Rediscovering Forgotten Possessions Enhances Enjoyment and Reduces Consumption
TL;DR
- Rediscovering forgotten possessions, like sweaters or magazines, can provide novel enjoyment by simulating the experience of acquiring new items without incurring additional cost.
- Temporarily storing items out of sight, such as sweaters from May to November, enhances their perceived novelty and enjoyment upon rediscovery.
- Engaging with previously enjoyed but neglected media, like old books, music, or television shows, offers a low-cost method to increase daily enjoyment and fill time.
- Evaluating forgotten items for continued relevance is crucial, as trendy items from the past may be better donated than rediscovered.
- Prioritizing the rediscovery of existing possessions before purchasing new ones can fulfill needs and provide unexpected joy, enhancing daily life.
Deep Dive
To enhance daily enjoyment and reduce unnecessary consumption, actively re-engage with forgotten possessions. By strategically rediscovering items like off-season clothing or past media, individuals can experience the pleasure of novelty without incurring new expenses, fostering a sense of contentment with existing belongings.
The core insight is that intentional rediscovery can transform the mundane into the novel. For instance, by storing sweaters away for six months and then retrieving them in cooler weather, the act of unpacking them feels akin to receiving a new item, providing a fresh sense of enjoyment. This principle extends to other possessions such as books, music, or even old magazines, where a period of separation allows for a renewed appreciation upon their re-encounter. This method is particularly effective when items are deliberately put out of sight for significant portions of the year, such as summer movies being reserved for vacation periods.
The implication here is that a deliberate practice of "forgetting" and then "remembering" possessions can provide sustained enjoyment and a buffer against the constant urge to acquire new things. Before purchasing something new to fulfill a need or desire, a worthwhile exercise is to explore existing possessions that have fallen out of regular use. While some items may indeed be outdated or no longer relevant, many can offer significant enjoyment, contributing to a more fulfilling and less consumer-driven lifestyle. Even brief moments of rediscovery can add unexpected joy to an otherwise ordinary day.
Action Items
- Rediscover 5-10 forgotten items: Select books, music, or magazines to re-experience as if new.
- Implement seasonal rotation: Store 8-10 sweaters or similar items, retrieving them seasonally to create novelty.
- Curate 3-5 entertainment options: Identify and re-watch older TV shows or movies to recapture past enjoyment.
- Evaluate 3-5 trendy items: Assess if past trendy possessions should be donated rather than rediscovered.
Key Quotes
"Many of us have things in our life that we have mostly forgotten about. But they might still provide some enjoyment, especially if we can make them seem new again."
Laura suggests that forgotten items can be a source of renewed enjoyment by reframing them as novel experiences. This approach encourages rediscovering existing possessions rather than seeking new ones.
"Unwrapping each parcel is like getting a new sweater all over again. I am guessing that many of us have things in our lives that we aren't actively thinking about."
Laura illustrates how seasonal items, like sweaters put away and rediscovered, can feel like new acquisitions. She posits that this experience is common with many possessions that are not regularly in use.
"If you have older items, you'd like to enjoy as if they were new again, it might help to put them somewhere that you won't be accessing."
Laura proposes a strategy for recapturing enjoyment from older items by temporarily removing them from regular view. This deliberate act of putting items away can enhance their perceived novelty when they are later brought back into use.
"But in many cases, things wind up being forgotten about just because, well, they aren't in front of us all the time."
Laura identifies a primary reason for items being forgotten: their lack of constant visibility. She implies that simply changing the accessibility or placement of these items could lead to their rediscovery and use.
"Before buying something new to fill that need, it might be worth seeing if there is anything around the house that you have just forgotten about. It might bring a little enjoyment to your life."
Laura advises considering forgotten household items as an alternative to purchasing new ones. She suggests that rediscovering these existing possessions can provide personal enjoyment and fulfill needs without additional expense.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "favorite book" - Mentioned as an example of something to pull off a top shelf and read a few pages from.
Videos & Documentaries
- What Not to Wear - Mentioned as an example of great television that might be streamed.
Articles & Papers
- "December issues" (magazines) - Mentioned as items saved to be enjoyed later as if new.
Websites & Online Resources
- iHeart Radio app - Mentioned as a place to find more podcasts.
- Apple Podcasts - Mentioned as a place to find more podcasts.
Other Resources
- podcasting - Mentioned as a business strategy with a large audience.
- sweater weather - Mentioned as a time of year when sweaters are brought out.