THIRD CATCH UP CONTINUING WITH MAY & JUNE 2017 WITH THE CARPORT DONE!

Hi Guys,

Next instalment to catch you up to where I am now.

In February earlier this year my children put on a belated 60th birthday celebration for me and called it '21st + 40', being by now I was already 13 months older.  We all had the best time and all those that I knew and met over the last 6 decades and meant a lot to me were invited.  The celebration was held at a friends cafe bar in the courtyard with my favourite trio of musicians playing the best of the best.  There was even a roast at my expense, which had us all in stitches.  Ending with a traditional Latvian birthday chair toss with my daughter sitting in for me.  I didn't want to risk falling and breaking a hip after all that I had been through.  What I has unaware of was my daughter asked people who wanted to give a gift to do so in cash and gathered it all together so I could get more sessions with the professional, as my progress slowed down dramatically without her, as well as some other things if possible.  I was presented with the most generous gift with many many cards to combine enough for me to be able to get the carport finished as well as other much needed medical things done and some aside to fly to Western Australia with my Mum's ashes one day soon.  I was lost for words and that does not happen very often.

I put aside enough for 8 more sessions and set about getting that carport finished and done with.

At this stage I was finding some delightful items, but some made more impact than others. 

I found, still intact and not damaged thankfully, was a sketch by an old friend from long ago, Phil, that was sketched while sitting at an afternoon party going on around us.  

Here is what I shared on 5 May after one of those sessions.

"5 May · 

Another find from last Monday. Sketched by a friend, Philip Barnes, back in 1979/80. Was so sad to be told last year Phil had passed away in 2015, which makes this even more precious to me. He sketched this at one of the many gatherings and get together's. On this particular day I was very hungover. He got it all, including my eyes.
Dusi saldi Phil. Will never forget our wonderful conversations.

Phil went on to do more outstanding works and was twice Archibald finalist.  

First of Red Symonds from Skyhook's rock band here in Australia.

ABC.NET.AU

Second of Anna Meares Australia's Olympic cycling champion."

Only a small thing, but means a lot to me.  I cannot express how incredibly sad I was to learn that Phil had passed away in 2015.  

At this time another friend decided to come and regularly help me as well.  Such a huge effort on her behalf and we only do so much and then we stop to do some more every so many weeks as time and health allowed.  Each hour done meant I was inching ever so closely to the carport being knocked off.

In between, these sessions I would sit at night in front of the TV and sort through the mountains of papers that belonged to my Mum and some of my papers I had kept from the various jobs I had held.  Course notes and so forth.  Much has been tossed into recycling.

Here is one of my finds in my Mum's papers:-

"9 May · Melbourne, VIC, Australia · 

Finding many treasures while sorting my Mum's massive quantities of paperwork, letters and notes, and am finding all sorts of family information. It really is like discovering another side to her. Found this piece of prose just today that she had taken time to note down and keep. Her writing was very beautiful and flowed with ease. Sheer poetry in motion itself. She must have really liked this piece to bother writing it down. Some pieces should be shared. Not sure who the author originally was, but Mum dated when she wrote this as 18 February, 1981. In the past, I have been accused of being 'too nice', as if it was a bad thing to be. I still find that astonishing. Looks like Mum taught me well, as I still prefer to 'be nice'. I don't see 'being nice' as a bad thing and never will.

In speaking of another's faults
Pray don't forget your own
Remember those in houses of glass
Should never throw a stone.

If we have nothing else to do
But talk of those who sin
Tis better we commence at home
And from that point begin.

We have no right to judge a man
Till he is fairly tried
Should we not like his company
We know the world is wide.

Some have their faults and who does not
The old as well as young
We may perhaps for aught we know
Have fifty to his one.

I'll tell you of a better plan
And find it works real well
Just try our own defects to cure
Before of others tell.

And though I sometimes hope to be
No worse than some I know
My own shortcoming bid me let
The faults of others go.

It's nice to be important, but
Much more important to be nice.

However, did a google search to find the author of said above prose to find this one, which is the same till the fourth stanza...

Be Careful What You Say
by Joseph Kronthal

In speaking of a person's faults,
Pray don't forget your own;
Remember those with homes of glass
Should seldom throw a stone.

If we have nothing else to do
But talk of those who sin,
'Tis better we commence at home,
And from that point begin.

