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Post by dayeanu on Mar 13, 2012 12:50:29 GMT -5
For all of us who are inclined to acquire too much stuff-- The thread entitled "Does less stuff = cleaner/less disorder" really got me thinking. takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=17513. As Howardsgirlfriend wrote on that thread: Mar 11, 2012, 1:52pm, howardsgirlfriend wrote: "Less stuff does not automatically lead to the cleanliness and order you seek, but having way too much stuff guarantees you won't be able to have it. Getting rid of the excess gives you the potential. It's so much easier to keep your place clean when tidying up doesn't feel like working one of those sliding-number puzzles." (emphasis mine) I think it's pretty clear that having less stuff is key to getting out of squalor, clutter or whatever your problem is. But for those of us who are inclined to acquire too much, it's easier said than done. While thinking about some of the posts on various other threads here (and while unpacking 17 boxes of my own hoard last night), I have come up with an idea. How about if we accept a challenge, or make a pact, that before we buy ANYTHING other than the bare necessities, we post HERE first. Maybe if there is a question about whether it's a bare necessity, or just to post and say, "I want to buy xyz," and read the responses before you do. This would give us a time lag - we have to post - and wait for responses - before we make the decision to buy or not to buy. Also, I'm thinking that some of my purchases might look pretty silly, even to me, if I saw it in writing and asking "what do you all think." We could also post our successes --- "I went to the store today, and all I bought was xy." and our failures, "I bought abc because . . . " This would also certainly apply to free aquisitions. I think if nothing else, it would gradually raise our awareness of our shopping habits, our thoughts that lead to our purchases, and possible triggers that make us more inclined to acquire This could be an "Aquiring Accountability" thread. ( - AA - well, it is pretty much an addiction! Is anyone interested? (If there is already a thread like this, please let me know.)
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Post by seashell on Mar 13, 2012 13:18:22 GMT -5
It seems like there was a thread similar to this awhile back, where people posted their purchases. I don't remember if there was any waiting for responses from others, but that sounds like a good idea. I agree that some of the things I buy would sound silly when posted here for others to read. For example, yesterday I bought two small, colorful windmills to stake in a couple of flower pots for the color and motion. I also bought a refrigerator magnet, a package of dice for the dice game, and something else that I can't for the life of me remember what it was. All of this was at the Dollar Tree. Last week, my therapist recommended a book and suggested that I go to the library to get it. Of course, I went to the bookstore. They didn't have it in stock but ordered it for me. In the meantime, I bought three or four other things while I was in there. So, yes, this would be a useful thread for me.
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 13, 2012 14:44:04 GMT -5
It seems like there was a thread similar to this awhile back, where people posted their purchases. I don't remember if there was any waiting for responses from others, but that sounds like a good idea. I agree that some of the things I buy would sound silly when posted here for others to read. For example, yesterday I bought two small, colorful windmills to stake in a couple of flower pots for the color and motion. I also bought a refrigerator magnet, a package of dice for the dice game, and something else that I can't for the life of me remember what it was. All of this was at the Dollar Tree. Last week, my therapist recommended a book and suggested that I go to the library to get it. Of course, I went to the bookstore. They didn't have it in stock but ordered it for me. In the meantime, I bought three or four other things while I was in there. So, yes, this would be a useful thread for me. Great! We're on! I am going to the store for milk and orange juice after my dr. appointment this afternoon . . .
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Post by Starflower on Mar 13, 2012 14:49:53 GMT -5
I am in! On my honor, I swear to think about all of my purchases AND freebies, and to post them here, either before or after I get them. If applicable, I will post why I need the item/s, or for what use I got them, or to whom I will give them and when.
signed, Starflower
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I agree that my kitchen is MUCH easier to keep clean with only 4 dinner plates, 4 bowls, 4 small plates, 4 coffee cups, 4 glasses, and 4 place settings! I also gave my 2 sons most of my pots, pans, and mixing bowls since they are becoming much better cooks than I ever was. I absolutely have to have a dishwasher since it is hard for me to stand for very long, and love the tabletop one my DS got me for my bday last year after my ancient portable dw died. It can get filled quickly so I run it at least once a day, more if I am cooking or baking a lot, so I always have clean dishes! Recently I found I got frustrated when I could not put a dirty fork in the dw since I had not emptied it of the clean things. I am learning new habits! Yay!
Having only a few coats = more space in the closet to actually hang the coat I was wearing. Less clothes = easier choices of what to wear. The few pants and skirts I own are all black, brown or white so they match everything.
I recently used an article from Oprah.com to severely cull my clothes, keeping only the ones that do not accentuate my flaws. Now I don't waste time deciding what to wear, and don't get frustrated thinking about how an item looks on me. Thanks, Oprah!
I mentioned that I was sorting socks in chat last month and the general consensus was fewer types of socks = less need to sort them. I have been thinking about it and have started to toss socks like crazy, and I am looking forward to buying only ones that are all interchangeable, so no need to sort them ever again.
Great thread! Thanks!
Take care.
