A New Year, a new word, a new day, and a new home for our monthly link up! I am excited to join Carolyn as she hosts us this year!
January word studies might be one of my favorite things. Digging into a word, looking at all the possibilities, releasing any preconceived ideas I might of had…it’s so much fun.
Carolyn opened my eyes to looking at the root word of my word… something I had never even thought of doing in words past. I looked up release and I loved what I learned:
release (v.)
release (n.)
Literal cleanliness and orderliness can release us from abstract cognitive and affective distress – just consider how, during moments where life seems to be spiraling out of control, it can be calming to organize your clothes, clean the living room, get the car washed. — Robert Sapolsky
So this month I have spent sorting and thinking. And while I still have more to do, the process of emptying closets, drawers, and bins has been cathartic. Contemplating, cleaning out, and yes, releasing. Some things have been tossed and it felt so good! Some things will go to someone else…that sock post that so struck me… well, I have a stack of things that will be heading there shortly.
And some things… well, they just need a bit more thought. And that is okay, too!
Midway though the month it occurred to me that my house does not have a storage problem, I have a “things” problem. And so this month release seemed easy. It was freeing. And in doing some organizing, I freed my mind to begin to contemplate the hard work of release I have only just begun.
Again, thank you Carolyn for hosting us! See you all on Wednesday for some Unraveling!
Great word and good for you decluttering. I SERIOUSLY need to do that!
I think you and Carolyn are on a very similar wavelength this month! Cleaning and getting rid of clutter is such a freeing exercise, and it really does feel good to let things go when we no longer need or want them.
I’m right there with you, Kat! Starting with tangibles is such a good way to slip into our word. And that sock story–giving in such a way changes the entire narrative of parting with anything remotely precious. I appreciate your sentence: ‘And some things… well, they just need a bit more thought. And that is okay, too!’ I’ve often found that setting something aside is all I need to either [eventually] be okay with parting with it–OR finding a way to have it in my life in a way that works without overwhelming. But giving permission for it to sit and wait–that’s key, I think. And sometimes requires patience or permission, for some of us.
And…’Abatement of distress’…Um…I think that could be the Biden-Harris ’21 slogan!!
Great way of putting your word into action!
You are off to a great start, Kat! I love how you shifted your thinking from having a storage problem to a things issue and your transfer of property got easier. I can just imagine the smiles at The Free Store and you can smile yourself knowing that you’ve released some things that others can use and enjoy. Way to go!
Release sounds like a word with lots of possibilities. Sorting and organizing has always been calming for me. I’m sure it has to do with controlling something. I like your approach – moving things on to a new home and also taking the time to let other objects speak to you.
I started reading your post in Michael Bublé’s singing voice: … and I’m feeling good!!
I love this. January is the perfect time to release some of our old physical baggage! When I first read Marie Kondo, I had a very similar realization: I just have too much stuff! I’m glad to see you’re coming up with ways to shed things in ways that feel good. Here’s to another month of releasing!
Your post made me think of a book I particularly like that is about releasing – Lightly by Francine Jay. She is the author of Joy of Less. Lightly is sort of about minimalism and reducing clutter, but it’s also about living your life “lightly” and letting go of all kinds of things that aren’t serving you. Even though I’ve been on a multi-year minimizing journey, I did buy Lightly to keep because I found it inspiring.
Doesn’t it feel good to release what you no longer need to hold onto? It’s so freeing! (And letting go of physical stuff . . . leads to letting go of some of the harder, emotional stuff.) Enjoy the journey!
Releasing both material and ‘head’ things is so liberating, though can be hard work. When we moved and did a major
clean out’, I realized so many of my material things were wrapped in my head as well, took a little more time to release these unnecessary thoughts and objects. After going through a house we were in for 30+ years by the end it was getting easy to release so much!
great word and I look forward to the upcoming year as it unfolds with you. I could easily release some belongings in this house!!