|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 25, 2014 17:38:43 GMT -5
I also took a peek into one of the fully-clutter-involved rooms. Another 'scouting mission'.
You wouldn't believe what is in there. Well, yes, you would.
Amongst a myriad of stuff are at least a dozen large banker-type-file storage boxes. Guess what is in those boxes? Books. All books.
I'll bet that there are only about a dozen books that I might keep (and those are some childhood books that I've managed to hang onto through all my upheaval over the years...including my first children's Bible).
The rest? I'm planning on burning most of them...if I'm not in the position to take them to the second-hand book store. We'll see.
I can't wait to get into that room.
Then there are the other two rooms that are in as bad...or worse...shape.
I have plenty more stacks outside to tend to first.
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 25, 2014 17:52:28 GMT -5
Serendipity has really got me thinking about death today.
And, that is a good thing, really...
I definitely don't want to die and leave all this for my sweetie...or someone else (horrors!) to have to address.
I want to be the one to take care of MY problem.
I intend to do just that.
|
|
|
Post by dtesposito on Feb 25, 2014 20:20:38 GMT -5
Ponygirl, this phrase is brilliant "mental tending". It is so accurate, when our homes are packed full of clutter we have to mentally tend it ALL THE TIME. If we're not moving it from one place to another, we're tripping over it, or stepping over it. We're worrying about other people coming in and seeing it. We're trying to organize it, which just means we're moving it from one box to another. We're dreaming of all the things we're going to do with it. We're agonizing over each item, to try to find things to get rid of. A good percentage of our mental energy is being wasted--mental tending indeed!
Diane
|
|
|
Post by sue5000 on Feb 25, 2014 20:55:52 GMT -5
Pony, are you really going to burn most of the books?? Can you donate them to your library or give them away on Free-cycle? Today I dropped off my insurance payment in person and I took along my 3 full folders of insurance papers from my file cabinet. I asked her what I need to keep. "Very little." She showed me what to keep, and I can let go of about 90% of what I had saved. I will soon be adding about 100 sheets of paper to my recycle bag!
|
|
|
Post by dtesposito on Feb 25, 2014 21:04:15 GMT -5
I took along my 3 full folders of insurance papers from my file cabinet. I asked her what I need to keep.
Wow, great idea Sue! Can you share which ones she told you to keep?
Diane
|
|
|
Post by Serendipity on Feb 25, 2014 21:10:49 GMT -5
Dear pony. Sorry for bringing up death especially the loss of your mom and dad to cancer. I am sorry for your loss.I have that feeling too that I need to look after this. Then I can look after my mom's stuff.and hopefully we have a long time and long lives and we will have a huge worry lifted and can use our mental energy for other things. If I disappear I may not have internet service soon. But I will be here thinking of you and slowly digging out!
|
|
|
Post by GuitarStrings on Feb 25, 2014 21:41:13 GMT -5
I just read through this entire thread and WOW, Ponygirl, you are awesome! There is a wealth of inspiration here. I wish we could all bring a bag or two of our own stuff to your house and have a BIG BURN PARTY. I'd bring the hot dogs and marshmallows.
Thanks so much for sharing all of this, what you are doing, and especially sharing your thought process. So much wisdom here.
|
|
|
Post by GuitarStrings on Feb 25, 2014 22:03:28 GMT -5
Awesome, Roadrunner and Arid! I wholeheartedly agree...a quarter of an inch is progress!!! Anything OUT is getting us to a better state of life. I've been stagnating for years...Nay!...DECADES! If I had only come to this realization...this mental clarity...sooner, oh, the possibilities... Well, not to fret over that. What's done is done. Roadrunner, even if you just LOOK into that garage.. .and give it the ol' evil eyeball..you will be in a state of progress! Yep...I also believe that making a ...what I like to call... 'scouting' run over an area...maybe even more than once...gives me a chance to make mental plans...get ready to begin the hunt...go for the kill! It's working for me. The bolded part made me laugh!!! I'm going to start giving my clutter the ol' evil eyeball and I will think of you, Ponygirl! And...chocolate chip cookies??? What?? I need to steal that idea. "You're working so hard, honey. Can I get you something?" "Well, actually, yes..."
|
|
polishrose
New Member
Joined: February 2014
Posts: 74
|
Post by polishrose on Feb 26, 2014 2:18:33 GMT -5
ponygirl you are doing so well-you are inspiring me
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 26, 2014 13:30:37 GMT -5
Loving your comments and thank you so much for the kudos! At work now...hope to pen a post this afternoon!
|
|
|
Post by imamess on Feb 26, 2014 15:22:56 GMT -5
Ponygirl, I went into the bedroom and gave it the evil eye this morning. I have started dusting and cleaning off surfaces of the furniture. I threw away a large trash bag full and have more to go. I think it's getting better. You have really inspired me. Thanks a lot!!!
