Hi Ricky, you made me smile! Thank you. Needed this today, as my Dad past 6 years ago on this date. I am such a hoarder, and wish I did not place so much sentimentality on items! Silly, but need to declutter! Have also been trying to jot down ideas for a story! Safe travels and take care.
Linda, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I completely understand the attachment to items, especially if they are in relation to memories tied to a loved one. That makes it much harder. Good luck with your declutter process, don't too much at once and overwhelm yourself. Also, good luck with your story!
Thank you so very much Ricky, that means a lot. Going to do a little bit of a declutter and story writing at a time. So much support from everyone, which is lovely to see. Take care and enjoy your day.
I'm so sorry for your loss Linda. I completely understand how you feel as I just recently lost my grandfather and it's been really hard. But I find myself placing so much value in all these little items of his as a way for me to try and hold on to him. It's so hard for us to make sense of what happens after life that I think we just try to hold onto what is tangible from the people who have left us. I think it's really common for people to keep such seemingly small items and place such high sentimental value on them!
I am very sorry for your loss too Kat. Losing anyone dear to us, is exceptionally difficult. I totally understand and have treasured photos and his watch, which I had made smaller for me to wear. I would never part with that. May you also find comfort in those treasured memories, that no one can take away from us. Take care and be kind to yourself. 💜
My daughter in law just lost her mum and a friend has lost his family in Ukraine so on his way home to fight.
I found a hint for decluttering. Piles of 'keep' 'pass on' 'donate to charity' 'recycle/repurpose'. I'd say Embrace your personality, even what you perceive as a flaw, as it makes you uniquely you. Luckily I had to downsize a year ago but I see so many things I'd love to have or try! If items make you smile or remember a person or time or place, then enjoy it. Maybe try storing things away and rotate them so you get the joy of all of them.
At least writing online doesn't need dusting or clearing 😹
Thank you for your beautiful response. I am so sorry to hear about your daughter-in-law's Mum and your friend. What a difficult time. My condolences. I had a very good support network of friends yesterday, but think about my Dad a lot. He was very special.
I live in a tiny flat and have no room to store, but I do need to declutter and appreciate the hints. Thank you. Never written before but love to read, so need to take the next step! Wanted to write for Valentine's Day, but had a health scare and could not get my head around it! Take care and have a super day. 💜
Who says we have to declutter n dispose of items that may or may not be useful in the future to remind us of a loved one or special time? The problem some of us have is knowing what to keep for our kids, grandkids n future generations. So I photo sentimental items and set a deadline for my kids/grandkids to claim them before donating to charity or places that would benefit. It seems us older folks put more sentimental value to items than the younger ones (I'm only 53 with mindset of a teenager!) They're too busy to want to know family history etc but thankfully they do have the values that are important so it's lovely to know lessons learned by the past are still used today.
Thank you to all for sharing your writing n thoughts, it's a lovely group of like minded souls. Anyone here from UK? X
My mother always told me, “Your room is a reflection of your state of mind.” My room was chaos when I was younger. It was ridiculous the things I refused to throw away; piles of music magazines & books because someday I would be in a band, cheap makeup, vhs of my favorite 90s shows, cassettes, cds that lost their case, Walkman & iPods, wine bottles that I would someday get myself to work on, journals, books, letters & gifts from past relationships…my room was a museum of the 90’s & young adult years. It is liberating to throw away older versions of yourself to make room for reinventions. There are some things I’m grateful I kept. Some months back I pulled a box from my closet, buried underneath winter blankets and Halloween stuff. Inside were countless stories I had written since I was a kid into my adulthood before I stopped. Most were unfinished. Dozens of ideas written in paper, napkins & post its. My first self published book & drawings of what characters would look like. Finding that box was what encouraged me to turn my writing mode back on. Seasonal cleaning always brings surprises. Items you told yourself you threw away crawling back to the storage room waiting for the ‘someday’.
Haha Champagne is ok if that was your first car & as a present from your parents. As always, I enjoy these excerpts of your life, that what goes on backstage of a writer. I loved Stephen King’s On Writing btw. Thank you. I had read his work but didn’t really know the guy. I was surprised to find similarities with his thinking & creative process, delighted with his advice, dusting off & working my toolbox.
Your mom sounds like a wise woman. My room was the same way. I like that idea of shedding your old skin to make room for the new, better version of you.
Glad to hear you enjoyed that book! It's always nice to learn more tools to be able to put away for when you need them.
