Growing up, I was always keenly aware of this old adage. Simply put, if you are not wasteful, you will not be left wanting. While I still stand by this valuable lesson, it needs some adjustment for our modern age.
Though I am unsure as to the exact time these words of wisdom surfaced, for my purposes, I always supposed war time to make the most sense. A time when even the smallest, insignificant item was treasured; reused, re purposed or traded. Times were lean and only the foolish squandered.
Fast forward to our day and age. While it's still true that waste and squandering are a fools business, we don't have any real need to hold onto everything little thing, if it serves no ready purpose in our lives.
I have often found myself wandering through the house, grumping and groaning about how if I just had "more space" or "some decent storage", I would be a happily organised woman. Or if I had a bigger house, we would be able to fit everything somewhere and not have such cramped dwellings. Then one day, it dawned on me...I don't need more space, or a bigger house or even more storage for all of our stuff, I just need LESS STUFF! Face Palm, I know. This should have been obvious. This is where I make my point.
It is startlingly apparent that most of our generation has not grasped the need to adjust our understanding of the "Waste not, want not" belief. There are television programs based around the lives of people who have taken this idea to the extreme. We all grew up with parents who were the product of a generation of hoarders. I don't mean this in the current definition. Their hoarding was done out of necessity, out of a real need to make the most of everything at their disposal. Now a days, we don't have this pressing obligation to hold onto all those tiny insignificance's. We can get by with less on hand because of modern convenience. If we need something, we can buy it. Unfortunately, and I am obviously guilty as charged, we still feel the compulsion to collect everything we may eventually be able to use somewhere on down the road. I mean, come on...you always need something as soon as you throw it out, am I right?
So, this is my challenge. Go about your house. Take a very good look at what you have and what you use. If you feel the need, de-clutter yourself. Remove what is taking up that extra space and find room for the things that actually make your life either easier, happier or just more beautiful. Donate the rest, or sell it if you feel the need. Just empty it from your life. Release the guilt from not hoarding those things. You can and will live without them. Now sit back, look around at your special, purposeful belongings and breathe a sign of relief that you will now have a whole lot less to dust! I will be making my way along that path right with you, My new adage; Need not, just get it out of the damn house!
