All right, it’s time to wrap this thing up. For the end, I’m going with a reprise of the beginning: What was extraneous in this exercise (after all, remember I kept out hair mousse as an essential) and what true need was lacking?

I pulled from the kitchen ware the least. Here’s what I left out for myself for a week:

And here is what I did not use:

I enjoy cooking but didn’t do much of it at all last week, I think mostly because limiting myself to one small pot and a skillet was really depressing. I mean, I didn’t even make tea. That’s a surefire sign that something was wrong with that room of the apartment. Surely I can weed out some Stuff, but now I know it’s safe to unpack those boxes and stock the kitchen as I like, because it’s all useful.

As for my big Achilles heel—clothing and accessories—I did learn that I don’t really wear most of the things that I have, because most of the things I have are stashed away in boxes or hidden in bags somewhere. The drawers are usually so crammed full that I just take what’s on top of a stack of shirts or pants anyway. This last week it was very refreshing to open one drawer and know I have to wear something in there, rather than digging around for option after option.

Here is what I set aside:

Reality check: I ended up going to a party celebrating Diwali, which is the Indian New Year, and I decided it’d be appropriate to wear some festive shoes. I also broke down on the jacket situation—it was too cold for the one I’d set aside—and so pulled out something super fun, a jacket my costume designer friend customized. I also felt like getting a little dressy for brunch (and later in the day I had a date), so I pulled out a newish sweater and flouncy top to go underneath. And I started with the home improvement as well; I didn't want to paint my kitchen in clothes I wear to work, so I pulled out some old shorts and a T-shirt.

Also, I like my products. It was a little challenge staying away from an eye shadow or two, but I could not resist adding in deodorant (that should’ve been in there from the beginning, actually) and a skin serum. I look younger than my age for a reason, and I’d like it to stay that way!

Besides this, there were some other basic things I decided to go ahead and let myself use; for instance, my contacts, when I misplaced my glasses among all the boxes of Stuff for a couple days, and a tape measure and scissors. Plus a lid for a pot. Here is how I cheated on my Week Without Stuff:

I also caved and wore the high-top sneakers I like to walk my dog in. They’re a little too grubby to be photographed, sorry. Overall, I learned I get bored with the basics and really do need to spice it up with the kooky stuff in order to feel like "me." One interesting note: People were nicer to me in general when I just looked “normal.” Hmm… So maybe I don’t need to be the friend who can pull out six options for you when you call to borrow silver shimmery eye makeup for a special dress-up party. (True story.) Maybe from now on I’ll be the friend who has just two, and lets you keep one.

Further Reading:
Week Without Stuff: Intro
Week Without Stuff, Day One: War of the Roses and Turban Thoughts
Week Without Stuff, Day Two: Spelunking the Closet
Week Without Stuff, Day Three: Progress!
Week Without Stuff, Day Four: The Others
Week Without Stuff, The Backstory: How It Came to This

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