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Post by sidestep on Mar 13, 2012 14:50:24 GMT -5
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Mar 13, 2012 15:02:15 GMT -5
Yes. Similar idea. It's good that Dayeanu started a thread on General Forum, too (some members never venture into listzilla). ---
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Mar 13, 2012 15:07:53 GMT -5
- From the recovery tools of "Clutterers Anonymous".
(Emphasis mine on tool #8):Quote from Clutterers Anonymous: [/u] We honor what we own by setting limits on our possessions. We keep only what we use and for which we have space. We realize that the more we acquire, the less we enjoy what we already have.[/size] sites.google.com/site/clutterersanonymous/how-does-clutterers-anonymous-work/tools-of-recoveryCopyright © by Clutterers Anonymous World Service Organization. [/quote][/blockquote]
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Mar 13, 2012 15:28:29 GMT -5
I attended a lecture by a Professional Organizer, who gave everyone in the audience a "challenge". For one month, don't buy any new cleaning supplies. Use up what you already have in your house. I went thru my cleaning closet and found many bottles of cleaners, three products for washing windows alone! That PO really knew her stuff!
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 13, 2012 16:12:43 GMT -5
- From the recovery tools of "Clutterers Anonymous".
(Emphasis mine on tool #8):Quote from Clutterers Anonymous: [/u] We honor what we own by setting limits on our possessions. We keep only what we use and for which we have space. We realize that the more we acquire, the less we enjoy what we already have.[/size] sites.google.com/site/clutterersanonymous/how-does-clutterers-anonymous-work/tools-of-recoveryCopyright © by Clutterers Anonymous World Service Organization. [/quote][/blockquote]
[/quote] Lioness, thank you for this post, and the link. I had wondered if this should be in Listzilla, but so many don't go there; I had never seen the Aquisition Accountability thread. I thought this might be a better location.
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 13, 2012 16:17:51 GMT -5
I attended a lecture by a Professional Organizer, who gave everyone in the audience a "challenge". For one month, don't buy any new cleaning supplies. Use up what you already have in your house. I went thru my cleaning closet and found many bottles of cleaners, three products for washing windows alone! That PO really knew her stuff! This reminds me of Little Ninja's signature: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." I think of this sometimes when I think, "oh, I need xyz." It may even seem like a logical need. But then I remember what LN says, and I ask myself if I don't already have a reasonable substitute. More often than not, I do!
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Post by Starflower on Mar 13, 2012 18:01:25 GMT -5
The State Police called a little bit ago so I had to go pick up 1) a home video tape the police wanted to return to me, and 2) while I was out - I got some Cod liver oil capsules that I ran out of. I guess I need to keep the video until I move away later this year.
Take care.
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 13, 2012 19:08:00 GMT -5
I went to Fred's discount store to get prescriptions filled. I saw adorable denim rag rugs made in a shag style. Terribly cute. I've been looking at them for a month. I want one. I just don't have a place for one. Denim does not fit my bedroom decor, and I doubt my DGS would appreciate it for his room! ! I passed it by. I also looked at some 3-drawer plastic drawers that I've considered using in my office to hold little office supplies. BUT, based on Little Ninja's signature, I already have some small plastic shoebox size boxes, wih lids, that will work just fine. This is about the second week in a row I have passed up the plastic drawers. Sent DGS in to the store with a list to get the groceries, so no temptations there!
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Post by Starflower on Mar 13, 2012 20:24:38 GMT -5
daye, good for you! I had to put on the blinders in the store where I bought the oil caps, and I was not tempted to buy anything else at all. I was rather curious about the new, weird boxed off area where they kept booze - that was not there before. Rather odd for a drug store, and, oh, I noticed they had lots of food, too, that they did not carry before. It is a very, very small CVS, and it is getting more like a small Walmart than a pharmacy. Hmm, come to think about it, Walmart has beer, not booze... I was not interested in buying the food or booze, just noticing the differences.
Take care.
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Post by seashell on Mar 13, 2012 22:40:00 GMT -5
Uh, oh. I didn't know this thread was a go! I've been depressed tonight, and I stopped by Hobby Lobby on the way home, just before they closed. I was holding an item in my hand at the checkout line, then put the item down and left, just as they announced they were closing. Unfortunately, Dollar Tree was still open. I purchased:
1 sheet of Easter stickers, because I mark off each day in my calendar with a happy sticker. These will be for April. 2 packages of silk butterflies to decorate my windows for spring 1 box of Brawny kitchen trash bags 2 sets of 3 DVDs showing natural beauty in areas of the country where I have travelled. One set is for me, since I don't travel anymore; the other set is for my parents, since they have never travelled to these areas.
The stickers won't take up any space after April. I will either donate or toss the butterflies after the season ends. The trash bags will go their natural route. Three DVDs will go to my parents. So the only things I will be keeping are the other three DVDs.
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Post by def6 on Mar 13, 2012 23:25:43 GMT -5
Hey Daye, Wonderful thread...Very interesting and thought provoking. I don't know if I will start listing future purchases... but reading this thread is helping the wheels start to turn for me in the right direction in my mind. I think its helpful to read about the thought processes people go through when purchasing or not. This is good stuff!
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