In the past: When boxes come back from storage

Finding many boxes from her past leaves Fiona with many questions about her sorting etiquette and whether it’s fixable...

W e get some stuff back from storage this week. It has been some time since these boxes went away during a house move. In fact, we have almost forgotten about them. Which makes me feel guilty. But the real thing that shames is that, because it has been so long, I simply cannot remember what on earth is in these carefully packed packages.

The chief and I take a wild guess. That cocktail-making kit that never got used? Maybe some broken ornaments we never got round to mending? A spare dinner service, perhaps? Or what about all those toys we thought future grandchildren might like to play with?

Except they probably won’t. And they may not want to read books from the 50s and 60s.

As we debate, what is quite clear is that, whatever is in these cartons, it has not been missed. We don’t need it.

I am constantly trying to downsize, but it is difficult. At the last count there were 18 suitcases. You already know about the rucksack problem. We also appear to have 12 pairs of wellie boots, some more respectable than others. The place is stuffed with stuff. And it has to stop. I tell the Macgregor the new motto is “one in, one out.”

A French friend does that with clothes. And it works. She is always fabulously dressed. Then she is able to see the wood for the trees in her wardrobe. Unlike me. Dozens of coathangers, all weighed down with clothes. But probably only six outfits that are regularly worn.

And don’t get me going on the chief’s shirts. Frayed collars and cuffs a plenty, but never one deemed bad enough to throw out. We are not alone. One in five of us admits to having enough clutter to fill a room. Half of us cannot bear to chuck anything away. And the over-65s are apparently the worst. So we have that joy to come.

Anyhow, the boxes are back. Dusty and well-worn they are now sitting in the hall – and they are waiting for someone to open them.

As yet I have not found the time. Or is it that I do not have the inclination?

After all, if they do contain all the unwanted, unneeded things we think they do, why would I bother?

Would it not be simpler and less effort to send them, unopened, to the charity shop?

But wait a moment. Might it be that

I don’t know about your dogs, but mine are wary of things that appear in spaces that were previously empty

lying inside one of those containers there is a forgotten treasure? A pearl necklace, perhaps? A first-edition book, or a silver-framed photograph?

Whatever is in there, the Macnaughties are not impressed. I don’t know about your dogs, but mine are wary of things that appear in spaces that were previously empty. The spaniel and the terrier sniff round suspiciously. Some time later, I see the naughty Norfolk has cocked his leg against one of the cartons. So, we all know what he thinks of clutter, don’t we…