Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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Such wonderful posts here. I appreciate reading so many of them.
My Story
A year ago I was bedridden awaiting back surgery of two fusions. I was a whopping 325 pounds although by my surgery date I was probably below that due to being diagnosed with diabetes and starting to eat healthy. Yep, I was a total mess and completely out of control with my eating habits. After surgery which was successful, I was unable to walk due to be bedridden for several months. I then went into a rehab facility for over a month and gained the strength to walk again. This is where my journey back to good health really began.
Fast forward to today, a year later. Once I began my journey to renewed health there was no stopping me. I have lost 115 pounds, reversed my diabetes and no longer take medication for it. My A1C dropped from 11.5 to 5.2. In getting physically healthy, emotionally I did the same. I walked away from toxic family members who consistently disrespected and devalued me. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be but in doing so it taught me a very valuable lesson. There are takers and there are givers and if you allow it, the takers will suck the life out of you. I have absolutely no regrets in walking away and for once I feel free - free from their emotional abuse, free from the fat that weighed me down and most of all free from wondering and worrying about what other people thought of me. I’ve learned to love me and put me first. Is that selfish, no, it’s called taking care of and loving oneself.
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W What a tremendous post and contribution to this thread!!! After reading your post, I felt/feel like I just was enveloped in a beautiful and powerful atmosphere. What a HUGE breath of fresh air--your post is going to help and inspire so many people, including me. Thank you ever so VERY much for posting this...you ROCK, period.
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Madwife2009 wrote: »I was decluttering my (rented) house in preparation for moving into my (purchased-as-in-its-mine) house. We'd decluttered the shed and the garden (good weather). Last Thursday we got the keys to the new place and found that the previous owner had left a load of his unwanted stuff there and the garden looks like it hasn't been tended in years. We knew that the garden was a mess but the house was a shock, being as the previous owner had signed a legally-binding document stating that the whole property (including the garden) would be left clean and tidy.
So I'm now decluttering the new house as well as the rented house. At least with the new house decluttering is easier as everything is being thrown out. None of it can be recycled/passed to a charity shop as it really is just old junk.
Not what I'd expected and I almost cried last Thursday when we opened our front door. A week in though, some paint on the walls and I can see the potential I saw in the place when we first viewed it. I'm a lot happier now than seven days ago! It's going to be a fabulous home for us.
Once the pest exterminator has dealt with the mice in the loft (nice house warming present) and we've finished renovating it...
{{{ Hugs }}}} I'm so happy you've got a new home and so sorry that it's wasn't totally fabulous and loaded with bummer stuff, but I LOVE your attitude about and I'm cheering you and your beloved on in getting everything done. {{{{ Hugs again }}}}1 -
Nice to see familiar faces pop in! So happy you are both doing so well! I'm getting ready to go babysit the grandkids for 2 weeks, so I'll be here when I can.
Have fun with the Grands Snoo...I'll miss you big time! Once more, may these next two weeks bring you nothing but good times, laughter, love and again FUN!4 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Nice to see familiar faces pop in! So happy you are both doing so well! I'm getting ready to go babysit the grandkids for 2 weeks, so I'll be here when I can.
Have fun with the Grands Snoo...I'll miss you big time! Once more, may these next two weeks bring you nothing but good times, laughter, love and again FUN!
Thanks, my friend. I'm supposed to be there already. Last night (10:15pm) I got a text that my flight was going to be delayed an hour this morning. I'd have missed my connection, so I'm flying out early tomorrow. I'm so excited to get there!1 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Nice to see familiar faces pop in! So happy you are both doing so well! I'm getting ready to go babysit the grandkids for 2 weeks, so I'll be here when I can.
Have fun with the Grands Snoo...I'll miss you big time! Once more, may these next two weeks bring you nothing but good times, laughter, love and again FUN!
Thanks, my friend. I'm supposed to be there already. Last night (10:15pm) I got a text that my flight was going to be delayed an hour this morning. I'd have missed my connection, so I'm flying out early tomorrow. I'm so excited to get there!
Excited for you sistergirl--may this time in your life bring you nothing but love, joy and FUN!
{{{ waving "Bon voyage" and HUGS }}} 1 -
Vanity ALERT: 
I LOVE the way I look here--Yes, Yay, WOW and of course, BOOM!
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NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: » Vanity ALERT:
I LOVE the way I look here--Yes, Yay, WOW and of course, BOOM!
ETA: Had a Big Mac, large fries w/LOTS of catsup and coke yesterday ( I haven't had a Big Mac in a loooong time) and WHAT DO YOU KNOW--WHAT DO YOU KNOW, got on the scale a few minutes ago and BAM! The scale has finally dropped after more than a month (last time the scale dropped was June 5th and I was down to 146.0lbs). Today's drop is one of the biggest drops I EVER had DOWN 2.2lbs down--I'm at 143.8lbs. Let me say that AGAIN, I'm at 143.8lbs (from my all time largest of 219.8lbs-size 22w
)
Thank you Lord !!!!!
