Having the same address for fifteen years allows one to see the deterioration and the proliferation of stuff around you - and at one point or another we get to deal with their disposal and replacement as necessary. That was the case with this family during the last couple of days: a Costco delivery of a new and disposal of an old mattress, two trips to the dump, new wall art replacing an old one, and hours of cleaning the garage - and there still a lot to be done.
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
- William Morris
I like to think that I am guided by the quote above. However, the guidance remains more in my head than in my actions. The challenge here is a function of the accumulation/elimination ratio.
The interest in acquiring things come like waves - it comes highs and lows at a consistent interval. "Oh, I love that chair. It will look good in the reading room." "Oh no, these rugs are old, I need new ones." "These lamp shades are outdated." And you know what comes next. People are like nesting birds - always adding a twig or fluff to make the home feel or look better. This situation results in high odds of accumulating not-so-useful and not-so-beautiful things.
On the other hand, the urge to purge comes like a tsunami (at least in this house). As if we slept in hibernation for so long and finally spring is inflicted upon our every nerve. Life takes over and everything must be new so we want to the place to feel new again. But then, accumulation urges kicks right back in and the cycle goes on.
I still dream about the absence of senseless things in my possession. :)
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