My grandparents grew up during the Great Depression, and for them, saving was a kind of armor. They clung tightly to clothes, food, stockpiling anything that might prove useful someday. It became a lifestyle, born out of fear, love and protection, which was passed down through my parents and then to me. While I deeply revere this family value it has its downsides. Saving just to save isn’t necessarily useful. It starts to look like the H word…hoarding. I refuse to be put into that category but my husband points out that, at any given time, our pantry holds at least eight jars of mayonnaise, four of which are expired and all of which are so deep in the cabinet that I hardly remember their existence. What do we call that? I’d say, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” and my husband counters with, “A penny wise, a pound foolish.”
This saving tendency goes beyond the pantry, it shows up in my closet, too. In addition to my everyday clothing, I also store ’80s and ’90s archives from my mom’s closet, potential costumes and clothes that are cute but too big or too small. And of course plenty of memory based clothing like, the ’70s-inspired slingback sandals I bought with my first job bonus, my 1995 Jesuit prom dress, my “Welcome to the Jungle” themed Sweet 16 dress and the bridesmaid’s dress from my sister’s wedding. This list goes on and ultimately fills my closet to the brim.
But now it is spring and apparently, we should be cleaning. Although there is no official holiday, it seems like it’s what everyone is doing. Why, though? Well, there are several theories, cultural and religious but whatever the reason, it seems like now is the time to take a crack at getting this hoard-forward gal to pare down a bit. Anxious about tackling this problem and at my husband’s urging, I reached out to Neat Method New Orleans’s rep, Felicia Schimpf for a few tips. I first asked for a quick fix, “What can I do in 15 minutes that will help me feel more organized?” “Pick one room and focus on the surfaces,” said Felicia. “Prioritize what actually belongs in that room and then move or discard everything else. This really allows for a visual reset and clears the mind.”
I was also curious as to what I should graduate to should I conquer the surfaces. Felicia offers, “Check for expired products; everything from pantry goods to makeup and sunscreen.” She says, “This goes for clothing too. Worn out basics like t-shirts and socks with holes or that no longer fit.” “And don’t forget broken items (even the ones you said you’d fix later).” When I asked her why spring is always the time this work is spotlighted she’s not sure. She says, “Actually for me, the best time is in between Thanksgiving and Christmas to make room for new things coming in. But I know this is a stressful time of year for many so spring seems like a better option.
I cling to my things for the same reasons my grandparents did; fear, protection and love. Each item represents a memory I’m afraid of losing or a back up plan for a time of scarcity. But if I am honest with myself and take the time to actually go through them, most are meaningless. Do I need an old can of kidney beans, a ticket from a carnival ride, a plastic trinket caught during Mardi Gras to remind me I love my family? No. But I also don’t need to throw away everything for the sake of appearing more organized. Hopefully, with nudges from my husband, I will find the middle ground.
If you also need help organizing, moving or just some moral support, try contacting Felicia with Neat Method.
