sarthbur
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by sarthbur on Aug 14, 2008 14:52:28 GMT -5
I have to say that this is by far the MOST supportive forum I've ever seen, on any topic. I am slowly fighting my way out of squalor. Like many others, I suffer from depression, and with new meds and finding this website I have been motivated to finally do *something* about this mess. I am a teacher, and also fight excessive clutter at work as well. I would like this new year to be better--I know I would be more efficient and less tired if I didn't have to search through piles to find what I need. Not to mention a better model for my kiddos. This afternoon I have tossed about a ton of school "stuff" that I've kept and never used. It makes me feel guilty to throw away something that was given to me, even if it is old and no one else would want it. With easy access to ideas and such on the internet, there is no need to keep bulky files "just in case." I know in a few weeks I won't even remember what it was I tossed and that is what is getting me through it! Thanks for the support you gave me as a lurker before you even knew you were supporting me!  Risa |
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Post by AnnieOkie on Aug 14, 2008 15:01:40 GMT -5
Welcome!! I'm sure it feels good to get rid of that "stuff"!! Glad you are here.
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Post by humancrouton on Aug 14, 2008 15:41:00 GMT -5
I'm new here too! I can relate to the saving things just in case! I have tons of magazines I mean to go through and get clippings from. (I'm an artist, so a lot of times they give me great ideas!) but then they pile up... and pile up... and pile up... and I realized- I don't even remember what Ideas they GAVE me... and yah, they will give me new ones if I look again, but they will ALWAYS be making magazines!! If I need an idea-moment, I can go BUY one!! They're not a million bucks each!  Plus, I subscribe to a couple. (embarassed look goes here) Why I need the backissues on hand, I'll never know. They gotta GO. I'm hoping that I can find the same kind of courage in my boxes of stuff... you'd think, if I hadn't seen the stuff in more than a year, I wouldn't miss it... :/ |
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Post by crazycatlady on Aug 14, 2008 18:32:40 GMT -5
Welcome, Risa. I know that we have several other teachers here, so I'm sure that they will have some advice for you! I think that it is great that you have started letting go of excess papers! Keep up the good work! And keep posting...its very nice to finally "meet" you! 
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sarthbur
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by sarthbur on Aug 15, 2008 18:06:44 GMT -5
Thanks, guys! I'm still throwing away--whenever I get discouraged, I come back and read a few posts and get some motivation.
Humancrouton--I'm like that with teacher ideas/magazines/packets. I need to take whatever is good out and pitch the rest. And if it doesn't get read in a reasonable amount of time, it needs to go. Good luck with your quest!
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Post by zinnia on Aug 15, 2008 20:46:50 GMT -5
Try to remember that the act of giving- the generosity- is much more important than the actual stuff.
Welcome!
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Post by pegasus48 on Aug 15, 2008 23:26:39 GMT -5
Sarthbur, it sounds like you have made a great start! You have already tossed out a whole bunch and are still tossing.  Good for you. I am glad you new meds are helping. My meds have been a Godsend because I tended to get "frozen" with depression. Isn't nice to want to get things cleaned up and be able to do it? Fantastic! |
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sarthbur
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by sarthbur on Aug 17, 2008 16:54:36 GMT -5
My meds have been a Godsend because I tended to get "frozen" with depression. Isn't nice to want to get things cleaned up and be able to do it? Fantastic! You hit it right on. "Frozen with depression"--I've never thought of it like that but it describes it perfectly... I tossed three more bags of personal (not school) stuff!! Whoohoo!!! |
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Post by crazycatlady on Aug 18, 2008 12:33:46 GMT -5
Wonderful!  Three more bags out! And remember, that everything you get rid of, is stuff that you will NEVER have to touch again, or clean again, or put away again!
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Post by iprocrastinate on Aug 18, 2008 15:01:28 GMT -5
Crazy cat lady, Great thing to think about. "If I get rid of something I will never have to deal with it ever again." That may prove to be inspirational to me as I put off getting rid of things and then they come up over and over again. Love it
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Post by mellowyellow on Aug 18, 2008 15:29:45 GMT -5
Ahhh. teachers saving clippings and papers... Those boxes full of ideas for "what if" writing moments...
Now compound that by being a teacher whose mother was also a teacher. And that same mother continues to clip things out for me to use in my classroom. Each and every week. Ahh well, gotta love her effort.
The paper trail is perhaps the worse struggle I face.
Often it is a case of not knowing how to file something, because I can think of two or three or more categories it would fit into.
At other times, it is struggling to know whether I should keep papers at school, or at home. And how often to carry things back and forth.
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Post by crazycatlady on Aug 18, 2008 15:32:42 GMT -5
Thanks, IProcrastinate. I learned so much from my on-line friends! I am glad to share it, and only wish that I had been wise enough to think of it myself, or remember who first said it!
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sarthbur
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by sarthbur on Aug 18, 2008 16:33:48 GMT -5
Ahhh. teachers saving clippings and papers... Those boxes full of ideas for "what if" writing moments... Now compound that by being a teacher whose mother was also a teacher. And that same mother continues to clip things out for me to use in my classroom. Each and every week. Ahh well, gotta love her effort. The paper trail is perhaps the worse struggle I face. Often it is a case of not knowing how to file something, because I can think of two or three or more categories it would fit into. At other times, it is struggling to know whether I should keep papers at school, or at home. And how often to carry things back and forth. Exactly! It was pretty darn freeing to get rid of all that what-if stuff. I purged and purged and I think next summer I'll go through it all again. I also took a big three ring binder, wrote "originals" on the cover and stuffed it with sheet protectors. That way everything I make copies of regularly (spelling test sheets, etc) can be stored in one place. Hopefully this will cut down on the searching through piles...we'll see. I know your mom means well, but I'm glad I'm the only one who regularly contributes to my clutter. crazycatlady--I also like the idea that once it's gone, I never have to deal with it again. Liberating. |
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