The Second 50

Such a great question. Should be easy, right? Give something up, get harmony and peace in return. But it’s so much more complex than that.

In our house, the thing that gives me an ongoing sense of frustration is the sheer volume of collectables we own and keep acquiring. Books, games, cameras, antiques, painting, craft supplies, etc. You see, we both like hobbies and have several hobbies a piece. My husband is also a talented painter and photographer, and we have art supplies and camera gear everywhere. In fact, the ‘stuff’ takes up 2 rooms and is now encroaching into the cupboards and shelves of other rooms.

I have spent years ordering and reordering to try to bring some structure to the items. It’s not dangerous to the point of hoarding. It just seems messy and disorderly, and I have long wished for one of those nice homes you see in the magazines, you know, the ones with a lot of clear surfaces.

And you need to know, as the items are not all mine, decisions about order, placement, or even whether we keep items are not 100% mine either. So, nothing is an easy fix. Order and retention take a collective time and effort.

If I could let go of the stress it gives me, that would provide such harmony. I will start by recognising that after all these years, all I can control is how the ‘stuff’ makes me feel. I can let it frustrate me or embrace it as part of the true fabric of who we are as a family. I also need to acknowledge that clear surfaces depicted in magazines are not a substitute for the wonderful marriage, family, and home I have. Wouldn’t even come close.

Sounds like something for me to work on during ‘The Second 50’, doesn’t it.