Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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*bump* because I feel a round of decluttering coming on, and I want company...7
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I have not read all 104 pages of this thread, so pardon me if someone else has suggested this. Also, posting this here is counter-intuitive, I admit. But the greatest "decluttering" of my life, the greatest weight off my mind, has been completely getting off social media, including message boards. I make a very few exceptions like this one.
I thought it would be hard to stop. I was seriously "addicted" to a few sites. My screen time app showed me on them like over an hour a day, starting when I got up to right before I went to bed. I had been on these sites for years, one over a decade. But it became increasingly obvious it was not good for me. I would fume some days over disagreements with total strangers online, more so than I would about a disagreement with a family member.
But to my surprise, it was not hard to quit. I just went "cold turkey" and felt better almost immediately. It's been weeks and I'm fine with it. I did sneak back on one recently to find a fact that I wanted, worrying I would get sucked back in, but that didn't happen. My reaction was more like, "Why was I ever on this to begin with?" BTW, I have been filling my former screen time by getting things done I was procrastinating and actually reading books!
I will stay on the MFP Community site as long as it is civil and sensible, because it is devoted to weight loss and health, which are my big priorities. So if you want to declutter and simplify, think outside the (storage) box and declutter your mind. Try getting off of social media! I will bet you find it satisfying.14 -
I have bins of 4 sizes smaller clothing in the garage. And alot also under the bed. It's been about 10+ years since could wear. Passing it on feels like giving up on myself. Postmenopausal my weight distribution is changing! Anyhow, gave myself a deadline of next summer for loss or start donating.
I will likely move sometime between June and December. I’ve told myself that nothing that doesn’t fit can come. So I have till then to make sure either I fit the stuff I own or it goes5 -
That seems like a good rule!
I am just choosing a place to focus on. Last week I was in my back yard and I realized that it's a great big mess that I just don't see anymore. It's not the only area. So I'm going to pick a place to focus, and I'll take some pictures. That will make it easier to see what needs fixing AND give me before/after for motivation.5 -
I recently read Decluttering at the Speed of Life. The process outlined really makes a lot of sense. I have been working on trying to declutter, but it is soooooo hard. My husband and children are pretty much no help at all at this point. The book says to start in your most visible space which I am not doing. I'm starting in my laundry room because it only has stuff that I put it there so I won't have to get anyone's input on whether something stays or goes. The tops of the washer and dryer cannot be seen right now. It is a small space and that is the only area to set stuff down so having that space occupied makes it harder to fold laundry in there.6
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I have not read all 104 pages of this thread, so pardon me if someone else has suggested this. Also, posting this here is counter-intuitive, I admit. But the greatest "decluttering" of my life, the greatest weight off my mind, has been completely getting off social media, including message boards. I make a very few exceptions like this one.
I thought it would be hard to stop. I was seriously "addicted" to a few sites. My screen time app showed me on them like over an hour a day, starting when I got up to right before I went to bed. I had been on these sites for years, one over a decade. But it became increasingly obvious it was not good for me. I would fume some days over disagreements with total strangers online, more so than I would about a disagreement with a family member.
But to my surprise, it was not hard to quit. I just went "cold turkey" and felt better almost immediately. It's been weeks and I'm fine with it. I did sneak back on one recently to find a fact that I wanted, worrying I would get sucked back in, but that didn't happen. My reaction was more like, "Why was I ever on this to begin with?" BTW, I have been filling my former screen time by getting things done I was procrastinating and actually reading books!
I will stay on the MFP Community site as long as it is civil and sensible, because it is devoted to weight loss and health, which are my big priorities. So if you want to declutter and simplify, think outside the (storage) box and declutter your mind. Try getting off of social media! I will bet you find it satisfying.
I haven't quit all social media, but I did give up phone games for the month of January. I deleted all the games on my phone on Dec 31st. I was wasting so much time on games that when I really thought about it weren't all that fun. It was much easier than I thought it would be to give them up.9 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »I grew up in a spotless house. My mom would stay up late cleaning many nights. I think it set an unrealistic expectation for me as an adult. My brain got wired to think it was the way you live .... with zero clutter.
When I got married, I saw that my spouse was messy and loves clutter; i think it makes him feel good. The clutter chokes me. It can be very hard on me emotionally to live in clutter. Our dresser in our bed room is cut in half- his side is covered in receipts, papers, and everything , and my side has a picture frame and a candle. I'm sorry to vent. He's not wrong for being that way, because that's how his brain is wired.
But for me, it's a source of discomfort seeing that junk in piles all over.
