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I don't know about your Grandparents but when mine passed away they had so much junk saved for a rainy day. Literally 30 pairs of shoes. What is that for? You

by rtpg 10y ago

I don't know about your Grandparents but when mine passed away they had so much junk saved for a rainy day. Literally 30 pairs of shoes. What is that for? You pay for that square footage in rent, you pay for it by having to manage in your house, you pay for it in the uncertainty every time you look at it. You're never going to read that collected works of Shakespeare. Well, maybe you are. But if you have to ask yourself the question, you won't. Sure, it's fine to have some "art" around in the form of books, or nice plates. But being dishonest with yourself contributes to so much frustration. This is extra true if you're living with someone. This is all hard and fast (people have different circumstances), but the whole "fitting your life into a suitcase thing" is valuable advice. So is throwing everything out that you haven't used in a year (one of Kondo's thing). It might be worth experimenting with the ideas "organizing consultants" give. It's liberating to actually be able to use my entire desk. Yes, my parents taught me how to clean up. But they also taught me to treasure books, but running a library takes time beyond just "having a shelf".

majewsky 10y ago
It's heavily related to culture and your influences growing up. For example: I'm from East Germany. I grew up in a free country (after the reunion). I have a well-paying job and never had trouble getting access to all the household items etc. that I need. So over time, I have emphasized the role of property as a liability (although I'm not as radical in downsizing my inventory just yet). When I can always buy stuff that I need (or borrow it from someone), why own it now? My parents were socialized in the GDR, where every single item in your household inventory was acquired through hard work, saving, and good connections to the people who can acquire certain luxury items live TV sets or silverware for them. It's very plausible that they take pride in an extensive inventory. My grandmother grew up during World War II. Having had to flee from the destroyed remains of Berlin, and having lived in a time of cruel scarcity, it's no wonder that she, too, attaches a higher value to ownership than I do, and always keeps a fridge full of deep-frozen food whereas I always buy Just In Time.
paganel 10y ago
> But they also taught me to treasure books, but running a library takes time beyond just "having a shelf". I agree with the general idea of your comment, just wanted to add that there are people like myself for whom physically owning books is almost a fetishistic thing. What I mean is that there are moments after a day's work when I sit on my couch and just looking at the books from my library makes me think "at least I do all this for a reason, I have all these books, the ideas of some of the greatest minds of the human species are present in my 2-room apartment, it's all good".

by rtpg 10y ago

majewsky 10y ago

It's heavily related to culture and your influences growing up. For example: I'm from East Germany. I grew up in a free country (after the reunion). I have a well-paying job and never had trouble getting access to all the household items etc. that I need. So over time, I have emphasized the role of property as a liability (although I'm not as radical in downsizing my inventory just yet). When I can always buy stuff that I need (or borrow it from someone), why own it now? My parents were socialized in the GDR, where every single item in your household inventory was acquired through hard work, saving, and good connections to the people who can acquire certain luxury items live TV sets or silverware for them. It's very plausible that they take pride in an extensive inventory. My grandmother grew up during World War II. Having had to flee from the destroyed remains of Berlin, and having lived in a time of cruel scarcity, it's no wonder that she, too, attaches a higher value to ownership than I do, and always keeps a fridge full of deep-frozen food whereas I always buy Just In Time.

paganel 10y ago

> But they also taught me to treasure books, but running a library takes time beyond just "having a shelf". I agree with the general idea of your comment, just wanted to add that there are people like myself for whom physically owning books is almost a fetishistic thing. What I mean is that there are moments after a day's work when I sit on my couch and just looking at the books from my library makes me think "at least I do all this for a reason, I have all these books, the ideas of some of the greatest minds of the human species are present in my 2-room apartment, it's all good".