Ricky!!! Champagne 🤣. I feel you though, things from decades ago may not necessarily hold as much meaning, but only if you are choosing to throw them out. We had an awful hurricane last year that completely destroyed my childhood home. All the little things that held no meaning suddenly meant everything. I was glad no one died, but I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't die that day. Lol and Im a virgo moon and virgo rising. So what I mean to say is, the how and why matters.
Also, I had a white toyota which I swore I was gonna pimp out nightmare before Christmas style...we all make mistakes man
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your childhood home, but I'm glad everyone is safe. Kahn, you have a great point here. The how and why definitely matters and it's up to each individual to determine what's important to them and why.
Ha! I would love to see that vision carried out, solely to know who the madman is behind the wheel. There's still time...
It's all good. We rebuilt the house but it's just weird now. At least my action figures were mostly okay. LOL don't encourage me. I always thought about having the horn honking sound like Jack's laughter.
I do give sentimental value to objects, but I'm trying to change that. Reading this post made me reflect, and now I'm thinking about getting rid of some objects from the past. But still I like to keep some objects, because I remember who gave them to me and they are people who are no longer here today. It is always good to order and clean, that puts your mind in order :) good post Ricky! <3
I like to buy things that are supposed to help me get organized and yet I'm NEVER organized. Spring just makes me able to open windows while I stand looking around the house until Im overwhelmed and need a nap. 😁 Your mind is clean. I envy that.
Definitely resonates with me. I have to move in 2 months and I want to get rid of a whole bunch but my husband doesn't. He didn't have a lot growing up so he tries to make up for that now which, I totally get, but I want to make moving easier. It's hard when one wants to get rid of more than another. I too, am finally realizing that objects are just that, objects. Now, of course, there are things I'd refuse to get rid of (my first teddy bear or other things) but having a lot of stuff just isn't practical honestly.
It's a wonder how we accumulate so much stuff just to have it. Either way, moving will still be a pain and I'm still going to find lots of displeasure haha. Gotta make it easier.
Moving is the perfect time to downsize. But, I totally understand. It makes it much tougher when you have a partner that feels the opposite. Good luck with the move!
definitely a wonderful reminder to declutter — in every sense of the word. also, i will be that astrology freak: is IS a virgo thing. and we love it for you.
Hello Ricky. It's waiting for me too, I'm still putting it off because I'm lazy. This time I will succeed and at the same time I will be able to make a smaller corner in the room for turntables, records and more music stuff.
I've been planning this for a long time, so at least I'll combine it with cleaning together
I'm WAY late to this post...I'm not even sure if you're on here anymore... but as a "maximalist" and a self-proclaimed shopoholic (is this a Sagittarius thing?🤔), I have some suggestions for your post. I've had to deal with my own overconsumption problems by coming up with a way to determine if I NEED to buy or keep something, or do I simply just want it?
Some steps for this are:
1)Thinking "THIS! This is the thing that's going to change my life!" Am I just purchasing/keeping this item because of an IDEA of some future use? For some examples: Buying blank journals when I never write in them, buying or keeping a clothing item for an event that may-or-may not ever occur (a night-out, party, etc) (and as a counter to that, keeping clothes that don't fit because "someday..."), or buying self-help books I'll probably never read. ...Or workout equipment. 'Nuff said.😅
2) If it's a book, can I get it at the local library easily?
3) Have I used/worn/read this in ____# of years?
4) Do I really need four spatulas??
5) How many times have I moved my piles of stuff into new piles and called that "cleaning"?
Anyway...it's Fall in 2024 now so I hope you got the Spring cleaning done a couple times since then!
I can't believe I hadn't read this post before, but it came at the right time. I have a lot of attachment to material things, it doesn't matter if they bring good or bad memories, it's something I can't help but it is necessary to let go of some things.
I like the way you communicate your ideas, it really makes you think about it, I'll put it as a goal, thanks!
I'm so not able to declutter because my parents died (2013/2019) and every thing I have seems to be a little bit of them. I can see my parents with this thing and it would break my heart to give it away. I just did - many things were gifted to my friends, and every time I see those little things, I remember my beloved parents. Maybe time will come to declutter "the heritage", but it's not yet. I can't let go. :(
It is a Virgo thing but in the best way <3
Hi Ricky, you made me smile! Thank you. Needed this today, as my Dad past 6 years ago on this date. I am such a hoarder, and wish I did not place so much sentimentality on items! Silly, but need to declutter! Have also been trying to jot down ideas for a story! Safe travels and take care.
Linda, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I completely understand the attachment to items, especially if they are in relation to memories tied to a loved one. That makes it much harder. Good luck with your declutter process, don't too much at once and overwhelm yourself. Also, good luck with your story!
