Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
Replies
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I've decided this year is the year for decluttering, purging and beautifying our home. I started by un-decorating the day after boxing day. We've tackled the livingroom, kitchen(even the space above the cupboards, but haven't excavated the craft cabinet yet), 2 bathrooms, storage under the stairs, my bedroom, and we're on day 2 in the storage room. Still have kids' rooms and the shed in the backyard, and life returns to it's normal mayhem tomorrow, but we've come a long, long way in the past couple weeks.
It's hard to relax and focus when there's clutter everywhere, so i'm really happy to be doing this.7 -
Absolutely, that's my way of life. I just moved internationally and found I had 14m^3 of stuff and furniture. That's down from 20m^3, down from.. more. Basically I love having a rather empty flat with low furniture standing on legs so that you can look underneath or look-through shelves. Everything looks a lot more spacious then.
My previous flat was 40m^2, which honestly is actually big for a big UK city flat, and it was absolutely perfect for me. My flat in the Netherlands now is quite a bit bigger, actually too big to be honest but I could not find anything smaller with a complete kitchen (meaning a freezer with at least 2 drawers, fridge with 3-4 planks, oven). But it's still small compared to what could have been affordable. The choice was very deliberate: I could have rented a twice s big place further out of the city centre for about the same rent, but: commuting time (2.3km by bike)! Heating bill! Being further away from supermarkets, little corner shops and the fantastic Saturday outdoor food market here means I would have wasted more time with groceries, possibly spent more money, had less choice. Being in the city centre means I don't need a car to get to work, do groceries, get anywhere (I take the train). It also means I get home from work at around 17:30, dinner is ready at about 18:00 -> at least 4 hours time to eat, relax, workout, learn new skills or just watch tv. Basically, have a very relaxed life.
For me, decluttering not only means having little stuff, but also to simplify my life and to maximise me-time.10 -
I havent had time to read this thread this weekend, but I love it so. I will catch up soon.
I just watched an episode on Netflix. New show by Marie Kondo of the organizing technique of “Does this spark joy?” If you have netflix, you will enjoy it. I have to go to bed now but wish I watched this on Friday when I had all weekend to organize. LOL5 -
Today's decluttering task is to create a household binder. So I stripped the bed, am washing sheets and blanket, and folded laundry. Will start dinner soon, and not sure what else I'll get up to. Happy Monday everyone!3
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We're having a baby in a few months. We live in a 700 sq. ft. home, no basement, no closets. One bedroom so we have to figure out how to get the crib in with the bed and warddrobe. It's a tricky process.
As I was trying to figure that out, we moved 9 boxes of things out of the bedroom and into storage and we moved a further truck bed or stuff to the dump. I wish I was motivated enough to sell some things instead of dump them but I just don't have the energy!
The process of trying to fit the crib into the bedroom made me realize I have hung onto a TON of stuff that I never, ever use. Some of this stuff has been in boxes for 7 years and I don't touch it! It's the point I don't even know what all I have because it's so cluttered and stuffed in that I can't access it.
So... I decided to begin a great decluttering process. We have plans to move to a bigger house in two years (how long it will take to save a down payment) but I don't want to live in clutter until then so we have a place for storage and I will be slowly but surely shipping everything we don't need to storage until we own a bigger home.
I truly feel our problem is part hanging onto things we don't need and part living in a space way too small for us. When we married he had his own home and I had my own and we had filled both homes with our 'stuff'. And then we had to move some 1700 sq. ft. of stuff into 700 sq. ft. of living space. LOL.
Now, a baby joins the mix. And I don't want my baby to be surrounded by clutter.
During this process I have also developed a backbone. Which has led to some relationships that have been damaged. But I realized I let people treat me really poorly and it's not okay. It has been a very painful process (especially while pregnant!) but also a very, very needed process (it's about time!).
