Beech Tree News Network

This past month, my daughter cleaned out and reorganized closets, cabinets and drawers in her home. She made a visible difference. I was amazed that she could so quickly make the choice to keep or to pass on (and if so, to whom). Warren Farrell said, “A woman with organizing skills can run a construction company without ever picking up a hammer and nail” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/organizing). I don’t foresee a career change for her, but I do admire her recent work.

Watching my daughter’s reorganization caused me to recognize some problem areas in my home. I am fairly organized, but some areas contain too much accumulated stuff. I decided to ask friends and family about their possessions: what they have too much or too many of and why they have these things. Their responses were:

• ·       I have too many of everything. It all needs to be gone through and a lot gotten rid of. The reason is that I never take time to go through and clean out. I just keep bringing in more and not taking any out – mostly clothing, shoes, etc.

• ·       I have too many spare parts for things. I can’t justify throwing things away when I could use them one day. But I have been throwing more stuff away lately.

• ·       Bags. I love having a variety of different types of bags, purses, sling backpacks, regular backpacks, drawstring, and duffle bags. I enjoy having them all for different occasions. Even though I know realistically I could get by with three, I have about 20.

• ·       I have too many collection items that I may not use frequently. I acquire them due to the desire to learn about and master certain skills with the items. The logical thought process indicates the need to simplify categories to the most likely used with a reasonable or minimal number of items in each category.

• ·       Empty tote bags, like from Victoria’s Secret, and too much perfume and cologne that we don’t wear.

• ·       Clothes I don’t wear that I need to donate.

• ·       Too many useless plastic food containers, and grocery sacks.

• ·       DVD’s. I love to watch movies over and over.

• ·       I have an abundance of shoes. I know for a fact that I have way too many, but I love shoes and can’t ever seem to give them away. I also believe that shoes complete an outfit.

• ·       White dishes. I just love them. A lot of people my age eat on paper plates, but I do not eat a meal that I don’t think about - as a child – eating off real plates. Our dishes were mismatched, but we had some plates with this colonial woman in a big dress posed, and I would imagine who she was and what her life was like. So I think because my childhood was not the best, I like the purity and simplicity of white.

• ·       I have too many canning jars – just in case we want to fill them.

• ·       I’m not a shopper or collector so I really don’t have too much of anything. I try to use what I have or give away what I can’t use. My mom always kept everything, and I’ve dusted, packed and moved it all so much I never wanted a lot of stuff.

• ·       Other people would think I have too many blankets and too many candles. I will never think I have too many though! I have way too many plastic containers, but I don’t ever want to run out.

• ·       Too many drinking cups: plastic ones, glass, Tupperware ones, Yeti, Tervis, mugs, etc. My husband and I also have way too many clothes.

• ·       Goose Creek Jar candles. I buy them when they are on sale and when the new season’s fragrances come out. I want to try them, but won’t let myself buy them until I burn the ones I already have.

• ·       I have too many craft supplies and unfinished projects.

• ·       Clothes!

• ·       I have too many containers for food! I can’t throw them away. I have them from the store and some from fast food. I’m afraid I may need them one day.

• ·       I guess I have to say earrings. I’m a sucker for bright and shiny. They make me feel pretty.

• ·       I have too much quilt fabric. I can’t live long enough to use it, yet I continue to purchase more.

We are blessed with much in our country, including things. My daughter caused me to think about what I have that I really don’t need – and that I should pass along some things. As my late husband would have said, I have a few too many “good and useful items.”