The completion of my address to council marked, as I had hoped, a few nights of perfectly restful sleep. Unfortunately, the fight is nowhere near over. The melatonin I was taking seemed to give me next day headaches, so I have begun working my way through some herbal teas. It has also been easily a month since I have had coffee in the house, and have switched to tea throughout the day.
I lay in bed and think of all of the letters I still need to write, all of the things I need to do. I wish I was thinking about gardening and pigs and ordering chickens. But my head is clouded with fierce frustration.
We still have not decided how many chickens we will be raising this year. I really do need to decide soon. I have completed our 2010 farm taxes, and let me just say, make no mistake you will never be pimping on small farm profits. That is, if you HAD profit, something which we don’t yet. One problem is scale. It’s so much cheaper to fill a silo than buy bagged feed. But feed has a limited lifespan; silos are expensive (“bankruptcy tubes”); and we’d have to cheek to jowl to get through it all. All of the price breaks happen on a much grander scheme, and we are especially limited here in Ontario thanks to the quota system.
We could not raise more than 300 chickens without buying quota, and the quota for turkeys is only 50. As small farmers we are prevented from entering fully into trade and commerce. Sobeys, Metro and Loblaws control over 63% of the Canadian marketplace. Unless we were to get our meat processed at a Federal plant (not on your life) we could not be distributed across provincial borders or by these retailers. Neither can small abbatoirs compete in the market, given the cost prohibitive nature of becoming “federally inspected” (amongst other things, we’d have to build the inspector their own private shitter). 73% of all federally inspected beef is from Cargill and Tyson. Saputo, Parmalat and Agripor control 70% of the Canadian milk market and the dairy council. Canadian supermarkets import lamb from New Zealand because we don’t have a federal lamb abbatoir. Repeat that last sentence in your head.
Canada has lost over 38,000 dairy farms since 1980. Over a hundred small abbatoirs in Ontario have closed alone in the last 10 years. Think of that. Who is going to be left in control of our food? Huge corporations who have no interest in anything but profit. Let alone the health and well being of the animal, or the consumer.
Why don’t we buy quota and raise more birds, engage in the “system” so that we can legally sell chickens, and you can legally buy them?
For chicken, the minimum quota is 75,000 chickens at the present start up cost of $850,000. We can’t even afford a tractor yet.
I do start coming up on ethical concerns when I think about raising more animals. I feel comfortable with providing my family with what I consider to be very happy, healthy meat. I understand no everyone else wants to, or can raise animals to feed their own families. It is thrilling to be able to provide this, to feed other people. However, in immediate terms, the blood is on MY hands. While I don’t believe in karma, I do believe in energy, and I am concerned about tipping the balance towards death.
As I have made clear before, I am opposed to factory farming, I find it unnecessarily cruel and offensive. I am not ethically opposed to killing animals to eat them. To quote my friend Eugene:
“I recognize that I am alive only at the expense of a myriad set of others who have had to give up their lives so that I can enjoy mine. It doesn’t matter whether that myriad is composed of chickens, lettuce, milk, fresh air or stones for a building I am making. My use deprives others.
For me the consequence of this is that I must make use of the time and life I have stolen from these others as wisely and beneficially as possible.”
In terms of time, I am ever so resentful of the amount of time I have spent on this industrial wind issue, and will have to continue to spend. We are going to be putting new windows, insulation and siding on, which ought to reduce annoyance from sound (at least in the months the windows are closed) and we are making a point to try to get our energy use back down to what it used to be (4-8kWH/day). If we can sustain that low level of energy consumption again, we will be able to consider getting off the grid, which would solve any dirty electricity issues that may arise from the project development slated for my area.
I also resent laundry. I hate laundry. There is always so much of it. I am feeling a desperate need to purge. We have too many clothes! Too much stuff! If there was less of it, there would be less mess for me to have to tend to. I am always in awe of minimalist homes, jealous. I would be hard pressed to count the number of garbage bags of clothes that have left our home (a dozen perhaps?) and that could surely be done again without hardly noticing.
