Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
Replies
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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!
I haven't had any really bad relationships, or if I did, I've let them go and forgotten about them.
I have, however, let one friend go, who I used to hang out with. She stopped contacting me when I lost weight and started running.
Since then, I've contacted her during significant events in her life, and she's said thanks nicely enough, but she hasn't done the same.
Basically, I still show her respect for our long friendship, but I don't feel bad if she doesn't need me to be her fat friend anymore who makes her look good.
I guess it's hard when a person's status in a relationship changes.11 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: »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.
Yeah having to stop myself from going room to room was borderline upsetting at first but it really helps. For example when I went through all my personal care items I had things stored in the bathroom, my closet, and my bedroom. Putting it all together helps you see what is redundant (do I need five hand creams?) and now the shampoo bottle graveyard under my bathroom sink is gone and hasn't come back!
I probably sound like her publisher or something but I just really love her book.
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happytree923 wrote: »JulieAL1969 wrote: »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.
Yeah having to stop myself from going room to room was borderline upsetting at first but it really helps. For example when I went through all my personal care items I had things stored in the bathroom, my closet, and my bedroom. Putting it all together helps you see what is redundant (do I need five hand creams?) and now the shampoo bottle graveyard under my bathroom sink is gone and hasn't come back!
I probably sound like her publisher or something but I just really love her book.
Ditto! It was eyeopening to me to actually throw everything onto one huge pile. A bit frightening too. But it was also reassuring to know that today I can sort through just my books. Then tomorrow through my clothes. And so on. It somehow made it more manageable than room by room.7 -
The best thing I've ever done for myself:
Getting rid of the toxic people in my life. This included a lot of my family.
After that, 90% of my stress went away and I could focus on me. End result: lost 180lbs, enrolled back in school to finish my psych degree, off my anxiety and depression meds, overall happiness increased 1000X's.
Wow...it's real, how when (not if...but when) we "allow/ignore/put up with/go along to get along with/feel obligated to bow down to (serve and support and actually "worship") and be influenced by and live with/by "hollywood" love (instead of REAL and TRUE love), which is actually the exact opposite of what "hollywood love is--hollywood love is NOT REAL, period. It's a FANTASY/DELUSION--it TRULY is and it's because we've ALL been taught/trained/programmed and indoctrinated by the media/hollywood and society (education/schools, entertainment/entertainers and news, music, movies, magazines, etc.) that we live the "messy lives" that we do. ALL of our lives we been brainwashed/programmed to what so-called "love" is. I KNOW THIS IS AND CAN SOUND offensive and hard, but it's the TRUTH and when we KNOW THE TRUTH, we'll me MADE free from so much yuck. We've also been taught and trained ALL of our lives that if we don't "go along to get along", if we CHOOSE not to applaud/cheer/support the sociopaths, psychopaths, "crazy-makers" and all around toxic folk in our lives---especially those who just happen to be a family member (or long-term friend)then we are CONSIDERED: 1.) mean 2.) wrong 3.) unfair 4.) crazy. 5.) a "hater" 6.) something/someone negative 7.) anti-social
--What's so "wicked/twisted about keeping/supporting toxic people in our hearts, minds and lives is...IT DOESN'T HELP THEM AT ALL--IT'S MAKES THEM (and us) WORSE AND/OR IT DOESN'T MAKE THEM SEE THEMSELVES FOR WHO/WHAT THEY ARE AT ALL. Going along or keeping these folk in our lives is like encouraging and giving them PERMISSION/LICENSE to continue their and our our own mess. Well...as your most excellent results of LETTING GO of said folk, how your very mind, body and spirit excel.
I'm right there with you and mega congrats for DARING to go against the grain, to kick fear and false hope to the curb and live your life, the only one life you'll live here on earth to the fullest and doing "whatever it takes" to be healthy/healthier in your mind, body and soul---so impressive you are
---BOOM! 1 -
I need to declutter my house of 22 years - and 3 kids. There's way too much stuff here. It's just so difficult to let things go. I hope I can get into a clean up state of mind. It would make things so much better if there was less of everything. Especially since we're considering moving.6
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allison8668 wrote: »I need to declutter my house of 22 years - and 3 kids. There's way too much stuff here. It's just so difficult to let things go. I hope I can get into a clean up state of mind. It would make things so much better if there was less of everything. Especially since we're considering moving.
