Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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ladyreva78 wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »ladyreva78 wrote: »I started to radically clean up my life 2 years ago.
- first I got rid of all those books I was never going to read again. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust on my shelves, in my closet, under my bed, piled up against the wall. Pretty much in any free space there were books. I was feeling guilty for neglecting them so badly. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those pretty clothes from when I was slim and thin. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just getting moldy in boxes and in the back of my closet. Pretty much in any free space not taken up by books. I was feeling guilty for having failed so badly at taking care of myself that I was 50kg overweight from when I fit into them (a very brief period of my life.) So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those beautiful (and some not so beautiful) collectibles I was given through out my life. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust and chiding me for not honoring them better. Someone went through the trouble of giving them to me, and I considered them more as interlopers that had no place in my life. I was feeling guilty for not loving them better. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those fantasy mes that were never going to be me. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I am never going to be a world class seamstress. Or painter. Or Scrapbooker. Or a weekend skier. I was feeling guilty for all those supplies and all that equipment laying around reminding me of the person I thought I wanted to be. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those toxic relationships that were slowly killing me (That's several times 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I was never going to get anything useful out of those. First and foremost my former boss and employer. Blood sucking leeches that were killing my by the gram. I was feeling guilty for not being the person who could deal with all the crap they kept on throwing at me. So I let them go.
- next (together with those toxic relationships) I got rid of the alcohol (that's 1.5 kg I'm not going to lose. That much more life quality not slipping through my fingers). Because, let's get honest, I do not want to divorce from my liver. I happen to like having it detox my body and metabolize fat and carbs. I was feeling guilty for not taking better care of myself. So I let it go.
- next I got rid of foods I do not like. (that's another 35 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, I wasn't going to eat them for that little rest of forever granted to me, so I was going to fail again and again at losing and maintaining that loss. I thought I had to eat a certain way to be healthy - a way that wasn't keeping my satiated (mentally and physically). I also got rid of excessive serving sizes and every day desserts (Still have that dessert 2-3 times a week now ). Things that weren't painful to me. I've let them go, and I'm healthier for it. I'm down 35 kg and slowly inching closer to my goal of -50 kg.
By cleaning up my life and figuring out for myself how I wanted to live my life (not how society wanted me to live my life. Or my parents. Or my siblings. Or my friends. Or all those people I know), I finally found the mental reserves to also take care of my health and lose the weight I need to lose to get my health in order.
W W Reading your post was like lovely and refreshing stroll thru a super beautiful place filled with wonderful sunshine and fabulous fresh air for/to me! What an eye-opening/thought provoking, delightful and COOL AND FUN post you've shared..I LOVE IT. You've also inspired me to get rid of even more books (that I've already read and won't be reading again--BOOM)!
Thank you ever so VERY much for taking the time and care to reply...YOU ROCK, period.
Thank you
I've been keeping a journal logging my 'decluttering process'. On the first page I listed what my goals were and on the following pages I'm documenting my progress. Sometimes, like the post I wrote, I make a summary to myself to see what I have already achieved. It makes the progress seem more real, especially on days when, mentally, I'm not so well. That job I cut out of my life did a number on me and I'm still working on getting myself back to where I want to be.
My absolute pleasure and THANK you for your major league contribution/input to me and this thread. Your post(s) helped me so much and I used to "journal" stuff years ago (before it was called "journaling" like it is called today ). I remember how absolutely therapeutic and enlightening writing/journaling was for me and I do so appreciate your bringing this to my memory (reminding me of this excellent "tool") and I'm looking forward to doing this myself. You're an absolute darling of a person and again, you ROCK!8 -
Since April 2015 when I started at MFP, I've lost 80 lbs and kept it off for 20 months. In that time, I've thrown out loads of old crap.
While I was losing weight, I had the pleasure of "shopping" in my wardrobe for skinnier clothes that fit me again.
I now fit all my favourite skinny clothes, and I've thrown out all my fat clothes. So many bags of clothes donated to the op shop!
I've also done a lot of spring-cleaning and de-cluttered the whole house, because I've become very active, and much less lazy.
NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis calorie-burning for the win!)
I've thrown out loads of books, and worn-out linen, and kitchen crap. The house feels so much nicer to live in.
I think my decluttering inspired my husband, as he's done a lot himself with his things since I started.
I love this thread, it's a refreshing topic!
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The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo is a really good read IMO, a little touchy feely in places (literally).13
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ladyreva78 wrote: »I started to radically clean up my life 2 years ago.
- first I got rid of all those books I was never going to read again. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust on my shelves, in my closet, under my bed, piled up against the wall. Pretty much in any free space there were books. I was feeling guilty for neglecting them so badly. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those pretty clothes from when I was slim and thin. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just getting moldy in boxes and in the back of my closet. Pretty much in any free space not taken up by books. I was feeling guilty for having failed so badly at taking care of myself that I was 50kg overweight from when I fit into them (a very brief period of my life.) So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those beautiful (and some not so beautiful) collectibles I was given through out my life. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust and chiding me for not honoring them better. Someone went through the trouble of giving them to me, and I considered them more as interlopers that had no place in my life. I was feeling guilty for not loving them better. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those fantasy mes that were never going to be me. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I am never going to be a world class seamstress. Or painter. Or Scrapbooker. Or a weekend skier. I was feeling guilty for all those supplies and all that equipment laying around reminding me of the person I thought I wanted to be. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those toxic relationships that were slowly killing me (That's several times 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I was never going to get anything useful out of those. First and foremost my former boss and employer. Blood sucking leeches that were killing my by the gram. I was feeling guilty for not being the person who could deal with all the crap they kept on throwing at me. So I let them go.
- next (together with those toxic relationships) I got rid of the alcohol (that's 1.5 kg I'm not going to lose. That much more life quality not slipping through my fingers). Because, let's get honest, I do not want to divorce from my liver. I happen to like having it detox my body and metabolize fat and carbs. I was feeling guilty for not taking better care of myself. So I let it go.
- next I got rid of foods I do not like. (that's another 35 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, I wasn't going to eat them for that little rest of forever granted to me, so I was going to fail again and again at losing and maintaining that loss. I thought I had to eat a certain way to be healthy - a way that wasn't keeping my satiated (mentally and physically). I also got rid of excessive serving sizes and every day desserts (Still have that dessert 2-3 times a week now ). Things that weren't painful to me. I've let them go, and I'm healthier for it. I'm down 35 kg and slowly inching closer to my goal of -50 kg.
By cleaning up my life and figuring out for myself how I wanted to live my life (not how society wanted me to live my life. Or my parents. Or my siblings. Or my friends. Or all those people I know), I finally found the mental reserves to also take care of my health and lose the weight I need to lose to get my health in order.
If I could awesome this more than once, I would. Inspiring and really enjoyed how you wrote this. Thank you. This was the boost I needed as I've been a super procrastinator.33 -
sweetsloth wrote: »ladyreva78 wrote: »I started to radically clean up my life 2 years ago.
- first I got rid of all those books I was never going to read again. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust on my shelves, in my closet, under my bed, piled up against the wall. Pretty much in any free space there were books. I was feeling guilty for neglecting them so badly. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those pretty clothes from when I was slim and thin. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just getting moldy in boxes and in the back of my closet. Pretty much in any free space not taken up by books. I was feeling guilty for having failed so badly at taking care of myself that I was 50kg overweight from when I fit into them (a very brief period of my life.) So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those beautiful (and some not so beautiful) collectibles I was given through out my life. (that's another 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, they were just collecting dust and chiding me for not honoring them better. Someone went through the trouble of giving them to me, and I considered them more as interlopers that had no place in my life. I was feeling guilty for not loving them better. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those fantasy mes that were never going to be me. (That's a good 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I am never going to be a world class seamstress. Or painter. Or Scrapbooker. Or a weekend skier. I was feeling guilty for all those supplies and all that equipment laying around reminding me of the person I thought I wanted to be. So I let them go.
