It was a few months ago that I read a very interesting article on clutter (I wish I could find it) which reaffirmed how I'd been feeling. The article was written by a woman who talked about how she had uncluttered her life and moved more toward a model of sharing. The main point of the article was: "Why don't we share more things?". If my next-door neighbor has a wheelbarrow and I have a shovel, why would I need to go out and buy a wheelbarrow. And, why would he need to go by a shovel? Can't we just share those things? Seriously, we live next door to each other! Let's let him keep the wheelbarrow in his shed, I'll keep the shovel in mine and we can simply borrow each others' items when we want to do a little yard work on the weekends. Why is it that for some reason we as human beings just feel better about it if we own that wheelbarrow ourselves?
My clutter used to fill my void, I guess. I'd look at that old pair of shoes in my closet, which I had not worn in over a year, and think "I may wear them with that dress some day. I don't want to give them away or sell them because I may want them one day five years from now." (I hadn't worn the dress in over a year, either). And, even with a closet full of too many shoes, I'd go shopping for more when I was bored. It was something to do. Something that made me feel empowered. I could buy shoes and it made me feel good. Really, it was silly.
As I have been removing the clutter, I've been thinking more about how that pair of shoes could be donated to someone who does not have any shoes. I've found that I actually feel more full now. And, less stressed. When I open my closet door, things don't come crashing down anymore. I have what I need (probably, still a little more than I need) but have gotten rid of the excess.
I used to laugh at my father because when he used to take me shopping as a kid, for anything, he would always ask "Do you really need that?" before he would let me buy something. It became a joke in the family, and because of it I preferred my mother to take me shopping. But, I get it now. So much of what we buy is really quite wasteful. And, just think...where is all of that stuff going to go when we're said and done? A landfill.
If you are looking for ways to unclutter your life and take some simple steps to eliminating waste and helping our planet, ask yourself these questions when you are at the checkout:
1. Do I really need this?
2. Is this something that I could purchase and then share with a friend, family member, or neighbor? Could I, then, borrow something of theirs in return for sharing this item?
3. Where will this end up in a year?
4. Can I donate or sell this when I no longer have a need for it?
5. Can I put half of the cost of this item into my savings account?
Now, of course, there are things you really need. Obviously. I'm not saying that you should never go shopping again or that you should share everything. That would be a little silly to assume or propose. I'm just asking you to stop and think a little more about frivolous purchases. If you are feeling bored one day and want to go shopping just for the hell of it, take a walk first, go for a run, play with your dog, read a chapter of a book. Are you still bored? Or, did you find that partaking in another, healthier activity left you feeling well.
Are you giving back to the earth and others what you are taking from them? Together, let's take a pledge to share a little more, give a little more and take a little less.
I think we'll find we feel less empty.