In the next few months before baby arrives I am hoping to declutter our physical space but also to declutter our lives from toxicity.10 -
We're having a baby in a few months. We live in a 700 sq. ft. home, no basement, no closets. One bedroom so we have to figure out how to get the crib in with the bed and warddrobe. It's a tricky process.
As I was trying to figure that out, we moved 9 boxes of things out of the bedroom and into storage and we moved a further truck bed or stuff to the dump. I wish I was motivated enough to sell some things instead of dump them but I just don't have the energy!
The process of trying to fit the crib into the bedroom made me realize I have hung onto a TON of stuff that I never, ever use. Some of this stuff has been in boxes for 7 years and I don't touch it! It's the point I don't even know what all I have because it's so cluttered and stuffed in that I can't access it.
So... I decided to begin a great decluttering process. We have plans to move to a bigger house in two years (how long it will take to save a down payment) but I don't want to live in clutter until then so we have a place for storage and I will be slowly but surely shipping everything we don't need to storage until we own a bigger home.
I truly feel our problem is part hanging onto things we don't need and part living in a space way too small for us. When we married he had his own home and I had my own and we had filled both homes with our 'stuff'. And then we had to move some 1700 sq. ft. of stuff into 700 sq. ft. of living space. LOL.
Now, a baby joins the mix. And I don't want my baby to be surrounded by clutter.
During this process I have also developed a backbone. Which has led to some relationships that have been damaged. But I realized I let people treat me really poorly and it's not okay. It has been a very painful process (especially while pregnant!) but also a very, very needed process (it's about time!).
In the next few months before baby arrives I am hoping to declutter our physical space but also to declutter our lives from toxicity.
Man of MAN what a tremendously HELPFUL post this is. It is so comforting knowing we're not alone in this struggle/battle, that there are many others fighting, winning and even DARING to consider doing something about the oppressive and yuck of having an overload of "stuff/mess/clutter", stuff we haven't even looked at in years (and thus so NOT needed)! Thank you ever so very much for posting. I'm/we're so cheering you on and super mega congrats on having a beautiful, wonderful new baby love coming into your life soon. I'm so happy for you and your family for the new addition and for choosing to say "THAT'S IT" to the excess and clutter--YAY YOU!!!
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Today's decluttering task is to create a household binder. So I stripped the bed, am washing sheets and blanket, and folded laundry. Will start dinner soon, and not sure what else I'll get up to. Happy Monday everyone!
Happy Monday to you Snoo! YAY YOU and Good job on ALL that you're doing today. THANK YOU for posting and giving me the idea to vacuum/clean and turn over our mattress. I didn't think of it until you posted this. BOOM!
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Absolutely, that's my way of life. I just moved internationally and found I had 14m^3 of stuff and furniture. That's down from 20m^3, down from.. more. Basically I love having a rather empty flat with low furniture standing on legs so that you can look underneath or look-through shelves. Everything looks a lot more spacious then.
My previous flat was 40m^2, which honestly is actually big for a big UK city flat, and it was absolutely perfect for me. My flat in the Netherlands now is quite a bit bigger, actually too big to be honest but I could not find anything smaller with a complete kitchen (meaning a freezer with at least 2 drawers, fridge with 3-4 planks, oven). But it's still small compared to what could have been affordable. The choice was very deliberate: I could have rented a twice s big place further out of the city centre for about the same rent, but: commuting time (2.3km by bike)! Heating bill! Being further away from supermarkets, little corner shops and the fantastic Saturday outdoor food market here means I would have wasted more time with groceries, possibly spent more money, had less choice. Being in the city centre means I don't need a car to get to work, do groceries, get anywhere (I take the train). It also means I get home from work at around 17:30, dinner is ready at about 18:00 -> at least 4 hours time to eat, relax, workout, learn new skills or just watch tv. Basically, have a very relaxed life.
For me, decluttering not only means having little stuff, but also to simplify my life and to maximise me-time.
Congrats on your new place and changing the way you're thinking and doing things, so GLAD it's working out for you. You're so spot on when you say "For me, decluttering not only means having little stuff, but also to simplify my life and to maximise me-time."
