In May 2011, I’ll be heading out of NYC for good.
I arrived here a few days before 9/11 2001.
Seems like that’s when the world really went into overdrive in terms of changing.
And I’ve changed also.
I’ve lived and loved and been broken-hearted in this Apple for 10 years.
And I’ve done incredible healing here.
I never thought I would leave. It’s been a love affair that I’ve had with this city and there’s no place else like it on the planet.
But back in March/April I decided to let go of a lifetime pattern after being in a serious squeeze play that I couldn’t go on in any longer, and it seems to have opened some new brain waves in me.
I’m at an internal crossroads. You know those places where the circumstances of your life converge and you see a small crack where you could actually slip out?
Do something totally different? Shake it up a bit? Get off the Merry-go-round?
So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to let go of everything and see what happens.
I’m scared.
But I’m also not scared. Sometimes being scared isn’t really true. It’s something we think we should be, but when we really look, we actually aren’t scared at all. We just have never been to this place before. Unfamiliar is not necessarily scared. Fact.
I’m choosing space. I’m becoming a minimalist. I’m paring down in every way imaginable. I just don’t want all the crap anymore… Things, people, emotional baggage, the past, on and on…
The shifts inside are tectonic.
There is just this internal feeling that is so small and yet it has my attention. I’m going to follow it full-force. I don’t know where it’s leading, but there is a power to it. I’m going to take a risk and follow it.
I’m starting with my stuff. I’m going to get it all down to 100 things.
I’ve already brought 15 boxes of books to the library and donated them. I have more to go. I have a huge library.
I’ve gone through 2 boxes of photos from the past and let go of them and kept about 20 photos and even that feels like a lot. I was whacked out emotionally for awhile from that shedding, but I’m just fine now. It didn’t kill me.
I’m wondering what’s ahead for me.
I’m on an adventure from now until May (and then I’ll be on another adventure). Will you join me in your own Shedventure?
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{ 29 comments }
Good for you, lion heart. I had a 15 year love affair with NYC until I finally left in ’04.
Lightness is so close to flying. I’m all about going with the wind. And maybe, just maybe within that, I’m finally learning how to say “yes” to life.
Can’t wait to see where your “yes” takes you.
.-= Raven´s last blog ..Big-Ass Faith =-.
Yay! Yay! Yay! I’m with you, Bindu! Leaving my permanent address September 23, 2010 with no forwarding address and just now starting to get excited about it. Woo hoo!
Am also inspired to shed a few pounds as I shed my stuff. You mentioned that in an earlier post.
I plan to be aerodynamic in so many ways.
Thanks for this little pep talk of a post.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Tuesday Tidbit- Beauty- Charm- Adventure =-.
Hi Bindu,
Found your site from a link posted by Lisa Miles Brady on Twitter. Awesome stuff!
I think it’s so great what you are doing and inspires me to do the same. I have a house full of “stuff” that I never use and I’m ready to start letting it all go…free up some mental and physical space.
It’s challenging because I have 2 small kids and they have LOTS of toys and I don’t have the heart to start donating them all (I have done do with quite a few already though).
We just get so attached to things it becomes almost an addiction if you will.
Well good luck with your project… I’m definitely considering joining The Shed Project.
.-= Michele´s last blog ..3 SEO Mistakes You Need To Avoid =-.
I can’t wait! I’ve been clearing out the clutter of my house and business for the last 8 months. I’m finally going to have a HUGE warehouse sale, then donate anything that’s left. It feels good saying that out loud. No more procrastination or excuses!
There’s more shedding ahead, but first things first.
So, I’m in. Put me on the list, Sign me up.
I love this community you have created and I am so looking forward to being a part of it all.
love.
Bindu, I am ever so slightly alarmed here… The dog is one of the 100 things yes? I could quite easily leave everything I have but not my dogs! Talking of shedding… I was a real fatty when I was younger but then, in 2001, I went through my shedventure and dropped over 60 pounds. I am sure you’ll do really well with your 10! Not that you look like you need to shed, mind you…!
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Birthday Give-Away =-.
You definitely know I am with you on this journey, Bindu.
As for the fear…it is a good thing because it means you are on the right path. So embrace it. Work with it and realize it is just a bully who is trying to hold you back. You probably know all of this but I just felt compelled to say it.
