View Full Version : Sometimes I just feel weird
We bought our home a little over a year ago. 1700 feet of pure SPACE with a HUGE backyard. This is after 9 years of small apartment/house renting. When we moved in, we decided to live in the house a bit to get a good feel for her. Since then, we have only bought curtains and rods for all 10 windows, couch/loveseat, 3 lamps, a bed for my son and some picture frames. We are slowly working through each room and painting and hanging up the items we brought with us- mostly our own photography and a few larger items, such as my 45 inch star. :D I like the extreme amout of space we have. My son can roll around on the ground with the dog and not hit anything. Cleaning is easier because I basically dust, wipe down and vacuum the bigger spaces 1x a week, sometimes vaccumming twice during shedding season.
We had some friends over for the holidays and they made me feel like I am a weird for not having "stuff." I just never know what to say other than that's how we like it. Hubby could care less. He just doesn't like pink but otherwise will go along with any color, style (except extreme modern) and ideas I have. I have always lived like this and maybe I am just oversensitive lately but sometimes, I just feel like a weirdo. I will post pics as soon as we finish painting. Thanks.
SteveinMN
1-22-13, 11:20am
We had some friends over for the holidays and they made me feel like I am a weird for not having "stuff." I just never know what to say other than that's how we like it.
That's all you have to say. People's tastes vary. People's needs vary. If you were still sitting and eating on the floor, it might be noteworthy, but otherwise??
My mom loves big furniture and lots of it. And she crams it into a house that's half the size of ours. My take? I can't move in that house without hitting a piece of furniture. I practically have to go outside to change my mind. Her take? Cozy and welcoming. If I don't have to live with it, what's it to me?
iris lily
1-22-13, 11:40am
You've only been there a year. You'll accumulate more "stuff" as time goes by. It will creep up on you. It's the American way, dammit! hahaha.
Seriously, guard against "stuff creep" as you are doing, that's great. Come here for support.
Thanks. :)
Part of this stems from the fact that I have lost everything I owned in a fire about 15 years ago. After that, I never replaced much of what I lost, mostly just bought some clothes, personal hygiene items and some music. I was living in a barracks type situation and didn't need much. Fast foward- we lived out in San Diego for some time. We both came into the marriage with practically nothing or at least next to nil. : ) After living near the coast for almost 7 years, everything we owned either ended up rusting or covered in a fim- assuming it was the salty air. We had issues with mold even though we didn't have much and I cleaned all the time. Just the way of living by the sea. So we donated or trashed a large percentage of our items.
Now, here in Texas for life, we have other goals we are working towards. We want to retire when we are 50 or at least semi-retire- I will probably still do contract work. We want a little house back by that salty sea and not much to take care of. I would rather have the money to put away for that dream than a decorated house. People tell us to live for today and we truly are. Just because we don't have "stuff" doesn't mean we are deprived or not living. In fact, I spent this whole 3 day weekend with my son, playing, walking, biking, making food together. All because it took me 1 hour to clean up the house and get to living.
Iris- I am ruthless when it comes to keeping in minimal. Even more so now, that we are evaluating everything we purchase. I will fight, fight, fight the clutter!!! : )
Well, now, that brought up some issues didn't it??? ;)
That's all you have to say. People's tastes vary. People's needs vary. If you were still sitting and eating on the floor, it might be noteworthy, but otherwise??
My mom loves big furniture and lots of it. And she crams it into a house that's half the size of ours. My take? I can't move in that house without hitting a piece of furniture. I practically have to go outside to change my mind. Her take? Cozy and welcoming. If I don't have to live with it, what's it to me?
A sentiment we need more of, in general. I couldn't agree more.
We had some friends over for the holidays and they made me feel like I am a weird for not having "stuff." I just never know what to say other than that's how we like it.
I think that's all you have to say "this is how we like it", you could add "being in a house full of things makes me feel trapped".
I had a friend lose everything in a house fire around 15 years ago too. She has talked several times about how it changed her whole outlook on what she lets into the house this time. There is nothing in her large house to just 'fill space' because there is a space.
I struggle with trials and tribulations like this, because it's nobody's business. At any rate, good on you, MamaM! What a refreshing departure in a day and age when materialism dominates our world and society.
We had some friends over for the holidays and they made me feel like I am a weird for not having "stuff." I just never know what to say...
They don't sound like friends, true friends would respect your decision to live a minimalist lifestyle.
The kind of attitude your 'friends' displayed seemed to be very pervasive when I was living in Texas. My cute little Honda Civic hatchback was considered just unacceptable transport in Texas and I was greatly ridiculed for it. Of course not everyone is like this so keep looking for other friends.
There is nothing wrong with your choices, Stay the course and you will reap the benefits of doing so :)
When a friend asked me what I was doing this weekend and I explained that dh and I had done some decluttering... her response was: "What on earth is there to declutter in your house?" My response was: "Yeah I keep it simple and by doing a declutter/organizing session twice a year I am able to keep it that way."
Dhiana- I do lurv my truck but your civic is welcome anytime at my house!! :)
Thanks to all y'all. Yes, I am finding as I truly step into ME...I am losing friends left and right. SO is the circle of life.
Simplemind
1-22-13, 7:40pm
First, you are not a weirdo. I am somewhat of a minimalsit and I'm most comfortable in a room that doesn't have a lot of things or colors that compete for my attention. My home is very different than those of my friends. For me I wanted to walk through the front door and have an instant sense of serenity which to me meant very little sensory overload. It sounds like you love space and therefore space with nothing in it becomes your style. Fabulous by the way and not in any way weird. I am not an interior designer but if your space is large and you have little furniture you want to stay away from having it up against a wall. If you have more pictures hung around a room than furniture that will make the room look like a gallery instead of a place to comfortably linger. If it is photography it will make a bigger statement if you hang it in a group.
