Decluttering and Personal Growth

[PoetryLover]

I've been doing a lot of decluttering lately, namely sorting through boxes I've had packed for several years. It's amazing how easy it is to let go of the "stuff" that used to mean so much to me. For instance, I just donated an entire box of books on feminism: essays, theories, etc. There was a time I never would have let them go. But the truth is that I'm just at a different place in my life right now. I don't have mental, physical or emotional space for feminist theory. My causes are different now. My interests are shifting. (I'm not implying that feminism isn't important. I'm just realizing I have more a desire to just be than to theorize on being. Please don't flame me.) I've entered a new phase in my life now that I'm in my 30s and a mom. The things that were once so meaningful to me have largely taken a back seat. I get more enjoyment out of researching and applying frugality. I'm deeply interested in (and fascinated by) topics particular to moms. I'm happier than I've every been. And I've grown so much. These days my life doesn't feel like a constant battle to fight. I'm beginning to master the art of being, and that has so little to do with "stuff." As I say this, I'm not about to purge my poetry or collection of classics. LOL. But I am ready to get rid of my old Party-lite houses, self-help books, feminist theory, letters from old relationships, etc., etc. It feels good to let them go and to embrace the person I am becoming. It feels like I am undergoing a huge period of growth. I feel less weighted, more inspired, and ready to be set free from the past.

Has decluttering prompted this awareness of personal growth in others?

[Juvysen]

YES! Last year, I finally let go of my college notes (they've been sitting in boxes for 8+ years).

Anyway, I totally agree... now if only I had the time to sort through stuff more often...

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

YES! Last year, I finally let go of my college notes (they've been sitting in boxes for 8+ years).

Anyway, I totally agree... now if only I had the time to sort through stuff more often...

I'm also tossing my college papers!

[Gray's Mommy]

We tossed our college papers this summer & I found a HUGE box of letters I was keeping. It was very freeing.

I have a hard time with baby stuff!!

[PoetryLover]

Gray's Mommy, I keep baby stuff because I plan to have more babies, but I did get rid of something I knew I would never use.

Did you toss the letters you'd been saving? There are certain letters I don't mind tossing. Others I'm uncertain about.

[Gray's Mommy]

got rid of the letters...we're on the fence as to a 4th baby...I think that is why I'm having such a hard time with the baby stuff.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

I have found a lot of personal growth through purging as well. Last year I finally threw away all of my important college term papers. I was never going to actually read them again, and I'm not anticipating going back to college, and I laced the space for them (they were mixed in with my cookbooks in the kitchen). The more I let go of things the easier it gets. I want my life to be filled with things that are relvant to the part of my life, not so much the life I had 5 or 10 years ago.

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by EarthyMamaofDaisy

I want my life to be filled with things that are relvant to the part of my life, not so much the life I had 5 or 10 years ago.

Exactly!

[zoebird]

when we tossed our uni and grad school papers, we felt amazingly lighter. the thing we were really glad to let go of, but didn't know we were holding on to: other's judgments of us (after all, that's what grades, comments, and various "letters of recommendation" that had back-handed or no compliments really are).

defining ourselves, rather than having another define us, was really liberating.

[catscharm74]

Has decluttering prompted this awareness of personal growth in others?

YES!!! I grew up, maturing into the woman I want to be. May sound simple but it's my truth. I am so not the person I was even 5, 10 or 15 years ago and I am grateful for those experiences but I am even happier to be where I am. I used to keep a notebook of "inspiration" and tossed it about a year ago. I decided I have that inspiration inside of me and to live it.

[clutterwarrior]

Originally Posted by catscharm74

Has decluttering prompted this awareness of personal growth in others?

YES!!! I grew up, maturing into the woman I want to be. May sound simple but it's my truth. I am so not the person I was even 5, 10 or 15 years ago and I am grateful for those experiences but I am even happier to be where I am. I used to keep a notebook of "inspiration" and tossed it about a year ago. I decided I have that inspiration inside of me and to live it.

Awesome!

[*bejeweled*]

Love this!

QUOTE=catscharm74;16001630]Has decluttering prompted this awareness of personal growth in others?

YES!!! I grew up, maturing into the woman I want to be. May sound simple but it's my truth. I am so not the person I was even 5, 10 or 15 years ago and I am grateful for those experiences but I am even happier to be where I am. I used to keep a notebook of "inspiration" and tossed it about a year ago. I decided I have that inspiration inside of me and to live it.[/QUOTE]

[catscharm74]

It took me some time... BELIEVE ME...and a lot of adventures to get where I am today. I realized that my dreams were someone elses (insert lots of therapy relating to childhood, mom and dad, etc... ) and when I wasn't afraid to be ME anymore, I finally was able to do what I loved and just live a happy life. I collected things to create a false barrier of protection and a reflection to society to accept me for what I had, not who I was. Let ALL of that go about 5 years ago and haven't looked back. I like my quirks!!!