Decluttering W
hen my husband suggested we move the blocky wood v e n e e r t a b l e f ro m h i s bachelor condo to our shared home, I agreed, mainly because I assumed we’d replace it soon enough. But eight years and two kids later, I find it hard to imagine our home without it. The table is covered in nicks and scratches. It’s orange-brown but the imperfections show up in light yellow. It comfortably seats the four of us, but we can easily squeeze a couple more chairs in when Grandma and Grandpa come for dinner. For special occasions, it expands to fit twelve. We can barely open the refrigerator door when all twelve seats are full, but that’s okay. Limited fridge access has never interfered with the conversations and laughter we’ve shared with family and friends over Thanksgiving dinners, Passover seders, or birthday parties. I’ve grown to love that table and the memories it holds.
Wa bi- S a bi is the Japanes e ar t o f finding beauty in imperfection. Wabi-Sabi acknowledges that objects are beautiful, not in spite of signs of wear and tear, but because of them. Wabi-Sabi appreciates the way an object’s aesthetic appeal develops over time and with repeated use, inextricably linking the concepts of beauty and utility. Though I never intended to embrace WabiSabi—I’ve only recently become acquainted with the term—I’ve inadvertently adopted this aesthetic not just in my kitchen but throughout my home. I regularly toss things I don’t use. I like how favorite jeans are have thinned at inner thighs. I delight in watching my daughters play with my Cabbage Patch doll. Thinking about creating a Wabi Sabi home of your own? Here are a few tips:
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Limit what comes in. According to Wabi-Sabi, the beauty in a piece is not in it’s shiny newness. Just the opposite, an object’s radiance is in the meaning and
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memories it holds, as well as its utility. Actions you can take to avoid letting new and unnecessary items into your home include: • Keeping a running list of things you’d like or need to acquire to help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases when you’re shopping. • Unsubscribing from the email newsletters that stay in your inbox unopened, or those that you immediately delete. • Putting catalogs you never shop immediately into your recycle bin or your kids’ art bin for future collages. • Self-imposing a “waiting period” when shopping online. Be honest with yourself; If you can live an extra day without the items in your shopping cart, leave them there for 24 hours before checking out. You might decide you don’t need them as urgently as you thought you did.
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De-clutter what you already own. Most of us have more stuff than we need or want. We hang onto things we’re saving for a special occasion, items we might need someday, and dust-collectors with sentimental value. For one reason or another, most of us have trouble letting our extras go. Here are a few tips for embarking on a decluttering mission: • Start small. In her book “Better Than Before,” Gretchen Rubin recommends committing to spending just ten minutes of any imposing task. Set a timer for ten minutes. If you’re drained after ten minutes, give yourself permission to stop for the day.