We have no right to judge a man
Until he's fairly tried;
Should we not like his company,
We know the world is wide.

Some may have faults — and who has not?
The old as well as young;
Perhaps we may, for aught we know
Have fifty to their one.

Then let us all, when we begin
To slander friend or foe,
Think of the harm one word may do
To those we little know.

Remember curses sometimes like
Our chickens " roost at home " ;
Don't speak of others' faults until
We have none of our own.

... not sure which is the original, but I must say I prefer my Mum's version she kept.

Due to looking through all this, I have gone on a journey through time. When I am done with the sorting, I will have a life time of interesting items, stories, photos, newspaper pieces and oh so much more documented. 

I have kept only the most interesting items and will share more later on. Tomorrow I work on the other side under the carport. Am hoping only one more sessions to knock it all off. Then a skip and then outside under the carport will once again be just a carport and not a 'steptoe and son storage area'. I will be so glad when that happens. Inside will be easier to deal with as I wont have to deal with horrid weather, wind and rain, along with the ants nests, red backs and all the other spiders and creepy crawlies. Thank goodness."

A real treasure and insight into what was important to my Mum.

By this stage I was ever so close to the carport being finished.  A skip was being organised so all the big items left that needed to be tossed could go there and then and not have to wait till September for the next council hard rubbish.

I was so close to finishing this leg of the journey that I could smell it.

At this stage I was not travelling so well.  Most everything was getting me down.  All who have a long hard slog would understand and that is most of us at one stage of our lives.  Just that some slogs just go on for far too long is all.

I posted this 18 May as it reminded me to find the stillness:- 

"18 May · 

CONTEMPLATING MY NAVEL ON "IMPERFECTION"

Have been sorting through more paperwork and other various wares and tares and found this little 'more recent' gem that I printed from an education website.

Cannot locate the piece now via said website, so am typing out to share with you all, as I really like the message and feel it is a timely reminder to us all that we don't have to be absolutely perfect in all that we must do.

******

THE VALUE IN TAKING INSPIRED, IMPERFECT ACTION
Source: au.educationhq.com - printed 16 February 2016

I was listening to a Yoga Summit the other night and a teacher on there (Laura Cornell) outlined five steps to "move in the direction of your desires" and one of these steps has stayed with me ~ a refrain that I have since repeated internally and even out loud in my team meeting this week.

The step was this: "Take inspired, imperfect action".

Our team had decided that a norm for our meeting should be "make decisions efficiently" and I piped up and said "we can take inspired, imperfect action" ~ they loved it ~ it is debilitating.

And as I said to my Year 4 student last year as she rubbed out her artwork for the 10th time "perfection is the enemy of done" (I didn't make that up, though I wish I had).

We don't try anything new, we don't speak up, we hesitate in our decisions and we don't back ourselves in case what we try, say and decide is not "perfect". We feel too vulnerable. This step is profoundly applicable to teachers and their students in realising their desires/dreams/learning goals.

You won't get closer to achieving anything unless you start. You won't find out the best pedagogy for your students unless you experiment. You won't know if your idea will work unless you test it out. Give me imperfect action over inaction any day.

We just need to accept imperfection ~ one inspired action at a time! Inspired action sounds lofty, but as Wayne Dyer always said, "inspired" means "in spirit" ~ to live in a way that sees us connected to that deep space where spirit resides. The place that has been obscured by years of stress or disenchantment or sadness or distractions. The place that we have lost touch with in the busy-ness of daily life.

In my experience, to live from this place of spirit we must cultivate stillness ... and that doesn't have to be done perfectly either. Stop and do one minute of abdominal breathing as you wash up ~ you don't need to buy the perfect meditation cushion, incense, crystals or download an app ~ these are all distractions.

Just be silent and still with that monkey mind chattering in the background ~ no perfection required. So this month make a pact to release the ideal of perfect action or a perfect outcome and create stillness in your life on a daily basis to take inspired imperfect action to achieve what it is you desire in your classroom and in your life.

Postscript: As I type this my five year old daughter is watching a fairy DVD where for five minutes they've sung a song about "Princess Perfect" ... oh, the irony! Gee, I wonder why we all feel we have to be perfect?! Time to eject the DVD (or fake a black out)!!!

Author: Unknown

******

Perfection versus Imperfection. I know what I wont worry about any longer.

That and find the stillness of each day."

Of which I am still working towards.  That and long deep steady breathes to find my inner calm.

