Simplifying Life

ceridwen

juliapenguin wrote: »

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So, I really need to pare down my possessions if they are going to fit into my new little house. My challenge is that I'm still battling depression so studying is tough, but I love going to university one whole day a week and working on my assignments at home the rest of the time. I need to come up with a plan for sorting out my stuff which will not overwhelm me (it's so emotionally draining, letting go of sentimental stuff, isn't it?)

Should I do it Flylady style, 15 minutes at a time? I'm putting off getting started, that's the problem.


Julia xx

well.....different people do things different ways in this respect....and its best to use the method that suits you personally.

All I know is that the method that is suiting me personally best at the moment is incrementally....by which I mean that whenever I go to a shelf or a drawer for something and a bit of "clutter" catches my eye....then I get rid of it one way or the other. As in - I take a jumper out of a drawer and think...."no I dont really want that jumper next to it...out it goes" and pile up bits by the front door that are en route to somewhere else (charity shop or whatever).

Other times.....I have an energy burst and go through a whole room deciding if there is anything I want to get rid of...

depends on my mood/energy levels/etc which approach I go for at the time.

ceridwen

mary43 wrote: »

Been really interesting to see how peoples different experiences have changed their outlook on life..............I've been through my fair share of death, divorce, failed business venture etc. and its a real eye opener to what the important things in life really are.
Whatever our experiences we have obviously all learned a lot from them and go on learning...........part of lifes pattern ........and if we can help each other out in the meantime well, thats all to the good.

As for simplifying ? Well, today, got rid of two charity bags -door collection so no journey to the shops and made a load more cards, including Mums day card for MIL, So I might not be de-cluttering at the minute but I'm getting well ahead of myself............soon be starting on Christmas cards..........lol:T

Writing out Christmas cards.....ummmm!!!! Thinks...wonder if I can send this years Christmas card list to mary43 to write out for me.....only joking....I think:rotfl: ...well, you know what they say about delegating....lol

mary43

It's the making them that takes the time ceridwen and I belong to a card group so thats all extra ones to do but I enjoy it. Might as well get them done when the weathers c**p as not, plus I'll be aiming to my target of finishing Christmas by the end of August so I don't have the 'panic buying' syndrome.....lol:j

Aril

Hello virtual friends!
Am really quite pleased now because have now cleared all the clutter we had found. Certainly it helps in my case if, like others, I only target a small area at a time and concentrate all my efforts on it so that it's completely done before I move on to the next one [which includes not only sorting the clutter but also finding either a definite place for it within my home or getting rid of it] I find it helps to think in advance where and how you are going to get rid of your unwanted possesssions [for me that's charity shop/freecycle/family members but only books etc for my younger niece] and only landfill as a last last resort. I make sure that my unwanted posssions are my responsibility to deal with...not just offloading them elsewhere eg grotty bits that won't sell. The scatter gun approach to decluttering doesn't work for me eg doing a bit here and there without much of a plan. Believe you me I've tried it and failed on many occasions.
Simple pleasures today are the sunshine, posting one of OH's orders [always grateful that we have customers who keep us going and never take it for granted], my friend coming over for a cuppa and a catchup this afternoon and my friends this evening who have invited me to take part in their Imbolc celebration.
Another friend has emailed my yet more lovely quotes by Maya Angelou more of which I shall no doubt share over the coming weeks but I leave you with this one today:
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Sorry just another one please.....
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Ok I'll leave you in peace now promise!
Aril

do_it_today!

Hi Aril.. and all :hello:
I really like the last qoute
also what is an Imbloc celebration?
We are still in the thick of clearing and sorting a bit down today... but we are making progress - DH has lots of his old stuff that he wants to put on ebay so that's another task!

good luck today to all the simplifyers out there !!! :j:

mary43

originally posted by Aril
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Love the quote Aril...............says it all, it's so true.

Well, having a lazy day again today.............must give myself a kick start !
Made some more cards - sorted out card making stuff to send to Mums and haven't got a Jiffy bag big enough ! So, yet another carrier bag on the floor waiting to be dealt with. Could have gone into town this morning but it was so cold it put me off so charity shop bits I sorted out will have to wait till Monday. (Couldn't get any more in the bags collected yesterday !) How on earth do I amass such a lot of 'stuff' ????

OH's gone to the pub, kids are out so I'm going to ring my friend............she sent me a load of ribbon and a lovely letter that I got when I came back from seeing my Mum last week...............it was a real tonic so I owe her at least a phone call. Can't always set time aside when kids are running amok but they're out so the place is mine...................bliss !
Eyeballed a few more things sitting about that will do for Christmas/birthday pressies................must gather them up before I forget about them.
If I carry on like this what with my own 'unwanteds' and charity shop finds its going to be a money saving christmas..............lol:T

ceridwen

do_it_today! wrote: »

Hi Aril.. and all :hello:
I really like the last qoute
also what is an Imbloc celebration?

In answer to that question - an Imbolc celebration - I googled for:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

(edited and swopped for different webpage - realised that first one had been copyrighted! Didnt want to risk MSE Martin being at any risk here - whoops!)

mary43

Thanks for that..............I wondered what it was. Love the image on the page and what an interesting article.:j

ceridwen

edited out - as inadvertent double post.

sophiesmum_2

hi everyone
As part of my great declutter plan I have decided today to get rid of my mobile phone for good. Originally I sat down to remove unused numbers from my phone book, but as I checked the call registers I realised that most of the calls were made by me to other people and not received by me from other people. I can just as easily make these calls from home or work so have decided to lose the phone. Not only will this save me £30 a month, and hassle of a bill, but it will save electricity for charging, and will be one less possession to be responsible for. Will terminate my contract and then recycle phone with envirophone.:D