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 27, 2014 16:45:58 GMT -5
Ponygirl, this phrase is brilliant "mental tending". It is so accurate, when our homes are packed full of clutter we have to mentally tend it ALL THE TIME. If we're not moving it from one place to another, we're tripping over it, or stepping over it. We're worrying about other people coming in and seeing it. We're trying to organize it, which just means we're moving it from one box to another. We're dreaming of all the things we're going to do with it. We're agonizing over each item, to try to find things to get rid of. A good percentage of our mental energy is being wasted--mental tending indeed! Diane Diane, It really sums up the problem, doesn't it? It's completely draining to me...my having to 'worry' over all of this...this stuff! I termed it mental tending because it's really the way I feel about it. And, yes, it is wasted energy! Energy that we could be using for living! Not taking care of objects! We can create a new beginning to freedom!
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 27, 2014 16:52:33 GMT -5
Pony, are you really going to burn most of the books?? Can you donate them to your library or give them away on Free-cycle? Today I dropped off my insurance payment in person and I took along my 3 full folders of insurance papers from my file cabinet. I asked her what I need to keep. "Very little." She showed me what to keep, and I can let go of about 90% of what I had saved. I will soon be adding about 100 sheets of paper to my recycle bag! Sue, I'll not be making the decision on the books until I actually get to them. However, if at that time it is draining...or unproductive...for me to load in my car, then haul all those heavy books somewhere (junk transfusion!) to a place that may not want them or be able to use them...well, yes, I'll burn them. Then I will be free...and I won't be cluttering up someone else's world. I don't believe I have any volumes that are in any way valuable (except for the few that have personal meaning to me, and would add to my quality of life...and those are very few, indeed) and that the library could truly use. In fact, I see that my two local libraries (both in this county) frequently have book sales themselves...so that tells me that they have unneeded...and unread books that they are trying to 'declutter'. I know those Freecycle sites do a good service for folks...but I don't have the time to list...and I, frankly, don't want to...and don't want anyone coming to my address to pick them up. Again, a good idea...but my time is so much more valuable to me at this point (and my privacy). Here's my plan: To remove and reduce as much as possible, as quickly as possible. I believe that is the only way I'm going to get some progress of reduction going. You did really good with your insurance paper decluttering! In fact, you're on your way...because you have files established! Keep going...you're doing great! Remember, everything out frees us just a wee bit more!
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 27, 2014 16:55:34 GMT -5
Dear pony. Sorry for bringing up death especially the loss of your mom and dad to cancer. I am sorry for your loss.I have that feeling too that I need to look after this. Then I can look after my mom's stuff.and hopefully we have a long time and long lives and we will have a huge worry lifted and can use our mental energy for other things. If I disappear I may not have internet service soon. But I will be here thinking of you and slowly digging out! It's perfectly okay, Serendipity. In fact, thinking of death is a good thing. It helps me to make progress so I know I'm on my way to handling this myself...instead of others plundering through it (with a bulldozer!) after I'm dead. I'm sending good wishes your way, for strength to move forward to freedom from 'mental tending'! I hope you get your internet back soon...please come back 'in' when you do! We'll help each other move forward! Thank you!!!
|
|
|
Post by ponygirl on Feb 27, 2014 16:57:34 GMT -5
I just read through this entire thread and WOW, Ponygirl, you are awesome! There is a wealth of inspiration here. I wish we could all bring a bag or two of our own stuff to your house and have a BIG BURN PARTY. I'd bring the hot dogs and marshmallows. Thanks so much for sharing all of this, what you are doing, and especially sharing your thought process. So much wisdom here. Guitar, thank you! I appreciate all! Oh, yes! Burning is so soothing! It's final...and you feel so good about getting all that stuff OUT!! I could use a good hot dog, ! I really appreciate your compliments. I hope that my thoughts will help someone. I've finally become completely fed up with myself...and intend to do something about it!
|
|