We are in June, and so much has transformed since January. 

The move is almost complete. If you have not heard, we are leaving our home in Madison, WI, to move to Florida. A good 95% there. In this journey, my emotional health has been all over the place. Emotional health is one of the aspects of mental health. We all have simultaneously felt all forms of emotions, even mixed feelings. 

My move was about decluttering and removing everything from my home, selling it, giving it to family, or donating it. We are moving into a furnished home. I mean A to Z. 

Everything needed to go except personal items; initially, everything went smoothly. The emotion of joy and excitement was all through my body. As with any transformation, the first part was easy until I got into the hard stuff. 

I was simultaneously overwhelmed, discouraged, sad, and happy with each layer removed. So many emotions I was exhausted or paralyzed with overwhelm that I would mindlessly binge on TV. 

Some of my self-discoveries through this process have been enlightening. 

Well, I am saying enlightening with tongue n cheek. You see, I was removing items I have accumulated over many years and moved from one location to another. Now I was at the point where I decided on each item.

I began to understand my obsession with filling rooms and closets with stuff. I would shop, especially when I was lonely or bored. The hunt was a big thrill. I would tell myself all the money I saved on the purchased items. Now I was giving, selling, or repurposing these items I saved money on. 

Another realization was my people pleasing. I was looking a certain way to make someone else happy. The statement: Can't you find something else to wear? I'm not too fond of that. After all these years and all the work, I felt like I am still discovering myself. 

Here are some of the questions I asked myself to guide me with my decluttering and letting go: 

What value does this item bring you, and how will you use it? 

If it is sentimental to you, how can you store that memory if you don't have the item? 

Where will you place this item, and do you even have a place for it? 

Lastly, How will your life change if you do not have this item? 

These were some different questions on how I began looking at my items. 

What are you holding on to that you might be able to get rid of? Do you shop to fill open spaces, out of boredom, or just because?