As I was getting ready for work the other morning, my husband, in a supportive and loving way — really it was — commented that maybe I could find room for one more bottle of shampoo in the shower. I tossed an endearing gesture back at him and continued my morning rituals.
It wasn’t until I was in the shower, looking at 6 bottles of shampoo and conditioner, that it hit me in the face — Why for the love of Pete, can’t I throw things away. Yes, I had just brought home some heavenly lavender/mint shampoo from my beautician, and yes, I still had a some in the old bottles I brought home last time — some citrus bouquet I think. But then I noticed I still had dregs in the shampoo and conditioner from the time before last. Ugh, he was right, is there really any reason to keep all those bottles of almost gone products.
I don’t consider myself a packrat, nor living in an episode of hoarders, but I this morning the light went on and I knew that in every drawer and closet I would find almost empty bottles, boxes, makeup containers that I knew I would use up in an emergency. Not only would I find these products, but under my sink I stashed hand and dish soap containers with just enough to cover the bottom of the bottle. Why, why, why?
Is it because I was a baby boomer growing up thinking there would be a nuclear winter and I would need all the shampoo and makeup I could find? Or maybe because I was raised by parents of the Great Depression where butter tubs and bread sacks would save us from starvation? Or could it be that I really just like the experience of opening something new — a new fragrance, a new color — and with one little whiff all of my good intentions of finishing the old things up, I mentally have moved on.
I have no idea why I do this, it pains me however, to throw away anything that is not completely gone — so I guess my solution is just to hide them under the sink until one day my children have to clean it out and put it on a hay rack at our estate auction.
I think it’s due to being raised by parents who lived through the Depression. Mine were already teens when it struck. I think this is more common than you might think. I still try to squeeze every iota or shampoo or toothpaste from a container. I can get at least another week out of toothpaste after my husband declares it is time to throw the tube away. Nuclear winter? Not sure. Maybe the zombie apocalypse.
LOL — my husband would agree with preparing for the zombie apocalypse!
Making note…. Need to clean out my purse and decide to “throw it away!”
Oh — Cleaning my purse is a biggy…good luck!
I was there with you, but have since been dumping excess even if new cosmetics into the trash. Now under my sink is less scary (lol). You may enjoy this Sunday’s Podcast as we are talking about cutting the clutter. Great post and I will share.
Thanks! — I too have gotten rid of a lot of it, but it’s hard!
I couldn’t believe the bags of trash I filled with half-used samples and partly-used shampoos, moisturizers, salves.. We were moving–after 40 years in the same house–and that gave me the incentive to finally toss it all out. It felt great. I felt cleansed and incredibly light. Would I have done it if we weren’t moving? Can’t answer that question.
It is amazing what we can’t throw away.
I just realized that shampoo and conditioner are the only items I hoard. Very fussy in other ways about clutter, my shower could stock a small food chain with all the goodies. Glad I’m not the only one!
Hahahaha! It’s much more common than I imagined, because I do the same thing! I’ve been determined to be better lately, though. I’ve started cutting plastic bottles and tubes open to finish the last ‘dregs’.
I can almost see space under my bathroom sink!
TP. I am now glad I have a tendency hoard TP!
I’m pretty good at getting rid of stuff but was living with guy who saved everything for years and years. They can be just as bad.
Tubes and vials!!! I have them everywhere. It was not until I moved a stinky bottle of hand cream 3 TIMES that I decided I need to weed out and throw away! #trafficjamweekend
LOL — I am at least using mine up now!