That's the ticket honey, BOOM! Also THANK YOU so much for contributing to this thread. 0 -
Day one of formal exercising. I did 10lbs of arms and leg lifts for a few minutes, did a bit of full body rowing and a bit of my full body exercise bike. I purposely am NOT timing these exercises, because I don't want to put myself in the box of doing it with an ounce of pressure or anything like that. I would much rather "under-do it" than over-do it--there will be none of that, period. If I had to guess, I would say I did all of these exercises in about 30 minutes or less. SLOW and STEADY wins the race...that's how we "turtles" get down.3
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NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Day one of formal exercising. I did 10lbs of arms and leg lifts for a few minutes, did a bit of full body rowing and a bit of my full body exercise bike. I purposely am NOT timing these exercises, because I don't want to put myself in the box of doing it with an ounce of pressure or anything like that. I would much rather "under-do it" than over-do it--there will be none of that, period. If I had to guess, I would say I did all of these exercises in about 30 minutes or less. SLOW and STEADY wins the race...that's how we "turtles" get down.
Under- doing it is a much better idea. You won't be too sore to move, making it easier to want to do it again. Turtles are smart!0 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Day one of formal exercising. I did 10lbs of arms and leg lifts for a few minutes, did a bit of full body rowing and a bit of my full body exercise bike. I purposely am NOT timing these exercises, because I don't want to put myself in the box of doing it with an ounce of pressure or anything like that. I would much rather "under-do it" than over-do it--there will be none of that, period. If I had to guess, I would say I did all of these exercises in about 30 minutes or less. SLOW and STEADY wins the race...that's how we "turtles" get down.
Under- doing it is a much better idea. You won't be too sore to move, making it easier to want to do it again. Turtles are smart!
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Monday's task is always to read about the upcoming tasks for the week. I read it, and then cleaned out 2 cupboards under the counter. Got rid of a few things, washed the shelves, inside the doors, and scrubbed the outside of the doors. Put the things I'm keeping back, but in places that make more sense.
By the way, I found 5 empty jars (mayo, pickle, etc) way in the back. WTH was I thinking?1 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »I just put on my pjs and can shimmy out of my size 10's without unbuttoning nor unzipping them. This means size 8 is in my near future...so grateful, so thankful. Not sure why I'm so amazed, but amazed I am that I can take off my size 10 jeans without unbuttoning them. It seems like just YESTERDAY I was saying that about my size 16's. So...it looks like possibly before year's end, I'll be in a size 8 from a size 22w this time last year. Slow and steady---it's so worth it!!!!
Well...December 19th, I felt strongly in my spirit that I'd be in an incredible and DELIGHTFUL size 8 "in the near future". Here we are, 8 days into the new year AND...
LOOK at how TINY these jeans are....WOW!
I'm a size 8 baby--oh YEAH size 8, these jeans fit/feel absolutely terrific--YES, they are a wee bit "form fitting"
, but I can jump and move in them like they're leggings. I've got about 9 more pounds to go, before I reach my goal, so they will DEFINITELY be fitting looser by then, so humbled and grateful I'm squeezing my tail into these--I LOVE it mega YAY!!!!
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NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »I just put on my pjs and can shimmy out of my size 10's without unbuttoning nor unzipping them. This means size 8 is in my near future...so grateful, so thankful. Not sure why I'm so amazed, but amazed I am that I can take off my size 10 jeans without unbuttoning them. It seems like just YESTERDAY I was saying that about my size 16's. So...it looks like possibly before year's end, I'll be in a size 8 from a size 22w this time last year. Slow and steady---it's so worth it!!!!
Well...December 19th, I felt strongly in my spirit that I'd be in an incredible and DELIGHTFUL size 8 "in the near future". Here we are, 8 days into the new year AND...
LOOK at how TINY these jeans are....WOW!
