Go Spartan
A friend of mine is moving across the country this week. When trying to decide whether to pack up the old house and move it item by item to the new, a trusted adviser told him, “Go Spartan.”
And I can’t seem to get that idea out of my head.
Maybe it’s because I also saw the movie Into the Wild this weekend (sorry, but the book was much better–too hard to translate into film), and one of the plot points is the kid giving away nearly all his money to go be basically a hobo. At one point he burns what little cash he kept. Ouch. Something painful about seeing that particular type of paper go up in flames.
But the kid’s point was that he didn’t need *stuff.* He actively rejected it. And while I don’t agree with a lot of his philosophy and methods, there is something appealing about that whole Go Spartan attitude.
So I’ve been looking around my house, wondering what I would choose to bring if I could pack only five boxes of *stuff,* like my friend did. Some books, obviously, some clothes, but what else is of such vital importance or sentimental meaning to me that I’d include it in the limited space? And what would I choose to buy fresh–and in what quantity–for a new place?
A set of sheets? How many towels? How many pillows and place settings? I’m sure you’re like me and you have all sorts of junk stored all over your house “just in case.” Just in case you have four house guests at once. Just in case you still need that water bottle with the leaking lid. Just in case you ever throw your old massive Christmas parties again (let me just say no to that one right here and now. A hundred people at once in this tiny house, and me cooking for an entire week because it just seemed wrong to cater–these were the follies of my youth. As in ten years ago. So I think I can go ahead and get rid of the Christmas dish towels and Santa cheese knives and all those boxes of paper Christmas plates, thank you).
I’m in one of those “everything must go” moods. I want to haul a big load to charity before Thanksgiving. Pass on to someone who will be happy to have them all those clothes and shoes and housewares I never use. I feel like it’s a form of selfishness to keep storing things that someone else could use right now. And if I really do need a hundred paper Christmas plates again, I can go buy them fresh. Meanwhile someone else could use mine this year.
Anyone else in that end-of-year ruthless cleaning mood? That need to clear out all the old accumulations and see some fresh shelf and closet space? I just keep thinking how absolutely peaceful I would feel if every time I opened a door or a drawer, I saw lots and lots of room. It’s like picking up a new book and seeing lots of white space as you flip through. It just seems . . . easier. Not such a heavy load.
So that’s what I’m up to this week–everything must go. I want to pare it down to the things I actually love and choose to keep–on purpose rather than by inertia.
As usual, I’d love it if any of the rest of you want to play.
Technorati Tags: Winter Cleaning, Fresh Start, Spartan, Into the Wild
November 12th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Robin! Once again you inspire us! I’ve decided to make a slight modification.
I’m GOING COMMANDO!
I’ve put all my underwear on eBay.
November 12th, 2007 at 5:37 am
I need to play because we have company coming (12+5 of us=1 stressed out me in only 2000 sq. ft.) for Thanksgiving and a birthday celebration so I will be busy while I should be writing. (I’ll still be writing, but I don’t have time to type/transfer the longhand like I do now.
So I guess I will join you.
November 12th, 2007 at 6:48 am
I agree with you Robin. I am getting ready to go through the kitchen utensils to see if I really need five spatulas. I recently went through the linen closet and got rid of extra sheets and table cltohes. I decided that on Sundays to use my mother’s good china even if it is just Chuck and I. My rule for clothing is that is I buy something, another piece of clothing must leave.
Cleaning and delcluttering is good for the soul.
November 12th, 2007 at 6:56 am
The only time I ever get any ruthless cleaning done is a) if I have house guests, or b) if I’m about to undertake a massive writing project.
Just saying.
November 12th, 2007 at 7:28 am
“End-of-year ruthless cleaning mood”? So it has a name? [Sigh of relief.] I’ve been feeling it too. Not having the moments to get rid of things is frustrating. The kids only have so much patience with my frantic tossing and piling.
Jone, I’m with you on the linen closet. I went through mine last week and it feels absolutely heavenly to open the door now. Everything folded and fresh, nothing there we don’t use.
Now to tackle our enormous den closet, where we put everything we MIGHT use. It’s deadly to enter at this moment. Happy cleaning and giving away!
November 12th, 2007 at 7:35 am
I’m right there with you! I took an enormous load to Goodwill the other day, including the amazing Goodwill-proof basket… the one that always got pulled out of the pile and set back on the shelf with a bunch of cluttery papers in it.
I’ve been scanning old photos so I can dispose of my old photo albums… giving books away (gasp!)… trying NOT to buy things… and being relatively ruthless about throwing stuff away (much of it can be recycled, which is nice).
I hate the fact that I live in a four-bedroom house with one other person and our closets are full!
November 12th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Well I had already cleaned out one cupboard of plastic containers & one drawer before I read this. I am a packrat and I live with a packrat and we had 2 packrat children. Our daughters don’t live at home but we sure still have their stuff here.
I am having company for Christmas so the craft room has to be cleaned. It contains all of my to be read books. I was contemplating where I could put another bookcase. I know that is not what this blog is recommending. I can’t get rid of books.;)
November 12th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Odd timing again - I went into the Oxfam shop a few days ago (looking for books for someone else) and saw three big baskets full of yarn. I had a good rummage through it all and it was so depressing - old, grotty stuff, not well stored, and some even dirty. It certainly gave me a bit of pause about my growing stashes, both knitterly and readerly. But I mostly resolved to increase the speed and efficiency with which I pass things on to charity shops - can’t stop supporting writers and bookshops!
You know those news stories of people who end up buried in their own stuff? Yeah, that’s what I dread most…
November 12th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
My solution is to buy bigger containers and build a new closet to keep all the old treasures. My ultimate goal is to leave everything to my children when I pass from this earth and give them plenty of laughs. “Can you believe she saved this? What was she thinking?” Well, I was thinking, why clean and throw away when you can find more storage?
