Minimalism Month: Week 4

As I sit here preparing for my last night of sleep in my twin bed, I'm struck with a certain nostalgia for everything left in my room. If minimalist month had truly taken off, this is where I'd be. Sitting before me now, alongside my bed and bedding, is a small load of freshly laundered clothes, my favorite Converse sneakers, a garbage and recycling bin, my beloved rose plant, a hook on the wall, my work folder, my purse, my phone, my camera, and my laptop. There are leftovers in the fridge. There are some hotel-sized bottles of shampoo in my fridge.

So, how do I feel? Well, I haven't had to live like this, so I can't say for certain, but my visceral reaction is sadness. While the expanse of a bare room gives invitation for breath and possibility, it makes me feel lonely. My posters aren't here to remind me who I am. I have no colorful clothes to look at, draped over my furniture. The lighting has never been more terrible -- I only now am realizing just how often I used my floor lamp. I keep looking to the only truly alive item in the room -- Buddy (the rose) -- for comfort.

I am not a minimalist, and I don't think I ever will be. I have a dear friend and a dear brother who impress me every time I see their bedrooms -- everything is clean, organized, and neatly laid out. They have as many books as they are reading at one time on their shelf. They have a bowl they use everyday. They have a specific spot for their specific pen. If I sound snide, I don't intend to; this practice genuinely impresses me. It looks peaceful -- for them. Being in a room with this much space for me, though, makes me feel like I'm living in a hotel. It doesn't feel like home. My style is definitely "cozy," and not "mod" by any means.



That being said, I did finish my final purge of items -- this time from the kitchen:

Thrown Out (or strategically left behind):
64. handmade biscuit cutter
65. red water bottle, broken
66. can opener
67. moldy tomato
68. red gift bag
69. Russel Stover chocolate heart box
70. 2 cool glass bottles, once filled with alcohol
71. 5 recipes
72. rest of Grande Marnier Brie cheese
73. rest of Gjetoast cheese (finally)
74. old ginger root
75. old carrots
76. Crunchy Nugget IMPOSTER CEREAL
77. old tupperware
78. 2 Nancy's yogurt containers
79. several boxes of Indonesian food
80. bag of stale crackers
81. some ziplock bags

and other throw outs:
82. Swifer mop
83. Ran DVD
84. plaid mini skirt
85. finished chapstick
86. shampoo & conditioner bottles
87. 2 scripts with notes
88. broken hard drive
89. old theater posters
90. parking receipts in car
91. several unused cardboard boxes
92. binders
93. key to J's house

Donates:
13. C. Conrad's waffle iron (You're welcome.)
14. mini saucer & cup set
15. pizza tray

and other donates:
16. Learn French CDs
17. five pairs of earrings
18. shoe organizers


Gifts:
5. Zucchini bread
6. bottle of Port wine
7. trivet knife
8. one favorite book

Sells:
3. Cash (Amazon)

Part Withs:
3. 2 lounge chairs (sentiment from old apartment)

So, there we go! I'm hoping to sell at least a couple more clothing/book items this weekend as well as part with the ultimate treasure: my trundle bed of 19 years. Even without those things, my total comes to 125 things -- already beyond my goal! And that isn't counting the myriad of items I threw out without a second thought and forgot to list.

At the very least, I've established I am not a hoarder.