Once the dust had settled on the basement renovations, the boxes were crying to be unpacked. However, reno stress had taken its toll, and I turned a deaf ear to the clamour.
While working up my mojo, I listened to audio books with titles like Lighten Up, Essentialism, Let It Go, It’s All Too Much, and Designing Your Life. Then I stumbled on two inspiring YouTube videos by Jenn from Origami Twist. She presents some novel perspectives.
Attach expiry date. While most art supplies are not perishable enough to have a shelf life, she suggests assigning items an expiry date. When an item no longer serves the purpose you intended; that is, when its functionality has reached its end date—for you—let it go.
Assess inventory. When sorting supplies, group like items together. Groupings help to assess inventory because it is visual. (What? I have four tubes of chromium oxide?) This seems so basic that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t done it in 30 years. I suspect it’s because I never had the inclination to sort my inventory. To my surprise—and delight—I corralled 100 sheets of Arches Text Wove! Woohoo!
Curate collection. I’m a gatherer who is loathe to break up a collection. However, when an item is no longer useful, its history in the collection is not enough reason to keep it. Fine collections are curated regularly. If an item no longer serves the value of the collection, it needs to be moved out to make room for new items.
Fast forward two months. The boxes have been emptied and flattened, the charity truck has taken away treasures to new homes, and I’m comfortably settled in my workspace, surrounded only by the supplies I truly need and use. (OK, and a few trifles I simply want…)
Still, I feel lighter and freer; less encumbered. It’s a new era in the studio!
If you have a studio purge story, I would love to hear about your insights and experience.
Design Quest 