Michelle Crumpler

What Happens When You Get Rid of Stuff

I've been wanting to start a blog for quite a while, yet I wasn't inspired to write about anything in particular — until just last week. On Facebook, I read an article about these two guys who decided to simplify their lives by getting rid of, well, stuff. They asked:

"What if you removed one material possession — just one — from your life each day for a month? What would happen?" 

I decided to ask myself this same question for the next 30 days.

Day 7: Hat (But Not Cat) 

I'm getting rid of this hat today. Here's a summary of my internal dialogue preceding this decision:
  • I never wear that hat.
  • Maybe I should get rid of it.
  • First, let's try it on, see what it looks like.
  • Oh… that's kind of a cute.
  • Maybe I should keep it.
  • But I never wear it.
  • I know... that's a terrible color on me.
  • But it's a cute hat.
  • Just keep it, it'll look fine with a little red lipstick.
In summary, this is a cute hat, but the color is all wrong for me. In order to avoid looking like I have jaundice, I need to wear lipstick every time it goes my head, which is why I never wear it. Adios, hat.

 

Day 6: Eggs-actly Useless  

What's no longer taking up space in my house, effective today?

Microwave egg poacher: It's still in its original packaging. I think my intent was to use this at work, but that never happened.

A thermos and three travel mugs: There are more of these still in my cupboard, but the ones in the picture were the low-hanging fruit. The only one I'm sort of second-guessing myself about is the Kamola Hall mug (my dorm in college). So today, I was reminded that nostalgia can be a strong driver for keeping things you don't use.




 

Day 5: The 12th Man 

One day while walking during my lunch hour in downtown Seattle, I noticed a small swarm of people ahead. I could see that something free was being handed out. Without much thought, I found myself waiting in line for one of these flags. This makes absolutely no sense, given the fact that I'm not into spectator sports, and especially not football.

This flag has never been used. Deep down, I knew that would be the case... so why did I feel compelled to get one? I believe it was because I was overtaken by the energy of the crowd and the excitement about getting something for free. The buzz on the street made me forget that I, Michelle Crumpler, am not the 12th man.  

I better get rid of this flag, like quick, before a crowd of you football lovers shows up to persuade me otherwise.


 
 

Day 4: What's for Dinner? 

I don't know when my obsession with cookbooks began. I could blame it on an inherited family gene or being a victim to the masterful marketing of the cookbook industry. But I think the real reason is that I like to cook.

Today I removed 14 cookbooks from my collection. Here's why I'm parting with these particular books:

The pages are practically spotless. In contrast, the books I actually use have food splatters and stains on the pages.

There aren't many pictures. I love looking at inspiring and beautiful pictures — it's part of the cookbook experience for me. (I also appreciate the short anecdotal stories authors include with recipes.)

Taste. Despite whatever dietary regimen I may be adopting at the moment (for example, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc.), I no longer will settle for mediocre food. If the cookbook is filled with recipes that meet my dietary needs, they still need to make me want to eat!

I don't regret having purchased these books in the first place — they're part of my evolution. They have been teachers over the years. Initially, they taught me the basics of cooking. But as time progressed, I started to realize that I was able to apply the learned skills and be inspired to cook more intuitively on my own. That seems to be precisely in line with what any great teacher does.
 

Day 3: No Longer My Master 

This Brew Master and Wine Master are no longer welcome in my home. These portable, hand-held gadgets help you pair the best beer or wine with your meal, point you to locations of famous wineries/breweries around the world, include drinking games and jokes, as well as tell you how to give a toast in 47 different languages. And in the event that those things are expertly achieved, you'll likely need their tips for curing hangovers. But, hey, since I can now get all of that information on my phone, these guys have gotta go.

P.S. You can still buy a Brew Master on Amazon for $6.75 (or a Wine Master for $5.76). But I'll give you mine for free if you call within the next 15 minutes.


 

Day 2: The Ugly Adornment 

I got rid of this today... it's not for dusting, it's not a cat toy, and no, it's not part of a Raggedy Ann doll. It's actually a decorative tassel made of yarn. I remember accepting this as a gift from someone, and feeling somewhat confused about its purpose at the time. Nevertheless, it's been hanging near my fireplace for the last couple years. And since I don't love it, I'm returning it to the universe.


 

Day 1: Out of Sight 

Today I went through a desk in search of one item to part with, but without much effort, ended up with two full grocery bags. Value Village will soon be receiving a head scratcher, two old pairs of sunglasses, six keychain flashlights that I picked up at a health fair sometime around 1997, and more than 40 VHS tapes.

One of the VHS tapes was the movie "Out of Sight." This phrase made me realize something very important: I have certain things in my house simply because there’s physical space to put them. And as long as those items can be out of sight, I operate as if there's no reason to get rid of them. 

This "out of sight" approach used to work for me, but lately, it's been providing some tension. Stuffed desk drawers with hidden, but useless items, are bogging me down. I've been feeling this for a while, so I'm inspired to explore the relationship I have with my stuff in the coming month!