I'm a size 8 baby--oh YEAH size 8, these jeans fit/feel absolutely terrific--YES, they are a wee bit "form fitting, but I can jump and move in them like they're leggings. I've got about 9 more pounds to go, before I reach my goal, so they will DEFINITELY be fitting looser by then, so humbled and grateful I'm squeezing my tail into these--I LOVE it mega YAY!!!!
Girl!!!! You are so inspiring! You're almost to goal! That's incredible!0 -
Monday's task is always to read about the upcoming tasks for the week. I read it, and then cleaned out 2 cupboards under the counter. Got rid of a few things, washed the shelves, inside the doors, and scrubbed the outside of the doors. Put the things I'm keeping back, but in places that make more sense.
By the way, I found 5 empty jars (mayo, pickle, etc) way in the back. WTH was I thinking?
Snoo, you are kicking MAJOR tail and taking names in the decluttering department. I admire you so...GO GIRL, you winner you BOOM! Maybe you were saving the jars for, ummmm...extra pocket change you're saving or something?NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »I just put on my pjs and can shimmy out of my size 10's without unbuttoning nor unzipping them. This means size 8 is in my near future...so grateful, so thankful. Not sure why I'm so amazed, but amazed I am that I can take off my size 10 jeans without unbuttoning them. It seems like just YESTERDAY I was saying that about my size 16's. So...it looks like possibly before year's end, I'll be in a size 8 from a size 22w this time last year. Slow and steady---it's so worth it!!!!
Well...December 19th, I felt strongly in my spirit that I'd be in an incredible and DELIGHTFUL size 8 "in the near future". Here we are, 8 days into the new year AND...
LOOK at how TINY these jeans are....WOW!
I'm a size 8 baby--oh YEAH size 8, these jeans fit/feel absolutely terrific--YES, they are a wee bit "form fitting, but I can jump and move in them like they're leggings. I've got about 9 more pounds to go, before I reach my goal, so they will DEFINITELY be fitting looser by then, so humbled and grateful I'm squeezing my tail into these--I LOVE it mega YAY!!!!
Girl!!!! You are so inspiring! You're almost to goal! That's incredible!
Life is GRAND--all of it, the "good" the "bad" the "ugly" and a new catergory--"the healthy/slim and trim, uncluttered parts of it". Life Lessons and CHOICES everyday of our lives...WOW!
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@ NEWLIFEstyle4ME thanks! I'm so happy I found this thread. I'm surprising myself with my persistence, and have all of you to thank for keeping me motivated.
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Yesterday, I went though every room and picked up every piece of paper including my kids artwork and sorted through it all. Some went into the shredder, some has been filed away, some was put in recycling. This one little task made the house look better and more approachable for cleaning. I think today I will clean out my fridge so that I have everything sorted for my grocery shopping tomorrow.6
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Another thing I am going to try again...I don't remember exactly where I found it (I have to look again & will post it when I do...I had a chart (last used in 2017) so it was 2017 things to get rid of in 2017. Lots of little boxes to mark. It seemed to be really motivating to mark off boxes as I got rid of things. I need to do this again!1
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Oh, and congrats on those tiny size 8 jeans!!
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NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »I just put on my pjs and can shimmy out of my size 10's without unbuttoning nor unzipping them. This means size 8 is in my near future...so grateful, so thankful. Not sure why I'm so amazed, but amazed I am that I can take off my size 10 jeans without unbuttoning them. It seems like just YESTERDAY I was saying that about my size 16's. So...it looks like possibly before year's end, I'll be in a size 8 from a size 22w this time last year. Slow and steady---it's so worth it!!!!
Well...December 19th, I felt strongly in my spirit that I'd be in an incredible and DELIGHTFUL size 8 "in the near future". Here we are, 8 days into the new year AND...
LOOK at how TINY these jeans are....WOW!
