Not all STUFF is bad!

You know, I keep reading on various blogs, websites and forums that we need to de-clutter and remove all our STUFF.

Live Zen! Become a minimalist today! Stop consumerism and be green!

For the love of the children! Make it stop! I have a secret… not all stuff is a negative thing! Nor should you feel guilty for wanting things.

Yes, I think there is limits to how much stuff one person should cram into their house. But I also think it goes the other way as well. Not having ANYTHING in your home is depressing!

pandan_valley_5

Not because stuff makes me happy, but there is some emotional value to things we have.

Pictures on our walls, the old coffee mug from your child that says “worlds greatest dad” or a family heirloom. Those things hold value. Not financial value, but emotional value. Which is important.

Your home should be just that… your home. You should make it comfortable, stress-free and enjoyable!

You want to decorate for fall, Christmas and Easter? I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with that. That doesn’t mean that every room in your house has to be covered with STUFF, but I don’t think it’s “bad” or a waste of money (within reason, of course) to decorate!

I think I have a very comfortable home. We do not own a lot of stuff and we have downsized quite a bit. Or at least put the things we are not using right now into storage.

Like our towel situation. We used to have over 10 body towels in our apartment! Which was really unnecessary for 2 people. BUT! Towels are expensive! Ridiculously expensive. Why get rid of them when I know they will be needed when I have a larger family? So, I put them into our storage locker.

But that doesn’t mean I keep everything that I “might” use one day. Again, everything has to be within reason and what works for YOUR family.

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If you feel discouraged or guilty when reading other people’s minimalist lifestyles and have the urge to throw everything you own out the door.

Just stop.

Take a look around and assess the situation for YOU and YOUR family.

<— If your bedroom looks anything like this, then it may be time to de-clutter or learn some new organization skills!

Frugal Dreamer on November 18, 2009 | Filed Under Downshifting, Frugal Living, Vent / Rant

19 Comments

oceaneyz02 on November 18th, 2009

Great post! I sometimes feel so so so guilty when I think about how much ‘de-cluttering’ I really need to incorporate. But there are some things that just mean so much to me. Whether it’s the memory attached to the object, or just the thought that was behind it when it was given to you.

I need to remember that it is MY home. And I want it to feel that way

Cate on November 18th, 2009

I’m with you! I find joy in many of our things, and have no interest in getting rid of them in the name of minimalism. Decorating is one of my interests, so removing every knickknack strikes as a bit much. My family spends the majority of time at home, so it’s very important that our home is pleasing to us.

I do think it’s important to look ahead when thinking about what to keep and what to let go of (like with your towels). We have a plastic bin in our utility room that’s full of old graduation robes, costumes from plays, etc., that WE don’t personally need, but we know our children will probably enjoy when they’re old enough to play dress-up.

You’re right: moderation is definitely the key! There’s no reason a home can’t be organized while still being decorated.

RainyDaySaver on November 18th, 2009

I’m with you. I like my “stuff.” That doesn’t mean I have the latest and greatest in fashions or home furnishings — most of my stuff is years (or even a decade) old. Our home isn’t cluttered, it’s comfortable!

Laura on November 18th, 2009

I agree that having stuff is okay…if you really love the stuff. Its when we have issues throwing anything away…things we have outgrown or that don’t work anymore or we are keeping because we may one day use it (ie. my endless drawers of “craft” supplies). I have a facebook group if anyone wants to join about decluttering one thing a day for the month. Sometimes it feels good to get rid of those pants that are too big or too small or to recycle that VCR when you don’t have any VHS.

Here is the link for the group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=174165036405&ref=ts

Jessie on November 18th, 2009

I love your blog a little bit more today! This is so true, there’s nothing wrong with things! I love to decorate, and it’s so not a waste!

Thanks!

Brenda on November 18th, 2009

Great post FD! I hate seeing depressing homes with nothing in them. It’s almost as if the people living there do not have any personality.

Bobby on November 18th, 2009

Eh, not a fan of clutter. I do like stuff that helps to organize the other “stuff.”

Rina on November 18th, 2009

THANK YOU. My sentiments EXACTLY.

Lisa.waterstone on November 18th, 2009

It’s like you read my mind! I was just going over what my idea of “stuff” (bad stuff) is…

I think the best part of minimalism, and reading about others (however strict!) is that almost ALL of them say how much happier they are!

So, if decluttering makes someone happy, then they’ve figured out their inner minimalist for sure.

Frugal Dreamer on November 18th, 2009

I am glad you all agree!

With that being said, I do need to work on my organization skills. Which will probably be a lifestyle change rather than a one time thing.

Lisa: I noticed they all seem happier too. Everyone is different I suppose. I know personally, I would never be happy living that lifestyle.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com on November 18th, 2009

But if you’re so angry and frustrated about it why do you even read those blogs?

They’re targeting another group of people who WANT to downsize their lifestyle.

I mean clearly you are not on that path to zen or minimalism or whatever, so why bother?

And minimalism isn’t about hating stuff and throwing everything out the window.

Read this: Minimalism embraces comfort

Frugal Dreamer on November 18th, 2009

FB: Whoa.

This was just a different take on it.

That’s all.

And I am not angry.

Annie on November 18th, 2009

Ha!! I was talking to a friend of mine about this on Saturday. She came over to visit for an hour or so and mentioned that I need some art or something on the walls, which I agreed with. Then I told her how I’d been thinking how “stuff” just ends up as “crap” and gets tossed/sold when you die which is why I’m reluctant to acquire some things and she just laughed at me.

She said sure, in the way of collections and ridiculous amounts of ‘stuff,’ but there are things that just make your space cozy and less boring (shelves, plants, art, etc.) that are tasteful and don’t become useless junk after a week.

I need to find a nice balance and spend a little $$ on accentuating and creating a warm, comfortable space and stop worrying about excess junk – because believe it or not, I CAN tell the difference these days! Ha ha!

Serendipity on November 18th, 2009

I go back and forth in this topic in my head. Sometimes, I do believe we shouldn’t keep things we need but I don’t believe the harm in keeping things that have emotional value. I know it’s not always good to have an emotional value to objects, but I think it’s okay to have a couple items like this. Good post!

Frugal Dreamer on November 18th, 2009

Serendipity: Yeah, I understand. Everything in moderation. Sometimes different objects hold different memories, good memories.

Frugal Dreamer on November 18th, 2009

Annie: LOL. Yes, it’s all about balance! And doing what works for you!

This Thrifted Life on November 19th, 2009

I agree with Laura and Annie–it’s all about balance and *your* personal satisfaction. Special keepsakes might be very important to one person, while they hold no meaning to another. I want my home to be about books and art, but another person might want to focus their time and energy on emphasizing something else. It’s when our possessions take over and we have what we have because we have it, not because we truly enjoy it or find it useful.

Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog on November 19th, 2009

I love the philosophy that many small space dwellers have: love everything that you have. I don’t see the point to keeping stuff just to fill a space in the room. Instead, I’ll leave a space empty, ready to hold something I really love.

The Asian Pear on November 19th, 2009

Sadly… Our house looks worse than that photo. ~___~;