#MicroblogMondays 67: Konmari Misgivings
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I own a spelunking suit. It is — without a doubt — the least used item in my house. I don’t go caving anymore, and I don’t foresee myself doing it again in the future.
It was worth the money when I bought it because I cannot tell you the number of times I was happy to be able to get back to the camp site, wash it off, and be done. It has a lot of pockets — big pockets — enabling me to carry everything efficiently. Loved that suit.
Even though it is useless now.
If the point is decluttering, that suit should go. But it’s an item I will never purchase again. Meaning, I own it now, but if I get rid of it and then need it in the future, it is too costly an item to buy a second time for how much I will use it. And yes, I can imagine plenty of scenarios where the suit might be used.
Do you have items that you hold onto because while you don’t need them, you also don’t want to repurchase them again in case it turns out that you do need them down the road?
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31 comments
Just one?! Ha! I come from a long line of thrifty old Yankees who save everything for a rainy day when you just might need it. I hate to buy anything twice. It drives my husband crazy. 🙂
I think the key question that the Konmari method would ask is: does it bring you joy? If the suit makes you happy when you see it, keep it. ?
I have many books and small items which I save for a rainy day. I have to declutter. I used to donate them to charities by leaving them at assigned locations around the neighborhood. One day, I discovered one of my neighbors misappropriating my bags. I suppose he needs to collect junk for recycling.
Yeah, I’m with Queenie – I really hate to part with anything that could still be useful down the road. We did a huge downsizing project about five years ago, and I’m still kicking myself for getting rid of some of it Not that I ended up needing it – it’s the, “just in case” moments that get me. Old habits and all that. *grin*
The real question is, why do you think you won’t be going spelunking again? Why not teach it to your kids in a few years? It’s something I would love to try but only with someone experienced.
I try so hard to declutter but I don’t like letting go of things that are useful, no matter the cost to buy them again. I am gearing up for a move across the country and the idea of paring down my possessions is keeping me from falling asleep. I can’t fathom getting rid of books! Baby clothes and supplies for the next kid are hard to give up. I’m trying to put some things in a mom to mom sale and secretly hoping some things don’t sell so I can hoard them.
I throw things away allll the time. I can’t STAND clutter, and I can’t stand hanging on to something that I “might” need “some day”. But, this has been a bad thing in some cases when I realize I’ve thrown something out that I could use later down the road!
Hubby and I are ruthlessly decluttering our house right now. I am actually throwing out boxes of things without even looking in them! The way I see it, if I haven’t looked in a box for a decade, chances are I will never need what is contained in that box again. So I just get rid of it without thinking too much about it. So, I suppose I don’t hold on to things for a rainy day… but I do have a box of sentimental crap that I can’t bear to part with. It is all stuff from childhood, and while I rarely look at any of it, I have no intention of getting rid of it. What can I say? I’m a big softy!!! 🙂
Welp, it’s a gift from last Christmas. Hiking boots. I used to really be into hiking, and I still am. But the beginning of this year included an 8 week pregnancy. Then I picked up a second job. And now I’m pregnant again. Plus, after reading Wild, I should have asked for a size bigger. So I’ll never wear these brand new boots. They’re size 8 1/2 if anyone is interested. 🙂
Hiking Boots. They were a gift last year for Christmas and they’re still in the box. I used to be an avid hiker. But I haven’t been at all this year. Plus after reading Wild, I know now they’re to small so I’ll never wear them. They’re size 8 1/2 if anyone is interested 🙂
Oh, yes. I have old newspapers with headlines I thought needed to be saved. And a crawl space full of stuff I’m pretty sure I’ll never use or need, but with a sliver enough of doubt on the never.
I had to look up Konmari.
I was so bad about holding on to stuff, especially as an elementary teacher that changed grades every so often. I never wanted to let go of stuff from other grades because “you never know.” But then I stopped teaching when I had my daughter and we moved across the Atlantic – most of that stuff is gone. 🙁
Have things I don’t need around the house? How about a roomful? Yeah, I tend to hold on to things thinking I ‘might’ need them some day in the future, but we all know how that goes. As for spelunking, I can only think of Christian Bale and Batman when I hear that word 😉
I have my china and crystal stored in the basement. It needs to be packed up properly or put back in the china cabinet. I love it all, but I haven’t set a formal table in I don’t know how long. No way I’m getting rid of it because I like the idea that every holiday I have the choice and no, I would not buy it all again.