I love the idea of taking your time as you go. Most people aren't experts and it takes time to grow into a new space. By grow I do not mean fill, I mean become accustomed. It always looks better when the things you choose are something that really means something to you as opposed to something that looks like a catalog picture. If you love that star then put it front and center where it will give you pleasure every day. I would rather have a blank wall than look at something on it that I don't love. That is a big rule in our home of less..... it must be loved or it leaves. I can't wait to see your pictures. Have fun with this project.
I have a thing where i like having stuff...cushions, niknaks, pictures on walls, blankets/throws, candles, books everywhere...things that make a cosy feel. But i dont like being attached to it...thats not nice feeling. I have these old stuffed toys (i wince calling them that because me and my family are SO attached to them...they have personalities and home made clothes and some of them have voices...still O.o...we call them 'the fellows') and sometimes i worry about what will happen to them after me my mum and my brother die...if i dont have kids...where will they go? it kills me >.<
Thanks Simplemind- Yes...I do try to create a warm, inviting space. I like large photographs and I feel my own make my space very personal and warm. I have group a large amount going up the stairs and then another grouping in our "office". Hubby and I have agreed to swap out some of the standard lighting to soft, simple chandeliers. I have always wanted chandeliers, so I am excited. I will be an investment but something we love. :)
p.s nothing youve said so far sound weirdo-y to me =D i have talking stuffies with their own allergies and neuroses.
We had some friends over for the holidays and they made me feel like I am a weird for not having "stuff." I just never know what to say other than that's how we like it.
I would call making anyone who invited you into their home feel "weird" very rude. It's one thing to say one would choose to do it differently, but questioning another person's choices is just inappropriate.
I think I may be purging more than just material items..very soon!!! :)
p.s nothing youve said so far sound weirdo-y to me =D i have talking stuffies with their own allergies and neuroses.
I think we're twins separated at birth.
Awww..thanks y'all. I am feeling better. :)
Yup, yup, yup. :)
Things do sneak in when you live in a place for a while (it's amazing -- we've been here a year, and I got rid of so much junk!). But, I prefer to live simply also. And I just tell people that I prefer it this way.
They can't argue with how calming it is here -- even though the place is tiny.
Wildflower
1-23-13, 6:20am
I have a thing where i like having stuff...cushions, niknaks, pictures on walls, blankets/throws, candles, books everywhere...things that make a cosy feel. But i dont like being attached to it...thats not nice feeling. I have these old stuffed toys (i wince calling them that because me and my family are SO attached to them...they have personalities and home made clothes and some of them have voices...still O.o...we call them 'the fellows') and sometimes i worry about what will happen to them after me my mum and my brother die...if i dont have kids...where will they go? it kills me >.<
My DDs collected stuffed animals throughout their childhood. Really adorable ones. My DDs have long since moved out and on with their adult lives, but the stuffies are still here. I simply can't part with them. They are in my DDs' old bedroom. My grandkids enjoy playing with them when they're here. I really don't know what will happen to them when I'm gone - we have talked about donating them to hospitals or domestic abuse shelters for the kids there, but don't know that they would take them.... I will leave it up to my DDs, as they are their stuffies to begin with. I do understand how you can get so attached to them! :)
I think we're twins separated at birth.
=D Do yours have voice also?
My DDs collected stuffed animals throughout their childhood. Really adorable ones. My DDs have long since moved out and on with their adult lives, but the stuffies are still here. I simply can't part with them. They are in my DDs' old bedroom. My grandkids enjoy playing with them when they're here. I really don't know what will happen to them when I'm gone - we have talked about donating them to hospitals or domestic abuse shelters for the kids there, but don't know that they would take them.... I will leave it up to my DDs, as they are their stuffies to begin with. I do understand how you can get so attached to them! :)
O my word, i could never let the fellows be at the mercy of little kids, theyre too fragile...well, Bo and Snoopy are fragile, i guess Leo and Nigel still have some playing years in them. Theyre very fussy though, if they miss their favourite tv programs you can cut the atmosphere with a knife o.O
So happy to hear we're not the only ones who amuse themselves with chatty inanimate objects! http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/connie/connie_35.gif
I don't feel so strange now.
What's worse, my dog had a voice. She had a northern England accent and a really bad lisp (like Sylvester). I'd talk to her and I'd answer back in her voice. Could entertain myself all day doing this. My horse also talks with his own speech impediment.
Dog died almost 3 years ago and she still speaks. She loves pink and Barbie and pretty girlie things. My sister bought her a toy pink cellphone in a fluffy case and sometimes my mom or I will make it ring and answer it and talk to her. She talks about heaven now.
Yeah, we're really weird. But we can entertain ourselves.
Playfulness is a characteristic I select for when choosing associates.
My dog and cat know all my secrets. My dog talks like the Vulture in the Bugs Bunny Cartoons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mKIuZ4tIzk
My cat is a old time gangster see...:)
My little pug has the voice of Milton from Office Space.
LOL! DH and I have voices for our cats as well....Casanova has a deep baritone where Ozzie has a high strung voice.....it's good to know we are not alone!
Whew! So I'm not crazy then.
Maybe there's more of us out there who just don't admit doing this. Or maybe their pets just aren't as smart and talented as ours. Yeah, that's it.
None of my cats talked--unless it was behind my back. They probably figured I wasn't worth the effort...
Wildflower
1-28-13, 1:51am
Lots of funny voices at my house.... >8)
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