Date: 17 July 2024. Too Much Stuff - Step Edition.

© janice142

Over the past 16-plus years on Seaweed I have done a magnificent job of filling every nook and cranny aboard her to the brim. This has not done great things for my waterline. In 2013 I began the Becoming Clutter-Free webpage of articles I used to help me on this whole journey. Alas, I fell off the wagon. Unfortunately I am so very good at acquisition. I need to take the first step to reclaim my sanity and welcome you to join me.
 

The first step, er, steps...

 

Of late I have been going through every locker in an attempt to organize myself and my home.
 

Over the years I have managed to add much to my life. This year I realized that my possessions had begun to take up too much space -- not just in my lockers but in my head too. I found myself unable to locate items I knew I had bought. Spending perfectly good money to buy something I already own is unwise.
For the first few years Seaweed was uncluttered.
Above the aft window now I have two rows of microgreens. That is good for self-sufficiency however it does look like a cluttered mess. I needed a solution. In my craft locker I found a piece of Battenberg lace that came from my Grandma in Massachusetts. That I hung from a piece of 5/16" all thread that happened to be the exact right length.   Have I mentioned I have too much stuff aboard Seaweed?!?
Battenberg Lace covers the two shelves above my window.

The open airy boat I first bought has been supplanted by stuff.

Insert Excuses: What happened is that I would find something really cool, at a great price or free. It would be useful to have on hand. Inexpensive is ideal, especially if I could use it immediately. If I did not necessarily need the item, perhaps a friend would.

For the record, I have shared the fuel pump, tossed the foot pump that did not work and that
spiffy sink gizmo is in a locker. Another problem I have is buying things and not installing them expeditiously.
 

Out here, trading is a real thing. Yes folks do sell spares however quite quite often friends simply gift things they no longer need. I have been the recipient of a 55 amp alternator, gifted a 1000 watt inverter, bought a $5 VHF radio (a true bargain), been given a 5' long oar for my Algae, and more. Trading is the norm at least among the folks who are friends.

For instance, the larger alternator on the right was gifted to me by Rich on Bemused.
A few years later I sent along a solar regulator when he had a lightening strike.

At a certain point I became too good at acquiring and simply awful at getting rid of the unused. I am ashamed to admit that too many times a warranty has expired before I actually installed an item. Looking at you, AIMS 1200 pure sine wave *inverter.

*inverter: My friend Jesse is currently in Hawaii. When he returns he will complete the wiring for the inverter. I will not admit when the warranty expired on that 1200. Suffice it to say, quite a while back.

I purchased these wires ↑ from Genuine Dealz in Georgia. They have been my go-to for wires for many years.
Genuine Dealz has become Custom Cable USA. I have not bought under the new Custom Cable USA name, yet!
 

I have too much stuff. And it's all good stuff. Okay, maybe not every single thing is necessary. Therefore I have decided to make a concerted effort to find boat folks who actually can use my unwanted items. I shall be listing a few items on Trawler Forum. They have a SPECIAL SECTION for people (NOT businesses) offering boat gear. Link: https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/general-classifieds-no-boats.68/

These are the First Steps in regaining my beautiful airy home.

I am hopeful that with luck some of my old items will be just the thing for another boater. Fortunately Trawler Forum is a great place. The people there are incredibly smart cruisers. The Trawler Forum Classified section just might be a big help in passing along my old items. My plan is to ask for shipping plus a little bit for my cruising kitty. Please wish me luck!
 

I could actually use some encouragement too. I really have too much stuff. Lockers are brimming. To be fair, some is from our 40'er, however Seaweed is a 23' boat. I truly do not need large hose clamps. Nor four steps which are too big for my small gunnel.

This is what I used to have on my side deck / cockpit gunnel:

These are 2 1/2 inches wide. Instead I bought 4 (FOUR!!!) that are 3 1/4" wide. Those simply will not fit.
 

My solution: I took off the old one and threw it away. The last thing I need aboard Seaweed is
something that does not work. Except myself that is. Have I mentioned how wonderful retirement is?!?

For now I am redoubling my efforts at clearing out the clutter. Where I have extras I am passing them along. Baby is active in her church so some of my old crafting items have been promised to her. A friend is picking up a beading tray tomorrow. Cheryl and I are going to lunch, then to the thrift stores. I'm going to show restraint. Maybe!
 

As always I do thank you for reading. I appreciate that.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed with stuff?
Is it a good idea to buy items before they are needed to hopefully not have to spend more later?
 

COMMENTS:
 

© 2024

Categories:  Becoming Clutter-Free, Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations, Money,

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