Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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Redtweet69 wrote: »I love all the tips and responses...it'll take me a bit to get through them all!
I will say that for me, letting go of a toxic person was a very difficult yet good decision for me. This person has a lot of negativity, was not supportive when things got really tough (I'm tough, but this person pushed me to a near nervous breakdown at a very critical time), and was not going in the same direction as me in life overall. Mind you - I've known this person over 40 years! I gently pushed back, letting go by lessening communication and eased out of their life. Yes, the person knows why. I wish them well and every success life has to offer. I honestly feel that we just grew apart as our lives changed.
Getting rid of clothes that are too big has helped me stay within certain weight boundaries. I refuse to buy bigger clothes (too cheap!) and it keeps me from getting too far out of whack.
Decluttering the house has been a process. I have gotten rid of a lot but still have a ways to go, especially in craft and sewing supplies. We all know it can be an investment! But it is a burden knowing that stuff is there waiting for me to do something with it. So every 6 months or so I check it over and get rid of a little more. It's whittling down! Since our ultimate goal in 10 years or so is to live in an RV and travel the country, I need to scale down.
We lived in our 36' RV for the greater part of a year and a half while living and working in two cities 100 miles apart. I will say, it is nice to NOT have so much stuff to clean and care for! We meet couples all the time at RV resorts who say living in their RV has been a liberating experience for that reason - less stuff, less stress.
I'm beginning to "get" the tiny house movement.
I can see how decluttering applies to weight loss...it seems when I'm better organized and have my *kitten* together (LOL!) that my weight loss/fitness goals are more successful.
Overall, I see that it's a lifestyle change. The yoyo dieting has not been good for my body and I'm at an age that I need to preserve what's left the best I can.
BOOM!!!! Love this so much. Come-on, how fabulous is RV living and traveling across the country...and doing it as clutter-free as can be, I'll answer that, TOTALLY FABULOUS. This is a dream of hubby and mines too. I'm utterly thrilled and inspired by your letting go of a 40 year relationship that was "eating you alive" via stress and ugh and yuck--what a courageous winner you truly are...reminds me of this:
THANK YOU ever so very much for posting here. You've contributed more help to/for me and others than you'll truly never fully understand in this life-time. You so ROCK, period.
P.S. WOW and thanks again!!!!5 -
@RubyRed427
Just wanted to give you a "shout-out" (as "they" say) I think you're a very special and beautiful person...
Thank you ever so VERY much for sharing and contributing to this thread. Your delightful and encouraging ways/comments are so lovely and inspirational to me {{{{ Hugs }}}}}
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LuckyNumbers wrote: »Oh man, decluttering is one of my favorite pastimes (no really - there is no sarcasm there!), so I am so excited to have stumbled upon this thread.
I have found for myself that when I start gaining some control or agency over one part of my life (finances, weight, space, etc.), it tends to translate and spill over into other parts of my life. It's like this energy snowball that builds and lets you power into lots of things.
So after some very wishy-washy behavior with regards to MFP, I am happy to say I have logged in for 31 days in a row which has led to very modest weight loss, but more importantly:- More awareness of how I am spending my money on food/things that are not serving me
- An increased vigilance about my career and how to improve it
- Renewed interest in making my home a safe, comfortable place to unwind and recharge
- More awareness of how I am treating my family and friends
- More awareness of how I spend my time
So while it's somewhat overwhelming, I am finding that getting my mind right about eating and exercising is forcing me to have a mind shift toward doing more positive things in every aspect of my life. I am trying to make my monkey mind focus on only a couple things at a time, though.
@LuckyNumbers Love it!! Very nice post!
I love that - an "energy snowball"!
I was describing how, after one day of being alcohol-free, the happy hormones kick in, and make subsequent days easier and easier... sort of the same thing!
And "trying to make my monkey mind focus on only a couple things at a time" - yes, that's how the magic happens!
A little effort, done daily, adds up to wonderful improvements - in weight loss, exercise, decluttering, learning...
You have a way with words. Very glad to meet you.4 -
@LuckyNumbers I really liked your post. Congrats on 31 days of logging. Xo2
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NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Hey gang~
I just thought about something I'd been doing for the past few weeks and wanted to mention it, but always forget (and speaking of forget, I restarted doing this AFTER forgetting about it for years), when my beloved hubby told me a couple of weeks ago that I'm looking "taller"(because I'm losing weight/body fat)--that inspired to to begin to focus on my posture, even as a NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) type of thang....
