Saving for a Rainy Day
I was between books, wondering what to read next, and the ChickieNob gently recommended that I finally read my copy of Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls. I was saving it for a rainy day because I love his books and wanted it in front of me (vs. already consumed). But it’s about the summer after high school and growing up and leaving, and she suggested that if I didn’t read it now, it might get harder to read in the spring. And maybe even impossible to read for a while in the future.
It was absolutely the right call.
I started the book, and my heart immediately hurt. But the writing was so good that it was soothing it as it was agitating it. Like a really good cry. A cathartic release.
I’m reading it slowly to savour it, reading other books in the between, but it raised the whole idea of what we save to read, eat, watch, and use in the future because we want it in front of us and not behind. As I was thinking about it, I received a sign from the universe in the form of a newsletter exactly on this theme. She writes:
So when we moved to the US last year, I began actually using everything. Candles, snacks, plates, creams, clothes. Use-over-hoard became the mantra because my time here is short … And I like this—books are getting read because I know for sure I cannot take with me most of them, skin care bottles are actually becoming empty (I’ve never had that happening before expiry), new recipes are being cooked simply for a reason to celebrate on new serve ware, puzzle boxes are being opened and completed, fancy soaps are torn open from their packaging.
I’ll replace this unread (now being read) book with another unread book. But to never read it at all would feel like the saddest story.
I definitely hoard vs. use in the moment. How about you?
3 comments
Definitely a hoarder — although I’m trying to improve and be more conscious about what I’m accumulating and what I’m using. Much like the woman in the newsletter you linked to, when we moved, I was confronted with having to pare down my book collection (including dozens of books I hadn’t yet read), plastic bins full of leftover miniature bottles of hotel shampoo & body lotion, Clinique gift with purchase miniatures (some of which had dried up when I checked them out), etc.
I had to dump a lot of it, and have resolved to start using things instead of hoarding — I finish off the hotel shampoo when we get home now, for example. I still have too many scented candles… I have some beautifully hand-embroidered dishtowels that my grandmother’s neighbour made for my wedding shower that have never been used… and I am (still!) working my way through a couple of plastic shoeboxes full of Clinique minis…! And I still have trouble using my good china. I’m told it’s dishwasher safe, but I’m not anxious to test the theory, and it’s such a pain to have to handwash them, especially just for dh & me.
But I’m working on it…!
A little of both…I don’t hoard books though, because I get all of mine from the library. It’s a good way to avoid that sort of behavior.
I think maybe I’ll have a candle sale this spring though – we have a bunch around the house and I never use them. I need a couple for power emergencies, but that’s it.
Yes, I’m “a little of both too.” Or perhaps a lot. I hate throwing things away, though I seriously need to do so. But I use a lot of the things I’ve inherited from my parents and in-laws, even when I know they rarely used some of these things. (My MIL’s crystal bowls is an example – so much beautiful stuff she never used. It is sad.)
I’m going to make sure I do more of this now. These things are no use to us if we never use them. Thanks for the reminder!