Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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First and foremost {{{{ LOVE and HUGS }}}} to EVERYONE of you first class winners and all time champions for contributing to this thread. YOU have blessed and helped sooooo many people because of your posting here than you will ever hear/know. MANY people have learned and been encouraged for/because of your contributions here, especially lil ole me! Once more, I am delighted at the posts I've read here--WOW, just WOW!!!!!!
Soooooo many wonderful, spectacular and miraculous things have been happening in and thru and for me since adopting this "lifestyle" of LET IT GO and living a simplified life, including some (but not all) things here:
1.) as of today, I've LET GO of 50lbs (actually 49.8lbs--but my status scale here on Mfp says 50lbs gone
). I joined Mfp on 2/14/12 and it's taken me 6+ years to lose be delivered from and to let go of 50lbs. I've gone from my highest of almost 220lbs down to today, I'm 170lbs--words can't described how thrilled I am! I'm at lowest weight I've been in almost 18 years--18 YEARS! But it's NOT just the weight loss--my entire outlook on life has changed/TRANSFORMED and I'm so GLAD it has. I'm at peace today and handle stress, woe and food completely and totally different--after all these many many years of trial and tribulation in the battle of the bulge, I'm a "new creature" at last--WHEW! I'm not done, I've got 30-35lbs more to go to get to my goal of between 140-135lbs, but this is the first time in YEARS that I look at myself and see and believe, "I'm looking GOOD and feeling even better"--BOOM!!!!
2.) No exercise at all in this weight loss, just diligently cleaning (sweeping, dusting, washing, ironing and general housework, etc.) daily. My home is now so clean, pretty and orderly all the time now. Just basic habits of everything in it's place and a place for everything. My lifestyle has changed sooooo much in the past year that I adopted a cutiepie kitten and it brings such joy into our lives. I always wanted a cat, but my home and lifestyle just wouldn't allow me to, because of the mess inside my heart and home--just too much trouble I thought a darling pet would be. No more--YAY!!!
3.) I gotten rid of so much "stuff" just tons of books, clothes, tons of STUFF (including toxic relationships) that now my outside environment and my inner spirit is consistently clean and lovely most all the time--truly and more minimalist and simplified lifestyle and it's wonderful, period. When life happens and stress, strain, woe and ugh rears itself up in my mind and life I now face it with LOVE, JOY and a SOUND MIND (no matter what) instead of going along to get along. Saying NO to myself and others is no longer a strain or fear, it's simple as "is this good for me, is this robbing me of peace and is this (person, place or thing/food/drink) pressing/pushing me or causing me to revert to my old yucky ways/thoughts/feelings and habits in anyway? If so, the answer is NO and at the very least WAIT. I love this!
4.) I'm eating between 1200-2000 cals per day. I eat whatever I want to, just not as much nor as frequently. I eat when I'm hungry, period. At long last, I'm eating to live instead of living to eat and again at comfort, contentment and control--THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!28 -
Very inspiring everyone! Thank you for sharing!
I have been decluttering my house as I declutter my body...it almost seems like the weight and the “stuff” is related psychologically - letting go, moving forward is certainly not easy, but it feels cathartic!6 -
Donated 10 dog beds/rugs today! I've been decluttering my yarn stash, making beds/rugs. I put all my scrap (won't use) yarn on the spare bed. I can see 1/3 of the bed now. The girl at the shelter was thrilled. Working on the next 10.
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I made myself a yoga studio!! I've been practicing handstands every day since June 1st, and wanted more room than I had in the lounge.
Our only child is 25, and living 300 km away, so I decided to make a studio out of his room. He said he wouldn't mind.
My OH helped me put the desk and chairs in the garage. We put the bed base against the wall so our son can use it when he visits, and the mattress against another wall for me to do handstand wall drills against.
I'm so happy with it!
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I made myself a yoga studio!! I've been practicing handstands every day since June 1st, and wanted more room than I had in the lounge.
Our only child is 25, and living 300 km away, so I decided to make a studio out of his room. He said he wouldn't mind.
My OH helped me put the desk and chairs in the garage. We put the bed base against the wall so our son can use it when he visits, and the mattress against another wall for me to do handstand wall drills against.
I'm so happy with it!
Congratulations, its beautiful!4 -
I spent a good portion of last year and some this year decluttering the home of stuff. Still feel so far off getting rid of all the stuff I'd like to. I've kinda come to a slow at it but will be jumping back into the pursuit of a more minimalistic home. I've got some toxic friends that I have kinda let go somewhat until she clears up her drama. Still some other to work at in the relationships areas though.6
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This is a fascinating topic. My mom died in 2016 and I got all of her clothes as I’m the only daughter. We weighed about the same and I loved having her things to wear, since she had cuter clothes than me! I’ve always hated clothes shopping. I was dreading the time when they would be too big and I would lose my connection to her.
