tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post1911186506117682450..comments2023-08-09T10:19:05.152-05:00Comments on intentional focus: Declutteringi am nothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18171163606325855644noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-89061933469287933112008-04-20T19:41:00.000-05:002008-04-20T19:41:00.000-05:00Wow! I love your writing, as I've told you before....Wow! I love your writing, as I've told you before. Truly inspirational. I love getting rid of clothes in my closet (especially when they are now too big for me!). I just went through my closet this past week and rid myself of sooooo much that I thought I would wear and never did or have had for so long and love, but it is looking worn. I also went through my storage room downstairs. I have recently gotten rid of our dress up clothes and toys the boys have outgrown. Also, all my books and projects from college. I know, I know, it was time. And you're right, it is very freeing. Keep up the good work, my friend! And the good posts!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08090447453266614884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-76921047024888222932008-04-19T09:49:00.000-05:002008-04-19T09:49:00.000-05:00I love this post too! :) Your a breath of fresh ai...I love this post too! :) Your a breath of fresh air. It definately is freeing to get rid of stuff. I find it rather ironic,I've been thinking about your post only on the opposite spectrum. Early this morning I was just thinking how I'd like to have more sheets,more cups/glasses,more towels etc.. then I sit down and read your post. My house is rather simple and deluttered already but I've been wanting more 'stuff'. Maybe the Lord is speaking to me through you? ;)Kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04884661462787454383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-50634809566812589082008-04-19T09:05:00.000-05:002008-04-19T09:05:00.000-05:00It is interesting how the Lord will encourage us t...It is interesting how the Lord will encourage us to aspire to specific goals at certain times in our lives...and I'm sure that if we are obedient we will in time see what his grand design is. Quality over quantity is the way I think I can overcome clutter...still learning very slowly though.Mommy Brainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10683992174755064509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-87205364296559658392008-04-19T07:34:00.000-05:002008-04-19T07:34:00.000-05:00Focus on the fact the "live simply" is simply a ca...Focus on the fact the "live simply" is simply a catchy phrase and it looks different for everyone. I tend to have the opposite problem. I get rid of stuff and then months later wish I hadn't b/c it would have been useful!<BR/><BR/>The kids clothing is something I took my clutter and turned into a business. Now I don't buy for the next season until everything is sold from the last season. Sort of. B/c it's my business, I know what sets will be in high demand so if I see them, I will pick them up. I have a system and it works great for us. You would look at my basement and see about 35 tubs of kids' clothing and I look at it and see a fun hobby I have turned into a business to pay for Christian education.<BR/><BR/>TV is really not an issue for me. AI and Supernanny is about it for us. Oh, and every White Sox game. <BR/><BR/>Good luck with your pursuit! :-)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279956477604083080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-31943207661669984362008-04-18T17:05:00.000-05:002008-04-18T17:05:00.000-05:00Love this post. Here are some things I have done ...Love this post. Here are some things I have done and am trying to do in order to declutter and live simply (we had a MOPS meeting on this a few months ago).<BR/><BR/>1) Everytime you buy new clothes (for yourself, husband, kids), get rid of some. Or make runs to Goodwill once a month. <BR/><BR/>2) For the TV thing. Rob and I watched A LOT of TV before we had kids. Then we cut back to just one hour after 6:00PM. Now we have 2-3 primetime shows we watch a week. It's probably harder with sports games (I think you guys watch more sports than we do--we tend to only watch hockey around this time of year when the play offs are going on). I stopped watching some of the regular reality shows like American Idol, Survivor, and the Bacheolor. I thought I would really miss them, but I don't. I also try not to watch TV during the kid's naps every day...but once in awhile I will. I try to do something more productive: cleaing, reading, studying, writing, scrapbooking. Once in awhile I will watch Dr. Phil, but only if the topic interests me.<BR/><BR/>3) Learn from people who live simply. I read a couple missionary blogs which is really inspiring. They know what it means to live simply more than I ever will. Or volunteer in a poorer area like in a soup kitchen...does not have to be a regular thing, just once or twice. Actually I dream about taking my kids to Mexico when they are a little older and letting them play with the children in the orphanage where I lead mission trips to when I was in Michigan. And doing some relief work or leading activities for the kids while we are there. I learned the most about simple living when I was in Indonesia and Mexico. <BR/><BR/>This is something we all struggle with. I love to go shopping, but I hate it at the same time...because it just makes me want more.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663398023708783935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-4988635749778929722008-04-18T14:50:00.000-05:002008-04-18T14:50:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-79336231168325568312008-04-18T14:01:00.000-05:002008-04-18T14:01:00.000-05:00me too. :) wish i could get a handle on my energy...me too. :) wish i could get a handle on my energy issues so i could face mine once and for all. i've done such a good job getting rid of SO much, but like you, i have a LONG way to go... but every time i clear something out of my house it feels like i clear something out of my mind. i totally get this post and how you feel. congratulations on such great progress so far!heidi johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03158284167747831121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25622507.post-90764282269009017932008-04-18T13:48:00.000-05:002008-04-18T13:48:00.000-05:00I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post, Jana!!! Really practi...I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post, Jana!!! Really practical, inspiring advice. I'd really like to de-clutter this place too...and it feels so good to just GIVE stuff away, doesn't it? (Not to say I won't ebay a few things, but overall, I love the feeling of boxing up a bunch of stuff and taking it to Goodwill!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com