mariposatx
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 16
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Post by mariposatx on Feb 21, 2009 15:11:29 GMT -5
Hi, when I was first told about amnesty to allow yourself to throw out "perfectly good" stuff, I didn't think I could do it. But since then the idea has been growing on me. I noticed that there are things in my tub area that will never be used again, but that can't be given away and are "too good" to throw out so they just stay there - forever. I decided this will be my first amnesty attempt.
So here's what goes in the trash:
Nylon scrub puffs I was given but don't use because I already have one.
Loofa scrubbers I don't use because I don't like them
Scented body washes that were gifts but I don't use.
Bath paints that my daughter outgrew two years ago.
Shampoo bottle waiting to be cleaned out for recycling.
Does it really matter if these things go to waste languishing on my tub shelf or in a landfill? Probably not. Either way they're not being used. Okay, so I can do this. I won't like it, but I can do this. Wish me luck!
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Post by AnnieOkie on Feb 21, 2009 15:13:17 GMT -5
Yes! Isn't amnesty awesome?? This was one of the most useful things to me when I started here.....someone had to actually tell me it was OKAY!! Good for you!
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Post by vega on Feb 21, 2009 15:32:36 GMT -5
Does it really matter if these things go to waste languishing on my tub shelf or in a landfill? Probably not. Either way they're not being used. Okay, so I can do this. I won't like it, but I can do this. Wish me luck! Congratulations on tossing those things! I think your last paragraph here is the real key to why amnesty works. The belief that keeping things in our houses is somehow vastly worse than tossing them out is, under many circumstances, false. Taken to it's logical conclusion the fallacy becomes clear... if you literally never toss this stuff then it will be there until you die... then what? Someone comes in (your kids, god forbid?) and has to clear it out. They toss it in the trash. The result is the same. If a product can be recycled or used by someone, I'm all in favor of that, but eventually the reality that that is simply not going to happen can no longer be denied. At that point all we're doing is torturing ourselves and turning our homes into landfills. That doesn't help anyone. When I first started clearing out my home I had to come to grips with the fact that the optimum time to save the planet was before I bought something. I am now careful about what I purchase and give away things I've been given, but I won't use (like nice soaps and such) to charity immediately (usually without even opening them). For now, get control of your life and your home and worry about saving the world next month.  Good job! |
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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Feb 21, 2009 17:31:22 GMT -5
I don't quite understand how "amnesty" works, how does that help? What is the amnesty for?
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 21, 2009 18:57:31 GMT -5
Great job, MariposaTX. I have been decluttering and desqualoring for years, now. But I took advantage of amnesty this week, too.
I have too many clothes. I threw away a gold colored silky shirt. It still sort of looked good enough to donate. But had french cuffs, the kind that fold back with a cuff-link type button, and one of the cuff-link buttons was gone. I wore it for the first time in ages last week, with a yellow paperclip in the cuff.
My mind said "This is a beautiful shirt, and someone could use other cuff-links for it." My amnesty said "Goodbye."
 at Pickles and the great niece Jezebel. I do seem to "need" to give my old used up stuff to just the perfect person sometimes....but it goes MUCH QUICKER to just throw it out!
AND....since loosening up the rules on donations in the Crazy House, we have donated and recycled so much more than ever before. Try it....it works!
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Post by notsomessyshell on Feb 21, 2009 19:24:13 GMT -5
Congratulations!! Way to go. I am getting used to the amnesty idea myself. I think the good feeling when it is all out and the space is empty and clean is worth the guilt I initially feel when tossing stuff. Pickles! The alcoholic in charge of the liquor cabinet!!!  Great analogy. |
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mariposatx
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 16
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Post by mariposatx on Feb 21, 2009 19:41:17 GMT -5
Thank you for the encouragement, it is now done. I put all the items in a grocery bag, tied it tightly and put it in the trash so I wouldn't be tempted to rescue things when I saw the stuff again. My mind kept coming up with reasons not to throw the stuff away but I ignored the impulses and just went through the motions of doing it. And though I feel a little anxious about having done it, it does feel good to have the stuff gone and the area neater! I realize now that every single time I saw those things I'd feel a twinge of guilt about not dealing with them, now I'm free of that. The guilt of tossing them will pass, but the guilt of seeing them would have gone on and on. I am now encouraged enough to start thinking about the little drawers in my bathroom cabinet that are full of things I never use or even look at...
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 21, 2009 20:59:33 GMT -5
Oh, Pickles, you are absolutely morbid! Twenty lashes with a wet nood.....no, make that twenty lashes with a goats tail!
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Feb 21, 2009 21:23:50 GMT -5
- And though I feel a little anxious about having done it, it does feel good to have the stuff gone and the area neater! I realize now that every single time I saw those things I'd feel a twinge of guilt about not dealing with them, now I'm free of that.The guilt of tossing them will pass, but the guilt of seeing them would have gone on and on. = |
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 21, 2009 21:29:13 GMT -5
Vega, I love your statement that the time to save the planet is BEFORE you make the purchase. That is profound.
And Sweet Pickles, I love what you said about giving the drunk the keys to the liquor cabinet. SO TRUE!
I am almost tempted to throw away the bubble wrap that has overrun the house. But I keep telling myself I will need it, as I have not actually moved yet, and will be packing lots of stuff, especially breakables.
Help, anyone??
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 21, 2009 21:42:27 GMT -5
And I might add that anyone who has ever smelled goat pee would have to know you were kidding!
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 21, 2009 21:44:16 GMT -5
What is morbid is those little ads at the top of the page!
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Post by charis on Feb 21, 2009 21:47:55 GMT -5
Pickles started it by saying the "D" word. Wouldn't that be a fun game--to try and change the google generated ads by talking about different things?
Male enhancement, anyone?
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 21, 2009 22:02:06 GMT -5
! |
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 21, 2009 22:06:21 GMT -5
bubble wrap is fun to pop. if you are not literally moving within one month tops, throw it out. you can buy more and it is not that expensive. besides, i hear that your bubble wrap has a crush on the fed ex envelope buried under cofee grounds in the bottom of your trash now. you would be doing him a favor, really. You are on a roll tonight, Pickles. I will borrow the goat's tail from CCL and personally thrash you !!!  Or even worse, I will place a fan beside the goats' sofa pillows, blowing toward your window! Now we're gettin' down and dirty! |
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