I'm a size 8 baby--oh YEAH size 8, these jeans fit/feel absolutely terrific--YES, they are a wee bit "form fitting" , but I can jump and move in them like they're leggings. I've got about 9 more pounds to go, before I reach my goal, so they will DEFINITELY be fitting looser by then, so humbled and grateful I'm squeezing my tail into these--I LOVE it mega YAY!!!!
Woohoo on the Suze 8 I am so proud for you0 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »I havent had time to read this thread this weekend, but I love it so. I will catch up soon.
I just watched an episode on Netflix. New show by Marie Kondo of the organizing technique of “Does this spark joy?” If you have netflix, you will enjoy it. I have to go to bed now but wish I watched this on Friday when I had all weekend to organize. LOL
My daughter who has been terrible at throwing things out her whole life just watched this series last week. She bought the book on iTunes and has started her purge. She has gone through her clothes and has gotten rid of 5 bags of clothes.
Let me tell you what a huge step this is for her. My daughter will be 30 in a couple of weeks. She was given a tshirt by my best friend when she was 3. The shirt was a bit too big so she was able to wear it for a couple of years. Guys, she still had this shirt! She got rid of it. Also about 20 years ago a coworker of mine found out how much my daughter loved Garth Brooks and gave her a concert tshirt of his. This shirt was an adult men’s large, but my 10 year old daughter wore it faithfully. It faded and had rips, but she wouldn’t dispose of it. She texted me night before last to tell me it’s gone!
I am going to watch this show, and probably download the book so that I can encourage her. I have promised to help her in anyway I can. She is moving onto her sons clothes today, he is 7 so she will help him decide what Brings him joy.
I am so incredibly proud of her.
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RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »Another thing I am going to try again...I don't remember exactly where I found it (I have to look again & will post it when I do...I had a chart (last used in 2017) so it was 2017 things to get rid of in 2017. Lots of little boxes to mark. It seemed to be really motivating to mark off boxes as I got rid of things. I need to do this again!
Can you post it if/when you find it? That sounds good.
Congrats NewLifestyle - can imagine the jumping for joy!!1 -
Hey gang!
Here's some decluttering tips you won't want to miss:
1.) Take before and after pics of the room(s) you're on a mission to "conquer". Once you've got things in order (no matter how long it takes), like weight-blastification, you'll LOVE seeing how far you've come in LET IT GO and DON'T LOOK BACK.
2.) This has been mentioned earlier in this thread, but, taking all those old shampoos you'll NEVER use and use them for handwash and/or tub cleaner.
3.) If while shopping, you find some cute inexpensive hangers, get some. Nothing feels/look better than having your decluttered closets with CUTE hangers holding on to your "slimmed down" wardrobe/closet.
4.) Don't/REFUSE to compare yourself with others (in the decluttering, weight-blastification and quite frankly in ANYTHING AT ALL). Everyone has unique/different situations in their lives and comparing yourself with others is a recipe for YUCK.
5.) I've said this a million times and here's a million and one: HURRY/ANXIETY/IMPULSE/GOT TO GET THIS ACCOMPLISHED NOW/YESTERDAY is totally wack and counter-propductive. Take your time in accomplishing you goals and do it RIGHT and RIGHTEOUSLY, period.
6.) Little baby cutiepie 2 year olds are on to something, when/as they say "NO" to stuff. I know "going along to get along" looks/feels "safe/better", but it's NOT. It's a set-up for regret/bitterness and all kind of "unnecessary" and mentally/physically/financially YUCK. Fear is also a huge deceiver that influences us to do all kinds of counter-productive and "inviting trouble" into our lives. Throw down the gauntlet with yourself and learn to say and mean NO to stuff and even/especially yourself.
Love y'all {{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}
P.S. PLEASE feel free to add some tips too.
