Share Your World – 2016 Week 42

If you wanted to de-clutter where you live, what room / space would you start with?  (And why, if you’re feel like admitting to it.)

We have been gradually decluttering for several years, but it turns out that two people our age tend to have a LOT of stuff … and if you are me — someone who collects stuff like pottery, dolls, teapots, art — or Garry, who got tons of awards and miscellaneous souvenirs of the many places he’s been and people he met … well … we really have so much stuff. Decluttering is a room by room thing. It’s more of an existential attitude.

Step one is not buying books. They were our downfall in our earlier years. Some people can’t pass a music store. We were helpless in bookstores. We also had to tell everyone in our lives to not give us anything that requires room in a closet, floor space, wall space, or shelf space. Pouncing on anyone who looks or sounds interested with “You can take it with you, please … enjoy it … really … we don’t need it!!”

We have given away thousands of books and I’ve given away or sold hundreds of dolls. I’ve given away half my antique Chinese porcelain and if I could find more people who appreciate it, I’d rehome even more.

I’d love to clean out the room that was my office, but it now mostly a storage area. But I can’t figure out what to do with the stuff that’s in the room. It’s mostly boxes from computers, lenses, cameras … and a couple of empty suitcases that don’t fit in the attic, but I can’t get rid of because that’s our “good” luggage.

Then, there’s the gigantic oak desk that’s full of old tax papers and other stuff that I have no use for, but I’m sure if I get rid of it, I will suddenly realize it was important. Garry’s office is pretty much the same. I think of it as extended storage space.

If you want to remember something important, how do you do it (sticky note on the fridge, string around your finger, etc.), and does it work?

I put everything important in my computer calendar and set up reminders. It also goes on the white board on the refrigerator AND on the paper calendar. Moreover, I tell Garry so at least there’s a chance that one of us will remember. Between one thing and another, we don’t miss much.

If you could create a one room retreat just for yourself, what would be the most important sense to emphasize:  sight (bright natural light, dim light, etc.), hearing (silence, music, fountain, etc.), smell (candles, incense, etc), touch (wood, stone, soft fabrics, etc.), or taste (herbal tea, fresh fruit, etc.)?

My whole house is a retreat. Really, it is. Most important? Comfortable furniture. Secondly? Soft lighting and a lot of art. Painting, pottery, carvings.

I love textures, colors, shapes. I don’t understand blank walls. I couldn’t live like that.

If you could interview one of your great-great-great grandparents, who would it be (if you know their name) and what would you ask?

Just where we come from … if anyone knows. I’m not all that fascinated with my personal family history. I know genealogy is a big thing these days, but I really don’t care much. And weirdly, neither does Garry. We are not in step with the rest of the world.

What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

I’m grateful for the gorgeous weather and the amazing autumn we are having. I’m looking forward to more of it!

Categories: #Photography, Humor, Personal

Tags: decluttering, humor, Personal, Share Your World