some of my favorite things

A new locket found on Etsy and a gorgeous sea urchin box we received as a wedding gift. Loving the texture of these.
Like most people, I have my favorite things. Our wedding blanket is definitely one, as well as certain family photos and heirlooms. However, I try not to get too attached to "things" in general, and I try to do away with something when a new item is acquired. I'm an avid thrift shopper and collector at heart, so sometimes that rule of thumb is a bit challenging. It's a good rule, though. 
Do you have any rules for keeping your things to a minimum?

Comments

[wendy]

its not a rule so much as a trick, every six months or so I pretend like I am going to have to move. Then I can pair down what I really want or need.

[barefoot rooster]

these are beautiful -- and beautifully photographed. i often successfully stop myself from purchasing home things by asking myself if it will fit into my car with the rest of my life -- similar to wendy! i tend to fill whatever space i'm in, and luckily, my current space is quite cozy.

[J]

I try to go by the rule of one thing in, one thing out. Try is the key word there--sometimes the rule is hard to follow!

[Dawn]

It is so very hard. If I had a BIG house I would have more storage and it would be easier ...but I don't so...when something new comes in I usually donate something old. It's super hard, especially since I am a pack rat of sorts....an organized pack rat but still a pack rat....xo

[paula]

I love the sea urchin box!

My trick has always been to move for reals (and not just pretend!), although wedding presents have added a lot of stuff to our closets and cupboards. We're hoping to move cross-country this summer, and after evaluating our furniture we've decided it makes more sense to sell almost everything, ship our clothes and kitchen items (and craft supplies...) and set up a smaller, less cluttered household on the other side.

I'm sure that I'll get all sentimental when it comes time to part with my "special" things, but at the moment I am really looking forward to this.

[Kate]

I won't let myself buy new hangers. If I can't find a hanger for a new piece of clothing, then I know I have to get rid of something I'm not wearing very much.
Sometimes this rule is bended a little when I steal a hanger from my husband's side of the closet. ;)

[joslyn]

i love that hanger rule...i'm stealing it!

[lulubrownskin]

i am equal parts bowerbird and minimalist...which can take my sanity to the INSANE level!
i love thrifting and finding quirky & unusual things, so it is hard to resist; the only way really is to take a sabbatical...ie no hunting out thrift stores/markets etc! BUT sooner or later one's instincts kick in once again (i have a feeling my bowerbird persona more than often leads the race lol!)
so my angle of attack??????
when my level of anxiety peaks (too much STUFF that i dont use often enough AND too little SPACE) i hit it hard with a mammoth-almost-brutal culling session! and like a spring clean, i feel thoroughly cleansed! the key is to get rid of boxes asap otherwise they WILL tend to find their way back into my realm!

[LeeAnn]

You know, I haven't practiced it myself but a good friend had two rules...each new item that came into her home meant one older thing had to move on (I was often the fortunate recipient of these things) and...every single item in her home had a minimum of two uses, really USES, so that, beautiful bowls were placed on her mantle rather than a gazillion knick knacks - so her "art" items were also useful, and more beautiful than you'd imagine.

[jenny v.]

wow!! * i'm loving your sea urchin... what a special gift.