It seems as if all the various books, blogs, and vloggers that I have been checking out, that say they are Simple Living adherents seem to say the same thing. One must spend loads of time decluttering and organizing the remainder.
Now I can see the decluttering, but when I watch many of them begin the organizing portion, I see them out purchasing items to organize with. In many cases these people have gotten rid of organizing items to begin with. In other cases I noticed that they just wanted a more "matching" way to organize.
Isn't that just adding more "stuff" in your home? Wouldn't it have been simpler to just keep what you used in the first place? If you wanted matches organizers, perhaps covering them with wrapping paper would have made a much better choice?
I have had the same storage and organizers for years. Some are getting pretty worn, but until they no longer serve the purpose I purchased them for, they will continue to be used. I have patterns stored in binders of all different colours, but I covered them with wrapping paper and put a homemade label on them as to what is inside the covers.
I had bought some boxes made of heavy cardboard years ago and those hold my embroidery threads, machine embroidery threads, serger/overlocker threads, small triangle patches, 2 1/2 inch fabric strips, some yarn, some transfer patterns, projects I inherited from my Mom, zippers, bias binding, sewing needles, pins, and items that are used on each of my sewing machines. All have a homemade label and I can see at a glance what needs to be used and where to locate the item.
I want to leave a smaller footprint on the earth, to me that is simplicity. Time to sit on the deck and listen to the birds. Watch the garden as I hang clothes out on the lines. Plant food or flowers and herbs that can give us joy.
To me living simply is using what you have, learning to look after what you have, and not accumulating more just to organize what you already have.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
I too have noticed the trend to purchase matching containers, like you I use what I have, I can't be bothered to get new stuff, just more dust collectors.
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Jackie. I agree wholeheartedly. Jean
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you here Jackie. They just seem to purchase more & more "stuff". xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's sometimes makes people feel like they have simplified things when everything is organised in pretty organisers. I have to admit that I do like my stuff to be contained in somewhat aesthetic storage options, preferably non transparent ones, so I can't see the contents, but I'm past the point of buying anything else for this purpose these days. What I already have does the job nicely and doesn't look too bad. I really need to just reduce the number of storage containers I own now, but I need to empty them by using or getting rid of stuff to do this. I admire you sticking with the same storage options, as it is much better use of resources than buying new options.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree 100%
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent point, Jackie. I think buying new storage containers sort of defeats the purpose. We don’t buy new storage organizers as they can be found so easily on the second hand market here. Yes, they may not match, but like your home, ours is a working home, and them matching or not doesn’t matter to us.
ReplyDeleteBelinda
I so agree. There was a trend to get rid of anything plastic to replace with more 'natural' containers which seemed to me just very silly. The plastic would just be going in the bin while it was still useful instead of at the end of it's life - that would be the time to replace.
ReplyDeleteSpot on! Remember the anti-plastic push from a few years back when everyone was advised to throw out perfectly good plastic containers and buy ones made of metal or glass on the basis that it was eco-friendly?!
ReplyDeleteJackie, I wonder if you read Rhonda Hetzel’s Down to Earth blog. She’s a wonderful woman in Australia who is all about exactly what you’re saying. Here’s a link. https://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteOh I do like sitting & listening to the birds. I see what you are saying, some of these folks are not on the level and it's all for show. I don't have matching anything, our place is quite eclectic and hodge podge, but with items which have a meaning or remembrance. Being able to discern and think for ourselves has become somewhat obsolete. We are to be cookie cutter people. Find YOUR joy. Live and be simple. Blessings, Faith@FarmhouseWorthy
ReplyDeleteI agree with you too Jackie. What is the point of ditching stuff to buy new matching stuff? I have big plastic boxes which I've owned for years and which are still perfectly useable. All paperwork is kept in old binders which don't match but which are kept in a cupboard so it doesn't matter a jot.
ReplyDeleteDecluttering is something we all need to do at times, isn't it, just to keep things tidy and have useful things within easy reach. It's not rocket science...lol. Mmm....I feel a decluttering session coming on!
Angie x
Hi Jackie, I only purchase things I need and I don't care if they match or not.
ReplyDeleteI am happier with less. Less work, less stress, less dust, less mess. Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend.
I've never understood people downsizing and then going out to buy 'things' to so-called organize. Isn't that defeating the entire purpose? When it comes to organizing things I try to find something we already own and repurpose it.
ReplyDelete