“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” – Rumi
Linda’s post on clutter got me to find this Rumi quote in my drafts. Most of my Christmas decorations are still up because they’re pretty and bring me joy. I’m putting them away a little at a time and thinking of letting go of the red Christmas lights I haven’t used in two years. But it’s too late to donate them and I won’t throw them away. They gave me joy two years ago. Plus, I might use them again someday. (The cluttered person’s trap.)
The question came to me: If I organize it better, does that count as decluttering?
Things I want to let go of are those I don’t use AND that do not bring me joy. Emotionally, we need to let go of things that get in the way, harm us, or take up too much space, like grudges, shame, and emails that are a year old.
What do I want to hold on to? Things that I use or want to use if they will be good for me. We want to hold on to the constants in our lives that give us joy, strength, or serenity. For me that would be nature, art, healthy relationships, and God’s love. I write about these constants in From Loneliness to Love.
As far as the red Christmas lights go, I’m going to let go of worrying about it and put them in a red tin can (new clutter) with a note attached to donate before Christmas.
What do you want to hold on to?
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For more one-liners, #JusJoJan jottings, and guidelines for each, visit our host, Linda Hill here.
January 12, 2022 at 1:58 pm
I decided long ago to (for me) hold onto a few books and rosary bead sets that meant something special, most photos, the few family-done paintings, hand-made or hand-picked gifts (all!), a bit of religious statuary, and 2 pheasant feather drops (visual peace!). Beyond these, everything here breaks. I’ve more lately been letting go of me-draining people/me-toxic issues as nicely or as best that I can. Hopefully, my residual people-pleaser guilt/sense of outraged (and worried) tongue-bittenness will fade more and more with time. 🙂
January 12, 2022 at 9:55 pm
You are holding on to meaningful objects. I can relate well to letting go of draining and toxic people and issues and the challenges of residual people-pleaser guilt…. It’s good that we are taking care of ourselves.
January 12, 2022 at 2:17 pm
I want to hold onto digital photos. There are also special children’s books, but I’ve learned that I need to circulate things as much as possible. I have a bunch of baby clothing of course. I will hang on to a lot of memorabilia for my kiddo. Organizing is fun! It’s not a paid job though when it is for yourself! Ought to be 😉
January 12, 2022 at 10:06 pm
I love children’s books and kept a whole shelf until I gave them to my son for his daughter. Organizing memorabilia for kiddos will pay off one day for the family. My parents left so much unorganized memorabilia it was overwhelming. Still, I’m thankful for the treasures.
January 12, 2022 at 3:04 pm
I have held on to my teddy bears since I was born. Trouble is, that my kids buy me socks/pajamas/mugs etc with bear logos and every year, I cannot donate them, as I don’t want to hurt their feelings for getting rid of. Each birthday or Xmas, and I get more! The family of teddy bears is also growing!
Steve
January 12, 2022 at 10:10 pm
I told my kids not to buy me anything. My daughter followed directions and cleaned my bathroom instead. My son gave me another dolphin figurine. Oh well, they’ll have to figure out what to do with it some day. I still have a teddy bear from childhood high on a shelf. Enjoy those bears!
January 12, 2022 at 4:55 pm
If it’s organized, then it’s not clutter. 🙂 Rumi has so many wonderful quotes. Hugs on the wing!
January 12, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Thanks, Teagan. Hugs on the wing! 🙂
January 13, 2022 at 5:16 am
We have masses of framed pictures. Some are going to have to go
January 13, 2022 at 8:57 pm
I inherited a lot of framed (and unframed) photos from my parents. It’s been hard, but there are fewer now than there were.
January 14, 2022 at 11:24 am
Nice!
January 14, 2022 at 9:55 pm
Thanks!
January 17, 2022 at 11:49 am
I want to hold onto love, peace and wellness ⭐
January 17, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Wonderful! Love, peace, and wellness surround you.
January 23, 2022 at 2:19 am
I think you cannot simply let go everything. Only when you hold the ultimate truth, then you can let go everything which are untruth. 🙂☺️🙂
January 23, 2022 at 8:31 pm
I can appreciate the importance of having something strong and good to hold on to before letting go. Thank you, Steven. 🙂
January 23, 2022 at 11:15 pm
Can I tell you a secret. ☺️ I can hold on to my loving nature forever and let go every other thing. 🤗😌
January 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
I can understand the love of nature.
January 24, 2022 at 12:17 am
Not the love of nature but the nature of love 🙂😌🙂
http://youmetalks.art.blog/2022/01/20/what-is-love/