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Replies to '06/21 "Throw It Out!"'
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June 18, 2006, 11:03 am PDT
 Quote From: steph124ny I am a compulsive "non" hoarder. I am a minimalist. I lost everything (and I mean every last thing) I owned when I moved out and away from my ex-husband. Since then, I found out there is very little that you can't live without. When you go to purge down your stuff, go into it with the mindset that you WILL take 3 bags to Goodwill (or wherever). It is too overwhelming to do it all at once, so start with one small area. Do one junk drawer maybe, or one countertop. If you haven't used it or worn it in one year, get rid of it. Even if you can never afford it again, it doesn't matter because you don't use it anyway. If you start to get emotional or overwhelmed, take a break or you will keep too much. Once you get it manageable, set aside one day a week to go through all your clutter. It becomes a habit after awhile. You have to keep in mind, "It's Just Stuff." It isn't your memories. It isn't your life or your feelings. It's just stuff. If it is something very sentimental for you, take a picture of it and then get rid of it. I hope I don't sound too harsh. Just keep a positive attitude that you are doing something just for you and I know you can do it.
Steph :) Hi Steph, I lost almost everything as well in a break up after my divorce. After my ex-husband moved out, I was left with nowhere to go and three kids to take care of. A man that I knew prayed on my vulnerability and need and offered for us to move into his house, which I did out of desperation. Three months later, when I found out that he was much different than I had thought, I moved out. But before I could go back and get the things that were stored under his house, he decided that his revenge for my leaving was to get rid of my things. I lost so many precious things...every photograph that I had ever had of my life, my family, my children; all of my treasured Christmas decorations, and things that had belonged to my deceased mother. In hind-sight, I should have taken every last thing when I left, because the law is on his side. I even lost things that belonged to my children such as a treasured Cabbage Patch doll collection and my youngest daughter's porcelain dolls. I know that the important thing is that my children and I got out of there and that we are all happy and healthy and safe. And it did teach me that we can live without a lot of things that we think we "need." The problem is, I don't think I'll ever get over the guilt of not making the right decision. I should never have trusted that he would let me come back for my things. I hope this doesn't cause me to become a pack rat. |
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