I’ve lost almost 30 pounds and wanted my closet to be a “walk-in” once again, so I cleaned it out last month. In going through her things, instead of feeling sad, I practically heard her saying, “You deserve nice new smaller clothes, so get rid of these! I’m proud of you!”. I was even able to give a lot of them to a friend who just started working, so they’re not even really “gone”. It’s such a relief!
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I made myself a yoga studio!! I've been practicing handstands every day since June 1st, and wanted more room than I had in the lounge.
Our only child is 25, and living 300 km away, so I decided to make a studio out of his room. He said he wouldn't mind.
My OH helped me put the desk and chairs in the garage. We put the bed base against the wall so our son can use it when he visits, and the mattress against another wall for me to do handstand wall drills against.
I'm so happy with it!
Handstands??!!!!???? What kind of wonderful/impressive winner are you???!!??? I'll tell ya....a REAL one--wow!
I'm not quite sure which is more superb...your doing HANDSTANDS (wow) OR your super cool, super NICE new ultra minimalist and pretty workout room. I love both. O, you are a sheer unadulterated blessing and have/are encouraging me (and MANY other folk you'll never hear from) soooo much. You ROCK girlfriend, GET IT--Boom!!!!!6 -
rundgrenrocks wrote: »This is a fascinating topic. My mom died in 2016 and I got all of her clothes as I’m the only daughter. We weighed about the same and I loved having her things to wear, since she had cuter clothes than me! I’ve always hated clothes shopping. I was dreading the time when they would be too big and I would lose my connection to her.
I’ve lost almost 30 pounds and wanted my closet to be a “walk-in” once again, so I cleaned it out last month. In going through her things, instead of feeling sad, I practically heard her saying, “You deserve nice new smaller clothes, so get rid of these! I’m proud of you!”. I was even able to give a lot of them to a friend who just started working, so they’re not even really “gone”. It’s such a relief!
Wow...just WOW! Thank you so much for your contribution here on this thread--what an inspiration!6 -
Donated 10 dog beds/rugs today! I've been decluttering my yarn stash, making beds/rugs. I put all my scrap (won't use) yarn on the spare bed. I can see 1/3 of the bed now. The girl at the shelter was thrilled. Working on the next 10.
Absolutely tremendous! Way to go, you winner you!3 -
ShrinkinMel wrote: »I spent a good portion of last year and some this year decluttering the home of stuff. Still feel so far off getting rid of all the stuff I'd like to. I've kinda come to a slow at it but will be jumping back into the pursuit of a more minimalistic home. I've got some toxic friends that I have kinda let go somewhat until she clears up her drama. Still some other to work at in the relationships areas though.
Yay you! This getting rid of the multitude of EXCESS "stuff" (including toxic friends, family etc.) is so much like our weight loss mind-set. It's NOT a one size fits all nor a I've "arrived", it's truly a developing and nurturing of a new "frame of mine and new habits" and choices. It's a daily thing and genuinely new type of lifestyle/thinking/living. Just like it took some of us YEARS to become overweight, obese and morbidly obese, it's going to take many (if not most) of us time to get into the mode/pattern/inclination of living with less and keeping our inside and outside homes and lives in real order and less mess/stuff. You're on your way and again, YAY YOU!!!!1 -
I LOVE THIS POST! Very inspiring, OP - gave me some motivation and helped me remember where I've come from!
Two, almost three years ago now, I had a shift. I cut out drinking year one. I cut out smoking year two, and this year I've cut out relationships that no longer serve me. In that time I've also managed to let go of a lot of stuff - clothes, shoes, trinkets, school supplies, etc. And also, habits - no more going out every weekend, or having to see every concert that strikes my fancy. No more wanting for the weekend and wasting the week. I planted my roots firmly with my family and started cultivating a better relationship with myself first, and then with my partner. I realized that stuff does not fill me up - it just fills up my house. I can't pour from an empty cup so I had to find out what actually did fill me. It was fresh air. It was heart to heart talks with my partner. It was waking up early and earning overtime to save for a house. It was playing with my dog till we were both dog tired. I tripped - I stumbled - I got back up and I'm back at it! Do I have plenty more stuff I could still do without? Sure do! Will I continue to press on in the directions of my dreams? Sure will!
