Collections, pleasure and productivity
How those collections influenced my life for the better
While some people have peculiar hobbies such as collecting teddy bears, postcards, pencil sharpeners, or snuffboxes, I have a passion for something far more practical and space-saving: boxes!
I adore boxes in all shapes, sizes, and materials, as long as they are rectangular and have ample storage space. From the classic sewing box to the chocolate bar box or even the battery box, there is no limit to what can be stored in a box.
For larger items, my collection includes trunks, chests, and drawers, which are ingenious pieces of furniture that integrate perfectly with boxes.
My love for boxes and organization spills over into my teaching style. I am a firm adept at sorting, classifying, and ordering ideas, and I use five-column tables with neatly arranged boxes to present my course materials. This approach ensures that my students can easily comprehend and retain the lesson I present.
In conclusion, while some may find my obsession with boxes odd, I find it to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. My collection not only helps me keep my home tidy but also informs my teaching methodology.
Efficiency is key when it comes to accessing information. Just like knowing where things are makes finding them a breeze, having a clear understanding of how mathematical reasoning fits together allows for easy integration and reinvestment of knowledge. Of course, content is crucial, but the way in which it is presented should not be overlooked, particularly if one desires to be understood by a wide audience.
Mathematicians are often thought of as oddballs, living in their own world. Admittedly, as one myself, I understand that this perception is not entirely without merit. My relationship with reality is a little different than those around me, but I have found a powerful tool to help me emerge from my mathematical cloud: lists!
Yes, again, it may seem a bit strange, but my collection of lists is constantly evolving, changing, transitory. In order to earn a spot in my temporary showcase, a list must meet specific criteria such as being comprehensive and achievable.
In short, when it comes to accessing and understanding information, efficiency is key. And for those of us who may have a tendency to get lost in the world of mathematics, a well-curated collection of lists can be a valuable tool to keep us grounded in reality.
Naming something is a process that involves several stages before it can be considered valid. It begins with careful planning, taking into account everything that the name should evoke. If you’re making a shopping list, you might do it the day before, but for a holiday, you’ll start even earlier to avoid forgetting anything and add to it as your thoughts become more organized.
Once the list is complete, the real fun begins — checking off each item as it’s taken or completed. The more lines you draw, the more satisfying it is to know that you haven’t forgotten anything. It’s a feeling of accomplishment, similar to the joy of unpacking the last box after moving or putting the final piece of an IKEA kitchen together.
Finally, there’s the third and final collection that is both compulsive and necessary for expressing my femininity — shoes!
While some may argue that shoes are unnecessary and cumbersome, I have a few rational arguments to defend their existence.
Firstly, let’s consider how shoes protect our feet when walking on rough terrain. Surely, we can all agree that this is a practical reason to own a pair or two.
Secondly, I must confess to having a collection of 50 pairs of shoes which might sound excessive, but please, bear with me, I have reasons.
For the sake of order and peace, I must emphasize that these shoes are neatly stored in two spacious drawers and a corner of my cupboard, harmoniously blending in with the décor.
To those who question the logic behind owning so many shoes, let me explain. I have categorized them into three groups — summer shoes, winter shoes, and essential boots for extreme cold. I also have a variety of colors to choose from, ensuring a minimum level of assortment in my wardrobe.
By my calculations, I have 22 pairs per drawer after accounting for my six types of boots. So you see, my shoe collection is not as unreasonable as it may seem at first glance.
When it comes to shoes, there are a multitude of options to choose from. However, if we exclude the utilitarian shoes like tennis shoes, mountain boots, and flip-flops, we’re left with only 18 samples!
But, there is one crucial factor that determines our shoe choice — the heel height. Depending on the occasion and circumstances, we need to decide if we want to sacrifice comfort for style and height.
There are three types of shoes based on their heel height — flat shoes, which are easy on the feet but don’t add any height, medium-heeled shoes that allow us to cheat a little on our height, and bold and daring shoes that add a considerable amount of height. Personally, I prefer heels that are no higher than 7 cm, as anything higher than that makes my gait feel unnatural and puts pressure on my feet.
So, taking all of this into account, we can divide the number of shoes in each drawer by three, which gives us six pairs for each heel height for each season of city wear. In conclusion, shoe shopping is no easy feat, but with careful consideration and planning, we can ensure that we have the perfect pair for every occasion, while being reasonable.
Having a collection of shoes in different colors and styles is not scandalous, but rather an expression of personal preference and individuality that makes putting together outfits easier, which seems to me an elementary need.
And last but not least, the sustainability aspect. The more shoes you have, the less wear and tear each pair will experience. This means your shoes will last longer and you won’t have to replace them as often. It’s a long-term investment in your footwear collection.
So, in conclusion, there’s nothing scandalous about having a shoe collection. It’s a gratifying and practical way to express your personal style, which is crucial, and ensure that your footwear lasts for years to come.
Boxes, lists and shoes. What else ?