So, I just ran across this post.
I'm not sure, but maybe Small Notebook and I are related because I couldn't agree more.
I was particularly interested in the DustBuster argument. We totally had one when I was growing up, but it never got used. It was kind of a novelty. Anyway, I remember a couple of years ago when those Kone DustBuster things were introduced, and there were displays of them all over the place at Christmas and the commercials were on all the time, and I thought it was the single dumbest thing ever. One: who really needs a DustBuster? They have to stay charged, so they're a total energy suck. A sweeper and dust pan do great jobs on small messes, and if you really need vacuum-powered suction, you are likely to have a vacuum. Right? Two: if you are a person who cannot possibly live without a DustBuster in your life, do you really want to make it a part of your home decor? Really?
But enough about DustBusters. The whole idea of sticking to the classics is a pretty solid one. At least I think it's pretty solid. Take, for instance, my kitchen. Y'all know I love the kitchen, and I love a kitchen gadget. But there are some things I'll just never buy. Like a mandolin. I know they're supposed to be great, but even the ones that fold super small take up a lot of space. And I'd probably cut my fingers off. I'll just stick to my knives and cutting boards. And of course, I'd never get a wok. I've given away my waffle iron because it's a hassle. I think I scour my kitchen a couple of times a year to donate the stuff I never use. Like the garlic press. Cleaning a garlic press is a pain. Back to the knives and cutting board.
I kind of feel like there should be stickers all over the place with the slogan, "Keep it simple, Stupid." You know what I'm saying??
1 comment:
It all depends on what you need AND what makes your life easier. I've never owned a waffle iron because I prefer that someone else make me waffles. I find the minor hassle of cleaning a garlic press simpler than the job of cutting tiny uniform pieces of garlic. I had a mandolin until I sliced off the top of my finger...
Anyway, I agree completely with the idea of routinely going over your things, maybe admitting that you don't actually need (or even want) lots of the items you have, and letting those things move on to someone else who will value them. That's why there are 6 vases on my kitchen table right now ready to go to the Salvation Army.
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