@allison8668 Sounds like a plan. It doesn't happen all at once, so don't be daunted, you'll have time to get used to "getting rid" of things.
Start with sorting one drawer. Maybe your own clothes.
It all happens in small increments, a bag/drawer/shelf at a time. Best wishes.
You might as well keep trying because the time will pass anyway.6 -
I also read the life changing magic of tidying up and it's been quite the journey to eliminate and then store. I had a serious reaction after going through my clothes and haven't gotten back to the rest of it. That being said, I absolutely LOVE everything that's left and I look great and feel amazing every day because I'm only wearing things I love and bring me joy. I will keep it going in the coming weeks.7
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allison8668 wrote: »I need to declutter my house of 22 years - and 3 kids. There's way too much stuff here. It's just so difficult to let things go. I hope I can get into a clean up state of mind. It would make things so much better if there was less of everything. Especially since we're considering moving.
I soooooo "feel you"--I was there times 10. As the old saying goes "it aint easy, but it's worth it" and it REALLY and TRULY is. Here's some articles that will make you (and anyone struggling with this real issue) smile AND help you for sure:
https://www.thelily.com/the-art-of-decluttering-how-i-freed-myself-from-too-much-stuff/
https://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/organization/clutter/18-things-you-can-get-rid-of-right-now/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g4272/things-its-time-to-get-rid-of/2 -
[quote=
Oh. What so what do I do with all the half empty bottles of shampoo hanging around my bathroom?[/quote]
Could donate them to a women’s or homeless shelter? Or just commit to using them all up one by one?
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I've been using up 30 years of "scrap" yarn making beds/rugs for a local animal shelter. Yesterday it was time to start putting my good yarn in order, and away...now that there's room. I found scrap yarn in the bags of good stuff and in my laundry basket! I really thought I had it all, my daughter laughed and said and your knitting bag? Well damn! How could I not look there? I think I have a yarn hoarding problem!
I did manage, in the last 2 days, to put away all the yarn I am keeping. 4 big bags added to ravelry, logged where every skein is, and put there. Progress!8 -
I've been using up 30 years of "scrap" yarn making beds/rugs for a local animal shelter. Yesterday it was time to start putting my good yarn in order, and away...now that there's room. I found scrap yarn in the bags of good stuff and in my laundry basket! I really thought I had it all, my daughter laughed and said and your knitting bag? Well damn! How could I not look there? I think I have a yarn hoarding problem!
I did manage, in the last 2 days, to put away all the yarn I am keeping. 4 big bags added to ravelry, logged where every skein is, and put there. Progress!
I had a pile of yarn too. I've been working them into blankets for camping, selling, and/or donating. I also had a pile of material for quilting (sold it as a take all box), and cross stitch stuff. For some reason I just couldn't pick up just what I needed, I absolutely had to have the complete set of embroidery floss, of course that requires containers, and the holders, etc. I cringe to think of how much money I spent on these things. I'm feeling really good about having it out of the house though.
Today I finished sorted through most of the room where my indoor tools live. I have the closet floor completely emptied now, and everything on the shelves is organized. I emptied so much out of that room (not all today), I took a whole shelving unit out. I still have a bit of work to finish everything in there, but it's looking good so far.6 -
@allison8668 Sounds like a plan. It doesn't happen all at once, so don't be daunted, you'll have time to get used to "getting rid" of things.
Start with sorting one drawer. Maybe your own clothes.
It all happens in small increments, a bag/drawer/shelf at a time. Best wishes.
You might as well keep trying because the time will pass anyway.
