I was going to do something useful today,

[hmpf]

but Things Are Happening with the Maya fic (albeit slowly). So I NEED to write.

I think I'm finally seeing a way forward.

Possibly.

***

Thought about getting rid of things again today. Depending on what criteria I use, I may have a few more books I could get rid of. Possibly some CDs.

I wonder about the people who manage to reduce their belongings to a dozen things or so. Do they really not own anything of sentimental value at all? No photo albums they've inherited from their grandparents? No gifts from friends? Nothing they keep around just because it's beautiful?

Also, I think I'm technically obligated by law to keep a certain amount of paperwork. And even just the paperwork that has amassed throughout the last 12 months already fills more than one fat ringbinder. So, how do people manage to get rid of that kind of thing?

Comments

[kimboo_york]

Do they really not own anything of sentimental value at all?

This is something I wonder about too. In my more cynical moods, I figure they still have parents and other family they can foist things like photo albums onto, knowing they will be safe. Not so for me, it's either on my shelves or in the trash. So I don't know -- I suppose letting go of those things can be healthy, but it's pretty much all I have left of my family and I simply can't do that.

I'm not even sure it's healthy to get rid of everything.

[hmpf]

I mean, I kinda of wish I could get rid of a lot, because it would free me from the need to rent an apartment instead of a single room - but I don't think letting go of our history is necessarily a good idea.

But then, of course, I'm an archaeologist, so I *would* say that. :D

Re: I'm not even sure it's healthy to get rid of everything.

[diotimah]

but I don't think letting go of our history is necessarily a good idea.

I completely agree on this. But then, while I'm not an archaelogist, I'm a historian.;)

[diotimah.livejournal.com]

but Things Are Happening with the Maya fic (albeit slowly). So I NEED to write.

Good to hear.:)

I wonder about the people who manage to reduce their belongings to a dozen things or so. Do they really not own anything of sentimental value at all? No photo albums they've inherited from their grandparents? No gifts from friends? Nothing they keep around just because it's beautiful?

I've been wondering about that as well, quite a few times. I think it's usually people who don't get "attached", who live in the moment and are very aware of the transitory nature of existence. In some cases, this seems to apply both to materials possessions and people. I recently watched an interview with a writer who always makes sure that all her stuff fits in two suitcases - so that she doesn't "settle" anywhere. Characteristically, she has the same approach to friendships, which are usually connected to certain phases in her life. She has "a talk" and "breaks up" with friends, if she feels that phase is over (even if there hadn't been a conflict previously). For me, this is way too "extreme" - I guess the important thing is finding an individual balance between getting attached and not getting attached, a balance that works for you. Which, in my own experience, is anything but easy. Some people manage that by living by certain rules - such as, if you have acquired something new, you have to "pay" for that by getting rid of something old. I find all this incredibly hard, for some reason.;)