Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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Sometimes organizing at the spur of the moment is as rewarding as completing a pre-determined task. That is what I did today.
I need to re-organize the cabinets in the laundry room, and today looking for something I ended organizing several shelves and tossing things that I don't need and adding a couple of things in the donation bag. It is late in the afternoon and almost time to get dinner ready, but I will do my best tomorrow morning to complete the task. If not, it will be done another day. One thing at the time, no rush, no pressure.
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@RubyRed427 - Do you read the journals later, or is it the process of writing that you enjoy?1
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July 8th - My cousin and her three children came to visit so I used the opportunity to clean out the ‘playroom’ which my 19 & 20 year old sons have outgrown. I donated language books, study materials, some empty 3-ring binders, and at least 8 video games.
July 9th - We used some old fabric, hats, and jewelry that I’ve had around the house for ages to have ‘dress up’ fun with the kids. They enjoyed cutting and designing outfits and easily 9 pairs of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets - along with 2 hats and three hat boxes - went home with our visitors. It brought so much joy to share the items with them and a bonus to declutter!!
July 10th - The kids also took a big set of sidewalk chalk, a bag of baseballs and gloves, some toys and a couple of stuffed animals. We got rid of loads of clutter and kept some wonderful memories!8 -
I'm at that age where I have a lot of things I don't need but can't throw out. What I have been doing is decluttering one layer at a time and getting a little more brutal with what I toss, recycle, donate, or sell. Right now I have 8 boxes of old books packed up for donation and a big box of old kitchen items I don't use. At least 8 bags of clothes and shoes have gone to charity as well. Every time I go through and get rid of a little bit more. My partner will be living here soon and I don't want it to be him moving into my place, we truly want to go room by room and make it ours. So I've been paring down and creating space. I know I'll probably need a tiny storage unit soon but I'm not there yet.
I would like to really challenge you to confront this idea that you need to keep things you don’t actually need. Why on earth would you PAY to store things you don’t need? Your things are literally going to cost you money. Seems really wasteful of both your money and brain power spent thinking about your thi e3 -
What a great decluttering project on here! I could probably do 100 items too in a month, but I've always got sidetracked with just one item a day. Usually winded up from work, and not in a cleaning and organizing mind frame.3
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Thanks for your post and I'm reading it because the universe is wanting me to be aware of something important. Since I was very young I learned to be the emotional garbage can for people in my life, hell even strangers too. When I allowed people to dump all their baggage in my presence, I felt is was my purpose to help fix them or give advice or cheer them up, etc. Very few of them would reciprocate and let me vent or listen to my strife. Food became my soother, comforter, distraction. I had to maintain the facade of being strong and able to take "anything". Inside I'm a weak, scared person who needs to know that I have supportive friends/family to take care of me and reassure me that everything is gonna be ok.
I have been in the process of eliminating emotional vampires from my life and to avoid any future ones coming in. Losing 80lbs kind of made me want to do this, but mostly is was just growing wiser and being in my 40's that catapulted this change.
I have a commitment to myself to take care of ME and keep the emotional garbage can empty at all times unless it is 100% reciprocated (coworkers, friends, family, etc). I no longer feel the need to "fix" others. I have a big enough job fixing myself.11 -
I'm at that age where I have a lot of things I don't need but can't throw out. What I have been doing is decluttering one layer at a time and getting a little more brutal with what I toss, recycle, donate, or sell. Right now I have 8 boxes of old books packed up for donation and a big box of old kitchen items I don't use. At least 8 bags of clothes and shoes have gone to charity as well. Every time I go through and get rid of a little bit more. My partner will be living here soon and I don't want it to be him moving into my place, we truly want to go room by room and make it ours. So I've been paring down and creating space. I know I'll probably need a tiny storage unit soon but I'm not there yet.
I find this method works for me too. I get rid of a bunch of clothing but hold onto things I “might” wear. Or books I want to read but haven’t yet. I then go through it again a year later and find more to let go of. Layers.