Thanks @Orphia for the encouragement
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nutmegoreo wrote: »I've been using up 30 years of "scrap" yarn making beds/rugs for a local animal shelter. Yesterday it was time to start putting my good yarn in order, and away...now that there's room. I found scrap yarn in the bags of good stuff and in my laundry basket! I really thought I had it all, my daughter laughed and said and your knitting bag? Well damn! How could I not look there? I think I have a yarn hoarding problem!
I did manage, in the last 2 days, to put away all the yarn I am keeping. 4 big bags added to ravelry, logged where every skein is, and put there. Progress!
I had a pile of yarn too. I've been working them into blankets for camping, selling, and/or donating. I also had a pile of material for quilting (sold it as a take all box), and cross stitch stuff. For some reason I just couldn't pick up just what I needed, I absolutely had to have the complete set of embroidery floss, of course that requires containers, and the holders, etc. I cringe to think of how much money I spent on these things. I'm feeling really good about having it out of the house though.
Today I finished sorted through most of the room where my indoor tools live. I have the closet floor completely emptied now, and everything on the shelves is organized. I emptied so much out of that room (not all today), I took a whole shelving unit out. I still have a bit of work to finish everything in there, but it's looking good so far.
I also have embroidery floss, but not much. I use it for Barbie furniture, so I'm holding onto it. Its one little bag that fits in a corner of a top drawer.
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Going to re read this thread as we prepare for a move. We've been in our apartment for a little over 3 years and have stuffed it full of things despite my best efforts. We've slowly been thinning the pile - but I know that this is going to be a daunting task. Any tips for moving would be greatly appreciated!2
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Going to re read this thread as we prepare for a move. We've been in our apartment for a little over 3 years and have stuffed it full of things despite my best efforts. We've slowly been thinning the pile - but I know that this is going to be a daunting task. Any tips for moving would be greatly appreciated!
Moving is (or at least can be) a super stressful time BUT you can turn this ugh-ish time to an opportunity disguised as ugh by getting rid of/letting go of more "stuff" than you can shake a stick it and turn this stressful time into a huge win-win situation. Win#1: using moving as an excuse motivation to be RUTHLESS in letting go of a ton of excess, messy, collecting dust, OVERWHELMING to your mind and senses "stuff" that maybe nice and all that jazz, but that you haven't used and won't use...just keeping it for (fill in the blank) sakes. Win#2. You're moving to a new place, a fabulous time to "start-over" with a new attitude about living a simplified/cleaner/prettier/spacious place--that's a super win--a NEW START YAY! Win#3 You're going to be burning a lot of CALORIES as your declutter for your move. Yep, many calories will be burn't to smithereens because of all of the lifting, tossing and cleaning--BOOM. Your moving is a win-win-win situation, it REALLY is. I posted some links in another post that has some tremendous helps/tips:
https://www.thelily.com/the-art-of-decluttering-how-i-freed-myself-from-too-much-stuff/
https://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/organization/clutter/18-things-you-can-get-rid-of-right-now/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g4272/things-its-time-to-get-rid-of/
What I did was give-away or thow away (ugh such wasted money, but even then...it HELPED me to stop/not bring in more)--so again, painful but helpful. I threw away or gave away ANYTHING I hadn't used in two years or more. Once you get on the roll of tossing and giving away a lot of "stuff", something powerful happens...like a light coming on and a energizing of LET IT GO or something and you'll get RUTHLESS about getting rid of stuff--which I haven't missed or even thought about AT all, WOW . Well, that was for me anyway. YAY you for moving and may your new place be fabulous and spacious and FUN! Speaking of fun, MAKE yourself have fun getting rid of stuff (REFUSE to see it as a "loss" of stuff but instead MAKE YOURSELF see it as the win of GAINING of space and the lovely peacefulness of clutter-free spaciousness. Look at Letting go of all the excess stuff as a WIN and GAIN...REFUSE to fall into the trap of "but I paid so much for this". Give it away to bless someone else or toss and make it a lesson learned. {{{{ Hugs }}}}} 3 -
bump--read later0
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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.