It was on 7 June, fittingly my Mum's birthday, that we went through the last of the boxes under the carport.

This is what I posted back then:-

"7 June · 

DECLUTTER UPDATE!

Broken the camels back.

Got it done and dusted.

Got to the top of that mountain.

Better late than never.

All these and more come to mind as I have been a busy beaver for the last few months sorting what's under the carport. I just wanted it done.

Finally, today, which just so happens to be my Mums birthday, I sorted through the very last box.

The LAST BOX!

WOW.

The sun was shining and the heavens smiling at this monumental milestone. Has only taken 9 years to get there or here.

Skip in 2 weeks to throw all the large items left under the carport and out the back and the carport will be back to what it's original intended function was for. To park cars only.

Oh what a feeling.

These last 9 years have been hard work and this last few months made possible from birthday gifts by many of my friends. This is the result. All I can say is one massive THANK YOU.

Will share more photos later of the end result after the skip is removed by mid to late June, but here is what is left.

Thanks to all who helped me physically along the way to get to this stage along with the following to name a few in no particular order.

I thanked many, but will not mention here so those can remain incognito but they know who they are along with several organisations who were instrumental near the end being Partners in Recovery, SalvoCare, Vision Australia and Wendy from Skeletons In The Closet.

Over the last 9 years some helped long ago and others many times over and much appreciated from the bottom of my heart along with the birthday gifts that helped me cross this finish line all that much sooner.

Jumping for joy.

Mexican wave.

Celebrations coming up.

Singing the song "Oh Happy Days"!"

The relief I felt was immense.  Yet the anticipation of getting the skip done kept me from enjoying this most monumental moment in time.

We finished at this point at which point I needed to place some items in the shed and the remaining larger items in the skip that was yet to come.

My reaction and Wendy's knowing we were about to go through the last box!

How I suddenly felt.

         

My focus now is moments.

       


No more of this any longer.

 

Still a work in progress.

This certainly is still a work in progress.

Vital ingredient.  To believe.

And never stop no matter how many stops you make along the way.

Then I posted the following on 20 June about the last of what was under the carport into the skip that had finally arrived.  I had a few hands on deck to come and as plans can fall through it ended up being only myself and my son to get everything broken down and into a 6 cubic skip.  It took us 2 days with some help from our neighbour at one stage with the fridge as that was just too much for me to cope with and after a few beer breaks we got the job done and the carport cleaned up and fresh for the first time in almost 10 years.  Ah, the neighbours will be happy at long last.  Must say, my neighbours have been absolute gems with their infinite patience and understanding.  For that I am grateful.

Here are some of the photos I shared at that time.

I called it STAGE ONE IS OVER!

     

       

 
 

       


Good feeling to have the carport back to being just a carport once again.

I finally have got to the summit of my mountain and was savouring the moment before tackling the second stage of this epic journey.

Again, I will reiterate, while going through your own journey, be kind to yourself.  This decluttering stuff of stuff doesn't happen overnight and without sweat and tears.

Just remember to breathe and to keep your humour close by and as many kind willing helpful hands.

Must say I have been enjoying the view ever since and everyone's reaction when they see it finished.

Oh, what a feeling!

Cheers for now

Anita

(NB.  only one or two more catch up to go then back to normal once more.)

HHH 6 YEAR IN REVIEW and SECOND CATCH UP CONTINUING WITH JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2017

Hi Guys,

Been busy with the last of the boxes.  Oh, I am getting ahead of myself.

Here is the second load of posts from January and February earlier this year.  Some more philosophical and others more practical.

Being that all the tools were still out in the backyard on top of and under tarps was getting me down.  I was still working out how to get the rest of the carport finalised without Wendy's professional assistance.  By this time, my children were organising a belated, very belated, 60th birthday celebration and calling it my '21st + 40', to be held in early February.

In the meantime, I posted this late January to remind me what mattered most.

Here is what I shared:-

"29 January · 

Posted this favourite poem 6 years ago now. Nine years ago my bliss's Mum shared this with me and became my go to ever since and remains one of my top loved poems. 

'What Will Matter' poem by Michael Josephson.

Here is the poem for those who may find it difficult to see:-

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. 
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin colour will be irrelevant.
So What Will Matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that endriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when your gone.
What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters."

                            

In the end, you alone can decide what matters most.  I know my answer.

