As I have begun to sort through my things, I am quickly finding that I have a tendency to think "I will use it someday" along with "If I get rid of this, it means I am giving up _____ (fill in the blank with the hobby of drawing if I am thinking of getting rid of a sketch pad, or dancing if it is dance shoes, etc). Somehow the activity that I enjoy seems to be attached to the "thing" instead of inside of me. Now of course, to draw you need paper, and to dance it is helpful to have the right shoes, but in these cases, I am not using these particular items right now, nor have I in the last year. So here is an age old rule of simplicity: have I used it in the last year? Why am I keeping it? It needs to have a good reason to stick around. A fun aspect of this project is giving my things to those who will use them right away. In this photo, Rachel, who draws and paints on a regular basis, and is serving as a full-time volunteer with very little money, benefits from my sketch pad. If and when I want to draw large again, I will count on the bounty of intention to bring another sketch pad my way (or more likely, Larry).
Kim, thanks for the inspiration - after reading this I finally got the strength to freecycle the roller boots I've had for about 20 years and not used for at least 10. Gave them to a charming young man who was going to give them to his girlfriend for her birthday yesterday. Next target - golf clubs that haven't been used since I moved into this apartment 8 years ago.
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