This has been the beginning of a cleansing for me.
It is really a relief each morning to get up and ask, "What am I going to get rid of today?"
People typically keep so much junk in their homes that they end up needing storage units or stuff their garages/basements so full that they cannot use the area for its rightful purpose. I have never wanted to be one of those people.
I have always lived fairly minimally. I don't own a lot of things, but I can still stand to minimize more. I want to have only things I use and nothing that has been sitting for more than a year unused (besides photographs).
I'm trying to do the same with my life.
- I know I can't completely get rid of people who cause me stress, but I can limit how I allow them to impact me. And, for the most part, I can limit the contact to just the necessities.
- I will become better at allowing people closer into my life. I am a loyal friend, but I can go a long time without talking to friends. For some, we get back together and it is like no time has gone by, for others, they may feel awkward after not talking for so long. I need to make sure I know who is ok with which scenario - better yet, just stay in touch with all friends and fam.
- I am better at communicating in writing than verbally. Verbally, I may need to sit and think before saying what is to be said... almost like an editor or something. I need to become better at sharing verbally with people; I need to make sure they know where I stand and what I am thinking.
- I will do things to help my various health conditions. Continue my daily morning yoga, start back with cardio, visit the chiropractor and the specialist doctors more regularly.
- I will continue to get rid of items in my home and at my desk at school.
I want to live basically so that I may think more effectively.
You have very good insight into yourself, and great goals. I have also spent the past few days minimizing "stuff" I don't need or use. It will take a while to get it all done, but it didn't get that way overnight. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of getting rid of stuff... something everyday. I just walked around my house... I do need to dive in and clean out my closet both literally and figuratively.
ReplyDeleteThis it's great!! Very good advice:-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of your sentiments, though I am still a semi-hoarder for some reason. One reason that I particularly like the digital revolution is that you can keep more things around (if you ever need to go back to them) without taking up more physical space. And it's easier to search.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for purging your home! A friend told me about an article that she'd once read that said people currently have smaller family sizes but bigger houses because they need all the room to store their stuff. Having helped to clear out a relatives house after he passed, I can say that it's truly amazing how much some people keep around.
ReplyDeleteI might steal a page from you and start purging my home, too!
Thanks all.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great feeling to get rid of stuff (at least for me).
I know I don't use them and I know that they are just taking up space... not that I need more space, but still. I can donate the items to some one who may actually use it, or just throw it away, either way the item is not going to hurt me to discard.
@ Obi - digitally, I still have a lot of junk (though not as much as before my hard drive crashed this summer). I don't count that since it really doesn't take up more space than my TimeMachine, my jump drives, and my laptops, phone, etc.
Purge on, and thanks for reading!
I'm gonna steal the idea of getting rid of something everyday. I've definitely got far more than I need (or want).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments on my blog. Glad to see you've also made it through day 2 of NaBloPoMo!
Great post...It's not until I'm fairly irritated with my surroundings that I realize it's time to "clean house". I love that you start every day thinking about what needs to go next. I'm going to adopt that mindset, so much more enters when we are ready to let go.
ReplyDeleteI totally love your last statement and the sense of purpose behind your actions. Clearing your house is not just a physical activity.
ReplyDeleteGood one!
I like the idea of getting rid of something everyday. I like things to be as minimal as possible, but the clutter still seems to get out of hand. it's a good place to start!
ReplyDeleteI am with you! I have been working on re-evaluating the material items in my life. Thank you for commenting on my blog, you are my first comment!
ReplyDeleteWe have been getting rid of things around here, too. I really like your idea of doing it every day - even if it's small. It seems like after a while of doing that it wouldn't be the big, epic battle that it sometimes is when you let stuff pile up. Love it. Your post has given me a lot to think about. Thank you.
ReplyDelete@ S. Stuass - Totally working on small things.
ReplyDeleteToday, at work, it was getting rid of old papers from last school year, old calendars, and old markers and pens that don't work.
At home, I threw out some tupperwear lids that did not have container matches and some clothing that was too worn to wear anymore.
@ Holly - Glad to be the first. I'm sure I won't be the last as you start growing. Good luck!
Wow. Such a simple concept, to get rid of one thing a day, that had never occurred to me. I am going to try this too for the rest of the year. I have a lot to get rid of.
ReplyDeleteAs far as people, I did make a decision that this year I will no longer maintain one way friendships. Meaning I am the only one who always reaches out to maintain contact on a purely social level. Over the years I've had many people tell me that they are bad friends. I would always brush their comments aside but then I realized that maybe I should listen to them. If the only time I hear from them is when they want something from me, or not at all, ever, maybe I would be better off to invest my feelings in people who actually want to reciprocate the amount of caring it takes to create and maintain a genuine friendship.
Good idea with the one-way friendships. I'm sure you may feel bad for a bit, but it will be better for you and your peace of mind in the long run.
DeleteI purge my home this time of year too. I do it throughout the year but this is a big cleaning time for me. I have been letting go of people for a few years and sticking with my close buddies it makes life less stressful!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with keeping in touch with your friends that is always the tough one!!
I'm still working on keeping in touch... I'm better at purging. I agree that it is less stressful to purge (friends and stuff)!
DeleteThis is good stuff. I've been reading a lot of things tonight that are reminding me of how to "live better". It's kind of sad it's come to this, that I need reminders to perk me up out of the every day and reach out to people, etc. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteIt sometimes takes something outside of ourself to remind us of doing these things... at least for me it does. Thanks for reading and I'm glad I could add some perk in your life.
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