(Photo: Dear Stuff,
I’m not sure how to break this to you…but the time has come for us to part ways. Sure, we have a long history, but we simply can’t go on pretending that we’re still happy together.
It seems that after all these years, our relationship has lost its spark. I recall the magic of when we first met: how your shiny newness caught my eye, how I vowed to have you at any price, how excited I was to bring you home.
It didn’t take long, however, for the novelty to wear away. Maybe it was the thrill of the hunt, but once you were mine, you no longer seemed quite so attractive. In fact, much of the time, you just seemed to be in the way.
What’s more, you never really lived up to your promises or expectations: owning you didn’t make me any smarter, happier, cooler, or sexier. Instead, our relationship drained my energy and my wallet. I’ve spent untold hours (and dollars) keeping you looking nice and in good repair, protecting you from theft, and moving you around when I’ve had to relocate.
To be honest, though, your presence in my living room, bedroom, kitchen, and closets is stifling me. I can’t help but wonder how you’ve expanded so much over the years. I’m getting tired of stepping over you, cleaning around you, and generally wondering what to do with you. I need some space, some serenity, some room to breathe.
Of course, you’re not entirely to blame; I was no angel, either. Though I kept a roof over your head, I never really lavished you with attention. I shoved you away in boxes and closets, sometimes neglected to maintain you, and all too often simply ignored you.
Therefore, I think you’ll also be better off without me. You’ll have a happier life with someone else—someone who wants you, needs you, and appreciates you for what you are. And don’t worry, I won’t be so cruel as to leave you out on the curb. I’ll post flattering photos of you on Craigslist, sing your praises on Freecycle, and contact charitable organizations to find you that special someone.
So I guess this is goodbye…Let’s part without regrets, and look on this as a new beginning. I already feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I’m ready to embark on a new life—unencumbered, footloose, and full of possibility!
Yours Truly,
Miss M.
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What a fun read! I’m hoping to “break up” with my stuff too!
it’s a really great letter! I’m in the process of ‘breaking up’ with my stuff as well.
Thanks for the comments, GinaBeth and Louise. I’ve found that becoming “emotionally detached” from my stuff really helps my decluttering efforts!
I have recently become very unattatched with a majority of my comic books. I had about 5000 and I have decided to keep about 1500 that have meaning to me. Of course the one’s that I am keeping take up a lot less room now and they look better and are fully organized.
Now I just have to work on the rest of the stuff in my life!!!
Dave, I think that’s a *huge* step in the right direction. Keep up the good work!
I need to print your letter and post it prominently so I can be reminded daily that my relationship with stuff is NOT a vibrant, healthy one.
I’m having fun with this! Today I gave a set of silverware to my sister and a vase that she had admired. She was happy, and I am happy.
I recently read an article about the
“Living with 100 things” challenge. On my search to find that article again, to blog about it, I found your blog and I wanted you to know I’m loving it!
All my life I’ve loved getting rid of stuff. My Mom, more of a pack rat, never understood, but let me do it. I love the feeling of condensing something (like from cd’s to an mp3 player) and I really love getting rid of things I never use, that just take up space. (my sisters love when I have those days too haha)
Anyway, it’s kinda nice to have a name for what I do and it’s great to know others are like me. Thank you for posting great articles on how to live this way as well.
http://organicparenthood.blogspot.com
[...] Goodbye, Stuff: My “Dear John” letter for breaking up with my stuff. [...]
Super-cute! And so true – “It didn’t take long, however, for the novelty to wear away.” I keep this in mind before making a purchase because if I’m not going to love it, need it and constantly use it, then I don’t want to suffer that buyer’s remorse.
[...] sale. I spent 2 weeks culling our belongings, inspired by the minimalist wisdom of Rowdy Kittens, Miss Minimalist, and Becoming Minimalist, plus a little fear therapy from “Hoarders.” When Media Free Week [...]
[...] loved reading the following post by miss minimalist and would like to share it [...]
I love this letter and posted it on my blog to share with my readers. Hope that’s OK with you. Thanks.
http://onmymind.areavoices.com/2010/10/28/goodbye-stuff/