At the same time, I was still sleeping in the lounge room.  No biggie, but was getting close onto a year and my rehabilitation had well and truly come to an end and time to get back in my own room.

However, my room had become a convenient dumping ground.  This was my next project.  Project bedroom.  And so I made tracks to making this happen around this time prior to my birthday party.

Here is my next entry posted 30 January 2017 stating that achievement:-

"30 January · 

Guess who slept in her own bedroom for the first time since 25 February 2016 last night? Lounge room will now once again be a lounge room without a bed in it. I am one happy little camper. This means the decluttering is progressing. More stuff moving on out, while I moved back in."

You can tell I am one happy vegemite with all the things I love around and behind me.  Must say, nothing quite like your own bed in your own bedroom after nearly a year.  Was sweet dreams for sure.

Then I posted on the anniversary of what would have been 6 years of my HHH Blog on 7 February 2017.  Even though my journey with the 'stuff' was over 9 years by this stage and it was only out of sheer frustration at appearing to make no progress and finding no positive sites about 'stuff and hoarding issue and problems', that I decided to let it all hang out and start my own blog to get it all off my chest and hopefully out of my life, as in home front, to help myself get this task of such gargantuan proportions done.  There was not much out there other than those with shame and fear attached regarding this area.  And that sure was not motivating me!

I have a few brave followers whom may understand what I am eluding to here.  I have so many looking and reading my blog, but you would not know it from my outwardly stats.  I can tell you differently, which you will soon see soon if you read on.  

Here is what I posted 7 February this year as follows:-

"7 February · 

HHH 6 year Review.

Time for yet one more trip down memory lane. My goodness how time flies.

Started this 'Hoarders Helping Hoarders' blog without knowing what I was doing at the time.

HHH helped spur me on, which was my original intent, along with lessening the shame attached to the word 'hoarder'.

It sure has been a long journey and am now finally closer to that finish line all these years on and spoken to the most loveliest of people around the world. Even helped some along the way. Sadly not many dare to comment such is the stigma attached to one little word. Still, never cease to be amazed at the corners of the world that take an interest about such a shunned topic.

Since this day I have had over 27,000 views not including me, with some posts most favoured being photos of my daughters feet! I have 11 brave followers, with many more contacting me privately and in secret.

The most viewed of all my entries has been on checklists etc from 17 May 2014 as at 2017. However, this first fledgling entry shared here, in all its naiveness, is my favourite. I named the blog Hoarders Helping Hoarders not knowing at the time that I had named the entry I was writing the same as the blog as well. I didn't change either and it has remained the same ever since.

My most views have come from America with Australia second and then in third place Russia.

Other countries not in any order have been from UK, Germany, France, Ukraine, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Latvija, Lithuania, New Zealand, Spain, Slovenia and many other Europe countries.  Canada, USA, Alaska, El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and many from the America's.  India, Indonesia,Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, China, Nepal, Bhutan, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Phillipines, South Africa and parts of Asia and African continents.  Even Antarctica has had a check in at one time.  Which only tells how universal this issue of 'stuff' has become.

I have written 84 entries so far, covering each year with something to be said. However, last year, I only had the one entry due to ill health. Even so, progress had still been on-going.

On reflection, this blog, that I thought no one would look at or take an interest in, has kept me going and for that I am thankful that it worked in my favour.

I am aiming to be at the tail end of this declutter journey by the end of this year. By then, it will be 10 years since I inherited this massive problem and feel it will be a fitting round amount of years to have been dealing with it all.

Last year, I was granted funding via Salvocare and Partners in Recovery for a professional to come help speed up my pace. In comes Wendy of 'Skeletons In The Closet'. Wow.  It worked.

I must say how grateful I am to Salvocare and Partners in Recovery (now Wellways), for that funding that was so graciously provided. Due to this funding, I am now a lot further than I otherwise would have been. I have only just a fraction left under the carport left to deal with. I know I can no longer do this outside part on my own so have decided to try and sell a few things to get the much needed money for the carport area to be sorted and finalised with the professionals help quickly.

Wish me luck.

I will start selling a few things for at least two to three sessions. I know that should be enough to get me to my end goal as far outside goes.

Then I get cracking on the inside.

That is the plan and aim for 2017 to have a fresh slate for 2018.

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read all or parts of my humble blog that many would never mention nor admit out loud. I don't mind at all. Mums the word. Just as long as it has helped even one of you then I am satisfied.