And one more thing, the possessions don’t own you…you own them. And I talk from experience…I remember donating all my books and feeling like I was losing parts of me. However, it made room for me to discover more about life and myself which has been a huge gift.
You most definitely will have a wonderful journey!
“… that is so small and yet has all of my attention.” Yes.
You’re fierce Bindu!
Love your courage! Right now I’m sitting here at center camp, Burning Man, dealing with a little of that kind of energy myself. Shiny scary people I don’t know, and who don’t know me!
I’d be remiss to not say that the thought of you not being in NYC with us is a very sad one for me.
Much love to you – respect and godspeed on your new journey, intrepid soul.
Very exciting for you!
I’d love to shed some belongings that have been piling up for so long. My friend pointed out to me recently that he would love to have a big attic like ours where he could work. But our attic is stuffed to the gills with …stuff! So I am going to tackle clearing it out and using part of it to store my art supplies which are gaining ground in the living room, and the rest as work space. Your project is just the push I needed!
I look forward to hearing how your project unfolds!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Memento Mori =-.
Unfamiliar is not necessarily scared. Love that. Thank you!
.-= Susan T. Blake´s last blog ..Update- Finding My Voice =-.
Wow. 20 photos from 2 boxes. You’ve just given me great courage as we make our move next week. I’ve struggled most with the photos and books… and now, heck, I’m ready to do this thing.
Thanks.
“Unfamiliar is not necessarily scared”.
Thank you for putting what I’ve been feeling lately into words. 12 days from now I am moving abroad to start a new university course. And I’m not scared. But I’ve kind of felt that I needed to be.
You’re making such a brave decision all in all. And such a life-changing one! I am looking forward to follow you on your path, wherever that may be.
.-= Marthe´s last blog ..Turn Your Life Around- 11 Great Tips to Make a Confident Decision =-.
Very exciting! I went through a huge purging about 5 years ago myself. Clearing out the old photos was the biggest shift… the amount of emotional ties they hold is huge and clearing them out can move mountains. The very day I moved into my new space I met my life partner. Can’t wait to hear where you land!
Namaste~ Tisha
.-= Tisha Morris´s last blog ..Yoga of Feng Shui Workshop =-.
I find this very inspirational. I plan on letting go of tobacco on Sept 14th and the weekend before that I’m going through my storage space to sort through and donate most of it to Salvation Army. One thing that I could never, ever do it throw away photos. I just couldn’t, I cherish every single one of them, especially since a lot of my family is dead or incommunicado.
Three cheers for you. I can completely relate to shedding down to minimal needs. I haven’t gotten to the point that I am completely content yet. I still have a strong desire to make things pretty which requires “stuff” to decorate with. But I have let go of a lot of things from my childhood that I had been dragging around. It feels good releasing the unneeded.
.-= Megan Monique´s last blog ..The Winner of the StonedSoul Jewelry Giveaway Is =-.
You’re amazing.
I’m shedding my things, bit by tiny bit. Someday maybe I’ll get to where you are, but for now it’s just not right for me. But lately I am constantly being reminded of people doing projects just like this one. I’m taking it as some sort of sign for the universe that I should do some of the same, and I have! I’ve gone through boxes of things, old books and journals I haven’t looked at in years, and it feels great to let go.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..love list 7 =-.
Spirit said that I would enjoy checking my email today, LOL. I have shed 18 pounds and am working on a few more
and on a mission to shed stuff too. I’ve tried to shed my job but have not been successful with that. I have already shed the people I needed to shed, a long time ago. But I am a low level shedder compared to what you are doing. We are on way different paths, but regardless, I have always felt a special connection to you. I am on an adventure myself-check the blog if you have time. I wish you the best of luck with your new adventure and enjoy your freedom vicariously. Thanks for the thrill. Namaste, George.
Good luck with your plans.
About 12 years ago I started to downshift and downsize – I had a 4 bedroom house filled to the brim. I started with a ‘give away’ to friends and family. I filled the 2 stall garage with things I no longer needed.
Two years later I shed a husband of 20 years and walked away with only the few items that would fit in an efficiency apartment.
Over the next 10 years, I gradually reduced my possessions (and obligations) until I basically had no more than would fit into my Honda Accord. Then I sold the Honda and moved to another country.
