Things and Time

Blog15:

Sorting, purging, organizing - I’ve gone through these for many years now.   There are countless items around the house that require going through this ritual, (or mindless dance (?).  This year and the next are the last times I hope for such trivial affairs. Items that are just collecting dust or serve no function, but “for show” must get out of the way.  I insist!

Managing things used to be simplistic in my very first one-bedroom apartment.  With its full bath and one-room accommodation of sort, for living-recapping daily life, managing time and things took a breeze.  Things brought in to the apartment were logistically chosen.  In the din-kitchen, a dining set for four was put to good use.  There were four of every flatware, silverware and glassware; maybe there were also a couple of serving dishes, useful other tools, a set of knives, a chopping board, a stew pot, a frying pan and a teapot.  After each use, all were neatly washed, dried, piled, and tucked away in minimal cupboards or drawers.  A four-burner stove oven did wonderful service for basic cooking.  Across from it, a mid-sized fridge preserved food.  A clothes washer in a nearby corner waited each weekend to do its job.  A metal pipe, t-pole and nylon clothesline outdoors put laundry to dry under the sun and wind.  Mickey sat snuggly in his papasan chair, and I comfortably shared the small living area in my rocking chair.  We tuned in and listened to news or watched Mash of yesteryears from Mickey’s four-inch TV.  When we got exhausted sitting, reading, chatting our day out, we retired and rested our well-worked bodies and minds in our modest double-bed.  We pulled over our shoulders a quilted blanket – a gift from an old friend, and bid each other goodnight.  Mickey and I shared one closet.  Day in and out, for at least two hard, yet wonderful years, we lived a life of simplicity.

When did things get out of hand?  How did this predicament of senseless energy and time expending for “things” intertwine with life?

Initially, circumstance comes to mind.  Taking on new jobs or building careers somewhere requires change not only in our geographical location, but in laying out a landscape of and for things.   Adapting to our new surroundings may necessitate doing away with some things, keeping some or all our belongings, and acquiring ‘new and appropriate’ things.  Next, planting roots at a new location can mercilessly affect our lifestyle and the things that go with it.  Our time at our new places of work dictated a rigid structure of time.  With it came figuring then  finding solutions about how life with things in our home fits into that.  A senseless rationalization comes along and a defense laid out as to why we need, not want, a toaster, a blender, a food slicer-chopper-mixer, time-programmable coffee maker, etc.  Finally, there is a takeover of frivolity or whim – the killer of all things sensible to accumulate.  We have succumbed to pleasures and instant self-gratification.  We rewarded ourselves with things after a grueling day at the workplace.  Out went the rocking chair and the papasan.  In came Lazyboy recliner and soft-padded couch. We brought in Sleep Number Bed, iSqueeze, Body Champ Hanger, Sunny Fitness Machine, Jacuzzi, microwave oven, two flat-screened TVs, can’t-do-without-tech items, etc.   

In time, a simplistic life is transformed … for better or worse!?!  Just like that, more things entered our home.  With built-in complexities brought upon by “things” came troubles of maintaining or doing away with them.

Case closed.