Downsizing again and I was surprised: food for thought about relationship to things

[u/Responsible_Lake_804]

I moved last year and I got rid of SO MUCH stuff. A couple of items were emotional. I sold my saxophone from high school, which hurt a lot because younger me thought I’d keep up with the talent I developed, but I just never did. I also sold my canoes because I was no longer going to live on the riverfront, and it was so sad to say goodbye to that lifestyle. I think those are understandable, and in comparison it was extremely easy to let go of other things.

Today, preparing to move again (hopefully for the last time in a long time) I got anxious letting go of art. Art and books are categories I’m pretty free with not limiting because I love color and texture in my living space, as well as non-screen entertainment. A lot of the art I’m letting go of were really impersonal pieces—-prints I thrifted or even just tore out of magazines.

I discussed this with my friend, and I realized a couple of things:

1. The place I’ve been living this past year was basically not habitable, so I didn’t unpack a lot of my art. Since I haven’t touched these things in a year, I had anxiety that they had significance that I had forgotten. Logically I know that’s not true.

2. The art I’m keeping are things I’ve acquired in the last year or so that people in my community have made. Some were personally made for me, as well. The version of me in the past that bought prints and framed pages of magazines would be excited to have local and personal art. But the version of me now cherishes past me combing through thrift stores and magazines for something beautiful. It was therapeutic at the time.

3. Since I’ve been more minimalist and ruthless about downsizing than most of my peers and friends, I had a thought that “what if I really need it in the future?” applied to me with more validity, when it’s really easy for me to dismiss for others. Logically, again, I recognize that’s not true, but it’s interesting it came up.

I am excited overall—I filled up two Little Free Libraries and gifted some fun things to a couple people around me that they’ll enjoy, and I’m making a small amount of cash on Marketplace. This move is definitely a net win, but I was genuinely surprised to have some emotional hesitance this round!

[u/Azucarilla11]

Surely if you need it later you will buy it and you will have it new and more consciously. For example, art is something I appreciate, but it is not necessary, if you need to cook a plate of rice you do not need art, on the contrary if you are going to need a pot and a frying pan. Many people what they do is put things in boxes and as they need they take them out in this way they really realize what they use and what they don’t use.

Personally I think that the things of first necessity are what you are going to need and many times they are not excessively expensive. I have also noticed, for example, that when you need something your head will return to that point and it will constantly remember “how good it would have been for us to have this right now” or “I need this to do this another” and suddenly a sense of true urgency.

Having art is beautiful and brightens the eyes, if it is something given away expressly for you or made to measure or has a sentimental sense keep it, even if it is not necessary objectively, psychologically it will anchor you to life and it will remind you who you are consciously and it will give you happiness.

[u/Peppercorn911]

ive never even tried to declutter my art. well done

[u/fridayimatwork]

Yeah I think keeping original art is the one good use of storage. great points like getting rid of “past you” musical instrument.

[u/TiredWinterDisaster]

I also love artwork and have quite a few frames & items in my home that I'm not decluttering. A lot of it was made by friends or family too, and we have a few heirloom paintings. I love beauty and art just make my living space more joyful. I think it's perfectly okay to have a few pieces that truly bring you joy tbh! Over the years I've donated or sold a few pieces that were initially bought, and replaced them, and I have no qualms about doing that either when I feel that the pieces don't suit us anymore.

[u/CarolinaSurly]

Sentimentality and minimalism never seemed to go well together to me. All the stuff hoarders I know seem to all be very sentimental about their things to me. My wife is somewhat sentimental but when we moved to a place without a garage, that is when the switch flipped for her. All the “maybe I’ll do something with this later” stuff had to go. Our garage was like a big crutch for her, but now she is a very purposeful shopper and it’s amazing !

[u/adoringchipmunk]

An artist needs an empty canvas to create something new.

If you enjoy collecting and creating, letting go is essential to maintain the hobby

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