Do you own your things, or do they own you?

[zetta]

I find it takes too much mental energy to constantly stay on top of the clutter that creeps into our house. I've decided to simply accept that there are certain "hot-spots" where junk is just going to accumulate -- two side tables in the dining room, the dresser in the bedroom, and the whole office room. For each spot, 3 or 4 times a year I will get in the mood and do a massive clean-out, but I don't try to prevent it from re-entering the cluttered state.

[Gruntina]

What is meant by being owned by one's things?

While I do take good care of my vehicle with proper maintenance and cleaning to make it last, I bought it for a purpose to serve my needs. I use it for commuting as well as having passengers, putting plants and firewood in the cargo space and etc.

I have to laugh when I see others baby their car and pay for expensive weekly cleaning services, luxury items in the car, stressing on what and who can be in the car and where to drive it to. It looks like the car owns them instead of the other way around.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I own my things.

But my mom is owned by her possessions, so I know what it's like.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Ha-ha, if spending too much time taking care of possession makes them own you instead of you owning them, then I suspect that I actually own less than I think I do, as I do not always take care of what I have.(Shame! Shame!) For example, I never did put away my winter blankets and they are in a heap in my bedroom collecting dust! And my bike is sitting in the garage with both tires flat. There's a lot of neglect around here.