I just needed to express myself on this thread. I wont complain further, but i dream of having a clean house with only items we treasure instead of thousands of pieces of junk that isn't valued but still kept.
Have you discussed this with your husband?4 -
I've had several moves recently, resulting in hundreds of bags and boxes of STUFF going to charity. I've found in the past a few things that really needed to go that I loved--and when I let go of them I never missed them. One in particular was a couch. I loved its size, shape, color which matched my art work, EVERYTHING. But it was old, had had a lot of kids and animals on it. I bit the bullet and put it out to be hauled away. Amazingly, I never missed it.
Ditto for people who are bad for me. I try very hard to treat people WELL and when they spit in my face once too often or stab me in the back, we're through. I'm sure they find that harsh but particularly when I've tried to talk about the problem and they make it clear they'll continue, I don't really know what they expect.
I know that MY life becomes better and I'm better able to do the work I feel called to do in life.8 -
Telemann2022 wrote: »I've had several moves recently, resulting in hundreds of bags and boxes of STUFF going to charity. I've found in the past a few things that really needed to go that I loved--and when I let go of them I never missed them. One in particular was a couch. I loved its size, shape, color which matched my art work, EVERYTHING. But it was old, had had a lot of kids and animals on it. I bit the bullet and put it out to be hauled away. Amazingly, I never missed it.
I'm mostly the same. I get rid of stuff and never miss it--but sometimes I do (Like the time I tossed an adapter because I had no idea what it was, and it turned out it went to my pretty little fiber-optic Christmas tree) so I try to be careful.Telemann2022 wrote: »Ditto for people who are bad for me. I try very hard to treat people WELL and when they spit in my face once too often or stab me in the back, we're through. I'm sure they find that harsh but particularly when I've tried to talk about the problem and they make it clear they'll continue, I don't really know what they expect.
I know that MY life becomes better and I'm better able to do the work I feel called to do in life.
IMO, this needs to be normalized. Just like a spoiled child won't learn if they never get "no," some spoiled adults need to learn you can't treat friends badly and still have friends. (obviously there is nuance. A friend in pain who snaps at you is different from a "friend" who is always expecting you to deal with their every self-created crisis, to throw out one example)
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I come read this thread every time I want inspiration; I'm glad it's still alive (edited: I guess it's barely alive - I just realized the last post was from a few months ago). This summer my goal is to declutter my storage and laundry rooms (and hopefully move on to other areas, too). I got some new shelves to replace old bent shelves that were left by the previous homeowner, and I got one traded out last weekend. It was my candle shelf and it makes me a little sad because I do love candles; I just rarely burn them anymore, especially the decorative ones. I guess that's one nice thing about taking them to a thrift store - someone else can appreciate them and use them. And believe me, I still kept plenty!!
Anyway, happy decluttering!10 -
I'm trying to declutter my living room, but my family has decided it's extra storage space. >.<9
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I have problems with throwing things away but I never get around to taking them to the local thrift store. Honey... can you...?7
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sargemarcori wrote: »I'm trying to declutter my living room, but my family has decided it's extra storage space. >.<
I only have myself to blame, lol. Everything was piled into the LR when my kitchen counters were done. Now i am slowlygetting the space back.6 -
Ok, I've set a goal for myself to do 15 min of decluttering on my worst spot, my vanity. Wish me luck!12
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AmyDahlTorres wrote: »I have problems with throwing things away but I never get around to taking them to the local thrift store. Honey... can you...?
Put them in your car! I do that, and they ride around with me for a few months, and then I finally pop into the thrift store and donate. Much easier for me.6 -
BrennanArmacost wrote: »I don't like people being mentioned like they are just things. I think that's another subject entirely. People get too interested in minimalism and start ignoring their friends. In my opinion, it's a kind of cult. I've lost several friends this way. I don't like being called trash. Good luck on decluttering, but remember that people are alive, and so are animals. That should matter when you make your decisions. "Oh, I figured out what I really and truly value and it's ALL of my things. Bye." Yeah, cute.
Although I didn't really see people being referred to in that way in this thread, I hear you and agree. My spouse actually gets a PTSD type reaction when people mention decluttering because usually when her exes started decluttering she was one of the "things" to go. VERY sad.
I try to declutter when I can but I try (these days anyway) to let her know that there is no issue with her, and if she wants to join in that's great but she doesn't have to. That way there's no pressure and she doesn't feel as emotionally threatened. I tend to have issues with generating too much clutter so I try to keep it under control. The more organized things are, the better I feel.6 -
Okay all, you inspired me.