Shall recommence my blog entries as of March to catch you all up on what I was busy achieved whilst recuperating and adjusting to my partial blindness. Then onto the motivation on the inside.

Then I truly am at the end game stage.

Cheers from Anita who had shared her life out on the front lawn."

As you can see, many many people around the world check and look in on my blog.  Now, end of October, I have reached just over 30,000 views, not including me, with 86 posts soon 87 and now 13 followers in just over 6 years.  For an unspoken, never to be mentioned topic, there sure are a lot of people around the world looking at this said shamed topic.

Also, I did mention above the idea was to commence my posts here in HHH back in March.  But, it was not to be.  Several reasons.  First, was my eye complication was and still is playing havoc and me adjusting to it still.  Second, I just wanted to get on here and say, 'I did it'!  'I am done under the carport'!.  'Finally, finished with the outside stage of this journey'.  That was the plan anyway.  Instead, life got in the way.  However, my progress never stopped.  May have slowed down, but never stopped.

Have I mention having a sense of humour is essential?  Had to laugh when I saw this bed.  How many could relate, whether a hobby person or one which loads to hide in plain sight!  Humour is a wonderful way to deal with this journey and I have needed loads of it.

Some of my recent finds in my sorting and purging process.

Found this magnifier come monocle in one of my recent sort/purge sessions, which has come in handy at the right time.  Question is, how did I know some 13 years ago I would have needed this now?  Still pondering that one.

And here we have Mr. Perfect.  Found Mr. Perfect tucked away 8 years ago in one of my many boxes that I finally got to open.  Mr. Perfect says all the right things.

  

Hope this works so you can have a listen...

https://www.facebook.com/anita.sulcs/videos/10156584494653238/

If it does not work this time, will try to work on it for the next entry.  Mr. Perfect is a hoot.

Here is a reminder of my very first post:-

"SUNDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2011

Hoarder's Helping Hoarder's!

Hi Guys,

This is the first and official opening of a hoarders blog...  Will try and get this to link into Facebook eventually, but will need time to get to that.

In the meantime, I think it is time for those of us who have 'too much stuff of any sort' to place a positive spin on the name or word 'HOARDER'!

Most of the time no one would know who you are or even know you like to keep or collect or find it just that little bit harder to let go.  However, when the scales tip too far one way due to some unforseen event/s - then every one feels entitled to let you know what they think.  Do I go into someone's home and say 'Ohhh, how sterile' or 'Hmmm, don't have much!' or a glance that just lets you know.  Hell no!

In light of this it is time to destigmatise the word 'HOARDER'.  There are many levels of hoarding and many ways to help without making one feel ashamed.  We can have fun you know.  So here is a hoarder who wants to support other hoarders through the maze of unloading in a fun positive manner.

After all it is just a process.  For some it will take longer than others and we all don't have a TV crew to sweep in for a weekend and voila - instant no mess!  It just doesn't happen that way in the real world.

My favourite quote in the regard is "This is not clutter!  These are my antiques!'

I was trying to think of positive names for a group where people could share their stories and support each other through a difficult period of 'decluttering' etc.  Here are some of them...

- 20 box your way to feel unloaded.

- How to let go without feeling guilty!

- How to outwit the hoarder within...

- Hoarding got me here - Now how to get out!

- Is your hoarding getting the better of you?

- If a person from a 100 sq home had to move into an 11 sq home - does that meant they instantly become a hoarder also?        -  this one is a tad long and still a work in progress...

The reason for this blog is to show that those that don't keep things that those that do are no different in many ways to them.  I myself cannot understand minimalism.  It just doesn't compute.  It all started from having lots of stuff myself, then storing others gear and then moving in to look after a parent who also had an enormous amount of stuff kept over the years along with their Mum's stuff after they passed on along with some other deceased guys gear.  Now how the hell do you minimise from 5 households down to one manageable unit in a small home while living in it and looking after a gravely ill person and children to boot with no support.  No mean feat, but have managed to unload alot so far, but much more to still go.  But this has not happened without heaps of angst and heartache over the last 4 years.  Most of my friends understood to a point and were wonderful.  But I can only expect or accept so much from them as they have their own lives to lead.  There comes a time when you have to take charge and when that time comes you do know it.