Thank you so very much Ricky, that means a lot. Going to do a little bit of a declutter and story writing at a time. So much support from everyone, which is lovely to see. Take care and enjoy your day.
I'm so sorry for your loss Linda. I completely understand how you feel as I just recently lost my grandfather and it's been really hard. But I find myself placing so much value in all these little items of his as a way for me to try and hold on to him. It's so hard for us to make sense of what happens after life that I think we just try to hold onto what is tangible from the people who have left us. I think it's really common for people to keep such seemingly small items and place such high sentimental value on them!
I am very sorry for your loss too Kat. Losing anyone dear to us, is exceptionally difficult. I totally understand and have treasured photos and his watch, which I had made smaller for me to wear. I would never part with that. May you also find comfort in those treasured memories, that no one can take away from us. Take care and be kind to yourself. 💜
Thank you so much for those kind words, Linda! I hope you are doing okay <3
So sorry to hear your loss Linda.
My daughter in law just lost her mum and a friend has lost his family in Ukraine so on his way home to fight.
I found a hint for decluttering. Piles of 'keep' 'pass on' 'donate to charity' 'recycle/repurpose'. I'd say Embrace your personality, even what you perceive as a flaw, as it makes you uniquely you. Luckily I had to downsize a year ago but I see so many things I'd love to have or try! If items make you smile or remember a person or time or place, then enjoy it. Maybe try storing things away and rotate them so you get the joy of all of them.
At least writing online doesn't need dusting or clearing 😹
Thank you for your beautiful response. I am so sorry to hear about your daughter-in-law's Mum and your friend. What a difficult time. My condolences. I had a very good support network of friends yesterday, but think about my Dad a lot. He was very special.
I live in a tiny flat and have no room to store, but I do need to declutter and appreciate the hints. Thank you. Never written before but love to read, so need to take the next step! Wanted to write for Valentine's Day, but had a health scare and could not get my head around it! Take care and have a super day. 💜
Who says we have to declutter n dispose of items that may or may not be useful in the future to remind us of a loved one or special time? The problem some of us have is knowing what to keep for our kids, grandkids n future generations. So I photo sentimental items and set a deadline for my kids/grandkids to claim them before donating to charity or places that would benefit. It seems us older folks put more sentimental value to items than the younger ones (I'm only 53 with mindset of a teenager!) They're too busy to want to know family history etc but thankfully they do have the values that are important so it's lovely to know lessons learned by the past are still used today.
Thank you to all for sharing your writing n thoughts, it's a lovely group of like minded souls. Anyone here from UK? X
My mother always told me, “Your room is a reflection of your state of mind.” My room was chaos when I was younger. It was ridiculous the things I refused to throw away; piles of music magazines & books because someday I would be in a band, cheap makeup, vhs of my favorite 90s shows, cassettes, cds that lost their case, Walkman & iPods, wine bottles that I would someday get myself to work on, journals, books, letters & gifts from past relationships…my room was a museum of the 90’s & young adult years. It is liberating to throw away older versions of yourself to make room for reinventions. There are some things I’m grateful I kept. Some months back I pulled a box from my closet, buried underneath winter blankets and Halloween stuff. Inside were countless stories I had written since I was a kid into my adulthood before I stopped. Most were unfinished. Dozens of ideas written in paper, napkins & post its. My first self published book & drawings of what characters would look like. Finding that box was what encouraged me to turn my writing mode back on. Seasonal cleaning always brings surprises. Items you told yourself you threw away crawling back to the storage room waiting for the ‘someday’.
Haha Champagne is ok if that was your first car & as a present from your parents. As always, I enjoy these excerpts of your life, that what goes on backstage of a writer. I loved Stephen King’s On Writing btw. Thank you. I had read his work but didn’t really know the guy. I was surprised to find similarities with his thinking & creative process, delighted with his advice, dusting off & working my toolbox.
Your mom sounds like a wise woman. My room was the same way. I like that idea of shedding your old skin to make room for the new, better version of you.
Glad to hear you enjoyed that book! It's always nice to learn more tools to be able to put away for when you need them.
I have old game consoles that my kids want ME to hang on to, they now have until Xmas to take what they want or it's donated to children's ward 😺
😆 good! It’s great to get kiddos involved in donations ♥️
Ricky!!! Champagne 🤣. I feel you though, things from decades ago may not necessarily hold as much meaning, but only if you are choosing to throw them out. We had an awful hurricane last year that completely destroyed my childhood home. All the little things that held no meaning suddenly meant everything. I was glad no one died, but I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't die that day. Lol and Im a virgo moon and virgo rising. So what I mean to say is, the how and why matters.
