Tuesday 19 May 2015

Why I declutter


Good Morning!

Thanks for all your kind words - we love reading your comments! It is wonderful to be connected by crochet to people all over the world!

Not too much crochet happened in this house here in Germany over the past few weeks. This has two reasons: 

 (1) I worked on a 90x90cm baby blanket with 4ply/sportsyarn. Took ages... I quite like how it looks like now though. The yarn itself is very soft but worked up with a 2,5 mm hook it turned out to be a bit stiff.I will soak and wash it and hopefully it will be softer afterwards. What is your favourite trick to soften yarn?


(2) As mentioned in my last post, a lot of decluttering is going on in our flat. We give to charity, we toss and so on. In many ways, we try to become more minimalistic. Because we want to focus what is important.


Of course there is some "clutter" which we won't give away or toss. Like the stone the boyfriend got from one of the examiners at his doctoral thesis defense. Or my Harry Potter books - they are dear to my heart! Living with less doesn't mean that we live without meaningful things. Quite the opposite: We only want to live with meaningful things; that is, things which we use or things which are very dear to us. I rather want to invest in memories and happiness than in things. I do love my yarn but not for the yarn itself but for the things I can make with it and the joy the crochet time gives me!


Many people associate minimalism with white, squeaky clean and empty flats. Our home will never be like that. Our flat shall be colorful and full of life. Just with less stuff...
 
That said: There is still a LOT of stuff in our house and I can tell you this: It will take several more months, perhaps even years before we reach the goal :P The decluttering feels pretty good though! :) 


I am dreaming of having a paperless office one day. 
Do any of you have experience with such a thing?

Take care
Anne

16 comments :

  1. I really envy you for this I wish I could do the same. I dont know where to start, have far too much stuff. It feels better when I throw away stuff knowing someone will use it. It hurts to throw in the bin. Keep up the good work

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    1. It was pretty though in the beginning, so we started with things we had twice and then moved on to books...

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  2. I've wanted to declutter a bit since I don't remember when, bravo to you for really doing it!
    I really can't help you with any softening tricks, when I see the piece I'm working on is too tick I usually unravel it and restart it with a bigger hook - too easy, I know, I'm just lazy... ; )

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    1. I probably should have worked with a bigger hook... Sighs, too late now! Next time!

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  3. Hi Cousin Anne, aren't you expecting a comment from me about the order of your Harry Potter books? Surprise: NOT TODAY! :-) Just a line about the paperless office - my company has it and I love it. All the data is on servers, all the communication is by e-mail, our printer is gathering dust. We save dozens of trees every day. Needless to say, the company has other ways of harming the environment... most notably by manufacturing cars, but that's another story! :-P

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    1. Woho! Good to hear from you!

      Which programms do you use for the paperless office?

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  4. The blanket is beautiful! And I know what you mean about clutter, we really need to do some but we keep digging our heels in, one day :)

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    1. It is so easy to collect stuff! I think I am getting better though! that said... I ordered more yarn today. Opps.

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  5. The baby blanket is lovely, and I know what you mean about decluttering. We've had to have a big clear-out in preparation for our new kitchen, and it's been very satisfying to get rid of things we don't need. I like your crocheted owl :)
    Cathy x

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    1. Decluttering the kitchen was a very good feeling here to! I discovered food which was long overdue...

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  6. It's good to live with the things we love and that we have memories about.

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    1. you are totally right about that! :)

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  7. I agree with you about living with meaningful things - I try to not bring anything into the house that is unnecesary and not buy anything unless I really love it. My big problem is what to do with gifts that people give you for your home that you really don't like or want? I am scared to throw them out in case the friend asks about them! When it comes to giving things away to new homes, that is a dilemma too - that thing that I think is ugly, useless, worthless : why would I burden someone else with it? If it isn't good enough for me or my home, why would it be good enough for someone else? Then I feel guilty about throwing it in the bin if it isn't actually broken! What to do?? Do you ever have these problems or am I weird?

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  8. I know what you mean, having fewer but more meaningful things makes me feel happier so I de-clutter once or twice per year as things start to creep in again. I always keep my cooking and craft books though, both enrich my life. Helen

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  9. Thank you for sharing at my link up.
    You are welcome to join us this week too.

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  10. I totally understand this and this is the way i think too. Why have stuff sitting around taking up space and gathering dust? I couldn't do without my Harry Potter books though either! -lindsay

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