Holding my tummy in on the regular and practicing good/better posture (even if I'm sitting or "coach-potatoing"). Wow, "practicing" holding one's tummy in, walking with shoulders back a bit and even a bit more "graceful/encouraged/elegant" as I walk and good posture in general (and not to mention the better and positive attitude about myself and others and again, FOCUSING on good posture) does something wonderful in and thru me. The more I practice good posture and hold my tummy in (even if it's just a wee bit) is helping me in ways that are hard to describe. What does this have to do with Letting it GO! Well, carrying myself with better posture is somehow super raises my poise/equilibrium. It makes me feel more beautiful inside and out, which in turns is helping me even more in the area of letting GO of fear and excess negative thinking and being (as walking with poor posture and slump shoulders, etc. seems to encourage negativity, which sparks carelessness/slothfulness and yuck in me more). Lastly, practicing good posture ALL the time, somehow matches with a more decluttered/simplied lifestyle too. Just a thought I wanted to share! Walking tall and confident is truly NEAT!
Thanks for sharing! My mom is a physical therapist and always told me to "sit up straight" - I'm finally listening to her!!!2 -
LuckyNumbers wrote: »Oh man, decluttering is one of my favorite pastimes (no really - there is no sarcasm there!), so I am so excited to have stumbled upon this thread.
I have found for myself that when I start gaining some control or agency over one part of my life (finances, weight, space, etc.), it tends to translate and spill over into other parts of my life. It's like this energy snowball that builds and lets you power into lots of things.
So after some very wishy-washy behavior with regards to MFP, I am happy to say I have logged in for 31 days in a row which has led to very modest weight loss, but more importantly:- More awareness of how I am spending my money on food/things that are not serving me
- An increased vigilance about my career and how to improve it
- Renewed interest in making my home a safe, comfortable place to unwind and recharge
- More awareness of how I am treating my family and friends
- More awareness of how I spend my time
So while it's somewhat overwhelming, I am finding that getting my mind right about eating and exercising is forcing me to have a mind shift toward doing more positive things in every aspect of my life. I am trying to make my monkey mind focus on only a couple things at a time, though.
Those are some seriously awesome non scale victories! Thank you for helping me see those in my own journey too! My healthy diet has spilled over to healthy finances and healthy work/life balance too! Way to go on your success!!!5 -
My moving saga continues! So far I've donated a huge box of shoes, two garbage bags full of clothes, 1 garbage bag full of outdoor gear, and another bag of toiletries. I had to keep reminding myself that throwing away objects does not mean throwing away the memories - but that little mantra really helped and things started flying into the donate pile! It felt really good to donate to a local charity that I know uses the donations locally. I'm really excited to FINALLY do it RIGHT not do it fast - which is why I've toted around years and years worth of junk...Yay!7
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My moving saga continues! So far I've donated a huge box of shoes, two garbage bags full of clothes, 1 garbage bag full of outdoor gear, and another bag of toiletries. I had to keep reminding myself that throwing away objects does not mean throwing away the memories - but that little mantra really helped and things started flying into the donate pile! It felt really good to donate to a local charity that I know uses the donations locally. I'm really excited to FINALLY do it RIGHT not do it fast - which is why I've toted around years and years worth of junk...Yay!
YAY indeed and YAY YOU as well. I've been thinking/wondering how your move is going. You're doing absolutely fabulous and your attitude/spirit is just tremendously encouraging and inspirational. You ROCK, period.2 -
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I never thought of it like that, but what you said was so insightful and true. I going to get cracking on decluttering one room tonight. In fact right now 🙂4
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I never thought of it like that, but what you said was so insightful and true. I going to get cracking on decluttering one room tonight. In fact right now 🙂
@meepmya Welcome! Good luck! Don't feel disheartened if you can't finish the whole room in one night.
Decluttering is a long, and some might say, endless process.
Instead, take joy in what you DO accomplish.5 -
I never thought of it like that, but what you said was so insightful and true. I going to get cracking on decluttering one room tonight. In fact right now 🙂
Mega YAY YOU!!!! I'm so cheering for you and cheering you on. REMEMBER, hurry or any type of fret or rush to get it "all" done at once is a recipe for YUCK, take your precious time and do it right and righteously. You are on your way to clutter-freeville and I'm so GLAD for you. THANK you so much for contributing to this thread, you ROCK, period.2 -
I can definitely identify with your post. Being a clutter-bug has been a lifelong struggle, same as my weight. Don't have any tips yet, but I hope to be going through my clothes closet after a few more pounds. Struggling to decide if I should get rid of the too-big clothes. Hard to let go of anything. Ya never know when ya might need it
All the 'experts' seem to agree, that getting rid of our old clothes is the way to go on our weight-loss journey. I have been doing it this time around and I have found that to me, it is a way of accepting the new and improved me. I say get rid of those clothes that are now too big on you! Congratulations on both the decluttering and the weight-loss!
