I have several lovely tables from op shops. I didn’t need to screw them together, & I trimmed the legs on one of them so that it is now the perfect height for dining at floor level…then added the trimmed bits to the legs of another to make a studio table that is a good height for me to work at while standing. Much more satisfying (to me) than flat pack.
I have come to believe that second-hand furniture is the ethical choice. Unfortunately, being a maladapted human, I am not comfortable towing a trailer and have had no way to pickup intact furniture.
We have moved too many times and each time we get rid of so much junk. And I'm terrified to clean out my parents' house and my in-laws' house someday. There is probably some wisdom in having very little of your own possessions.
I can vouch for the fact that throwing things away certainly makes you think about what you really value and really want to lug to the next place. Thanks for reading Sarah.
A little late to the party but here nevertheless. Wonderful article, Ryan. I've been a minimalist since my teenage years and I own very few valuable things. I did my own version of death cleaning when I dropped out of grad school and had to leave the US in just 2 weeks before my visa expired. I gave away or threw away what I had. The plane ride to India was like death and birth all at once.
A moustache teacup!!! Isn't it a lovely reflection of us humans that we demand our external objects to adjust to our needs rather than us adjusting ourselves to the external objects/environment (i.e. bloody shave the moustache if enjoying drinking tea is important :) Pre-death decluttering is definitely a must for everyone. We were forced to clean out my grandpa's possessions after 15 years of NOBODY in the family having dared to clean up. We found so many unwanted gifts like 30 year soba noodles, plates, and his navy badge - I didn't even know he was in the navy until I discovered the badge after his death. Pre-death cleaning could be a great story telling opportunity for many. Like how else would you have found out about the moustache teacup! :)
I would have much preferred to have found 30 year old soba noodles than a moustache teacup! The soba noodles are easily explained, but a moustache teacup?! :)
Let's hope it doesn't come to that, even though I cannot imagine too many people own moustache cups these days. It certainly surprised me when we found it!
The image of cockatoos breaking in and drinking from moustache cups is hilarious, someone should draw that picture!!
My husband is always trying to get me to do death cleaning, he claims all the things in our house are mine! Unfortunately a lot of them are 🙀I’m a bit of a magpie, sitting on my hoard!
I am trying!! The thing is we emigrated 14 years ago and was told to bring everything! So we brought a 40ft container!!! So when it has travelled half way around the world(from UK to NZ) it’s hard to part with it!?!?!
I completely understand. I found it was even the smallest things that were hard to part with...I mean I can just tuck it in there and nobody will even know, I would tell myself...
Throwing/giving/recycling things away is one of the best ways to unburden the mind - I find I think a little clearer every time. Of course, I quickly reburden my mind by adding more stuff ... but it’s a cycle!
As you know I lived for 18 months with only the things I could carry on my bike. On one hand I was reminded about how little us humans need to survive. One bowl, one spoon, small stove etc..... But gee somedays - especially when riding up giant passes with the weight of 4 bags hanging off the side of my bike - I would think about how much we need to survive! We are pretty frail creatures!
I remember returning to Australia, and opening our storage container - and looking at all the stuff - chairs, tables, beds.....and thinking what the hell is this? I could feel the weight of it just by looking at it. But it seems we do not learn - 10 years later I had to put all my belongings in a storage container again and I think there is even more this time than last!
Ha! ohhh gee that thing is heavy....BIG - steal frame, solid timber..... very very weighty. We did think that we should sell it, but a friend made it - so it's "sentimental". But when we are in a house again - you can come to dinner! It can fit a party of people!
I have several lovely tables from op shops. I didn’t need to screw them together, & I trimmed the legs on one of them so that it is now the perfect height for dining at floor level…then added the trimmed bits to the legs of another to make a studio table that is a good height for me to work at while standing. Much more satisfying (to me) than flat pack.
I have come to believe that second-hand furniture is the ethical choice. Unfortunately, being a maladapted human, I am not comfortable towing a trailer and have had no way to pickup intact furniture.
Fair enough. And I accept that not everyone has a buddy with a trailer (or the desire to help schlepp stuff 😉)
God bless friends with trailers!
We have moved too many times and each time we get rid of so much junk. And I'm terrified to clean out my parents' house and my in-laws' house someday. There is probably some wisdom in having very little of your own possessions.
I can vouch for the fact that throwing things away certainly makes you think about what you really value and really want to lug to the next place. Thanks for reading Sarah.
A little late to the party but here nevertheless. Wonderful article, Ryan. I've been a minimalist since my teenage years and I own very few valuable things. I did my own version of death cleaning when I dropped out of grad school and had to leave the US in just 2 weeks before my visa expired. I gave away or threw away what I had. The plane ride to India was like death and birth all at once.
Never too late! Long live the minimalists!
A moustache teacup!!! Isn't it a lovely reflection of us humans that we demand our external objects to adjust to our needs rather than us adjusting ourselves to the external objects/environment (i.e. bloody shave the moustache if enjoying drinking tea is important :) Pre-death decluttering is definitely a must for everyone. We were forced to clean out my grandpa's possessions after 15 years of NOBODY in the family having dared to clean up. We found so many unwanted gifts like 30 year soba noodles, plates, and his navy badge - I didn't even know he was in the navy until I discovered the badge after his death. Pre-death cleaning could be a great story telling opportunity for many. Like how else would you have found out about the moustache teacup! :)
I would have much preferred to have found 30 year old soba noodles than a moustache teacup! The soba noodles are easily explained, but a moustache teacup?! :)
fascinating
Thoroughly enjoying the idea of cockatoos breaking in and drinking from our moustache cups. Belly laughing… Thankyou for an important reminder
Let's hope it doesn't come to that, even though I cannot imagine too many people own moustache cups these days. It certainly surprised me when we found it!
I always enjoy opening your emails to see what direction you’re taking us this time. Long live the pecorino!
Can't go wrong with pecorino. Thanks for reading!
The image of cockatoos breaking in and drinking from moustache cups is hilarious, someone should draw that picture!!
My husband is always trying to get me to do death cleaning, he claims all the things in our house are mine! Unfortunately a lot of them are 🙀I’m a bit of a magpie, sitting on my hoard!
Must try harder✔️
It is very liberating throwing things away!
I am trying!! The thing is we emigrated 14 years ago and was told to bring everything! So we brought a 40ft container!!! So when it has travelled half way around the world(from UK to NZ) it’s hard to part with it!?!?!
I completely understand. I found it was even the smallest things that were hard to part with...I mean I can just tuck it in there and nobody will even know, I would tell myself...
Throwing/giving/recycling things away is one of the best ways to unburden the mind - I find I think a little clearer every time. Of course, I quickly reburden my mind by adding more stuff ... but it’s a cycle!
Very therapeutic. But I suppose purchasing can be in a way too...ah the dilemma.
As you know I lived for 18 months with only the things I could carry on my bike. On one hand I was reminded about how little us humans need to survive. One bowl, one spoon, small stove etc..... But gee somedays - especially when riding up giant passes with the weight of 4 bags hanging off the side of my bike - I would think about how much we need to survive! We are pretty frail creatures!
I remember returning to Australia, and opening our storage container - and looking at all the stuff - chairs, tables, beds.....and thinking what the hell is this? I could feel the weight of it just by looking at it. But it seems we do not learn - 10 years later I had to put all my belongings in a storage container again and I think there is even more this time than last!
How much do you want for the dining table? ;)
Ha! ohhh gee that thing is heavy....BIG - steal frame, solid timber..... very very weighty. We did think that we should sell it, but a friend made it - so it's "sentimental". But when we are in a house again - you can come to dinner! It can fit a party of people!