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…
kara baker says
NanSea, thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s beautiful.
NanSea says
Thanks for the thought-provoking post. As I have been clearing out and shedding possessions, I have encountered many mixed emotions. I look around and think, “What if I had not spent money on this and invested in my retirement fund instead?” I might already be retired instead of working hard to get there. But, then I remind myself, “It is what is is! No shame, no blame. Learn from it and move on.” My college-age son recently posted a picture of some of the “good stuff” he left on the shelves of his bedroom. Soccer trophies, tae kwon do belts, a remote control car, etc. His comment was, “I loved my childhood.” I looked at the items in the photo and realized what they represented. Mostly the memories of good times. Soccer games with kids that were good friends, the belts that represented his discipline and accomplishments in martial arts, the car that zipped around through the neighborhoods we lived in. While there was some financial investment involved in these things, what I think they represented was the investment made into his life and the memories we made. As a single mom, when he was younger, I spent way too many hours wishing I could give him more “stuff.” His comment made me realize that the investment of my time in his life was what his memories are made of, not the investment in just more “stuff,” most of which is now long gone and forgotten. As I move ahead in my journey, I want to remember that I can keep the memories without keeping all the junk. And I want to be more conscious about making my investments in relationships and the things that really matter. Thanks again for the reminder about doing that.
FC says
NanSea: This comment made me think a lot. Im 20 and I embraced minimalism 6 months ago. My father and my mother always gave me a lot of things, they just wanted me to be happy. Now that im getting rid of most of things they were surprised, luckily the undestood that I value most experiences than things and they are happy with it.
Megyn @ MinimalistMommi says
I think one point you’re missing as to why many people hold a lot of value in objects is that although relationships can be more meaningful, they are in truth, much more work. They can let you down, hurt you, leave you. A porcelain doll or antique table rarely does that. In looking into the psychology of why people choose objects over relationships, it’s easy to see that they are avoiding the pain. Just watch an episode of hoarders to see how the death of a family member or divorce can lead one to becoming a hoarder. Despite my personal belief that relationships are more important than objects, I think it’s daft to assume everyone should hold the same values. It’s reasonable to understand how someone could feel differently, especially when there is so much mental trauma associated.
As a side note, the Craig’s List out here is wonderful! In my experience, just post where the item is at, and there will be a sea of people. People here are vultures for free items!!
kamisaki says
lol. Maybe you should amend the original post with a recycling disclaimer so the focus here will stay on the principle of what you were saying, instead of the environmental misstep :) It seems no one can let that one go.
Kirsten says
P.S. I agree with Christina. We have a “Free Store” here. You take what you need, leave what you don’t want. I know a homeless person here who would probably try to do something with that popcorn machine. Maybe he would not succeed, but at least the life cycle of the product in use (not in a dumpster or in a trash heap) would be extended for awhile.
Kirsten says
You write a lot about throwing things out, which I agree with, but what about the environmental cost?
kamisaki says
I thought about this post again today, as I went to the garage and found our old carseat. I have tried giving it away (no one in their right mind wants a second hand carseat over 7 years old), taking it to goodwill (they no longer accept any baby equipment for safety reasons), Freecycle (3 times with no response, probably due to reason #1 above), “free” on Craigslist, again with no response. I even put it by the curb with a “free” sign. I also tried taking it to the recycling center down the street, and they wouldn’t accept it. Any of these options would just throw it in the trash, so guess what? Today I took that carseat to the Dumpster, and threw it in, and now, I am enjoying the feeling of being less burdened by one more unwanted “sticky decision” item in my life.
Carol says
I have had the same experience on many occasions in my efforts to declutter. I will make a minimal effort to sell an item locally online. If that doesn’t work, I’ll donate it, if possible, or finally decide to throw it away. This all happens over the course of a couple weeks–no more than that. I find that once the item is gone from my life, no matter how I disposed of it, I feel more content and free, and simply resolve not to bring more stuff into my life in the future, unless I absolutely need it. After all, if I don’t buy something in the first place, then I won’t ever have to feeling guilty about how I’m going to get rid of it.
Suzette @ cajunnewlyweds@blogspot.com says
Great post! One of the bonuses of embracing and pursuing a minimal life is that when I start to spend more than 5 minutes picking up toys for my daughter, I know it’s time to reduce. When I can’t seem to get all of our clean laundry put away before the next batch is finished, I know it’s time to sort through and donate. When I see a stack of “stuff” and think…ugh I don’t want to go through this I remember – just recycle/throw/donate! If I dread sorting through that much, then I don’t need to waste time!
Minimalism has helped me to detach because we have more time to invest in God, one another and our hobbies! It is SO freeing!
Christina says
Maybe I am more concerned with our environment than becoming minimalist. I pare down always, buy very little and reuse when possible. We have Freecycle here and I use it when giving away items which have served their purpose. If you don’t have that in your area maybe you could start one. You don’t have to do a garage sale or give to a donation center. A few emails and your item is picked up by your curb or front door. I have met so many people who build or repair items and use what we consider to be scrap. Seems like a win-win to me and much better than adding to the landfill.
Suzette @ cajunnewlyweds@blogspot.com says
I had trouble joining the local Freecycle – any tips?
Noch Noch | be me. be natural. says
thanks for the reminder to free ourselves of things! i have trouble throwing away things as well. btu just clearing out my wardrobe..
Noch Noch