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Clutter thrives on the Great Depression mentality
If you think back to what you learned in school in the 1920s, it was a heady time up until October 29, 1929. The ban couldn't even slow it down or stop it. People have simply become more creative and imaginative. No one thought the party would end or could even imagine what the Great Depression would rain down on them. Nothing could have prepared her for what was to come. For well over a decade, constant worry, anxiety, fear and stress dominated the day. You had to learn to do without what little you had and to be creative...
Clutter thrives on the Great Depression mentality
If you think back to what you learned in school in the 1920s, it was a heady time up until October 29, 1929. The ban couldn't even slow it down or stop it. People have simply become more creative and imaginative. No one thought the party would end or could even imagine what the Great Depression would rain down on them. Nothing could have prepared her for what was to come. For well over a decade, constant worry, anxiety, fear and stress dominated the day. You had to learn to do without what little you had and to be creative. Families and friends did their best to look after each other.
When the United States entered World War II in 1941, things on the home front were far from normal and calm, but the economy was back on the road to recovery and there was a general feeling of relief over the recent financial problems sweeping the nation. However, no one ever forgot the hard times and the thought of it happening again was always somewhere in the back of their minds. Families were determined to be prepared and taught their children to be prepared. The idea of holding on to everything as a prerequisite for survival has become ingrained in family dynamics and, in many ways, has been passed down to baby boomers and beyond.
Holding on to some things isn't necessarily a bad thing. In practice, women married at a much younger age and highly valued lore as they sought to establish their own households. The idea that someone could always use that more or less sounded right. Family treasures also remind us of who we are, where we come from and unforgettable moments in our lives. If they are true treasures, then they deserve to be honored, not buried in the dark corners of the attic and forgotten. What makes them valuable are the stories they tell when shared with your children and grandchildren.
On the other hand, sometimes we need to shake off our Depression-era psyche and acknowledge that clutter gets in the way of our daily lives and even the memories to come. It's really okay if no one in the family wants any of this perfectly good stuff. There are worthy charities that would welcome this with open arms. An added bonus will be that you will be able to better see and appreciate what is really important. New opportunities will most likely arise as you organize yourself with a whole new mindset and game plan. Maybe the house really is too big and too time consuming and you would rather downsize and spend your time pursuing more enjoyable interests. The possibilities are endless.
The Great Depression mentality served our mothers and grandmothers well during those difficult times when it was literally a matter of survival. In fact, it serves many of us well now if we learn to keep it in perspective. Balance comes when you can take a step back and separate the clutter from the real treasures. It is the treasure that reminds us of a life well spent.
Inspired by Kathleen M Green