When my husband gathered up trash this morning, and picked up this newly-broken lamp . . . I felt the familiar pang in my chest.
Am I really going to put that lamp in the trash? But I love that lamp!
LovED that lamp. Because now, of course, it’s broken.
When I arrived home Sunday evening from my trip, I was brought back to Mama Reality within minutes as I watched the fast-motion race-to-the-favorite-chair and the slow-motion tip-then-rock-then-fall of the lamp from the nearby end table.
Even though I immediately moved it to the Trash Spot on Sunday, I experienced those familiar Second Slob Thoughts today. I’m sure I could google swagbuck “What can you do with a broken lamp?” and find all sorts of ways to re-use the base, or the shade, or even the broken glass.
But the real question is, “What can I do with this broken lamp?”
And the answer to that question is likely: Put it in a closet to be forgotten until I declutter in two years and kick myself for having kept it all that time.
There’s a 30% chance that I’ll experience decluttering regret when I find that I have a need for a lamp-shade, a lamp-base, or the electrical components. But that leaves a 70% chance that I’ll never remember I even had this lamp.
I think I’m going to go with the safe bet on this one.
Chrissy says
I know you’ve heard this over and over again but I have to tell you how it amazes me that someone else has the same thoughts that run through my head. I, too, am finally giving myself permission to not do the ‘right’ thing but to do the thing that is right for me! Be gone you home made popsicle kit with missing sticks!! Be gone you perfectly functional bowls that never get used and that I keep tripping over because they fall out of the overstuffed cabinet! Be gone you hair products that are still perfectly good, but not perfectly good for me! You have no power over me any more!!!
I so love your blog. Thank you for doing what you do.
Nony says
Thank you Chrissy! Even though I do hear that often, I still have a little panic when I click the “publish” button, wondering if this will be the post that reveals that it IS just me! It’s always such a relief to see that someone understands.
Livin In Duckville says
I have been decluttering my kitchen cabinets this morning…. and I’ve been ruthless…. RUTHLESS, I tell ya!!! I EVEN threw out cereal… that I might have been able to crunch up & put in muffins/cookies and crackers that I might have been able to put in meatloaf or use as a topping on a casserole! Yes, I did!!!
I looked at those Tupperware bowls that I don’t use (because we like the Lock-N-Lock so much better) – OUT…. Those serving bowls that get used occasionally – OUT … Those mismatched coffee cups – OUT…. The 28+ medicine dispenser spoons/cups – OUT….. Sippy cups (my youngest is 11) – GONE!
But my fuzzy, little duck-butt brain is thinking… it’s TUPPERWARE…. it’s PYREX… should I get rid of it? Maybe I should keep it…. Then I think… How often do I use it? Have I used it recently (NO – goes automatically, YES – can I use something else instead?) …. Today those words have been my mantra…..
Keep up the good work Nony!
Nony says
Go you!
And I had to laugh at the Sippy Cups when your youngest is 11!
Jeanine says
I just got rid of my Sippy cups and my youngest is 20 . . .
Sarah says
And this is how I know I have a problem – I read this and thought, but soon, you might have grandchildren! 🙂 Good for you!
Dana White says
Hopefully not too soon!!!
Christine says
I have a lot of items just like this. It’s hard to get rid of them when they are usable, but now that I work at a resale shop, I’m finding it much easier to do knowing someone else can make use of it. No regrets that way. Look for places to donate in your area and you might feel the same way.
Pothole a says
I need to get rid of most of my Tupperware but since we scrimped in a time when we had minimal income in order to buy it and we brought it when we moved overseas a decade ago I’m having a ridiculously hard time making the jump.
Sandy says
I think you are awesome! I was wondering if you keep a small shelf or something for DIY stuff like this? I am contemplating the same thing, and I was wondering if it was something you had tried.
Nony says
I do have a cabinet where I stuff things for projects. But honestly, I don’t know what is in there and have been meaning to clean it out!
Kerrye says
Alone? I think not! Thinking of my own beloved broken lamp that is sitting right now in my dining room, with the broken side turned to the wall. With even the cord & plug strategically placed so it “looks” like it’s plugged in, but it’s not because of the possible fire hazard. It’s just so hard to get rid of it – it’s so pretty. And practically brand new! But useless… Sigh…
Nony says
OK, when I read your comment, I thought . . . “Oh! I should have turned it and put it in a corner!” I’m pretty sure we both have issues.