You first class winner and all time champion=BOOM! Somebody aint playing with this ugh/yuck/help/mess no more somebody is in perma I MEAN BUSINESS mode and that somebody is YOU. How utterly impressive&inspirational--once again BOOM and you rock, period.
P.S. W
W
P.S.S. Your CAR too, Imma scared of you--get it girl! When you get to the point of declutter and cleaning your car and keeping it that way, that's super I aint playing no more cause I mean busness mode. again W W 1 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: »@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. [/b]I will reread your post a few more times; I am grateful for this thread. I've learned so much from all of you.
My pleasure and {{{{HUGS}}}} to you! I LOVE what you've said about "setting boundaries and fading out folk" that the ticket for sure. Also, taking oneself OUT THE BOX of the "they, everybody, we've ALWAYS done it or thought this or that way" is powerful and empowering...it's kinda lonely/standing alone too (thinking out the box and going against the "popular, comfortable and so-called "safe" way of doing/being/thinking) but loneliness is so overrated--it truly is. One can accomplish A LOT of extraordinary things not depending on others approval and such like. I too am grateful for this thread, I'm learning and APPLYING so much from the contribution of others here--Boom!2 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Going to re read this thread as we prepare for a move. We've been in our apartment for a little over 3 years and have stuffed it full of things despite my best efforts. We've slowly been thinning the pile - but I know that this is going to be a daunting task. Any tips for moving would be greatly appreciated!
Moving is (or at least can be) a super stressful time BUT you can turn this ugh-ish time to an opportunity disguised as ugh by getting rid of/letting go of more "stuff" than you can shake a stick it and turn this stressful time into a huge win-win situation. Win#1: using moving as an excuse motivation to be RUTHLESS in letting go of a ton of excess, messy, collecting dust, OVERWHELMING to your mind and senses "stuff" that maybe nice and all that jazz, but that you haven't used and won't use...just keeping it for (fill in the blank) sakes. Win#2. You're moving to a new place, a fabulous time to "start-over" with a new attitude about living a simplified/cleaner/prettier/spacious place--that's a super win--a NEW START YAY! Win#3 You're going to be burning a lot of CALORIES as your declutter for your move. Yep, many calories will be burn't to smithereens because of all of the lifting, tossing and cleaning--BOOM. Your moving is a win-win-win situation, it REALLY is. I posted some links in another post that has some tremendous helps/tips:
https://www.thelily.com/the-art-of-decluttering-how-i-freed-myself-from-too-much-stuff/
https://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/organization/clutter/18-things-you-can-get-rid-of-right-now/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g4272/things-its-time-to-get-rid-of/
What I did was give-away or thow away (ugh such wasted money, but even then...it HELPED me to stop/not bring in more)--so again, painful but helpful. I threw away or gave away ANYTHING I hadn't used in two years or more. Once you get on the roll of tossing and giving away a lot of "stuff", something powerful happens...like a light coming on and a energizing of LET IT GO or something and you'll get RUTHLESS about getting rid of stuff--which I haven't missed or even thought about AT all, WOW . Well, that was for me anyway. YAY you for moving and may your new place be fabulous and spacious and FUN! Speaking of fun, MAKE yourself have fun getting rid of stuff (REFUSE to see it as a "loss" of stuff but instead MAKE YOURSELF see it as the win of GAINING of space and the lovely peacefulness of clutter-free spaciousness. Look at Letting go of all the excess stuff as a WIN and GAIN...REFUSE to fall into the trap of "but I paid so much for this". Give it away to bless someone else or toss and make it a lesson learned. {{{{ Hugs }}}}}
Love this! Thank you - going to read the articles now (and again probably)! Attitude makes the difference - this IS a win-win-win!!!1 -
bump--read later
@tererob Here's some tips to get you started, from the link @NewLIFEstyle4ME posted:
https://www.thelily.com/the-art-of-decluttering-how-i-freed-myself-from-too-much-stuff/
Take a photo. Carlomagno likes the idea of taking a photo to keep (“that leather pencil skirt that you were only able to wear once, after you had food poisoning in 1994”) and letting the object go. This solution was a revelation for me when it came to gifts and paper memorabilia — a way to preserve programs from a wedding or an aunt’s teacup without having to find a place for them.
