The VERY first time I spoke as an extension of this blog, a woman approached me after I was done. She wanted to talk about something to do with cleaning, something relevant to my talk.
In her hand was my business card. My business card which I had carefully placed in each seat before each session. My business card which I had designed all by myself and which I had spent my very own money to print.
As she talked, she casually threw that business card into a trashcan nearby.
I had a little tiny bit of hurt in my heart, but mostly . . . I admired her. And as I got over it, I grew to admire her even more. It was one less thing to clutter up her purse.
I know that it’s not a personal attack on any certain person or business or teacher when I grab a grocery bag and head for the car to try to make it presentable for whatever guest we’ll be picking up that day. As I shove papers and flyers and random who-knows-why-we-have-this stuff into the trash, it’s nothing personal.
So when my lovely friend Angie from ManyLittleBlessings.com texted a picture of my VERY first business card from my very first blogging conference where we met, I laughed with her and then assured her my feelings wouldn’t be hurt one tiny little bit if she threw it straight into the trash.
No guilt from me!
--Nony
Great attitude! It is hard as a human being to not taking things personally. Such as, when someone tells us no they don’t mean it in a personal way, they just don’t want what we’re selling. It is a great realization, and a hard one too!!
I have a hard time getting rid of business cards, but once you have the contact info, why do you need to keep the card? I know some people have started putting QR codes on their cards so that people can just scan it with their phones and add the person to their contacts (or whatever other option the business card holder has chosen). Then you can even hand it back to the person so they don’t waste as many! I still have a few business cards from prior jobs, but I’m not sure why. They don’t take up much room so I’m not going to worry about it for now!
Surely you don’t have 122 messages waiting to be read? Girl, to manage a blog, a household and all those messages — you ARE Superwoman!!
Oh, I meant to link to this post within that one! https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2013/09/things-that-dont-bother-me-but-drive-hubby-crazy/
On the other hand… the first woman could have offered it back to you… those suckers are spendy!
That’s a great story, Dana. And a good reminder. Most of the things people do “to us” aren’t personal at all and we shouldn’t take them that way. Thanks for the reminder.
I felt the same way when tossing my own business cards that were obsolete. I had changed names numbers and styles.
{Kathy} I completely understand your feelings. I have become ruthless against clutter over the years, yet every now and then I still struggle. Thanks for sharing your feelings. I have really enjoyed finding your blog!!!
Thank you for this great perspective!
Know what? I kept it anyway and I don’t feel one bit bad. 😉
This may sound weird, and I will leave out the location and a few details for safety reasons, but I think I may have run into you (or maybe just a look alike lol) this week. Your son was being taught a sport by a friend and I was wrangling my two year old while three of my kids practiced. Does this scenario sound familiar? 🙂 Love your podcasts! –Raani
Doesn’t sound familiar, but email me with details!
I have been catching up on your blog for the past few weeks, and restraining myself from posting on old topics. But, I just couldn’t resist this one. Nothing earth shattering, just a bit of trivia. I currently live in South Korea (husband is active duty army), and business cards here are a BIG DEAL. As in, you should *never* show disrespect to a business card someone has given you. Don’t write on it, don’t throw it willy-nilly into a purse, and certainly don’t throw it in the trash (at least not where the giver can see…) It is akin to disrespecting the person. So, here, business card holders are common. Not for yours, no, for the ones you receive. You pull out this handy case, and put the card in its own little spot, showing it, and the business/person it represents, great respect.
I know it doesn’t really fit with your post theme, but thought I would share.
Very interesting!!
oooh, the craft zone will be the last place I’ll declutter — mostly because nobody goes there, and too many items are things I COULD use . . . when I get around to it. Slow going, but still plugging away.