Until recently I wasn’t aware that there is actually a clinical term for this disorder, too. It’s called Obsessive Compulsive Spartanism (OCS) or Ataxophobia. It manifests itself in the need to limit one's possessions in order to keep life simple, organized and under control. I get pleasure out of the fact that my worldly possessions fit in a few boxes, and pride myself in being able to react flexible to any kind of change in life.
The above goes to explain the following. Recently it started bugging me that the husband’s red Vespa hadn’t been on the road as much since he upgraded to Whitey, his Suzuki Burgman 400. Naturally for me it raised the question, what to do with two small scooters, if only one is needed, really. I pondered a lot about the pros and cons of whether to keep Paolo, my 2006 Vespa GT200 or stick with Bella, the 2008 Vespa GTS250.
Both two-wheelers have been equally upgraded; both are mechanically sound and well maintained. Bella however has a bit more power, is fuel injected; it sports a front rack, a higher windshield, and a hard box, plus it has two years and 8,000 km less under its belt. Decision was tough but settled in favour of Bella. Now I need to find a new home for Paolo. There, I said it. I will sell the rugged trusty old battle scooter and continue my commute on the beautiful dragon red Italian diva.
Sonja:
ReplyDeleteI wish I were you. I am not able to get rid of things. I tried . . . and failed.
good decision to keep the GTS. The main reason is for the FI, plus RED goes faster
There must be something that you secretly horde, and not telling us. SHOES, yes that must be it, you have a closet full of new shoes
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Hmmm. I hoard memories, in my mind that is ;-)
DeleteI have uncluttered homes of family and friends, and made the decisions they couldn't make because of their emotional attachment to things. I don't have that. It's a gift and a curse. I wish I could find a happy medium way, because it happened on occasion that I had thrown out stuff that I later on could have put to use.
Poor Paolo - but one can only, realistically, ride one scooter at a time. I'm attached to very little 'stuff' I just don't get around to 'unloading' it today.
ReplyDeleteI know, and it may sound harsh but I suffer more from having an extra scooter sitting there not being used.
DeleteThere are some that try and get all of their belongings to number under 250 items. I think that just my toolbox has more than 250 items. I admire this trait. I don't think I would be able to do it.
ReplyDeleteIs the Burgman still getting regular use or has it been parked for the winter?
Not sure if I could come down to <250. I mean you have cutlery, dishes, tools, all sorts of clothing, books (less now that I have a Kindle though), cds (less now that I have an iPod) but I certainly haven't much surplus either.
DeleteWhitey has been used for errands until a few days ago. Now it's being put into hibernation mode.
I'm not attached to things, but I love clutter. Of course, Heather tends in the other direction and likes things neat and tidy. It makes for an interesting household.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning how very nice it is to have an extra bike, but Karen is right you can only ride one at a time and three for two still means an extra. I will say, I will miss the photos of the two Vespas out and about together. I enjoyed the symmetry.
~k
Believe me, Keith, my husband is 'normal' or, in my terms, he clutters. So I know how difficult it can be at times ;-)
DeleteYou are right, the symmetry is not the same with the bigger scooter and a Vespa.
Some times we just need to let things go. I didn't realize there was a name for it, but I am like you in the no clutter, need order. "There's a place for everything and everything in its place."
ReplyDeleteI laugh sometimes and say if I ever went blind I'd still know where everything single thing in the kitchen was.
Have you used it in a year? Nope? Out it goes. This is why Brad only lets me in his garage to do laundry and get Max in and out. He knows I'd clean that sucker bare given the chance.
Good choice keeping Bella, since it is a newer Vespa with less mileage, even though I liked Paolo's color better. :-)
Brandy, I am also being told to stay out of Roland's home office. For me his desk and filing (or lack of...) makes me cringe. He also has a few boxes with clutter (computer and electronic "stuff") that I am not allowed to touch. Given the chance I would likely clean it out instantly ;-)
DeleteYou are right, Paolo's daring plum colour is something unique.
This is really interesting. My mother was that way and she was very German. I'm that way, too, and OCD (and OCS, I guess!) kicks in when I'm under a great deal of stress. I often go about looking for things to trash, give away or sell. I have learned, however, that I tend to rid myself of these "unneeded" things only to buy them again at some later date. I've finally figured out that I need to stop these impulses. I'm better now.
