2021 Decluttering Support and Motivation - Page 17

CS_Margaret_Fan · 03-24-21, 01:18 AM

I rehired our cleaning service last week, which was my top decluttering goal!

It's difficult for me to function, let alone declutter when my house isn't clean, and my fibromyalgia and allergies to cleaning products make cleaning difficult. We canceled our cleaning service three years when I quit work because of my disabilities. My family and I decided to make professional cleaning a top financial priority going forward. I'm so happy and relieved!

Ciao,
Christina

PennyK · 03-24-21, 06:29 AM

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Pam61 · 03-24-21, 11:28 AM

DH and I made two trips to the landfill recently to take recyclables and a few other items we've saved up over the years.

Cut up cardboard, moving boxes, etc.
clean white styrofoam
toner cartridges
old/used batteries
old/stopped working vacuum cleaners
plastics, old litter boxes

I usually keep up with most of the cardboard that gets put out with the weekly trash/recycle pickup, but some of the larger cardboard from fitness equipment and TV, computer monitors, or bookshelves I hadn't managed to breakdown/cutup yet.

eventmom · 03-25-21, 11:15 AM

Managed to put several pieces of clothing into the donate bag and add some books to a bag I want to donate. If could keep this up that would be great.

lreidgreen · 03-27-21, 07:34 PM

Just doing a drive-by because I don't have time to post details despite making progress. I am trying to go through the issues of The New Yorker that are piling up so I can toss them. I found this article about "letting things go" and thought of this group. It has a lovely ending:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...ow-to-practice

DCW · 03-28-21, 08:25 AM

I am thinking now of my winter coats and how many do I really need. Time to start whittling down.

Y'all inspire me!

Vantreesta · 03-28-21, 10:34 AM

Leslie, thanks for sharing the article. It was long but I actually sat and read it all! It was good food for thought. I have always attached strongly to things and anthropomorphized as she described (I cried every night for a week after we traded in my beloved Trailblazer Christine, feeling like I had turned my back and walked away from my best friend). It is very hard for me to let go of anything, especially if it was given to me and even harder after losing our moms last year. It is easier to let go if it's to someone I know will get use and appreciate it, but I don't know very many people and I doubt any of them want things I have! Taking things to the thrift store does feel good to an extent bc I know the proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club and I know things are priced to be more affordable, but it's still hard to let things go to nameless and faceless to me people. But maybe I can try imagining the person who might be an item to help me let go.

DCW, I have a shameful number of winter coats, hats and gloves. I love all things winter but I know I should donate at least a few of the coats. At this point I will wait till next fall since that's when I assume people would be looking for them.

Izzy · 03-28-21, 10:44 AM

My daughter is moving next week and gifting me her almost new mattress. And as soon as I felt appreciative I dreaded what to do with my current mattress which is in good condition. I hated the thought of a landfill and it’s so hard to find any place that will take it. After much searching I found out the local homeless shelter will take it. They super clean them before use. She sadly said the shelter is beyond capacity. I have an older flat screen tv which they will also take. Later I found out that St Vincent De Paul is taking more items now because there is such a need.

My daughter is getting rid of some old furniture and I insisted she take it to a place in Chicago that will repair furniture and sell them in their discount shop. It’s a little but doing our part gives me good feelings.

PennyK · 03-28-21, 03:50 PM

.

fanofladyvols · 03-28-21, 07:13 PM

Penny the items left from adult children is a hard dilemma to navigate. Just because there is space for it doesn't necessarily mean it should stay indefinitely. My son has a closet full of items. He hasn't purchased his own home, and hasn't settled really yet but not sure he will any time soon. Not sure when the 'time to take your stuff' conversation occurs.

But I'd like to be able to use that closet.

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03-24-21, 01:18 AM
CS_Margaret_Fan Join Date: Sep 2011	I rehired our cleaning service last week, which was my top decluttering goal! It's difficult for me to function, let alone declutter when my house isn't clean, and my fibromyalgia and allergies to cleaning products make cleaning difficult. We canceled our cleaning service three years when I quit work because of my disabilities. My family and I decided to make professional cleaning a top financial priority going forward. I'm so happy and relieved! Ciao, Christina __________________ Fibromyalgia and depression warrior, one day at a time.