I love giving and knowing that it may or will help others makes it that more easier to purge and release.  I even took to taking a photo of some precious thing that had a fond memory attached in order to let the item go.  Those in the ravages of these current floods have no choice in the matter - the waters swept their lives from under them.  So I plod on toward that picture perfect home I have in my minds eye.

I hope that this will help others to know that we shouldn't feel ashamed.  That we just feel things differently and what is so wrong with that.  Yes, if what you have is rotting - then that is not good.  Yes, if what you have harbours rats, cockroaches and mice etc - then again that is not good also.  Yes, if what you have means you or anyone cannot get around to do your usual daily activities etc - then once more that is not good.  It is before anyone gets to this point that I am talking about and wish to debunk.

Feel free to chime in and comment - hopefully more in the positive or witty vane.  This is meant to be helpful not harmful.

I am now into 4 years of decluttering.  It took only a few years prior to that to tip the scales of imbalance and then it was an avalanche.  The way in is just as hard as the way out.

How I started was really quite simply - one box at a time - one shelf at a time - one corner at a time.  Then cry a little more - then one more box a day later - another tear - another shelf  - another day and slowly slowly it starts to change.

While one is in the process of decluttering you do get into what I call a 'holding pattern' of looking as it in a bigger mess.  This is part of the process.  It means things are moving on out.  For some it seems important to handle an item once.  This is good if one can achieve it, but I don't dwell on it if I don't get to do that as I know it is one its way out anyway.  So I look at the positive rather than beat myself up over it.

It is a process that takes time...  and everyone's timeline will vary...  it is when others look on and perceive that you 'look like' you have done nothing when in fact you have been a very busy beaver that the hurt comes into play.  You know you have filled that rubbish bin with precious memories, but appears no one else believes you.  This is where you have to keep on like a Berger Paint and just slog on and one day the doubters begin to see the light.  Literally!

Again, it is a process...  again, one that takes time and perseverance against those that keep on putting you down.

There is so much more that I could share right now.  I shall leave that for another day.  Even if I chat to myself - then my 'self' will get to finish the job I started with this blogs support, help and assistance.  And if anyone joins in on the way then all the better.

Cheers from an almost liberated hoarder
Anita"

Have achieved some of my goals this year thus far, but all shall be revealed in this next few catch-ups.    

Having reminded myself at the start of this year to enjoy the simple things that life offers, along with remember all that I used to do with my big sis, Sylvia, who used positive affirmations and all other manners to keep buoyant in mood, I just have to share some of these as they are so my big sis.

Had to add the wisdom of Yoda.

Carry on laughing.  That and Minions make me laugh.

Go to mantra.

Very much a big sis all time favourite mantra.

I remember this one being said to me time and time again over the many long distance telephone calls.  Either Sylvia was saying it to me or I was saying it to her.

This one I am still working on.  You could call this a 'work in progress'!

        

I was trying to work out how many cubic meters I have dispatched so far in visual terms....

                                                             

 


I will have to work on this as I have to measure the areas that were used and now empty.  Suffice, to say I have at least thrown away, given away, recycled much and kept a portion only about a 3 bedroom household and maybe even then some more.

Will do the math at the very end of this journey.  If I forget, remind me will you.

These next two I just like as they are appropriate to me.

This first one is that I have had more wonderful people in my life helping me than the alternative during these countless difficult years than I could ever have wished for.  I am rich.  I am rich in the best few family who have stuck by me and friends I absolutely love with all my heart.

I have no more time for hate, regret or fear as it just takes up far too much energy.  I still am grappling with sheer utter sadness, but I am aware enough to work on not being that forever.

So, I am getting busy.

Busy living.

Without as much stuff as possible.

Again, I shall say here at the end, be kind to yourself while going through this process.

After all, Rome was not built in a day and neither does decluttering.

Smile and world smiles with you.

Cheerio
Anita ~ a step closer to that other side of my idea of clutter free!

FIRST CATCH UP STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 2016

Hi Guys,

Going to go back in time to catch you all up on my last years posts I shared on my facebook site about my then efforts with all the trials and tribulations.  It has been a most interesting year that has proven to be more good than not as far as dealing and purging of the abundant 'stuff'.  The previous year set the ground work and momentum being that I was granted funding for assistance from a specialist in this field.  Due to a belated birthday celebration and my children organising a way to gain the essential funds so I could continue with said momentum was able to secure several more sessions with said specialist to make it possible to finish under the carport and start on the inside.