...W W 1,000,000 Kudos, hip hip HOORAY for you, you winner you--.W W again. Talk about inspiring this post sends me to the moon (and back) with joy, encouragement and delight--Boom!!!!! You Rock, period. 2 -
amazsplendor wrote: »I am looking forward to reading here..Thanks OP!!
Me too...reading these posts are so tremendous to/for me--I'm learning a LOT and am getting so many fabulous and helpful/doable tips and pointers here. My pleasure and thanks for taking the time to post here!
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I found out that Habitat for Humanity will take kitchen items, well household items, but my kitchen is on my list.2
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nutmegoreo wrote: »
Then you are letting things go. I follow. Thanks2 -
These are some of the things I've been "CHEWING ON/thinking" about in this journey from fat to slimmer and from a "junkie/STUFFaholic" so to speak to a much more simplified, clean/orderly, happy, prettier lifestyle. BTW, I'm in the 160's today 168.4 and my body fat percentage (from my body/water/fat scale--I don't care one wit about how "scientific" it is), I'm just super THRILLED to see this info...my bodyfat percentage has gone down from as high as 48+% to today 22%=W W!!!!
Also, when I said NO exercise during this "renewed mind and transformation process" for my now 51.4lb loss thus far (wow), I actually do put on some jams/uplifting & "groovy" music and dance a bit while I'm ironing and sometime when I'm doing housework/cleaning (dusting&mopping and general "maintaining" my more minimalist lifestyle), etc., so yeah I guess I am exercising, but it's/my daily exercising is purposely natural fun moving this body of mine daily, absolutely no stress, no ugh, just fun---BOOM, I love this simplified lifestyle sooooo much---YAY!
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I read the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up around the same time I started counting calories and I totally agree that decluttering can help with the mental part of weight loss. It's so much easier to cook when I'm not having to dig around a bunch of clutter in my small kitchen, easier to exercise when I can't use cleaning as an excuse, and having a clean space is so much better for my mental health which is very very helpful. I think I've gotten rid of at least 15 kitchen garbage bags of stuff and I haven't missed a single thing yet.
I highly recommend the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up if you're interested in doing a big decluttering. The author is straight up crazy but I don't think the book would be nearly as good if she wasn't nuts. I took a slightly less aggressive approach than she recommends but still more aggressive than most (ie haven't used it in a year or two). Her philosophy is very helpful for reminding yourself that no, the world will not implode if you get rid of something and need it later, and you most likely will not need it anyway if you're debating getting rid of it.7 -
happytree923 wrote: »I read the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up around the same time I started counting calories and I totally agree that decluttering can help with the mental part of weight loss. It's so much easier to cook when I'm not having to dig around a bunch of clutter in my small kitchen, easier to exercise when I can't use cleaning as an excuse, and having a clean space is so much better for my mental health which is very very helpful. I think I've gotten rid of at least 15 kitchen garbage bags of stuff and I haven't missed a single thing yet.
I highly recommend the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up if you're interested in doing a big decluttering. The author is straight up crazy but I don't think the book would be nearly as good if she wasn't nuts. I took a slightly less aggressive approach than she recommends but still more aggressive than most (ie haven't used it in a year or two). Her philosophy is very helpful for reminding yourself that no, the world will not implode if you get rid of something and need it later, and you most likely will not need it anyway if you're debating getting rid of it.
WOW Isn't it utterly and completely amazing that you don't miss a single thing you've rid yourself of...AMAZING!!! I've (to my utter amazement) have gotten rid of a ton of stuff (almost literally) and I don't miss a single thing AT ALL, again WOW!
Even of ridding myself of toxic relationships, which I use to think impossible and too scary to do, BAM! I don't miss a single one and actually am at sooo much peace/contentment and even joy without them. Letting "stuff" (people, places and things that contributes to one's self-destruction--even if "LETTING GO" may mean even if the person is still in your life, NO LONGER going along to get along and "minimizing" contact, fellowship and company of said toxic person...NO longer allowing them to have your "power over and in you and NO influence whatsover, no matter who or what or where" and not giving them a split second of your peace of mind or "inner-space" AKA learning to say "NO" and with a loving, but I MEAN BUSINESS spirit/attitude, period. TO TOXIC PEOPLE AND EVEN YOURSELF WHEN YOU FEEL THAT yucky thang coming on and over you-refusing with total and uncompromising giving way/place to any person, place or thing that hinders your walk and new way of thinking, living, being, period.) and once we do learn to say NO and mean it consistently, how y/our general unhealthy thinking and living is minimized and is so FREEING, like a monkey and albatross off of your neck and back. YAY, thanks so much for posting this--I didn't even think of it until you posted. YAY YOU!!!!2 -
Thanks for sharing (everyone!). I donated another 2 bags to a local place today. They basically know me there now, and love when I bring in books - which is what I initially brought in a TON of.