Some people are able to go through their excess things and let them go. I am not one of them. But I’ve learned to stop spontaneous purchases and let go of items I have no attachment to. The thought of getting rid of everything I do not use regularly stops me from starting to declutter.
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July 11th.
I completed most of the organization and cleaning of the laundry room cabinets, that I started yesterday. I actually did more that I thought possible. I still have the very top/high shelves to do, but I am too short
and the step ladder that I have in the room is not high enough for me to reach them. I need my husband's help and a taller ladder, because at my age I don't like to take unnecessary risks.
Everything looks neat and all the items are easy to see and reach. I threw away a bunch of cleaning containers that were almost almost empty and I have a bag of things that I not longer use to give away. I feel good!
I also put in the car two bags to take tomorrow to the donation center. One has stationary and office supplies, pens etc, and the other one clothing.6 -
Thanks for your post and I'm reading it because the universe is wanting me to be aware of something important. Since I was very young I learned to be the emotional garbage can for people in my life, hell even strangers too. When I allowed people to dump all their baggage in my presence, I felt is was my purpose to help fix them or give advice or cheer them up, etc. Very few of them would reciprocate and let me vent or listen to my strife. Food became my soother, comforter, distraction. I had to maintain the facade of being strong and able to take "anything". Inside I'm a weak, scared person who needs to know that I have supportive friends/family to take care of me and reassure me that everything is gonna be ok.
I have been in the process of eliminating emotional vampires from my life and to avoid any future ones coming in. Losing 80lbs kind of made me want to do this, but mostly is was just growing wiser and being in my 40's that catapulted this change.
I have a commitment to myself to take care of ME and keep the emotional garbage can empty at all times unless it is 100% reciprocated (coworkers, friends, family, etc). I no longer feel the need to "fix" others. I have a big enough job fixing myself.
This post resonated with me. I am exhausted from being everyone's support/ helper/ fixer/ ear....
My therapist says "Stop collecting stray cats.". That's true.
I also like your term emotional vampire! Thanks for posting.7 -
JessiBelleW wrote: »I'm at that age where I have a lot of things I don't need but can't throw out. What I have been doing is decluttering one layer at a time and getting a little more brutal with what I toss, recycle, donate, or sell. Right now I have 8 boxes of old books packed up for donation and a big box of old kitchen items I don't use. At least 8 bags of clothes and shoes have gone to charity as well. Every time I go through and get rid of a little bit more. My partner will be living here soon and I don't want it to be him moving into my place, we truly want to go room by room and make it ours. So I've been paring down and creating space. I know I'll probably need a tiny storage unit soon but I'm not there yet.
I would like to really challenge you to confront this idea that you need to keep things you don’t actually need. Why on earth would you PAY to store things you don’t need? Your things are literally going to cost you money. Seems really wasteful of both your money and brain power spent thinking about your thi e
My friend who is a minimalist says that when you have lots of stuff, you just have to keep buying more and more containers to hold that stuff and it is no longer useful. You spend a lot of money just storing those things.
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Recently, I gave away a lot of good books; I LOVE BOOKS SO MUCH. They are like friends to me, but the value was in reading them, and I rarely read a book twice. So, I donated half of my books and stored only the titles that i really loved and meant something to me while I read them. Since I have only a small bookshelf, I can't fit a ton of books. So, I think the key is not buying more bookshelves and just keeping what you love and share what you can.
Also, my sister goes to the library often for her books or downloads on a Kindle and that saves space, too.
I'm more of a purist, I love buying, opening and reading a new book.9 -
Someone decluttered me because I hit the like button on someone else's meme and made assumptions of my personality. It ticked me off for a whole 5 minutes. I don't need to deal with stupid people.4
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RubyRed427 wrote: »JessiBelleW wrote: »I'm at that age where I have a lot of things I don't need but can't throw out. What I have been doing is decluttering one layer at a time and getting a little more brutal with what I toss, recycle, donate, or sell. Right now I have 8 boxes of old books packed up for donation and a big box of old kitchen items I don't use. At least 8 bags of clothes and shoes have gone to charity as well. Every time I go through and get rid of a little bit more. My partner will be living here soon and I don't want it to be him moving into my place, we truly want to go room by room and make it ours. So I've been paring down and creating space. I know I'll probably need a tiny storage unit soon but I'm not there yet.
