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Post by jkordestani on May 7, 2010 12:57:57 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
I've never started a thread before, but I was washing bottles at the sink just now and thought about how I used to have 8 - 10 bottles for my toddler. I thought that by having so many, it would be better because I would always have a clean bottle when I needed one. However, what ended up happening was milk bottles getting left in the bedroom, living room, car, under tables, in the couch .... all souring and turning into cheese because I could just get another clean one! Then I would avoid washing them cuz they were icky. The sink would end up full of 8 - 10 stinky bottles that I would have to wash all at once. A major yuk chore that I dreaded, so I would procrastinate and then also not do the dishes because I would have to look at the bottles ... and so on.
I have now limited myself to three bottles. My toddler has a bottle three times each day, so I wash the bottles every day and they never get stinky! Less is more!!!!! Less is better for me!!!!! Also, DH is much better about returning bottles to the sink, instead of leaving them around the house.
Has anyone else had a great experience with finding that less of a specific item is really what you need, and more made things worse? A new perspective for me, for sure!
Love to hear your thoughts!
JJ
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Post by Chris on May 7, 2010 13:08:43 GMT -5
Hi JJ -- Great subject!!! I myself notice this is true with clothing! That less is more. Now I am much better with keeping my clothing organized and I keep just what I really wear and love in my main (small) closet. I find myself able to get dressed much easier and it takes the confusion out of laundry. Mainly I'm talking about jeans, shirts, capris, shorts - outer wear I guess -- because I enjoy having plenty of extra socks and underwear within reason. I also keep my shoes/sandals very few of the just right and have gotten over having too many. And it's easier for me.  A few other categories that I now enjoy better with less of them (and I'm still working to lighten the load): *books *cooking pans *dishes *purses/wallets  |
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Post by success19 on May 7, 2010 13:29:24 GMT -5
I think your probably right about this.
Clothing - I have heard (though I don't alway practice this) it is better to have 5 well made expensive outfits than 50 cheap outfits.
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Post by jkordestani on May 7, 2010 14:50:48 GMT -5
Chris - purses? Really? I'm so sad to hear that one! I knowit is true. I have 10 that I love, and one that I use! Clothes ..... Hmmm. I have had a sneaking suspicion for awhile that this is right too, but I'm having a hard time giving up the fantasy that the other clothes represent. Jj |
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Post by ponygirl on May 7, 2010 15:40:42 GMT -5
Kitchen utensils.
Recently donated tons of duplicates and items rarely or never used. Only kept six each of all eating utensils. Don't plan on having any events for twelve... 
My drawer actually glides open so nicely, now!
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Clothes - all of your comments are spot on. I've been working on downsizing for months. Still have so much that I couldn't tell you exactly what I have. 
When my DH saw how many shoes/boots I have (he didn't have a clue) he actually said, "Why do you buy inexpensive shoes and have too many of lower quality? Why don't you get rid of these and get just a few pair of really quality shoes?" Wise words. Break out the Visa. (But, don't go into debt! )
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Post by dtesposito on May 7, 2010 17:12:51 GMT -5
Wow, that applies to so many of the things that we all save--plastic bags, silverware, writing utensils, plastic food containers (what is is about us that makes us want to save plastic food containers??  Even furniture--you can have nice furniture but if there is so much of it that you can't walk around your apartment, it is too much! Diane |
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Post by notsomessyshell on May 7, 2010 18:42:59 GMT -5
Great thread! I remember the days of sippy cups. I thought the same way. With my 2nd child I kept the sippy cups down to a bare minimum. It is easier. Since our move I downsized a LOT. I now only have 2 sets of sheets for each bed. I had 3 to 5 sets before! And tons of pillowcases. Crazy I know. Now my linen closet is so much nicer all the time. No big avalanches of sheets every time you need something out of there. Make up...um I have a problem with makeup. I did get rid of a ton of it. But I have realized I kept a ton, too! Time for more downsizing. *sigh* Glasses. Oldest encouraged me to get rid of all our odd ball glasses and we bought one set of 16. 8 large and 8 small glasses. So much nicer. There are more but I am running low on time tonight. It seems that less is more on just about everything. Who knew?  |
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Post by CaringFriend on May 7, 2010 20:02:53 GMT -5
Oldest encouraged me to get rid of all our odd ball glasses and we bought one set of 16. 8 large and 8 small glasses. MessyShell, this is great. Not only are you making changes, but your children definitely are making changes as well. What other kid would even ponder the glass situation, let alone come up with a good solution? It sounds as if you are having much success in your new home. As for "less is more", on another forum a member with a VERY SMALL kitchen decided to keep only 4 plates/cups/glasses/bowls on the shelves for her, her DH, and 2 DK. That way everything has to be washed and put away. She has the other 4 sets in a box stored in a closet for when company is expected, which was very rare for her. The photos she shared of her kitchen cabinets were so inspirational! |
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