How do you give up old clothes that may be great one day for re-creating into new ones? How do you ever part with books? I have countless bins of canning jars scavenged from yard sales and the dump, because you just never now when you’re going to need another jar! I would love to be ruthless and begin hauling heaps of STUFF out of here by the trailer full, but I don’t think I will be able to bring myself to do it!
Any tips on letting go?
We are definitely getting a little squirrely in our wait for spring. Pictured below are the kids and Scott firing kibble at the dogs with the Lee Valley Catapult; the children who were sent out to “shovel the snow off of the field” having at it…
My biggest issue is stuff. I’m always trying to purge and I’ll get rid of bags and boxes of things but it never seems to make a dent. I live in a 450 sq ft. apartment and I’m fighting what feels like a losing battle. I’ve even bought furniture so that I can try to hid all my stuff behind cabinets and drawers, but then items make their way on top of the furniture so my place still looks cluttered and bursting at the seams.
First, I set time and space limits for myself. I will only keep the repurposable clothing that fits in these two boxes. I will only keep the clothes I’ve worn in the last year. Second, I think how hard it would be to replace an item: I keep clothes to repurpose that have interesting, unique elements. I keep clothing I haven’t worn in the last year if it would be hard to buy again. I would say your jars are a keeper, because they have so many uses. And then third I think it’s important to revisit often. Not only will that remind you what you have, you’ll also find you will not know why you kept some of the stuff. ? I’m trying the keep things in plain sight method for a while and see how well that goes for my mountains of fabric.
Right now I have a tonne of old towels that I keep thinking I need to keep for dogs/cleaning, etc, but really how many does one really need
We have issues too, I dread the day we leave this giant space that somehow got filled. Bags of tshirts that will never again be worn but somehow can’t be parted with and more coming in the mail each week.
I like this chair, I’d have it in my home. Or on the porch?
http://fashionablygeek.com/t-shirts/the-t-shirt-chair/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fashionablygeek+%28FashionablyGeek%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
There is a place you hit, where you just have to let the stuff go.
I’m there, but not always.
My advice is like Allie’s, don’t go beyond the space you have to keep things, and the time you have to manage it. We are 3 people in a 4 and 1/2, down from being 2 in a 5 and 1/2 with a basement. Its taken me over a year to successfully purge our stuff to fit, but now I can actually keep my house clean with minimal chores. And its worth it. I never wanna live in a big house.
Once you start getting rid of stuff it feels so good you don’t wanna stop.
The hardest thing for me is stopping myself from buying things to replace the old ones, I love thrift stores TOO much, but I make compromises, and still always stick to the rule that t all has to fit. So a new piece of furniture usually means getting rid of an old one.
I have very practical advice on purging clothing: only purge clothes during a season for THAT season, or right after, not in the middle of the next. I’ve done things like purge tank tops in the winter thinking ” WHO NEEDS 8 tank tops!”, then come summer I remember the sweating and numerous clothing changes, the same with wool sock purges in the summer. Now I’ve learned my lesson and put out of season things away, so they aren’t part of what I have to manage.
there’s also this lady for better articulated inspiration: http://theminimalistmom.com/
There was a great thread over at mothering.com a while back, started by a woman who should really write a book she was so inspiring. Anyway, she was of the opinion that certain people, maybe she called them “messy people” but you could coin whatever term you want – just can’t accumulate. They (I…possibly you) can’t have yard sales, should not save for later craft projects, should use the library or get a kindle…and so on. For whatever reason, just accepting that I am a not a person who can pull that off was liberating and I felt less guilty about purging. Just get rid of the extra. Just do it and the reward is worth the few small regrets you might have – plus if you donate you can console yourself that somebody else is making use of them
What gave me the push I needed was this article in the G&M recently:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/were-a-minimalist-family/article1881374/
I was ruthless going through our closet and boxes (we moved 3 months ago and still had tons of boxes… obviously I didn’t need that stuff). I got rid of all the clothes that I didn’t wear very often or like very much (reasoning that I’d rather have a small wardrobe that I love), books I don’t plan on re-reading (if the urge to read some old John Grisham book ever strikes me, I know where the library is), and all the things I’d been saving because they “might come in handy” – they haven’t so far, so I doubt they will now (knock wood).
