Do I still need that or can I throw it out? Granny Trude makes use of all the days she’s spending at home and has a good old tidy. It’s liberating – in a big way!
My dears,My birthday’s round the corner, and of course my family asked what present I’d like. That got me thinking. You see, I don’t actually want anything. Apart from health, love, sunshine and affectionate meetings with friends and family again soon.
How can I gain some time for myself?
It’s absolutely true: I don’t actually need anything, on the contrary. In the time I’ve been spending at home during the pandemic, I’ve had a bit of a clear-out. My shelves and cupboards are full of fresh air all of a sudden. Although I have no intention of moving house, I like the feeling of carting less junk around with me! Even the fact that I now have less to dust makes me happy – because I can use the time I’ve gained to go for a walk in the forest, for instance. In short: I’m leading a healthier life with fewer things.Where does all the junk go?
I must admit, it was a little emotional parting with some of the things that have lived here for such a long time, but ultimately it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind – I’ve already completely forgotten about most of the items I’ve disposed of. I gave some to friends, so that they are now bringing joy to others. I put a lot of stuff on a garden table in front of my cottage so that passers-by could take them – it quickly grew more and more empty. And some things I gave to charity. There are many websites that ensure as much as possible is kept in circulation. Of course that’s brilliant for a sustainability fan like me! Clearing out doesn’t necessarily have to mean throwing away – I’m thrilled if my things are given a second chance with someone else! Just imagine: in a German household around a hundred years ago you would have found approximately 180 objects. Today there are 10 000 on average!Watch out – adverts! Look away!
Of course everyone has the right not to want to go without certain things. However not buying something is always more of a sustainable option than buying it. Especially if you don’t need it. That’s the sticking point when it comes to consumer goods – that’s what I believe anyway. Maybe just ask yourself next time whether you really need whatever it is you want to buy. Just spend a short time critically questioning the reasons behind each purchase and don’t buy anything simply because it’s reduced – unless you would have bought it at the original price. Don’t buy anything you already have several of at home, or anything that isn’t suitable at the moment. And don’t be taken in by those adverts that try to make products seem appealing, when we hadn’t even realised we “needed” them. The same applies to social media. How easy it is to go on a shopping spree with just a few clicks, I know the temptation well! And resisting is even harder. Once I read a lovely piece of advice that’s already helped me on several occasions – maybe it can serve as a motto for you too:Only buy something if it makes you happy, and only if it feels magical.
Less is more – the advantages
Apart from having less housework now because there’s less stuff around, there are several more advantages to owning less. If I consume less, own less, then I have fewer obligations. Fewer appliances for instance means fewer to go wrong, fewer requiring maintenance. As a consequence I’ve spent less money and saved the time I would have needed for comparing prices and the shopping itself. And I’m protecting our planet, I practise a sustainable lifestyle.There are different ways of going without
But clearing out or cutting back on consumption of goods isn’t for everyone. And anyhow, opinions differ on the theme of “minimalism”. Some people say that minimalism is a luxury, you have to be able to afford it in the first place. Not everyone’s a fan of people who boast about their minimalist status in their huge period homes with five very pricy items of furniture. Others say: my life’s hard enough already thanks to covid, so I don’t want to have to go without on top of that. Yet others are certain: I don’t have time for minimalism. When am I supposed to clear out the cellar? Or along the lines of: I need a reward, I don’t want to go without – in fact I want to treat myself. Then they buy their tenth pair of jeans …. On the other hand that same person might go without a car. The bottom line is that there probably is no right and wrong. But every single one of us can find their own way to manage with less and live more consciously. In fact, as we’re currently in Lent – wouldn’t now be just the right time to make a start?Wishing you all the best and every success,
Yours, Trude
February 2021