spring cleaning

[marni]

burning the dogs is an (I think) scandanavian expression for burning bits and pieces of useless detritus- originally used in reference to weaving and fiber work, but also part of my yearly spring cleaning, clearing the house, cleanising operations.

[malkin]

I'm just wandering around here and humming..

Buy! Buy says the junk in the shop window
Why? Why says the junk in the yard...

[celticgarden]

years ago a very wise older woman and weaving and handspinning mentor started telling me to ""burn the dogs" at least once a year. In this context a "dog" is a handweaving or handspinning project which is not going anywhere, is occupying space on the loom, bobbins on the spinning wheel, room on the spindle shaft and is drawing psychic energy from you. The idea is to undo it, take it off, rip it out and get rid of them.

I have extended that to become my spring cleaning ritual. I go through the house and try to get rid of at least 10% of the stuff, by giving it to charity, the library, another spinner, a beginning biker, the food pantry etc.

It gives you a tremendous feeling of lightness and freedom. Sometimes, at least as far as fiber goes, I do it several times a year.

Ahhh, same for knitting although it's "destash" or RIP WIPs.

Feng Shui subscribes to the concept of accumulating stuff = blocking energy, to the detriment of your health, wealth and happiness! I read a fun little book called "Move your stuff Change your life" and have to agree that decluttering is a way to free up feelings.

I have only recently started to act on this though. Something about Spring can bring on a fit of getting sh*t done. Cleaned out a ton of stuff from the basement last weekend and donated much to Goodwill. Cleaned out the garden shed, a closet. I think it has to do with the kids being older and that in and of itself is a joy.

As for fiber, well, when the economy was good I accumulated a lifetime (so it seems) supply of yarn. Think I'll keep that :-) And the back issues of Organic Gardening mag (from the McGrath years).

happy decluttering.

[Miranda]

ITA. This is one thing I'm actually looking forward to when we move to Belize -- less choice. Yes, it will be occasionally frustrating that certain things simply aren't available there, or are much more expensive in the US; but it's gotten to the point here that there is just SO MUCH available to be purchased that I get overloaded and just shut down sometimes. I can't even deal with malls anymore at all. Complete sensory overload. I'm convinced that's why I do most of my shopping online.

Sometimes less really is more.

YES!...
Omg, that is so true. I acutally find comfort in looking at my one certain kind of Terry bike shorts I wear for teaching class. I have 5 pairs of the exact same thing lined up in a row in my closet. Outta clean bike shorts, time to do laundry. That's pretty much the only thinking they require. I rarely go to the mall; it makes my head wanna blow up lol.

[Miranda]

I'm just wandering around here and humming..

Buy! Buy says the junk in the shop window
Why? Why says the junk in the yard...

Ha, ha... I hear ya... that's one of the things the author talks about in his book. Now I can't quite look at stuff in the store the same. Actually, I've kinda stopped going so much. If I would just eat less while I'm at home, vs being out shopping, I'd have it made lol.