Sorting the Laundry

"We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry." E.B. White

There's an interesting piece in the New York Times that was published on Saturday - "But Will it Make You Happy?". The article uses a couple that has rid themselves of all but 100 possessions as an example of Americans who are opting out of the culture of conspicuous consumerism in favor of a more experience-driven and fulfilling life.

The extremism of that couple aside, the article then goes on to discuss general trends that even giant corporations like Wal-Mart can't help but notice - people are coming to discover that having more things doesn't equate with more happiness. The desire for "simpler times" could be a result of the enormity of crises that the US is currently facing; or, Americans could really have started changing spending patterns to reflect dissatisfaction with how cluttered our lives have become.

Full disclosure? I have long been known by friends and family as a "pack-rat". I've peripherally heard of the show "Hoarders" but fear looking into it lest I see an image of me projected in a particularly unhealthy light.

I keep various found items for "art projects" in tupperware containers and bowls and wherever there's an empty shelf. My work space is usually designated by around fifty or so pieces of scraps with notes or sayings or poems, tacked up in a scattered, chaotic mess that makes me feel calm. Anything from a note from Caitlin - "Amy! I love you! so so much. - Caitlin" written while I was frantically never around and stressed out about senior year of college, to pictures of my grandfather, notes from my roommate in college, Judy Grahn poems, Adrienne Rich quotes, a pinwheel of common organic solutions to garden pests. Numerous postcards of gnomes and picasso and chinese fortunes - "the human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it."

Could I live without these things? Yes - but being surrounded by beauty and ideas that inspire me to create beautiful things is priceless.

In addition to all of these memories, however - I have movies and CDs and books - boy oh boy do Cait and I have books! Kitchen appliances and furniture and sports equipment and musical instruments and camping gear and shoes! Tshirts and sweaters and tshirts that hold sentimental value but neither of us would ever want to wear ever again. There's that question in the simplicity movement: when do you go from owning your things, to your things owning you? At one point I remember thinking that I didn't want to go on this monumental journey because I didn't want to have to deal with storing and going through all of these possessions.

But we will. Go through everything. Decide what's worth storing and beg friends and families for a corner of their basement or attic or spare room. As for the rest of the stuff - anyone want a broken sewing machine and a bunch of random fabric?