My last time around losing weight that is what I did. As things became too big I put them in a bag in my closet until it was full then took it to be donated. I found that it was the fact that my clothes were getting tight that got me back on track to loss instead of gain. I really refused to go buy bigger clothes again so knew I needed to do something.6 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Hey gang~
I just thought about something I'd been doing for the past few weeks and wanted to mention it, but always forget (and speaking of forget, I restarted doing this AFTER forgetting about it for years), when my beloved hubby told me a couple of weeks ago that I'm looking "taller"(because I'm losing weight/body fat)--that inspired to to begin to focus on my posture, even as a NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) type of thang....
Holding my tummy in on the regular and practicing good/better posture (even if I'm sitting or "coach-potatoing"). Wow, "practicing" holding one's tummy in, walking with shoulders back a bit and even a bit more "graceful/encouraged/elegant" as I walk and good posture in general (and not to mention the better and positive attitude about myself and others and again, FOCUSING on good posture) does something wonderful in and thru me. The more I practice good posture and hold my tummy in (even if it's just a wee bit) is helping me in ways that are hard to describe. What does this have to do with Letting it GO! Well, carrying myself with better posture is somehow super raises my poise/equilibrium. It makes me feel more beautiful inside and out, which in turns is helping me even more in the area of letting GO of fear and excess negative thinking and being (as walking with poor posture and slump shoulders, etc. seems to encourage negativity, which sparks carelessness/slothfulness and yuck in me more). Lastly, practicing good posture ALL the time, somehow matches with a more decluttered/simplied lifestyle too. Just a thought I wanted to share! Walking tall and confident is truly NEAT!
Thanks for sharing! My mom is a physical therapist and always told me to "sit up straight" - I'm finally listening to her!!!
OH man, all of my aches and pains for years have come down to lack of proper posture. I still struggle most days with learning this. Should have listened to my Grandmother all those years ago. Thanks for the reminder.2 -
With all the extra trash from replacing electronics and appliances, I had to stop decluttering until trash day. It will take a couple weeks to be caught up, but I'll do what I can when there's room. In the meantime, I've decided to wash doors or walls in the house.6
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Hey gang!
Just wanted to share something that "may" bless your socks off! Ya know, I see many overweight and obese woman that keep themselves looking sharp and good. Unfortunately, I was so NOT one of them. I just could never find clothes and stuff that looked good on me AND I was too slothful/lazy/unmotivated/quite frankly "shiftless" (as we use to call it) to keep up my appearance on a daily basis. I would just wear regularly big ole tee-shirts, baggy jogging/sloppy looking clothes, etc. Another thing this "decluttering and letting GO: of everything hindering me to be the best I could be and do the best that I could. I started purposely making it my business to "look" better and look "cute" everyday, as my home and surroundings/environment and I began to be "slimmer" less clutter, mess and fat--more minimalistic and clean and prettier. I started MAKING myself dress/look cleaner and prettier too--EVERYDAY!
This may sound like "common-sense" or unnecessary to read/talk about, but for a lot of obese/overweight people (especially stay at home moms, etc.) BELIEVE ME, this is a real issue haunting and troubling many folk. It really is, and I aint scare to bring it up/talk about with y'all because I care and it's working something tremendous to/for me and I think it's important to share! Also, this doesn't necessarily mean more make-up either. I don't wear make-up myself, but to each is own. One does NOT have to fill their face with make-up and wigs to look super CUTE, natural beauty is REAL, no matter that TV/Movies tell/show us.
What does this have to do with decluttering and simplifying y/our lives? A LOT. Making yourself look attractive does something powerful in/thru/to you. Now I'm NOT talking about spending a lot of money or the folly/foolishness of getting into the slavery called DEBT to look good-to with that, period. You can wash and wear the same outfits overs and over and look REALLY good, you really can. It's all about the "attitude" as they say. Also, GOOD Hygiene and declutterization (is that a word) are BEST FRIENDS. Before we boarded this train called CHANGE, many of us allowed poor hygiene and "who cares spirit" to rule and reign in our mind/hearts and lives. MAKE yourself pamper yourself daily with good hygiene (bathing/showering/brushing you teeth, combing/styling your hair, etc.) and literally going out of your way to be looking/smelling/living better and better more and more each day. DO IT, make it a priority with your decluttering and WATCH what happens in/thru/to you.
