Let’s talk about stuff. That nebulous conglomeration of stuff that we al have: it’s in the loft, the garage, the shed. Under the bed in neat little boxes. Crammed into the suitcase on top of the wardrobe.Or, a common sight now, in a storage unit on an industrial estate.

_{Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash}

We all have it in varying degrees and one thing is clear; we don’t need as much as we have. Even 20 years ago our surplus collections would have been less. Go back 50 years and we would be regarded as mad. True there are the highly disciplined amongst us who can ruthlessly divest themselves of stuff but in the main we all hold onto stuff as stuff is magical. It transports us back to our youth, the youth of others, a fond holiday memory or a long lost loved one.

This year I will be attempting to use up stuff. I have too much. There I said it. I have too much stuff. However unlike many my stuff is that which can be used; toiletries bought in a too good to miss bargain or gifted, cleaning supplies- especially Zoflora, craft supplies for that must have item that we never got around to doing, books, jigsaws…I could go on. This year I will be attempting to use up, make, “do”, read and then pass on.

_{Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash}

I may not succeed. I may fall at the first hurdle but it is day five of this new year and so far so good. Of course this will also have the effect of my not buying stuff. Items from the stash are to be used, repurposed, created with, entertained with rather than buying new. So minimum spend should be easy, right?

We shall see but I shall try and keep you updated on my journey and hopefully by the end of 2025 I will have less stuff and more money. Well that’s the plan. Come with me on my stuff journey, join in if you like. Let’s see how we can turn copious consumerism to our advantage and use up our stuff.

_{Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash}