Declutter Mind and Declutter home

Frogletina

BarbCh said:

@Frogletina that's a great idea from @floss but I  wonder if first you might look at self publishing. I have self published on Amazon and although I  dont sell a lot ( mainly  because  dont promote my books) but I  do get a bit now and again! 
Try looking at KDP which is Kindle direct publishing.... you write up your manuscript.... upload it and it is available for download or you can also do a paperback copy. 
MUM'S  paintings.... firstly take photos of them... also you could make a book or calendar from them, great gifts to fill those stored gift bags! 
Grandmothers tea set.... check out if it's worth something first.... but you could (if you are craft minded) make little planters... glue cup to saucer... lots of ideas on pinterest.
Sons clothes.... you can make memory cushions with the fabric, even leathers.... make a footstool.... throw the helmet though! 
As for wall space to display items.... I have started to use the bottom of the walls.... up the stairs etc
Hope you get some ideas to keep your memories. 

What lovely ideas BarbCh

I should look into self publishing it really. I would prefer it in book form but then you have to deal with bookcovers etc. One thing that bothers me is that although it has a good beginning, the ending just fades away. I'm not sure how I'd deal with that. I'm sure it's not insurmountable though.

I've also wanted to get some of my poems printed, maybe it's time to stop thinking and start doing. I've thought about a collaboration with a set I've done as it's 12 poems, and involves weather, and I thought maybe a photograph of each month, with the corresponding weather, to go with each poem.

I like the idea of making calendars from the paintings. It would never have occured to me to do that. I'm in an apartment so no stairs to put pictures on. There's very little spare wall space, but maybe I could find space for one or two more.

I'm not at all craft minded. The tea set is not worth much, and I'd rather give it away to someone who could use it in  some way or another. As to the clothes, I think that I'd be happy for them to go to another enthusiast, it would be a shame to cut them up; although your idea is a good one, I don't think I could tackle it myself.

Plent of food for thought though. Thank you so much for taking the time to give me the suggestions. It's been really helpful

TC77

Kat, I hadn't seen your post when I wrote mine. Huge hugs to you, and hope to see more of you here as you move forward. Stay strong x

Frogletina

BarbCh said:

@Frogletina
Get yourself a KDP account and just play around with it to learn.... this is what it looks likeyou can see at the top that you can create a new title paperback or kindle.... it takes you through the stages of uploading and producing.... costs nothing 
Hope this inspires you

Oh, thank you so much. Looks very interesting

TC77

Hi All,
Realising that sunday nights (despite lock down and working at home) I tend to feel more overwhelmed. Trying to catch up on work in advance of tomorrow. don;t want to go in the extension - part of the house that gets warmest as under floor heating in case I hear critters in the walls (fingers crossed they have finally gone - over a year!), and my dad is getting more in a muddle and discussing with my brother what we do. He's deaf so can't hold a conversation on the phone or zoom, and he hasn't wanted us visiting with Covid. Worried in a care home his life will shrink - he's happy sorting things out, copying photos on the computer, and having the food he likes but worried about falling ( No medication and only as forgetful as me) he furniture walks and uses a trolley (98). DD deosn't get on with her flatmates and due to move again (after about 3 months- worry it  could be the same again  and she's v anxious (has anxiety and anorexia). Feel better for my ramblings. Going to offer to help move DD1 and going to see my dad in about 10 days  to talk through options. Luckily have holiday to take, and lucky to work at home but it is isolating and means work and home life get too muddled.DD2 (16) down as rescue cat not able to live with us yet as infections but went and bought it a new bed. Not major issues but sometimes overwhelm can be due to no of small things.
I gained weight through comfort eating in lockdown but today decided rather than rummage in the cupboards I would draft an email (complaint to pest control about failing to deal with critters - to be sent soonish). So much more constructive, meant I don't need to remember what I want to complain about and is there ready when I want to finish it.
Hoping will find time to continue learning to crochet to relax. Hope everyone is managing to stay warm and safe and find ways of soothing your mind when needed. x

balabooberlies

So pleased you have one financial concern sorted out.  Sleep easy.

bala

x

helensbiggestfan

hi BarbCh. Thank you so much for sharing the info about self publishing. Definitely something I'm interested in.  I have nearly finished my memoirs.  And I also want to write some books for my grandchildren.

