When I look at my home, it is rather tidy and appears sorted... the closer I look, the more I know that's simply not the case.
Why the heck do we keep this stuff?
What has us not realise straight up that we won't need to keep every USB extension cord that crosses our path. Or those iPhone boxes that are just so deliciously yummy. We can't seem to part with them. Oh of course we MAY sell the phone one day and NEED that box. We have been through iPhone 3's, 4's and now have 5's soon to be 6's. And yet we have a known transition plan. When we upgrade Steve (ex hubby) gets my 5 and Sammi gets Jerry's.
So please someone with more understanding than me.... why do we hold on to this stuff?
I figure that if I don't have a storage area for them, they won't be kept. Perhaps I should leave all the boxes and fabulously sexy packaging at the store. If we all did that, would apple get a message and stop creating this waste? Dreaming there miss Deb...dreaming.
I know if I start at my home and with my family, this day by day shift will make a difference to our choices. This blog, may help stimulate a sprinkle of extra consideration when making purchases in others. I believe it is small changes that make the biggest difference.
I wonder how magical it would have been to live in simpler times. I believe there was more connection, deeper relationships, less dis-ease, and smarter choices. I am worming my way back to this simple way of living. I am nervous because I love my mod cons... but I know that once I break the back of this consumer drug I will experience a new found freedom.
Cheers Deb (riding the wave of 'simple')
What went out - 16 items
A bunch of old and useless tech.
What came in - 0 items
A good weekend of no purchases
INSIGHTS
(1) I am completely sucked into sexy packaging
(2) The amount of packaging appears to be getting worse, not better
(3) Small changes can make a big difference
TOTAL: OUT - 923 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
Another box in the office down... and a few more insights I didn't see coming.
What has us keep those darn business cards?
Let me just paint a picture for you...
We had a pile of business cards which we'd never referenced (about 150 of them), we put them into a lovely bamboo box (open at the top) and put this inside a plastic storage container. This is hilarious! These cards have cluttered our lives for years and provided absolutely no value. Stop laughing.. LOL.
Today I separated them into cards Jerry's collected and those I had brought home.
And out of my 68 cards only six of them were numbers I needed. So into the iPhone they went. It was that easy.
Why did it take us so long to do this?
I know I have shuffled those darn business cards around for years with all good intentions. But why had I not cleared these out earlier? When I reflect on this I realise it was my story about 'not enough time'. The time story was just bullshit. The truth is I simple didn't have what I have today... a dedication to clear the 'stuff' one small step at a time and stop bringing in the spoils of a consumerism culture.
In the past I would look at this 'stuff' and just put it off for another day. When I look at the amount of time, money and wasted space this simple example has taken I realise how stupid this consumerism scam is. And what's worse is, it is a scam I am pulling on myself.
It's getting clearer and clearer every day. The shift I thought we were going to have on this 365 day challenge is only the tip of the iceberg.
Cheers from Deb (would you like my business card)
What went out - 99 items
5 files of crap (papers, receipts etc), 11 coasters, 68 business cards, 13 paint swatches, 1 plate and 1 strainer.
What came in - 0 items
Sitting back with a cocktail in my hand...pass the olives.
INSIGHTS
(1) Our stories of 'need' are not real
(2) It takes will (a relentless dedication to the truth) to make a shift
TOTAL: OUT - 907 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
We are all in this together, colluding in this complex system called life.
Our relationship with tension determines our success in life
There is a functional relationship with tension that stimulates our imagination and our creativity. Look at puzzles, art, music, jokes, home project, something new etc. Anything that causes a discrepancy, generates tension.
It is our relationship with tension that then causes the end result (positive or negative).
I know you probably re-read that last statement once or twice more... and some of you are still wondering what the heck I am on about. Hang in there with me.
Let me give you an example. Say for instance that I am a perfectionist (BTW this example is about someone I know... no really, it is)... and I need my home to look hotel perfect. Then I would constantly see 'stuff' in my home that is different to how I think it should be. This is the discrepancy. So I would experience a tension. This tension would demand action to resolve it. Some may clean, some may rearrange, some may hide the non-perfect items, some may go shopping to upgrade. Once the tension is resolved, life can go on.
I believe my relationship with tension has resulted in me participating in the consumerism culture. A whole host of tensions have driven me over the years... and mostly I was unaware till now. Doing this year long challenge has brought all of them to the surface. I love this because I get an opportunity to see them. And even this creates tension.
The way I deal with this now is, I simply don't resolve it. I let it be. It is not a real thing. It is my relationship to the discrepancy. Over many years I have developed a great relationship with tension. So now when I see 'stuff' online, at friends places, when I can't find something to wear, need something I don't have etc I just let it be and don't go into action to resolve it.
This totally disconnects me from that consumerism culture. Instead I use my functional creative side to resolve the tension in favour of how I choose to live.
How does this relate to the gone-ski pile?
Instead of resolving the tension of the long day by watching TV and numbing out, I will jump up and go through a box of stuff and continue this clear out.
