By Marie Elium
A newsletter arrived in my email the other day that got me thinking about stuff; not just any stuff, but my stuff and the things I surround myself with.
A writer for VegOut, an online publication that promotes plant-based foods, came up with a list of things in our kitchens that our kids will toss the minute they inherit our house. I took issue with several items on the list because I’ve been to my kids’ houses and they have the same thing we’ve got: a junk drawer and a jar of random screws and dead (?) batteries, to name just two.
Our kids live out of state — one in Atlanta, the other in Houston — but they visit often and are comfortable enough to comment on the contents of our house. One big sticking point is old condiments and canned foods. The other is our cluttered closets. Again, I’ve seen some of the same things at their houses.
I enjoy thrifting or making quirky items that have limited appeal to most people but make me happy. And I have a lot of hobbies that take up space: this winter, it’s been watercolor painting and sewing.
My collection of thrifted artwork, quilts, uranium glass, Pyrex bowls and stained glass pieces isn’t of much value to anyone other than me. That’s why, when I’m gone, I expect they’ll all end up in a thrift store or dumpster, and I’m okay with that.
Our kids aren’t minimalists, but they’re not collectors at this time of their lives. I’m not giving up my stuff, but I do plan to emulate a few of their habits. For starters, they tend to buy fewer but nicer items than I do. One example is kitchen gear like spatulas, serving spoons and bakeware. I’m going into 2026 with a plan to upgrade the stuff I’ve made do with for decades. No more chipped mugs, drinking glasses I don’t love, ratty towels and subpar soaps. None of this is expensive, but all of it will make my life infinitely more comfortable.
While I haven’t checked with my husband, I know he’s pro-junk drawer. We’ve got two, plus he’s got a couple of spots I can’t reach where he stashes his things.
I plan to keep my stuff until it no longer makes me happy. The kids can do with it what they want when the time comes. Maybe they’ll be collectors by then or have more interest in space-hogging hobbies. Then their kids can take over the expiration date checking and closet inspection duties.
