I know you’re thinking ‘What, Fiona! What is it!’ Well, my
favourite and least sexy chic technique is USING THINGS UP. I know you’re
probably shaking your head, but perhaps you are actually nodding on the inside?
For me, I have the tendency to stock up, stockpile, collect
and generally gather stuff around me. That’s why it feels so good to use the
last bit of something and decide what to get next. I love pretty body lotions
and am so thrilled to get down to five bottles. I used to have more… It will be
exciting to have one or two.
Same with items in the pantry. I now hang off on buying some
things until I get near the end if I wonder whether I’ll purchase it again or perhaps
try something different. Even if it’s something I know I will, there’s no point
in having two or three packets.
I cleaned out our fridge a few weeks ago and took the
opportunity to use up a few items that had been hanging around. It feels so
good to open the fridge now and see clean shelves plus a tidy selection of food
– like a staged fridge in an advertisement!
Our big chest freezer in the laundry is quite full so I took
an inventory to whittle down numbers. I can visit the supermarket whenever I
want, so there is no risk in keeping low levels of food in the house. Of course
I’m not going to have nothing, but if I can cook for the week, I’m fine with
that.
Other categories apply too: closet, hobbies, books,
stationery supplies, sheets and towels, social plans and obligations among
many. And the reason why this is one of
my favourite chic techniques is that it just feels better – lighter – to not
stuff your life full, to have space to breathe and feel free. And yes, it does feel more chic and elegant.
What about you? Are you a naturally ‘sticky’ person who has
to be ever vigilant of not feeling bogged down in circumstances of your own making?
Or do you glide effortlessly and Teflon-like through life, never having to
consciously use things up?
~Fiona~
PS. Would
you like to read my books for free? You
can! Simply request that your local
library stocks them. I have done this
millions (well, maybe not millions but it’s been a lot) of times at my local
library and it’s a wonderful service.
I was
browsing the library catalogue online here where I live, and what popped up as a
recommendation for me? Only Thirty Chic Days! Maybe they matched it to me because my name is
the same as the name on the cover? I was
quite tickled!