- next I got rid of all those toxic relationships that were slowly killing me (That's several times 50 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down). Because, let's get honest, I was never going to get anything useful out of those. First and foremost my former boss and employer. Blood sucking leeches that were killing my by the gram. I was feeling guilty for not being the person who could deal with all the crap they kept on throwing at me. So I let them go.
- next (together with those toxic relationships) I got rid of the alcohol (that's 1.5 kg I'm not going to lose. That much more life quality not slipping through my fingers). Because, let's get honest, I do not want to divorce from my liver. I happen to like having it detox my body and metabolize fat and carbs. I was feeling guilty for not taking better care of myself. So I let it go.
- next I got rid of foods I do not like. (that's another 35 kg out of my life. That much less weighting me down.) Because, let's get honest, I wasn't going to eat them for that little rest of forever granted to me, so I was going to fail again and again at losing and maintaining that loss. I thought I had to eat a certain way to be healthy - a way that wasn't keeping my satiated (mentally and physically). I also got rid of excessive serving sizes and every day desserts (Still have that dessert 2-3 times a week now ). Things that weren't painful to me. I've let them go, and I'm healthier for it. I'm down 35 kg and slowly inching closer to my goal of -50 kg.
By cleaning up my life and figuring out for myself how I wanted to live my life (not how society wanted me to live my life. Or my parents. Or my siblings. Or my friends. Or all those people I know), I finally found the mental reserves to also take care of my health and lose the weight I need to lose to get my health in order.
If I could awesome this more than once, I would. Inspiring and really enjoyed how you wrote this. Thank you. This was the boost I needed as I've been a super procrastinator.
Thank you
But I'm a bit confused... I thought sloths, no matter how sweet, were born procrastinators6 -
This is so insightful. I had a list of summer projects. Some spilled over into fall, but they are being checked off one by one. Never thought there was a correlation! Down 105 and letting go of those last roomy polos and casual tops very soon. The interim wardrobe is sparse but workable! 70lbs. to go for goal. Thank you for sharing!
Congrats on the HUGE accomplishment of forever ridding your body of 105lbs--that's just wayyyy COOL, period. Checking off goals one by one is so much more wise, less stressful and doable as well, which makes it easier and encouraging! Sparse and workable (wardrobes and living space(s) looks and feels so much less overwhelming and thus makes choices and y/our atmosphere so much neater, cleaner and less burdensome--I love it! Living a more simplified/uncluttered/minimalized lifestyle makes life and daily choices much more uncomplicated and FUN!
Here's to cheering you on in accomplishing your goal of those 70lbs AND thank you ever so much for replying to this thread, you're terrific, period.8 -
In Feb. I moved from a large 2 bedroom 1/2 house, down to a small 1 bedroom, I had jeans that I haven't been able to wear for up to 20 years, I always thought I'd lose the weight to fit into them again, I had moved with them twice before, when I moved this last time I decided, out they go, I donated them all, I kept one size down that if I lost 20 # they would fit, all others left, shirts that I've had for years, "they don't fit, but they are soo cute..." gone, anything I hadn't used in a year- gone. I've done 1-2 more mini declutter's since them, I have 3 boxes of stuff that if I don't get into within a year of moving - gone. It's great having so much less stuff, 6 months after I moved, I started eating better, I'm down 17 #....27
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I always have trouble getting rid of stuff because of all the reasons mentioned-someone gave it to me, i paid money for it, it reminds me of..., etc. Just yesterday I kind of freaked out because my girls' rooms had too much "stuff" and the thought of xmas coming terrified me! I told them they each had to pick at least 5 books to donate and they started really getting into it and chose over 100 books that I brought today to a pediatrician's office that had asked for books they could give to clients as part of a program they're doing! 100 books!! I wanted to say "no, not that one! I got you that one for....." but I didn't. It made my girls so happy that they might make some other kids happy. One of my daughters would hug each book and say something like "I really loved this one so much, but I know the story now and it will make another kid so happy!" and she would place it in the bag. Now that they are out--and one of their closets is cleared out--I'm inspired to keep going. I have bins of clothes that "used to fit me and hopefully will again someday" and I am just going to toss them all into donations. I don't need them, and if I am able to drop the weight again I'll just cross that awesome bridge when I get there! Thanks for the inspiration....I'm going home to attack my own closet today!
