One of the criteria I set for myself in this practice was to give each item to a specific person instead of following an impulse to just throw things away. When I think of the people I am releasing each object to, I try to remember things they have mentioned to me in the past about their lives and how the object might relate to them. This process in and of itself is another tier to the practice. It teaches me, as I’ve mentioned in entries from the past, to be intentional about the letting go process from beginning to end.
The fact that I have been releasing something everyday, pacing myself across 365 days, is something I have found grows easier with practice. I am also learning patience. How easy would it be to just gather 7 things on a Monday, toss them in the trash, and not have to worry until a week later for next Monday? The point, however, is to be intentional, deliberate, and mindful.
When you go to Ikea, yes, I’m talking about Ikea again. Ikea is the anti-thesis of non-attachment, I’ve decided through this practice. When you go to Ikea, many things are in bulk. So even if I only want 1 set of candlesticks, I am forced to buy 50. I can’t buy just 6 tea candles, I have to buy 500 tea candles. I have no doubt that at some point in my life I will use 500 tea candles, but I am trying to be intentional about what I have around me, attempting to be present in the moment. And I certainly don’t need 500 tea candles or 50 candlesticks right now.
I was speaking with a friend last night about how I have been intentional about what I have given away, but it has also inevitably made me be intentional about what I also have kept. Everything has a functionality and purpose. Nothing remaining is without intention, and this is an incredible feeling.
For those who have been asking how they can continue to be a part of my journey even after this project, you can subscribe to my monthly email newsletter here, where I share life lessons, contemplations of awesomeness and updates on projects such as this 365 Release and much more.
[I created the 365 Release Project to practice non-attachment, letting go and change by giving away 1 thing a day for 1 year. The background, vision and guidelines to the 365 RELEASE project are here. The running list of everything I have released is here.]