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My Blog: Sharing my opinions, feelings, views to all who are interested. My perspective aged like a fine wine. The grapes matured and ripened; the liquid released from the fruit is crisp, clean,clear. Savor from the oak barrel that was built by an experienced crafts person.

Writer's pictureKaren Levi

Too Much Clutter

One person's clutter is another's treasures. I have disliked clutter, since I was an adolescent. In part, I reacted to my parents' inability to dispose of anything, whether it be napkins from an event, matchbook covers, plastic cutlery, containers, gifts not to one's taste, newspapers, old clothes. I began to associate the "stuff" with the chaotic anxiety drifting in my childhood home. During my mid adolescence, my sister (who is younger) and I decided to clean our room and keep it free of unwanted junk. For me, the organizing represented a refresh, a new start.



Actually, I remember starting this practice on a New Year's Day in the late 1960's. Furthermore, I felt that throwing or giving away unused, unwanted things would dispose of the tension I sensed in my house. My mother withdrew into silence and my father exploded in anger. My sister and I had to walk a tightrope to avoid the opposing reactions of my parents. Of course, as an adult I discovered that unloading the burden of my parents' angst took more than keeping a clean room.



A person I know has an office where she conducts business. It consists of several rooms. Each room is filled with tschatkes from her military service, travels and clients--Buddhas, rocks, driftwood, patches, awards, frogs, faded textiles, dusty vases, discolored photos, and books. Bookshelves filled with obscure titles line the walls. In addition to the dust and mold--achoo--I feel hemmed in by the chaotic jumble of knick knacks. Is my friend trying to recapture a past that won't return? Is she afraid she might hurt someone's feelings



by disposing of a gift from years ago? Or does she feel comforted by all the trifles surrounding her? Everytime I go to the office, I want to take my arm and swipe the stuff into a trash can. Of course, I can't. We are each allowed the freedom to create our own spaces, thank goodness.

I possess souvenirs, collectibles, and objects de art. What I value someone else might dislike. When I travel, I Iong to return home with a something which represents my experience. I struggle with the impulse. It seems immature. Why would I need a physical representation of a trip? I have my memories. Adventures and encounters flit quickly in time. Poof--the concert finishes, the guests leave, and a planned event celebrating a milestone ends in a flash. How do we deal with this reality?

I think we collect. I want that selfie from the concert at the Kennedy Center. At least, I do not accumulate napkins or programs. I must confess that I cut out my name from the printed program if I participated.

I have my standards, criteria, and rules. Periodically, I sit and look at papers and photos I saved. I prioritize and discard. Every few months, I walk through my apartment and look in drawers and closets. What I do not need, want, or use, I toss in a give-away bag. I am known to be ruthless, especially about bad or duplicate photos of the same subject and clothing that I hate. We make errors when we purchase items. Why keep the pants or shirt if it hangs in a closet season after season?

Clutter for me associates with anxiety. When I feel stress, I want to literally wipe a surface clean, get rid of what is laying around. If I am ambivalent about a keepsake I have held onto, out it goes. I know that I must deal with the cause of my nervousness. Nonetheless, I like an orderly environment, not a muddle of memorabilia.

Another of my rules is one in/one out. I try not to be rigid about the rule, since I have regrets about some things I have dumped. But if I buy new pants, for example, I like to be rid of older styles or worn out clothes. I donate and recycle as much as possible.

Oh books--I am an avid reader. Only memorable--excellent, worthwhile, meaningful-- works get a cherished spot in one of two bookcases. That is a hard and fast rule. I use the public library. When I cannot find a book there, I download it on my Ipad. Sometimes, I treat myself to a real book, nothing like the feel, smell, design, and texture of an actual volume. But, my rule still holds.



We accumulate articles for different reasons. I do not recommend living in sterile surroundings, void of character and charm. Memory, however, is more secure. Memory cannot be burned, stolen, or broken; it is portable, private, and personal.

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dianne.tencer
Jan 02

I love this article and in the next month I need to follow your philosophy! I moved to my new apartment four years ago and loved that I purged stuff from my house before I moved...in four years it's back!! So as a new year beginning, I will work on it!

Thank you for the reminder!

Dianne Tencer

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