03-24-21, 11:28 AM
Pam61 VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The Ocean State!	DH and I made two trips to the landfill recently to take recyclables and a few other items we've saved up over the years. Cut up cardboard, moving boxes, etc. clean white styrofoam toner cartridges old/used batteries old/stopped working vacuum cleaners plastics, old litter boxes I usually keep up with most of the cardboard that gets put out with the weekly trash/recycle pickup, but some of the larger cardboard from fitness equipment and TV, computer monitors, or bookshelves I hadn't managed to breakdown/cutup yet. __________________ Pam April Focus: Lee Holden Qi Gong 30 Day Challenge

03-25-21, 11:15 AM
eventmom VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: oklahoma	Managed to put several pieces of clothing into the donate bag and add some books to a bag I want to donate. If could keep this up that would be great.

03-27-21, 07:34 PM
lreidgreen VF Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey	Just doing a drive-by because I don't have time to post details despite making progress. I am trying to go through the issues of The New Yorker that are piling up so I can toss them. I found this article about "letting things go" and thought of this group. It has a lovely ending: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...ow-to-practice

03-28-21, 08:25 AM
DCW Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016	I am thinking now of my winter coats and how many do I really need. Time to start whittling down. Y'all inspire me!

03-28-21, 10:34 AM
Vantreesta Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Snowman Land :)	Leslie, thanks for sharing the article. It was long but I actually sat and read it all! It was good food for thought. I have always attached strongly to things and anthropomorphized as she described (I cried every night for a week after we traded in my beloved Trailblazer Christine, feeling like I had turned my back and walked away from my best friend). It is very hard for me to let go of anything, especially if it was given to me and even harder after losing our moms last year. It is easier to let go if it's to someone I know will get use and appreciate it, but I don't know very many people and I doubt any of them want things I have! Taking things to the thrift store does feel good to an extent bc I know the proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club and I know things are priced to be more affordable, but it's still hard to let things go to nameless and faceless to me people. But maybe I can try imagining the person who might be an item to help me let go. DCW, I have a shameful number of winter coats, hats and gloves. I love all things winter but I know I should donate at least a few of the coats. At this point I will wait till next fall since that's when I assume people would be looking for them. __________________ "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch." "God, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." "You can't run from your problems. But you'll both feel a little lighter when you get back." ~New Balance shoe ad You don't have to be fast, just keep moving forward. Note to self: You don't get to complain about things you won't work to change! Word for 2024: Accomplished; Word for 2023: Grounded; Word for 2022: Consistency; Word for 2021: Mindfulness

03-28-21, 10:44 AM
Izzy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West of Chicago in the Illinois Corn Belt	My daughter is moving next week and gifting me her almost new mattress. And as soon as I felt appreciative I dreaded what to do with my current mattress which is in good condition. I hated the thought of a landfill and it’s so hard to find any place that will take it. After much searching I found out the local homeless shelter will take it. They super clean them before use. She sadly said the shelter is beyond capacity. I have an older flat screen tv which they will also take. Later I found out that St Vincent De Paul is taking more items now because there is such a need. My daughter is getting rid of some old furniture and I insisted she take it to a place in Chicago that will repair furniture and sell them in their discount shop. It’s a little but doing our part gives me good feelings. __________________ Mary

03-28-21, 07:13 PM
fanofladyvols Join Date: May 2004 Location: Modify City, State of Fierce	Penny the items left from adult children is a hard dilemma to navigate. Just because there is space for it doesn't necessarily mean it should stay indefinitely. My son has a closet full of items. He hasn't purchased his own home, and hasn't settled really yet but not sure he will any time soon. Not sure when the 'time to take your stuff' conversation occurs. But I'd like to be able to use that closet. __________________ Don't just work hard, work smart....Pat Head Summitt Never give up on your body!-- Miranda Esmonde-White Word/Guiding Principle for 2024: Embrace: embrace my faith, my family, my friends, myself, the process, the progress, the hard work, the strength program I choose, the recovery methods and rest I need, my life, the good times, and the memories of good people.