I have boxes and boxes filled with random stuff.
Most of the time, it’s because I just don’t know what to do with it. I hate to get rid of something that brings back a special memory. Even though I only experience the memory when I run across it in a box.
I went to a garage sale a few years ago and found a huge group of collector drinking glasses from the 80s.
Meaning, these things were about 20 years old. And they were in perfect, never used condition.
They brought back so many memories for me. I’m sure they did the same for the person who originally collected them. They had been stored in a special box, wrapped up with care. It was in my eBay days, so I sold a few, but I decided to keep the ones I loved the most.
And use them.
Hubby and I have shared many fun childhood memories with the kids because of these glasses, and they are great conversation starters with guests.
We’re using them.
So they’re not clutter.
I’m trying to view other things this way now. If an item has purpose AND sentimental value, I use it.
Like the cutesy burp cloths someone made for us. They’re BURP cloths. Not exactly something you put in a lighted display case. But they’re adorable and they bring back great memories. Recently, after finding them in a drawer somewhere for the 600th time, I decided to use them as cleaning rags. Now, I get to enjoy them every time I wipe down the bathroom counters, which is (generally) a lot more often than I go through boxes.
I may reserve my favorite ones for the less intense jobs, but I love that they’re being used. I’m pretty sure that throwing them in the trash once they’re falling apart from ten years of usefulness will be easier than throwing them in the trash while they’re still “perfectly good” but I can’t justify one more box of random stuff in my garage.
And, even though it’s hard to admit, that huge Hulk Hogan cup, which my husband found while digging through a box of his college stuff . . . is now my favorite cup!
I’ll be linking this up to Works for Me Wednesday over at Wearethatfamily.com.
So… the Shrek cup on my dresser isn't clutter because I'm using it to store stray Light Bright pieces? Genius!
LOL- my husband loves those character glasses and he wouldn't give them up even when they were recalled.
I hadn't read about the recall, but I did read about concerns with these types of glasses.
After seeing the pic, I totally understand why it's a favorite. It's so you!!
Oh my goodness! It's been forever since I saw those glasses. My aunt used to have tons of them.
I forgot about those character glasses until I saw some Smurf ones at an antique store recently. Then I remembered my swim teacher (poor guy, I was terrified) gave me a Smurf glass filled with candy on my last class that summer.
If I wasn't already trying to declutter, I would have been like you and gotten them too. However for me, I knew if I brought them in the house, I'd be too afraid of breaking them and wouldn't use any.
Just found your blog. I'm doing the same thing trying to get organised and keep a clean home. I am now following you. Love it if you would check out my blog at http://www.anorganisedmum.blogspot.com
Sam
My mom still has the ET glasses! From Pizza Hut, I think?
I use the flour sack towels my great grandma embroidered for me. My grandma just about lost it when she saw one of the tattered and stained towels tossed over a bottle of cleanser. I'm with you: better used and loved than "put away for best" (Grandma's phrase) in a drawer.
I love your approach. What a great solution.
I just want to say you look beautiful in that picture. You don't look like a married, mother of three, suburbanite. More like a fresh out of college, ready to take on the world, young lady. (I hope that sounds right).
It's official! Shannon L is my #1 Favorite Reader!!! Yes, flattery gets you everywhere!
Aww! That's sweet. I just believe if you notice good things about other people then they should be told. You are a wonderful woman and I appreciate you for sharing your struggles, which most of us want to hide. You have let me know that I'm not alone, which I felt before finding your blog, and I will be eternally grateful.
Now let's talk about a Libman mop.
(joking)
Ok, so I just found your blog and LOVE IT! I feel like you are talking about me and my house in a lot of your posts! I too remember those glasses, and my sister is actually using the ones that my mother had! I'm to the point where I need to use things that people made for me (mom & grandmas, all 3 deceased), otherwise, what's the point of having them? They made them look pretty, but most of all, the purpose of them was TO BE USED!! I'm at the point where I feel like it's a waste to keep them in a drawer where no one sees them. So those towels that grandma crocheted around the edges…..they are totally going in my bathroom!