A neighbor let me know she was collecting clothes for people who had next to nothing. Well, I have a bunch of 1X and 2X clothes I'll never wear again - some of it I don't like, some of it I sized out of. I've been putting off cleaning the closet so I finally did it. I did a couple loads of laundry and got it all packed up to go!
It's kind of funny but it feels good to actually have something to give, for a change. Another thing that feels good, is to think "I sure don't need any of those large clothes anymore, it's medium and below for me now!" I also got rid of some spare books. Still have some I couldn't sell so it's probably heading to the Goodwill, either that or going into some other storage area that isn't so clutter-y.
We're redoing the floor in the bedroom so I say this is a perfect chance to get rid of extra junk!10 -
I haven't posted (in any thread) in several months, but I have been following all the comments in this none. The new format that MFP adopted few months ago turned me off completely.
My house is in order so I don't need to declutter, but I do need to continue organizing closets, drawers, and kitchen cabinets. Too many things that I don't need any more need to go to the recycle bin or to somebody that could use them.
My health has not been the greatest for several months and I got distracted, and unmotivated. But today I "attacked" several kitchen drawers and cabinets. I recycled plastic lids and bowls that didn't look to new, and the ones that are still usable but not needed, went to the donation box.
I am not done yet, but I am content that I completed what I planned to do today. More to come.
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Thank you for this. I started to get rid of toxic people in my life, and unfortunately, some of that was family members. Life has been less stressful.
I am working on getting the house decluttered now as we now have a storage spot to put some of our things until we move. I figure all the things we haven't looked at for who knows how long sitting in the closet, get rid of it, or put it in the storage spot. No need for it in our small space. ( We live in a tiny house basically - carriage house )7 -
NewLIFEstyle4ME wrote: »Decluttering and throwing away or giving away the multitudes of "stuff" I have or have had for years (without using) is really helping me so much in this weight loss mind-set. What I'm doing is, ANYTHING I have, that I haven't used in 2 years or more...OUT IT GOES. Now this isn't as easy as it sounds, but as I'm downsizing my body, I'm finding tossing (or giving away) stuff that I may have an abundance of (like candles, perfumes/beauty & hair care products, books and just plain STUFF) is soooooo freeing! A lot of "STUFF" I'm getting rid of is stuff that I thought I could sell and could sell, but that is a TRAP (for me) to getting even more stuff and selling stuff is a bother/troublesome to me. I find that giving away "STUFF" instead of selling it is helping me "snap out of buying more STUFF" and helps me to not bring/buy any more STUFF (which helps me save money and time) and just use and be content with what I already have--I LOVE THAT.
I think collecting/buying more and more or having a lot of STUFF has a direct correlation with being overweight or obese. Just as it takes time and practice to walk in self-control and portion control in my eating, getting rid of stuff and decluttering in general was HARD for me at first, but gets easier and easier as I practice it. Living more simply and more minimalist is immediately rewarding, because my atmosphere become more beautiful and simple and that helps me mentally/spiritually and cleaning is exercise for me as well--it's now becoming FUN and COOL to neater and more organized! I'm NOT talking about anything weird like going overboard in cleaning and decluttering, just changing my lifestyle of having excess in my home AND on/in my body (fat).
Also, de-cluttering my life of toxic people and places (places that encourages/"triggers" me to over indulge in STUFF) is also a LOT like decluttering/simplifying my life of excess and "messy" stuff (junk and even really nice things, but things that I haven't and probably will never use and is just sitting around collecting the dreaded DUST). Cutting off and/or minimizing contact with yucky people who, like clutter...maybe nice and seemingly important to me, but are hindering me in various ways is also soooo freeing. Again, like getting rid of formerly important things, but things that are keeping my life and home filled with "mess/messiness/unnecessary problems and stress", ridding myself of people who are just not good for me to associate with is and can be REALLY difficult--but it's so doable and can and is being done, period. How? as I face the truth AND forsake any and ALL fears of loss of a relationship(s), hurt feelings, etc. I've discovered that like most fears, it isn't nearly as "scary" as I also believed. Also, ridding myself of these folks using REAL love/gentleness/kindness/forgiveness and with total FEARLESSNESS and with a I MEAN BUSINESS attitude is soooo much easier than I thought it would be. Getting rid of (or minimizing contact with ) toxic and troublesome people out of my life is TRULY so very freeing too.
If you have any Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories to share, I think it will/may help encourage and inspire so many people here. Pls. do share!
