For the last couple of weeks I've been working on getting rid of unwanted stuff in my house. I am amazed at the amount of material things with no purpose that manage to pile up around here. I would hate to see the results if I wasn't actually trying to fight the accumulation to some degree. Stuff seems to be oozing out of every corner, and it's especially striking to see it all gathered up and waiting to be given away.
First of all, we have the candles and lotion pile. Let me just state for the record, that I love my friends and family and appreciate the lovely thoughts behind their gifts to me. That said, a girl can only use so many candles and bath salts for fear of rashes and overscenting, yet these items seem to be a default present. Be honest. Who among us hasn't forgotten to get a gift and felt foolish arriving empty handed, only to swing through the smelly bath section of the drug store and grab the first thing that looks serviceable? No one else? OK, maybe it's just me, but the candle and lotion giveaway pile is there and it's telling your story. I suspect for guys the same phenomenon is at work, but in the form of all-in-one pocket tools and brain teaser puzzles. I have three words for those who find themselves in need of a last minute gift that I plan to take to heart: ITunes gift card.
The second pile that always shocks me is clothing. How can I possibly be giving away this many items of clothing, when I clearly have nothing to wear? Why just yesterday, I looked in that closet and saw only tumbleweeds. While some things in this pile are worn out and a few might be misguided gifts, for the most part I'm looking at the (wo)man in the mirror. She's gotta take a look at herself and make a change. Seriously, I am considering entering a twelve step program for the overpurchase of plain t-shirts. I don't know what comes over me, but it seems I have an irrational fear of running out of black shirts.
As I wade through the existing stuff with some dismay, I find my stuff sensitivity has been heightened. Stuff is everywhere and avoiding it can feel impossible. A seemingly innocent purchase of false eyelashes related to my Halloween costume really got me thinking. This morning as I was throwing them away and recycling the box, I felt guilty and a little bit like I drank the Kool Aid. That was pretty wasteful, and I didn't even think twice about doing it. I wondered why I didn't think about it, and my thoughts immediately went to the store where I bought them. It was filled with stuff: for my house, for the holidays, for my amusement, for my health, etc. Yesterday it was equally filled with people consuming this stuff with a cranky fury. Why? Because they need it. They have an itch and it needs to be scratched. After all, you really should talk to your doctor because you need our product to cure your athlete's foot and/or psychological ennui. Ten out of ten people we paid said it works great.
Everyone complains about stuff, but it's like we are trapped by it, sometimes quite literally. We have given stuff great power in our lives. We've gotten to the point where stuff is equated with love, security and status. We've confused stuff with substance, but really it's just clutter. It takes up valuable space in our homes, on our planet and in our psyche. While there are some necessary items in life, I think the first step to avoiding the siren song of stuff is to consciously change our thinking. As I go forward, I want to try to live my life instead of interpreting it through things. I won't lie. It's gonna be tough, especially when I see the next black t-shirt.
And now, to avoid ending on a mildly preachy note, I leave you with some of my favorite thoughts on stuff from George Carlin.
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