Momentous! I love the full backstory of where your 'devices' came from, and the purpose they served. But more than that, congratulations on their big sendoff! You assessed, reviewed, wiped, and then let go. And you did it even when not prompted by a move. Way to go, Kara!
Recently, I gave a workshop about change. I shared this passage from my personal journal and I thought you'd appreciate because of your letting go experience.
Journal passage....
What I understand is that letting go doesn’t mean we have to forget. It just means that we release ourselves from holding on. We release ourselves from an obligation or responsibility or expectation. We make a bit more space in our hearts and minds for new energy to flow. We lift the anchor. We sail on.
I'm so happy you're enjoying your "feeling of freedom." I'm always amazed at how energizing it is to let go...not just of the physical stuff but also of the emotional weight and negative thoughts that hold us back.
Continue riding the wave of that new energy you're experiencing!
Oh, the things we pack and move are because we can’t let go. Confession: My first Mac computer (I bought after college graduation) is in its original box in the basement. It was my constant companion when I freelanced — a younger me It’s not weighing me down yet. 😉
Aww, the original box!! It sounds like it's comfortable right where it is, no need to let go if it's not bothering you! Our computers mean a lot to us freelancers.
Oh, gosh. Love this essay. The mental weight of the physical things in our lives is so often outsized. Clearing them up creates space for more goodness to come our way!
Thanks for giving me some much-needed motivation for a task on my list this weekend (closet cleaning and tossing what doesn’t make me feel happy and confident).
I sure am! It wasn’t as in-depth a clean out as I’d planned, but it was significant and progress was made. Feeling lighter every time I look at the extra space I created. 🙌🏻
YESSS!!! Inspired by you! Literally. Last night I looked at half of a drawer which was a mess and thought, "Melissa cleaned out stuff this weekend, I can do this one corner of one drawer!" Hope you keep enjoying that fresh, expansive space.
I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about the MacBook I gave my dad. It stopped working twice under his care. Once he fixed it by cooking the motherboard on a very low temp in the oven.
He had the money to buy a new one but he wouldn’t. He wanted my hand-me-down when I bought a new laptop and every time I saw him he’d ask if I was going to get a new one anytime soon. His was nearly ten years old and he was due for an upgrade.
He died two years ago and it’s been sitting in my closet ever since.
Pam, now I don’t think I’ll ever forget the image of a motherboard cooking in the oven. How ingenious!
Our memories really are everywhere. Thank you for sharing this one, and a little bit about your father, with me. I hope the MacBook stays in your life as long as you’d like it to.
Momentous! I love the full backstory of where your 'devices' came from, and the purpose they served. But more than that, congratulations on their big sendoff! You assessed, reviewed, wiped, and then let go. And you did it even when not prompted by a move. Way to go, Kara!
Recently, I gave a workshop about change. I shared this passage from my personal journal and I thought you'd appreciate because of your letting go experience.
Journal passage....
What I understand is that letting go doesn’t mean we have to forget. It just means that we release ourselves from holding on. We release ourselves from an obligation or responsibility or expectation. We make a bit more space in our hearts and minds for new energy to flow. We lift the anchor. We sail on.
Happy sailing, my friend!
Lifting the anchor, YES! What a perfect metaphor for the new feeling of freedom!
Always appreciative of your wisdom and helpful advice, and encouragement to find clarity and progress. I'm welcoming the new energy as we speak!
I'm so happy you're enjoying your "feeling of freedom." I'm always amazed at how energizing it is to let go...not just of the physical stuff but also of the emotional weight and negative thoughts that hold us back.
Continue riding the wave of that new energy you're experiencing!
Oh, the things we pack and move are because we can’t let go. Confession: My first Mac computer (I bought after college graduation) is in its original box in the basement. It was my constant companion when I freelanced — a younger me It’s not weighing me down yet. 😉
Aww, the original box!! It sounds like it's comfortable right where it is, no need to let go if it's not bothering you! Our computers mean a lot to us freelancers.
Oh, gosh. Love this essay. The mental weight of the physical things in our lives is so often outsized. Clearing them up creates space for more goodness to come our way!
Thanks for giving me some much-needed motivation for a task on my list this weekend (closet cleaning and tossing what doesn’t make me feel happy and confident).
How'd the clean out and toss out go? I hope you are riding high with feelings of satisfaction!
I sure am! It wasn’t as in-depth a clean out as I’d planned, but it was significant and progress was made. Feeling lighter every time I look at the extra space I created. 🙌🏻
YESSS!!! Inspired by you! Literally. Last night I looked at half of a drawer which was a mess and thought, "Melissa cleaned out stuff this weekend, I can do this one corner of one drawer!" Hope you keep enjoying that fresh, expansive space.
I love that so much! We both get gold stars! 🌟
I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about the MacBook I gave my dad. It stopped working twice under his care. Once he fixed it by cooking the motherboard on a very low temp in the oven.
He had the money to buy a new one but he wouldn’t. He wanted my hand-me-down when I bought a new laptop and every time I saw him he’d ask if I was going to get a new one anytime soon. His was nearly ten years old and he was due for an upgrade.
He died two years ago and it’s been sitting in my closet ever since.
Pam, now I don’t think I’ll ever forget the image of a motherboard cooking in the oven. How ingenious!
Our memories really are everywhere. Thank you for sharing this one, and a little bit about your father, with me. I hope the MacBook stays in your life as long as you’d like it to.
“We need to have faith our items have served their purpose. We need to move on.” Love this so much!
Thank you!!
Yeah, me too.
Glad to know we're on the same page with this, Colin!
I'm in a transitional stage where I'm decuttering and redoing my space and this couldn't have come at a better time. Such a great essay!
This means a lot to me -- thank you!! Also I could talk about decluttering ALL DAY. DM me anytime lol.
I can so relate to this one!😩. Imagine being in the same place for 30+yrs… oh the things we collect😂
You and my Mom can commiserate!! I do LOVE a collection, too!
Loved this! I just recycled two laptops a couple weeks ago, and it felt great! I'm gonna go hunt up 25 things<3
YESSSS, laptop twins! Hope you found some more things -- it becomes like a game, right??
I donated 25 books does that count? Of course my book shelves are still full.
Totally counts! I gave away a ton of books during my last move. They're one of the things I like acquiring...!
Beautiful Morning for a Cleanup in Aisle Two - Love this & Thank You
I really appreciate you reading!
Ofc the black one wouldn’t even turn on 😂 love this story for so many reasons.
Of course it didn't. I bet you don't have yours anymore!
haha you know me too well