Phrases that Tie Us to Stuff

Have you looked through your house recently? I mean, have you really looked at the stuff in your home? If you’re like me, you have totes, cabinets stuffed with more stuff, and a garage full of even more of that same stuff. Why do we keep so much stuff? It’s not like we use it on a regular basis. In fact, most of us don’t even really know what all is being stored. It’s time to clean the clutter out of our life! I started thinking about phrases that we tell ourselves that keep us tied to stuff.

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Phrases that Tie Us to Stuff

There’s nothing wrong with having stuff. After all, this stuff is often the thing that connects us to previous generations, helps us remember the fun times, and allows us to be prepared for the future. The problem is when we let the stuff take over our life.

  1. I might need it later.
  2. It’s old (and that means valuable)
  3. I might lose weight.
  4. It belonged to somebody special.
  5. It’s too good to throw away.
  6. The kids loved (it) so much.
  7. I paid so much money for it.
  8. I hate to toss it in the landfill.

Rather than telling us how valuable things are or saving stuff because we paid so much money, maybe we need to be asking different questions.

What questions should we be asking instead?

  • Do I love it?
  • Do I use it?
  • Do I need it?

If I don’t need it/love it/use it…

  • Can I sell it?
  • Should I donate it?
  • Is it broken and needs to go in the trash?

I’ve been going through many of the totes and boxes that store all the accumulations of 20+ years of marriage and have found some neat treasures. I’m no longer just storing Grandma’s afghans and quilts. Instead, I’m displaying them and letting them be gently used. They are perfect as a decorative throw at the foot of the bed or on the couch.

Instead of keeping the piece of Wedgewood pottery stored back in the hope chest for some future day, I’m using it for my earrings on my bedside table.

Recently I’ve been on a mission to figure out what is important and what needs to go. I’ve been selling a few things on eBay, donating things to the thrift store, and simply tossing things that are broken.

Are you using any of these phrases to tie you to stuff? Are you working to clear out some of the excess baggage in your life? I’d love to hear what you are doing to clear out the extra stuff in your life.

 

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One Comment

  1. I’m not ready to dump any of my roosters yet, but I did give away a lot of clothing. There is even more for me to give away. It seems that the more I give away, the more that appears to still keep my closets full. I know…I will work on it some more. I started giving the clothing away when I lost weight. I kept thinking, “What if I get heavier again?” This time I am determined to give away the bigger things and stick to my new eating habits. Wish me luck!

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