I have so many more books to go through, part of which I am going to tackle on Friday.
This week has been mostly about clearing out all the magazines and old papers that I'm never going to look at again.
Thanks for inspiring me to keep going at it!5 -
Every year, when I switch out warm weather clothes to cool weather clothes, I hang the initial set up with the hangers facing the wrong way. When I go to swap again, if the hangers are still the wrong way that means I didn't wear it in 6 months so I get rid of it!15
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Last week my 3 kids helped me declutter their bedroom closet and mine too. We donated about 12 bags of clothes!!! 12!!! Felt so good!!!
Next stop is the kitchen.
Question to those who got rid of bad relationships...how did you do it ? Simply stopped talking to them? Did you let them know you were going to stop?
Thanks!3 -
Last week my 3 kids helped me declutter their bedroom closet and mine too. We donated about 12 bags of clothes!!! 12!!! Felt so good!!!
Next stop is the kitchen.
Question to those who got rid of bad relationships...how did you do it ? Simply stopped talking to them? Did you let them know you were going to stop?
Thanks!
That's wonderful! I'm itching to get to my kitchen too.2 -
I took last week off work and spent nine days sorting, purging, and organizing my entire house, shed, and car. I'm in So Cal and it was brutally hot through a few of those days but it felt really good to push through it. Took more than one carload to donation almost every single day.12
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[quote="momofoli;c-42291641Question to those who got rid of bad relationships...how did you do it ? Simply stopped talking to them? Did you let them know you were going to stop?
Thanks![/quote]
IMO, it's better to just distance yourself, or make yourself less available to the person you are trying to end the relationship with. If you announce it, it may invite a nasty confrontation, depending on the person.7 -
Last week my 3 kids helped me declutter their bedroom closet and mine too. We donated about 12 bags of clothes!!! 12!!! Felt so good!!!
Next stop is the kitchen.
Question to those who got rid of bad relationships...how did you do it ? Simply stopped talking to them? Did you let them know you were going to stop?
Thanks!
First a big ole YAY YOU (and your darling children) for getting rid of 12 bags of "stuff", that's just tremendous, period. Now onto the biggie...HOW did "you" do it--getting rid of (or letting go as I like to see and call it, of BAD relationships. Now this is the way I did it---everyone is different (of course) and it's not "necessarily" a one size fits all. I "LET IT GO" with several people. Most of which I've known all of my/their lives--that was the toughest part. Here's how I did it. I DARED to believe Jesus when He said:
John 8:32 (KJV) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
What?!? How?!? you may wonder. Ya know, for more years than I dare to count...I've live a lie, period. Living in a fantasy world of "everything will be alright if I just go along to get along" and it's/that's a lie. Going along to get along with toxic people (no matter who they are) WILL show up in your life in the form of stress/mess/delusion/mental issues/physical issues (in my case, becoming obese/lazy/yuck--etc.). Once I DARED to first KNOW and then be MADE free by THE TRUTH, and then humbling myself (because believe it or not, to truly love someone one MUST be humble. The opposite of humility is PRIDE/selfishness/self-exaltation & preservation and all that jazz. Once I DARED humble myself to see the TRUTH about the relationship/situation--BAM! My eyes were opened and I saw that it wasn't even so much the other person as it was ME. Once I started to HATE lying (about what was really happening to and around me)/pretending (if I just (fill in the blank) and everything will be okay/going along to get along (being quiet/angry/sullen/bitter) but trying to so-call "keep the peace" when in reality...there was no peace, ever--just living a lie/fantasy.
Okay, then what?
Apologizing to the person(s) for faking and/or going along to get along and letting them know I really don't want fellowship/hangout/have a relationship with them anymore, because frankly I do not like nor trust them. Because of my lack of trust in/of them, I don't respect them nor want them around me anymore. No finger pointing, taking ALL the so-called blame or fault but letting them know their friendship and/or being a part of my life has come to an end and there is nothing they can say or do to change that. They live in a different reality than I do and I no longer will be a part of their reality anymore, period. When you look a person dead in their face and/or communicate with them in a I MEAN BUSINESS...NO TURNING BACK, PERIOD. It is amazing how they back off like a big dog--BOOM!
What are these "personality" spirit types I've cut to the quick?
Users/manipulators
Liars/Sociopaths/Psychopaths
Folks whose lifestyles and life choices are diametrically opposed to mine
Folk who wear me out (mentally, spiritually, financially) and get on my nerve/make me sick
People who use their positions in my life as obligations to "support" them in their mess (family members mainly)
Drama kings and queens and folk who look for trouble (you know the type).
