Comments on: Your Stuff Is Talking About You

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:08:00 +0000

Thanks for all the input everyone, I’ve really appreciated the conversations!

@kitchendoor, I think I would have a very hard time not judging someone looking to buy a bigger house to store their tupperware in We can be judgmental together!

By: kitchendoor

kitchendoor — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:58:38 +0000

You know, I was watching one of those “house hunting” shows a few nights ago, and this couple was looking to move into a bigger house because, seriously, all the woman’s Tupperware didn’t fit into her cabinets. Now, nobody gets between me and my Tupperware, either, but I do think there comes a point where you have to maybe pass some of those dishwasher-safe treasures along to the next gal and fit your stuff to your circumstances, rather than vice-versa.

Having said that, though, I admit that I did make assumptions about this woman based on her possessions, and it makes me wonder how often I indulge in judgements like that–and how accurate (or not) my impressions might have been. Thanks for a thoughtful post!

kitchendoors last blog post..Menu Plan Monday

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:16:14 +0000

Thanks for the discourse, everyone! deepali, I definitely agree with you on what you’ve said here. Since it’s clear our stuff talks about us and we do care what others think, it is truly important to make sure those things we have and do reflect our values and who we truly are.

I also like the point you’ve made that how people perceive us not only reflects on us but that opinion reflects on them. Perhaps if I got better at thinking if a person doesn’t accurately see me for what I am, that it isn’t just about me, that is about them also.

By: deepali

deepali — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:55:15 +0000

Part of what I think about you reflects on me – my own perspective and experience colors my opinions. And part of it reflects on you – sweeping generalizations are not entirely inaccurate. I think you are right to say that you shouldn’t let your stuff define you, but I think it’s hard not to. But more importantly, *you* should define your stuff (so that it talks about you accurately).

As an example, I strongly believe in fair trade and social justice. So I buy my (organic, single-origin, shade-grown) coffee from a coop in Central America. I rarely drink any other coffee. People comment – they say that I must be very picky about my coffee. True.

I want the image I project to accurately represent me. I choose my “stuff” accordingly. Why does it matter? Because it’s very human to care about what others think, and we all do care, no matter how much we like to think we don’t. I will fully admit that I care about what people think about me, partly because I want people to like me. But I also care about setting an example for positive change. And I can’t do that if my stuff is talking smack about me.

deepalis last blog post..the great debate

By: neimanmarxist

neimanmarxist — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:16:58 +0000

hum! I’ve been meaning to write a post about that post myself. consumption is inevitable. but the form of consumption we elect is certainly…. something that we choose. i believe that our aesthetic capability represents the furthest reaches of our human faculties (hello, too much time in grad school reading romantic philosophers) . And in that regard I have got to agree with you and deepali that your stuff says things about you- you can just choose to make those statements in a more or less alienated/alienating way. and now i’ll be on my pedantic way. great post today.

neimanmarxists last blog post..The Command Center

By: Liz@VioletPosy

Liz@VioletPosy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:36:01 +0000

I’m fighting a one woman battle in our house against stuff, we just have too much and we don’t need it. In fact I’m semi-dreading Christmas as yet again I’m going to sound like an awful mother when I ask people for book tokens for our daughter rather than the usual ton of plastic crap. She invariably plays with once and then never looks again and it’s just such a waste of money. Book tokens though can be rationed throughout the year and she gets far more pleasure from them overall.

But as you say other people’s impressions matter and they’d rather get her ’stuff’ than something useful.

Liz x

Liz@VioletPosys last blog post..10k Race for Life – Ickworth Park

By: melissa @ the inspired room

melissa @ the inspired room — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:46:52 +0000

Yes, it really is true Emily. Our stuff doesn’t define us, but you are right, it does talk. It just isn’t always reflecting what people think it is. Too bad people think so much about our stuff! They are often times so mistaken about what it means or doesn’t mean!

Happy bad awful day,

Melissa

melissa @ the inspired rooms last blog post..Fall Front Porches: Get Your Cameras Ready!

By: David

David — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:47:05 +0000

I can’t please everyone? Why not? Thanks for the mention, appreciate it.

Davids last blog post..Sunday Money Roundup – Fall Is Definitely Here Edition.