November 12th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Readerdiane, we had the Fiesta de los Plastic Containers here last night! It was great! Out they went, all those containers without lids. Amazing how giddy you can get when you know that everything in that cupboard now has a matching top. Whee!
Lady S, *snicker* on the people getting buried in their own stuff. Do NOT be the crazy yarn lady. We know you’re more dignified than that, with your Mrs. Darcy sweaters.
Um, Katie, did you peek at my journal? Because your line about living in a four-bedroom house with one other person, and yet all your closets are full is ME. Full on. This house used to hold an entire family. Of course, that was back in the 50s when people were smaller and everyone only had one pair of pants, but still. Go Spartan, Katie A.! Let’s live within our means in the closet space department! Yah-hoo!
Kelley, that line “it’s deadly to enter at this moment”–I hear that. There’s this one particular room–okay, two–that has an aura about it. Aura of complete chaos. I can’t bear to look in there. Must conquer it!! Good luck with your den!
Sara, you happen to be right, you intuitive being you. Big writing project ahead. Clear the decks and whatnot. Sshh. Let us not speak of it. It’s best to sneak up on these things.
Jone, solidarity on the linen closet! I tackled that last night, too! Yay for throwing out the pee-stained mattress cover from fifteen years ago! (Not my pee, thanks.) (Although I’m not ashamed to say I was a terrific bed-wetter myself. Just not 15 years ago.) Good luck sorting out the kitchen!
Oh, Heather, my sincere sympathies. That’s too many guests, my friend. Sometimes it can’t be helped–that whole “family” thing (whatever)–but I hope you are able to have a good time in the midst of serving everyone else. Please be extra-sweet to yourself! If you’re not, who will be?
Patrick, I am so happy I’ve been able to inspire you this way. Pardon me while I just–
“Security?”
November 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Oh, Robin. You’ve got my number on this one. When I moved into my house a couple years ago, I literally gave away or threw away almost 40% of our things, but of course, I think I’ve accumulated that plus some over the past couple years.
I’m in the process of purging once again…the family will be here for the holidays, and I’d kind of like them to think I’ve got it somewhat together.
Good luck!
November 12th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I don’t do spartan. I live in pack-rat heaven.
November 12th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
gosh Robin… I’m still wearing pants. 30% of the people you talked to today were COMMANDO!
November 12th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Nature abhors a vaccuum. (And our house feels the same about a vaccuum cleaner.) No matter how much I winnow, I still have more. I think I’d have to give up books and music in order to make a significant dent. Yikes.
November 12th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
MJG, I like your style. Do not tempt me!!
Vivian, it’s insidious how that stuff builds up again, isn’t it? I just want to get down to a new baseline so I don’t have to stress about this for another few years. I think the last few years I’ve just been skimming the surface, which is why I keep hitting crisis point so quickly again. Good luck to you!
Katie Sis, you and MJG must be soul sisters. You two should compare how many plastic containers you own. Could be an interesting competition.
Patrick, I’d rather not picture that, thanks. But wait a minute–you mean the Starbucks barista, too? Is there no decency in the world? And is there that much chafe?
Alkelda, *snort.* Okay, so skip the vacuum and keep the books and music. How about those plastic containers without lids? Give us something!
November 12th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Most of my plastic containers are full of books which have no hope of fitting in my room. They are currently occupying my brother’s former closet. Other containers live in one of my closet’s floor. The closet floor is filled with my shoes and, yes, more books. Occasionally I do make an attempt to clear the stuff. Other stuff just takes it’s place though.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Throwing stuff out is one of my favorite responses to being in a funk. That said, I still have a whole lotta stuff around my house. I *like* a lot of my stuff, though, so I think it’s okay.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I, too, am feeling ruthless about organizing — but I feel this way every November because I CAN’T do it due to Nanowrimo. Once Nano is over, I am going to — get this — go through my bookshelf and pass along books I no longer want or need. This is big stuff for me — I’m also going to make a list of what books I DO want, and actively begin to collect them. Can’t wait.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Katie Sis, nothing wrong at all with a house (and closets) full of books. Sounds like a good life to me.
Adrienne, if you like your stuff, you should have your stuff. I’m over my stuff, so it must move on.
Laura, good luck with Nano! That’s such a big commitment. Good for you! And I’m way impressed with your bookshelf cleaning. It’s so hard to give up books, but I guess the same policy applies–someone else could be enjoying them right now.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
okay, so like a few years ago my sister, who is the coolest, and her husband, ditto cool, chucked it all, and i mean all–quit (no “leave of abscence” s***) big time jobs, packed up two kids, a suitcase apiece and moved to guatemala to do good work for 12 months. the best part acoording to them was liberation from “stuff”.
when they discovered the cost of storing a huge housefull of “things” they stashed family photos, a few favorite pieces of art and four oriental rugs with a sibling, sold two cars and held one gigantic yard sale–down to the bare walls, everything MUST go! and did.
to their surprise and delight, upon their return, the sky didn’t fall, they weren’t out on the street and they missed not one single item of their
theretofore precious “stuff”. it’s not that they now travel all that light, but they don’t have any possesions they’re not perfectly comfortable walking away from–that’s pretty liberating.
for my part, although far from spartan, i tend to only allow things that i really, really like to cohabitate with me and am constantly thinning the ranks or replacing inventory–or as my husband likes to describe it, “converting assests”–(as in, can i give you this green-foldy stuff for that beautiful armani jacket?).
November 14th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Spartans are everywhere! Or, most accurately, the ladies at Seven Imp recently talked about Spartans.