Coffee. disorganization, and thinking about nothing

Published on April 26, 2004 By KarmaGirl In Life Journals

One form of meditation is the practice of "thinking about nothing" which is basically voiding your mind of thought. I've never achieved this, but I do have my own form of meditating that I find similar, but definitely my own style.

It first requires a nice cup of coffee, and a quiet place. The place does not need to be a temple, or any other special spot. It just needs to be quiet. I sit by myself and think about everything that comes to mind. By doing this, I find answers to the questions that arise, and then the thoughts "go away" since they are solved. I find this my way of ridding my mind of thoughts. It calms me down since I can slow down and solve issues that have been occupying real estate in my subconscious.

Over the weekend, I stayed in a hotel that was purchased by the Odawa Indians. The hotel used to be a very typical Holiday Inn. It is very different now. It is filled with earth tones, earthy elements and soft light. The suite that I stayed in was filled with tans, rusty red, and dark brown. The counters were all marble and the art was very earthy and soft. It was very comfortable. It was also very void of "extra" stuff. It contained the basics that you need.

This made me think about my own home during my following meditations over coffee. The colors that are in it are very much "me" and I find them comforting. However, my home is filled with too much stuff. So much stuff, that sometimes it feels overwhelming. It's impossible to keep it completely clean and organized. My house is not huge, but it is not small either (it's just shy of 3,000 sq ft) so it is easy to fill places with "stuff". I am now thinking that *most* of this stuff I don't need.

Some of the stuff in my house I don't even like. Some of it even makes me uncomfortable. I have things displayed that people gave me and I don't even like. But, I keep them displayed because I appreciated that the person gave it to me. However, I don't know how to take it off display without the person wondering why I did it. I also hope that other people don't do the same with things that I give them. (If you hate it- sell it in a yard sale. It really won't hurt my feelings.....) But, looking at those items makes me feel uneasy for the reasons I just mentioned.

I even started thinking about my kitchen. It's filled with stuff. Stuff that I haven't used in years. Stuff that I use only once per year. Stuff that I'm not even sure why I have it. Why do I have it? I don't know.

So, my new resolve is to go through my house room by room. Each item that I encounter is going to be assessed. If it is something that makes me feel good, it will stay. If it is just "stuff" then it is going. If I haven't looked at it in years, it's going.

This "stuff" is making me uncomfortable. The thought of getting rid of it makes me feel lighter.

I can't wait to lighten my load.

Comments

crimson

on Apr 26, 2004

I know what you mean about unused objects. I've got kitchen stuff too, that people have given to me over the years, that I do not use. Good luck though. I still keep all my stuff, because I can't bear to lighten my load. I guess I'm just a packrat.

dharmagrl

on Apr 26, 2004

This "stuff" is making me uncomfortable. The thought of getting rid of it makes me feel lighter.
I can't wait to lighten my load.

I did it a couple of weeks ago, and it's very liberating.

I have such strong pack-rat tendencies that it took quite an effort to get rid of things...but once I had done it I felt, as you said, so much lighter.

gothic impulse

on Apr 26, 2004

I did it too, a while back. I still have " stuff " but i have sorted out what has true meaning to me. My precious memories in photos and small sentimental gifts ..that is all I need .
Everything else is " just stuff " and can always be replaced or done without.

KarmaGirl

on Apr 26, 2004

I have such strong pack-rat tendencies that it took quite an effort to get rid of things...

I hear you there. I come from a long line of pack rats. It's hard for me to throw stuff out. I also like to "reuse" stuff, but by the time I find a use for it, I forget where I put it. I swear I have clothes from the 80's.....actually, I *know* I have some clothes from the 80's. I'll never wear them, so why do I keep them?

This will be a real challenge for me. But, I want to feel that simple comfort that I feel when I am in a minimalistic environment.

Erk.

on Apr 26, 2004

...proof that I too am a pack rat.....

Dear Karma;

Can I have your stuff?

Regards,

Wreckless.

JeremyG

on Apr 26, 2004

What a wonderful idea. I've been sort of nudging a friend of mine to do that. She's very similar to what you describe. Her appt is filled with JUNK that she doesnt even like. In fact just this weekend she bought a new TV and I went with her so she could get it inside and everything, but it didnt fit in her entertainment center....so we changed things a bit (that was like pulling teeth!)

During that process, i must have suggested she throw out like 10 different things. I'd get reponses like "yea but that was my aunt's and she wanted me to have it"

Here's the good thing about doing a once-over big change. Because you're doing it all at once, no one will take offense to their things not being there anymore. You're "redecorating your house". No big deal. You have to be strong though. If there's any doubt about something....throw it the hell out!!!! Even if the next day you kinda regret it, i promise that in 2 months you wont even remember it

KarmaGirl

on Apr 26, 2004

You have to be strong though. If there's any doubt about something....throw it the hell out!!!!

Yeah, that will be the hard part. I wish your friend luck with her de-junking her apartment. It's easier said than done!

dharmagrl

on Apr 26, 2004

If there's any doubt about something....throw it the hell out!!!!

Yeah, and don't wear anything with pockets whilst you're de-junking...you'll end up stuffing them full of bits and pieces that you think you 'might use later'. Oh, and take your time too. You didn't accumulate all your 'stuff' in a day, so don't expect to get rid of it all in a day either. Pace yourself.

It truly was a liberating experience for me. I'm loving being minimalistic....everything's so much easier, it seems.

illusivedreamer

on Apr 26, 2004

This "stuff" is making me uncomfortable. The thought of getting rid of it makes me feel lighter.
I can't wait to lighten my load.

When I moved my things into storage, I finally removed the heavy load. Years and years of hanging onto things that no longer were needed or suited me, was getting to be rather senseless. My friend came in with a few BIG bags, I closed my eyes and started filling the bags. A relief? No. Smart thing to do? Yes. Is the load really lighter? Aside from the occational knot in my stomach when I remember what I did, it is a relief to be rid of yesteryears things. Tommorow will be a new day, with new "stuff".

I have such strong pack-rat tendencies that it took quite an effort to get rid of things...

One of the things my mother never understood about me, drove her crazy. After all of these years, maybe I have gotten out of that phase...maybe:)!

JillUser

on Apr 26, 2004

I am struggling with the same thing. We found ourselves hanging onto things merely because we had had them for a long time. Displaying things that others give you is another problem I struggle with. Here is a thought that might help with that; If they see you don't display the stuff they got you, maybe they will get offended and stop buying you that sort of crap

I am going to try to take my own advice on that one. I'll let you know how it goes.

Best of luck simplifying your domain

stevendedalus

on Apr 28, 2004

You've motivated me to get rid of all the Martinson coffee cans I can't seem to part with.

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