100 flavors of Coke.
That was the incentive for my boys to visit the The World of Coca-Cola this weekend. We took a road trip to Atlanta and this sight was high on the list.
You get to sample Coke flavors from around the world like Black Cherry Vanilla, Mango, and Green Tea Coke.
My older son was dying to take full advantage of this decadent sugar blast and was confident he’d try tons of flavors.
But to no surprise, less than a dozen in, he called it quits. His taste buds were on overload and he was getting full.
Isn’t that so typical? You think more quantity and variety will make you take greater advantage of something. When in reality, a small sliver of your choices fully satisfies you.
That’s actually one of the key reasons we collect clutter.
We think more means better. When the truth is, more entices us – but we’re usually satisfied with less.
This is why I’m so excited for today’s episode of LIO TV. You’ll learn about the “Extras Syndrome” and more importantly, how to avoid it in the future.
And when you’re done watching I’d love to know what item you’ve purchased with extras that you later found out – you really didn’t need.
It’s so reassuring to know you’re not alone and that we all fall into the “extras trap” at some time or the other. So puh-lease don’t by shy to share your experiences down in the comments.
Love and appreciate your enthusiasm and support, sweet friend!
To living simple and happy,
Xo,
Mridu
Oh, I have one of those washing machines, too! It’s been four years and I always use Casual or Express Wash. My Water Pik came with tons of additional attachments that I never use, but are cluttering up my toothpaste drawer. Craft materials are the worst, I have loads of tools that all do the same thing. I could go on, but I think I will go throw (or give) something away.
I think my big weakness is buying either sets of make-up online (you know the ones, they have everything in the sets for “one great low price”.) or make-up that comes with a gift with purchase. I usually end-up using only one of the items and am left with zillions of unopened/unused cosmetics filling my drawers.
Robin, been there, done that. 😉 Marketers are soooo good! Makes us feel like we need EVERYTHING right at that moment. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes. Shall we commit to no more infomercials! 😉 Thanks so much for sharing friend! xo, mridu
I’m just nodding my head as I’m reading your list. Especially the water pik! LOL! Seems like such a deal at the time, right? Yes, purge Lucy, purge. Lets not let all those extras get the best of us! 😉 So appreciate you sharing with us. xo, mridu
I mail ordered several dozen cans of juice that I could not find locally because I’d get free shipping. I thought I’d stock for the future too. My son decided he didn’t like this brand and that something in it made him ill. At that point, the juice cans occupied almost 2 shelves in my pantry. To get them out, and not totally waste money, I drank just a few sips from each can and poured the rest of the can down the sink. This took several months. I took my last sip several weeks ago so this is recent. Donating was not an option due to the illness factor. I survived. Paying for shipping and ordering just a few to try may be better in the future.
A few year’s back I bought a super duper can do-it-all sewing machine with all the fantastic creative stitches. Guess what? I only use the basics.
Appreciate your honesty Sherie! It happens to ALL of us! 🙂 xo, m
This same thing happened to me when I decided I’d go gluten free. It was cheaper to order corn pasta in bulk so that’s what I did – and well, of course you can guess what happened next. Didn’t like that pasta. Should’ve stuck to just one box! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this story Janet. I know many of us can relate!! xo, m
Thanks, Mridu. Now that I know about gluten free corn pasta I won’t try it. One less piece of clutter to deal with. I’ve gone mostly gluten free, because I can’t digest it anymore . I have not found a gluten free pasta I like and quit buying pasta after trying several. The substitutes have an odd smell I can’t get past.
This is not really a clutter issue, but definitely one where I should’ve stuck to the basics. I got enticed into buying the full CD of dolphin swimming pictures and the video last weekend. There was a “deal” if you got both, so, of course I was the “sucka”. And, if I had just taken a minute to view and edit the pictures I took on cell phone, I would’ve seen that I had perfectly fantastic and FREE pictures all on my smartphone. So, now I can print out those 100 pics on the CD to wallpaper a bathroom, right? oh well…good learning. Thanks!
Definitely good learning Annette (great attitude!) — but girlfriend, I so feel your pain! I’ve done the same thing on a past vacay and later I was like: what?? why did I waste my money on this? But you’re right. It makes you avoid that same mistake in the future. Thanks so much for sharing! xo, mridu 🙂
Mridu, you are so on target! I grew up moving ALOT! We couldn’t have much and carry it with us, so things were “limited.” As a child I never understood it all, but now after living in one place for forty years, with my wonderful husband, I see the value of not having so much “clutter” (thank you Mom.) We just moved a big piece of furniture out of the living room temporarily for remodeling. When emptying it out I came across old pictures and old frames I have never used. Books we have read and have kept. For what I don’t know. Now I am going through it all and have a big stack of books to go to the thrift shop. You are a motivator and I am a big fan!
Dalene, I love your story. I think moving is the best way to declutter! (Everything else about moves is NO fun! 😉 But you’re right – once you settle in one place it’s just so easy to collect, store and get complacent with your stuff. Happens to all of us! So proud of you for decluttering. I guess remodeling is a great way to eliminate stuff too. 😉 Thanks for all your support. xo, mridu