I have a sneaker collection. It’s a little known fact. I have been collecting them for years and am partial to adidas and Puma.
Over the past few years, I’ve lost interest in getting new sneakers – I’ve had other things to spend my money on. . . like, diapers!
Still, I am attached to the ones I have. I am particular about them, too – not wearing them in the rain, cleaning the littlest speck of dirt off of them to keep them crisp.
However, for a while I have been considering getting rid of them – donating them to a local women’s shelter for women who need them more urgently than I do.
I am feeling weighed down by excess in my life and want to simplify by relieving myself of unnecessary things that take up space. . . like say, a couple of dozen pairs of sneakers.
Black satin and red suede
Yesterday, I went through all my shoes with the intention of taking them to the shelter with the 3 garbage bags of clothes that I finally decided I will not wear in the near future (or ever).
I managed to part with 2 pairs – one of which I had never, ever worn. I am not going to lie, it was hard. I wanted to keep them, but in the end I could not justify keeping a pair of shoes in my closet that someone else needs.
Which brings me to these (pictured). Aren’t they pretty and awesome and lovely and cool? Did I mention pretty and awesome?
They are my favourite pair and I love them. I have only worn them twice, but they make me happy every time I look at them. Black satin and red suede. I would rather admire them than wear them. . . wow, that makes me sound so materialistic!
For now, I’ll keep them. Maybe someday in the future I will see someone wearing them on the street and smile (unless it’s raining. . . they are satin, after all!)
The excess is cluttering my life – literally and spiritually. It weighs on me that I have so much that I never use when it is so easy to give it to people who have nothing.
How do you de-clutter your life and break attachments to memories & it-might-come-in-handy potential?
I love sneakers too! But I also understand the inclination to get rid of stuff! Good for you! Donating them to a women’s shelter is such a noble and non-materialistic thing to do! YAY!
Also, those are Adidas are hot! I love them!
I live for Pumas myself. But I’ll always remember my old school Adidas back in 8th grade. They were white with black stripes. Those were the good old days!
Yeah, I love my Pumas… but there is something about adidas. I have a pair of white ones with black stripes, too! Actually, I have two pairs – one is a pair of Samoas, though…
For me, this would be my high heels. If hubby would go for it, I would display them on shelves in my bedroom like art!
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I have such a battle with the I-might-be-able-to-use-it-someday part of my brain! I’m trying… I really am… Or keeping stuff for this garage sale we never seem to get around to having..
you can’t part with shoes without pain. even if they cause you pain. i have shoes with fresh tags and stickers, nevr having been worn. Why? because they are shoes. They lay beneath your feet to raise you up, protect you from soot and therefore, are great.
i throw other stuff away without thought and occasionally regret the action shortly after. but it gives me something to stew about.
“why did i throw out my pen and ink art from high school? it was good art!!!?” and still i stew, but content in the knowledge i have fresh, virgin footwear.
if you ever are in the mood to throw out / donate items, go full steam. strike while the iron is hot… toss at will!!! it’s only ‘stuff’… isn’t it???
I find it easier to de-clutter some things than others. Like, my kids’ toys I can pass along without a second thought. Their super-cute newborn clothes, not so much.
I think the key is to start small and work up gradually. We all have way more stuff than we need, if we’re honest, so I get in practice with the stuff that doesn’t mean that much to me. And it gets easier, slowly. Time also helps. Things seem to matter less after years have passed, and if they don’t then maybe they really ARE off-limits.
Happy de-cluttering!
A little decluttering goes a long way. We make it an annual thing in the family. The kids have been doing it since they were little, and every year I am proud to see them give up toys I know they actually use and love.
Those shoes are awesome by the way!
I’ve got a strict rule – If I haven’t worn clothing or shoes in 2 years, they go! I try not to be sentimental about clothes because for everything I take out, I can add new!!! Lately I haven’t been shopping as much – those darn diapers – but I try to take a good look at my closet every season to pare it down….
I’m with Amber…I have trouble de-cluttering what I love, like photographs. And t-shirts. My t-shirts I still wear, but they’re all from college and too big and have my fraternity or band sayings on them and I *should* get rid of them, but they have sentimental value. So, I sympathize with you. Good luck!
*from SITS
I wish I had an answer for you. I have piles of M’s artwork, old pieces of clothing that Joe bought me for various occasions, and so many other things that I will likely never use (or ft into) again, but just can’t get rid of. I’m not talking Hoarders-worthy, but I definitely have my attachments.
Anyway – those are great sneakers…I wouldn’t get rid of them either!