Sigh. I have a full set of English bone china and sterling silverware for 12. My daughters in law don't want them and I don't blame them: all that stuff has to be hand washed. I'd use it myself except its a pain and I like my modern, clean-lined everyday stuff better nowadays anyway. Luckily the china and silver live in a buffet in our entry that I don't need for anything else. But I promise I'm not packing it up and moving it again, ever, unless to a thrift shop. Or a gun range.
I love this article, Julia. So, I have 7 sets of dishes. Yes, you did see that correctly. Seven. Sets. Of. Dishes. Three of those sets are fine china with fancy names attached to them. The others are nice but not worth thousands. And, I use all of them. And it's fun. It took me decades to get over the fear of breaking them (or my kids breaking them ... or some careless so-and-so breaking them). Now, I have all of these beautiful things to share with friends, family and pre-friends. The same goes for beautiful clothing that has been hanging in the closet waiting for that perfect moment in time to be worn. Now I change into fab clothes right after a day in the personal training studio. Because I can. Thanks for bringing to light the truth that we are fearful of the beautiful things that we have. Thanks for permission to love and use them. All of them. xo
Loved this! I am too sentimental about keeping things, but am reaching an age when I just want to clear the clutter. My Mum passed away last year and I am about to start clearing her house. Seeing what she left, I don't want to leave lots of rubbish for my children to sift through, yet I know I will struggle to be brutal.
It's so worth it. After dumping a great many things back in 2022, I have some sadness about only a few of them. Even then, at what point do I accept that my belongings aren't me?
I am not saving anything but enjoying it all! Truth is, I have very little attachment to anything but my books, my daughters photos as babies and growing up and my diaries and journals.
You know, as heavy as they are to lug around, I have journals dating to when I was 19 long before I had a computer. I'd be hard-pressed to let those go even if they do embarrass me roundly. They are proof of life's hard work!
Agreed. Proof of a life well-lived--one in which we paid attention and captured it all! I have little locked diaries dating back to 5th grade. Precious!
This is so true! And I'm so guilty of doing this. What the hell am I saving it for? I don't have any kids, so I envision my poor nieces and nephews coming in with a dumpster and throwing all my shit away. Life is short! I need to use the things that spark joy and get rid of the rest. Thanks for the reminder.
I loved reading this, Julia! The story of your mother's late romance and you now using things that would have been kept for special occasions. You are definitely worth it! Thank you for the shout out of my post in yours. Very much appreciated.
Sigh. I have a full set of English bone china and sterling silverware for 12. My daughters in law don't want them and I don't blame them: all that stuff has to be hand washed. I'd use it myself except its a pain and I like my modern, clean-lined everyday stuff better nowadays anyway. Luckily the china and silver live in a buffet in our entry that I don't need for anything else. But I promise I'm not packing it up and moving it again, ever, unless to a thrift shop. Or a gun range.
Right? Oh the things I used to value, and what it took to maintain them.
This struck a chord! Thank you!
Love this thank you for the reminder!!!
You are so welcome, Alice. Thanks back.
I love this article, Julia. So, I have 7 sets of dishes. Yes, you did see that correctly. Seven. Sets. Of. Dishes. Three of those sets are fine china with fancy names attached to them. The others are nice but not worth thousands. And, I use all of them. And it's fun. It took me decades to get over the fear of breaking them (or my kids breaking them ... or some careless so-and-so breaking them). Now, I have all of these beautiful things to share with friends, family and pre-friends. The same goes for beautiful clothing that has been hanging in the closet waiting for that perfect moment in time to be worn. Now I change into fab clothes right after a day in the personal training studio. Because I can. Thanks for bringing to light the truth that we are fearful of the beautiful things that we have. Thanks for permission to love and use them. All of them. xo
As a woman living alone, I also had five or six sets of dishes. That speaks to how lonely I was. I built it and nobody came.
And for that, I'm so very sorry. Of course, there's a whole discussion around all of this - but I'm saving that for a face-to-face. xox
Loved this! I am too sentimental about keeping things, but am reaching an age when I just want to clear the clutter. My Mum passed away last year and I am about to start clearing her house. Seeing what she left, I don't want to leave lots of rubbish for my children to sift through, yet I know I will struggle to be brutal.
It's so worth it. After dumping a great many things back in 2022, I have some sadness about only a few of them. Even then, at what point do I accept that my belongings aren't me?
I am not saving anything but enjoying it all! Truth is, I have very little attachment to anything but my books, my daughters photos as babies and growing up and my diaries and journals.
You know, as heavy as they are to lug around, I have journals dating to when I was 19 long before I had a computer. I'd be hard-pressed to let those go even if they do embarrass me roundly. They are proof of life's hard work!
Agreed. Proof of a life well-lived--one in which we paid attention and captured it all! I have little locked diaries dating back to 5th grade. Precious!
This is so true! And I'm so guilty of doing this. What the hell am I saving it for? I don't have any kids, so I envision my poor nieces and nephews coming in with a dumpster and throwing all my shit away. Life is short! I need to use the things that spark joy and get rid of the rest. Thanks for the reminder.
I do the same thing with all my gorgeous white blouses. CAN'T WEAR 'EM, MIGHT STAIN 'EM.
Then why on earth did I buy them? oh my, us.
Exactly!
I loved reading this, Julia! The story of your mother's late romance and you now using things that would have been kept for special occasions. You are definitely worth it! Thank you for the shout out of my post in yours. Very much appreciated.
You are most welcome. I use people's articles and ideas for inspiration. Shares the wealth.
I agree wholeheartedly. We are using the good stuff everyday now. Even putting it in the dishwasher.