I think I have found a focus point that may help you bag up at least 10 days' worth of your "40 bags in 40 days" goal: the garage. I bet you would think I will prattle on about my tiny garage and its minimal contents and that I fit my one car neatly in its garage bay. But I can't.
Because five.
That's how many cars we have. It's probably the least minimalist part of my existence. And I face it with some shame, yes, but let's move on. I have a teen driver, you know, and it's Texas, so we need a truck too... my excuse river runs deep.
Back to your garage. I drive through the neighborhoods near me and EVERYONE is parked in the driveways and on the streets. What, I ask, is the function of the two or three car garages attached to your home? Very pricey storage, my minimalist friends, and in addition, you're paying property tax for your storage room. There's an epiphany, yes?
In my defense, I do park three of the cars I own in my three car garage. At the very least, I am using my garage for its intended purpose. Which brings me to today. What can YOU do to get your garage used for its purpose: car, lawn mower, and tool storage?
Firstly, you must empty it out. Completely. Yes, I am aware this attracts neighbors and passers-by to your house like free tickets to a Wayne Newton concert, and you will have to say repeatedly NO, I am not having a garage sale today. But it must be emptied. This is likely a spring weekend event, because if it starts snowing halfway in, you'll be tossing back your rusty allen wrenches into to the corner and cursing my name.
Before you begin putting back all you have removed, ask yourself the age-old question: what the hell is this? If you can't identify the tool , the parts left over from your Ikea dresser from '07, or the box of Christmas yard art that was wrecked in the last snowstorm, then it goes. Trash. Next, I would like you to please park your cars in your garage. Regard the space around said cars. THIS is your left over storage space. You have likely invested a large amount into your vehicles. You are likely still paying on these investments. So, give them a nice home out of the elements. The rest of your stuff may be a bit pissy it doesn't get that kind of treatment, but it should be happy it's not trash!
I realize this is just a start, but I know you can harvest several bags from your garage to meet that 40 bags quota (see first Cowtown Minimalist blog post for those details). Good luck, Minimalists! Your cars and I commend your efforts.
Sheds have a lot of use. It isn’t just for contraptions or whatnot, but it is also good for storing your vehicle. But they can get really cluttered sometimes, since we just throw our stuff in it every now and then. All it needs is a little maintaining, and it could serve as something better.
ReplyDeleteRefugia Stein @ Container Domes Australia