Summary

Nancy Oglesby shares personal insights on decluttering, advocating for a balanced approach that honors sentimental value while recognizing the joy others may find in one's discarded treasures, emphasizing the importance of letting go and trusting the Universe.

Abstract

Nancy Oglesby presents a nuanced perspective on decluttering, distancing herself from the extreme ends of minimalism and maximalism. She cherishes a home that blends eclectic elements with sleek design, reflecting both her father's modern aesthetic and her own personal touches. Oglesby emphasizes the emotional significance of possessions through the story of a young man and his grandmother's records, suggesting that selective display can honor memories. She also advises on the joy of giving, as donations can greatly impact others. Her approach to decluttering is rooted in trust—trust that the Universe will provide if needed in the future, and that letting go of items can improve one's living space and overall quality of life. Despite her decluttering practices, Oglesby confesses to a weakness for sneakers, demonstrating that personal indulgences can coexist with a thoughtful approach to possessions. The article concludes with a humorous nod to the challenges of digital decluttering and an invitation to join Medium for access to more stories.

Opinions

Oglesby values a mix of minimalism and maximalism, curating a living space that reflects personal history and aesthetic preferences.
She believes in the power of displaying select items to keep memories alive, rather than storing them away.
Oglesby suggests that possessions can serve a greater purpose when donated, enhancing the lives of others.
She encourages readers to have faith in the Universe and not to hoard items out of fear of future need.
The author admits to a personal exception for her collection of sneakers, illustrating that decluttering does not mean complete austerity.
She acknowledges the irony and challenge of managing digital clutter, such as cloud storage files.
Oglesby's article is sprinkled with personal anecdotes, showcasing her belief that our possessions are deeply connected to our identities and relationships.

March Madness | Episode 24

Decluttering with Heart: No Need to Fear! You Can Save Yourself the Angst!

I don’t fall into either the minimalist or the maximalist camp.

I grew up with a minimalist, Eames-era dad. Our house was sleek, modern lines, but warmed by fabric and color.

My home today is eclectic. I have an Eames rocker on top of a silk, Persian-style rug. An ornate framed mirror next to sleek, white cabinets. I have a 30" x 40" Harry Bouras abstract painting hanging near my traditional sofa. Photographs of my dogs are printed on canvas next to a modern 1950s vase.

Why is there a candle in front of Piper’s face? Author Image.

My house is small, and there’s not much storage. When I see something I like in a shop, I have to decide if I like it enough to donate something I already have. This benchmark works whether it’s a kitchen appliance, a pair of jeans, a painting, or a bed pillow.

The only category that gets a pass is sneakers. I am a sneaker whore. Ever since I started working at the restaurant I will buy sneakers in every color they make them. My current favorites are made by Sketchers for Target. I have light and navy blue, gray (2), black (2), white (2), and beige. I’m sick that I didn’t buy the red ones when I had the chance, however, I’ve found Hey Dudes, a new brand, that has red, plus even more colors … I’m sunk!

I have had to teach myself to throw things away. I used a few techniques.

1. Display it!

I think it was Peter Walsh that I saw on television while he was working with a young man to declutter his home. The client had been very close to his grandmother, who had passed away many years before. They used to spend hours dancing to her record albums and he couldn’t let go of them; They held too many memories for him.

Mr. Walsh recommended that he choose a few special albums and covers and have them framed to display in the main part of the house. He pointed out that having them in a box in the basement didn’t reflect the love that the young man expressed when talking about her.

The resulting display that hung in the dining room of his home was enchanting and just think of the opportunities it gave him to tell the story of his grandmother!

Can’t bring yourself to toss your college jersey? Concert tickets? Band ribbons? Frame it! Display it! Tell stories!

I used this technique after my father died and I found myself wanting to keep every single artist’s tool he owned. That wasn’t a small number! There were multiple rulers, T-squares, triangles, circle and oval templates, pencil holders, brushes … the list was endless!

After hauling it all home and adding some to my stash, and storing the rest, I eventually realized that it wasn’t the things that held the memories. I donated all but a couple of tools but kept the base of his drawing board. It had been with him since the late 40s when he was an illustrator on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

It was a heavy, cast metal base with a beat-up drawing board on it. I painted the base white and cut a new drawing board and it remains in my studio to this day. I also have some of his artwork on the walls of my home and a pair of shadowboxes that I created with his pictures and a quote from The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

She wished so hard for her father, it felt like a prayer. “If I could only show him this, oh, please. Let him look up through my eyes from the cells of genesis he planted in me, let him see this, because he would understand it perfectly.” — Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible

2. Your clutter is another’s treasure

Think of the person who will be blessed by your donation to a charity or thrift store. It might be a young mom who otherwise couldn’t afford board games to play with her kiddos or an older gentleman, living on a fixed income that doesn’t quite cover paperback books.

You never know whose week might be made by that pair of jeans that haven’t fit you for six years!

3. Trust the Universe!

But I might need this someday!

You’re right, you absolutely might need it someday, but how about a little trust in the Universe, eh? If you do need something in two years or ten trust that you’ll have the ability to get it again.

And, for crying out loud, see #2. There are people who could use it today, so instead of waiting on the off chance you’ll need it again, make someone else’s life easier!

Minimalist or Maximalist?

I fall squarely in the middle! I keep every extra nail, screw, or doo-hickey for flat-pack furniture I’ve put together because I don’t trust the Universe to have the needed item in five years, but donate every single piece of clothing that doesn’t fit.

I donate appliances, shoes, belts, dishes … tons of clothing, and household items, only to find a use for one of them a few months or years later. It doesn’t matter. My life hasn’t ended because of it, but it has been better by not having to move a bunch of stuff from one place to another.

PS:

Does anyone know how to minimize the number of files I keep in the cloud? YIKES!

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This challenge wouldn’t be half the fun without the kindred spirits who have joined in. The list keeps growing, so forgive me if I missed you. Comment and I’ll get you added! (Please let me know if you wish to be removed from this list).

Keeley Schroder / Adrienne Beaumont / Brett Jenae Tomlin / The Sturg / Vidya / Karen Schwartz / Katie Michaelson / Bernie Pullen / Robert G. Longpré / Trisha Faye / Susie Winfield / Paari / Julia A. Keirns / Pamela Oglesby / Toni the Talker / Harry Hogg / Laure Dorsemaine / Debika Kumari / Michelle Jimerson Morris / Lu Skerdoo / Celia McKinley / Charisse Tyson / Julie KingGood / Amy Frances / Ravyne Hawke / Kayla Tackett / Anna Itzel Cazita / Misty Rae / Karen Hoffman / Deb Palmer / Vincent Pisano / Marlene Samuels / Randy Pulley / Ray Day / Pluto Wolnosci / Michael Rhodes / Ellen Baker / Marilyn Flower / Pat Romito LaPointe / Brandon Ellrich / Marlana, MSW / Bruce Coulter … brilliant peeps, all!