Celebrating the joy of owning things again

Do you remember the launch of Real Simple magazine? I couldn't get enough of it. It had great tips on organization (one of my favorite hobbies), beauty routines, and cleaning tips. Everything in the magazine looked so crisp and clean. That was when I first heard of The Container Store, which seemed like a magical place. I wanted my dorm room, and later my apartment, to look just like the ones in the magazine. However, there was one problem - I didn't have what it takes to be a minimalist. 

I love bright colors, patterns, and shelves full of interesting things to look at. I'm a gallery wall kind of person. I want to walk into a room with bookshelves filled with titles to read and tchotchkes to inspect. I could never keep the minimum number of items on the mantle; I always had to keep adding things. I thrive in rooms bursting with personality as they make me feel comforted. 

I used to watch 90's movies and feel envious of how they openly owned things that weren't hidden. The kids had real toys that were made of plastic and sang, not just a few wooden blocks. There were appliances on the counter, and you could use them anytime you wanted. Everything didn't have to match, and it wasn't all white. I longed for those days. It turns out, I'm a maximalist. Who knew this was a thing? 

After 20 years, having things on shelves is now back in style! It's okay to have lots of colors and patterns. I can collect all the plants and colorful prints and figurines and display them to my heart’s content. Well, almost to my heart’s content, as I have two cats and can't display certain breakable items. But you get the idea. You can choose to be a minimalist or a maximalist or not call yourself anything at all and choose your own style. What a wonderful world we live in.