I also have one toxic friend that I am not going to continue to allow myself to put any energy towards.....and somehow just hearing someone else say it...even though I knew it was true,...almost gives me permission to let her go.44 -
I actually started doing this one room at a time, and IT FEEL SOOOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!! I never seen my house so clean and declutter in my life.13
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Thanks for the great ideas!
You are so very welcomed and I too am thanking and so very grateful to/for all those who've replied. Wow, such ideas and encouragement/inspiration/HELP I've been given here~YAY and {{{ Hugs and High Fives }}} to EVERYONE that replied...y'all ROCK, period.2 -
I went through a phase where I wanted to just get rid of everything months ago. I read that getting rid of "skinny clothes" is good for body positivity so I did just that.... But now I am almost back to a place where I could fit in most of those clothes and I am wondering if I made the right move or not. Maybe it was worth the release of holding onto all of that stuff, but I wish I had some more clothes now!11
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Thanks I needed this. Speaks volumes.2
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I've been doing this, one room at a time, starting with redoing my spare room as a gym. I threw out / donated tons of old clothes. One problem though, I decided at the time to throw out anything smaller than a 12 since there was realistically no chance of fitting into it again, and now I'm between an 8 and a 10!15
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I am ashamed of my hoarding of clothes and now that I've read everyones remarks - it makes me feel less isolated. I began getting rid of stuff about 2 years ago but IT is difficult - because every dress/piece of china etc etc etc., has a memory attached. But YOU are ALL correct - it does weigh you down - and now that I know I'm not alone in my tendancy to clutter, I will push forward faster and more quickly than I have been doing. Thank you all for the insight.8
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I absolutely relate to what you've gone through. I don't know when I started downsizing, but it probably does match right around the time I started taking weightloss seriously.
I don’t recall what exactly triggered it, but it was a mix of seeing my mother (who has a hoarding problem) sitting in her little kitchen with only a tiny corner of the table that wasn’t covered (she has 3-5 of everything, including 7 calendars hanging on the wall) and her behavious has been so engrained in my mind that I just saw a flash-forward of my life, and a visit of a friend who exclaimed “you have so much stuff!” – I needed to make a change, and quick!
The first thing I did was switch to a capsule wardrobe – something I still do today and I absolutely love it. It takes the pressure off how to dress, to shop all the time, and almost completely eliminates “fast fashion”. I now know exactly what I need, the colours and cuts that suit me, and I don’t have anything more than once – each piece is an item of clothing that I love. For the new year I’m taking it a step further and will only buy second hand.
Next was my “stuff”. So much stuff! I was pretty consequent and got rid of everything and anything I was not using. You know those Ikea bags? I think at one point I was bringing 1-2 a week to my local charity shop. And I’m so glad for it, because the secret to happiness really is giving and helping others. I noticed a huge boost in how I felt in general, because I was rejoicing for the people who would be getting my old coats and sweaters just before winter really hit. Giving all this makeup I never use to friends of mine, and seeing their faces light up with joy – priceless!
Having all this space triggered something I didn’t see coming, either, and that’s remembering the things I used to love doing. Having space and peace of mind reminded me how much I loved reading, so I started doing that again. Since July I read 28 books, and I cannot stress how happy that has made me. I also now have space and time to do the things I’ve always wanted to try, like writing letters and cross stitching (I do a rude cross stitch, it’s so much fun!).
So yes, you might be on to something with the weight loss and minimalism coming at the same time, I’m really intrigued with the idea!
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This doesn't surprise me at all. Clutter has been clearly linked to depression, and it's hard for us to make good choices & be motivated to take care of ourselves when we are depressed.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies
W W This is such an eye-opening, constructive and just plain terrific article. Thank you ever so very much for posting this link/contributing so excellently to this thread--how kindhearted and generous of you!
