Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
Replies
-
SoManyCookies wrote: »Awesome post!
I am going through the same... 6 months ago I started looking at my finances, my overflowing closet, my cluttered house and the pantry.... Realized that I live a life of EXCESS and it shows. I started attacking my finances first, I had a plan. I started de-cluttering, and haven't looked back. I minimized my spending, have paid off almost all of my debt, started a morning routine that I am proud of, and have created a side business for myself. Last weekend I went over to a friends house and helped her de-clutter her closet!
I am, by no definition, a minimalist. But I am working towards living within my means. Only having what brings purpose and joy to my life and getting out of the rut that my life in excess has created for me.
Stay strong on your journey and thank you for sharing!
@SoManyCookies (LOVE your user name ) But I mega LOVE your post even more! Being and/or targeting and destroying debt is a HUGE and WONDERFUL part of decluttering. Being debt-free is very much akin to being clutter free and weight blastification as well (it may be an up hill battle and hard, but NOT impossible and YAY YOU for accomplishing and making this a priority in your power-filled life) WOW, that is just so very excellent. For you to DARE to even begin to L@@K at your finances (as you LET IT GO AND DON'T LOOK BACK at the clutter in your home and DARE to do something about it is so utterly powerful and inspirational--you ROCK, period.
I'm also not a 100% minimalist either--but I now live a life of less "CAN" be more in general and how utterly lovely it is to live in a spacious and clean environment, compared to LOADS of multitudes of "STUFF" and excess everywhere (inside my heart, mind and body and my outer environment--I LOVE IT and living/thinking/being/doing it this way--so much less stress and mess and UGH! This adventure of LET IT GO and DON'T LOOK BACK has taught me that obsession/compulsion/being "driven" to be or do and be labeled/label myself/put myself in a box as a ANYTHING is a sneaky ole trap that "tricked and held me captive for years and that I hate and want no part of. I REFUSE to even be called a "Christian" because of the "labels and connotation that "label" brings-I call myself what the bible calls me...a saint (small s). I HATE labels No more ALL or NOTHING business for me and NO HURRY UP either--those days are OVER and I'm so GLAD they are.
What a tremendous contribution you have made to this thread, thank you ever so very much--you first class winner and ALL time champion YOU=BOOM!!!!!
2 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME
lost 1.8 lbs since last weighing in! Newlifestyle4me's lost 64 lbs so far.
This is the first time in 24 days the scale has moved downward. I LOVE so-called "stalls" because they keep me humble AND help teach me to love and embrace patience. Patience is so powerful and beautiful. Please gang, I want to literally beg you (and me) NOT to give y/ourselves over to fretting/worrying/even meditating on what the scale is or is not doing. As you can see from my posts, the scale is NOT the be all to end all in this business of weight blastification, it's just NOT. That said...BOOM! I'm about 1.8lbs (or so) away from meeting my 6+ years LONG goal of 153-154lbs (or so-called high end of BMI "average" weight--no longer obese NOR overweight). How humbling and amazing--mega YAY!8 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME
lost 1.8 lbs since last weighing in! Newlifestyle4me's lost 64 lbs so far.
This is the first time in 24 days the scale has moved downward. I LOVE so-called "stalls" because they keep me humble AND help teach me to love and embrace patience. Patience is so powerful and beautiful. Please gang, I want to literally beg you (and me) NOT to give y/ourselves over to fretting/worrying/even meditating on what the scale is or is not doing. As you can see from my posts, the scale is NOT the be all to end all in this business of weight blastification, it's just NOT. That said...BOOM! I'm about 1.8lbs (or so) away from meeting my 6+ years LONG goal of 153-154lbs (or so-called high end of BMI "average" weight--no longer obese NOR overweight). How humbling and amazing--mega YAY!
WAY TO GO!!! In both the Non-scale and scale victories!!! Also learning my lesson in patience and worrying recently. I heard the phrase, "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, gives you something to do but wont get you anywhere" Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us! And again Way to gooo!!!4 -
Some thoughts on life and stuff.
Growing up, I didn't have much stuff. Married at 24, only child born at 26.
From then, with all the baby paraphernalia and building a home, life was a constant struggle buying and storing things, and needing new toys and household appliances, then things becoming obsolete, while trying to manage work and life issues and not being self-aware enough to deal with all emotional issues.
When I became more sedentary at 43 in a new job with lots of tea break treats, I started gaining weight. By 48 I was obese and then discovered how to count calories the easy way by finding MFP and learning from the community. I also became more and more active.
A year later I'd lost the extra 80 lbs and become a runner. Now, aged 51, I've done 3 marathons including a 50 km run.
The decluttering started haphazardly when our son left home in 2012, but began in earnest in 2016 after I'd lost most of the weight and started throwing out my fat clothes.
Having a decluttered wardrobe and being more active meant more energy for tidying the rest of the house.
Losing weight led to feeling better, and wanting to feel even better. I've been alcohol-free for 9 months.
