Comments on: A Lesson in Letting Go

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:54:10 +0000

And since throwing away the box, can you now play tabla with abandon?

By: Victoria Brouhard

Victoria Brouhard — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:37:56 +0000

Wow…I don’t think I ever realized the fact that much of the stuff I hang on to comes from feeling responsible to be the caretaker of whatever it is.

Much to ponder, there.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:30:40 +0000

@Grace – Yes, I had the same thought about a huge yard sale–as in, I’m glad I didn’t. Because whatever money I might have made would NOT have been worth “yard sale” becoming another to-do item, and all the anguish and stress *that* would have caused.

@GirlPie – “For real this time” – LOL! I know *that* thought!

@Deborah – Thanks for your cheering! Yes, as everyone has been commenting, the relief is incredible.

Yay, everyone! Hmm . . . now I’m thinking about issuing the Great Dumping Challenge or something like that in a future post.

::walks off into the distance chuckling conspiratorially to self::

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:32:09 +0000

I so love this post! And I’m cheering you on, through your sadness, for this huge step. I think that’s such a huge lesson we all dance around with, revisiting again and again; but I have to say I’ve gotten better as I’ve gotten older. There is such huge relief from unfettering oneself from things that aren’t a source of joy. Here’s to more relief for you!!!

By: GirlPie

GirlPie — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:03:48 +0000

Great reminder that those boxes of my late mom’s stuff that I’m someday going to go through “for real this time” and file or mail off or god-knows-what is really just a box of papers (that the family’s already picked over_ and sometimes it’s JUST that and nothing more. You’ve got me thinking about shedding some dead weight around here — thanky!

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Letting go of stuff – especially stuff that’s loaded down with “shoulds” and obligations – is so incredibly powerful.

Over the last few years, I’ve gradually eliminated enough that I could’ve had one truly amazing yard sale. I’m glad I didn’t save it all up for that, though.

And the projects – the unfinished projects – oh yeah. Some of the most amazing moments of freedom and spaciousness have come from the simple thought: that’s never going to be used/get done.

Yay, you!

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:51:19 +0000

@Dorothy – 5th and 6th grade? Erm . . . yeah, I’d say it’s time. ;o)

Wanna hear the oddest thing, though? I recently *bought* a latchhook rug kit for the first time since about 6th grade. Hope I’m not fooling myself about my intention to do it . . . and that if I am, I have the guts to let myself drop it sooner rather than later this time.

Good for you with the gym membership, too!

It really does take courage and fortitude to let things go, doesn’t it?

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:57:25 +0000

You mean I might be able to get rid of the latch-hook attempt from 6th grade and the ill-fated “I AM going to earn my sewing badge” mess from 5th grade? One is in my basement and one is in my mom and dad’s attic, I’m sure.

I DID finally end the gym membership.

Sarah- It took me 24 months longer than you to contemplate giving it up and then finally doing it….believe me, Michelle’s advice is spot on.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:12:14 +0000

@Sarah – DO IT!!! (Not to pressure you or anything. )

Seriously. Here’s my advice. Think of it as a four-month investment in your self-education, not as lost money. And then take whatever you would have spent on your next month’s membership (since that money was already allocated), and use it to buy yourself a special treat as a reward for having had the courage to let go of something you weren’t using anyway.

And (only if you feel like it, of course) come back and tell us what you did to treat yourself! )

By: Sarah Bray

Sarah Bray — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:06:30 +0000

I’m thinking of tossing my gym membership…again. I think gyms are just not for me. BUT. Alas. That would be admitting that I’ve wasted 4 months of my hard-earned cash on something that I never used.

You’ve inspired me, Michelle. Maybe I’ll just let it go.