Everyone has their 'stuff' they just can't live with out, their 'things' that hold a special place in their hearts... but when is it too much?
It starts off innocently... with just one toy.
But, quickly they multiply!!!
Suddenly, there is a new family living in your house, they've brought all their pets, they're taking up space, and they aren't even paying rent!
What has become of our sunroom? We keep saying one day we'll get it back and make it an 'adult' living space again... but the kids just keep getting more and more 'stuff'... so who knows when that 'one day' will be?!?!
Sadly, most of these toys were meaningless dollar store purchases and one day soon will be nothing more than plastic waste once our youngest has grown out of using them.
No childhood is complete without the best toy of all... the cardboard box!
And, while many of the games we play with our kids are fun, educational, and help to build strong family bonds like the board games above... many of the toys will simply be cast aside, in a corner, never to be played with again as seen in the two images below.
Thankfully, a lot of the stuff is also educational! But then again, do we really need over 150 children's books? And, why keep these old, learn-to-read books when they are always getting newer and more age appropriate reading material for special occasions like birthdays and holidays every year?
The above pictures were examples of 'some' of the things and stuff my children have strewn about the house for their amusement. And, as much as I would love to say these piles of 'stuff' is all due to grandparents, aunts, and friends (all with the best intentions and loving hearts)... one can't help but take a look at one's own habits!
So, the next series of photos are of all the 'stuff' my wife and I have accumulated over the years... mostly my stuff. ;)
My wife's book shelf... we do try to lead by example and demonstrate a love of reading and learning to our children.
But, as much as we want to pass on that love or reading... I have over 120 books on this shelf alone! And, at one book a month it would take me 10 years to get through them all. The chances of re-reading anything is virtually zero, especially since I probably get a dozen new books each year... so why keep them?
Yes... that is a Darth Vader, bobble head, candy dispenser on my shelf. No, there is no candy left it in. I got this years ago as a stocking stuffer... why do I still have it?
A collection of DVDs and Blue ray disks... we have over 120 DVD and Blue Ray disks. Well over 300 hours of old movies and TV shows. We've never watched any of these disks beyond the first time when they were initially purchased... so why keep them? Why purchase them in the first place?
Are you not entertained!?!?
20 different controllers?!?! I can only play one game at a time... And I only have 2 hands!!!
This picture has 50 video game disks in it... I am currently playing NONE of them.
Again, like the books and DVDs in the above images, I don't think I will ever play any of these games again... Even if I wanted to, At an average of 15 hours of play time per game and with 5 hours of 'me-time' each week, it would take me 3 years to get through them all. And, in that time, another 50 games would be created that I'm sure I would like to play.
So... why do I keep all these old games??? Especially when they can be downloaded digitally now?!?!
One last time... why do I have so much stuff?!?! I don't even have an x-box any more!!!
So, why do we keep these things? Is it because we don't want to waste money by throwing them out? Is it prestige? Is it artistic to keep a shelf full of books in your living room? Is it because you want your kids to be able to play with your toys, read your books, and watch your movies one day so they might get a better sense of who you are?
Yes... all of the above.
But... do we really need it all? ;)