I do so appreciate number 8:
"Make it fun! As you're going about and cleaning things out, put on some of your favorite tunes. The more up-beat, the better! Not only will you enjoy the tunes, the time will pass faster and you'll probably work faster than you would without the music."
Making (considering) this decluttering/simplifying my life/lifestyle combined with this weight loss quest FUN and COOL is a HUGE part of my attitude (life choices) change. It's amazing how simply changing (reconsidering) what I've always considered fun and cool, to purposely DAILY choosing to make healthier eating and ridding myself of too much "stuff" and getting/keeping toxic people out of my life (or minimizing contact and/or changing the dynamic of communications with these folk), avoiding certain "trigger" places and seeing EXCESS (in anything, especially bodyfat) as no longer "cool nor fun" but instead seeing EXCESS as an overwhelming and burdensome choice (and hindrance to my progress and lifestyle) is helping me to daily CHANGE (for the better) and helping me break-free and forsake so many lifelong poor choices in eating and living habits, recognize and bust out of "ruts" and purposely choosing to overcome stumblingblocks in my life and thinking.
Lastly, I just recently "discovered" adding upbeat music to my dusting time and now it's no longer a "mundane task" but a fun one and I actually look forward to my dusting time now, it's no longer a "chore" but my dancing/dusting is now one of my exercise regimes!8 -
kingleahnidas wrote: »Yep. All this. I began my foray into minimalism around the same time I started my weight loss journey. Over 110 pounds and many bags of stuff gone.
WOW! You're looking absolutely terrific! 110lbs forever gone is a HUGE accomplishment, just amazing. YAY YOU and thank you so much for sharing4 -
it was a mix of seeing my mother (who has a hoarding problem) sitting in her little kitchen with only a tiny corner of the table that wasn’t covered
good for you getting a handle on it. my father is living a lot like that, and the bitter part is that he's been a complete minimalist his whole life. the entire x thousand cubic metres of assorted junk belongs to this hoarder 'friend' of his, who just sees his house as 'more free storage for me' and goes full mental at the idea of being asked even a portion of it somewhere else. so he could, like, get into one or two of his own closets for instance.
i hope your mom finds a way through it. i suspect the house my dad's 'friend' lives in is probably pristine and she herself has all the space she could want, so i can't honestly pretend to have a shred of compassion for her. it's like 'fine, you can be mentally ill, but go do it at the expense of someone who's younger than ninety *kitten* two years old'.
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Since April 2015 when I started at MFP, I've lost 80 lbs and kept it off for 20 months. In that time, I've thrown out loads of old crap.
While I was losing weight, I had the pleasure of "shopping" in my wardrobe for skinnier clothes that fit me again.
I now fit all my favourite skinny clothes, and I've thrown out all my fat clothes. So many bags of clothes donated to the op shop!
I've also done a lot of spring-cleaning and de-cluttered the whole house, because I've become very active, and much less lazy.
NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis calorie-burning for the win!)
I've thrown out loads of books, and worn-out linen, and kitchen crap. The house feels so much nicer to live in.
I think my decluttering inspired my husband, as he's done a lot himself with his things since I started.
I love this thread, it's a refreshing topic!
Oh I wish that would happen in my household3 -
I have a pile of stuff that I'm trying to declutter and just can't. It's been there for almost a year now. I've given away some of it on Craigslist. But the problem is that most of the time I try to give away something on Craigslist, people flake out on me, like they say they want to come over that day and then never respond again. Originally I didn't want to give away these items to Goodwill because some of them are small (tons of holiday decorations), others are slightly damaged (like a lamp with a broken switch or a metal water bottle with rust inside it), and Goodwill has several huge dumpsters behind the donation center where they throw away a lot of donations. But it's just been hanging around forever and I'm tired of looking at it, plus I need the bin it's stored in for something else. Then I have a huge bookcase I want to donate and I have no idea how I'm going to get rid of that since it can't even fit in our vehicle. It's really frustrating and it makes me feel like I can't make any progress.1
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