Simplifying Life

mary43

janeryan - I've been trying to 'thin out' some of my Dads endless bits and pieces so have passed yet more (he's already had one lot -Dad was such a hoarder.......lol) to my youngest son in with his shoe bx of birthday nonsense that he still loves to have even though he's mid 30's............lol

Have found a black crucifix among Dads bits and some earrings that were grans -blue sapphires and will give them to teenage grandchildren at Christmas.They've never had anything personal like that before. Grandson is into a bit of 'bling' -though not a lot so I think the little crucifix will be ok for him. There is another one that my son can have and a st.christopher for the other son -though hes not so sentimental as his brother and may not even want it. I want them to go to someone who appreciates their history.

ceridwen - thanks for the links -I'll browse through them later.
My Mum always used the saying 'if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all' and I try and stick to that..............not easy sometimes.
The fact that my counsellor is so lovely and I feel I can relate to her is a really positive thing to me and gives me the feeling that it will work for me.
Felt very drained last night - still do. Took a lot out of me I think, bringing up so many negative feelings and they seem to stick in my brain.

Still, in spite of that after tackling the much needed clean of the kitchen floor yesterday, this morning I had a go at the stair carpet -also much needed. Backs twinging somewhat so think thats enough for now.............lol Must know my limits and do a bit at a time otherwise I'll not be in a fit state to do anything at all !
Going away on Saturday..........seeing Grandson and Mum (not looking forward to seeing Mum though which sounds awful I know) then on to the Travel Lodge and a bit of 'us'' time before we come back home and finish the rest of our leave hopefully having a good set to round the house........plus a few days out locally. Amazing the places on the doorstep we never bother to go to. When Mum came to stay we saw places we hadn't realised existed because we made more of an effort to make Mums stays with us really memorable and I do miss all that.

Meeting this afternoon at 2pm but one soc. worker has had to cancel - now waiting to see if the others do............lol Despite the sunshine I'm doomed to be indoors as I''m expecting a parcel that has to be signed for.........oh well, c'est la vie and I'll make the most of it by having some 'me' time

Greenshieldstamp_2

I know what you mean about things sticking in your brain - those things are definitely the hardest to declutter. It seems relatively easy to tidy out a room etc. but far harder to tidy out your mind.

Mine is like an attic that hasn't been tidied in ages and needs a good spring clean.

I loved the Dalai Lama quotes, it is so hard to say nothing. How do you stop yourself saying the wrong thing? I have a habit of blurting things out before realising I have said them. Oh dear! I am not so good at simplifying life after all. Too much in a rush.

mary43

You''re not on your own there...............lol Its all too easy to say something then instantly wish you hadn't.
I'm sure it'll come with practise.
You're right...........rooms are easier to clear............once the stuff's gone its disappeared out of sight................memories aren't like that, good or bad. If only we could keep the good ones...............but then I suppose we can learn a lot from the bad, it's just knowing how to keep them in their place as it were

groatie_queen

Well, today I've finished off 4 bits of 'work' work - and am now on holiday til after Easter - yippee! So in my time off I'm doing another '27 items in 9 days' exercise - this one will be more of a challenge, as I had so many books to get rid of last time round, that the 243 items went very easily!

Back into the eaves and 27 books later, today's 27 are in the car and will be off to the charity shop, with the next 27, when I've liberated them, tomorrow.

Another way of simplifying - ask for help! Anyone else like me, inclined (in the past) to struggle on single-handed?! It's a hard habit to break, but as I get into it, I'm finding people like to help, and often it prevents tasks becoming monumental - or I find that the helper actually likes the activity! And a shared activity is more fun anyway, and takes far less time.

This fits in with the Dalai Lama's quotes - it's all about letting people be kind, and being kind back, by helping each other out. At least, that's my simple understanding of it!

moanymoany

Today I did some 'tidying' of the garage. The bookcase I put on freecycle is going tonight, but the books have had no response! Illiterate lot here, though they are cookery and interior design. I would have expected more interest, but it may come as people get home.

As part of 'staging' or 'dressing' my house for viewings, I use a plate of oranges. The last lot had some value citrus among them, which were very sour, so today I turned them along with three manky lemons into marmelade. I used the Delia method and boiled them for 3 hours in water - it worked, they were much easier to chop up. Success. It's good stuff.

JoJoB - how long is it to go? I make it about 4 weeks. DD was 2 weeks late, but DS was induced a day early as I was losing weight. When they examined all the 'bits' they decided he had been 'cooking' longer than they thought!!!!!

ceridwen

groatiequeen - shame I'm nowhere near you then. If I cant find enough decluttering of my own - I find it quite satisfying to do someone else's. I wouldnt have minded helping out - oh well!

JoJoB - and to add to Moany's comment - I was 3 weeks early - so could be any second now. Hope you've got that suitcase packed - lol!

mary43

groatie queen - you are doing well................(hangs head in shame/embarassment:embarasse ) Still on the plus side I've managed to stop out new pine dresser becoming a 'hot spot' like the old one was..........looks just as nice now as the day we struggled to get it through the doorway.........lol
Love the quote............I'm never backwards in coming forward when it comes to asking for help with something but OH is just the opposite. Maybe its a 'man' thing - pride maybe ?

moanymoany - like the idea of a plate of oranges...........we had some at Christmas and they looked bright and cheerful as well as giving off a lovely citrus smell. I bet your books get snatched up..........that sort of subject is always interesting to a lot of people, especially the int. design. Good luck

ceridwen - you could almost take on de-cluttering other peoples houses as a full time job I bet. I think I might find sorting out someone elses stuff a lot easier than my own.

champys

mary43 wrote: »

ceridwen - you could almost take on de-cluttering other peoples houses as a full time job I bet. I think I might find sorting out someone elses stuff a lot easier than my own.

mary43 and ceridwen - maybe you'd like to be invited you for a decluttering holiday in france? Could only be done when OH is away because he is the no. 1 hoarder and the real cause of the overflow! No, in fairness there is enough of my own making as well, and I know how it was accumulated. The main obstacles I have to getting it sorted are Allocation of Limited Time to Important Activities and the lack of charity shops here.

ceridwen

Hi champys

A French decluttering party. Hmmm..... :think: Fling....ooh...la....la. Fling.....ooh....la....la. (Sorry - pigpen is leading me into "bad habits" with all her flinging on the decluttering thread:D ). Well....mary.....hows your French language? Can you remember more than I can? (not hard!)

moanymoany

champys wrote: »

mary43 and ceridwen - maybe you'd like to be invited you for a decluttering holiday in france? Could only be done when OH is away because he is the no. 1 hoarder and the real cause of the overflow! No, in fairness there is enough of my own making as well, and I know how it was accumulated. The main obstacles I have to getting it sorted are Allocation of Limited Time to Important Activities and the lack of charity shops here.

You two lucky ladies! Where in France will this be champys?

Will they get to bring the clutter home? No, no, I don't mean that, naughty moany - get off your botty and get dressed!!!!!!!!! :rotfl: