The purpose of this group

[FiberMama]

I just wanted to post a reminder that this group isn't about housekeeping and making things neat so much as it's about minimalism. Now if you're like me, minimizing may look like house keeping at first because I have so much STUFF that it makes a big mess. For those of you who feel your rooms are neat and clean, that is awesome but you will have a slightly harder time than those of us with the piles. This is where your journey really becomes more about the spiritual aspect of minimalism and looking within yourself to see what you are attached to, why, and is it helping or hurting? I'm not really concerned with if you scrub your sinks dust your shelves make your beds or wash baseboards. Take a look at the stuff and see what you can let go.
I have found that suggesting people get rid of their stuff can raise all kinds of passionate emotions in them. If you're feeling these strong emotions you may want to meditate on them and figure out why and what are you so Attached to that is making you feel that way?
I would also like to remind everyone that I am not a leader or a guru just a woman who is trying out an idea and who is travelling with you not ahead of you. If you don't like my ideas feel free to ignore them. If you have tips of your own please post them. You may have ideas the rest of us haven't thought of.

[DogsMom]

I definitely have too much stuff and am working on the emotions attached to them.
I could get rid of 80% and still not be minimalist, but it is a lifestyle I would like to get closer to.

Much of my accumulation has been due to health and moving to an area isolated from people I know or am related to, but I did not drop off the edge of the earth. I am coming to grips with
Stuff does not equal love or security.

[wooly]

Quoting DogsMom:

I definitely have too much stuff and am working on the emotions attached to them.
I could get rid of 80% and still not be minimalist, but it is a lifestyle I would like to get closer to.

Much of my accumulation has been due to health and moving to an area isolated from people I know or am related to, but I did not drop off the edge of the earth. I am coming to grips with
Stuff does not equal love or security.

My Nightmare room  is becausd of my health, can I ask the area of your health problem if it's not too personal.  I also moved to a place where I knew no one and after 10 yrs still don't really.  I'm pretty much housebound, how about you?

[Ginny19]

This is exactly why I joined this group.  I definitely have too much stuff.  I'm pretty good about getting rid of recent things - types of things I used to hang onto for dear life.  I also try not to allow new stuff to accumulate. 

But, it's the old familiar stuff that I'm having difficulty letting go of.  And/or I have excuses. 

Part of it is attachment.  My kids have helped teach me minimalism.  They are so good at it.  But, me ---- I still have some emotional attachments tied to stuff.

I have managed to sell some of my old childhood toys on ebay.  That was difficult.  Maybe my idea will help someone else - I took pictures of everything before I sold them.  Now I have pictures to look at to bring back my memories, and I know the stuff has found good homes and I've cleaned out a little clutter. 

Only a little though.  I still have a very long way to go. 

I get overwhelmed.  When I start, I get frustrated and never finish.  I make a little progress and then just seem to move stuff around, getting rid of only a small amount.  Often it's difficult for me to stay focused.

I justify not accomplishing much, because I work full time (and then some) and drive 60 miles a day and am tired, etc etc etc.  I frustrate myself.

I also have trouble getting rid of something that is usable.  I figure that even if I can't use it, maybe someone else can.  Sometimes we give stuff to Goodwill, but even that takes a lot out of me. 

I want to be able to just get rid of stuff.  Why is this so difficult?

Now, I'm just rambling.  I usually write much better posts or replies, but this is a sore subject.

I need help.

That's why I'm here.

 

[wooly]

 But, by getting rid of all the extraneous stuff, it's sooo much easier to keep it neat & tidy .  It also makes it easier to clean.  So really it works both ways.