Instead of going op shopping on the weekend, I will spend quality time doing something my family wants to do. We are seeing more movies, going out to the beach, playing board games, reading books etc. You get the picture.
Small changes lead to BIG results.
Cheers from Deb (hanging out with my good buddy, Mr Tension)
What went out - 1 items
An old Metronome that was lent to us by a friend who told me to pass it along
What came in - 2 items
More DVDs arrived in the post. Jerry said "I'm not helping am I honey?".. we laughed. Then he responded "they were on the wish-list". Oh yeah right, pull that card out!
INSIGHTS
(1) The time between unconscious tension and (re) actions is expanding and allowing conscious choices more often.
(2) I want to make a cake on the weekend... maybe lemon and yogurt. YUM!!!
TOTAL: OUT - 808 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
Today I started cleansing the STUFF in the boxes in the office.
Surely I am not the only one doing this?
I have plastic boxes holding a plethora of 'stuff' in our office. I am guessing I am not alone here. What do we do with these things? It is a horrible waste to throw the stuff (and the boxes for that matter) away and most don't appear suitable for the charity shops.
Stopping the flow 'in' solves everything!
Being human invites us to grow from experiences. We can either expand our world or contract it. I believe it is our ability to accept 'what is' and 'observe' ourselves that gives us the best viewing platform for growth.
If I was into self-judgement or shame this blog wouldn't be possible, my learning would not happen and sharing it with you would be just a fleeting thought.
Why are we not ok to be human? What has us think there is a higher place to live than where we are right now?
As humans we can only take one step from here. We have choice, don't get me wrong. This is something I am very clear about. But once we make the step towards something, we can only take one at a time. We allow babies to do this when they learn to walk, we let children do this at school... but after a certain period some parents put adult expectations on children and show disappointment when they have learning opportunities (mistakes, errors, poor judgement). What is that all about?!!
I am so happy to learn, grow, share and make mistakes. It has been the greatest asset in my life. From this I find out loads of ways 'not' to do things. And this catapults me towards ways of creating magic in most occasions. I parent this way. I have a completely open learning household where Sammi (12 yrs) can make mistakes, share what she learns etc. Even when she hurts me or others... there is never anger. Instead we talk about it and encourage empathy, understanding and growth.
This was an accidental parenting style that emerged rather than was chosen. It came from me getting angry with her when she was little and I saw it didn't give her anything and didn't expand her. So from that day I took my egoic needs out of the equation and looked at every circumstance with innocence and love.
What has this got to do with boxes... maybe nothing. Unless we decided to put ourselves in one.
Cheers from Deb (chief box head)
Shameless plug - if you are interested in having me as your personal coach drop me an email deb@creativecoaching.com - we can enjoy one step at a time together.
What went out - 2 items
No laughing now... 1 x IPhone 4 cradles for the music player (oh yeah, really needed to keep those!!) and 1/2 packet of paper business cards for the printer...gone-ski!
What came in - 0 items
Zerooooo
INSIGHTS
(1) I'm not a fan of plastic...
(2) Organising with boxes may constrain rather than contain
(3) Self created boxes may be comfortable, but that's as big as it gets
TOTAL: OUT - 808 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
We are fully back into the swing of it again.
More DVDs arrive!!
We got a package in the mail last night. It was another DVD for Jerry. We definitely need to find a solution for the media. We are looking at two options: (1) get them all on a media server and then clear the hardcopies out of the house or (2) put them into these cool sleeves and store them in a draw. The solution will arrive when we are ready. No rush right now.
Time to tackle the stationery
I'm not sure if you are like me but I love stationery. I think it may be the girls equivalent to Bunnings (Home Hardware etc).
I haven't bought much in the last many years but I just love it. I have some boxes in the office (3rd bedroom) that have bibs and bobs in them. I think tonight I might do a box. Perhaps if I do a box a night I can cull this stuff. To be honest I haven't used the things in those boxes for years and years... in fact I don't really remember what is in there.
The good news is I don't buy it anymore...but what is the fascination? Why do quality papers, gorgeous pens, highlighters, tabs, binders, stickers, notepads, etc appeal so much? What is this cellular juice that runs through my body when I am in Office Works?
Bizarre!!
I think I am going to explore this a little. Next time I am near an Office Works store I am going to go in and walk around and see what is going on. Discover what it is that has me get all worked up about this STUFF. It's so odd because it is not like I use it all or need it all. Basically I know I get by with a couple of pens and a notebook. Interesting hey?
Cheers from Deb (o-PEN to change)
What came in - 1 items
A DVD - an oldie but a goodie
What went out - 6 items
Sammi to the rescue. She went through her DVDs and 6 went out. She rocks!
INSIGHTS
(1) I use a small percentage of the STUFF we have
(2) There is something other than 'need' driving decisions
TOTAL: OUT - 806 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
A couple of social events in a row, ok 6 in a row, and BAM I am knocked off my centre. Speaks volumes.
