LittleTurtle - Minimalism

[LittleTurtle]

In theory, this should be simple.  In reality, it will probably be one of the most difficult things I'll do this year.  

 

I hold on to things because I form sentimental attachments, but a lot of these things are taped up in boxes...untouched.  I will spend a good portion of the next few challenges (and all throughout the year) focusing on ridding myself of this stuff.

 

 

 

< = >  - = +

 

Goals to Achieve Main Quest

1 - Nothing new can be purchased unless something else has been donated or thrown away.

2 - Each week, an unspecified amount of time will be spent sorting through a closet, cupboard, drawer, or box.

3 - Begin deep organization and tidying of the items I choose to keep.

4 - A place for everything and everything in it's place.

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Mini-Goals

- Read one book before challenge ends

- 20 minutes of yoga every single day

- Daily gratitude

 

 

 

 

[Sunmage]

Happy New Year Little Turtle!

[Stronkey Kong]

I'm going to be doing some sorting and purging myself.

 

I'm wondering, if you have a sentimental attachment to something you want to also get rid of physically, if taking a picture of it as a reminder would make it easier to get rid of... Since space for data is now so cheap, but room in the house not so.

[Jessebel]

Happy New Year! 

 

Lovely goals.

 

When I read " I hold on to things because I form sentimental attachment," I thought that you were referring to thoughts and ideas at first. It wasn't until I got to the bit about the boxes that I realized you were referring to physical things. Removing attachment, from your mind or from your objects, is a challenging task. 

 

I wish you the very best of luck!

[LittleTurtle]

1 hour ago, Curl Brogo said:

I'm going to be doing some sorting and purging myself.

 

I'm wondering, if you have a sentimental attachment to something you want to also get rid of physically, if taking a picture of it as a reminder would make it easier to get rid of... Since space for data is now so cheap, but room in the house not so.

Interesting.  I might try that.  I also want to take the box of old photos I have and somehow get them on a flash drive.  That way, I have hundreds of memories on a tiny, portable device, rather than a jumble of old pictures in a box that take up space and collect dust.

 

1 hour ago, Jessebel said:

Happy New Year! 

 

Lovely goals.

 

When I read " I hold on to things because I form sentimental attachment," I thought that you were referring to thoughts and ideas at first. It wasn't until I got to the bit about the boxes that I realized you were referring to physical things. Removing attachment, from your mind or from your objects, is a challenging task. 

 

I wish you the very best of luck!

Happy New Year to you as well!  

 

Thanks for the wishes.  Yes, it is very challenging for me to get rid of things because I'll come across something like an old birthday card from a loved one who has passed.  I don't want to throw it out, but I must tell myself that the memory does not reside in the card, but rather in the whispers that I can (and do) experience at random moments....a dream perhaps...a familiar sound, sight, or smell.  Those whispers will always make me happy, while looking at a card they signed might bring me a bit of sadness.  

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/1/17)

Lazy Sundays with kitty snuggles, boyfriends who cook delicious dinners, and naps.

 

[SnowOwl]

Following for relaxing home inspiration! Will you be sharing progress photos with us?

[LittleTurtle]

1 hour ago, SnowOwl said:

Following for relaxing home inspiration! Will you be sharing progress photos with us?

See, I doubt pictures would even show progress because everything in our house is already nicely organized - it's just that there is A LOT of it.  And all the boxes in the basement are nicely taped, placed, and stacked. 

 

However, there might be a picture here and there.  It would be nice to see a before and after of the basement after we've condensed some of those boxes.   

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/2/17)

Mondays off from work.

[Heidi]

I love these goals for you, and I think your approach is just great.

I especially like that you are keeping the daily gratitude moment. It really makes all the difference in my mindset just to take one single second and decide to be grateful. I can do it anywhere, any time, even in a meeting at work, and it's like all the benefits of meditation come to me in that single moment. Glad to be with you again this round. 

 

 

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/3/17)

Bone Broth Protein Powder.  Either it's a placebo effect or that stuff has super-magical-healing powers.

The best way to describe it after incorporating it into two meals today is that it feels like something/someone is hugging my digestive system in a very loving way...

[Heidi]

I might have to pick some of that up, @LittleTurtle!

[LittleTurtle]

4 hours ago, Heidi ☯ said:

I might have to pick some of that up, @LittleTurtle!

DO it!  I put it in soup or use it in smoothies! 

 

Also - this morning, I'm drinking warm water with the juice of half a fresh lemon, about a teaspoon of turmeric, and a teaspoon or two of honey.  That makes my insides happy, too!   

[Heidi]

26 minutes ago, LittleTurtle said:

DO it!  I put it in soup or use it in smoothies! 

 

Also - this morning, I'm drinking warm water with the juice of half a fresh lemon, about a teaspoon of turmeric, and a teaspoon or two of honey.  That makes my insides happy, too!   

I use either turmeric or freshly grated ginger -- so warm and yummy with the lemon! Like meditation in a cup.

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/4/17)

I totally got a 'Jeopardy!' question right tonight (and none of the contestants even knew the answer) because @Vibrantella and @Heidi ☯ brought my attention to Marie Kondo during my last challenge when I decided I wanted to pursue minimalism.  

 

Thanks ladies!  Haha!  

 

[LittleTurtle]

I don't know if I'm really, super tired or if my yoga session was just that relaxing, but I just briefly fell asleep on my yoga mat after completing my 20 minute Evening Stress Release video.  

[Heidi]

I need a link to that video, @LittleTurtle!

[LittleTurtle]

3 hours ago, Heidi ☯ said:

I need a link to that video, @LittleTurtle!

Yoga Zone is my all time favorite! 

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/5/17)

Coffee.  But only when it reaches that perfect temperature to drink.

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/6/17)

My boss and I were recently told that we have to move our offices from the 3rd floor (that's kinda secluded with big windows) to the 1st floor (that's near the main entrance to the building with NO windows).  I've been dreading it, but today we got to pick out our carpet and paint.  It got me feeling excited to have a fresh new office to my liking.  BTW, my new carpet and paint are going to be EPIC!

[Jessebel]

9 hours ago, LittleTurtle said:

GRATITUDE (1/5/17)

Coffee.  But only when it reaches that perfect temperature to drink.

 

Yes.

[LittleTurtle]

29 minutes ago, Jessebel said:

 

Yes.

This .gif is awesome on so many levels.

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/7/17)

The sun came out for a moment and the temps were above 0 degrees today.  

[AverageFish]

Following, because this is so much like what I need to do.

[LittleTurtle]

GRATITUDE (1/8/17)

I just discovered Duolingo.  I'm totally obsessed and have decided to get back into learning German (have Rosetta Stone, but find it is quite difficult).  I will also be brushing up on my Spanish (took 4 years in high school, but only remember a tiny bit since it's been 100 years since I graduated  ).

 

 

 

Week 0 Review:

• Nothing done towards minimalism.  I fully intended to go through some kitchen items, but got lazy instead.
• Read a tiny bit of a small book "The Four Agreements".  Most definitely could be reading more, but I'm not finding that the book has grabbed my attention yet.
• 8/8 yoga 
• 8/8 gratitude