Long story short ANYONE who hinders me from being the best I can be, no matter how nice (because believe it or not, this has NOTHING to do with being "nice". 90% of the folk I listed above are so-called "nice". It's NOT about if you are "nice" or not. It's about are you a destructive "force" in my life? If so, BYE FELICIA (as the young people say). NO matter who you are. Now their are a couple of people in my life who just don't get it, no matter how much I've shared/discussed it with them. Those folk, I generally ignore (not returning calls, not hanging out with, etc.) When they do call or visit, I'm polite, but as quiet as a church mouse, I aint got thing for them, nothing to contribute one way or another. They soon get the message. Absolutely NO bitterness, NO anger, NO VENGEANCE. Just NO non-sense I only got this one life to live and I'm no longer allowing evil/mess/foolishness/wickedness/YUCK to mold me, shape me and go along with it anymore, ever. Why? Because....I DON'T HAVE TO---Boom and YAY!
Wow...for so many YEARS, I really believed (based on society's standards of what I must be obligation to do/be in regards to family and long-term friendships, etc. Get outta here. I can't believe I put up with such YUCK for so long, because "they/society" says I have to because their my (fill in the blank with family members). {{{eye-roll}}}}
For those that don't care for the "spiritual" biblical way of getting rid of folk (while still loving them/forgiving them, but not "casting pearls among swine, so to speak), there is this show called "The Dog Whisperer" A guy named Milan and watching those shows will open your eyes to how MANY problems with people in your life (even though this show is about dogs bad behaviors), it's amazing how if you apply these principals with your "frienemies" how you can develop ways of getting YOURSELF in check FIRST so that you can then check others and/or get rid of problems and people you just quite frankly no longer care to fellowship/communicate with EVER anymore.
Hope this isn't too long---YIKES!
I hope more people add what they've done to give "toxic" relationships the steel toe boot too.
ETA Please note: I'm NO doctor nor any of that "stuff". I'm just an older person who sure wishes I would have taken this road and way many many moons ago. This is working for me something wonderful--I surely can not and WILL not say it will work for you in your life--just FYI!:10 -
I have a HUGE decluttering coming up. We are having the upstairs floors refinished, ripping up carpet, sanding and refinishing. 3 bedrooms and hallway, one bedroom is an art studio, one my office and the 3rd, guess what!? It's a bedroom! But I have closets to clear out, furniture to move, etc. I'll probably start this weekend even though the floors won't be done till late August. Can I add this as exercise calories? LOL.7
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happytree923 wrote: »I read the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up around the same time I started counting calories and I totally agree that decluttering can help with the mental part of weight loss. It's so much easier to cook when I'm not having to dig around a bunch of clutter in my small kitchen, easier to exercise when I can't use cleaning as an excuse, and having a clean space is so much better for my mental health which is very very helpful. I think I've gotten rid of at least 15 kitchen garbage bags of stuff and I haven't missed a single thing yet.
I highly recommend the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up if you're interested in doing a big decluttering. The author is straight up crazy but I don't think the book would be nearly as good if she wasn't nuts. I took a slightly less aggressive approach than she recommends but still more aggressive than most (ie haven't used it in a year or two). Her philosophy is very helpful for reminding yourself that no, the world will not implode if you get rid of something and need it later, and you most likely will not need it anyway if you're debating getting rid of it.
I have her book on my shelf. i also watched some of her youtube videos. She makes sense. The one hard thing to do is to not clean room by room. She recommends cleaning by category- for example, take ALL the books in your house , put them on the floor and look at each one and ask "Does this spark joy?"
I always learned to go room by room but her way probably makes more sense. I have a lot to do in the next two weeks; my husband is going on a long trip, and my goal is to sort and take care of my STUFF. I'll be respectful of this things (he's keeps his stuff in piles everywhere and is keeper of nostalgic items like dozens of books from long ago, college notebook etc. ).
So, I plan on getting my own things in order while he's gone. And that will make a huge difference in how I feel internally, emotionally and probably improve my body image too.8 -
@NewLIFEstyle4ME Thanks for sharing your philosophy for getting rid of toxic people. I think I've always been a people pleaser and peacemaker. But all that's brought me is pain and frustration. As I age though, I am making some good improvements in setting boundaries, fading out people who bring me down, etc. I will reread your post a few more times; I am grateful for this thread. I've learned so much from all of you.5
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"Less consuming, more creating."
Absolutely love that.
That's defined where I'm getting to be lately.4
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