Survey #257—Full Response from Sunny
| Pronouns | She/her |
|---|---|
| How have your ideas, attitudes, and behaviors around clutter changed over the course of your adult life? Do you have a higher or lower threshold for what counts as “clutter”? | In my 20s, 30s and 40s I was accumulating ‘’stuff” for my home such as linens, dishes, holiday decorations, small kitchen appliances, gardening tools and accessories and more. Now in my early 60s, a streamlined environment appeals to me more. I have a lower threshold for what counts as clutter for some things, however, sentimental items are difficult for me to part with. My dad has passed and I find it hard to part with items he gave me. |
| Do you find it easier or harder to declutter and organize as time goes by? Are there categories of stuff that get easier to manage? Are there categories that get harder to manage? | The more I declutter the harder it is because I got rid of the low-hanging fruit and what remains is harder to part with. Clothes are easier because I am retired. I don’t tend to keep glass jars for flowers and rather use nice vases I own. As people in my life pass away, it is harder to let go of items they gave me or that they owned. |
| Think about the person in your life who’s had the most impact on your decluttering and organizing, or the person whose own clutter creates the most impact on you. This may be a spouse, partner, roommate, child, parent, another member of your household, or someone outside your household or family. How have this person’s ideas, attitudes, and behaviors around clutter—or the way their stuff affects you—changed over the course of your relationship? | My late friend was the queen of a simple life. She would easily part with items she no longer used. I marveled at that and the idea of that remains very appealing to me. She used to say that being organized and having less gives you freedom—she was spot on! When I would spend time at her house I always felt good. It was cozy, clean and comfortable and did not overstimulate my senses. She influenced me a lot but I still have items to part with. |
| If you could ask for one small change in someone else’s behavior that would improve the state of your home, what would it be? | For my husband to streamline and tidy the garage. He has a lot of hobbies—barbecuing, fishing, boating and classic cars. So much ‘stuff’ goes along with these hobbies. |
| Here’s your chance to ask Gayle and Ed any question you’re curious about. It need not be related to this survey’s topic(s). If we think that your question—and our answer—might be useful or instructive to The Clutter Fairy Weekly audience, we’ll share them in an upcoming episode. | I have many nice appliances that hat I hardly use such as fondue pots, an 80-cup coffee urn, chafing dishes, etc. I also collected beautiful tea towels throughout Europe—probably a hundred plus. I am frozen when I think of parting with any of them! What is this all about?! |
| Future topics | -Electronic clutter |
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