Yesterday afternoon, I threw away a popcorn machine… not one of those household table-top, stir-crazy popcorn makers like my grandpa used every Sunday night growing up. This was one of those commercial popcorn makers like they use at the movie theater. You know, the ones that make the good popcorn perfect for melted butter. The heating element burnt out so we decided to throw it into the dumpster.
Physically, it was an easy process. I put it into the trunk of my car. Drove 1/8 of a mile round back to our company’s dumpster. Opened the gate. Threw it in. And drove away.
Emotionally, it was also an easy decision. Sure, the machine likely cost hundreds of dollars when it was first purchased (and who doesn’t love popcorn)? But there was no long, drawn-out decision process and no second-guessing. I should have been sad to see it break, but I wasn’t. Probably because it had been donated to our company a number of months ago and didn’t cost us anything. And you know what they say, “Easy come, easy go.”
As I drove away from the dumpster, I couldn’t help but think of the decision, the process, and the relative ease of removing this piece of metal and plastic from our lives. This was a possession that I had nothing invested into – absolutely nothing. It was given to us freely. And as a result, it took no effort (other than a few heavy lifts) to immediately remove it from our lives… even though it makes something that tastes so good.
I couldn’t shake the cycle of reflection that had started in my mind and I ended up asking myself two questions about the lives we choose to live…
1) Is one of the reasons we have such a hard time parting with our possessions because we have so much invested into them? We’ve worked hard to get to where we are. We studied hard in school – sometimes for 16+ years. We searched for a career that would pay the bills and buy nice things. Once we found it, we committed 40+ hours/week to our craft – learning our field, taking risks, and becoming good at it. To show for our effort, we buy food and things and cars and houses. We have our entire lives invested into the things we own. So much so, in fact, that removing them almost seems laughable. Why would anyone purposefully live with less after spending so much of their lives getting to a point where they can own so much? The significance of our investment begins to cloud our thinking about what actually adds value to our lives… and what subtracts from it.
2) Am I then investing my life into things that really last? Lasting fulfillment can never be found in things that are temporal by nature. It is foolish to invest the bulk of our finite energy, time, and resources into things that can not bring significant meaning to our lives. The value of faith, love, hope, and relationships will far outlast metal, plastic, and glass. These are things that I long for – these are the things that deserve my resources. May I always pursue them with greater intensity than the items destined to be thrown into a dumpster.
And to think I was only intending to throw away a popcorn-maker…
Kristin says
I have a house full of stuff that I need to get rid of, and what constantly stops me is I that several things quickly go through my brain. It goes something like this ” I could sell this”, ” I should take this to goodwill.”, “____ could use this.”, ” I should recycle this.” Oh and believe me there are plenty more reasons I come up with as I try to clear away some of the crap that my home is filled with. So when I read all of these comments about what he should have done instead of throwing it away, I am surprised. My house is full of stuff I should throw away and I haven’t been able to choose that.
I am at the very beginning of this journey and I am amazed when I can see that it becomes simpler to let go. I am looking forward to it. I am not there yet.
Tara says
We are mid-way into our journey, and I completely understand what you’re saying. We do throw a lot away. We also have a charity called The Military Order of Purple Heart Veterans that comes through our neighborhood once a month collecting donations to sell to support wounded veterans. What we’ve done is to either throw it away in a garbage bag (or directly to the curb if it’s big) or put it in a large garbage bag in the garage to be put out for the Purple Heart truck. That system has worked really well for us.
We’ve been working for most of a year, and we’re starting to see some progress. It’s hard work, though. The more you shed, the easier shedding becomes. Way to go!
Caz says
Kristin,
I understand completely as I am in the same predicament. If only it was as easy as just throwing things out!
Good luck and every journey begins with a single step.
Hopefully we can take a few more steps …out to the bin with some of our stuff!