Start an “out box.” For each object, Ryan suggests asking yourself, “Do I use it?” “Do I love it?” “Does my apartment need it?” Put any no’s in a designated box. Reassess the contents regularly, and you’ll see yourself detaching from much of what you were initially reluctant to part with. Using this technique, I was finally able to let go of the fondue pots.
Anthropomorphize your stuff. Well, sort of. Kondo asks us to consider the feelings of the neglected, unused object in the back of the closet, and, I confess, the thought that something might get more use elsewhere did motivate me to give things away.
Let go of “someday.” As I went through the process, I came to realize that it was almost always easier to go to the hardware store than to sift through piles of screws looking for one the right size; that a texted question would quickly get me any geeky grape fact I may have saved those wine books for; that if I hadn’t yet read a novel I’d owned for a decade, I probably wasn’t going to.
Do memorabilia last. This advice from Kondo and the author of “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” Margareta Magnusson, warns of getting caught up in memories.2 -
I especially like the tip, "let go of 'someday'":
It's easier to buy some things than almost always easier to go to the hardware store than to sift through piles of screws looking for one the right size;
a texted question would quickly get me any geeky grape fact I may have saved those wine books for;
if I hadn’t yet read a novel I’d owned for a decade, I probably wasn’t going to.2 -
JessiBelleW wrote: »[quote=
Oh. What so what do I do with all the half empty bottles of shampoo hanging around my bathroom?
Could donate them to a women’s or homeless shelter? Or just commit to using them all up one by one?
[/quote]
Or you can use them for hand wash. Just refill the pretty/empty/almost empty hand wash containers in your bathroom(s) and kitchen. Old or unused shampoo or shampoo you buy and your hair isn't crazy about--use for handwash-BOOM! It makes your hands feel super soft and smell mega good--that's what I do.7 -
Hey gang~
I just thought of another "thing" I had to LET IT GO/get rid of outta my life that is helping in the weight-loss and fabulously peace ensuing and cool/fun lifestyle of being clutter free:
1.) Ban/banish/forsake/DO NOT ALLOW the thought or word "can't" from your life. Make the thought/word (I) can't an enemy of yours. If you MUST use it, use won't instead of can't. There is no such thing as can't only won't.
2.) Hurry...hurry is a wicked "thing" and inspires/feeds impulsiveness and all kinds of yuck and woe. Start making being in a "hurry" an enemy of yours and watch what wonderful things happen. Again, seriously and ruthlessly eliminate "hurry" from your life and watch what happens to/in you in the weight-loss and decluttering arena.
3.) Comparing yourselves to others and better still, living for or even looking forward to the approvals/likes about yourself from others. The comparing game is a wicked one, because it keeps us "lock-up" in all kinds of thoughts and actions and living that are truly self-destructive and YUCK. Just say NO to comparing yourself to others and looking for "likes/approval". If you dare to think this is impossible...apply rule #1--there is NO SUCH THING as can't.
Just some "food" for thought and to "chew on" from this day forth.6 -
My friend who has a neat and tidy house has always said it's more expensive to have a lot of stuff. She said people then have to spend money on buying plastic containers to store things in or rent storage units which can add up to hundreds of dollars. And all you keep doing is shuffling your junk from one place to another. I have to agree with her. I dont know how many times, I've bought plastic storage containers to organize things and just fill them up. And then I need more containers... and I really needed to just purge.
Experts say only handle something once. Either purge it, file it, or store it. Love this thread! I get inspired with your tips.9 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »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.
You first class winner and all time champion=BOOM! Somebody aint playing with this ugh/yuck/help/mess no more somebody is in perma I MEAN BUSINESS mode and that somebody is YOU. How utterly impressive&inspirational--once again BOOM and you rock, period.
