Scaling Down
Jan. 3rd, 2006 12:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancerjodiSilentq had referenced a book she was reading in her journal: Scaling Down: Living Large in a Smaller Space . I had been thinking about scaling down my own things recently and the Amazon reviews were good, so I decided to check this out.
The book is a guide on how to think about your stuff, how much stuff you really do need, some insights into the various reasons we have so much stuff, and some methods for getting rid of things. It touches on sensitive major life change subjects such as clearing out the house of an elderly or deceased relative or melding two households of stuff in a new cohabitating relationship. Also discussed is the hanging on to items for sentimental reasons, collecting, and the general BIG standard of American living nowadays. I found a lot of useful tips in there for ways to weed out stuff and where to get rid of it (donating, selling, trash, etc). It was also self-affirming to see some suggestions made that are things I'm already doing.
One place it’s brought us is to where we are making areas in our home ones we'll actually use for various purposes (and enjoy being in). Our 2 spare bedrooms had fallen into the category of 'places where we put stuff' versus rooms that we do things in. Brian spent time this weekend thinking about what he wanted to do with his computer room and numerous action figures and collectibles. I spent time cleaning up the craft room and planning for the eventual closet that will go in there. We've decided that the Computer room will be the geeky/display room for the both of us, while the craft room will be the craft/work room for both of us. It will allow us to make better use of the space, more use of the room, and probably spend some more time together at home. For instance, Brian is going to get a comfy leather (or leather like) recliner for the geek room at some point. We will both be able to be in there either reading or sitting at the computer (while marveling at the best of the best collectibles on the now more limited shelves). The sewing room is more roomy now. I can access things easily, and there is room for the two of us to work. Finally putting that closet in will only serve to make it more useful as some bins and shelves that are out in the room right now will make their way into the closet.
Doing this thinking also brought us some ideas for making better use of our attic and basement, which up until this point have been more rooms for us to put "stuff". We've already tossed about 7 trash bags of things to the Salvation Army this weekend. Once the Attic and Basement are tackled I'm sure there will be a lot more. And that's not even touching our garage. We've had desire to make use of various rooms for various purposes, so now we're actually going to get to setting things up to make it possible. We've talked about this many times before, but only now have had the time, ideas and inspiration to make it work. Cleaning a basement is no fun, but turning it into a great tool workshop is.
It’s kind of funny, but clearing crap out and taking stock of all of the things we have I think will serve to make us more interested in doing the things we like. I found whole hosts of things that I forgot I had that I was either excited about finding (and actually using), or quickly decided to toss. I thought of some new crafty projects that I'd like to work on once this stuff is out of the way. It’s kind of liberating to be getting to the point where we aren't tied down by so much "stuff".
So I'd fully recommend this book to anyone wishing to clear out clutter, examine the role of "stuff" in one's life, or just simplify things in a world where most often bigger is better. :)
The book is a guide on how to think about your stuff, how much stuff you really do need, some insights into the various reasons we have so much stuff, and some methods for getting rid of things. It touches on sensitive major life change subjects such as clearing out the house of an elderly or deceased relative or melding two households of stuff in a new cohabitating relationship. Also discussed is the hanging on to items for sentimental reasons, collecting, and the general BIG standard of American living nowadays. I found a lot of useful tips in there for ways to weed out stuff and where to get rid of it (donating, selling, trash, etc). It was also self-affirming to see some suggestions made that are things I'm already doing.
One place it’s brought us is to where we are making areas in our home ones we'll actually use for various purposes (and enjoy being in). Our 2 spare bedrooms had fallen into the category of 'places where we put stuff' versus rooms that we do things in. Brian spent time this weekend thinking about what he wanted to do with his computer room and numerous action figures and collectibles. I spent time cleaning up the craft room and planning for the eventual closet that will go in there. We've decided that the Computer room will be the geeky/display room for the both of us, while the craft room will be the craft/work room for both of us. It will allow us to make better use of the space, more use of the room, and probably spend some more time together at home. For instance, Brian is going to get a comfy leather (or leather like) recliner for the geek room at some point. We will both be able to be in there either reading or sitting at the computer (while marveling at the best of the best collectibles on the now more limited shelves). The sewing room is more roomy now. I can access things easily, and there is room for the two of us to work. Finally putting that closet in will only serve to make it more useful as some bins and shelves that are out in the room right now will make their way into the closet.
Doing this thinking also brought us some ideas for making better use of our attic and basement, which up until this point have been more rooms for us to put "stuff". We've already tossed about 7 trash bags of things to the Salvation Army this weekend. Once the Attic and Basement are tackled I'm sure there will be a lot more. And that's not even touching our garage. We've had desire to make use of various rooms for various purposes, so now we're actually going to get to setting things up to make it possible. We've talked about this many times before, but only now have had the time, ideas and inspiration to make it work. Cleaning a basement is no fun, but turning it into a great tool workshop is.
It’s kind of funny, but clearing crap out and taking stock of all of the things we have I think will serve to make us more interested in doing the things we like. I found whole hosts of things that I forgot I had that I was either excited about finding (and actually using), or quickly decided to toss. I thought of some new crafty projects that I'd like to work on once this stuff is out of the way. It’s kind of liberating to be getting to the point where we aren't tied down by so much "stuff".
So I'd fully recommend this book to anyone wishing to clear out clutter, examine the role of "stuff" in one's life, or just simplify things in a world where most often bigger is better. :)
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no subject
Date: 2006-01-03 05:39 pm (UTC)I found myself evaluating things on the "do I love seeing/using it?" scale and it helped a lot in deciding what to do with things.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-03 06:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-03 07:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-03 09:38 pm (UTC)scaling down
Date: 2006-01-04 02:12 pm (UTC)Definitely! I'd probably argue that most people live in a space that's not easily malleable (having a Dad as a contractor and a husband who worked for him, we have a bit of an easier advantage in that respect). :)
Re: scaling down
Date: 2006-01-05 06:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-04 02:30 am (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-04 03:03 am (UTC)and btw, when it comes to ordering that recliner, I'd recommend "Furniture World" in NH, up Rte 33, Exit 36-ish, just over the border in southern Nashua, 168 Daniel Webster Highway, Tel 603-891-3900, open until 9 daily, 11-6 pm on Sunday. TONS of stuff, the same stuff they're selling for twice the price at Bernie and Phyll's. AND there's no MA tax, even if they deliver to you, and it costs $29 to deliver one item, $49 for two or more. The sales people are wonderful -- I recommend Marilyn Lehto especially. WE ordered a faux suede reclining loveseat yesterday.