Also, I had a white toyota which I swore I was gonna pimp out nightmare before Christmas style...we all make mistakes man
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your childhood home, but I'm glad everyone is safe. Kahn, you have a great point here. The how and why definitely matters and it's up to each individual to determine what's important to them and why.
Ha! I would love to see that vision carried out, solely to know who the madman is behind the wheel. There's still time...
It's all good. We rebuilt the house but it's just weird now. At least my action figures were mostly okay. LOL don't encourage me. I always thought about having the horn honking sound like Jack's laughter.
I do give sentimental value to objects, but I'm trying to change that. Reading this post made me reflect, and now I'm thinking about getting rid of some objects from the past. But still I like to keep some objects, because I remember who gave them to me and they are people who are no longer here today. It is always good to order and clean, that puts your mind in order :) good post Ricky! <3
Totally, I have a couple things from people who have passed as well. And those are things I could never get rid of.
glad to know that we have something in common! :)
I like to buy things that are supposed to help me get organized and yet I'm NEVER organized. Spring just makes me able to open windows while I stand looking around the house until Im overwhelmed and need a nap. 😁 Your mind is clean. I envy that.
Hah! Trust me, I fall into that same trap. It's tough!
I laughed too many times while reading this. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this, as a 27 year old adult who can relate to all of it.
Glad to hear it! Growing up sure is weird.
Definitely resonates with me. I have to move in 2 months and I want to get rid of a whole bunch but my husband doesn't. He didn't have a lot growing up so he tries to make up for that now which, I totally get, but I want to make moving easier. It's hard when one wants to get rid of more than another. I too, am finally realizing that objects are just that, objects. Now, of course, there are things I'd refuse to get rid of (my first teddy bear or other things) but having a lot of stuff just isn't practical honestly.
It's a wonder how we accumulate so much stuff just to have it. Either way, moving will still be a pain and I'm still going to find lots of displeasure haha. Gotta make it easier.
See you in the next post!
Moving is the perfect time to downsize. But, I totally understand. It makes it much tougher when you have a partner that feels the opposite. Good luck with the move!
Thank you, I'm definitely going to need it haha.
definitely a wonderful reminder to declutter — in every sense of the word. also, i will be that astrology freak: is IS a virgo thing. and we love it for you.
Thanks, Em. I appreciate you.
Hello Ricky. It's waiting for me too, I'm still putting it off because I'm lazy. This time I will succeed and at the same time I will be able to make a smaller corner in the room for turntables, records and more music stuff.
I've been planning this for a long time, so at least I'll combine it with cleaning together
It's nice to be able to get rid of some old stuff to make room for new stuff. Sounds like you have a good plan! Good luck!
Thank you <3
Successful!
I'm WAY late to this post...I'm not even sure if you're on here anymore... but as a "maximalist" and a self-proclaimed shopoholic (is this a Sagittarius thing?🤔), I have some suggestions for your post. I've had to deal with my own overconsumption problems by coming up with a way to determine if I NEED to buy or keep something, or do I simply just want it?
Some steps for this are:
1)Thinking "THIS! This is the thing that's going to change my life!" Am I just purchasing/keeping this item because of an IDEA of some future use? For some examples: Buying blank journals when I never write in them, buying or keeping a clothing item for an event that may-or-may not ever occur (a night-out, party, etc) (and as a counter to that, keeping clothes that don't fit because "someday..."), or buying self-help books I'll probably never read. ...Or workout equipment. 'Nuff said.😅
2) If it's a book, can I get it at the local library easily?
3) Have I used/worn/read this in ____# of years?
4) Do I really need four spatulas??
5) How many times have I moved my piles of stuff into new piles and called that "cleaning"?
Anyway...it's Fall in 2024 now so I hope you got the Spring cleaning done a couple times since then!
I just did a did a spring cleaning and like you said it makes you feel lighter. I just feel lest cluttered.
I can't believe I hadn't read this post before, but it came at the right time. I have a lot of attachment to material things, it doesn't matter if they bring good or bad memories, it's something I can't help but it is necessary to let go of some things.
I like the way you communicate your ideas, it really makes you think about it, I'll put it as a goal, thanks!
I'm so not able to declutter because my parents died (2013/2019) and every thing I have seems to be a little bit of them. I can see my parents with this thing and it would break my heart to give it away. I just did - many things were gifted to my friends, and every time I see those little things, I remember my beloved parents. Maybe time will come to declutter "the heritage", but it's not yet. I can't let go. :(