Ginevra Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Okay - be sure to read this in a lighthearted manner; I realize this is not the most epic of dilemmas. That said: I am seriously cutting the junk. I'm writing a book about it. I'm pretty good at getting rid of things with no remorse, but I get stuck on certain things. It's the conflict between frugality and minimalism rearing it's ugly head. I have an artificial flower arrangement that I made almost ten years ago. It's very nice, though dusty. I'm redecorating and repainting, so I made a new arrangement to go in that spot. (I have a little niche at the top of my stairs.) I'm thrilled with the new arrangement. It's exactly what I wanted and will be perfect with the new paint. Now the old arrangement is haunting me. I was ready to take it as-is to Goodwill along with a car load of other things, but...it's the frugality thing that's nagging me. I think about disassembling it, so perhaps I can use the components at another time. In fact, the new arrangement was made from a vase that I have had "laying around" for more than ten years, so it's not inconceivable that I may actually re-purpose some of the components. But then the minimalist argues back. Why keep it? Bless someone else with the arrangment. It's beautiful (after dusting). It could be just what someone wants. Give me guidance. I should not be at a standstill over one magnificent, though dusty, arrangement. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would not keep it just in case you might use it someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Donate, donate, donate! Does that help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrin Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I'd take it to Good Will. Yes, it's a lot easier when you're suggesting that OTHER people toss their stuff. I'm currently avoiding the task of decluttering my own craft stash... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 To the dump it goes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Dust it. Put it in a bag. Place bag in garage or basement or wherever you won't see it everyday. In 3 months, ask yourself what you want to do w/ it. That's the best I can do, because I'm the same way. As soon as I get rid of something like that, I hyperventilate about it being the wrong decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Oh, man! :toetap05: Okay, okay. Yes, it's a lot easier when you're suggesting that OTHER people toss their stuff. I'm currently avoiding the task of decluttering my own craft stash... Totally true. I am incredibly gifted at advising other people to toss things. That is super-easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would keep it, but I don't value "minimalist" principles. For us, our Halloween costumes, art projects, diaramas etc. all come from repurposed items around the house and attic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would post a picture. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Yes, post a picture and let us vote on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brilliant Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 ...Why keep it? Bless someone else with the arrangment. It's beautiful (after dusting). It could be just what someone wants. This. Release it into the universe where it has the potential to be enjoyed. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 This. Release it into the universe where it has the potential to be enjoyed. :) I like this, release it to its full potential. I have a house full of things that need to be released to *full potential*. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimtaxi234 Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Some things just need to be tossed in the trash. A dusty old flower arrangement sounds like a good candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeschoolMamaOfTwo Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 If it took you 10 years to change the arrangement out, think about hanging onto it for 10 years before you'd potentially use it again if you use this new arrangement the same amount of time. By that time, you probably will be ready for some new ones, right? I'd have no problem donating it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Yes, post a picture and let us vote on it! I would totally do that, if only I knew how. :banghead: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessicamcc Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 You could have a good friend come over and take it away for you. I absolutely LOVE to get rid of things! My friends all know it and they invite me over to help them. It's a win win for all involved. Sometimes you just need to look at it with fresh eyes and say "Really, THIS is what I'm struggling with?". Think of all the things you have decluttered before. Do you really spend time later wishing you hadn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I love the idea of releasing the old arrangement into someone else's life....plus you are making room in your own life for some fresh energy to live. Release and let it bless someone else.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Do not avoid the dilemma by giving it as an ostensible Christmas gift to some hapless family member who has expressed no interest in it, then ask about it occasionally every year or so, then go ballistic when you suspect that they may have gotten rid of it (which you learned from grilling one of their children) and tell them you want it back if they don't want it because you put so much work into it. Even though it was really just in their attic because they hated it, had no room for it, but knew there would be h*ll to pay if they couldn't look you in the eye and say they still had it. Oh, sorry. What was the question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tearose Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I vote donate, too, unless your kids are into crafts. Then I'd take it apart so that the components are usable, and then them let make something with the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 If it doesn't bring you joy, it's time for it to go. Let it bring joy to someone else. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 When I have these dilemmas over seeming "insignificant" items, my go to question is "What's the WORST that could happen if I get rid of this?" The answer is usually "nothing", but sometimes it is "I MIGHT have to replace it someday."... at which point I decide if the cost to replace is worth it. Chances are even if I keep it, I'll have to pay to replace it anyway because if I keep too many things I won't be able to find ANYthing when I need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 This seems like an easy one--donate. Artificial flowers are not something to get sentimental about or even frugal about. Truly frugal /minimalist would be no artificial flowers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SerenityNow Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I vote donate, too. (To be honest, I would probably toss it because I never have good luck dusting silk flowers.) If you keep old supplies to reuse, then your frugal self will insist you do so. You won't be open to new ideas and new materials because you'll be weighed down with the old ones. Donate or toss as a favor to your creativity! :hurray: (That's me cheering you on!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 When I have these dilemmas over seeming "insignificant" items, my go to question is "What's the WORST that could happen if I get rid of this?" The answer is usually "nothing", but sometimes it is "I MIGHT have to replace it someday."... at which point I decide if the cost to replace is worth it. Chances are even if I keep it, I'll have to pay to replace it anyway because if I keep too many things I won't be able to find ANYthing when I need it. Such a good point. That has soooo happened. Just recently, I had to buy masking tape because I CAN.NOT.FIND the one we had. Where is it? I have no bloody idea. I vote donate, too. (To be honest, I would probably toss it because I never have good luck dusting silk flowers.) If you keep old supplies to reuse, then your frugal self will insist you do so. You won't be open to new ideas and new materials because you'll be weighed down with the old ones. Donate or toss as a favor to your creativity! :hurray: (That's me cheering you on!) That is so nicely stated. It's even something I would say. I'm not sure why I'm being so affectionate about the dang flowers. You're totally right. If it was so important to me, I wouldn't have made a replacement. I'd say donate it. Do you have a place for all if your floral/craft supplies? If you do and there is space I might consider dissassembling it and storing it. If you dont have a space to store it then get rid if it. Not really. I don't even do many arrangements; I make one every few years or so. I don't even normally keep a stock of materials because if I'm going to make one, I'm going to go select the materials I plan to use outright. It only happened that this time, I already had the perfect vase to make the new arrangement, so that was chosen before I bought the new flowers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I only keep things I know I will use and how I will use them. In theory anything could kept with the vague justification that it might be reused. You know what? You can decide it won't be reused in your house in the future by sending it away to Goodwill and being content with the lovely new one you made to take its place. It's not your Great-grandmother's diamond brooch she smuggled out of occupied (fill in the name of formerly occupied country here) in her cat. It's just an old flower arrangement. Even if you could use it again in the future, it's not worth keeping covered in your limited storage space for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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