This is the end of my fourth week on the road.
What did I bring with me for this time away from home? Some books, my Kindle, my laptop, my filofax, clothes, research materials and reference books for my work here, some office supplies, some quilts, a pine-scented candle, my camera, some dog food and my dog.
That’s it.
Scout and I have been happily existing in our home away from home with just those things, along with some fresh flowers and food.
And I am once again struck by the fact that I can get along very well without a lot of ‘stuff.’ The essentials do very nicely indeed. Normally, I do this sort of thing without my dog, so Scout’s inclusion on this journey has been a wonderful addition. And, of course, we miss Don, but he’ll be here for a visit on Sunday night.
But back to the point of this post. Small living, tiny houses, minimalist settings – all of that is very big right now. I can see the appeal of that sort of living, free of excess possessions with just those necessities required to live a fairly minimalist life. It’s very doable.
I love my things. I’m a collector. I like the cozy English cottage look of my home. But I can guarantee you that when I go back home in a week, my house will look very cluttered to me. I will have a yen to purge (which isn’t a bad thing.) I will look around and see lots of ‘stuff’. I go through this every time I return back home after being on the road.
Could I get by with just a minimum of possessions? Absolutely. I prove it every time I do this sort of thing. I’m just fine without all the extras. As long as I can read and write and take photos and be with my husband and dog, it seems that I’m okay.
But what about the things I’ve inherited from my mom and my grandmother? The books I love to see displayed on my bookshelves? The china and pottery I love to collect? The furniture that Don and I have found in the years we’ve been together? The paintings and lithographs and prints that we’ve chosen? The guitars that Don loves? My piano, passed down from my grandmother and played on by aunts, uncles, grandmother, mother and siblings?
You get the picture. I’m not going to become a minimalist.
But I could, if I had to.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Friday.
It’s a good lesson for us all, that we just don’t need as much stuff around us as we think we do. We did the same, when we lived in Pennsylvania for 8 months. I see you have your priorities in order – Scout is with you! :-)
Yes indeed! And what a wonderful thing it has been to have her with me! I’ve loved every minute of it!
Here, here!
I am looking at these things too. What can I live with out. I’ve already begun packing up our home…just to get to the point of paint touch ups, staging, etc. We are really going to move!
I’m torn– the family memories we have in the things around us, pulls the emotions. But once it’s in a box and packed up, I’m wondering; how will I get by the next few months between selling and buying? If I get by without it, I wonder why put it on the truck at all? If Living with Less is More– then why do I always live with more?
I remember reading that you have books stored. I have lots of things ‘stored’ — I am a far cry from becoming a minimalist, but if we’re going to downsize, then I’ve got to quit storing and start purging; and letting my things go to some one who will enjoy them.
I hope you and Scout have a lovely time with Don this weekend.
I have lots of things stored in the shed. We’ve lived in the house for nine years – I guess I don’t really need those things! I totally understand. It’s a push-pull challenge. What to purge, what to keep. Hang in there, Pat.
Claudia, I believe The things we surround ourselves with are part of who we are,we have them because they spark something within us,a memory,a tradition,a joy! Can we live without them? Sure,but I think that would greatly decrease the quality of our lives.
Having said that,I think it is just wonderful that you three understand the importance of being
with one another,when you can. I can’t explain why, I just think it is a very healthy thing to do. and Thats my two cents. Judy A-
Thanks, Judy. Looking forward to seeing my husband in Our Town on Sunday and then bringing him here for our day off.
Our Town ,the first production I was ever in, I bet it will be Amazing!
Oh yes Claudia. I feel myself drawn to start purging, then get wrapped up in “things” as I go through them. Having said that though, I’m proud to say that we just donated over 10 bags/boxes of stuff (clothing/books – yes, books!!/kitchen items, etc.). and it felt good to do that. So far I haven’t missed anything. I used to have books and records (LPs) stored in our basement. Everything got ruined because of the dampness. I don’t really miss those items either, so I guess purging is something I can and should do. Don’t think I could live a totally minimalist lifestyle though…need a few things around to keep me company. Have a marvelous time seeing Don perform and hope you 2 have a great day off together with Dame Scout.
Good for you, Vera! I need to take a page from your book!
I think it’s wonderful that you can live the minimalist lifestyle…if only for a few weeks. It’s even more wonderful that you get to spend some time with Don….the gang is getting back! I think I’ve managed to purge as much as I can for this year. And, I did quite well. Next year there will be more. Trouble is I enjoy having beauty, memories…and books in my home. But, how many fry pans do two people really need? That’s what I need to purge…the stuff that a family of five had…that a family of two doesn’t need! ;)
Purging is on the menu for when I get home. But only those things that I absolutely don’t need or love.