This catch up takes as back to November 2016.

The following was shared on my personal facebook page where I was posting about my progress.  I was not up to writing any entries on here due to how it affected my eye.  Which has not improved since, but stabilised.  A recent test has shown it has even become slightly worse.  Only marginal, but not what I wanted to hear.  Below is a photo of me with one of my 4 glasses.  These are for reading, which one year on have to be replaced with the new script.  Even slight changes make a massive difference as to how using my eye daily affects me.  Is what it is now.


Here is what I shared:-

After my one post in 2016 named, "I'M B A A - A C K!", I shared a couple of photos of the second last session under the carport of which we were inching ever so closer to getting done with.

Was a good feeling to know I was getting closer.  However, I felt frustrated that there was still much to do. And then, I felt happy that I had at least got to get this far as well.  So many conflicting feelings that it truly made my mind boggle.

At least we could see the fence at long last.

Here is one of those photos.

It was at this time that we started to use the shed for all the 'sell' items.  This way they would not come back into the house.  The plan being that once I was done with the sorting and purging part of this decluttering, I would then move onto selling said items at a Sunday Market or via the facebook 'buy, sell and swap' group pages.

I posted this next brief piece on 20 December 2016, reflecting on the year that was.

"20 December 2016 · 

I think I can safely say that many have had a crap year. I can also say that this year has proven to be the most challenging yet so far. I won't say that the next one has to be better as that has not happened for far too many years that I have lost count. Instead, I will be grateful for all those I love, the lessons learnt and happy to be still here to enjoy another year with the best family and friends that one could wish for from near and far. Also, to somehow in any way I can help those who need it most in the coming year ahead."

And to round off 2016 posts I shared, I took a look at my 'JAR OF POSITIVITY FOR 2016' just to see if my year was as I had remembered it.  These little notes scrunched into a jar showed me that more good took place than I remembered.  It is so hard to remember them when one is hit with so much hardship 24/7.  This little jar was positive as it highlighted the little things that added up to help me keep going. 

Here is what I wrote back on 31 December 2016.  

"

I did this jar most of 2016.

You never know till you actually follow through. So glad I did it now.

Said I would do this, this time last year. As bad as this year was, and it was, I could not have started this in a better year to remind me at the end that there were more happy and good moments than I would have otherwise remembered, being that the bad moments overshadow the good one's massively. So glad I did this. I didn't strictly note all the moments, but I did do 80% of the time.

I have so many to thank for those moments that were more abundant that kept me going. My children and friends have done so much. All those little moments do add up and make a difference and helped get me over so many hurdles this last year upon reflection.

Here are my offerings from a humble jar that makes the coming year seem less bleak and more promising this time round going into 2017."

 

Then I added into a new jar a saying that I loved to kick-start 2017.  Little did I know how wonderful my misspelt 'wonderfull' was going to be.  I have still had the hardships, but at the start of this year and now a few months short of the end of it, I have had a year of blessings that go far beyond anything I could have anticipated.     

I wrote this to remind me to focus on the little stuff.  The stuff that mattered.  The people and moments being what stuff meant. 

I knew that things would slow down dramatically now I no longer had the professional help, but I had to keep encouraging myself by thinking of slow and steady does get there in the end.  And look how far I have come.  All I had to do is remain patient. 

Slow and steady does win the race.

So,' slow and steady', or as I like to say it 'keep on keeping on', was my new mantra for 2017.

Will end this first catchup here and will share the posts from 2017 till I we are fully up to date.  

Even though you will see the progress over the next few days or weeks, remember it has taken over a year to get all this done, along with help from a few.  It has not happened over night.  

As I have said before, be kind to yourself when going through this process.  If all you can do is one small shelf that day.  Then that is a good day as that is one more shelf dealt with once and for all.  All you need to focus on is achieving what you can physically and or emotionally achieve.  As long as you keep trying and going then one day before you know it, all will be sorted.  

As for my journey, I am now at the tail end of this monumental task.  Had hoped to be well and truly done by now, but was not meant to be.  Life's curve balls had other ideas.  But, I never gave up nor in.  I made a promise to my Mum not long before she passed away and I intend to honour my promise to her.  

Not long now.  

Then onto my projects that I have left shelved for far too long.

Just remember, take it one day at a time and stop for a cuppa or a laugh or two, while you do your sorting and purging in order to keep sane.

