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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:21:22 GMT -5
Certainly, razy! That's why I started out my post by saying that I wasn't presuming to tell ponygirl what to do with her books. Her progress is amazing, and I wouldn't want to do anything to deter it. My point, though, was that she was incorrect in thinking that the only purpose of library book sales is to declutter books. It *is* one purpose, but not the *ONLY* purpose. We hold the sales at our library to 1)declutter library books, 2)raise money for the library to augment its budget, and 3)get books--at an affordable price--into the hands of people who wish to have them. Arid P. S. I forgot one other important "role" of library book sales--entertainment!! A lot of folks really, really enjoy coming to them. As well as finding desirable books, friends, neighbors, and relatives have the chance to visit with one another there. Also, many people just enjoy "the hunt" aspect of it all! We get everyone from book dealers to little old ladies trying to make a buck or two off eBay from re-selling the books they buy from us! A. Arid, I did know they have sales for other reasons than to declutter...I was focusing on the 'declutter' part to make a point, myself. If I had any books that would benefit my libraries and meet their criteria, I would consider hauling some there...but, I do not have any that do. Thank you for your support so very much!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:22:54 GMT -5
Okay, since this thread has turned to books, there's no way I can not comment, being the book queen and all... Growing up I was taught a reverence for books--partly because I think they were more expensive then, but also because of what they represented--knowledge of just about anything in the world--and remember, this was before the internet could bring you anywhere you wanted to go in an instant. So as an adult book lover, it was hard for me to get rid of a book, even one that had been damaged or that I had no interest in. I would get rid of that kind of book, but there was always a twinge of guilt or regret. Several years ago I started volunteering at a resale store that benefits a clinic that treats low-income people. The store is in a neighborhood that is somewhat upscale, or at least intellectual--so they get a lot of book donations. My job (along with several other volunteers) is to sort through books and decide which ones will sell and which ones are to be discarded or recycled (we can only recycle paperbacks here, not hardcovers). There is only a certain amount of space on the store's bookshelves, and only a certain amount of space in the small area designated for books. When I first started, and it was explained to me that we get way more books than we had room to put out, it was very difficult for me to start recycling/discarding books. But over the years, when I started to see how many came in--it has become easier, and I've realized that even though in my mind every book is valuable, that isn't true in the real world. Obviously we discard anything moldy, musty, stained, or torn, but I've also had to discard books that were old but not unusual, (collections of works of various authors, which are available anywhere) old and out of date (advice about investments, medical issues, political subjects) or that we get way too many copies of (there are certain authors and titles which are donated multiple times a week, and the market is so saturated that no one else wants them). It has helped me, especially when I used to volunteer there more than once a week, to fill the shelves and then come back and see what was left there, week after week--the people shopping there didn't want certain books, and since a wide variety of people come to this shop, it's probably representative of what the general population wants. The store experience has widened my view of the world of books, and has confirmed what I've learned about my own hoarding experience--maybe certain things might be valued by some one person somewhere in the country, but it's not possible to find that person easily and my efforts to search will take away from my cleaning up my home. Maybe some of the books the store discards might be used by someone somewhere--but it's a non-profit, the time they spend searching for homes for books is time taken away from their mission. My library used to have book sales, and the books there were always recent ones in nice condition--I doubt if they could sell what we get rid of either. Add to this the fact that many of us who hoard do not keep things in good condition. Books that are donated to the store in huge boxes by relatives of deceased people (a common donation) almost always have been stored is someone's garage or basement, and we know right away that they will be musty smelling or moldy or water damaged. So even books that might be old and interesting, or once may have been valuable, are often ruined by people who want to keep them, but don't have room to keep them in good condition. So this long message is to say that Ponygirl should burn her books. And this is coming from the book queen! Diane Diane, Thank you!!!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:24:32 GMT -5
Can I suggest if we want to discuss books we start another thread, so we don't distract from Pony's amazing work. That is so kind of you to suggest that, Razy! It's okay if you want to discuss books...or any other item that may be holding us back...and that we are passionate about! Thank you for you support1