Normal Friend says
I’m so proud of you! Out it goes. And um, did you finish the laundry?
Nony says
Nope, but I’m pretty sure we’re all “covered” for the week.
Shannon L says
That last comment made me laugh. It also reminded me of the counting undies post. Btw, how are the happy couple and are they settled in their new abode?
Nony says
I haven’t seen the new place yet, but they are definitely happy!
Tyffany says
Hi, Nony! I hope you still love getting comments on old posts. I’ve been reading your blog from the beginning and this is where I’ve gotten to – still a year and a half until I’m caught up. But just as others have said, I’ll be sad when I do catch up, ’cause then I’ll only have one post a day to read! Anyway, I’ve almost commented on many previous posts, but this one spoke so loudly to me that I had to come out of the shadows even if it is a very old post.
I have a broken lamp in a box under my bed. Many times, I’ve told myself I should just let it go because it may not even be fixable and I’ll have to take it to a professional to even find out, and if it is fixable, it will probably cost a lot to fix it (there’s an integral metal part that disintegrated a little). I’ve even gone so far as to locate a company in Dallas that restores stuff like this (for a price!). This would involve an hour long trip just to take it to them to look at (like that’s ever going to happen!).
But this lamp is one of a set of two that belonged to my mother, and the other one is still in pretty good shape. I grew up with these lamps. There is a story behind them about how my mother acquired them. If I consulted my only sister who is a worse packrat than me, she would totally tell me to get it fixed. So I am torn and it just lingers under my bed. I know I could treasure the one I have left and let this one go, but, but, but…
And this is not to mention the really adorable mahogany library table that I love that has a broken leg and would need an entirely new one made to repair it. It also lives under my bed. Sigh…
I applaud you for letting go of your much-loved lamp!
Kate says
Dana, just curious- it’s been 3 1/2 years since the lamp broke. Have you need a lamp base or had any ideas for this broken lamp, that would have justified keeping it? Or are you happy it’s gone?
Dana White says
I’m just happy it’s gone! I’ve never missed it!!!
Amanda says
Oh, I just have to comment on this. I have a job where I am in and out of different people’s homes all day long. I was reflecting on what makes some homes (including mine) look “cluttered” with objects, while other homes have a lot of objects in them, but instead of “clutter” words more like “well-appointed” come to mind.
One of the differences that came to mind is that a lot of the “objects” in my home are “partially broken” items, or items “with potential” (you know, if I just do this-or-that with this item, it will be perfectly useful to us again, so I shouldn’t get rid of it). Thing is – I never actually DO the “this-or-that thing” and everything just ends up sitting around being CLUTTER. It’s not the *only* reason for clutter in my house, but it’s a nice reason to have recognized and be able to “call myself” on to help with getting rid of things I should no longer hold on to.
I totally identified with this post!!!
Dana White says
Amanda, I love this! (Totally going to publish it as a post!)
Jennifer says
i’m sure you don’t want to know how long my broken lamp was in my basement for. so i won’t bother telling you 😉 (it is gone now though) i will now throw away the broken night-light that is in my bedroom (which i never wanted in the first place, but was given to me by an elderly neighbor when i was having a yardsale)… btw, do people do this to you too? when you have a yardsale or garage sale, they’ll just GIVE you their old crap that they don’t want? i’ve aquired several children’s ride-on toys, a couple of barbie dolls, the aforementioned night light, a wooden ice bucket (wtf?) some kind of plastic christmas bucket that i was never sure what to do with, and i’m sure other things that i’ve now even forgotten about. dear Lord above, and Nony, please give me the strength to say NO to other people’s clutter!
Sarah says
It wasn’t until I read all the comments about people having broken lamps that I realized that I have not one, but THREE broken lamps next to my bed. They have been there for at least three years. One of them has been there since I moved into the house, almost six years ago, because I was going to fix it and use it as a bedside lamp. The lamp that I am using has no shade, because my dog broke the latch to put the shade on when he knocked over the table one day and I’m not counting that among the three.
What does it say that I read your post and laughed, but never made the connection to my own broken lamps???? I’ve got a long way to go… BABY STEPS, baby, BABY STEPS! 🙂
Thanks for the laughs, insight, and inspiration!
Dana White says
This makes me laugh!!! (Because I understand!!)