{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}}}} and let's do this, as "they" say. EVERYDAY, no matter what--no matter how much you may not "feel" like it--DO IT ANYWAY. Operation look CUTER daily is a challenge that you will thank yourself for (and your spouse, family, friends will too). I promise. Rome wasn't built in a day, as with decluttering, little by little, step by step, one "issue" at a time.
Here's some article that may inspire you:
https://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/10-ways-dressing-well-helps-you-in-life/
https://www.riskology.co/dress-well/15 -
With all the extra trash from replacing electronics and appliances, I had to stop decluttering until trash day. It will take a couple weeks to be caught up, but I'll do what I can when there's room. In the meantime, I've decided to wash doors or walls in the house.
You winner you, choosing/DECIDING to wash the walls/doors in the house in lieu of what's going on with the electronics/appliances is the stuff CHAMPIONS are truly made of. Wow, that's not only impressive...you've inspired me to wash the inside garage door (I decluttered and mopped the floors, but didn't think about the inside door, it aint looking all that swift, now that I think about it) AND I;m going to go ahead and clean other walls and doors I've neglected doing--just for the NEAT exercise and because I can. Thank you so much for contributing to this thread, you've helped in ways that can't fully be described--BOOM!3 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »With all the extra trash from replacing electronics and appliances, I had to stop decluttering until trash day. It will take a couple weeks to be caught up, but I'll do what I can when there's room. In the meantime, I've decided to wash doors or walls in the house.
You winner you, choosing/DECIDING to wash the walls/doors in the house in lieu of what's going on with the electronics/appliances is the stuff CHAMPIONS are truly made of. Wow, that's not only impressive...you've inspired me to wash the inside garage door (I decluttered and mopped the floors, but didn't think about the inside door, it aint looking all that swift, now that I think about it) AND I;m going to go ahead and clean other walls and doors I've neglected doing--just for the NEAT exercise and because I can. Thank you so much for contributing to this thread, you've helped in ways that can't fully be described--BOOM!
I've been trying to clean the wall behind my stove for a long time. Between the grease and other splatter, nothing worked. With the stove out of the way, my husband tried gojo hand cleaner and it worked! I'm on a kick!7 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Hey gang!
Just wanted to share something that "may" bless your socks off! Ya know, I see many overweight and obese woman that keep themselves looking sharp and good. Unfortunately, I was so NOT one of them. I just could never find clothes and stuff that looked good on me AND I was too slothful/lazy/unmotivated/quite frankly "shiftless" (as we use to call it) to keep up my appearance on a daily basis. I would just wear regularly big ole tee-shirts, baggy jogging/sloppy looking clothes, etc. Another thing this "decluttering and letting GO: of everything hindering me to be the best I could be and do the best that I could. I started purposely making it my business to "look" better and look "cute" everyday, as my home and surroundings/environment and I began to be "slimmer" less clutter, mess and fat--more minimalistic and clean and prettier. I started MAKING myself dress/look cleaner and prettier too--EVERYDAY!
This may sound like "common-sense" or unnecessary to read/talk about, but for a lot of obese/overweight people (especially stay at home moms, etc.) BELIEVE ME, this is a real issue haunting and troubling many folk. It really is, and I aint scare to bring it up/talk about with y'all because I care and it's working something tremendous to/for me and I think it's important to share! Also, this doesn't necessarily mean more make-up either. I don't wear make-up myself, but to each is own. One does NOT have to fill their face with make-up and wigs to look super CUTE, natural beauty is REAL, no matter that TV/Movies tell/show us.
What does this have to do with decluttering and simplifying y/our lives? A LOT. Making yourself look attractive does something powerful in/thru/to you. Now I'm NOT talking about spending a lot of money or the folly/foolishness of getting into the slavery called DEBT to look good-to with that, period. You can wash and wear the same outfits overs and over and look REALLY good, you really can. It's all about the "attitude" as they say. Also, GOOD Hygiene and declutterization (is that a word) are BEST FRIENDS. Before we boarded this train called CHANGE, many of us allowed poor hygiene and "who cares spirit" to rule and reign in our mind/hearts and lives. MAKE yourself pamper yourself daily with good hygiene (bathing/showering/brushing you teeth, combing/styling your hair, etc.) and literally going out of your way to be looking/smelling/living better and better more and more each day. DO IT, make it a priority with your decluttering and WATCH what happens in/thru/to you.
{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}}}} and let's do this, as "they" say. EVERYDAY, no matter what--no matter how much you may not "feel" like it--DO IT ANYWAY. Operation look CUTER daily is a challenge that you will thank yourself for (and your spouse, family, friends will too). I promise. Rome wasn't built in a day, as with decluttering, little by little, step by step, one "issue" at a time.
