I love going to garage sales, looking at people’s junk, sometimes even finding a treasure for myself to tote home with pride. But one garage sale this summer filled me with horror that I will never forget. It wasn’t the things on the lawn. This particular woman’s kids had grown up so it was mostly toys, clothes, and plastic plates. Same old. Same old. But inside the house was something much different.
The woman, within some casual conversation, told us her husband wanted to open a clock shop. “There are at least three hundred clocks inside,” she said, pointing to the 1200-square-foot building behind her.
I was bewildered, curious, and terrified at the same time. I had to see this. So like a spook house on Halloween, my sister and I entered cautiously through the front door, greeted by the tickling of an infinite array of every sized clock you could possibly imagine.
They literally covered the walls, took residence in corners, on various tables, hung from the ceiling and on the refrigerator. How could anyone sleep in a world of endless ticking? It was like All Dogs Go to Heaven with all the watches, except this was more like hell.
And it wasn’t just the husband. She also kept Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, though I don’t know where she found room for them. The entire house was a museum of useless collectable objects, and I decided that I never, ever wanted to be that way.
I like stuff, as I’m sure everyone does, but Mike Nelson’s book Stop Clutter from Stealing Your Life demonstrates how collecting things, even for unfulfilled dreams like clock shops, can be an emotional addiction that can destroy your self-esteem, finances, and family. He goes through chapters on why we clutter our houses and gives practical advice on how to stop the cycle.
Article comments
1 - Mike Nelson
Thank you, Janica. I must say that your last two paragraphs certainly captured the intent of my book. Perhaps your comments will help those who could benefit from it to take a look at it. I wish you all the success in the world with your endeavors.