We seem to have been hearing a lot about “downsizing” and “uncluttering” and “death cleaning” over the last year.
Some of it makes sense. Certainly some of us are hoarders. We keep some of the most unusual things and just don’t get round to making a bit of space. Some of us hang on to an object because it reminds us of a past time. Some of us just keep adding, rather than replacing. So some aspects of decluttering are quite good.
But I’ve noticed another realisation. People often do this far too early. They get rid of so much that home becomes sterile like a waiting room for heaven. Come on, we could have a lot of years in us yet.
Some people declutter until home (and office?) becomes soul-less. Like a series of surfaces easily cleaned with spray on.
And some excuse the whole thing by saying “who will have it when I am gone”. Well thats a full stop statement about life. We have no idea who will have things. We don’t know who will want things. We could give it all away when we are gone. More important is the question-Is our life enriched by the things we have around our home and garden?
We need to be careful that two myths don’t drive our choices. The first is that we start somewhere around 45? 55? 65? 75? 85? thinking we have not got long. Illness can make us conscious of this. Friends dying can do the same. But in reality however long we have ahead is a long time-time to be, to enjoy people, to do things, to enjoy things. To continue to cherish things we love; not to remove things that bring us joy.
If we like clutter-choose cluttering. If we like space, have a few nice things spaced out well. If we like the idea of living in an operating theatre when no one is there, then we might need to think about how we enrich our lives. Of course people are the mainstay of enrichment; but since earliest times humans have adorned themselves with objects; fashion; and things around their homes.Are we going to be the first generation that loves sterility. Humans aspiring to be robots.
The second is the idea of “getting rid”. Yes , if we are moving somewhere smaller we may have to. But lets choose wisely; keep things with meaning; keeps things we look at and have a nice feeling. things of beauty; things with memory; things that enrich our lives when we are home. And if we get rid of some things, then lets choose slowly and wisely other things to obtain that we are going to love for the next period of life. Things of quality; things of beauty; things that touch our souls and our emotions. Consider handmade by artists and artisans because they are unique and often come from a real desire by the maker for people to enjoy their work.