Ciao from Anita  

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN!

Hello everyone,

Almost a year since I have done an entry.  Haven't meant to do that.  Just every time I would go to write, my eye would not be co-operating.  Apologies for being away again for so long.  Many have been checking in and for that I am happy that all kept utilising this blog to help motivate with your own 'stuff' issues in a positive ongoing way.

Also, I wanted to write when I finished under the carport.  This has been achieved at long last.

Well, the carport is 99.9% done.

Just a few straggly bits to be dealt with, but is now being used for it's original intent. To park cars under it!

Have been sharing my journey on my personal Facebook page and will try and retrieve these post to share here to catch you all up with what has taken place this last year.

I have not been idle.

Long story short I was granted 2 more sessions from the organisation, which got me almost done under the carport.

Since then, my young lad and his friends helped me go through the shed and tools etc.  Later, my gal pals came to help me sort said tools.  These are still being sorted as I type this.  This meant the shed could be used to store any of the items I will sell to try and get any last linger debts out of the way.  Have to try.  As Wendy said, it is best to 'sort and purge' first in full and then go onto 'selling'.  Each leg of this method to be completed to only then go onto the next step.  In my case, it feels like an eternity due to the sheer scale I had to deal with.

Earlier this year my daughter, son and son-in-law did put on a belated 60th birthday party, which turned into an event and all did, those that could, gave gift money to help me with certain projects.  The generosity surprised me and enabled me to get many medical things done that I could not afford, along with more sessions with Wendy the expert.  I had enough to pay for 8 more sessions.

Due to this since March this year, we have finished with all that was left under the carport.  We even started on the difficult areas of certain kitchen cupboards.

However, a spanner has been thrown into these ongoing works and my son who had moved out only months before has to move back along with the house friend with whom he shares with, as they have another rental next year lined up, but have to move now.  I will fill the gap.

One problem.  I had used that room for my overflow and there was still the attic to get to.

Since then, we have emptied the attic and now in a mess for the very last time.  This time most of what I am going through and sorting is my items.  Culling is not difficult, but is sure is interesting opening boxes that were sealed early 2008.

It is quite something else to view your life from 10 years before.  Most revealing.

Will share some photos of this last years journey in the next few 'catch-up' entries with you all and will do my best get on here to let you know more frequently how I am tracking.  I have now reached the top of this mountain almost 10 years on and now slowly on my way down this mountain, taking time to enjoy the view at the various stages of this descent.

On a side note I have had a story published this last week about my plight in a magazine that is national here in Australia.  I did not write it and got no recompense for it either, but I did say I wanted it to be a positive outlook on this plight that many do suffer or encounter during their lifetime.  The writer did take some 'artistic' liberties of which I let slide as the article itself did display empathy and was positive, which was my one and only request.  Will share this after the catch up.

I must say I cannot believe I am finally making it through this mass of stuff.  I keep pinching myself to not stop as I am not there just yet.  I cannot lose focus and momentum.  Easy to do when nearing the end of a marathon run.  I do not wish to fall down now when ever so close to the finish line.

I was hoping to be done by 28 October, which will be 10 years since my beautiful and most gorgeous Mum passed away.  I know deep down she would be happy with how I have done this.  Honouring all that she valued without me having to live amongst all either.  With this knowledge we both can rest easy soon.

Life is finite.  I plan to make the most of what is left, whatever that measure may be.

Even though life has been brutally tough going, I also have come to realise, I am incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful children and friends who have emotionally supported me through these years.  All know how grateful and appreciative I am of that support.

I did take time out for a mini holiday in 19 years and can see now how essential that has been for my mental well being.  Has not solved any of my issues at hand.  Just coping a little better for sure.

I have had the time to reconnect even more with 'fun', 'friendship' and 'family'.

Love those 'f' words.

Next you will see any or all of my Facebook posts for that catch-up.  This will assist to keep the thread of my journey to make sense.  Well, at least for me.

Don't forget, if you have the issue of 'stuff', be kind to yourself and do what you can on that day.  Anything out is out and celebrate that.  If you know someone who is knee deep, then offer to help by taking them out for a cuppa and chat.  And if it is all too hard, just take note from my journey, that plodding away does eventually get you there in the end.  The tortoise did win in the end.

So slow and steady as I go.

Ciao for now
Anita in a more hopeful mood