I think decluttering is overrated as a fad. If you have the space, keep it. If you don’t, then sure, sell it.
I’ve been doing my best to declutter and downsize over the past year, but there are some things I can’t/won’t part with, even if they don’t get used very much. Like Jill A., I have china & crystal boxed up in the basement, because I have never had a proper cabinet to display/store it in, let alone room to entertain & use it. :p I did get rid of a few, seldom-used small appliances (a George Foreman-type grill, an immersion blender, an electric wok). But I kept my Donvier ice cream maker. 🙂 And even though I haven’t done any baking in awhile and dh thinks I should get rid of them (!), I am NOT parting with my baking pans and cookie press!! :p
I am the worst type: someone who hates clutter but hoards things (like paper and books). So I WANT to declutter, but I always find it really really hard to do.
I think we have been meaning to clear out and organize our two big storage closets in the basement for two years now.
My climbing gear fits this description. I don’t foresee myself ever going this again, but all those carabiners, quick-draws, devices and nuts were expensive (I have over $2,000 in gear) and it’s hard to part with.
I did part with my helmet and harness during the move, but those were both overdue to be replaced, hence I could justify doing so.
I would put my climbing gear and my surfboard in this category. I love rock climbing though we don’t often do it anymore. And I am now a land locked Albertan with no need of my awesome surfboard but she makes a very fine wall art-piece if I do say so myself.
We have a bunch of things like that in our house as well. Some of them are cooking items that CP hasn’t used in years, some of them are outdoorsy activities like skiis, camping gear, etc. We hope to use these things again someday….so we keep them.
I view decluttering as something to do regarding items that you really no longer use, and that are easily replaceable if needed in the future. Like cooking stuff, inexpensive home decor, or clothes. Something specialized like a spelunking suit doesn’t count. I’d hang onto it too.
Curious as to why you think it *should* go? Examining the “rules” for *should* are as important as the *joy* question. As ever with decluttering, I think that if you are ready to let it go, let it go. And if not? Hold on to it. Revisit when you are ready.
Oh yes, I definitely have things I’m keeping “just in case.” I can’t think of anything specifically though, because I’m still shuddering at the thought of going caving.
Yes, way too many things to count, describe or think about. Some of them are in boxes that I haven’t really touched since we moved 3+ years ago. Ugh!
If you talk to my husband, he will tell you that I hold onto everything! Admittedly, we do have a lot of “stuff” that needs to just GO! I couldn’t really name a single item though. Maybe I should get busy and declutter right now…
Yep, I sure do!!
I caught that disease from my dad.
I hold onto random stuff all the time in hopes of using it ‘someday’
So many questions! I think you’re going to need to do a follow-up post abut your caving days! I don’t even know what a spelunking suit looks like. I was picturing something like a wetsuit. Then you mentioned pockets and the visual switched to some kind of mechanic (or miner?) coveralls. I could google it. But I’d rather just wait to see the photos in your follow up post. 😉
I can’t think of any one thing but to be honest I am a little bit of a hoarder. My husband absolutely hates it haha.
My DP hates my clutter and stuff. Last week he cleared out my desk. It makes me feel he wants to get rid of me. (Even though I know he means well)
I have come a long way but still a long way to go. It used to be a 10 year rule, then 5., and now to a few. Still, some things work their way in the keeper pile, no matter what.
I had to google spelunking suit and for some reason I got images of Batman’s outfit. Hmmm. Now that might be useful as well. I’ve moved more times than I cared to in the last 5 years and the one thing I hate is I end up leaving in storage the one thing I want at some point but I never want to go into the shed and look through boxes to get it which means I end up buying it again. Or doing without. Can’t stand that! My husband hates clutter, and I do enjoy getting rid of stuff from time to time. I think I would keep that suit. For old time’s sake.