FriedGreenTomatoes2
Although I’ve never watched these types of programmes I’m sure the premise behind them is cathartic. We in the West all have ‘too much stuff’. We could manage with so much ‘less’. Celebrities showing off their homes (I see pics in the DM then scroll on by) are just obscenely narcissistic. “Look at us how well we’ve done”. Well yes, materialistically but who really cares? Just enjoy your life please, quietly and contentedly!
I have six handbags here and I think the same number in Málaga. Why, really? I’m as guilty as anyone else. When overweight and needing to go on a diet I treat myself to shoes, purses, sunglasses, lipsticks!
If you go shopping something will always catch your eye. I’m learning that I can pick something up, look at it and admire it but put it back. I don’t have to own it.
The dichotomy is of course that we are told to support businesses, especially small independents. But where is the fine line between helping boost the economy and just adding more to landfill.
My best advice to myself re shopping is “don’t look Ethel?”.
Then I can’t be tempted to buy.
I ought to give away some of my stuff, manage with less. I mostly just use the same cross body bag for instance. I even think less can be liberating! A favourite holiday memory was flying to Ibiza for a week with only a cabin bag of clothes - swimming costume, flip flops, small towel, pjs and a choice of 43 light summer dresses for the evenings. Getting out of the shower and dressing for dinner at the end of a day on the beach was freeing! This dress, this one or that one?
Brilliant!
One problem, however, is sentimentality.
A dear friend once said to me "Do I love it, do I need it, do I want it?"
She decluttered when downsizing and gave me some 'stuff', mostly pictures. I still have them hanging in my hall, can never bear to get rid of them because she died and they mean so much now.
Another friend, also deceased, gave me stuff and I keep it for sentimental reasons.
And, of course, inherited stuff.
