About a year ago my mother had to move from her apartment to a nursing home related to her health. There was a limited number of things, including clothing, that she could take with her. Although my brothers and I were able to take a few things, the vast majority went to Goodwill or had to be discarded.
She had many nice clothes that she never wore. When I asked her why, she said she was saving them for something special or that she wanted to keep them nice. They no longer fit her, so they went to Goodwill. There were other items that people had gotten for her, such as purses, blankets, throws, jewelry, and decorative items that were still in the box. Again, she said that she liked them and wanted to keep them nice. Most of those went to Goodwill as well.
I found this incredibly sad. She had so many nice things that she could have enjoyed and yet she never did because she was “saving” them. Saving them to take to Goodwill? I don’t think so.
This was a wake-up call for me, because I do much the same thing. I have since decided to enjoy what I have and use it now. Why save it so that years down the road someone will give it away or discard it? I have decided it is better to use the things we like than to save them. So what if I’m overdressed for an occasion if I like the clothes and jewelry? So what if the cats shed on the wool blanket from Ireland? At least the items are being used and enjoyed, not stuffed in the back of the closet.
What about you? Is this something you do?