For me, the big impetus was that my job will mean we’re moving every few years, and I hate moving, so the less stuff we have, the better. But even if you’re planning on staying put, it feels so good to clear out all the clutter and have a manageable amount of stuff. If it seems overwhelming, you can start small – a drawer here, a closet there, and gradually work your way through all the stuff.
You NEED to read Simplicity Parenting.
http://www.nurtured.ca/Simplicity-Parenting_p_841.html
i get overwhelmed when i think about purging EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE. instead, it do it a bag at a time. i relish each of these small victories — not just getting rid of the STUFF, but knowing that i’ve passed it along to a person or institution that will put it to better use.
that said, some people will fret about making sure each individual item gets donated to a place where it will most certainly get used in the best possible way. this is simply unrealistic. i think of it this way — it’s going to waste just SITTING IN MY CLOSET. it has more potential to serve someone if it is sitting in a Good Will, Salvation Army, etc.
Good luck !
I hate clutter and tried to think that if I haven’t worn it in a year, it is time to get rid of it. Thank goodness for GoodWill – I send bags of stuff – kids clothes, my clothes, the hubby’s clothes which he insists I shrink in the laundry. At least I know that someone else will be able to use them. I have minimized to just a few things for myself. I also started watching ‘Hoarders’ – talk about a show to get one motivated!!! I think I threw out 3 garbage bags of junk. As for books – I donate them to the school, ditto for toys.
Thanks for the shout out from commenters – both about my site and the G&M essay I wrote.
I’ve heard great things about the book Simplicity Parenting and it’s on my to read list for 2011.
We don’t farm, we don’t even own a house. But reading your post, I recognized the same stuff anxiety I have felt. I can’t say I am cured after getting rid of a lot of it, but I am feeling a lot calmer. We have more time, I feel less stress in my own home. I’ve also completely changed the standards I hold myself too. I’m no wonder woman, no Martha Stewart or crafter extraordinaire. And I have to remember, I don’t want to be. I’m enjoying the domestic arts I like – mostly cooking – and getting through the rest with a smile on my face.
Take it slow, one corner, one drawer at a time. Good luck!
If you haven’t already, you should check out Erin Rooney Doland’s Unclutterer blog (http://unclutterer.com/). She also has a book, “Unclutter Your Life in One Week,” which isn’t really a plan for a week, more like a plan for a lifetime.
Good luck! Purging will feel awesome!
here is a good place to start – know how t-shirts and tank tops magically get shorter as time goes by? like they start a couple of inches below your pants line and then, by the magic of water and heat, become belly shirts? toss them all. i bet you have a lot. i know i did. yes, they were great tops. yes, thankfully even after twins i could probably still wear a belly shirt if i really wanted to. but i don’t really want to, and maybe you don’t either. OUT WITH THEM!
also, weeding your underwear drawer can be very relaxing. we all deserve hole-free underpants, no? and those socks you were going to stitch up… you won’t. make sock puppets.
i love and envy the minimalist lifestyle as well. i often watch HOARDERS and just imagine where i’ll be headed if i don’t learn to throw away things i’ll never have use for – okay, maybe not to that extent but it motivates me to declutter.
if you will get use of the item, definitely keep it.
