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[lolakimono]

@queendiva

Here is the real "masterpiece" IMO.

This closet holds minimal office supplies (on the left) and the rest are her art supplies.  We repurposed everything except the blue/yellow mesh hangers, which we found at WalMart.  The hanging caddy was from shoes that I made her get out of the guest room, so that we could have a place to get those things she needs often- paint brushes, markers, glue, etc.  I organized all the paper packs, blank canvases, calendars (inspiration), frames, etc. on top.  We have the former office bins on carts that she can roll out and take what she needs.  She will have to get on a stepstool to get to the top rack, but everything else is within easy reach.

[lolakimono]

@queendiva

Here is the last view.  The artist's table was in her lanai, which I convinced her to move into the art studio.  To do so, we had to get rid of another desk, filing cabinet, desktop computer, and many other items.

She has one filing cabinet for important papers, a magnetic clipboard to hold inspiration, and her 4x1 printer/copier/fax/scanner where she can make color copies of whatever she photographed.  I explained that she can always close the door when she needs to keep the kitty from touching her wet work, or when she is in progress and has to run errands or if she has guests stop by.  

Since August she has thanked me several times for having a "working" space totally dedicated to her art.  I did not find the former office "inspirational" as it held my dad's company papers and supplies she would never use up in her lifetime.  It probably cost about $100 to pay for trips to the dump, buy a few hanging organizers, tips for her church's thrift shop movers, and gas to go back and forth for drop offs.  The rest of the stuff she already owned and we repurposed it.  

[lolakimono]

For the interested parties-

I have not read this book, but there was an article referencing this book and I thought these quotes were powerful.

“Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates and, likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates.  So the clutter begins as a symptom of what is happening with you in your life and then becomes part of the problem itself because the more of it you have, the more stagnant energy it attracts to itself.”

“What’s on the inside is not necessarily reflected on the outside, but what’s on the outside always reflects something on the inside.”

[qualitygal]

That was a great article.  I'm doing a lot better on disposing of paper stuff.  Paper cookbooks, copies of things, and I'm pitching them!!! So I'm patting myself on the back on staying right on track with that plan.  Less filing, less finding storage space for all that excess stuff, that I never get back to, or have to retrieve at a later date.  Too much, is just too much. It's silly.  

[qualitygal]

Part two of this discussion I think could be why?

It's so easy to buy on line.  That's how I see it.  And honestly, instead of replacing things when one still works, get rid of the older one, donate if appropriate.  We're just so afraid to let go of stuff.  

[CAMOGIRL]

So true for a lot of people. Definitely MYSELF included here!!

Take vacations for example... like all of a sudden I absolutely have nothing to wear! 😂

But, do we really need half of what we have in our homes... NO probably NOT. So we put it in the closets, out in the garage, up in the attic, or down in the basement.  To finally one day give 1/3 of it away. So, we can slowly add new stuff in it’s place...

Oh, it definitely is a cycle ... no matter how you try, no matter what you say... there is always something else out there somewhere screaming “BUY ME!!’.

[queendiva]

@lolakimono: Thanks for the link and the photos. The closet is amazing! I find that classroom teachers have the best ideas for organizing spaces, and you are no exception!

I always buy those shoe organizers to store the little items that so often get lost/ misplaced. I have one behind the linen closet door in the hall bath and most any other door that swings on a hinge- except the entry door, LOL!

[Bri63]

I think people have so much "stuff" is because they overbuy.  

My mom overbought.  She could afford it.  Why have 2 or 3 sets of sheets, when you could have 12?  Why have backups and backups for backups of almost anything you could ever want or need. I had so much dread about having to go through all of that one day.  It's such a burden to have to deal with all of that.

Anyway, I have a lot of stuff, but it's things I need, use and love.  If I had to pack up and move, I could do it in short order.  I regularly get rid of things that don't serve me well.  If I find myself getting rid of too much, then I know I am overbuying.  

Some people need a lot of stuff and some people don't.  I hate clutter.  I hate opening a drawer or a closet and seeing disorganization and things stuffed in there.  

I do not live in fear of not having something.  I can buy it or get it quickly.  

Great thread.

[Mominohio]

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@qualitygal wrote:

Part two of this discussion I think could be why?

It's so easy to buy on line.  That's how I see it.  And honestly, instead of replacing things when one still works, get rid of the older one, donate if appropriate.  We're just so afraid to let go of stuff.  

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This can be a big problem for many of us that are over 50 and remember quality. I found myself just yesterday, putting a 9 speed KitchenAid hand mixer in my cart. I already have one, and love it. They were on clearance, and sometimes the 9 speed is hard to find, especially at the price offered. 

Most everything new is not made like the old ones, so while I wanted a backup at a good price, I was in no way going to  get rid of the 'old' one. It isn't that old and works just fine.

I put it in the checkout process, then left it there, returning several times throughout the afternoon, but managed to ultimately pass on it. 

My reasoning: I only use the hand mixer maybe a couple of times a month. I can't justify taking up the space or parting with the money for something that will be a backup for something I rarely use, on the off chance it fails. 

Now, had it been something I use every day, (say a set of new bath towels) I probably would have jumped (even though I probably shouldn't as I have way more than enough for many years). 

I'm trying to get better about thinking I need multiples of everything. Some things we do, and some, we really don't.

[jeanlake]

@queendiva I am so impressed with your response and have no doubt you will succeed and enjoy walking through life with less stuff. Good luck. It's crazy what makes us collect things and surround ourselves by stuff.

My inlaws grew up in rural south with lots of siblings. If I say they grew up with newsprint on the walls (as others would have wallpaper print) you'll know what I mean. Husband's father moved to city and became 'middle class' successful with his carpenter business and my MIL always bought things on sale, but she bought junky trinkety things, which she also gave as gifts. FIL loved going to garage sales and would pick up tools and toss them in the garage. They were never able to park vehicles in garage. When they downsized a few years ago, 80s, their kids freely gave their opinions about their need to let go of trinkets and junk. To their benefit, they've done much better and don't miss any of that stuff.