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Post by shrewprincess on Aug 26, 2014 12:35:30 GMT -5
Dtesposito mentioned in my introduction thread not knowing whether I have an emotional attachment until I try to throw some stuff out, so I wanted to explore that. I did a little bit of meta-cleaning last night. By that I mean, being aware of my thought process while I discard things that aren't obviously trash. This is a little self-indulgent, but I think that writing it down will be helpful for me, and maybe someone else can find something useful in it too.
I found that the process was easiest when I had everything grouped together, so it was easy to decide which things were in the best condition and which get the most use. The first thing was throwing away all the silverware that was in less than perfect shape. I bought cheap stuff for years, so I had a lot of bent forks and flat spoons. Those went straight into the trash with very little difficulty. Then I looked at the (still pretty large) pile, and pulled out all the non-matching pieces to stack separately.
The next thing was the tupperware, I put all the lids on, and anything that didn't have a lid or didn't make a good seal went into the trash. Then I made a sort of rash decision, the first one I second guessed myself on, to just throw all the tupperware out. I like lidded pyrex bowls better because they're easier to wash, and I decided that I had enough of them to handle what food storage I really need to do. I briefly thought about donating the tupperware, but then I asked myself if that was something I'd buy used, and had to answer that no, so into the trash it went.
Then I had a pile of plates, bowls, coffee mugs, and drinking glasses, all pretty nice, and all getting pretty regular use. I decided that limiting the number of dishes I have in use will help keep me honest in doing the dishes, so I picked out 6 plates, 4 bowls, 4 plain coffee mugs, and 8 glasses. The rest I set aside.
Then I came to something that I didn't expect to be hard, but it was. I have a few hand-thrown pottery mugs, some made by friends, some purchased, but all very beautiful. When I went through them, I found two with cracks. They were still intact, but when I checked them by filling them up and setting them on a dry paper towel, both leaked. I considered, briefly, keeping one of them as a pen-holder or something, but then I remembered something that a potter had told me once, that pottery is a temporary art, like sand castles, so that made it easier to throw them in the trash.
The last thing I did was box up all the extra dishes and non-matching silverware, labeled the box "Dishes-donate by 12/31/14" and put that on the top shelf in the kitchen cupboard. I figure that if it's up there, it'll be more work to get it down than to wash the dirty dishes, but if I underestimated what I really need I still have them. I did wrap up the extra glasses separately and put them in a different box. I expect that with my furry tornado in the house, those will end up replacing the ones that are in use eventually.
Total progress:
1 small bag of trash thrown away
1 small box prepared to donate with a deadline in place
A better understanding of my decision making process and where I might trip up
Not bad for an evening's work.
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Post by Jannie on Aug 26, 2014 13:07:28 GMT -5
Not bad at all! Matching up the Tupperware is a project I do about once a year. I, too, recently threw out everything (including my butter and sherbet tubs) and "started over" with a purchase of Glad Wear. They make tons of food storage containers. And I don't feel guilty if I throw out the containers when I clean out the fridge. I did clean my fridge today. My two vegan daughters requested I clean out the fridge so they'd have room for their "special" food. I even threw out a package of their broccoli.
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Post by quietbird on Aug 26, 2014 13:19:47 GMT -5
This is wonderful. Good on you for throwing the tupperware away. Nice idea on waiting to see where you're at with other dishes.
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Post by soapyclean on Aug 26, 2014 13:46:25 GMT -5
The progress you made is huge. You should be very proud of yourself. I appreciate your insight that you yourself would not buy used Tupperware, so you pitched it. That is enormous.
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Post by gottaproblem on Aug 26, 2014 14:02:27 GMT -5
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Post by dtesposito on Aug 26, 2014 14:13:06 GMT -5
Shrew, that was great! I'll bet your kitchen is already easier to clean--you're on your way!
pottery is a temporary art
This is fascinating, I never thought of it like that, but yes, the material ensures that it won't last forever.
