The idea is that when you use something up, wear it out or break it, simply don't replace it -- voila! -- less things to buy, less things to store! I didn't know there was a name for it, but I have actually been practicing this natural progression decluttering (NPD) for a while now. I broke a bowl; one less bowl to worry about. I ripped the elbow out of a shirt by accident; one less shirt (but one more rag for the garage). Warped a container lid in the microwave; threw top and bottom into recycling more space in my plastics drawer.
Now that it has a name there are some things I am certainly planning to NPD:
Perfume. I rarely wear it, and so many places have the "scent allergy" sticker on the door now, that I might as well just smell "clean". So, as I run out of my perfumes, I won't be getting more.
Notebooks. I have a slightly embarassing multitude of notebooks. I mean dozens of them! I love the things, and now that I spend more time writing on the computer than anywhere, my vast quantitiy of spiral notebooks is extra silly. I already gave away a bunch of primary school supplies for the same reason, but these bigger notebooks will just have to be slowly filled and then filed.
Surplus pantry items. I buy in bulk. Too much. So now that meal planning is second nature, I really can safely only buy for the menu -- and maybe one spare-- baby steps.
Pens pencils, crayons, etc.... I recently consolidated on my "writing sticks" in one place and found I had about 3 pounds of them (not including the fancy art supplies)! So I sat down with a notebook (see above) and tested each and every marker and ink pen. I got rid of more than 1/2 of them just because they had dried up. Then I decided which ones I actually LIKED TO USE and only kept those (the others went to charity). I still have a solid cubic foot of pens and markers, but at least I know when I reach for one, it will likely work. Maybe eventually I will use enough of them up to have only a few precious favourites. It will take years to get there...
Candles. I like them, but other than a few tea lights for power outages, they are kind of in the "useless pretty crap" category in my decor. Sorry candles, once you are used up, you're gone.
Bubble Bath. I like a good soak, but I rarely have time for more than a shower... the only bathtub (which is not big) is in the main bathroom (aka Grand Central Station) and unless the kids are out of the house there isn't any point in trying. I have bubbly bath from the 90's in my cupboard. Really good stuff, but obviously not a necessity!
Pajamas. When I did my travelling with friends, I tried minimizing my packing and thus discovered that my worn out yoga pants are even more comfy to sleep in than my flannel PJ bottoms! Pair that with a stretched out v-neck cotton T and it's a win win for my wardrobe. My beloved worn out cottons get an extended life as nightwear, (and afterwards as top notch rags) and if my house is on fire, I can run out to the road "fully dressed"! Oh and the not having to buy PJs thing too. Sure I could sleep nude, but I don't like it as the mom that gets up in the night alot.
Junk food. I don't need it, my husband doesn't want it in the house and I should really smarten up and just stop getting it!
3 comments:
I think this sounds pretty inspired.
Except the bit about junk food. It's Valentine's Day. I refuse to concede that today, of all days, I need less junk food. ;)
I too have a notebook addiction....
aa notebooks and stationery seem such a great idea, you know, necessary stuff, but they quickly build up and don't actually get used that often! i have far too many pens, crayons and pencils, i've given some to my local church for the kids. good luck with it and thanks for giving me the name NPD which I also have been thinking about without labelling.
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