Cheers Caz
Kate Morgan Jackson says
Loved this! My new year’s resolution for this year was to either throw out or donate one item a day for the 365 days of 2012…and to write each one of them down day by day. I’ve donated a lot of clothes and books and tossed out everything from a bunch of dried out old tubes of Chapstick to a huge, dusty dried flower arrangement that I had stuck on the top of a cabinet years ago. But my favorite was giving two little girls this contraption I had that made doughnuts. They were completely thrilled with it, to the extent that they made me a homemade card with pictures of their homemade doughnuts and a long note about how much fun they had with it. And by the way, the best and easiest way to make popcorn is to put about 1/8 cup into a brown lunch bag, roll the bag closed and put it in your microwave for about 2 minutes. Perfect popcorn, no nasty chemicals from the supermarket bag variety, and it comes in its own bag to eat it out of. :)
kamisaki says
having lived in Vermont, I can completely understand your sentiment, Joshua. I hope the main point of this article isn’t lost to those who got hung up on the recycling, or the fact that it may have been fixable, or there may have been someone to donate it to, etc….Of course, in a perfect world, the best possible outcome would always be reached. However, here, with this example, I can completely appreciate the realization you made, the freedom you must have felt, and the progress you obtained. The next time will be built upon this experience, and maybe then you will have the luxury of spending more time and thought on where the item goes afterward. As it reads now, your post has much to offer to all of us, or at least me, in how to mentally approach parting with things that might have otherwise been difficult to part with…..for whatever reason that may be. Thanks for your insight!
Lynne says
Amen !
Criticising a decision made when you weren’t there to experience what went into the decision at that moment is nonsense and detracts from the intended message of the post – which is actually very good.
I have been consciously de-cluttering for over a year now. I can’t do it all at once, as some things need a lot of thought and I am taking my time – but it is a happening thing little by little.
One thing I have consciously done with all those items I have decided I can live without is to donate them rather than sell them. Yes, some were expensive. But I consider myself very blessed in life. We don’t have a lot of money, but many of the things we have and take for granted are luxury items for many people. Therefore I like to think that by donating them to a good charity I am passing on a blessing.
As a result I can’t think of a single item I have regretted giving away.
Andrew C says
the person collecting at dumpster will recycle it-no worries and possibly Joshua had delegated this task…and dumpster guy will be listing it on Freecycle,craiglist or even ebaying it.
So minimalising need not be always you be the one carrying out the task–delegate it also,then you have more free time for the bigger rocks in your life- spending time with friends and family. If you list it or eBay, you could be spending time responding to queries, allocating waiting time for that person to come by to collect it or just inspecting it. Not worth it–this is another thought process of mine.
Also Joshua ‘s vehicle had to use more fuel on that day,carrying the weight of popcorn maker.
Maybe not garage /yard sale–just garage/yard free for all- take what you see.
So, in the home, have boxes- for kids toys, kids books, kitchen gadgets, clothes(adult(men/women with sizes), kids- label them, and just put in garage/yard,and tell everyone–categorised boxes in yard/garage-free for the taking.
kara baker says
That’s beautiful, Tiffany. I considered buying a gorgeous peacockesque dress yesterdat, but instead put together a care package for my family in Haiti. I’m really glad I didn’t buy the dress. :)
Tiffany says
I love popcorn! I use a plain pot with a lid to make mine, and I have to confess…it’s nowhere near as good as movie popcorn, or even popcorn in a bag!
Once again, I love the point of your post. Yesterday I looked at new spring shoes in the store. They were VERY cute. Today I sent $50 spending money to my little brother for his first away trip with his youth group. I’m really glad I didn’t buy the shoes :)
The Tiny Homestead says
My H and I tend to be the handy types that fix things and repurpose them and this can easily eat up a lot of our time messing around with possessions. We both make a conscious effort to know when to quit- when to let something go or when to let someone else worry about fixing it. In this case, I would have listed the popcorn maker on Freecycle.
I find that I just can’t connect with the idea that throwing things away is a simple answer. Maybe this is why I haven’t achieved a great level of minimalism, but I personally feel too unsettled if I don’t properly address where the things I’m getting rid of are going to go. My only solution? Don’t aquire it in the first place. I also try to avoid buying new, but could do better.
kara baker says
As a cynical, judgmental elitist-minimalist, I would have to agree with all the negative comments. Also, as a recovering-alchoholic, I should have sold my booze on ebay instead of pouring it down the drain. Baby steps are simply un-acceptable. Please everyone, or keep your mouth quiet, you horrible blogger. Don’t you know you are not allowed to post unless it is picture-perfect, organic and 100% agreeable with every person on the net? Golly.
Mike says
I’m with Tamara – this post makes me sad. The thought of minimalism being driven purely by a selfish want makes it all seem a bit empty. I would have much rather read that you donated it, or even just given it to a scrap metal yard.
Bernice @ Living the Balanced Life says
I spent almost 30 years collecting things, now I invest in relationships and experiences. And in giving back to those around me. Those are the important things now.
My mouth is now watering for movie popcorn…
Bernice
Are you living life’s moments?