He's back again! This guy's never been at a loss for words ... Jonathan presents six more traveling light brainstorms today. If you missed the first three sessions, they're here, there, and yonder.
1. Digitize,
Digitize, Digitize (Part 1) - It has been wonderful
to scan old documents, cards, letters, and miscellaneous files. By
archiving them in multiple places, we can reduce the paperwork we have
and refer to them at any point. We especially enjoyed putting old greeting
cards with the memories folder mentioned in our last session. What a great way to refer
back to encouraging words and support from family and friends.
2. Digitize,
Digitize, Digitize (Part 2) - Whether you have
photographs or slides, these take up space and likely are rarely looked
at. A scanner can backup your photographic
memories. Now our photos are preserved electronically and can easily be
used as a personalized screen saver or loaded into a digital photo frame.
3. Digitize,
Digitize, Digitize (Part 3) - In October 2013,
Amazon launched Kindle MatchBook. This service allows you to convert
some books previously purchased through Amazon to a Kindle eBook format
for under $3 a piece. It's worth considering transferring your bookshelf
onto a Kindle or similar device. Additionally, with the convenience of
Netflix, you can quickly request a favorite movie. This can allow you to
cull some rarely watched DVDs from your collection.
4. Clothing,
a simplicity treasure trove - We could do a whole
session on this topic alone, but suffice it to say this is an excellent
place to apply simplicity principles. How many t-shirts do you actually
need? It can be eye-opening to
actually count how many items you have in your wardrobe. If you're finding
it difficult to part with items, you might find it useful to put them in a
bag and put the date on a piece of paper with the clothes. If months go by, the items aren't seasonal, and you haven't even thought of those outfits,
they probably don't need to continue to take up your precious space.
5. This
is a joint effort - We're exceedingly grateful that we
both got bit by the "simplicity bug" together and have been able
to partner together through this process. Being able to know that we
support one another without judgment when it comes to deciding whether to
remove or keep an item has been wonderful and has enriched our marriage.
6. Find
the right balance for you - The terms
"minimalism" or "simplicity" mean different things to
different people. One author sleeps on a futon on the floor as her way of pursuing a minimalist lifestyle. We won't be doing that
any time soon. The ways we express simplicity in our lives looks different
from theirs, and it will look different from yours. That's OK and that's a
good thing.
* * *
2 Questions from Linda
The technology stuff or the clothing. Which are you ready to wade into?
What's the first thing you want to do?
The technology stuff or the clothing. Which are you ready to wade into?
What's the first thing you want to do?
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The EASIER part was going through and culling---the DIFFICULT part---REMEMBERING and not letting it slip up on you again! Buy something--then something needs to go---after all how many shirts/jeans can you wear at one time?
ReplyDelete'Buy something--then something needs to go--'
DeleteYou've hit the nail on the head, Lulu. Pure and simple!
;-}
This de-cluttering mindset after being married for a few years will probably save hurt feeling in the future. I remember when I tried to throw out my husband's green t-shirt that said "I am a human bean" on it. When I told him I wanted to throw it out, he asked "Why?" This was along with a sweatshirt with a LARGE smiley face on it - his solution was turning it inside out to wear it. The best was the $40- polyester suit that came with a jacket, reversible vest and two pair of pants! After his reactions for the "human bean" t-shirt and the smiley face inside out sweatshirt, I didn't even wait for a reply!
ReplyDeleteSo ... what did you do? Keep or toss?
Delete;-}
The suit and human bean shirt weren't thrown out, they were given away to Salvation Army because Bob was sure someone would want them! The smiley face sweatshirt continued to be worn inside out for many years. It had "sentimental qualities" since his entire family were given one at a work day at his grandparent's house. Of course I am sure his sisters wouldn't have been caught dead wearing it.
DeleteHA HA HA!!
Delete;-O
Ok, I will share this. I got permission from my husband first! We have certain "vacation attire" that we only wear once a year when on vacation. How embarassing when last year we walked into a casual local seafood restaurant, and the owner's wife points to my husband and says "Wow! That was our 1989 t-shirt! I always liked that one!" I was mortified as other people started looking at his shirt. Of course, I am thinking "His shirt is 24 years old" and he is thinking - "This might be an antique some day, glad it still fits and we didn't get rid of it!
ReplyDeleteYikes! All I can say is it's good Allison's come into your family. But she might think twice before vacationing with you!
Delete;-O
I wish I had been there! That would have been fun to witness.
DeleteOh, Linda, I wish I could walk into every room in my house, snap my fingers and have all the stuff *poof* disappear! I'm overwhelmed by how much we've accumulated in the last five years. I like your idea of converting the old photos to digital images. What did you do with the originals once scanned? I used to make videos using photos - and loved it! I think there's a few free programs out there to marry images to music. Maybe I should get back into that little hobby :) For now, I've got family members visiting next month and it is always a motivator to clean up and throw out! Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, this is an excellent question! We selected a few (very few) which we wanted to keep post-scanning. Most of the rest were brought to our family Thanksgiving where they were passed around. There were photos of our awkward teenage years (why did we wear glasses like that in the 90s?), family vacations, hobbies that have long since passed, and more. We passed the photos around. There was laughter and even a few tears when the laughter became to great. People could take the photos they wanted, and the remainder were lovingly bid adieu and thrown away. We still know we can bring them up in a moment's notice on the computer. The albums can be shared across hundreds of miles, and the laughter and tears can begin anew in a few years when the nostalgia bug strikes again. And so we too wish you good luck! We aren't destroying memories, just selecting the most important memories and making sure they remain for many years and decades to come.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge challenge for me. Boxes and boxes of slides spanning dozens of years, are all itemized by date and fill the coat closet shelf. I have a steamer trunk filled with albums and scrapbooks dating back to the black and white snapshot era. And a huge vintage toolbox is filled with piles of loose snapshots. Several very ancient cardboard boxes hold court under the bed and are filled photos of ancestors, many who are nameless. And framed pictures are everywhere.
DeleteI'm stuck!
;-{
I'm still working on the clothes. It is so hard to part with certain pieces - even when I know that I haven't worn them in months or years.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's a hard one, especially if they cost a fair amount of money or have happy memories woven into their threads. Trying them on and looking in a full length mirror just might do the trick!
Delete;-}
I downsized my wardrobe last year and need to do more.
ReplyDeleteAs far as technology, I find I'm want less of it as I get older. :)
Yep, I'm with you, Nancy! I don't need a whole lot of technology. I'm pretty content to navigate with what I have. I see people doing all kinds of cool updates on their blogs, but I'm happy with Blogger ... don't have to think twice about what I'm doing ... and that lets me focus on what I write.
DeleteI didn't know that little tid-bit about Kindle Match Book! I'm going to get busy with that one because we have way too many books that are crowding our many, many bookshelves. My husband and I use our Kindle or e-reader a lot. I just love the convenience of taking my "library" with me whenever I have time to read. Great thoughts, once again, Linda! I really appreciate you bringing this couple's wisdom to us all!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waffling on the whole e-reader thing. It would be a huge load off to toss one in a bag when traveling. But I so love the feel of a book / magazine / newspaper in my hand ... and I already spend too much time in front of a screen. I'm just not sure what to do with this option ...
DeleteI feel like a dinosaur when I'm with a group where everyone is pulling out their Kindles and Nooks, but I guess that if that's the worst thing that happens to me this month, I'll be grateful!
;-}