I would like to really challenge you to confront this idea that you need to keep things you don’t actually need. Why on earth would you PAY to store things you don’t need? Your things are literally going to cost you money. Seems really wasteful of both your money and brain power spent thinking about your thi e
My friend who is a minimalist says that when you have lots of stuff, you just have to keep buying more and more containers to hold that stuff and it is no longer useful. You spend a lot of money just storing those things.
and spend so much time looking for stuff, finding stuff, taking care of stuff, moving stuff, rearranging stuff, etc. I can totally relate!!7 -
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Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.
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You could just keep what you have, wrap stuff up to give as xmas gifts, and vow never to buy anything frivolously again...Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.
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Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.
Maybe ask yourself if the reason you are keeping it, having paid for it, is to punish yourself for making a bad purchase? What other reason could you have to keep it? You're not going to decide you like it after all, are you?
That thing you paid $100 for? You'll be lucky to get $20 at a yard sale. Those things you think are just awesome? they're used stuff to someone else.
Currently I buy all my clothes online, and sometimes I make a mistake, but it's not worth it to me to send it back. I don't keep and wear that thing I don't like--I think how happy someone my size will be to find something that FITS, that maybe suits their tastes though not mine, that's brand new, at Goodwill. I think how Goodwill helps people, and uses my donations to do it. I pass it on.
If it's actually valuable stuff, what about bundling it up and giving it to your local women's shelter. There are ladies there who have lost everything they ever owned. Think of them, and how they might like the thing that you don't...? It might help you get past your hurdle.8 -
I’ve enjoyed reading the good ideas and thoughtful reflections that have been posted about simplifying life by eliminating people, emotions, and things that do not contribute to our lives in meaningful ways. Thank you to everyone who has shared your thought process, strategy or action.
I’m continuing the challenge I set for myself this month:
Declutter items for each day of the month in July so the number of items corresponds to the day of the month. For example, one item on July 1st, two items on July 2nd, and so on as the days increase.
I’ve been meeting my targets with the help of my son. Here’s an update from the last few days.
July 11 - It was my 55th birthday so I encouraged my sons to help me get rid of 55 items, instead of the target number of 11. On Sunday (7/11), They boxed up more than 55 books from their bedroom shelves and I called the library on Monday to coordinate a drop-off. The library donations begin on August 1st so I stacked the boxes in the mudroom and I’ll need to decide if I should wait or find another place to accept them.
July 12 - I sent a message to the parent outreach coordinator and administrative staff at the local elementary school to see if any new teachers or parents are interested in the books to start a classroom library or take books home for their children. I helped my sons go through their clothes and we donated over 50 items, mostly small things like socks and t-shirts but it’s progress!
I’m working on the 13 items for today by going through I pile of computer pieces and other electronic goods (e.g., outdated cameras, mics and audio equipment, etc.) from my old office. So, I’ll load the car tonight and stop at Best Buy and Goodwill tomorrow. I hope everyone else is doing well and making progress toward your decluttering goals!
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@PatriceFitnessPal
Awesome work! Your determination and organization is paying off, and congrats to your boys for helping you achieve your goal.
After the gym I went to the donation center to leave two bags of items, as I mentioned on July 11th. I checked the library in my local (gated) community and they are accepting books again. I had already selected five books that I was not longer interested so I took them today and they were very appreciative. I have more books to give away but I have to think what to put on the shelves to fill up the space once they are gone...
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Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.
@pennysob could you list things online? On eBay, a local buying or selling group or even Facebook marketplace? You won’t get retail for most things but you might be able to rid yourself of things you no longer need and get a bit of cash back too4
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