Here's some article that may inspire you:
https://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/10-ways-dressing-well-helps-you-in-life/
https://www.riskology.co/dress-well/
If this comes up twice, I apologize. But I couldn't agree with this post more. I bought some new clothes and took some old ones to be altered to fit me exactly as I was. Not in 10 pounds, not in 20 but where my body was in that moment. That led to feeling good which led to making small changes to my diet - adding things in instead of eliminating the things I love, I started working out and then I started counting my calories. It was slow and it worked for me. Accepting where I was and embracing the beauty of where I was (and therapy) had a huge impact.
Thanks for posting me and the beautiful reminder of how far I've come!8 -
With all the extra trash from replacing electronics and appliances, I had to stop decluttering until trash day. It will take a couple weeks to be caught up, but I'll do what I can when there's room. In the meantime, I've decided to wash doors or walls in the house.
@snoo61 Thanks for that! Washing walls and doors is a great way to do NEAT!peggym4640 wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Hey gang!
Just wanted to share something that "may" bless your socks off! Ya know, I see many overweight and obese woman that keep themselves looking sharp and good. Unfortunately, I was so NOT one of them. I just could never find clothes and stuff that looked good on me AND I was too slothful/lazy/unmotivated/quite frankly "shiftless" (as we use to call it) to keep up my appearance on a daily basis. I would just wear regularly big ole tee-shirts, baggy jogging/sloppy looking clothes, etc. Another thing this "decluttering and letting GO: of everything hindering me to be the best I could be and do the best that I could. I started purposely making it my business to "look" better and look "cute" everyday, as my home and surroundings/environment and I began to be "slimmer" less clutter, mess and fat--more minimalistic and clean and prettier. I started MAKING myself dress/look cleaner and prettier too--EVERYDAY!
This may sound like "common-sense" or unnecessary to read/talk about, but for a lot of obese/overweight people (especially stay at home moms, etc.) BELIEVE ME, this is a real issue haunting and troubling many folk. It really is, and I aint scare to bring it up/talk about with y'all because I care and it's working something tremendous to/for me and I think it's important to share! Also, this doesn't necessarily mean more make-up either. I don't wear make-up myself, but to each is own. One does NOT have to fill their face with make-up and wigs to look super CUTE, natural beauty is REAL, no matter that TV/Movies tell/show us.
What does this have to do with decluttering and simplifying y/our lives? A LOT. Making yourself look attractive does something powerful in/thru/to you. Now I'm NOT talking about spending a lot of money or the folly/foolishness of getting into the slavery called DEBT to look good-to with that, period. You can wash and wear the same outfits overs and over and look REALLY good, you really can. It's all about the "attitude" as they say. Also, GOOD Hygiene and declutterization (is that a word) are BEST FRIENDS. Before we boarded this train called CHANGE, many of us allowed poor hygiene and "who cares spirit" to rule and reign in our mind/hearts and lives. MAKE yourself pamper yourself daily with good hygiene (bathing/showering/brushing you teeth, combing/styling your hair, etc.) and literally going out of your way to be looking/smelling/living better and better more and more each day. DO IT, make it a priority with your decluttering and WATCH what happens in/thru/to you.
{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}}}} and let's do this, as "they" say. EVERYDAY, no matter what--no matter how much you may not "feel" like it--DO IT ANYWAY. Operation look CUTER daily is a challenge that you will thank yourself for (and your spouse, family, friends will too). I promise. Rome wasn't built in a day, as with decluttering, little by little, step by step, one "issue" at a time.
Here's some article that may inspire you:
https://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/10-ways-dressing-well-helps-you-in-life/
https://www.riskology.co/dress-well/
If this comes up twice, I apologize. But I couldn't agree with this post more. I bought some new clothes and took some old ones to be altered to fit me exactly as I was. Not in 10 pounds, not in 20 but where my body was in that moment. That led to feeling good which led to making small changes to my diet - adding things in instead of eliminating the things I love, I started working out and then I started counting my calories. It was slow and it worked for me. Accepting where I was and embracing the beauty of where I was (and therapy) had a huge impact.
Thanks for posting me and the beautiful reminder of how far I've come!
@peggym4640 Yay you!! What a great example of what a lot of successful people recommend!
They say you should try to lose weight because you love and care for yourself and want to be nice to yourself.
They say you should seek help for any self-esteem, depression, mental health or addicton issues before tackling weight loss.
I love your story.4
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