The absolute best decisions I have made in my 51 years. My motto for life…..”Leap and the net will appear”
I am excited about this project. It feels like a very important one. I’ve done lots of shedding on my own in the past, but know that it will be so much more powerful doing it as part of a group. Interested and admittedly a little apprehensive to see how it will effect my own tectonic shifts.
.-= Kate T.W.´s last blog ..Formula for Everyday Miracles =-.
Found you thru my friend completeflake.com
Timing here is eerie. I bought a book called Voluntary Simplicity about 20 years ago. I have moved a half a dozen times since then and never cracked the cover. My family and I are moving, end of September, from a house we have lived in for 6 years. There are boxes of stuff I have packed from place to place for all that time. I was going thru my books and everything I could replace later, if the desire strikes, and came across this gem. I am a little scared to open and get into it. I don’t know if I have the fortitude to toss years of photos. Since most of my data for the last 15 yrs is digital and 3 TB drives are now available, I guess I will just keep that stuff. The paper pictures though, thats gonna be a tough one!
You are obviously stronger than I am at this point. Ill stick around and maybe you will rub off on me!
Thanks,
Kelly
.-= Kelly Hanson´s last blog ..Back in Business! =-.
I only just noticed now that the colorful background on your site is a sand mandala. How lovely and perfect. Congratulations on your imminent Shedventure, Bindu, and thank you for inviting us to participate, in any capacity.
Because even subtle things –mental clutter!– are fair game, so I’m going to do a little fall cleaning of the mind (along with my hall closet). Vestiges of moth-eaten grudges, dusty perceived injuries I’d forgotten I’d packed away…
Sending you love. xo
.-= Rupa´s last blog ..We Are Here =-.
Hi Bindu – I heard about your project and was intrigued. I shed every few years as I am the last in my family line and have been the recipient of many estates-full of ‘stuff’. It feels wonderful indeed. And even more so when you release your attachments mindfully.
Often we throw away and run from our possessions (whether tangible or abstract), only to be chased by them. I’ve learned that it is the energetic ‘release’ that is often a more valuable practice than anything.
Wishing you blessings, opening, and lightness on your journey.
Jen
“Sometimes being scared isn’t really true. It’s something we think we should be, but when we really look, we actually aren’t scared at all. We just have never been to this place before. Unfamiliar is not necessarily scared. Fact.”
Gorgeous and beyootiful. like you.
Peggie
.-= Peggie´s last blog ..Rebel Yell Get Off the Fence! =-.
Hi Bindu,
I found you through a post on White Hot Truth. I love her blog and I guess one good thing really does lead to another.
This post was one I wish I had written myself. It was beautifully writtten! Kudos.
The last three years of my life have been about eliminating the excess baggage in my life so I can actually partake of my life. I admire the fact that you quantified your “successful result” in terms of 100 things. That, I find, is true empowerment!
I loved your passage about finding a crack that allows you to slip through. That is exactly the place I am in. The most difficult part of this challenge for me will be taking my family along for the journey, but I know that we will be in a better place for doing it.
I am in for the challenge and will pass the word along through my blog since this movement of yours is so completely aligned with my current view of life.
I am so glad to have found you! Looking forward to finding true freedom together.
Kim Bauer
http://www.confabulicious.com
4 mo. ago my husband I sold everything or gave it away so we could move back to so. calif. The thought scarred me to pieces, Now…we feel real good!!
.-= Laurie May´s last blog ..A little itty bitty book =-.
Good for you! I left NYC in July 2009, after nearly 9 years there. It was fun and I’m so glad I was there, and when it finally became unsustainable, it was time to leave. Now I live in a part of the country where I don’t have to work constantly just to get by, I can spend time with my family and do the creative projects that really call me. Congratulations and best wishes to you as you take that big step.
Hey Bindu, I am a former yoga student of yours. I left the city just over 3 years ago for the same reason, something inside said I should so, I followed. I’m in Massachusetts teaching yoga, taking risks and really enjoying the ride. I think about you all the time, you still influence my life and my teaching a ton, I am so grateful for the time you were in my life. Best of luck on your new adventure and lots of love, Rosemary
the harder we think something is, the harder it becomes. – a zen saying
Shedding is never easy, but it can be very rewarding in the long run. I love Lao Tzu’s quote on this topic: “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” There is always opportunity in change.