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 weâd 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. Itâs 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 thatâs okay. Limited fridge access has never interfered with the conversations and laughter weâve shared with family and friends over Thanksgiving dinners, Passover seders, or birthday parties. Iâve 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 objectâs aesthetic appeal develops over time and with repeated use, inextricably linking the concepts of beauty and utility. Though I never intended to embrace WabiSabiâIâve only recently become acquainted with the termâIâve inadvertently adopted this aesthetic not just in my kitchen but throughout my home. I regularly toss things I donât 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:
1
Limit what comes in. According to Wabi-Sabi, the beauty in a piece is not in itâs shiny newness. Just the opposite, an objectâs radiance is in the meaning and
Where fitness is fun andfitness confidence Where is fun grows! and confidence grows!
National, Regional and Local Champions... and Most Importantly: Over 44,500 Happier, Healthier Kids National, Regional and Local Champions... Personal Pod Classes Available and⢠Most Importantly: Over 44,500 Happier, Healthier Kids
Classes for All Ages Open Gym Boys & Girls Teams Parties, Camps Parentsâ Nights, and More!
⢠Japanese, French & Spanish Immersion E-learning Camps National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE SINCE 1973
24
Try a FREE Class â Call or Stop By to Sign Up Today!
Try a FREE Class Stop ⢠By 541-344-2002 to Sign Up Today! 1205 Oakâ Call PatchorRoad ⢠naag-gymnastics.org 1205 Oak Patch Road 541-344-2002 naag-gymnastics.org
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 ⢠O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M
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 youâd like or need to acquire to help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases when youâre 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 kidsâ art bin for future collages. ⢠Self-imposing a âwaiting periodâ 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 donât need them as urgently as you thought you did.
2
De-clutter what you already own. Most of us have more stuff than we need or want. We hang onto things weâre 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 âBetter Than Before,â Gretchen Rubin recommends committing to spending just ten minutes of any imposing task. Set a timer for ten minutes. If youâre drained after ten minutes, give yourself permission to stop for the day.
