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The joy of clutter
Opinion: Why do people complain about having too much stuff?
Why do people complain about having too much stuff? Clutter can be good; sometimes more does actually mean more. Back in my heady days of unemployment, one of the many jobs I applied for was with a new HMV that was going to be opening near enough to where I live. I subsequently got offered the job (twice in fact), but had to turn it down for personal and very infuriating reasons. I say infuriating, as this would be the perfect job for me. Not only would I love it but also I would be great at it. And I mean really really great. Music, films, box sets, games, books, it all boils down to one simple fact - I love stuff.
Ah, stuff, that all-encompassing, beautiful word. I love to spend hours flicking through piles of DVDs, most of which I’ve never heard of, or will ever watch. That however won’t stop me buying them if there’s a director I’ve heard good things about or an actress that is particularly beautiful in them. Give me a rainy afternoon in a second-hand bookshop and I’ll show you a true expression of contentment.
Why is it though we need to fill our lives, our bookshelves, our spare rooms with so many items? Look at the eastern philosophies of Buddhism, or feng shui. It’s all about the minimalism, the free flow of positive energy and goodness around you. Freeing yourself from meaningless objects that just clutter our lives, and therefore our minds. It is a plague of our Western culture that we need to buy. We allow mindless consumerism to dictate our lives, as was seen during the years of the Celtic Tiger, it was all about having the bigger house, the newest car, the most expensive designer handbag.
Now in these times of recession, we are being encouraged to clear away all this clutter, donate to charity, almost start again, after we hide the evidence of our crazy spending days. This sort of spending is not the type I subscribe to as it is just meaningless spending and brand whoring. However, it’s all not so meaningless.
I love to look about my room, see the various photo frames filled with faces in foreign countries. The books given to me by friends, or that I bought myself under the recommendation of a friend. The DVDs that I have watched with loved ones, or that I am saving for a perfect night in, with a perfect person. Cards, ornaments, painted boxes, hair clips, old band t-shirts, all token reminders of a holiday, day trip or concert. Even if you took me out of the room I would still be here.
Some people call it clutter; I like to think of them as feathers in my nest, each a memento of an adventure in the outside world. While I like the idea of good energies and positive chi, I prefer to have things I can actually see. Clothes and music that I can put on to feel instantly happy, instead of sitting around a bare room hoping it will flow to me. And while, even if I stopped buying stuff now there still probably isn’t enough time for me to get through all the DVDs, CDs and books in my ‘to-do’ pile it’s nice to be surrounded with evidence of the life I’ve lived so far, so that it will inspire me to keep going. So, long live consumerism, and huzzah for stuff!
