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Interview with Kathryn Porter
Author: Alyice Edrich
Kathryn Porter wrote Too Much Stuff for two reasons: to work from home and to “give individuals struggling with possession overload a new hope for overcoming clutter.” During one of Kathryn’s tours across the 'net, she stopped by to offer our parents some great advice on simplifying their homes and their spending, so that they can enjoy more quality time with their loved ones…
In a society that screams "BUY BUY BUY" we, Americans, tend to fill our homes and our lives with stuff that we don't need, we don't like, or simply can't afford. What's your secret for making sure no more junk enters your home?
I can’t say I have a secret because junk still enters my home, but there are things I do to minimize it. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say the key word is “boundaries”.
Here’s some examples of how I set boundaries to keep the clutter at bay:
- Exposure to Marketing
I don’t cut coupons because I know that they entice me to buy more stuff than I really need. I avoid magazines as I know the advertisements are aimed at me—and companies pay high dollar to advertise in national periodicals because the marketing works. I even TIVO my favorite TV shows so I can fast forward through the commercials. - Privacy
I don’t enter contests or sweepstakes. I request for my name to be taken off marketing lists to decrease the junk mail. We put our number on the no-call list so that phone interruptions are a minimum. We have a standing rule in our home that we don’t purchase anything from solicitors at our front door or from anyone who calls us on the phone. - Shopping
I don’t shop for leisure. If I’m not at the store, I won’t buy anything just because it catches my eye. I use lists and shop with purpose. I avoid “home” parties that will encourage me to buy more stuff. A sale is no longer a good enough reason to buy something. - Relationships
Our home is off limits for other people to store their stuff. I avoid borrowing things because it forces me to keep track of other people’s property when I have enough of my own stuff. When others offer me things that I don’t need, I politely say no. I ask others to keep in mind our anti-clutter philosophy at Christmas and birthdays so that we are not inundated with gifts. - Money
My household is a cash only society. If we have to pay by credit, it means we can’t afford it and therefore, don’t buy it. It’s incredible to look back and think about all the stuff I bought simply on the convenience of a credit card. When I cut up our credit cards, the flow of clutter into our house also got cut in half. Not only did I decrease my spending, but I decreased the clutter in the form of monthly statements, submitting payments, and the stress that goes along with debt.
I'm a firm believer in donating items to local charities and needy families. In fact, there isn't a week that goes by that we don't have a large black trash bag ready to be filled with outgrown toys and clothes, items we haven't used in God knows how long, or items that have simply lost their flair. For the pack-rats of the world, what tips can you offer to help ease them towards removing the clutter?
If you have trouble parting with items, ask yourself questions like:
- Do I really love this?
- Do I really need this?
- When was the last time I used this?
- How often will I use it in the future?
- Do I have something similar that performs the same function?
- How easy is this to clean?
- Is it broken, worn, or in a state of disrepair?
- Does this item bring back bad memories?
Above all, if your answer for holding on to something is merely, "I might need it someday", then it’s time to say goodbye to it.
Remember that possessions are just stuff—they can’t love you back. If you have items sitting around that do nothing to enhance your home or enrich your life, then give yourself permission to let go of them.
Sometimes, as we unclutter our homes, we run into items that were purchased but never used or items that were used once and then forgotten about. What's your take on re-gifting?
Re-gifting is great.
I understand that some people think it is rude to give something away that was given to you, but gifts are not truly gifts when they come with the obligation to keep them. A gift is a token of affection or appreciation. Once we receive that token, it is ours to decide what to do with it. Re-gifting doesn’t in anyway diminish our feelings for the person that gave us the gift, nor does it decrease the value of the relationship.
If you have an unopened gift item that’s taking up valuable real estate in your home, give it to someone who you know can use it. Why keep something if you don’t want it? And why give it to a charity if you personally know of someone who would love to have it?
Gently used items may not be suitable as a present for wrapping, but we can still give them away. The best part about giving “nearly new” gifts is that we don’t feel obligated to wait for a special occasion to give them away.
While we’re on the subject of gifting, I want to encourage people to give gifts that won’t be re-gifted. Consider giving the gift of time—take someone to a movie, treat a friend to dinner, or even babysit for a couple in need of a date night. Instead of giving something wrapped in beautiful paper with a pretty red bow that ends up in the back of a closet somewhere, give gifts of service that meets people’s needs. There’s so much we can do to be creative in giving the gift of service.
What fuels your desire to help women, and men, remove clutter from their lives?
The passion that fuels my work as I continue to write and speak on de-cluttering is my desire to equip individuals to free themselves from the “too much stuff” lifestyle.
I’ve experienced benefits from de-cluttering that go beyond a presentable home. I want others to experience these things too. It’s amazing, almost indescribable how getting rid of the excess stuff can create more room in our hearts for relationships to flourish—both with God and people.
An invisible weight begins to fall as we free ourselves from the hold of material things. We feel a peace like we’ve never known because when we eliminate the clutter, thoughts of cleaning, storing, and protecting our stuff no longer lurk in the back of our minds. It creates a clarity in thinking that allows us to discover—or re-discover—our passions and purpose in life. Letting go of the “too much stuff” lifestyle and embracing simplicity will change your life.
Read more on simple living
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