Survey #248—Full Response from Ginger
| What useful decluttering or organizing strategies or methods did you take away from the book? |  So much of what Sasaki discusses are strategies and methods I’ve already learned from others or stumbled upon as a natural next step. Strategies such as: minimize multiples, get rid of it if you haven’t used it in a year, don’t stock up, stop taking free stuff, discard things saved for your fantasy self and many others including one of my favorites - take a picture of items you find tough to part with. The last one I take to another level by putting items on a “Sentimental Things List”. I refer to them as being on a goodbye tour in my mind. I should rename that list: “Sentimental Journey - The Goodbye Tour List”. I actually thought of that myself thinking about how bands go on goodbye tours. I take a picture, write a story about the item and post it to my album of Bygone Things. Several items have lost their appeal over time and got donated. It’s funny how that happens. |
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| What parts or aspects of the book did you find difficult to grasp or challenging to apply to your home or situation? | I don’t think any were difficult to grasp or would be challenging to apply - except maybe because n6 husband might not share the same feelings about it. Example: We have 4 spatulas/turners. I would be fine with one. My husband uses them each for different tasks or different pans, He says he needs all 4. |
| Please share your favorite quotations or key takeaways from this book. | Be quick to admit mistakes. They help you grow. When we experience shopping mistakes like this, it’s better to get rid of the item sooner rather than later. It isn’t healthy to spend any more time with an item that signals “failure” to you. Instead, let’s try to recognize and learn from our mistakes as soon as we can, so we can make a smarter choice the next time around. This slightly different perspective - can help me with an area I’ve struggled with: Items I bought that are still good - but I don’t like them. I can name them as “mistakes” and pitch them. I did this recently. I didn’t really think of them as mistakes - and it was difficult to toss them. I finally did it quickly. Next time I’ll say “well, that was a mistake…” or “that didn’t work out…” and pitch it easily. It’ll feel more like a lesson learned. |
| When you hear the word “minimalism” used to describe a lifestyle, what do you think of? | Through lots of reading the past few years I’ve learned minimalist is really on a spectrum. Everything from having only what you want & need - and that may be a lot of things - to extreme minimalism where you have very few possessions, very limited wardrobe, sleep on a mat on the floor and no decor. I can’t say the book changed my ideas about minimalism. It supports my current path - my continued efforts . |
| “The things you own end up owning you.”* To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? How is it relevant to your stuff? | I agree to a large extent. The things you own have to be cared for and stored. If I have a big house with a lot of furniture - someone has to clean and dust. It’s either me or someone I pay. This better be something I’m okay with doing - or I’ll feel the WEIGHT of the responsibility with less pleasure to balance that weight. |
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