Earlier this week I posted a quote on Facebook, with out commentary, and the gang went wild:
“Simply since you use an merchandise doesn’t imply it’s good to maintain it.”
Some individuals advised me I used to be completely loopy:
- “Are you dim?”
- “That’s illogical.”
- “In all probability the worst decluttering tip ever.”
Others discovered the concept liberating:
- “That is improbable.”
- “That is truly so true.”
- “I want to do that precise factor!”
Personally, I discover the thought so extremely releasing—particularly when somebody is actively working to personal much less—I wished to repeat it once more right here.
It appears to me that lots of people took the quote to imply that I used to be telling individuals to do away with each merchandise they use. “That is horrible recommendation. If I removed my comb, I’d should brush my hair with my fingers.” “Why would I ever do away with one thing that I exploit?”
However I’m not encouraging us to do away with every little thing we use simply because we use it.
“Simply since you use an merchandise doesn’t imply it’s good to maintain it” is totally different from “Do away with each merchandise you employ.“
In actuality, our houses are full of a complete bunch of issues we predict we’d like simply because we often use them.
“I can’t declutter this merchandise as a result of I exploit it,” is a considering entice we fall into that may maintain us caught and maintain us from making progress releasing up house, time, and cash.
For instance: After we first began minimizing our possessions, we had six spatulas in our kitchen, and from time-to-time, we used every of them. However that didn’t imply we wanted all six. I solely used them as a result of they had been there. Our kitchen capabilities approach higher, and I really like cooking extra, now that we solely personal two and I’ve by no means wanted greater than that.
Likewise, earlier than minimalism, I most likely owned twenty pairs of pants. And from time-to-time, I wore all of them. However I didn’t have to personal all of them, and I discovered that by means of a Project 333 Experiment. At the moment, I discover preparing within the morning simpler and extra gratifying now that I solely personal 5 pairs.
And don’t get me began on all of the kitchen devices that I used (George Foreman grill involves thoughts), however had been taking over extra space in my dwelling than the profit I used to be receiving from them.
I as soon as helped a girl declutter her kitchen. She knew there was an excessive amount of stuff, however was struggling to determine what she might take away. I stumbled upon a pink Santa Claus platter in an already overstuffed cupboard.
Hoping I had found an merchandise that would rapidly get donated, I requested, “What about this platter? Do you employ this?”
“Oh sure,” she replied, “I put cookies on it each Christmas Eve.”
Sensing hesitation, I requested a follow-up query, “Effectively, what would you employ should you didn’t have it?”
Inside seconds she was in a position to reply, “I’d most likely simply use one of many pink platters from that different drawer.” That reply was a lightbulb second for her (and me). Simply since you use an merchandise doesn’t imply it’s good to maintain it—particularly when you have one thing else in your house that already accomplishes the identical goal.
Minimalist rules will at all times look totally different from one household to a different. And in case you are a minimalist residing in a tiny dwelling with solely 100 possessions, this decluttering tip might not be significantly useful for you.
However for these of you studying this weblog who’re working onerous to personal much less and struggling to make progress, remind your self that simply since you use one thing doesn’t imply it’s good to maintain it.
There are life-giving benefits to owning less. And there may be freedom to be present in realizing you don’t have to maintain every little thing you employ.
For my part, “What would I exploit if I didn’t personal this merchandise?” is a way more useful query to ask than “Do I exploit it?”
