The cold winter months are great time for decluttering. An hour spent in one of the corners of the house on a frigid afternoon can have a big impact on your goal of a simpler life. And it can reduce your future carbon footprint by affecting your consumption habits. When you clean out a closet, you can really see which items will work for you and which will not.
In a recent decluttering session, I got rid of two pairs of wool pants that were uncomfortable — you can bet that I will never buy those items again. And if you find lots of promotional keychains in your junk drawer, it’s likely you will think twice about accepting them in the future.
Yesterday, I tackled the bookshelf in the living room. On the shelf where I keep Mom and Dad’s pictures, I have only three books. Of these, my favorite is an old book of Dad’s, “The Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe.” Dad and I loved Poe. We often discussed his poems and would quote from them to each other.
I very seldom open the book these days, but sometimes a book has more value than the words between its covers. The book of Poe’s work reminds me of my dad, a remarkable man who, besides books, loved chess and had the most incredible sense of humor. So, instead of buying lots of books to fill that shelf, I decorate it with my memories. I have less stuff, but it has more value.
I think that we can learn a lot about ourselves when we purge our belongings. By sifting out which items are truly important to us from those that aren’t, we become more thoughtful consumers. Future purchases are no longer mindless or spur of the moment when we understand what we value. Thoughtful consumption is better for us (simplifying our lives and our expenses) and better for the Earth (allowing us to live more lightly on the planet).
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About the AuthorJoanna Lacey lives in New York and has collected thousands of ideas from the frugal habits of her mother and grandmother. You can find her on Facebook at Joanna the Green Maven. |