Day 36 Without Anxiety

Letting Things Go


What's The Challenge?
Sort through my belongings and give up all the things I don't need/used anymore.

Why The Anxiety?
An anxious mind has meant that I have become a bit of a hoarder keeping things 'just in case' I've got a few too many things that I no longer use but that someone else would benefit from. The thought of letting things go has been a real problem for me I have things I know I will never use again and things given to me by people I've fallen out with or clothes that have been tainted by a particular memory when I wore them. I know we're not supposed to love material things but there is always sentiment attached to something if someone has given you something or if it reminds you of an event. I've always felt guilty of letting something go if it has been a gift etc, I'm having to put my feelings aside and stop feeling anxious that I may need something in the future (I have a feeling this will be easier said than done).
Anxiety before? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
I'm already worried I'm going to give away something that I need, or that I'll accidentally give something away that was in a random pocket. I set up bin bags and post-it notes for my different piles, Keep, Rubbish, Recycle and charity. It's always best to recycle where you can, just look up your local recycling centre to see what household items they will take or ask your local charity shops (some charity shops recycle clothes). It can be quite difficult to sell clothes online, so if you don't have the time and patience donating to charity or selling them to a second-hand store is a faster way to let go of items. I've sorted through my clothes and other items many times before, I thought I was rather good at it, turns out not so much, I'm worried when push comes to shove I will cave and keep things just for the sake of having them.
Anxiety During? 🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
I use the skills I learned from Marie Kondo and her life-changing magic of tidying (I'm still not a super-tidy person, but would still recommend the book) and go through one category at a time. "Does this give me Joy?" I question as I hold each item in my hands, along with other questions such as: Is it useful? Will I fix it? Does it fit? Will I use it again? and then I place an item in its corresponding pile. When I'm doing the task at hand I find that I'm focused and easily find my groove. After a while, I realise that I've started and "I don't know, pile" these piles are the worst, they are the enemy of being a ruthless decision making and purging your life of unnecessary clutter. Never the less I keep the pile there until the very end. Once I had gone through everything in my room I decided to tackle the "I don't know pile" I keep only a few items and get rid of the rest. The first part is done, I have said goodbye to my bits and bobs.
I thought the first part would be the hardest but it turns out it was the easiest, the second part of actually taking the items to their new home was the hardest. Despite the fact I knew 99% of the items would be loved and used more than I would have used or appreciated them, it's difficult to hand them over. It's like they are my security blanket, I don't use them but feel safe knowing they are there 'just in case'. Despite a worried feeling in the pit of my stomach which I can feel stirring up nausea, and a pounding headache making me want to crawl into bed and hide, I pick up the bags of my unwanted goods and take them to their new homes, as either donation or recycling, I must admit I felt guilty taking the bags to the recycling, but I felt much better when taking the bags to the charity shops, maybe it was due to the friendly assistants and knowing you'd done something for a good cause?

Anxiety After? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕
I feel really good, not only does my room look bigger, I feel a little lighter. I'm really pleased I was able to let go of things. Is there a niggling doubt at the back of my mind trying to tell me I've given away something important? Sure, of course, there is but I'm doing my very best to try and not listen to it. 

Update?
My room is once again a mess and I feel as though another purge may be needed soon. 

If you have any Challenge Ideas; Please comment down below and let me know.
Thanks for Reading
xo


Enjoy Day 36? Why not Read Day 35?

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