This is an odd Thread Bits, since there's no sewing/thread officially involved, but that's more because of the photo that I just HAD to share. I hope you'll indulge me!
I keep seeing talk online about the KonMari method of clearing out the clutter. And anytime I hear talk of clearing out the clutter I become hopeful, because I have a lot of clutter. Seriously, a lot. If you're not familiar with the KonMari method, I've gathered that the heart of it is to keep only what truly brings you joy.
This is a great idea. Except for this...
I find joy in vintage boxes of gummed stars. And buttons. And bias tape. And tiny scraps of fabric. And an old sewing basket filled with random bits that belonged to my grandmother's cousin and came to me intact.
These things lead to much clutter, and yet they truly bring me joy. How could I possibly get rid of any of them?
The unfortunate part in all of this is that I have a lot of other things that easily fall into this category too. Not vintage, but cute and fun, and I become far too attached to them all.
What are the things that you could never part with?
I found that the more things I got rid of the more joy I found in NOT having too much stuff. Clutter really makes me feel overwhelmed. Also, I would ask myself "Am I going to use this in the next 6 mos. to a year?" If not, I let it go. Also, for me, the letting go was done in stages...first I got rid of the "easy" things. 3 months later I would find the things I just HAD to keep 3 months earlier, were no longer that important to me. The more I did it, the more I found pleasure in releasing rather than retaining. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAlso, another thought to consider about "finding joy" in things...do you get the opportunity to "find joy" on a regular basis if something is stuffed in a drawer or attic or box or closet? In other words, you may pull something out that you never use or look at and think, "Oh! I just LOVE this thing! It brings me joy!" But if is not part of your regular daily life, is it REALLY bringing you joy? Perhaps you can think of it as carefully curating your collection of things...the less you have, the more you can see and appreciate and enjoy that which you keep. When you say "yes" to all that is good, you risk not having room for that which is "best." (This it true for your time and relationships too!)
ReplyDeletePS And to answer your question, I have a few jars of vintage buttons from my mother and grandmother that are out on display where I can enjoy them every day! :-D
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother's english tea cup, sans saucer, brings me great joy in my sewing room, I use it for pins! My many, many patterns bring me joy, as does my bin of fabric selvages, my plastic shoeboxes full of bling, ribbons and rickrack bring me a lot of joy as I sew and pick through them for embellishments! When something no longer brings me joy I gift it to another sewing friend or give it to Salvation Army so it can continue to bring joy to someone else! I don't hide my joy away in the attic, it's all out there where I can see it!!! Is it messy? Sure!! but it's my joy!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have been planning (and preparing) to sell our house for a while, but when it hit the market, it sold (above asking price offer!) in 24 hours. So I've been packing and packing, and that after already de-cluttering and getting rid of various things we no longer need or use.
ReplyDeleteI can be very ruthless about this process, as I lack some aspects of sentimentality. Indeed, there are a few things in our possession I'd *LIKE* to get rid of but can't because of their origin! (I'm so, so evil, Mollie...) Moreover, I'm a bit of a neat freak to begin with—not quite Felix Unger, but...well.
Even so, there are a lot of things I just cannot ever give up. There are a lot of heirloom items, like my great-grandmother's teacups collected during the trips she & Great-Grandpa took to Europe before the Depression, but of course those are useful as well as amazing little family gifts. 'Useless', 'silly' things? Books I've had since childhood and will likely never read again; little bits of pretty trim I've used on give-away or gifted projects; (other) Great-Grandma's ancient, beaten up old Savory roasting pan that is too small for even a young chicken and her muffin tin that I never cook in but love, love to see whenever I open that particular cupboard. I guess many of mine have family connections, but a lot of things stick around just because they are lovely. Then again...I also have a little canning jar full of dirt from my shoe, scraped away as my husband and I were leaving Mount Vernon, George Washington's home! Also, a leaf from a tree in our old, beloved neighborhood that I'll probably never get over having to leave when my husband got his job at a new company far away. Those probably win me some 'loony' points, but I'm still keeping it. ;)
I was dubious of the KonMari method when I first came across it for exactly the same reasons. I have so many things that bring me joy from plush toys to craft supplies to my bookshelf overstuffed with books. I ended up picking up the book on a whim and have since fallen in love with the method. I love that she doesn't encourage you to get rid of anything that truly brings you joy, but instead to honestly evaluate everything (I was surprised at the difference between the items that bring me joy versus the items that I simply liked) and create better storage systems. It's an undertaking, but so worth it as the process goes on.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you. bits of ric rac, pretty buttons.... sheesh. I'm getting better at letting go of things but it's hard. recently when my sister unearthed mom's original AQUA sewing machine, I sooooo wanted to bring it home! Instead we staged a photo shoot & I had prints made for Mom and me to hang in our sewing space as a memory.
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ReplyDeleteI just started the KonMari method! I've gotten through the first two steps (clothes and books) and I love, love seeing only books I love (which your Stitch Love book is one of them!) on my bookshelves and wearing clothes that I love! I have even gotten my kids to go through theirs using the same method. One book I kept that I literally have no use for is an old book of folk songs. I don't even know how to read music, but the book cover and pages are so beautiful to me and it makes me happy just seeing it out on my shelf! I have yet to attack my craft room. That's why she recommends doing the easy stuff first. It was easy to let go of clothes and books and it made such an impact that I'm motivated to do more! You should definitely at least read the book and then decide if it's for you. It may not be, but you won't know until you try! It's such a little book and an easy read. I was able to finish it in an afternoon. Not the decluttering, just the book! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I had forgotten those even existed until I read this post. How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm an admitted pack rat. I am trying to take pictures of things that I don't have to keep because I find I have too much stuff. I still have my jelly bracelets and charm necklaces from the 80s. I always feel better donating them to someone/someplace where I know they will be used or someone needs it more than I do.
ReplyDeleteI hang on to fabric, stickers, and various other supplies that could be used for crafting, even old clothing that could be upcycled. I love old books, too. I could go on.