  I keep a journal. I was advised to do that to help me get through the grief of losing my husband.  It helped enormously and I have continued to journal most days, especially through the various lockdowns.

 I know this might sound strange but lockdowns have actually been helpful to me in a funny sort of way, forcing me to deal with a few issues that I kept dodging.  I have found journalling is a great way of decuttering the mind. 

I had a bit of a breakthrough this weekend, one those "road to Damascus" moments when all is revealed in a blinding flash.  It shook me up but now I feel as if a blockage has cleared and I suddenly feel a surge of creative energy.  I have taken this as a sign to forge ahead with the decluttering and have booked a slot at the recycling centre next week.  I have given myself a week to get everything packed up and ready so I can take a good car load full.  

BarbCh. Well done on your breakthrough, it feels good doesn't it when you take a step forward.  You sleep better, eat better and feel better.  We just have to keep on, keeping on and we get there.  

Can I just ask you,  can you recommend a good Feng Shuey book please.  Definitely something I'm interested in.  As I declutter and have a good clean up I would like to make sure I reorganise along good Feng Shuey protocols.  

helensbiggestfan

BarbCh. Sorry to hear about your experience, that must have been unnerving.  Luckily nothing bad happened, so all's well that ends well.  But you are right, it's when our minds are full of chaos and clutter that these things happen.   Sounds like you are making good progress with your house revamp.  

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

I thought I would get this thread back on page 1 😉

February has been a bit stop & start - just feeling rather down but can’t quite put my finger on exactly why ☹️ Just an amorphous mass of feelings & thoughts 😔 I need to remind myself to note down the bright spots in the days 🙂 including this

mothernerd said:

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a train coming
The train driver sees 3 idiots on the track

Also DH ordered a pulse oximeter which has just arrived - pleased to say that we both have 99% saturation level 🥳

Neighbour popped round with a couple of parcels - we missed the delivery driver as none of us were up 😞 Too cold to have anything but a Short, Socially Distanced chat - both of us rather depressed by the world situation but getting on with it & managing to stay safe😉 

BarbCh, today I used a combination of Pace and Potter + The Power of 1/2/3/5 etc 🙂 Thanks for the ideas 👏

Job done, back on page 1 😉

MrsSD

BarbCh

We all need words of support.... we are fighting one battle or another

TC77

Hi, 
Just been reading through posts. I journal or write out feelings etc and have done off and on for years and also with my cousin at the end of a call we say 5 good things that have happened that day - we've been doing this for yrar ( maybe 6/7) and speak 2-3 times a week .good things maybe we got the train in time, mtg at work went well dinner was edible etc but really helps outlook. A couple of days I heard strange noise from living room ( we don't use it as so cold in winter) thoughts rats, the cat and found water pouring through ceiling and onto polythene I'd taken off a mattress. My thought was how wonderful that I walked past at that moment and could deal with it. DD 2 was having a shower and oblivious that water rising and just carried on. I was supercool and just asked her to pass mop and help clear up. She had expecting me to me shouting but just relieved as if I hadn't noticed she may have had shower next day etc. Still have to solve problem as no hair to get out and used bicarb and vinegar etc. I will be on my own this weekend as DD 2 goes to her dad's ( rare) and as so cold know I will feel abit at a loss and too cold in parts of house so going to have to plan.
Also interested in Feng Shui , did read a few years ago and remember your front and back doors shouldn't align! 
Love the way you all are dealing with mental clutter and hope calm weekend and stay warm and cosy x