The Uselessness of Usefulness: A Personal Inventory of Home Treasures
What is the most useless thing in your house? Choosing one item might feel like picking a favorite among family, but in my humble abode, the answer varies from day to day. Let's take a look at some of the unusual and noteworthy contenders for the 'useless' crown.
The Irons of the Past
My collection of irons has fascinated and frustrated me over the years. I own at least four or five irons, each with a story dating back to my great-grandmother's time. These irons are more like relics than functional tools. They're old-school and require you to put coal inside to iron your shirts. Although I have no intention of parting with them, they now sit proudly on my fireplace hearth, a curious testament to the past.
Repairing Skills: A Journey from No to Almost
As for my repair skills, well, let's just say they border on non-existent. Changing a light bulb is about as far as my abilities stretch. Anything more complex, and an unforeseen disaster often ensues. For instance, a couple of years ago, I replaced the washers in our bathroom basin taps. Everything seemed fine until the water turned back on, only for the taps to spring a leak into the vanity unit, soaked through the material, and caused significant damage. I'm truly that good.
The Lazy Adult Son and the Eviction Notice
Speaking of challenges, my lazy adult son has been a source of ongoing frustration. His free-living lifestyle has come to an end when I serve him an eviction notice on January 2nd. Fed up with his free-loading behavior, I'm giving him the choice to either clean up his act or move out. This isn't the first time such an eviction notice has been given, and I'll likely not be the last.
The Rotato: A Neat Look Meets Practicality
Next, there's the Rotato. I purchased it purely because it looked neat, but my house’s resident cook doesn't seem to find it useful. It remains in the kitchen, a decorative yet purposeful mystery. Some people might call it a useless object, but it brings a smile to my face every time I see it. So, in a way, it's there for the simple joy it brings.
The Large Ceramic Cat Statuette
When thinking of items that serve no practical purpose, the large ceramic cat that sits in front of our fireplace immediately comes to mind. While I love real cats, I'm allergic to them. Therefore, this silly cat statue is a mere decoration but it makes me smile every time I see it. Whether it’s practical or not, it's certainly a source of joy.
Once Useful, Now Useless
Some items in my collection were once useful but are now obsolete. For instance, a flat iron, a few hair combs, and brushes were once essential to my hair care routine, but now I have locs, or dreadlocks, and no longer need them. They sit in a drawer, new and unused, but they don’t match my current life.
The process of decluttering and deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away is a valuable part of living. It’s not just about getting rid of things; it’s about reassessing and finding new meaning in the things we own. These items, from old irons to decorative cats, hold a place in my home not because of their functional value, but because of the stories they tell and the joy they bring.