I’ve been reading a lot of articles lately which concern how to “edit” one’s possessions and how to make do with less. Dave Bruno’s 100 Thing Challenge comes to mind. I love the idea of only keeping things around which are extremely useful, extremely beautiful, or extremely sentimental. It’s a great idea. Probably a very healthy and happy-makin’ idea.
But it’s also an idea that makes me Ugly Laugh 0ut of my nose.
People who tout the 100 Thing lifestyle? I’m guessing they have two things in common: enough money to buy really gorgeous, multitasking items like mahogany dinette sets that turn into billiards tables that turn into servants’ quarters…AND ALSO NO ONE ELSE AROUND TO TOUCH AND/OR RUIN THEIR EXPENSIVE STUFF.
Because seriously- does superglue have to count as one of my possessions? How about Windex, Lysol, antibacterial lotion, and those little touch-up paints from the Home Depot? That’s five things right there, and none of them particularly fill me with joy. They’re useful, sure, but also extremely disposable and utterly cluttertastic. Maybe the authors of the aforementioned articles don’t count cleaning supplies as part of their 100 because their cleaning lady brings those things with and removes them when she’s done. (Related: can I have a cleaning lady be one of my 100 Things?)
One of my 100 items- with about fifteen of his.
I also wonder if the folks who ascribe to this lifestyle need to include their family’s possessions in their overall count. Do my husband and three kids each get twenty items to go with mine? Or are we suddenly looking at 500 things strewn about? And how about the baby- his diapers come in a count of 215. Is he taking everyone’s share of items or can I just count the carton as one big ol’ thing?
It’d be easy enough for me to pare down my wardrobe and possessions (well, except for books), because I only own three pairs of pants and most of my jewelry has helpfully been broken for me. But my daughters gift me artistic creations which I carefully scan on my computer and then either recycle or collect in a binder. But if we’re keeping count towards my 100 Things here, I’ll have to start playing favorites and decide who was the better artist that day. Harsh, but for every stick figure drawing I keep, that’s one lucky mug that’ll have to hit the road. (I do so love my ironic coffee mugs.)
Which brings me to the kitchen. Even children who are the best of friends are not going to use the same single plate, bowl, sippy cup, kitchen chair, and napkin all day long. Sure, we could all make do with one pot, one pan, and a set of silverware to share amongst ourselves and keep our numbers down, but I find things like coffee pots and refrigerators help ease the day along. Additionally, do things like stoves and freezers count towards the overall tally? Does one of my Things have to be “starvation?”
And I get it- I do. If we lose the clutter, we’ll free up space for stuff we can cherish and care for. But 100 Things in total? I’m staring up at a wall I love which features over two dozen white-framed photos of my family and friends. Yes, I could pare those down to three frames, but then again, I could also just move into a Motel 6 and save myself the pesky issue of surrounding myself with anything worth viewing at all.
Here’s my truth when it comes to possessions- If my laundry supplies ever outnumber my home’s artwork, then I have already lost.
THAT SAID…there’s a crazy amount of clutter in my home. Because I’m a typical American. (With way too many hand-me-downs and vintage finds for my own good, but juuust enough Hoarders watchin’ to keep it in check.) So I have a new plan. I call it the We’ve Just Emptied A Box Of Diapers, Let’s Fill It Up And Donate It, Quick plan. (The acronym is terrible, I agree. Also? Yes. I plow through disposable diapers. I’m a good person in so many other ways.) It works like this: each time I finish with a box of Jasper’s size 1 diapers, I run around the house and throw in stuff that I rapidly decide I no longer require- and even more quickly get them out of the house before I change my mind. (My family is thrilled about this game.)
It’s no 100 Things, but it definitely gets more non-disposable stuff out of the house then we take in each month. The bottom line is, if- God forbid- we lost everything in a fire tomorrow, there would only be a handful of items I’d truly mourn. I repeat that phrase often as I attempt to de-clutter. But, as inspiring as minimalism is, I need more than those treasured “grab in a fire” possessions to make my household run smoothly (and can’t exactly afford to run out and purchase these items on demand): things that heal, things that comfort, and at least a dozen of those little kid socks with the grippy insoles.
So, my WJEABODLFIUADIQ plan (seriously, I need a new name for it) is a start. And I’m totally open to hearing others’ suggestions about what works and what doesn’t. Come over for a chat. (I’ll clear a space!) But please come empty-handed.
I haven’t the room in my tally.
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