I too am so annoyed with all the picking up and folding and putting away. It’s ENDLESS. Our idea to one day move onto a sailboat has us practicing to get rid of “stuff”. Steve has finally sorted out the garage and I’ve gotten rid of bags of my own clothes, we’ve sent off 5 boxes of books and still our library is spilling over! It’s the kid stuff…the books and clothes. I’m greatful for all her gifts but we’ve got tooooooo much. A nice problem to have given the circumstances of many people. Soon we will host the great spring GARAGE SALE!
Hello!
Still kicking around the internet and reading your blog
I wanted to throw my two cents about purging in here.
Just recently I turned my ‘scary room’ into a walk in closet. I moved EVERYTHING out of the scary room and started sorting through the boxes of ‘stuff’. Anything that I hadn’t looked at in ONE year or couldn’t remember the circumstances around aquiring (that was a big one for me because generally I have a huge emotional attachment to ‘things’) – “oh look at this stuffed animal, it’s so darling! but… who even gave it to me?” – anyway, anything like that – DONATED.
All of my little piles of things 10+ years old slowly got smaller. I remember when I moved three years ago doing the same thing – these boxes were the results of years of reducing and reducing. It might have been important to you a few years back, but not so much anymore. I think another key is to purge OFTEN. If you havent opened a cupboard or drawer in six months – do it! Open it and see what you can chuck.
I think that another great way to chose a particular size bin, closet, shelf etc. for something (clothes, kitchen ware) and make everything fit there. Anything that doesn’t fit get’s tossed. You then have to prioritize your most important pieces.
One last thing, everyone needs a junk drawer.. don’t get rid of that!
Hope you’re well
I know everyone is giving great advice about purging but I just wanted to chime in and thank you for clarifying why the hell it is that we only see NZ lamb in groceries. I was just talking to my husband about this the other day and neither of us had any clue. It’s a complete and utter pathetic shame. Our government should be disgusted with itself for creating this situation. We should be disgusted with ourselves that we let them do it. Thanks for helping (re)educate people about the food system.
The best advice I can give on simplifing is when going thru my clothes and even my books I think of all the people who will be able to enjoy them, and that I was doing my part in helping those (like myself) thay can’t always afford or want to buy things new. Silly and simple as it sounds it really helped when parting with my old things
I have recently went through so many of my belongings (childhood mostly). It took a few days and it made my mom so happy that the space in her basement was drastically increased! I know it does not compare to the amount of stuff thst accumulates in a household but what I aimed to do was keep all the things that really meant something or mattered to me or something I had a really strong memory about. It was hard getting rid of so much stuff but it feels so much better afterward. As far as the clothes go, I cant help you there because I have a fabric/yarn/used clothing collection that I try to control haha
I try to keep the hoarding to a minimum.
when i sold my house (7 acres and a huge house) i moved the excess stuff into a storage garage. soon after that i closed my business and i had to obtain another storage garage for that stuff. it too k me some time to realize that i wouldn’t open another business anytime soon, and that i wouldn’t buy another house anytime soon either. over the last few years i’ve focused on lowering my living expenses by paying off my debts, my car, renting a room in a friends house (for the last year i’ve rented a small 1br apartment for more privacy to study for college), and anything else i could do to lower my expenditures (and save money up).
i realized that i needed to eliminate at least one storage garage worth of stuff. i focused over the summer and got it done. i then shedded a few more items from the remaining garage (but that space was taken when i moved into a smaller (and cheaper) apartment recently. this summer i have a goal to go back in and shed some more baggage. i have a few items that i may not be able to get rid of but i also know that the time has come to let much more go. weigh each item out and ask yourself how much you really need it and if you realistically plan to use it (or them, all of them). possibly even consider just getting rid of half of your questionable multiple items, see how that feels for some time period and see how well you get along without. then use that to weigh out your thoughts on getting rid of the remaining questionable items.
good luck doing what is right for you!
We have a small “give box” by the porch, books I’ve finished reading that I didn’t adore completely- some one else can enjoy, the 4 extra potato mashers we seem to have amassed – bop! In they go too.
I find it easier to do it one item at a time rather than a massive purge. I know quite a few families have a “One in, one out” policy with things.
