memory archive — day 96

My children are collectors, which doesn’t help when one is trying to achieve a more minimalistic and simplistic home. Thinking about it, I feel that everyone starts off in their childhood with being a collector. Collecting shells at the beach, pebbles in the backyard, colourful leaves in autumn, insects in the summer and lots and lots of sticks all year round at the local park (see picture). Then they like collecting toys, beads, stickers, sweets, pencils, gemstones, more toys; the list goes on and on. I don’t want them to stop collecting though. It clearly plays a role in growing up. What I’d like to show them and guide them to, however, by leading (or at least trying to lead) a more simple lifestyle, is the option of consuming less, owning just what you really need and/or dearly treasure.

memory archive — day 85

In hindsight I regret getting rid of this scarf. I had kept it and worn for about nine years for a good reason after all. Looking at the image of its cross pattern now, I realise that it does remind me of Japanese traditional pattern designs; two-tone and minimalistic repetition. So even long before I knew that I’d be going to live in Japan, I was, subconsciously, drawn to the country’s design aesthetics.

memory archive — back on

After a week off, enjoying sakura in Tokyo, I’m back, refreshed and ready to continue with my memory archive — clearing the house by discarding no longer needed items and writing about the memories they hold.

As per my method of one item a day, it is getting easier to part from things. However, in terms of creating my ideal, clean and simple space that I’ve been craving for, so far I’ve only scratched the surface. Continue reading “memory archive — back on”

memory archive – day 14

IMG_6631 (1)It is not the vase that I will dispose off today but the flowers. They’ve been in that vase for 2.5 months now and the ends are getting mouldy.

It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I started to care for flowers. I think it’s from that age onwards that receiving flowers as a gift becomes more and more common. And, before you know it, you’ve grown fond of the idea of displaying flowers in your home as a regular thing.  Continue reading “memory archive – day 14”