Lots or less.....sharing about it here has

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

helped me to understand 'the other side' much better, and even change the way I look at my choices.

We have been posting a lot about decluttering, purging, minimalist living etc. over the last couple of years on these forums.

I will say that with so many people commenting on both sides, making great points, and sharing some well articulated reasoning for what they do and why, I now see 'the other side', have an appreciation for it, and can see it starting to influence the way I look at my own home.

I still can't go full on minimalist, but I'm understanding much more, how less can mean more to daily living. I'm still much into certain aspects of my 'stuff', but through interactions here, am seeing that the quantity of stuff for me needs to change, and I want it to change.

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and enjoy the posts about the subject(s) from people on all sides (and the middle road) of this topic, and wonder if any of you who are on the more extreme ends of the topic also have gained a better understanding of the other side?

I'm wondering especially, if people who are and have been die hard minimalists have gained any better understanding about why people value some of their things, and feel more comfortable when surrounded by them.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

More than 43 years ago when my husband and I were first married, we decided we wanted quality things over quantity of things. His parents house, and his grandmothers house were wall to wall, floor to ceiling stuff. My grandparents house was the same way, but the house I grew up in, not so much.

My parents always had what we really needed, and that was enough for me; I never felt I needed more. I still don’t. There have always been certain things I absolutely will not spend my money on.

For everything we truly need, we buy quality stuff. I have a nice home and my family is happy here. I have never been a shopper; it’s simply a waste of time I can’t get back, and I enjoy being very tight with our money. My husband did very well with not buying until he discovered pawn shops, which is when the garage became more crowded with tools. Now he realizes the days of him using those tools are over, and they don’t need to take up space here. I realize I was manipulated into taking on my loved ones memories, and I’m over it. The world did not stop turning when I burned great granny’s china cabinet, but it was freeing for me, and ended a spiteful tale of more than 90 years.

I enjoy pictures of posters homes, reflecting what you like, and how you live. I have no judgment; I just know that for us, less is best. Our families are not minimalists, and our daughters certainly will never be. For me personally, not having an abundance of personal possessions helps me enjoy the feelings of contentment and satisfaction at this stage of my life. Just be happy and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Sweet_Serenity · ‎01-22-2016

@RedTop

Enjoyed your thoughts..I'm able to feel your tranquil environment.

sweetee2 · ‎06-21-2015

I see both sides of this issue. As we get older we accumulate more things sometimes by choice sometimes not. Our interests and our life styles change. My issue is that why has this become such a big topic. It's nobody's business if you are or if you aren't. Going to someone's home and telling them they need to get rid of this or that because you think they should is mean.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

There is a huge area of moderation between being a hoarder and being a minimalist. In that area of moderation is where I like to live. Yes, I spring clean each year and go through purging every storage area in my home. It's amazing to me the accumulated junk each spring.And I get pleasure out of looking into a cabinet and seeing some empty space.

I think most of us prefer to live in moderation.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@sweetee2 wrote:
I see both sides of this issue. As we get older we accumulate more things sometimes by choice sometimes not. Our interests and our life styles change. My issue is that why has this become such a big topic. It's nobody's business if you are or if you aren't. Going to someone's home and telling them they need to get rid of this or that because you think they should is mean.

@sweetee2

Unless someone seeks out help, like hiring an organizer, or someone is making their lives dangerous (think the show Hoarders), then I agree, no one should be telling anyone else what is enough or too much.

I think the topic, like any other, gains ground with people who want to achieve something (decluttering or living with less) and seek out other like minded people who can share experiences, processes and results.

Again, it's not much different than women who go to weight watchers. It's definitely no ones business what my weight is, or to tell me to loose some, but if I want to, I may want to come together with other people doing the same thing and on the same journey.

And of course there is always going to be the business end of something. If there is a topic or an area that people can make money on, they will be doing books, videos, shows, about it, and selling products to help make it happen.

I guess I'm most fascinated by people who get upset at the topic (not at all saying you are upset) coming up here repeatedly. Many topics on these forums come up over and over. People can choose to participate in them, or scroll on by. But for some reason there are a few people, regardless of what side of this issue they are on, that get quite upset with the topic, and I guess I don't understand why they torture themselves by continually opening the threads to tell us all how useless the conversation is, or how easy it all is to achieve (again, this isn't directed at you at all.).

IMW · ‎06-15-2014

I certainly can understand both points of view. When we were younger we had very little $, I felt I could not replace things so I kept them.

Now things are better and I can afford to replace, my fears re that have disappeared, very gradually.

I also realized that keeping deceased loved ones objects did not keep them any closer to my heart.

Cleaning is so much easier with less- I live in a 41/2 room apt, have for 40+ years. If I didn’t throw out we’d suffocate.

My dd and ds are both a bit of hoarders, my dh a minimalist as were my parents.

Many feel their things around them give them comfort and joy, why not? To each his own.

Regal Bee · ‎07-20-2017

@Mominohio wrote:
helped me to understand 'the other side' much better, and even change the way I look at my choices.

We have been posting a lot about decluttering, purging, minimalist living etc. over the last couple of years on these forums.

I will say that with so many people commenting on both sides, making great points, and sharing some well articulated reasoning for what they do and why, I now see 'the other side', have an appreciation for it, and can see it starting to influence the way I look at my own home.

I still can't go full on minimalist, but I'm understanding much more, how less can mean more to daily living. I'm still much into certain aspects of my 'stuff', but through interactions here, am seeing that the quantity of stuff for me needs to change, and I want it to change.

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and enjoy the posts about the subject(s) from people on all sides (and the middle road) of this topic, and wonder if any of you who are on the more extreme ends of the topic also have gained a better understanding of the other side?

I'm wondering especially, if people who are and have been die hard minimalists have gained any better understanding about why people value some of their things, and feel more comfortable when surrounded by them.

@Mominohio Yes, I have learned a lot and that is putting it mildly. I actually laugh at how out of the loop I was. I don't watch shows on hoarding or anything of this nature and I watch very little HGTV anymore as I see little real design. The magazines I purchased haven't talked about decluttering that I can see....I definitely need to go back and check them out. So, all these decluttering posts have been eye-opening for me.

I could never be happy in a minimalist home but I can appreciate those who can. I just feel it is important for all of us to respect each other's views. I am not one to follow the crowd and this may be a part of why I am out of the loop. My friends all have lots of stuff in their homes and I actually don't know anyone, personally, who lives in a minimalist enviroment. (I did go into some minimalist homes when I was working.)

I am also extremely organized and neat, so this also enters the picture of my understanding of this subject. All in all......it has been interesting but honestly....for me, it is time to move on. I just don't have much more to say about it. Whatever makes one happy and productive is definitely the way they need to live.

DREAMON · ‎03-09-2010

I have been sticking to the 1 in 1 out rule for a few years now. I walk through my home and put something in the donation bag before I add a new item to my decor that I have purchased or brought out from storage.

I can't wait till the weather stays a little warmer so I can go through the closets and donate coats, clothing, purses, and shoes.

I did the Linen closet in the fall so that is done.

Catiele · ‎08-20-2012

Rain today. Put me in the mood to do closets and drawers. My husband did his too! Bags to be donated. Hope the sun comes out tomorrow. Have outside work to do. Love being out there.