I have also just bagged up so much stuff, clothes, papers, Xmas decorations anything that has been sitting around for so long. I recently lost almost 40 lbs and love how I feel. My feet feel so much better not carrying around all that Xtra weight. I have flat feet, wear custom made orthotics, on CPAP, now alot of those issues have completely disappeared. I have ordered a few new clothes online and recently ordered something that was too big. TOO BIG. LOL!!!!!!! I have friends that say things like "I'm tired of counting calories or worrying about weight ". I don't want to be miserable anymore and love how clothes are feeling. Good luck8 -
Well we’ve recently decided that we might move. I promised my partner that next time we moved I wouldn’t pack anything that didn’t fit 😬 so I can only keep what fits me, and also I’m feeling the need to get rid of anything that’s excess and not needed6
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Planning to retire and move out of state in just under 2 years. Trying to get the weight off now. Trying to unload what won't be going. I have STUFF that sits there that I like but don't use. There's good china that hasn't been used in years. Books which realistically have to start leaving. Office supplies which someone else could probably put to good use. Last night I started going through the papers in my office (which is a mess as am also getting the master bedroom/closet/bath redone and everything from there is spread throughout the house). Figure if I spend some time EVERYDAY in office instead of TV, will see improvement. I'm using up the drawerful of body cremes one by one. Your feedback is truly all appreciated!!
@kathy8705 Bet you have alot more energy too!4 -
I thought of a new thing to do with decluttering - while at the same time, increasing my joy as well. How? I've been finally using all those little tins and bins and such, decorating them with all the art supplies that have been sitting for so long, and turning them into colorful organizers that replace innumerable small boxes and plastic bags. It's been fun, has helped me actually use some things that were just sitting, and is helping my clutter.
(By the way, I don't do social media either except for MFP and DeviantArt. But no FB, no TikTok, no Twitter, no Instagram, etc.)3 -
I did something pretty fun- I sold my car lease for positive equity late july and will be without a car until late december (ordered a 2023 230i). So far its been very awesome! bless walmart+5
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@Sand_TIger I have an embroidery project that has been floating around in a ziploc bag for years (because I only work at it on rare occasions). I should totally put that thing in a nice box or tin!! Then it could sit on my coffee table and maybe I'd pull it out more often.
Also, what is DeviantArt?6 -
I have decluttered my living room. I live on the harbor so I redid it as the ocean theme, but didn't put up to much, removed furniture I wasn't using. Now people walk in, sit down and I usually hear right off "Its so relaxing in here! I could stay here forever!" LOVE THAT!! LESS IS MORE!! I too, walk in here and instantly relax. The bedroom is done as if it's a spa. Instantly relaxing! There is one stand, one dresser that's not big and my full size bed for furniture. I got RID of the exercise bike etc. etc. Its so freeing. I hadn't realized clutter or extra stuff was helping me to not instantly relax and now I go right to sleep.13
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@Dianedoessmiles1 - it 'extra stuff' sure does detract from a sense of calm. I too find that all extra furniture is really draining. 'Stuff' holds energy (positive and valued or not) Makes sense when one thinks about it...Zen- Japanese gardens and Danshari/Indian Mosques/Embracing 'Ma'/ Scandinavia-Dostadning 5
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I went on a massive declutter at the beginning of the year. It definitely felt cleansing but I was in a constant struggle with my proto-hoarder husband. I won some battles and lost others. His Dad was a big hoarder and I definitely don't want our place to end up like that. "It's still good, we could still use it" was countered with "Yes but someone else needs it more" and generally he agreed and it got put in the donate pile. So far we've only had one instance where something I threw/donated was looked for/missed. Not bad for an entire house declutter! It's still not as decluttered as I'd like but it's his home too and we've found a balance we can both live with
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bobsburgersfan wrote: »@Sand_TIger I have an embroidery project that has been floating around in a ziploc bag for years (because I only work at it on rare occasions). I should totally put that thing in a nice box or tin!! Then it could sit on my coffee table and maybe I'd pull it out more often.
Also, what is DeviantArt?
Fantastic idea! I love that. DeviantArt is a website that's been around a while (22 years) and is a place where artists of pretty much every stripe share their work. Everybody has their own profile and gallery pages. A lot of really lovely images can be found there.
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When I clean and organize, I use zones in my house. I focus on one zone at a time so I don't just flit around here to there. I learned this on a website from "fly lady".
http://www.flylady.net/d/br/2017/06/11/please-explain-the-zones-6/
We cleaned out our closet and I donated a ton of sheets that I just don't like or use. I donated towels. I do know that the local animal shelter uses old towels.
I also try to get books from the library instead of buy them. (for my book club)
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