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:33:59 GMT -5
Often it is the perceived value to others which slows down or stops the de-cluttering process. WOW razy thanks for that it speaks to me on such a deep and personal level. ponygirl your words here are so inspiring, I am not at a point that I can tackle my garage full force (taxes first) but I have been popping by and reading every couple of days which is helping me build my motivation level and is helping to easy the anxiety of facing not the clutter but the decisions on what to do with the clutter. Good Work pony Good Work. Roadrunner, That sure is a roadblock, isn't it? The perceived value... Thank you so much for your kindness! I'm so glad it's inspiring and I was hoping that by writing this down, it might help someone! The anxiety is a huge part of the procrastination and indecision we face. Just take it at any time/pace that works for you. I know you will reach your goal with the garage! Some days I can work for an hour or so...or maybe more...others, I can't work on it at all. It's a slow process...slower than I would like, especially when I really am in the 'mood' to attack it...but can't. I really appreciate your encouragement and support!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:35:13 GMT -5
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. Yes attack that clutter Ponygirl you are making awesome progress!!!!! Thank you!!!!! I'm working on it!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:38:38 GMT -5
Ponygirl, I am looking forward (as I'm sure many others are) to reading the next installment in your amazing journey. Cheering you on as I work on my own clutter!!! Go Ponygirl! Burn baby burn! Or toss, donate, whatever it takes... I really appreciate the cheers and support! Keep working on yours, Guitarstrings...we'll get to our goals! Whatever it takes...you are right!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:39:32 GMT -5
Hi ponygirl. Thinking of you! Thank you! I'm thinking of you, as well. We are all on a journey to freedom...
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:43:13 GMT -5
Can I suggest if we want to discuss books we start another thread, so we don't distract from Pony's amazing workI think Ponygirl is sharing her story so that other people can have hope that they can reach the action stage, just like she's doing. Since burning books is hard for many people to accept, I think it's appropriate to think out the various ways people react to the idea. It's one more step in changing our thinking. Ponygirl, I'm very impressed that you can take that step, and want to make sure that you hear positive reactions to the idea as well as negative ones. We have to take the kinds of amnesty that we need. Diane Thank you so much! We are, indeed, on the same wavelength. I hope that these conversations will help all of us...in whatever stage we may be in this process....especially to help someone come to the decision to begin taking action....to begin to be honest with themselves. It is so critical....to change our thinking...our relationship to objects1 I agree...we have to do whatever it takes to regain our...lives.
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:49:45 GMT -5
I loved your post, ponygirl, about why we dont need our clutter. I really needed this thread at the moment so i'd like to say a big thankyou As for clutter and weight being associated, i joined a gym, but after a while realised i needed to fix my house before myself and ended up on this site. I like the evil eyeing rooms idea. And as for books, i vote amnesty if they are holding you back, if we have amnesty at all it should extend to anything we need it for. Sophie...Thank you so much! I'm glad this is helping you. Your post is helping me, as well. I would love to see all of us begin to take action...and to be able to live again...for clutter is killing us. Keep giving it the evil eye...and you will be able to face it before you know it! Keep posting!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:50:52 GMT -5
You have an official amnesty about books from a student of literature Books are just a vehicle, it's the stories that matter. I really appreciate this, OnTheMend! I couldn't agree more!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 21:52:23 GMT -5
hi Ponygirl; i hope you did something special for Mardi Gras. Bon temps! now it is officially "lent." i seem to be giving up sleeping. . i hope things are going well and wonderfully for you. luv, cc Hi, CC! Thank you for thinking of me on one of my favorite days of the year! Unfortunately, I had to work! Thought of you, too! Love and hugs! xoxoxo Pony
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 22:06:14 GMT -5