NewLIFEstyle4ME 2 minutes ago
lost 2.2 lbs since last weighing in! Newlifestyle4me's lost 76 lbs so far.
My Progress...I'm DOWN 76 big ole HUGE pounds!!!!
I edited this "vanity" pic post to post this FABULOUS NEWS! I'm getting soooooo close to my all time ultimate mega WOW goal of 140-137!
P.S. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW DOWN 76LBS!!!!!!!!
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Love me some you G...{{{{ Hugs and Much Obliged }}}}}}}}}}}} 1 -
@NewLIFEstyle4ME 76lbs is phenomenal! You look that and more! Congrats my friend!2
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Congrats @NewLIFEstyle4ME Bet you're feeling so good!!2
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I haven't read all this thread but the beginning is good. Has anyone mentioned FlyLady? = Finally Loving Yourself. Look it up, nice website and encouraging. All the best to everyone. Moving and have lots to let go of - kids all out, downsizing to a very small place,... have lost 100lbs in less than a year... need to lose lots of pounds of junk!10
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How do I find this place again? The topics on MFP rotate and I don't know how to come back and find you. I'm liking the encouragement to each other I see here. Go folks! We're doing great things!2
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I read a book called Goodbye, Things: On Minimalist Living by Fumio Sasaki late last year and it changed my whole perspective on life. Since then I have been ruthlessly going through things and moving them on - either to charity or selling them. Feels liberating.
Think sometimes we hold on to objects for sentimental reasons - because there is a moment associated with them and a view that the thing will keep the memory alive. You'll never loose that memory and just take a picture of it to bring trigger that memory again if you feel you need it!
Other thing I've been watching on Netflix earlier in the year is Marie Kondo's series on de-cluttering - which is also great and I've learnt a whole new way of organising my world to make it a much better place to live!
The combination of these two have been something of a revelation....7 -
@NewLIFEstyle4ME 76lbs is phenomenal! You look that and more! Congrats my friend!
Girlfriend!!!!! You sure know how to make a person feel like a million bucks TAX FREE! I love that you saud "you look that ans more--that's tremendous honey, THANK YOU my friend!3 -
@promisesstandin ..click the star on top right by the title & then later click the star far top & it will show you all the ones you have saved. (Starred) hope this helps!2
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ricomincia wrote: »I read a book called Goodbye, Things: On Minimalist Living by Fumio Sasaki late last year and it changed my whole perspective on life. Since then I have been ruthlessly going through things and moving them on - either to charity or selling them. Feels liberating.
Think sometimes we hold on to objects for sentimental reasons - because there is a moment associated with them and a view that the thing will keep the memory alive. You'll never loose that memory and just take a picture of it to bring trigger that memory again if you feel you need it!
Other thing I've been watching on Netflix earlier in the year is Marie Kondo's series on de-cluttering - which is also great and I've learnt a whole new way of organising my world to make it a much better place to live!
The combination of these two have been something of a revelation....
I've haven't heard of this book, will have to check it out. Living minimally does something inside and outside of you. I guess just like hoarding or living in excess all the time will/does too. I love the way you said you'd become "ruthless" letting go and not looking back at all your "stuff". I did the EXACT thing when I began this wonderful adventure (and I find it's a ongoing deal/like maintenance in weight blastification). I LOVE being "ruthless" in getting rid of excess and messy stuff(and thinking too)--it's the only way to "fly" with me concerning decluttering, period.2 -
promisesstandin wrote: »I haven't read all this thread but the beginning is good. Has anyone mentioned FlyLady? = Finally Loving Yourself. Look it up, nice website and encouraging. All the best to everyone. Moving and have lots to let go of - kids all out, downsizing to a very small place,... have lost 100lbs in less than a year... need to lose lots of pounds of junk!
I've known about "FLYLady for years, but never knew the "FLY" meant Finally Loving Yourself...how cool! For you to have permanently blasting 100lbs AND in less than a year is the stuff CHAMPIONS are made of. You ROCK, period. Let me tell ya, getting rid of and not looking back a "lots of pounds of junk" is going to help, encourage, and bless your life just as much if not more than the weight loss. WOW! Thank you ever so much for posting--your contribution to this thread is absolutely fantastic--again YAY YOU, you superstar YOU! Boom! 4 -
ricomincia wrote: »I read a book called Goodbye, Things: On Minimalist Living by Fumio Sasaki late last year and it changed my whole perspective on life. Since then I have been ruthlessly going through things and moving them on - either to charity or selling them. Feels liberating.
Think sometimes we hold on to objects for sentimental reasons - because there is a moment associated with them and a view that the thing will keep the memory alive. You'll never loose that memory and just take a picture of it to bring trigger that memory again if you feel you need it!
Other thing I've been watching on Netflix earlier in the year is Marie Kondo's series on de-cluttering - which is also great and I've learnt a whole new way of organising my world to make it a much better place to live!
The combination of these two have been something of a revelation....
Thanks for the book suggestion! I'll have to check it out!