What takes us from our purpose?
We all have honest desires, passions and goals in life. They can be driven from various parts of our character. Regardless of the outcome we get the opportunity to grow.
In my way of seeing life, two parts of us are participating at any given time. There is our true nature, our heart, our higher self...then there is our wounded self which bases its view on experiences of the past.
Knowing this exists in all of us makes it easy to understand self and others.
I like to experiment in life. I like to take on small challenges and see what they reveal. This blog about jumping off the consumerism train is providing the best vehicle to the next level of growth.
Personal insights are the elixir of life. They feed us and enable us to continue along the path of the unknown. Developing personal trust in self and something outside of self expands the playing field of life. Game on people!
Oh NO!! an Op Shop!!!
We walked up the street in Glebe on Sunday morning to pick up some sour dough bread from our favourite baker. Funnily enough we walk past our favourite Op Shop too. LOL... we are hopeless. We didn't even take a second to decide whether we should go in our not. We just colluded beautifully and in we went.
I had a browse however was very aware of the heightened intensity of my experience. My heart was racing, my vision was completely scanning the store for silk, shoes, and treasure of various kinds. It was fascinating.
It's exciting. Not knowing what I may find, what gem I may uncover, what pair of Italian leather, one of a kind, never been worn before high heel shoes I may find on the top shelf!!! OMG... this is so exciting I need a lie down!!!
What is this? Is it something filling me up because life is so empty? Nah! Is it a need to spend money? Maybe. Is it a need to not miss out on something? Getting warmer. Is it a need to have something new which somehow brings a false sense of joy? Hotter. Is it...
Oh dear... interesting hey? It didn't take me long to realise I had just fallen off the wagon and the Indians were surrounding me.
Being honest with myself was a bit difficult. Accepting that this isn't true to do, yet here I am in the store, wasn't easy. I felt disappointed for about a minute until I realised I was aware, that I was able to make a choice now... and so I did.
So I changed my tactic. I stopped shopping for me and I changed my focus to looking for others. I looked at the silk ties for Jerry for work, I looked at the jewellery for my friends and lo and behold I found a great necklace for someone special. I paid $10 for it and know they will love it. It goes away into the box of Xmas presents. I know she will love it and use it and so it won't be considered clutter.
Is this a successful outcome? Hmmm don't know. But what I do know is I had a great opportunity to see my 'addiction' in action. AND how easily Jerry and I collude around consumerism. I also discovered that I don't NEED anything. There was nothing I really needed from that visit. This was a great discovery of reality.
This blog and my commitment to myself to sail this journey for a year is paying me back big time. I expect by the end of the year I won't recognise myself... a common experience over the last 15 years.
Cheers from Deb (still learning on the path)
What came in - 3 items
Op Shop buys: Jerry: 1 shirt and 1 tie / Deb: 1 necklace (Xmas pressie for someone special)
What went out - 3 items
A picture frame I have had for over 20 years and never used, a pair of shoes and a set of paper tabs.
Woohoo!!! We have hit 800 gone-ski items.
INSIGHTS
(1) No matter what we think, say or do, we have the opportunity to learn.
(2) I don't need any 'stuff'
TOTAL: OUT - 800 IN - 115
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
Oh dear... possibly a tsunami level of inward flow at the Jackson house.
You Won't Believe What Came Into The House This Weekend
I enjoyed a lazy morning in bed reading a book... actually, I read through to 1pm and then had a little sleep. Loved it! Meanwhile hubby went off to enjoy his passion at the local DVD store which was closing down... sign of the times hey? It was an opportunity for him to pick up some classics missing from his collection. INCOMING WARNING!!
I didn't realise what this meant until I saw the pile. 36 DVDs made there way into the house. Oh boy!! It started a conversation about moving all the DVDs to an online medium. This would enable us to get ALL the DVDs out of the house. Jerry was saying this was not as easy as it sounds. Time to research me thinks.
In the mean time we may have come up with an interim solution. The issue with the amount of DVDs we have is the space they take up. We have a little home and 300+ DVDs take up quite a lot of space. It may be more than this... have to count them.
The solution we are going to try is to put each DVD in a sleeve and keep the cover art with the sleeve. We will convert a drawers into a DVD storage system like they do at the DVD stores. It will take up so much less space. Don't know exactly how this will work however the end result will be the bulky plastic cases will be gone-ski . One option is something called Discsox. It appears they are high quality sleeves just for this purpose. I will let you know how we go.
This will enable us to take the (somewhat ugly) cabinet out of the lounge room. This will clear the space in readiness for the lounge room makeover we have planned.
What came in - 36
36 DVDs - classics
What went out - 1 items
1 top I don't wear
INSIGHTS
(1) Finding a solution to the things you cherish is fun to do
(2) Piracy creates the need to protect from theft yet hampers all users making copies of items they have purchased. A strange industry.
TOTAL: OUT - 797 IN - 112
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
