Shopping. Or Not

So, we bought a house!!! I'm really excited. Since being married, we have been cooped up in small-space apartment living. And now we are going to have TONS of space. I cannot wait to sprawl out and enjoy our roomy digs.

I can hardly wait to move in. I am going to creatively explode all over our home once it's officially ours. Ben may subsequently explode, although in a more literal fashion, as he seems to think all of my creative ideas for interior design are foreign and, subsequently, tragic. It could be one big explosion after the other. Let's hope the house (and the couple) survives the impact.

Oddly enough, Ben and I made a point of getting RID of stuff for our move. This was in an effort to not pay to move crap we don't really need/want, and in an effort to not own stuff like that. :) But the funniness of the concept comes in as the two of us realize we have enough stuff to furnish the basement of our home (maybe) and that's about it.

As we're up-sizing, this new home makes us (and our stuff) seem very downsized by comparison. For some reason I really like that. And it's possible this relishing of downsized-ness and downsizing won't stop at the furniture.

We have had our stuff in storage for the last month and half. Along with our furnishing, kitchen supplies, books, etc, this also means about 1/2 (at least) of our wardrobes are also inaccessible and in storage. And, believe it or not, I kinda like it. This is a very unlikely conclusion for a girl like me to come to. It's dangerous to say it, really. Good thing Ben doesn't read my blog.

To put things in perspective, I'll admit that I have limited needs for a wardrobe since we have moved to the land of Wisconsin. I telecommute to work from my couch, don't have parties to attend, ya know ... it's been kinda low-key. So maybe it's a false indicator. And, as a result, I promise not to do anything rash or prematurely brand this as my life-long mantra for wardrobes. This is more just perusing an observation of the current state of things and hypothesizing about it's implications for the future. And so far, from what I can tell, there have been perks to having less stuff in my closet. While there is the downside of having fewer options, I find that I am more creative in putting those options together and less flustered when I look at my closet. And this seems to outshine the downside. So maybe less is more?

Have I lost my mind in Wisconsin? Well, maybe. But maybe not. I also have fewer shoes right now. In addition to some being in storage, I permanently parted with a third of my shoe collection before we even left Ohio because the shoes weren't worth bringing along (they either injured my feet or were so dinged up and worn out that the needed to be retired). This event may or may not have caused me to be on the brink of hyperventilation. And while I'm really into downsizing a lot of stuff, this leopard has not completely changed her spots. I've noticed even recently that I "need" some new shoes. And come warmer climates  and fancier parties, I will wish for several of my storage-ridden shoes back. So, there is some proof that I still have access to oxygen in Wisconsin and that there is some normal brain function happening here.

But, at least to some extent, I am starting to think I can dig a life, and closet, with less stuff. And I conjecture that when we get our stuff back, we'll get rid of belongings, even as we slowly identify and purchase other belongings that suit our new home. My wardrobe COULD be one of my biggest targets for divestment. Ironic, now that I will have a huge closet. Very ironic.

But don't get the wrong idea. I'm still all about more. At least when it comes to space. And shoes. Yin and yang, right?