Comments on: Keeping Less, Living More, Part 1: Breakthrough

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:10:38 +0000

I too have noticed that if I have everything taken care of with the house then my fibromyalgia flares don't take over my life as much. I am anti-clutter as well, after having moved last year and thrown out and donated everything but furniture. I've even begun scanning all papers and photos into the computer so I don't have those hanging around either. I wanted to recommend to you and your readers the best thing I've found for stiff mornings is my ChiliPad - a mattress pad that lets you cool down (or heat up) your bed, mine lets me set any temperature between 46 and 118 degrees. It helps with pain and I have been getting more sleep because I'm not woken up by pain as easily. Hope this helps!

By: Benia

Benia — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:26:22 +0000

Great post! My husband and I have always practiced a low-clutter way of living. People come over and ask us if we just moved in because we don’t have stuff all over the place (when it’s clean). It takes periodic reevaluations of your stuff, though, like going through the storage areas and being frank about whether you really need something you haven’t touched in years.

In my closet and dressers, I always put my fresh laundry on one side, so the items I just don’t choose very much kind of filter toward the other side. When it’s time to donate, I just go right to that end and start removing.

I recently moved into a new desk both at home and at work, which is a great opportunity to sift through the trinkets and dust collectors and give them away or toss them out. We went through our bookshelves and donated about 20 or so books to our local library. Whatever they don’t use, they sell for donations.

Going through all those notes and reminders with unfinished business is a tough one for me. I HATE unfinished business, but I tend to jot things down everywhere, while it’s still on my mind, which means I have “started” projects all over the place. At work, I use two notepads and review it daily. Sometimes I consolidate to a new sheet, if most of the stuff is already crossed out. My inbox is always reviewed at least weekly, to keep finished items filed away or deleted.

I hate shopping. For necessities, I order from drugstore.com. I go through ShopDiscover and use my Discover card for a 10% cashback bonus (or through Ebates for a 6% “e-bate”). Whenever I need something I can order online, I check Ebates or ShopDiscover and get my money’s worth. Clothing and shoes I have to try on, so I save those tasks for when I need to stock up, and then bring my coupons or deals and buy a lot at once (if I can). Then I’m good for a while.

Freecycling in your community, donations to various charities (especially the ones that pick stuff up), or giveaways to friends, family, or coworkers are all great ways to get rid of things that still have use, but have been replaced, outgrown, or otherwise remain unused by yourself.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:34:02 +0000

I feel better when things are neat and tidy and uncluttered. I feel more relaxed, which we need with fibromyalgia. I am like you, I like to save on those things that don’t matter so I can splurge on the things that do.

I hope you are doing well and having some fun now that your are back from your vacation. Summer’s almost over, we need the heat.

By: Tami Stackelhouse

Tami Stackelhouse — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:01:51 +0000

As always, I love your posts & thoughts, Kate! I can so relate to what you’re saying here. I have been going through a phase like this too. Not just cleaning, but thinking about what’s really important.

For me, clutter is a destroyer of peace. Mess is chaos. Simple things are just calming to my brain… and my brain is overwhelmed right now. Overwhelmed with beginning a new business, keeping up with household stuff, staying on top of my fibro (which has been mostly held at bay these days!), helping my dad with his art business…

On a fun note, losing 40 pounds helps with thinning out the closet! =) Of course, now I need clothes that fit – an excuse to go shopping! Since I have another 70 pounds to go, I’m shopping at Goodwill. My rule is that the bags I take TO Goodwill MUST be more than what I take home FROM Goodwill. =)

It’s SO good to have you back, Kate, and to hear what’s been running around in your brain while you’ve been away. {hug}

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:30:05 +0000

Interesting thoughts on this. I always appreciate hearing your insights!

By: Micaela

Micaela — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:21:21 +0000

I love this post! I have seriously been doing this for the past couple of weeks and I have to say that I wake up happier seeing a room that is less cluttered. I think that my reason for doing this is that I am tired of apartment living. 3 kids in 2 bedrooms is about to do me in. People around me keep moving out but not me. I am ready to change my surroundings and I guess that this is the only way for me to do that right now.

How do I plan on keeping less and living more? When I am in control of my house (i.e. clean, healthy food on the table, happy kids) living seems less forced. I think that my biggest enemy in getting this accomplised it time I sepnd at the computer. So my first plan of action is to spend less time on the Internet. Not sure if this is where you are going with this but inorder to live more I have to step away from the computer. I’ll let you know how that goes

Thanks for getting me thinking this morning. Good luck today.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:26:49 +0000

I’m with you all the way on this. I’ve started tossing one item a day in an attempt to clear the useless clutter.
Have you ever written about the guilt that goes along with calling in sick when you’re laid low with fibromyalgia and back pain. I’m sitting here in a funk because I’ve felt terrible for days (having a cervical spinal epidural injection tomorrow), but hesitate to take a sick day. Toxic guilt?