Posted on 10/22/2005 2:40:29 PM PDT by DancesWithBolsheviks
To many observers, clutter reflects the mind-set of the modern household - overburdened, disorganized and compulsive. To others, clutter is a broader symbol of a ravenous culture dependent on easy credit, piling up debt and consuming a lion's share of the world's resources without considering the consequences.
"People's homes are a reflection of their lives," says Los Angeles psychologist and organizational consultant Peter Walsh. "It is no accident that people have a huge weight problem in this country, and clutter is the same thing. Homes are an orgy of consumption."
The obesity analogy isn't a joke. While personal spending drives much of the U.S. economy, the resulting clutter from all that shopping is so pervasive that some researchers wonder if it might have a deeper, biological component, similar to overeating.
Their speculation borrows from evolutionary theory.
Modern humans developed some 100,000 years ago as hunters and gatherers living in fundamentally harsher circumstances. Today, we are surrounded by abundance, but our bodies have remained genetically programmed to eat everything in sight and store calories to survive winter, drought and famine. To some nutrition experts, it's a primary reason two-thirds of Americans are overweight.
First post ever:)
First post -- well done!
So if I unclutter my house, I'll lose weight, or is it the other way around? ;)
Ok, but what about those who don't shop but keeps everything just in case they might need it one day? Hmm, maybe we hate shopping so much that we store things back so we won't have to shop. Heck, I have things from my grandparents' day because you never know when it might come in handy. We've been doing this so long, generation after generation, it's become engrained in the DNA.
When you're the lion, you get the lion's share.
Spoken like a true limp-wristed Los Angeles fop.
I'm sure these jackwits think the ideal is a ghetto-style bare home with women so skinny they look like prepubescent boys.
Thanks!
You have FreepMail. :)
I have a little clutter, as everything I own is either "Useful or Beautiful" and no debt beyond my mortage.
Waste not want not.
Recycle.
Now your considered a lardass packrat. I don't get it.
I also keep alot of old stuff around, inspite of occasional purges - hence my clutter can become annoying in a small 1 bdrm apt. As a capitalist, I don't begrudge anyone for their purchases or consumption patterns, but find that I personally have purchased things that ended up being never used and am very dilligent about that now. If its needed, I buy it, but find there are alot of crap out there that I just don't need. Someday should I get married and have children, I'm sure I'll have to just get over it:)
What cured me of being a compulsive shopper:
I had a garage sale and ended up selling a lot of good stuff for 25 cents each.
Now, whenever I see something I'd like to buy, I remind myself that I will probably sell it next year for a quarter.
We are moving after 7 years in one place and ohmigosh do we have a lot of stuff, er crap!
We took 11 bags of clothes to the Salvation Army yesterday, mostly stuff my daughter out grew; today I have another 5 to go, mostly stuff I don't want anymore and stuff that no longer fits hubby.
We have also thrown away hundreds of pounds of pure junk that no one would (or should!) want.
And I haven't even started on the books!
Ack, Ack, Ack. I am ready to become a buddhist, complete with zen garden and free my self from the material world, wear my pajamas all the time and escape the cycle of life and death.
OK,just kidding.
But I'm seriously thinking of just asking for tickets, etc. for christmas, things that are experienced and do not stay around.
Very timely post for me, Dances!
My apartment is very cluttered – not because I’m a shopaholic, but because I loathe throwing anything away. My closets are crammed with nonfunctioning old stereo gear, not used in years camping gear and assorted tools.
I also have several bookcases, with books wedged in above other books. I have books on the coffee table, stereo speakers, kitchen table, end tables and by my bed. I also have to refile some photographs I scanned several weeks (months?) ago and have yet to return to their albums and cabinet. Amongst this clutter are various other files – manuscript, car maintenance records, etc.
One day I will get energetic and at least take care of the pictures and papers.
Ok, but what about those who don't shop but keeps everything just in case they might need it one day?
So, we should live in a one room apartment, estillo socilisto, right comrade?
It's timely for me too. I have been trying to clean out all the crap that we have accumulated and don't use. I am a saver. There. I admit it. I am trying to change. My parents used to tell me that my great-grandmother saved everything too. After she died, they found rolls of twine in the attic including everything else she saved. It must be genetic but I am going to break the mold.
I recommend the show to anyone trying to calm the junk monster. Simple process--sort into piles, donate, throw out--go shopping for some nifty new storage containers. They even conquer the most amazingly scary garages and basements...
Definitely. I hate dusting with a purple passion.
I can't understand why someone would have hundreds of "collectibles" catching dust.
I think that's why I love the spare Shaker look, or Japanese design.
Precisely the impression I got from that Stalin-speak as well. Perfect summation! Thanks!
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