I am a bit of a chucker, I like things to be organized, so I do small purges all the time. I never get rid of books though. Books seem like one of those things I think you can never have too many of…….I don’t know why. Clothes, I know we have too many, but with 4 girls I guess it’s bound to happen, plus they get lots and lots of use being handed down so many times so I’m at peace with it I guess…..the most annoying to me, the craft drawers, always a huge mess!
Don’t give up the canning jars! Those are so pricey, even at the thrift store.
We only have 2 dressers in our house. One for me and Dan, one for both kids. If it doesn’t fit in there, then it doesn’t stay. And we still have too many clothes.
Books are harder; I save sentimental books and reference books and few extra that I absolutely LOVE. I’d rather track down a book or two later from the used book store than start storing books in boxes.
And feeding people healthy meat is invaluable. Though I do wish you could make good money off your efforts.
At the beginning of the year I started a declutter 365 project, throwing/donating/selling one thing per day (on average) which I’m finding greatly satisfying. It’s little & makes the task of purging excess not daunting anymore.
I agree with all of the above! Start small and really sit and think about what you need vs what you “want”.
I’m moving soon, mostly because I have no storage (how ironic) and am purging a little here and a little there. I accumulate So. Much. Crap. I’m going to separate it into the goodwill pile and a woman’s shelter pile. I have a ton of cosmetics/bath/beauty products that are collecting dust and I am sure that a woman who’s got next to nothing would love a little something to remind her that she’s a woman.
I feel better about donating it to a woman’s shelter because I know they really need it as they are often over-looked for these things.
Hey, Twwly. I’m not much of a commenter (I probably should be), but I just want you to know you have another reader.
I love reading about your life on the land. I know very little about raising farm animals or growing things or making things, but your blog makes me want to! I love learning about sustainable living, and trying to apply some things to what I do every day.
Thank you for writing…and I hope you can get some sleep soon!
I’m glad I read this post! Nothing like a little purging to get everything in order and feel like new. It was about time!!!
Keep the good ideas coming Ashley!
Hi Ashley, thanks for your great posts. I live in Holland at the countryside and I want to share my battle with you. I have 48 windturbines in my 360 degree sight. Two miles from my house (I will try to keep it short,ahum) there is a glass city where tomatoes and peppers grow in 160 acress off glasshouses. There are 8 sheds with each thousends of chickens in a range of 3 Miles around me. I life one mile from the highway. My neighbours spray poison to ‘protect’ their crops and against weeds with their big machines and using loads of electricity to keep the business/farm running. The farm next to me has trailers with foreign workers who can work cheap on the land. And so I can go on and on. I don’t live at the countryside. I live at an industrial site. In the beginning I fought against everything including town meetings, letters up till the state. It gave me a lot of adrenalinne. A lot of people agreed but didn’t want to take action. A lot of them wanted the money that comes along with this ‘industrialised agriculture”. Then the sleepless nights started and the grumpiness and the headaches etc. I had to accept and let go that the majority surrounding me wanted something different (aka the big money). So i chose a different aproche. I just life my life the way I think is best for me and my fam beiing as much as possible independent from the big corporations. I chose small scale but independent on food for us and our annimals. It is a long way but it feels great.
I think it is great you have a lot of people around you who help to fight your battle but don’t forget to share workload (and sleepless nights) with them. Wish you all the best and lots of sleep, Helena (forgive my poor writings, I’m better in Dutch)
You guys are GENIUS, GENIUS I say. I am plotting my way into the spring purge, will let you know how it develops!
(Helena – I hope my comment shows up on your AWESOME blog!)
I’ve heard melatonin with B6 works much better than melatonin alone. Something to do with B6 aiding with the metabolism of melatonin. You can buy a bottle of B6 if you’ve already got the melatonin or you could find formulas with the two together. Maybe the combo would eliminate your headaches? Might be worth giving it a whirl.