I painted my room at Easter 2018. This was a milestone in adulting! I just thought of a new goal.. paint the kitchen!15 -
LindaGilpin59 wrote: »I swapped out my clothes on Sunday getting ready for colder weather. I try to always put clean clothes in at one end of the closet so was able to identify those that I had not worn this summer so now have a bag of clothes to donate and some mismatched socks to get rid of.
@LindaGilpin59 Great idea about putting clean clothes in at one end!
I live in a temperate climate (far south-east Australia) so winter isn't below freezing, and I don't need to swap summer/winter wardrobes.
I hang my tops together, so I can now put the clean ones in on the left. Same with my jackets. Thanks for the tip!!
I realise I put my clean tops in my drawer on top, and will now do the same with my pants drawer. Anything down the bottom can go if not worn after 12 months.
I'm too old to want to hold onto things now, other than things I'm proud of making. I don't like things having memories or lives of their own, as that tends to drag me down.5 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME
lost 1.8 lbs since last weighing in! Newlifestyle4me's lost 64 lbs so far.
This is the first time in 24 days the scale has moved downward. I LOVE so-called "stalls" because they keep me humble AND help teach me to love and embrace patience. Patience is so powerful and beautiful. Please gang, I want to literally beg you (and me) NOT to give y/ourselves over to fretting/worrying/even meditating on what the scale is or is not doing. As you can see from my posts, the scale is NOT the be all to end all in this business of weight blastification, it's just NOT. That said...BOOM! I'm about 1.8lbs (or so) away from meeting my 6+ years LONG goal of 153-154lbs (or so-called high end of BMI "average" weight--no longer obese NOR overweight). How humbling and amazing--mega YAY!
WAY TO GO!!! In both the Non-scale and scale victories!!! Also learning my lesson in patience and worrying recently. I heard the phrase, "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, gives you something to do but wont get you anywhere" Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us! And again Way to gooo!!!
{{{{ HUGS }}}}} I absolutely LOVE that quote--it's so REAL/TRUE and thought-provoking and so very worthy of hiding in one's heart/mind.[img][/img]9 -
I swapped out my summer for winter clothes and got rid of a bin bag full of clothes which didn't fit or flatter me. I have a few pairs of pants which I can take in, and will buy a minimum of new clothes this season. I'm making a rule for November.
1 garment in = 2 garments out. I reckon that will weed out the rest of the dross6 -
SoManyCookies wrote: »Awesome post!
I am going through the same... 6 months ago I started looking at my finances, my overflowing closet, my cluttered house and the pantry.... Realized that I live a life of EXCESS and it shows. I started attacking my finances first, I had a plan. I started de-cluttering, and haven't looked back. I minimized my spending, have paid off almost all of my debt, started a morning routine that I am proud of, and have created a side business for myself. Last weekend I went over to a friends house and helped her de-clutter her closet!
I am, by no definition, a minimalist. But I am working towards living within my means. Only having what brings purpose and joy to my life and getting out of the rut that my life in excess has created for me.
Stay strong on your journey and thank you for sharing!
very sensible approach! I have not touched my finances- or analyzed my spending. Since quitting drinking a few months ago, I have noticed overall my credit card bill is quite lower- no happy hour bills, bar bills, liquor store purchases, wine purchases at grocery store....
5 -
Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.4
-
RubyRed427 wrote: »Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.
If you don't clear up as you go along this happens. I clean my bathroom sink each morning, otherwise it gets grotty really quickly, especially as Hubster doesn't seem to realise it needs cleaned. Lol!3 -
SoManyCookies wrote: »Awesome post!
I am going through the same... 6 months ago I started looking at my finances, my overflowing closet, my cluttered house and the pantry.... Realized that I live a life of EXCESS and it shows. I started attacking my finances first, I had a plan. I started de-cluttering, and haven't looked back. I minimized my spending, have paid off almost all of my debt, started a morning routine that I am proud of, and have created a side business for myself. Last weekend I went over to a friends house and helped her de-clutter her closet!
I am, by no definition, a minimalist. But I am working towards living within my means. Only having what brings purpose and joy to my life and getting out of the rut that my life in excess has created for me.
Stay strong on your journey and thank you for sharing!
@SoManyCookies
Hahaha, not sure I read this fully yesterday, but today I worked for over an hour on my finances spreadsheet.
Now I have a much clearer picture of income and expenses.
I think I only had the courage to do this after I resolved last week to have a bit of a No Spend November.
With Chrimbo coming up, I'm not going to buy any clothes for myself, and not browse in Target.
I can buy gifts for others, and food/cleaning/necessities, but no clothes, shoes, or browsing for me.2 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.
Good question, @RubyRed427 ! Sometimes cleaning can turn into decluttering. Fine line between the two.
This week I re-did my long-sleeve-top drawer and my sock drawer. I'm throwing out some old things that have been unworn for over 12 months.
Yesterday I did lots of sweeping with the brushpan and broom (great NEAT tip!) and put away lots of notes on scraps of paper and bits of stuff that had collected on my bedside table. Lots of walking from room-to-room.
Today I made a file for my health records and did my finance spreadsheet.
It takes a long time to find places for all the types of things we own.
I try not to stress about the things that gather during the week or over a couple of weeks that include a weekend away.
I know that I can restore order on an average weekend.3 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.
