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Post by clutterborn on May 27, 2019 15:39:01 GMT -5
Yes, larataylor I get mad at myself a lot during this process. You're right, learn from the mistakes and go full speed ahead. Today I learned how much easier it would be if I had taken the time all along to keep up with things. Thanks, Unswamping, unfortunately I couldn't get the web page to open. It said it was under construction. Would really like to see it too. Have heard about mobile home lot fees increasing, especially when a new management company comes in. You're wise to see the writing on the wall. Fees tend to only go up over time, and not down. Am remembering the good old days when living expenses were so much less.
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Post by Unswamping on May 27, 2019 18:20:14 GMT -5
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Post by larataylor on May 27, 2019 18:35:18 GMT -5
Today I learned how much easier it would be if I had taken the time all along to keep up with things. That's certainly a lesson worth learning! I've become pretty fanatical about staying right on top of everything, and I'm still dealing with a backlog of clutter and fixing problems that should have been addressed years ago. It all could have been SO much easier! But all we have is the present moment, right? Let's not spend it hating ourselves! Also, I've become a lot more handy, watching YouTube and learning how to fix and maintain things. Past Me was doing her best with what she knew, Present Me is learning and growing and doing her best now for Future Me.
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Post by clutterborn on May 27, 2019 18:58:06 GMT -5
Perfect, Unswamping. Thank you, will be reading through this tonight while relaxing. (haha even while relaxing I read about decluttering.) larataylor Well, we're all in this together - and we're all learning tips for the "future us." My one regret about decluttering in the past. I gave all of my Don Aslett books, including "Clutter's Last Stand" to the thrift shop. Your signature made me think of it. Bought it brand new when it first came out in 1984. Clutter is a lifelong issue for some of us.
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Post by larataylor on May 27, 2019 20:08:43 GMT -5
clutterborn - I love Don Aslett! I've read quite a few of his books. I relax with Hoarder shows
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Post by clutterborn on May 28, 2019 17:17:30 GMT -5
Am real discouraged today. But, will carry on and continue. This whole project is all too much, and I need physical help - which is simply not available. Must stop whining, and continue making progress, even though it is slower than I envisioned. As they always say on here, take one baby step at a time. And, my favorite - how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
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Post by hannah on May 28, 2019 21:57:28 GMT -5
Can you mentally divide you space into one foot squares and just try to clear one square each day or so many each week? That would give you mini goals that are doable, and you would be able to see your progress. As my dad would say, "If this was easy, everyone would do it."
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Post by Unswamping on May 28, 2019 22:10:18 GMT -5
hannah love your dads quote, so true. clutterborn i think discouragement is part of the process. Usually when i hit a roadblock of discouragement, its usually because i need some rest and/or a break from the process or im trying to tackle too much at once. I second what hannah said about breaking it up into small squares. I even drew a "map" of my house on graph paper and then colored in the blocks as i decluttered them. I havent finished but it helped me alot.
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Post by hannah on May 28, 2019 22:15:54 GMT -5
hannah love your dads quote, so true. clutterborn i think discouragement is part of the process. Usually when i hit a roadblock of discouragement, its usually because i need some rest and/or a break from the process or im trying to tackle too much at once. I second what hannah said about breaking it up into small squares. I even drew a "map" of my house on graph paper and then colored in the blocks as i decluttered them. I havent finished but it helped me alot.
To be honest, Swampy, I think you are the one I got that idea from---I use it in my basement, and it does make it allot easier to cheer myself on.
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Post by larataylor on May 28, 2019 22:21:34 GMT -5
I get discouraged and overwhelmed when I look at everything that still needs to be done.
One of my mantras is "plodding in the right direction." No matter how slow, if you're going the right direction, you'll get there. Focus on each step, don't look ahead! Or only briefly!
This can be tough if you have any kind of time pressure, though.
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Post by clutterborn on May 29, 2019 8:23:00 GMT -5
You're right, Unswamping - I just needed a break last night. Am feeling much more refreshed and positive today. Your Dad's quote is awesome, hannah - and it reminds me that hiring junk haulers, etc is the right thing to do. I can't do the heavy lifting, and just have a little car. A Pastor is coming back again this week to pick up our extra (working) washer and dryer. He'll be taking some more furniture, too for the formerly homeless that he works with. These items will all be repurposed in their new homes. Thus, it's easier for me to use our Amnesty magic wand on the small stuff that may be discarded. Once that's all done - the painting of the house, etc begins. The end goal is to get all of this stuff done by mid-June. You're keeping me going! larataylorAll of your responses mean a lot to me, I refer to them all constantly reading them over and over.
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Post by larataylor on May 29, 2019 9:04:36 GMT -5
clutterborn - getting help with the things you can't do is so important! This has become amazingly obvious to me over the last year or two, as DH got the building done on our addition. He is taking trees down, and going through his own stuff in the garage. Metal scrappers take the metal away, guys from the electric company got the freezer out of the basement. It's so annoying to keep looking at a big job that I can't do! A big thing in my way that I can't move! Getting those things done keeps me flowing. I've learned to think of myself as a sort of "general" It's my job to keep track of those big jobs and make them happen.
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Post by mylittlescholar on May 29, 2019 9:18:45 GMT -5
clutterborn you have such a great attitude! this isn't easy, on any level, but I have found that the actual process of dealing with it is its own reward in some ways. Another place for inspiration is the "favorite threads" subfolder.
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Post by clutterborn on May 29, 2019 10:11:19 GMT -5
larataylor - will read through the "Favorite Threads" section. Remembering the old days of Squalor Survivors... way back when Pigpen, Meme (RIP), and ParrotsParrotsParrots (RIP) posted. And my inspiration, 60isolderthanithot. I thought of her the day I turned 60 and hope she's okay, and just not online anymore. It's so nice watching the changes on here over the years. All the support, all the help. It's a very supportive community. The only place I go when I really need help.
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Post by dtesposito on May 31, 2019 15:12:40 GMT -5
Clutterborn, I can't believe Habitat for Humanity or the thrift stores wouldn't take the shelf--surely they could use/sell it? That is frustrating. HOAs sound horrible too!
Diane
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