We have been purging for several years now. It seems like when you go through the house once, and finish that last room or closet, it is then time to start all over again. It does keep getting pared down, slowly but surely. I am glad that we are getting rid of the most obvious things we can do without so our kids won’t have to slog through it all some day. But I can’t give it all up. And I do still love my “stuff”, so I keep some around us. I love glancing at things and remember how and when my mom or grandmother or mother-in-law used it, or just had it setting out. Those memories do make me happy. I have found that there is a difference between my own clutter and those things I treasure. I hope I am making headway in ridding us of clutter. However, as we know, the treasure of one person is the clutter of another. :-)
Oh yes. So true, Chris!
Contrast is refreshing, that’s for sure.
On another topic, i.e. Hamlet, my father just told me has a ticket to see it on October 29th! He’s a life-long fan of Shakespeare. I called to tell him about the production in Hartford and he had made plans already, with a group of friends.
Yay! I hope your dad likes it, Nancy. I think it’s pretty wonderful. First preview was last night and the audience really loved it.
Claudia I found that happening to me after being away from home for awhile. It seems so cluttered…well and it is! But I’ve been working on that as you know. I’m still a collector and I love my things but I too know I could live with much less if I had too. The sun is shining today and I’m about to go out and about.
hugs,
Linda
Have a wonderful day, Linda!
I’m sure a lot of us could live with less if we had to Claudia..but would we really want to..I think it is good to rid ourselves and our homes of un-necessary stuff but when it comes to the treasures that we collect or inherit..I believe these things are necessary..they give us joy and smiles and happiness just by being near us..They are what makes a house a home..So glad that Don will be visiting Sunday/Monday..I can just imagine how excited Scout will be!!
Treasures and favorite things are what I would never get rid of. But it’s good to know I could get by with a lot less if I had to.
Hi Claudia,
Time is a-flying! (Are you starting your fourth week or have you completed your fourth week?) That’s so wonderful that you know precisely the items you need to take good care of yourself on the road and how not to overdo it.
Since I’m in a teeny house that was already overflowing, the influx of fifty years of my parents stuff has just about driven me round the bend!!! I feel like I live in a warehouse full of junk. WAH. Oh how I wish I had spartan tastes and wasn’t sentimental. Thankfully I’ve gotten rid of much of the stuff now but there’s enough left to still keep our house in complete chaos. Woe is me. I just can’t detach and get rid of it fast enough to suit myself and regain our once neat and cozy home.
Happy Anniversary to you and Don! Ours is today – we’ll be celebrating it tomorrow.
Happiest of weekends! xo
Happy Anniversary! I’m just finishing my fourth week. One more to go.
I have always liked William Morris’ sentiment, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’.
When I was growing up, my father took job postings all over the world (big family, little money) so we children learned very quickly to condense our favourite things into one suitcase and I think that experience became a sort of blueprint for my life.
I love the visual tours of your cottage and of hearing how you acquired your treasures.
Everyone should have such a sanctuary filled with so much light and love.
I’m a little bit of a magpie, Barbara. I’m attracted to what are, to me, shiny and interesting things!
Claudia, I know you do very well away from your collections. I am glad your Scout is with you this time. I have just sorted pictures…you know the old fashion kind that you can hold in your hands. :) I am giving them to my daughters and asking them to make albums for their children. I some times wish I were living with less. I grew up with very little at all. Is that why I have so much now. Who knows. Bless your heart, hope you and don enjoy your time this weekend. xoxo,Susie
I didn’t have a whole lot as a kid – my parents made me sure we had what we needed and some toys, but we were definitely on a very tight budget. Maybe that’s why I like accumulating, too? Who knows?
I am there with you. I like things simple and clean. HOWEVER, I also collect things. Over the years some of the things I have collected I am no longer in love with, so they have been getting donated. But other things I love to have around me. I love the memories that they bring to mind, whatever it is that makes them special to me still makes them special. I think of my house as somewhat cluttered, but I was just back east and while visiting family & friends I was quite amazed at the amount of stuff in their homes. When I got home my own “cluttered” house was quite the visual relief. So it is all in what you like to surround yourself with. I like comfortable furniture, and some pretty clutter. And, of course, my husband and all of the critters. Similar to you, Don, and Scout–those are the most important treasures in our lives.
Me too, Claudia. The older I get, the more I’m realizing that I can live well and happily with a LOT less of the stuff I accumulated in my younger days, and in the last few years have donated a lot of things I once thought I couldn’t not get. The most surprising thing to me is that I find I actually like having FEWER choices [nobody NEEDS 18 wooden spoons in her kitchen]. What I want to keep in my home are things that tell stories and evoke memories. Have a great weekend and visit with Don…
Yep, Claudia, I’ve been there too. As a matter of fact, I’m there right now! Except that I no longer have my favorite pup. And I fight the urge to adopt another one. There is something freeing about not having one at this time.
Hi Claudia,
I just have to say, Scout looks so Happy!!! It’s hard to believe that it has been 4 weeks.
I know that you and Scout are so looking forward to Don’s visit and I hope you have beautiful weather and a wonderful weekend…
Debbi