Decluttering + Downsizing
Nobody "Needs" So Much "Stuff"
Over the past few weeks, Iāve been thinking a lot about how much āstuffā I have accumulated, especially since moving into my small, two-bedroom rental house nearly twelve years ago.
Itās not just the boxes of mystery cables I keep ājust in case,ā or the racks of āworkā clothes Iāll likely never wear again, or even the random retail therapy purchases that cost more than therapy but now just collect dust. Itās the realization that my spaceāand maybe even some of my creativityāis being buried under the weight of too many things.
So, over the next few months, Iāll be making some changes to my living and working situation. Iāll only be moving a few miles away, but into a place less than half the size of my current digs. On purpose. Less can indeed be more.
But before I can move, I have to declutter and downsize. A lot.
Thereās something both exciting and terrifying about downsizing to me.
On one hand, the idea of streamlining my life and letting go of so much clutter feels like a breath of fresh air. On the other, every object seems to whisper, āBut what if you need me later?ā Still, Iām learning that my peace of mind is more valuable than stuff, and that clarity often begins at homeāliterally.
Iāve spent so much timeāand moneyādecorating this house. And filling it to the brim with all kinds of goodies. The idea of now getting rid of at least half of it gives me a little anxiety. But I know from experience, my mostly-maximalist brain works better in a near-minimalist environment.
Iāve started sorting and will begin donating, recycling, and selling soon. Itās not a full-on minimalist purge. I still love beautiful, useful, weird little things. But Iām trying to be more intentional. What sparks creativity? What brings joy? What feels like a weight?
Ready or not, here I go!
Clint šāļø
P.S. Who needs a barely-used digital cameraā¦or three? š šø šø šø š¤Ŗ
P.P.S. New montages will be posted by the end of day. Thanks for your patience.
COLLIDE PRESS is a reader-supported publication.
Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or patron.
Thank you. Yes, YOU, boo!
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Jimmy Hughes' Short And Bittersweet Adult Career (Demystifying Gay Porn)
Ageism Isn't About Age, It's About Fear (
)- )
ON THIS DAY = APRIL 29
BIRTHDAYS
1863 = Constantine P. Cavafy = Greek poet š
1863 = William Randolph Hearst = American publisher and politician
1899 = Duke Ellington = American pianist, composer and bandleader
1925 = Iwao Takamoto = American animator, director, and producer
1930 = Jim Toy = American activist and educator š
1933 = Rod McKuen = American poet, singer-songwriter, and composer š
1933 = Willie Nelson = American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
1950 = Phillip Noyce = Australian director and producer
1951 = Dale Earnhardt = American race car driver
1954 = Jerry Seinfeld = American comedian, actor and producer
1955 = Kate Mulgrew = American actor
1955 = Leslie Jordan = American actor, comedian, writer and singer š
1957 = Daniel Day-Lewis = British actor
1958 = Michelle Pfeiffer = American actor
1969 = Paul Adelstein = American actor and writer
1970 = Andre Agassi = American tennis player
1970 = Uma Thurman = American actor
EVENTS
1770 = On his first voyage, British explorer James Cook and the crew of HMS Endeavour landed at Botany Bay, making the first recorded European landfall on the eastern coast of Australia.
1870 = Thomas Ernest Boulton and Frederick William Park were known as Stella and Fanny to their friends. They were drag queens who were arrested the night after a performance and charged āwith conspiring and inciting persons to commit an unnatural offenceā. They appear in court in womenās clothing. After the prosecution failed to establish that they had anal sex, which was then a crime, or that wearing womenās clothing was in any sense a crime, both were acquitted.
1953 = The first U.S. experimental 3D television broadcast shows an episode of Space Patrol on Los Angeles ABC affiliate KECA-TV.
1986 = A fire at the Central library of the Los Angeles Public Library damages or destroys 400,000 books and other items.
1990 = Wrecking cranes begin tearing down the Berlin Wall at Brandenburg Gate.
1992 = Riots in Los Angeles begin, following the acquittal of police officers charged with excessive force in the beating of Rodney King. Over the next three days 63 people are killed and hundreds of buildings are destroyed.
2004 = The final Oldsmobile is built in Lansing, Michigan, ending 107 years of vehicle production.
2013 = NBA player Jason Collins comes out in Sports Illustrated.
HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES
PORTRAIT + QUOTES OF THE DAY
āMy mother and grandmother created this secret garden where it was OK for boys to play with dolls, and it was OK for little boys to sew potholders.ā
Leslie Jordan
āIn my day there was no one to tell me anything and I feel I have a responsibility to help a new generation. A lady in Atlanta came up to me and said: 'Honey, you are a ministry.' It is about the knowledge I can give others. I think gays will look after their own.ā
Leslie Jordan
I'm finding it actually feels pretty good to get rid of old stuff that is just taking up space. Start with the stuff that doesn't have sentimental for you. It's amazing how much can fall into that category!
Decluttering always puts me in a better mood! Good luck with your move!