P.S.S. BOOM!4 -
Snowflake1968 wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »I just put on my pjs and can shimmy out of my size 10's without unbuttoning nor unzipping them. This means size 8 is in my near future...so grateful, so thankful. Not sure why I'm so amazed, but amazed I am that I can take off my size 10 jeans without unbuttoning them. It seems like just YESTERDAY I was saying that about my size 16's. So...it looks like possibly before year's end, I'll be in a size 8 from a size 22w this time last year. Slow and steady---it's so worth it!!!!
Well...December 19th, I felt strongly in my spirit that I'd be in an incredible and DELIGHTFUL size 8 "in the near future". Here we are, 8 days into the new year AND...
LOOK at how TINY these jeans are....WOW!
I'm a size 8 baby--oh YEAH size 8, these jeans fit/feel absolutely terrific--YES, they are a wee bit "form fitting" , but I can jump and move in them like they're leggings. I've got about 9 more pounds to go, before I reach my goal, so they will DEFINITELY be fitting looser by then, so humbled and grateful I'm squeezing my tail into these--I LOVE it mega YAY!!!!
Woohoo on the Suze 8 I am so proud for you
Girllllll...you have been on my heart of late, I'm thrilled to hear from you! {{{{ Hugs }}}}. 0 -
@ NEWLIFEstyle4ME thanks! I'm so happy I found this thread. I'm surprising myself with my persistence, and have all of you to thank for keeping me motivated.
You, my dear and a HUGE inspiration to me and others on here. I'm just so THRILLED at your progress. Honey, persistence is EVERYTHING--YAY YOU and {{{Hugs}}}}
P.S.
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RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »Oh, and congrats on those tiny size 8 jeans!!Congrats NewLifestyle - can imagine the jumping for joy!!
What a kindhearted sweetieheart you guys are!!!! {{{ Love and Hugs }}}}
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Yesterday, I went though every room and picked up every piece of paper including my kids artwork and sorted through it all. Some went into the shredder, some has been filed away, some was put in recycling. This one little task made the house look better and more approachable for cleaning. I think today I will clean out my fridge so that I have everything sorted for my grocery shopping tomorrow.
The answer is absolutely YES and YAY YOU!!! Thanks so much for contributing to this thread!!!1 -
Snowflake1968 wrote: »RubyRed427 wrote: »I havent had time to read this thread this weekend, but I love it so. I will catch up soon.
I just watched an episode on Netflix. New show by Marie Kondo of the organizing technique of “Does this spark joy?” If you have netflix, you will enjoy it. I have to go to bed now but wish I watched this on Friday when I had all weekend to organize. LOL
My daughter who has been terrible at throwing things out her whole life just watched this series last week. She bought the book on iTunes and has started her purge. She has gone through her clothes and has gotten rid of 5 bags of clothes.
Let me tell you what a huge step this is for her. My daughter will be 30 in a couple of weeks. She was given a tshirt by my best friend when she was 3. The shirt was a bit too big so she was able to wear it for a couple of years. Guys, she still had this shirt! She got rid of it. Also about 20 years ago a coworker of mine found out how much my daughter loved Garth Brooks and gave her a concert tshirt of his. This shirt was an adult men’s large, but my 10 year old daughter wore it faithfully. It faded and had rips, but she wouldn’t dispose of it. She texted me night before last to tell me it’s gone!
I am going to watch this show, and probably download the book so that I can encourage her. I have promised to help her in anyway I can. She is moving onto her sons clothes today, he is 7 so she will help him decide what Brings him joy.
I am so incredibly proud of her.
See, THAT'S what I'm talking about. You are a terrific mom and super fabulous influence--YAY YOU and your beloved daughter...how tremendous!1 -
Today's declutter task was to clean out the silverware drawer. I got rid of some odd spoons and forks, well they are in the donate box. I also went through a pile in my bedroom corner. I attacked the pile because I used to have a bag of yarn there. I was worried that it was still there. 😆3
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I have been getting rid of things that don’t spark joy. I love Marie Kondo and her book and show and it’s really allowed me to let go of a lot of things that I was holding onto for no reason at all. My house looks amazing right now and my mind feels better.5
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