Diane
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Post by moonglow on Aug 27, 2014 6:08:36 GMT -5
pottery is a temporary artThis is fascinating, I never thought of it like that, but yes, the material ensures that it won't last forever. Diane Yes, well, isn't this true of everything? Not one thing lasts forever. Good to be reminded. |
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Post by moonglow on Aug 27, 2014 6:09:41 GMT -5
And - GREAT JOB Shrewprincess!!  |
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Post by Script on Aug 27, 2014 10:37:42 GMT -5
Thanx for sharing the thinking process. Excellent.
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Post by Chris on Aug 27, 2014 10:48:43 GMT -5
Great job! I also enjoy a better thinking process and clarity when I work with items in a category -- having them all out on the table so to speak so that I can see how many there are (whether dishes, clothing items, office supplies, etc) it helps so much to see when there is TOO MUCH of the same thing and then I can make decisions easier.  It is inspiring to read about your success!!!! |
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Post by dayeanu on Aug 27, 2014 12:04:22 GMT -5
" but then I remembered something that a potter had told me once, that pottery is a temporary art, like sand castles"
Very proud of you for what you've done! Thanks for sharing.
I especially like the above quote. I have a tea pot to throw away.
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Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2014 15:34:24 GMT -5
I considered, briefly, keeping one of them as a pen-holder or something, but then I remembered something that a potter had told me once, that pottery is a temporary art, like sand castles, so that made it easier to throw them in the trash. This is very helpful. I have had a lot of problems dealing with items of this nature, especially handmade textiles. Also it has put me off doing my own crafts. But if I can think that I do not need to have a permanent use for the item or keep it forever that will enable me to enjoy the process of making. |
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Post by shrewprincess on Aug 27, 2014 18:30:53 GMT -5
Thank you all so much! It's difficult for me to find words to be supportive of others dealing with this, talking and thinking about this whole issue is still very new for me, and I'm finding it a little strange. I appreciate everyone who has encouraged me and I hope that as I work through this process I get comfortable enough to do the same for others.
Greenhill, I'm anticipating the exact same problem with textiles going forward. That's why I did the pottery first, kind of a trial run to see how the thought process works before I tackle the living room, sewing room, and closet where my projects (finished and unfinished)are.
I sew and embroider, what's your poison?
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Post by dayeanu on Aug 27, 2014 20:51:56 GMT -5
"....................... I also got rid of all the dishes my soon-to-be-ex and I bought when we got married. They were all perfectly good, but every time I used them or opened the cabinet door and saw them, it made me sad to think about my marriage ending. It's so useful to pay attention to our thought processes when dealing with our "stuff." I had already bought a few pieces of good dishes from a thrift shop, so I had enough plates, and I am using paper plates until I get my squalor under control. So, I took all my old "married dishes" to the same thrift shop - now I don't have to feel sad whenever I use my plates. Let someone else use them! I'm very proud of you for getting rid of the Tupperware, but especially the dishes!!!!!!WOW!!!! |
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Post by Di on Aug 27, 2014 22:21:33 GMT -5
I decided many years ago that I deserved nice mealtimes. Sometimes when I lived alone and the kitchen and the dining table were wrecks I would get out a beautiful place mat, matching dishes, silverware and nice glasses and I would literally set a TV tray. Then I decided that I needed to eat at the table. Then I realized that ALL my dishes needed to match. (Cue Tea Rose entry). I felt that I had "made do" quite long enough. I have always had nice matching cookware and flatware. At some point I replaced all mismatched glassware with open stock, fairly inexpensive, easily replaced stemware. As I valued myself more and invested in my desire to use nice things daily and actually doing so, my kitchen got cleaner and cleaner and I was easier to convince myself that I AM WORTH IT! Maybe placing value on yourself and realizing that YOU are worth the effort and that you deserve beauty in your life might motivate you. Remember, you might have to start with a TV tray!!!
And once again, I compose a post that is only relevant in my own mind because I was totally oblivious to actually making sense. It was the realizitation that I DID NOT have to make do with trash because I wasn't sure I deserved any better that eventually allowed me to discard the Early Attic, Late Garage Sale Styly of decorating. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with purchasing used items. But there is something very wrong when we punish ourselves because we feel that we do not deserve nice things!
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