P.S. W W
P.S.S. Your CAR too, Imma scared of you--get it girl! When you get to the point of declutter and cleaning your car and keeping it that way, that's super I aint playing no more cause I mean busness mode. again W W
Aww, thanks! However...it's all decluttered and nice now. Let's see how long I keep it that way.3 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »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.
You first class winner and all time champion=BOOM! Somebody aint playing with this ugh/yuck/help/mess no more somebody is in perma I MEAN BUSINESS mode and that somebody is YOU. How utterly impressive&inspirational--once again BOOM and you rock, period.
P.S. W W
P.S.S. Your CAR too, Imma scared of you--get it girl! When you get to the point of declutter and cleaning your car and keeping it that way, that's super I aint playing no more cause I mean busness mode. again W W
Aww, thanks! However...it's all decluttered and nice now. Let's see how long I keep it that way.
Haha, your post inspired me to do a quick clean of my room, to make sure the clutter doesn't creep up on me!
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@Orphia very zen like room- peaceful.2
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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.Aww, thanks! However...it's all decluttered and nice now. Let's see how long I keep it that way.
Girl, the struggle is REAL...it's a (or can be IF you allow/let it be) battle (mainly in the heart/mind--a lot like/very similar to our weight loss issues). What I do and am doing is looking at this "warfare" as liken unto my weigh-loss "issues". Just like one has to "maintain" your victory and look at it as NEVER turning back or returning to the place of yuck and ugh. How? Here's what I do:
1.) I "see" clutter as if it were roaches, ants, mice, termites, (fill in the blank of something gross, pesky and yikes). If you know/knew you have a "pest" issue...you wouldn't leave food out to "feed them" right? You would perhaps even get an "exterminator" to get rid of the yuck right? Well, look at DAILY maintenance of your new lifestyle of clutter-free life as you being an exterminator of sorts, but not of pests--but of pesky clutter and ugliness and ugh of clutter, mess and too much stuff.
2.) You "INVESTED" a week/nine days (your precious and valuable TIME, ENERGY and LIFE) in the good of letting go of lots of excess stuff. Make yourself L@@K at all this time as something you're now permanently "vested in". Look at your hard work of decluttering not as a happen-stance/fluke/one time deal, but a whole new mind-set and outlook on living and being.
3.) Clutter (like fat/weight gain) creeps up on us. Make yourself put everything in it's place when you're done with it no matter what. Make a place for everything and everything in it's place a rule in your heart and mind.
4.) Make yourself look at sweeping, dusting, decluttering a DAILY thing and as EXERCISE/cals burnt to a crisp. Use mopping, ironing, washing a 2 or 3 time a week EXERCISE. It takes time for good habits to become "normal"--but in about 3 weeks or so of being consistent, it will become 2nd nature to you.
5.) If I can do this (and now LOVE my "daily exercise" of cleaning/decluttering--ANYONE CAN.
6.) {{{{ Hugs }}}}}4 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »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.Aww, thanks! However...it's all decluttered and nice now. Let's see how long I keep it that way.
2.) You "INVESTED" a week/nine days (your precious and valuable TIME, ENERGY and LIFE) in the good of letting go of lots of excess stuff. Make yourself L@@K at all this time as something you're now permanently "vested in". Look at your hard work of decluttering not as a happen-stance/fluke/one time deal, but a whole new mind-set and outlook on living and being.
Yes! Exactly this ^. I have actually put an entry on my weekly to-do list that says "tidy up any organization that has slipped".3 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Aww, thanks! However...it's all decluttered and nice now. Let's see how long I keep it that way.
2.) You "INVESTED" a week/nine days (your precious and valuable TIME, ENERGY and LIFE) in the good of letting go of lots of excess stuff. Make yourself L@@K at all this time as something you're now permanently "vested in". Look at your hard work of decluttering not as a happen-stance/fluke/one time deal, but a whole new mind-set and outlook on living and being.
Yes! Exactly this ^. I have actually put an entry on my weekly to-do list that says "tidy up any organization that has slipped".
Boom! Get it winner! We take NO PRISONERS in this war on clutter and letting GO of everything that's weighing us down (literally and figuratively).5
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