Let It Go!

Go ahead. Sing it. I know you want to. It has been playing in my head all week as I go through the house and do just that. I know I just posted a blog, but this has been weighing on my mind as I work on the tasks of sorting, packing, donating, and trashing. There is a lot to let go of that has accumulated over the past twenty years living in this house. I will admit that I am a recovering pack rat. Over the last ten years or so I have worked on being better at throwing things away. Still, it feels good to hang on to some of those things that evoke strong memories. I truly believe that most people find it easier to hold on to things rather than letting them go. We keep pictures, trinkets, report cards, candles, gift bags, and single earrings. I have piles of towels, pillows, blankets and placemats. Does anyone use placemats anymore? These things have filled closets, boxes, shelves, under bed spaces, attic cubbies, and cupboards. I had to decide if I loved it or if I could live without it.

Last week I filled boxes and bags with craft supplies (so many craft supplies), vases, picture frames, office supplies, trinkets, coats, socks, shoes, mugs, plastic bowls, and of course placemats. They are all piled on a 12-foot trailer ready for the thrift store. That is trip number one. I think there will be a second trip either later this week or perhaps next week. Hopefully the trailer will not be quite as full the second time.  About three-quarters of my house has either been given away, thrown away, or packed into bins and stored in a big box trailer. Before I know it, the house will be listed on the market, and we will be living in a 31-foot fifth wheel camper. Pairing down from almost 3,000 square feet to less than 200 square feet for the next 6-8 months means no more holding on to things.

Holding on to things. I have thought a lot about that over the last few weeks in anticipation of clearing out the house, making it lighter, learning to live with less. Sometimes it is hard to let go of the stuff, and other times it can make one feel many positive feelings. I am sure it releases some incredible amount of dopamine. There is tremendous peace in letting go of things.

I have also thought about how people tend to hold on to negative emotions, poisonous situations, wrongs done to them or by them, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and the like. When I say people, I include myself chief among those people. I am learning to let go of those things as well. Keeping them in my "mind palace" does nothing positive for me. They only serve to hurt me, not help me. I have realized that I cannot wait for an apology when I feel I have been wronged. Waiting has a negative effect on my emotional well-being. The perceived wrong-doer doesn't feel the negativity. It doesn't weigh on them, cause them to lose sleep, or even feel any need to make things right. I have also realized that situations don't always turn out the way I imagined they would, and people do not always behave the way I think they should. Disappointment in those situations and people doesn't help me and won't change the outcome. Finally, I am learning to be flexible with the future. I am trying to "go with the flow" instead of rigidly adhering to some perceived end goal.  I am learning to let go of things I don't have control over, things like people, situations, the future. I am letting go to make room for more positivity in my life. I hope to be more giving of my time, more encouraging with my words, more positive in my attitude, more content with my present. More love in my heart, peace in my soul, joyful memories, and freedom.

I am convinced that less "stuff" equals more freedom. I much prefer freedom.

Let it go!
Lizabeth