Ponygirl, I have LOVED this thread! You have really kicked my butt in a good way. You are so brave!! I can see that corner myself. I too use burn piles. Haven't burned household goods yet but lots of punky wood and LOTS of paper. Have another batch to go up in flames soon. I am starting to understand what you mean about mental tending. I notice when my thoughts muddy, or get defensive, or go off into fantasy...I am in denial about how much stuff I have and how much I think about it and how unwilling I have been up to now to let it go. This is a good cue for me.. SO when my thoughts are clear, peaceful, unencumbered...I am moving in the right direction. Angela! I am so thrilled that you can see that corner, too! It's there for all of us...we simply have to change our way of thinking and embrace changing ourselves instead of remaining in fear and stagnation...inaction. Yeah, I'm mostly burning paper, too...but whatever will burn, that is what is going to be most convenient for me. We are fortunate to be able to do that at our places. Oh, the mental tending! It's so draining! It doesn't leave us any energy for anything else. I'm sick of it. And, you are exactly right...we are 'unwilling' to do anything...to let it go...and so we do nothing. And that, gets us nowhere. You are, indeed, moving in the right direction. Keep posting and updating on your progress! I'm pulling for you!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 22:09:53 GMT -5
ponygirl It is that time of the year (taxes-- ) I will be working on mine this weekend. Looking forward to reading your "interesting observations, revelations, and facts" You thread is my warm up exercise for my uber larger garage declutter. I have decluttered 93% of my house but it is now all in my garage ) My garage declutter will be coming up after taxes are done and National Boards have been submitted. I am taking some nonthreatening baby-steps participating in 40 days 40 bags committing to removing I small plastic grocery bag of trash every day for 40 days or no brainier donations. After 40 days I should be in a postion to deal with the tough emotional stuff. I will have to say your thread is helping me to prepare to deal with the detaching of my emotions from my "stuff". It is for the greater good of MY LIFE. Exciting times are ahead!!!! ONWARD Roadrunner, I'm still working on the taxes...ugh! I am SO glad this thread is helping you to detach! It's extremely difficult...and I'm struggling, too...but making progress, and that is something to really get excited about! Yes...it is definitely for the greater good of your life! We need to begin to live...instead of dying inside...all because of stuff...objects. We cannot let our things control us. And, I've been letting that happen for far too long... Onward!!!! Keep posting and updating!
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Post by ponygirl on Mar 9, 2014 22:37:21 GMT -5
Today's Torment to Triumph:
The Torment: Since around 2008...yes, you read that correctly...the area underneath my table has been almost completely filled...with various categories of paper, boxes from electronic items (with their instruction booklets and various other pieces/parts still inside, a plastic file box (from a previous abandoned attempt to organize some paper items...as opposed to getting RID of them...), two plastic bags of clothing...which came from my vehicle, cat toys, invoice booklets from a business we no longer have...the invoice copies were for jobs completed in 2003 and 2004, games and playing cards that my DH brought back home from his Mom's...these were things we had purchased that he used to provide her some entertainment as he was sitting with her during her years' long battle with Alzheimer's...she died four years ago and this is where the games sat from when he brought them back home, two tote bags...and, yes, they were filled with more 'stuff', printed photos, some decals from professional organizations to which I belong, instruction booklet to an appliance that was replaced...again...this year...and I now have the booklet for the new one, tax papers for 2006, and a host of other items...including one that stopped me...and I had a good cry and caressed it for a long while...it was a birthday card from my Mom from seven years ago. And...all of this stuff was layered with cobwebs and dust...and sprinkled with liberal helpings of cat hair. Needless to say...my sinuses and Swiffer dusters got a workout. This has been tormenting me for a long, long time. We haven't used that table since before 2008...we eat from plates on our laps or tv trays in another area. The cats lounge on the table. At least something gets some use out of it...
The Triumph: The only important paper items, including the card from my Mom, tallied around a dozen. These went into my 'rough sort keep paper' box for now. The rest of the paper items...including the old invoice books, the decals, the boxes, the instruction booklets (which were no longer needed), the games and the playing cards, the stuff from the tote bags (none of it was needed),...all went into the burn pile...and are now history. The clothes that I chose to keep have been washed. Several went into the current 'donation' box, along with the two tote bags (which were definitely usable and in very good shape...I don't need them). Almost all of the paper items from the plastic file box were burned. The area under that table is now clear. My eyes can't believe it...and the cats can't either...new floor space to explore! There is still a lot of dirt there on the rug...but it's clear space. Unbelievable. It's a rare sight in this place.
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I filled two large burn bags with stuff from that table area. In addition to that, I've been 'plucking' burnable items...mostly paper-related...all weekend during various 'passes' and filled another three bags. Everything has been burned. With each bag out, I'm feeling more and more of a sense of relief.
No regret. Simply relief.
So much more to go...onward...
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Post by razy on Mar 10, 2014 0:08:13 GMT -5
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