On Stuff and Space. Or: Let’s not be hoarders.
You know the saying, “His eyes are bigger than his stomach,” right? It’s what you say when someone takes three times as much food onto his plate than he can possibly fit in his belly.
This is not a story about how we’re getting fat because we eat too much (although that is true and may or may not be the topic of my next post). This is a story about STUFF and SPACE. (And I hope the eyes/stomach analogy makes at least a little bit of sense, because I personally found it borderline brilliant.)
***
Once upon a time (you know, about five months ago), two young people got married. Hubs already owned a nice little one-bedroom condo, so after the honeymoon, Wifey moved in — and brought along all her Stuff. They could already tell that it would be a tight squeeze, so Wifey got rid of half her shoes, lots of clothes and various other junk (but still, she had a LOT of STUFF). Hubs cleaned out his closet, too, and lovingly made plenty of space for Wifey’s wardrobe. But they didn’t think too strategically about the organization of the place, and for the next few months, the “Stuff vs. Space” issue was a frequent point of conflict.
Both Hubs and Wifey have very gracious parents, who have allowed them to store a lot of things at their (much larger) homes over the years. But the young couple knew there would come a time when they would need to “move out” for good. (They are, after all, a new family, no longer under the roof or rules of their parents.) It’s not so much a matter of their parents demanding the young couple hurry up and get their things moved out — no, their parents have continued to grant them mercy. But Hubs and Wifey want to respect the homes of their loving parents, so one day, they started brainstorming.
The holiday season had also just passed, which meant that the young couple came back to their humble abode with LOADS of wonderful gifts from each of their families. Loads of Stuff that, somehow, would have to fit inside their very small and already-crowded Space. There was never a better time, really, to sit down and make a plan.
Wifey confessed that she could probably get rid of a bunch more clothes and shoes (and even books), which would certainly free up some space. The newlyweds also decided that perhaps their original organization of things back in August could use a bit of reconsideration.
So on the evening of the second day of the new year, before they even unpacked their things from the holiday travels from whence they’d just come, Hubs and Wifey took everything out of EVERY drawer and cabinet, pulled out the massive piles hiding behind their couch, and put it all in the middle of the living room. They were going to start over, and they were going to figure out a better way to make their Stuff fit in this Space. And while it was clearly going to be a daunting task (as well as a stressful and potentially tension-inducing one), both Hubs and Wifey were wildly excited.
Already, just a couple days after the beginning of this huge undertaking, the newlyweds have loaded a trunk full of things to take to Good Will, packed up their holiday decorations (in a much more orderly fashion than before they were brought out), and reorganized their bathroom and hall cabinets, freeing up space left and right! The idea of moving out of their parents’ homes is actually beginning to feel like an attainable goal.
Next on the young couple’s radar is to dig through closets, shoes and books and pare it down to what is actually being used. After that? It will only be a matter of finding the practical place for each item. Hubs and Wifey are enjoying themselves so much, it’s almost scary. And tonight, they’re planning to have even MORE fun with it: you see, after they FINALLY put a curtain up over their sliding door in the living room, the devious couple can clean house in the buff — a long awaited dream. (TMI? My bad.)
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “They’ll never be able to fit that much Stuff in that tiny Space!”
Or maybe you’re thinking, “Pshaw. I’ll bet it’s not really that much stuff or that small a place, anyway. They’re exaggerating!”
Okay, to be perfectly honest, I have NO clue what you’re thinking. But this story is true. It is not blown up to be anything larger than fact: this newlywed couple has a SERIOUS issue with Space and Stuff. But the thing that’s going to make it all okay is communication. That, and compromise. And maximizing every inch of space with careful consideration and strategy.
And also nudity.
***
The End…for now.
lol I haven’t seen “Pshaw” written down anywhere since I passed notes with my high school best friend. I love this!
I can see how this would be hard- we’re lucky, when we’ve moved it’s always been that we’re both moving into a new place so you’re trying to find space for everything together, it would be tough to find places for everything when one person’s already living there!
You guys will do it, congrats on the decluttering- and I know that here you can actually donate books to the library for a tax credit. Might be worth looking into!
When I moved to Australia I had two suitcases and a backpack and that’s it.
Now every once in awhile I think how I am I going to move all this stuff next time I move? Whether it’s back to the USA or into my boyfriend’s apartment. oy vey.
Hooray for nudity! I mean… organization!
No. I really meant nudity.
Great story! Really made me laugh, but I was thinking there might be a picture at the end. LOL Whoops! Let me clarify: not a picture of the nudity part…just the space/clutter issue.
When Allan and I got married, the first place we got together was a studio. Now THAT was a great way to force us to get rid of everything but the essentials. When we subsequently moved into a 2-bedroom after that, the place felt HUGE… and empty! So I totally feel ya, and believe the space/stuff issue! Good luck getting everything pared down
I can’t even imagine. I have entirely way too much stuff on my own. I can’t even imagine consolidating things into one condo.
Hubs and I have done the exact same thing. And yes, it makes it a lot less stressful and a lot more fun if you’re in the buff! lol Happy organizing!
I think this is brilliant. Really. It takes courage to empty everything into the middle of your space and prioritize what stays and what goes. Good luck!
Oh dear I can relate!! When we moved in together I already had 5 years worth of stuff, and he was moving out of his parents’ place, so I’d already filled my living space with everything I needed, and finding room for another person’s worth of stuff was a challenge. I say “was” like we did something about it – when in reality our mud room isn’t used for storing winter boots and bikes and all that, it’s full of about 30 boxes full of all the crap we don’t have any space for!!
I’ve done a little bit of decluttering – especially with clothes going to goodwill etc. But it’s still an ongoing challenge. Best of luck!
While this may not seem as related, my boss & I moved from an 500-800 SQ/FT office/repair shop into two ‘closets’ (him: 8′ x 10′; me: 8′ x 9′…yes mine is smaller, but hey, he IS the boss)
As the IT & Helpdesk Mgr for about 150 computer systems, I tend to have a few things at hand to do troubleshooting and repairs. (I DID mention the former repair shop, right? The TWO benches are in my ‘office’ leaving about a six inch circle in which I must turn and maneuver in! LOL)
On the bright side, I just found out that we’re gonna dedicate a Friday or two this month to DOWN SIZING and organizing…I may need to call you and Joe up for some helpful hints; however, I’m pretty sure that the church at which I work would look down upon doing so, in the buff!
1. I love the new header. AWESOME.
2. I feel like I have an issue with stuff vs space all the time. Seriously. Now that I’m back home for the next year or so I have boxes all over the place and it makes me crazy. I haven’t even hung up/sorted through my photos yet.
3. The last line about having a problem with nudity cracks me up. When I lived alone I used to clean the bathroom in my underwear and walk around without a care or worry in the world as to who saw me. I kind of miss living alone/the freedom to walk around half-clothed at any given time.
4. I’m relieved I won’t see you on an episode of Clean House or Hoarders anytime soon!
(and I misss you.)
ok first of all, I think it’s HILARIOUS that both your mom and dad (hi Petrie parents by the way, I miss you!!) commented on the nudity part of your organizing party.
haha.
Secondly, congrats on working together and making that place YOUR (collective your) place!! I can’t wait to see it all when I come up there! (hopefully sooner than later haha) Just make sure to put some clothes on, k
i love your unabashed nudity talk. it makes me smile. i’m excited for my own place for PRECISELY that reason. cari likes no clothes. or at least as few as publicly and modesty-ly acceptable. yeah. i’m sure i’ll have posts like this too.
ps. got flowers today for wedding.
they rule. i’ll probably have to put up pictures.