How to Soothe "Just in Case" Concerns

By
One of the biggest concerns about minimalism is the worry that we'll declutter something we wind up needing later. It's why we hang on to twice (or more) of the dishes, tools, or clothes we actually use. When it comes to keeping things we don't need, "just in case" might be the most tempting rationale of all.


But it's a little like an alcoholic's "Just one more" or an unfaithful partner's "Just this once." It's the top of a slippery slope.


An extra bottle of hand soap, some canned food, and spare rolls of toilet paper are useful and appreciated during a power outage or a bad storm. But when do extras become something more than a convenient supply? When does "just in case" go beyond practicality and tip into fear?


plenty



3 warning signs to watch for


1. The extras number beyond common sense.

If you have eight sets of sheets for your bed, 27 Tupperware containers, and a gross of ballpoint pens "just in case," you're sacrificing space and making it harder to organize and access what you need.


2. The extras hide in plain sight.

A friend can't open her door all the way because cases of diapers line the entryway. Maybe your extra bedroom is piled high with boxes. If "just in case" items overload your living space, they probably interfere with daily life. You may not even remember what you have, or be able to locate it if you do.


3. The extras could be useful – if only they were used.

My parents-in-law kept many "just in case" items until they were useless. Outdated or damaged by time, they lost their "just in case" potential. Thy might have been valuable to someone else years ago, but they were wasted in storage.





What if I need it someday?

  • "What if I need these sweaters after I donate them?"
  • "What if I become newly inspired to use this treadmill?"
  • "What if we have another pandemic and we're stuck at home wishing we had the 19 jigsaw puzzles I just gave away?"

"Just in case" sounds like frugal practicality, doesn't it? But like your Depression-era grandma's hundreds of saved bread bags and dozens of jars of nails, screws, and thumb tacks, there's a point which looks like you've lost the capacity for rational decision-making.


Would someone else looking at your stash think you're flirting with danger? Would they think you're justifying a harmful habit?





Worst-case scenarios


Say you find a great recipe for Bundt cake after you give away the pan, or you succeed in losing 20 pounds and those too-small jeans you sold on Craigslist would probably fit now. What will you do?


If you take your fears far enough, they look funny. You're resourceful. You'll borrow a Bundt pan, use another pan you have, or make brownies instead. You'll find jeans at the thrift store, raid your skinny sister's closet, or get a brand new pair with some of the money you've saved by not buying things you don't need. The same goes for sweaters and puzzles, and if you want more exercise, you'll go outside and walk, ride a bike, or use the fitness structures at your local park.


The longer you live with less, the more flexible and confident you'll become.


Instead of worrying about what you might need in some imaginary future, why not celebrate because you have what you need for today, with a little extra in reserve? Then you can be thankful for your blessings and generous with all those extras.





There's one thing you do need.




* This blog is reader-supported. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.


Whether you actually move from your current home into a smaller living space, or simply undertake a radical declutter, Downsize Now will give you the tools and inspiration to get the job done. By releasing decades'-worth of accumulated items, you can emerge with more energy and freedom, ready to live your best life. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more