A simple, regular act transforms my life. We are all capable of change. We just need to know the right place to look for it and the right people to show us the way...
Hi Adriana….I was just kind of musing that we can recycle and dispose of the external and internal things that no longer serve us well. Turn the old and useless stuff into something better. That’s kind of like my writing… using my experiences to write for better. Turning life’s crap into something good (or just ridding yourself of it completely). Hope that helps.
You make me cry with how you understand how to sum up/paraphrase or to ramble,
I think, taking a hike with you would be just the adventure I need (like it's a metaphorical hike! ("Move it, you dirty sheep! (Sorry, so sorry, Heidi reference)))
I am trying very hard to unpack from when we moved in a year ago. I have boxes and boxes of stuff to get rid of but noone will take it and I can't get to to the tip. I paid for a bulk collection but they only allow you one a year (WTF?!) In my area, they stopped recycling electricals to 'save money' and only have monthly bin collections which is an absolute nightmare because my bins are always filled by the end of week one LOL the struggle with rubbish is real! Well done you :o) It truly is woman's work.
Thanks Kerry. I am physically uncomfortable when things start to build up and have a visceral relief when I am able to get rid of them. I have a low tolerance to anything physically or mentally that does not serve me well. And that’s no bad thing. I imagine you are the same. Thanks as ever for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Oh I so identify with this! I am an anti-hoarder like you, I am at an age where I’m trying to get rid of ‘stuff’! My husband is a terrible hoarder, mainly books! I can’t stop him..!! Telling him the kids will probably just stick it all in a skip when we go has no effect at all!! 😬😬
I love this. I keep saying to my kids that by the time I die, there will be nothing for them to get rid of! I am ‘Swedish death cleaning’ at the age of 52. I intend to be around a lot longer but ‘stuff’ ( mental and physical) just drags me down. Time to let it all go. 👋 👋
Yes! I love a trip to the dump. Or rather, I love helping my husband load up the car with all our unwanted crap then enjoying the afterglow of a house with less stuff. We are having a massive declutter at the moment and nothing feels better!
I agree… it really feels like a whole ‘mental’ declutter along with a physical one doesn’t it? And don’t even start me on taking stuff to the charity shops… I practically skip there Ren. ☺️
I loved this!! I also find it therapeutic to declutter and shed old items. I found it very meaningful how you related this to a need to shed old skuns, reinvent yourself, and allow the space for new growth. Mostly, I want to shed guilt and blame, and have more self compassion, and to have some spece for forgiving a few people too. Well, as much as I can without hurting myself.
Thanks so much for your reply Judy. I can relate to wanting to shed guilt and recycle this into some self compassion. I hear the forgiveness aspect too, I actually wrote about this in an earlier post. Maybe this might help you work on 'forgiveness' whilst still taking care of yourself. Thanks so much for your words, let me know if you find the post below helpful or not...https://itwillgetbetter.substack.com/p/you-dont-have-to-forgive-everyone?r=34uf3v
I don't understand
Hi Adriana….I was just kind of musing that we can recycle and dispose of the external and internal things that no longer serve us well. Turn the old and useless stuff into something better. That’s kind of like my writing… using my experiences to write for better. Turning life’s crap into something good (or just ridding yourself of it completely). Hope that helps.
You make me cry with how you understand how to sum up/paraphrase or to ramble,
I think, taking a hike with you would be just the adventure I need (like it's a metaphorical hike! ("Move it, you dirty sheep! (Sorry, so sorry, Heidi reference)))
Aw, hike with me through Substack Adriana… we can walk for miles! ☺️
Loved Heidi… they don’t make them like that anymore. 📺
I am trying very hard to unpack from when we moved in a year ago. I have boxes and boxes of stuff to get rid of but noone will take it and I can't get to to the tip. I paid for a bulk collection but they only allow you one a year (WTF?!) In my area, they stopped recycling electricals to 'save money' and only have monthly bin collections which is an absolute nightmare because my bins are always filled by the end of week one LOL the struggle with rubbish is real! Well done you :o) It truly is woman's work.
Oh that’s rough Dilli. Monthly bin collections and one bulk collection a year… that’s just not on.
Getting rid of the crap is so good for mental health. Shame on them for denying you that ‘high’!
Its not just me - its council policy LOL but yes, I’d be a lot further along with decluttering if I had a way to get rid of stuff.
I too have an aversion to hoarding, I have the convenience of putting it out on the street in the suburbs. Love your piece.
Thanks Kerry. I am physically uncomfortable when things start to build up and have a visceral relief when I am able to get rid of them. I have a low tolerance to anything physically or mentally that does not serve me well. And that’s no bad thing. I imagine you are the same. Thanks as ever for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I too get the feeling of freedom when I let go of something like that. You are a warrior.
Takes one to know one Kerry.
Oh I so identify with this! I am an anti-hoarder like you, I am at an age where I’m trying to get rid of ‘stuff’! My husband is a terrible hoarder, mainly books! I can’t stop him..!! Telling him the kids will probably just stick it all in a skip when we go has no effect at all!! 😬😬
I love this. I keep saying to my kids that by the time I die, there will be nothing for them to get rid of! I am ‘Swedish death cleaning’ at the age of 52. I intend to be around a lot longer but ‘stuff’ ( mental and physical) just drags me down. Time to let it all go. 👋 👋
"I am ‘Swedish death cleaning’ at the age of 52"
LOL!
True… think I’m aiming for the ‘life in a bag’ amount of stuff!
I really am. I will leave nothing…a box of mementos at the most.. stuff just weighs me down!
I confess I am more maximalist LOL but it has to have ‘purpose’ or design :o)
I try and do that ‘is it useful or do I love it?’ thing… if it’s neither, it’s gone 💨
I do that! LOL and also one thing in, one thing out.
Yes! I love a trip to the dump. Or rather, I love helping my husband load up the car with all our unwanted crap then enjoying the afterglow of a house with less stuff. We are having a massive declutter at the moment and nothing feels better!
I agree… it really feels like a whole ‘mental’ declutter along with a physical one doesn’t it? And don’t even start me on taking stuff to the charity shops… I practically skip there Ren. ☺️
Yes. The other day I bagged up two bags for the charity shop and two for the clothing bank. Such a great feeling!
Great stuff! I unashamedly love a tip trip. Genuinely see it as quality time! Ha.
Me too Andy… I genuinely look forward to it each month. 🤭
Love it!
Our trash can be someone else’s treasure.
Love this line. 100% bang on.
x
I loved this!! I also find it therapeutic to declutter and shed old items. I found it very meaningful how you related this to a need to shed old skuns, reinvent yourself, and allow the space for new growth. Mostly, I want to shed guilt and blame, and have more self compassion, and to have some spece for forgiving a few people too. Well, as much as I can without hurting myself.
Thanks so much for your reply Judy. I can relate to wanting to shed guilt and recycle this into some self compassion. I hear the forgiveness aspect too, I actually wrote about this in an earlier post. Maybe this might help you work on 'forgiveness' whilst still taking care of yourself. Thanks so much for your words, let me know if you find the post below helpful or not...https://itwillgetbetter.substack.com/p/you-dont-have-to-forgive-everyone?r=34uf3v