Friday, October 1, 2010

Minimalism by Theft: September

It's October 1 and I'm happy to report that my Minimalism by Theft project is working just as planned! Ian did a great job stuffing this box full of my things and I didn't peek once. I also didn't notice even one thing missing, which is interesting because this box is full:

minimalism by theft

First up, the things I'm ready to part with:

minimalism by theft

I found these shutters on the corner a few years ago and thought they would make a cute alternative to a headboard (which I don't have). As you can see, I never put them up and most likely never will.

minimalism by theft

I've had this pair of plant shelves for about ten years. They're nice because they're as tall as me but they fold up so tiny. I used them for books when I first got them but for the last five years they've been folded up in the basement. I was planning to put plants on them this summer but that never happened. I can't imagine I'll use these again (for books or plants) so I'll give them to someone who can. I do really love them though.

minimalism by theft

Some shirts that can go to a good home. That white and blue striped tank-top belonged to my dad and I've been holding onto it for sentimental reasons. But, I can talk to my dad on the phone any time I want so there's no need to be sentimental about an old shirt.

minimalism by theft

Miscellaneous stuff I'm not at all sad to see go...I don't even know how I got most of it.

minimalism by theft

My parents gave me these posters for my birthday one year. I love Monet and it really was a thoughtful gift. But, I haven't put them up in the new place yet and probably won't so they can go to someone else who loves Monet.

minimalism by theft

Martha Stewart magazines...how I love you! I keep these because they're full of cool stuff and pretty pictures and yummy recipes. Except, I never look thorough them and forgot about all the cool stuff inside. For years I've wanted to go through them and photograph the interesting recipes and inspirational projects. Ian put this in the box to make sure I actually started going through them. Tricky! I've already put two magazines into the recycling. Turns out, there were very few pages of actual interesting content. Now these pages are on my computer taking up no physical space.

There were a few things I wanted to keep so I'll post about those later today.

4 comments:

  1. So you didn't miss one thing? Wow! I think the tip about scanning on the good bits of magazines rather than hanging onto piles of them is a really good one - that's a real lightbulb moment for me, and it will help me get rid of a large pile of knitting magazines, which to be honest, I haven't looked at much since I was given them. Thank you, thank you! Now I can let them go without thinking I'm throwing away something I just might need some day:))

    Now to see what you decided to keep...:)

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  2. Not one thing! I did notice that a table looked sparce the other day but I didn't realize that anything was missing until I looked in the box last night.

    I'm so happy you're going to get rid of some magazines! I can't believe how many I have and how little information there is inside them. I probably photographed about a dozen pages in the two I recycled. That's even counting the "inspiration" pictures...you know, things I don't want to make but the colors were too pretty.

    This would definitely be great for knitting patterns you might want to make someday! I'm always happy to help with my brilliant ideas. ;)

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  3. Thanks for the tour of your box! I was wondering what kind of things you'd find in it, and what your reaction would be.

    I shared your idea with my husband and we're going to give it a try for October. He keeps asking if there's anything off limits... I wonder what he's thinking about...

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  4. Hi, Just found you through Karamat..
    What a fantastic idea...though I think we'd need a skip rather than a box! Just wanted to share regarding the magazines.
    My mother is also a giant Magazine hoarder...she had about 9yrs of Victoria Magazine and Martha combined and although they made great reading for the guest room..you can imagine the space they took up. So on one visit home I convinced her they had to go. We kept about 6 recent magazines, and went through all the rest with an exacto knife. We then piled all our favorite ideas into about 4 separate folders (good things crafts, entertainment/food, outdoor ideas and decor) It was pretty quick and by the end we had 4 great folders for easy flipping. I suppose we could have taken it further and scanned everything but we still liked to hold onto something and flip through it.
    Then off to the Local hospital went our deconstructed mags. They were greatful to get them and they hadn't been completely depleted of good reading.
    Will definitely have to give this idea a go in our own house.
    Thx for sharing.

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