ReplyDeleteBut cleaning... look out. I'll sweep you into a corner!
I appreciate you posting this. It helps me to feel a little more compassion for my mother and her wild untamed need to throw things out and keep her home just perfect. At first I hated it, but now I appreciate that order. And if it's a German thing, then I'm proud of it.
Martha, you are not wrong. We Germans love our Ordnung!
DeleteWhen I am under great stress I start cleaning and throwing out stuff. It makes me calm and I feel under control again. But I have also phases where I am completely normal, and can ignore a dust bunny or mail that hasn't been opened yet. However, not for long ;-)
Doesn't anyone find that naming a scooter makes parting even worse???
ReplyDeleteNaming the bike is one attempt to create some sentimental value. But at the end of the day, a thing is a thing is a thing ;-)
DeleteWell I never would have thought of myself as a hoarder but I still like to keep things, I tend to be one of those people who gets into something passionately for a while til I get bored with it but it takes a while for me to come to terms with the fact I'm never going to use all that stuff again. I know where to put my hands on all sorts of wonderful things too, and it's always just after I got rid of something that I really need it.
ReplyDeleteI feel for poor Paolo, he's a great looking scooter but I guess you have chosen the best bike to keep. Good luck with it and I hope Paolo finds someone who will love him as you have :D
I also feel the wanting in me to get something specific but for me it takes awhile before I can get accustomed to letting a thing into my life, and after a while I lose interest, and then it usually needs to go quickly...
DeleteI will make sure to find somebody that can appreciate Paolo's qualities.
Interesting. I have some tendencies in both directions. I have a hard time letting go some things because of sentimentality. But I also refuse to purchase many things because it will just take up space. My husband is definitely not a "a place for everything and everything in its place" type of person and it drives me nuts! Because I am, and I can never find anything that he has touched. So we compromise and keep a messy house. But I usually know where everything is. Hehe
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of the decision, but understand the logic. I wrestle with it in my stable.
Lori:
DeleteI am with with OilBurner. When messy, I can find everything. when it is put away, it is lost forever. The problem is that everything I have has sentimental value, OR they are things that I may have to buy again if I throw them out so I hold on to them just in case.
we have so much junk everywhere BUT it is NOT mine and I am unable to throw out things that don't belong to me
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Bob, I am just the opposite. When somehting is messy my mind is so blocked that I cannot stand the view. I start organizing first, and by the time I've finished I probably forgot what I was looking for.
DeleteAs for other people's stuff (which is my hubby's only) it's easy. He gets a reasonable deadline, and when it's not gone by the time, it will be tossed out.
OCS, eh? Who knew! I think my husband suffers from that.
ReplyDeleteThese day we have a name for every disorder. I am sure there is one for normal people, too ;-)
DeleteIts better that Paolo goes to someone that will give him exercise, an unused scooter/motorcycle is a very sad sight to me.
ReplyDeletedom
forgot to mention:
ReplyDeletehttp://motorcyclecolorado.com/blog/researcher-seeking-women-motorcyclists-for-survey/
Noooo, not Paolo!!! I love that color and that tan seat, what a gorgeous scoot. Can you at least save the seat? Red and tan works, right?
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I have a hard time letting go. The German in me knows I should de-clutter, but the Scottish in me is too frugal to do so. Sigh.
Sonja it must be the Gemini in me. I like most things neat and so does Susan. But then my tools and supplies look messy, but I know where everything is and can find it easily. Cleaning and straightening the tools and supplies would simply be waste of valuable time.
ReplyDeleteAs neat as we are, we still have too much stuff. The worst is stuff that may have value (like the huge vox with the American Flyer train set I got when I was six), things with an emotional attachment, and collections (for me, books and ink wells).
At this stage of our lives we have way too much stuff and I want to unburden anad simplify. I have an untested theory for sentimental junk: take digital pictures of it to keep, then discard the original and set it free.
Time will tell. Hey, I sold my beloved Miata of 19 years after not driving it for three years because of my Vespa. That's a start. The unburdening has initial reluctance, a moment of pain, then comes the release that makes you feel better.
good decision to keep the GTS. The main reason is for the FI, plus RED goes faster
ReplyDelete