I have been wrestling lately with my suitcase of possessions. This piece of luggage sports many tags: heirlooms, collectibles, souvenirs. It's really more of a steamer trunk than a mere suitcase. How have I managed to accumulate so much stuff? Why is getting rid of it so difficult?
Compared to some of my friends, I live quite modestly. I've never been much of a gadget or electronics collector. My living space has always been small, so there's never been much room for things. Nonetheless, I feel locked in a battle with my possessions. I want them (well, many of them) gone and they seem determined to stay.
Maybe people with few interests don't lug around a steamer trunk of too many things. For years I sewed both apparel and quilts. This summer I managed to part with all of my fabric, notions, thread, trims and buttons. For the first time in close to thirty years, my house is piece-goods free. I tossed out used patterns; the clothing would be out of date anyway. The hardest things to part with were the costume patterns I used when I was advising a middle school drama club. Those students were brilliant, proving that with faith and guidance, 12 year-olds can indeed perform Shakespeare. It felt like I was giving up some of my own accomplishment when I took those items out of my house. I planned to donate my sewing machine; I didn't think I would ever need it again. Fortunately I kept it, because it has become the perfect stand for the new hammer dulcimer I am learning to play.
I finally parted with clothes that I hadn't worn in fifteen years. I donated the good items that no longer fit, since I have shed some pounds (that's ANOTHER suitcase). I was feeling pretty happy about the state of my closets when a friend handed me a bag of clothes that are now to large for her. While it felt like Christmas and I am grateful for the new wardrobe, my closet contents need to be culled once again.
I am sensing a pattern here.
What else is in the trunk? Cookbooks. The ones I actually use are in the kitchen for easy access. The others have to go! Magazines. Our local library has a magazine swap area where we can share our no longer wanted issues with others. I dropped of my back issues of Bon Appetit and Gourmet and managed a clean get-away. My old art magazines now reside in the schools' art departments, where I hope they will inspire young talent. But a few stragglers remain. Sheet music. That has to stay--for now. Having been a vocal musician for most of my life and a choral director for the past 16 year, I have managed to accumulate a library of printed vocal music. I need and use this resource. It just needs to reside elsewhere. It is a sign of progress that I am considering donating some of my duplicate copies to another fledgling choral group here in town. Art Supplies. They can stay. I have plans to use them again. If I can get the spare room closet under control, they can stay out of sight. My bicycle. Put some air in the tires and use it!
My most difficult area to streamline is the kitchen. I live alone, and due to space limitations, rarely entertain. So why do I need two complete sets of antique silver(plate) as well as my every day flatware? I actually use my good sterling every day. Why not? Do I really need three sets of dishes, especially when I use almost exclusively a mismatched set of brightly colored Melamine plates that make me smile every time I take them from the cupboard? And now that I am committed to eating differently, do I need two Madeleine pans or two spring form pans? Really? The entire issue of kitchen and pantry supplies needs serious examination. As it was once so famously said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."
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