My mom once said that when her parents died of old age, there was a houseful of things left behind. She has always had a minimalist mentality. She told me that everything in the house was sentimental, since they were her loving parents. But all she kept in memory of them were their reading glasses and a handkerchief. She could have lugged everything to her house but you are right the memories will always be in the mind. The things we leave behind are just things.
I love Marie Kondo's show as well.3 -
I just watched a video about the book. @ricomincia
I liked hearing was it was written by a young man's perspective. I also liked the idea of adopting a "uniform"; don't have too many clothes but wear and buy only what truly suits you and you feel good in. The writer of the book has about ten pieces of clothing hanging in his closet.
https://youtu.be/BUJB_zwD2SM
I'll have to buy the book to get some more inspiration.
One memory this review jogged was when I was moving classrooms; my dad was helping me. He said that I have way too many children's books and that is overwhelming for kids. So, I pared down my books by a third based on his wise comment. Same goes with toys. A child will get overwhelmed if they have a room with all kinds of toys instead of just a few toys in sight.4 -
I like the idea of donating things that we don't longer need, want or overwhelm our household. I would do it in a heart bit. But how do you deal with your spouse's feelings and wishes?2
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I like the idea of donating things that we don't longer need, want or overwhelm our household. I would do it in a heart bit. But how do you deal with your spouse's feelings and wishes?
That's a tough one!! He will have to meet you in the middle; donate just a few things with him and he'll probably slowly come to the realization, I don't need all this STUFF. I know that of all the things I've donated, I barely now remember what they were.2 -
I like the idea of donating things that we don't longer need, want or overwhelm our household. I would do it in a heart bit. But how do you deal with your spouse's feelings and wishes?
I started with my things only. I'm not anywhere near done, but my hubby has started going through his things. Its random, but progress.2 -
I like the idea of donating things that we don't longer need, want or overwhelm our household. I would do it in a heart bit. But how do you deal with your spouse's feelings and wishes?
I think that it's about letting him have the freedom to choose when/what to do/throw out. And tolerating the situation because you love him.
We're moving house (well, due to my RTC I'm just lounging around, directing proceedings) and I've told everyone that if they want to get rid of stuff, that's good but that there is no pressure to ditch stuff and if there's anything that they want to keep at the moment, then they can. My son found a favourite toy from when he was small and has decided to keep it. Which is fine.
I wasn't ready to throw out years of notebooks from my midwifery training six months ago. Now, I want to get rid of the lot and I am happy to let it go. It's doing me no good, things have moved on since I trained and I'm ready for it to go. Yesterday I released my health visitor training materials into the depths of the recycling bin. I'm going to put my midwifery text books on Ebay as although they are out of date, they have a bit of "historical" interest.
Sadly, following my RTC, my bike is a write-off
and will have to go to make way for a new one, whenever that may be. The police may want to take the bike as the paint from the car that hit me is on it and they have no other solid evidence that he hit me as there are no witnesses to the actual collision, just before and afters. I don't remember anything about the crash, apart from the period leading up to it, hearing the car before it hit me and "coming round" sat upright with loads of people asking me questions. I *think* that I'm glad my brain has decluttered that memory as I don't want to remember being hit at high speed by drunk driver. It happened at school turning out time and the idiot went off in the direction of the school so I am just glad that I was the only person hurt. 9 -
Hi friends, got home last night to a clean house! Hubby cleaned, mopped, and even shampooed carpets. It was a wonderful feeling!4
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I graduated. That means I can simplify my life by not having to worry about the faculty's latest tricks. My degree program went through three curriculum changes during my 6 years (bachelor+master) and everything was so messed up inside the faculty administration that when I literally wrote "how the *kitten* would I know, you tell me" to my personal study plan for the master's degree, they approved it as a legit plan and nobody asked a single question. I managed to graduate, and yesterday I unsubscribed the student association mailing list since I don't have to care about the faculty news anymore. The mailing list was mostly parties, meetings, clubs etc, but faculty news were also distributed through the list, so I had to stay and pay attention to everything that was sent to the list. Now I'm done with law school and done with that list.
On to bigger, better and less messed up things!8 -
I like the idea of donating things that we don't longer need, want or overwhelm our household. I would do it in a heart bit. But how do you deal with your spouse's feelings and wishes?
Positive encouragement and look for the keys that make letting go of things easier for your spouse. (I am the spouse with the difficulty letting go/my dh would with great glee chuck the majority of what's here. But that's why I read this board - it's POSITIVE & encouraging /lectures simply make me resent it all & not want to let go. And I can hand over things to my kids who do pass it on if not needed. And if it's going to a good cause, I can give to that. Saw a video on Swedish death cleaning which made sense; so am trying. Also, if there's a reason why something isn't needed anymore, that helps. Putting stuff on freecycle so it goes to a new home as well.)3 -
The computer room is next! I just keep seeing things that need to be gone through. I started photo albums, threw 1 out. But I really just need to start in one corner and go through the whole thing.3
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