I've run into the same situation (many times). I've started putting things I'm not sure where to put them, on the couch, because its in my face. If I know where it goes, I put it away. I'm trying to take 15 minutes a day to keep things in order. Hopefully it'll become a habit.1 -
Thank you all! I've had the desire to downsize and get rid of clutter, but haven't made much progress. Just as I can shed pounds, I can shed "stuff!" I won't be satisfied until I get it done. Thank you for encouraging me.4
-
I've been using this site for a couple of years now. It really helped me with getting rid of unwanted clutter and organise what was left. There are several challenges. I started with the 15-minutes-a-day one. You get step-by-step suggestions on how to declutter a bit at a time.
https://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com5 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »I've been using this site for a couple of years now. It really helped me with getting rid of unwanted clutter and organise what was left. There are several challenges. I started with the 15-minutes-a-day one. You get step-by-step suggestions on how to declutter a bit at a time.
https://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com
Cool! I'll check this out! (I'm already in the midst of my own de-cluttering challenge, but it's taking me forever...)
3 -
😎 Oops! Double posted. Lol!0
-
RubyRed427 wrote: »Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.
{{{{*Hugs*}}}}} Girl. PLEASE know that you are so NOT alone. There is NO "I've got this" in this business of decluttering NOR weight-loss blastification. The word/business we MUST embrace is MAINTENANCE. Getting something or other (be it LET IT GO AND DON'T LOOK BACK AT weight management , a relationship, decluttering, literally anything one desires) is one BIG OLE thing--keeping it/maintaining it is a whole nother kettle of fish, it TRULY is. Let me encourage you and give you a big ole HIGH FIVE on doing what you have/are accomplishing in your precious life and bigger than that, even considering change/changing in your life--that makes you so special and powerful too. So WAY TO GO on the huge changes you're making in your life. That just so ROCKS, period. Let's consider decluttering as something as "dramatic or wild" as changing y/our underwear or taking baths and showers. YES, we can and some do wait a month to take care of that business. But how, ummmmm, "refreshing" it is to change your undergarments or take a bath/shower at least once a week, right? If doing these things make you feel better/refreshed, IMAGINE how changing undergarments and taking a bath or shower daily will make you look and feel. MAKE yourself see decluttering as a "daily" thing. NO all or nothing thing, perhaps just a wee bit of tidying here or there. Or instead of putting something it that room...examine it--do you REALLY need/want it? If not, throw that sucker away or give it away. As you practice this, it WILL get better and better. My moto is practice makes better NOT perfect.
Clutter is a sneaking rascal--much like weight gain, it doesn't come all at once, but creeps up on us if we're not watchful--UGH, here comes 10 extra pounds almost seemingly overnight. The TRUTH is it wasn't overnight, but little by little. Take your time in this battle--ALWAYS remembering that "hurry" or being anxious or impatient=YUCK, have nothing whatsoever to do with embracing nor allowing "hurry" in this business. When (not IF, but WHEN) that of "I've GOT to do this NOW or any type of anxiety raises up in you, REBUKE it (use "self-talk" to yourself or even outloud" saying something like "I see you anxiety, GET OUTTA MY HEAD AND HEART" then tell yourself something like "I love struggle, it's hard but it's helping me to CHANGE, so bring it" and forsake and LET IT GO (frustration and yuck about not getting stuff done as quickly or correctly as you "imagine" you want it to be done) do this immediately, recognizing/understanding/realizing that it's something "negative" trying to get you to give up and be all angry and frustrated and TRICKING you into doing something "counter-productive" like, well anything you've given up/forsaken or have CHOSEN to have doing to do with anymore--REFUSE to "allow" struggles in one area "TRICK" yourself into going back to some other area you're winner at, in the name of "I'm frustrated, irritated, not getting it right and whatevah. DON'T BUY IT--TAKE YOUR TIME, PERIOD.
Just doing as our Terri suggested perhaps 15 minutes per day OR even better, just 5 minutes per day and work your way up. Let me say once more, PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE...WE'RE ALL STRUGGLING IN SOME AREA and these struggles are there to teach us a new/better way of thinking, living and being. You're beautiful, inside and out--ALWAYS remember that, okay?6 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »RubyRed427 wrote: »Do you ever find yourself decluttering the same area or rooms? I can organize and clean a room and then a month later, it looks cluttered again. What a time waster. I need to figure this thing out.
If you don't clear up as you go along this happens. I clean my bathroom sink each morning, otherwise it gets grotty really quickly, especially as Hubster doesn't seem to realise it needs cleaned. Lol!TerriRichardson112 wrote: »I've been using this site for a couple of years now. It really helped me with getting rid of unwanted clutter and organise what was left. There are several challenges. I started with the 15-minutes-a-day one. You get step-by-step suggestions on how to declutter a bit at a time.
https://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com
{{{{{{ Terri }}}}}}}} You're fabulous, period. and THANK YOU so much for your posting, it's helping more than you know and more people than you can imagine. You ROCK, period.3 -
Orphia~
Thank you Boo, you're the bombdotcom, period.2
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 388 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 910 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions
Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!