to it, I have my absolute favorites that I end up watching over and over. So I sorted through my DVDs and ended up with a stack of nearly twenty movies. I've been systematically watching through those to decide if they're worth keeping or not. (So far I'm only keeping one.)
And then there are the books. I'm a reader...I accumulate books. I want my shelves to be full of my favorite stories: the books that mean something or the ones that I know I'll reread. I own a lot of books that I haven't read yet (too many), but I'm hesitant to get rid of most of those until I know what I think of them. But if I currently have zero interest in reading a book, it's probably time for it to go. I had an old two-volume set of Les Miserables. I'm always hearing about that story, and I'd like to try it sometime during my life, but right now? I have no interest in reading a huge book with tiny print that involves a lot of history that I know nothing about...so it's going. As for the books that I have read and thought they were just okay, why are they still taking up space on my shelves? If I know I won't read them again, why am I keeping them?
I'll probably take the DVDs to a thrift store, but I'm not sure what to do with the books. Any suggestions? Over the past couple of years I've donated a lot of books to the Little Free Libraries in our town, and I will be doing that again with some of these. But others are newer releases and in like-new condition, so I'd like to do something different. I looked into Paperback Swap, but it seems that they now charge fees. I might try to find a used bookstore nearby that will either buy them or trade store credit for them (our town, sadly, doesn't have a bookstore).
What about you? Are you a minimalist, or like me, do you lean towards clutter? How do you decide what stays and what goes?
I've always been a pack rat - can't throw anything away. So is Hank. Which means we end up with a lot of clutter around the house. So, I've recently begun to change my ways and if I don't need it, it goes. I like it!
ReplyDeleteHa, I know what you mean. Sometimes I'll hold on to something for years, even if I don't particularly need or want it...just because I've had it for a long time! That's crazy. :) But, like you, I'm trying to get better.
DeleteHaving moved several times in the last few years, I've gotten pretty good at getting rid of things, but the hardest for me is books and records. It's like I know I have a lot that I don't read/listen to, but when I go through them I feel like I should keep them and give them a second chance.
ReplyDeleteIf I really want to get rid of books or records, I just have to put them in a box and take them away. If I go through them individually, I won't be able to let them go.
I used to hold on to a lot of records, too. A couple of years ago, I went through and took out anything that I didn't really listen to, but I need to do that again and just keep my favorites!
DeleteIt is better to just make the decision and then take them away! I have to do the same thing. It doesn't give you the chance to second guess yourself. :)
I relate to this so well! I love the idea of being a minimalist, but I become far too emotionally attached to objects (or else I just think: but what if I get rid of it and then I need or want it?!). And I really need to start weeding through everything this winter, because come spring, my husband and I will be moving. Ha, I sound like a hoarder. I promise I'm not. :) Things do leave the house occasionally, whether via recycling/trash or to the thrift store. But gosh, life would be so much simpler if we just had less stuff!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard, moving is a good chance to weed through your stuff! :) My brother and sister-in-law just moved, and my SIL said she got rid of a lot of stuff, because she didn't want to pack it up and move it to the new house.
DeleteHa, I'm not a hoarder, either, though every once in a while I feel like one.
I purged my bookshelves a while back and then again more recently. I really only want to buy books that are children's classics, by a trusted author, or that I have read and loved. Plus I added the stipulation of hardback (when available) to that list. I have cut down on other items as well, but I still have MASSES, particularly of fabric/alterations . . . which is something I lack motivation to demolish by sewing.
ReplyDeleteI want to be more selective about the books that I buy, too. It feels even easier to hoard craft supplies than books, because there's always the chance that you'll need or use them someday! I don't have nearly as much fabric as I used to (mostly scraps at this point), but the yarn is definitely plentiful.
DeleteI do tend to be more minimalist than not - especially now I'm older. I used to have a very "cluttered" look going on, but now not so much. That being said, like you, I go through my bookshelves (quite frequently nowadays) and sorting through it all feels GOOD! Plus, what's more, I'm proud that I've not pulled books out of my "get rid of boxes!" ;)
ReplyDeleteIt does feel good! I used to never, ever get rid of books, so I'm glad that I've gotten to the point where I'm able to weed through them now. :)
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