Moderator removed post
I did a thing where I put ALL my "one day" projects into one pile. It ended up being a HUGE pile. I was so shocked, realized that I did NOT want to spend my time doing all that, and ended up donating/tossing I think the entire pile. The visual of the work all in one place helped me see it from a different perspective.
I hope it works well for you! :D
Her content is great!!
They mentioned above - hope you can see it now!
Awesome! I'm glad I'm not the only one! It's good for those shops, too!! For books, I'm fully on Libby and do only audio books. But if I do receive a paper book, I read it then immediately walk to one of the little "free libraries" on the corner and drop it for someone else :) So many fun ways to use stuff and make it beneficial to others too! :D
"but i know if i create the space it will spawn creativity and maybe reduce inertia."
"Mainly I'm afraid of empty space and having the urge to fill it back up."
Which one of these feels more likely? If it's the first one, then set that declutter date ASAP. If it's the latter, then take some time to do some internal work, then set the date asap :)
If you start decluttering and refilling, all it is showing is that you have some internal work to do. No need to be afraid. It can be seen as a positive! After all, it's just stuff, just time, just money. We waste these things all the time.
My brother has a game of finding me the most minimal gifts. Stamps and soap were good ones (because they are useful and go away as they are used). He also paid my phone bill for 6 months once. You can ask for people to gift you ONLY use-up-able items, or make it a game for them, ask them to donate to causes of your choice (I donated to a local animal shelter per the request of my friend when her pet died). If you can spin it as a fun challenge and get multiple people in on it, then they will have direction and also maybe get competitive with one another. It will automatically make the people who aren't "in" on the fun feel left out and also want to play the game. Just one idea :)
When I get a gift I don't want, I look at it once then add it to my donation bin and never look back.
For my birthday this year, I am sending out a list of things I want people to bring (food items, paper plates, drinks, bluetooth speaker, etc.) and explicitly saying that their presence is my favorite gift, but if they want to bring something tangible that I would appreciate them adding their name to bring an item for the party, totally optional). That way I get "things" that will be helpful and useful right away!
I own 0 dresses, 4 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 1 set of leggings, 5 pairs of workout shorts.
That's awesome! Such a sustainable and less stressful way of working on this journey. Congrats!!!
I deal with depression by listening to my "inner voice" multiple times a day. I ask "what do you want?" and whatever she says, I don't "argue" and immediately do the thing (within reason). This past Sunday it was to drive an hour to the beach and go swimming. I was elated on the drive home and it filled my spirit. Sometimes when I'm off work, it's immediately "a nap". Sometimes my brain says "I want to watch this video" but my inner voice says "we need a glass of water first!!". So I get the water, then ask again what I need. A few years ago I did not even know I had an inner voice. I just listening to logic in my brain. Now I am the happiest I've ever been bc I learned how to listen to myself.
I used to buy a dress from goodwill, wear it once, then donate it back to goodwill. Good for them, and it was like a cheap rental service! Now I just wear pants
I read through and ripped out a few pages I wanted to keep, then recycled the books. Added the pages to a binder in some plastic protective sheeting. I keep all papers to keep in one binder. SOO much less clutter that way!
I used to buy a dress from goodwill, wear it once, then donate it back to goodwill. Good for them, and it was like a cheap rental service! Now I just wear pants
NTA, if he wants you to stay, send her to boarding school. Kinda joking, kinda not. I know as an AuDHD person, living with someone like that would absolutely destroy me. I am so glad that you are taking care to prevent permanent damage to your son. It makes me happy that you are taking his needs seriously. If you take steps to protect him, he will really SEE how much you love him and that will help mend the trauma she has caused. At least, if I were your kid, it would show that to me.
Love this! :D
Hoping to accomplish more, but started my decluttering journey
declutter