As you know, I love everything you write about, Dorena. I already do this subconsciously at times but will now try to be more intentional when making these decisons and actions.
This was great, Dorena - especially step 2. Don't know that I've seen anyone cover deciding how you want to feel about it before, and that was just what I needed to hear today. 👏🐺
One thing I wanted to add: I find that letting go of things in stages helps me. Putting things in the basement first for a few months, and then finally tossing/donating/selling them is easier for me.
That totally works! For some people, the "maybe" box becomes the "I'm going to ignore you forever" box. I love that you do it in stages and go back in a few months and are more easily able to let go of the thing. If you're like me, it takes me a bit of time to process my emotions!
Thank you for the suggestions! I appreciate it. As for the basement feeling heavy, it is a communal basement with storage spots for 76 apartments, so when I go down there, I feel the heaviness, weight, and oppressiveness of everyone's stuff. I try to go down there at least once a season to clear out things, and I generally get rid of the oldest stuff first.
I imagine it would feel heavy with everyone's stuff down there. A question to ask yourself before you place something down there - Is this something I'm temporarily storing and will use at a future date. Or is this something that I know I should get rid of, but I'm delaying the decision.
The follow up to the second question is - why is it hard to let go of this thing?
If you start journaling your reasons, you may find a pattern that you can begin to unwind.
I live in an apartment, on the fifth floor. We have a basement, which is 6 floors below me. I am learning that if I can't throw something away, I can put it away in the basement for now, and after awhile I can make the decision to take it to the dumpster out back. (Putting things in the basement is a bit of a rigamarole, as I have to go outside to the guard booth to get the key and return the key after going back and forth between six floors, so I often didn't put things in the basement because it's a bit of a production. But I've finally decided that I deserve peace in my apartment and the minor hassle of putting things in the basement is worth it.) A few months ago, I was cleaning out a hall closet and decided I wanted to put some Christmas ornaments in the basement. They are gorgeous ornaments and expensive, but there is some negativity associated with them, so I've decided for now to take them out of the apartment and put them in the basement where I don't have to be reminded of some negative memories associated with them. Eventually, I'll gather the courage to either sell them or toss them in the dumpster.
Hi Carolyn! Absolutely you deserve peace in your apartment. And I LOVE that you're tuning into how things feel. I do have one suggestion.
Sometimes we put things away, and then forget about them. It's out of sight and out of mind. My concern is that the items will gather in the basement indefinitely, since it's a hassle to get to the basement. Since they are items that you've already identified as having some negativity, then the energy in the basement will start feeling heavy.
My suggestion is:
1. Keep a list of the items you are putting in the basement - along with the date that you put them there.
2. Set a date of when you'll make a decision about the items, and put that date in your calendar. This could be anywhere from a month to a year.
3. When that date comes, then either bring the items back to your apartment because you realized you missed them - or take them to the thrift store.
As you know, I love everything you write about, Dorena. I already do this subconsciously at times but will now try to be more intentional when making these decisons and actions.
I love that you already do it subconsciously! xoxo
This was great, Dorena - especially step 2. Don't know that I've seen anyone cover deciding how you want to feel about it before, and that was just what I needed to hear today. 👏🐺
love synchronicity! so glad it's what you needed to hear today!
One thing I wanted to add: I find that letting go of things in stages helps me. Putting things in the basement first for a few months, and then finally tossing/donating/selling them is easier for me.
That totally works! For some people, the "maybe" box becomes the "I'm going to ignore you forever" box. I love that you do it in stages and go back in a few months and are more easily able to let go of the thing. If you're like me, it takes me a bit of time to process my emotions!
Yes, I’m a Cancer, so I feel my emotions deeply, and it takes me awhile to process and let go.
Me too! And feeling rushed has always been a thing for me.
Giving yourself that grace of the two step process feels very nurturing.
Thank you for the suggestions! I appreciate it. As for the basement feeling heavy, it is a communal basement with storage spots for 76 apartments, so when I go down there, I feel the heaviness, weight, and oppressiveness of everyone's stuff. I try to go down there at least once a season to clear out things, and I generally get rid of the oldest stuff first.
I imagine it would feel heavy with everyone's stuff down there. A question to ask yourself before you place something down there - Is this something I'm temporarily storing and will use at a future date. Or is this something that I know I should get rid of, but I'm delaying the decision.
The follow up to the second question is - why is it hard to let go of this thing?
If you start journaling your reasons, you may find a pattern that you can begin to unwind.
I live in an apartment, on the fifth floor. We have a basement, which is 6 floors below me. I am learning that if I can't throw something away, I can put it away in the basement for now, and after awhile I can make the decision to take it to the dumpster out back. (Putting things in the basement is a bit of a rigamarole, as I have to go outside to the guard booth to get the key and return the key after going back and forth between six floors, so I often didn't put things in the basement because it's a bit of a production. But I've finally decided that I deserve peace in my apartment and the minor hassle of putting things in the basement is worth it.) A few months ago, I was cleaning out a hall closet and decided I wanted to put some Christmas ornaments in the basement. They are gorgeous ornaments and expensive, but there is some negativity associated with them, so I've decided for now to take them out of the apartment and put them in the basement where I don't have to be reminded of some negative memories associated with them. Eventually, I'll gather the courage to either sell them or toss them in the dumpster.
Hi Carolyn! Absolutely you deserve peace in your apartment. And I LOVE that you're tuning into how things feel. I do have one suggestion.
Sometimes we put things away, and then forget about them. It's out of sight and out of mind. My concern is that the items will gather in the basement indefinitely, since it's a hassle to get to the basement. Since they are items that you've already identified as having some negativity, then the energy in the basement will start feeling heavy.
My suggestion is:
1. Keep a list of the items you are putting in the basement - along with the date that you put them there.
2. Set a date of when you'll make a decision about the items, and put that date in your calendar. This could be anywhere from a month to a year.
3. When that date comes, then either bring the items back to your apartment because you realized you missed them - or take them to the thrift store.