How long did it take for you to get to "de-cluttering" after Camino?

simply B

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Time of past OR future Camino

2017

• Sep 23, 2020

• #1

...not that it really matters in the big scheme of things. Just curious....no poll required!

But, after almost a decade back, I still remember that "cleaning out" was close to the top of the list for pilgrims met after...oh, we'll say Triacastela.

I have made small steps since then but, today, started in 'full tilt'.

By way of background, my dearest told me that the decision to throw away was based upon hugging an item. If one felt no real attachment after ten seconds then away the item went to either rubbish or recycling.

Mind you, I am now suspicious every time time she hugs me.

B

 

oursonpolaire

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Francese 2002, Cami San Jaume 2018, Norte 2023

• Sep 23, 2020

• #2

Never. I do think about it occasionally, however.

 

MaryLynn

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2011-2019 every year

• Sep 23, 2020

• #3

I think about it all the time, but haven’t done it.. yet.

 

OzAnnie

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Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria

• Sep 23, 2020

• #4

Hi @simply B
I’m always ‘thinking’ about it.
That is: I don’t want to leave it until I’m too old to do it myself - so ‘slowly, easy‘ does it.
There was a thread on this forum years ago about this and I’ve always remembered the word they used / a make up word ; for opposite to accumulate. The word here is ‘umulate.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/have-you-become-a-umulator.24249/

 

Robo

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Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Sep 23, 2020

• #5

I just seem to accumulate more 'stuff' !
Though not material things, I don't really care about those any more.........

 

Anamiri

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2016, 2017, 2019 Camino Frances

• Sep 23, 2020

• #6

simply B said:

...not that it really matters in the big scheme of things. Just curious....no poll required!

But, after almost a decade back, I still remember that "cleaning out" was close to the top of the list for pilgrims met after...oh, we'll say Triacastela.

I have made small steps since then but, today, started in 'full tilt'.

By way of background, my dearest told me that the decision to throw away was based upon hugging an item. If one felt no real attachment after ten seconds then away the item went to either rubbish or recycling.

Mind you, I am now suspicious every time time she hugs me.

B

Click to expand...

It took me to sell my house - thats a big motivator to de clutter. Especially after 25 years.

 

David

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First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Sep 23, 2020

• #7

I invented a new word back in 2005 - Umulate - the opposite of Accumulate, and I still go through everything every couple of months or so, umulating stuff that somehow has crept in.

 

Tassie Kaz

Sempre Avanti

Time of past OR future Camino

2024?

• Sep 23, 2020

• #8

Anamiri said:

It took me to sell my house - thats a big motivator to de clutter. Especially after 25 years.

Click to expand...

Me too...downsizing works wonders, there's no greater motivator!

David said:

..I still go through everything every couple of months or so, umulating stuff that somehow has crept in.

Click to expand...

Marie would be proud...

 

MikeC

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Cycled SJPP to SDC September 2016
Starting Camino Ingles June 2018

• Sep 23, 2020

• #9

After my first Camino in 2016, I decided that having survived 3 weeks with just my cycle panniers I need very little in the way of clothes and possessions.

i do try to stick to my new ways, but books and technology are my undoing.

 

Roland49

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Time of past OR future Camino

CF 07/2019, CP 07/2023

• Sep 23, 2020

• #10

More than a year after my CF I am still in progress.
Cleaning out, downsizing, maybe a divorce.

You need time to reflect certain things and circumstances, that is one little thing the Camino taught me (is that right, taught?).

Maybe there is more to come, more to learn, more to reflect in a Camino than I was directly aware of.

BC
Roland

 

Last edited: Sep 23, 2020

simply B

member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2017

• Sep 23, 2020

• #11

OzAnnie said:

Hi @simply B
I’m always ‘thinking’ about it.
That is: I don’t want to leave it until I’m too old to do it myself - so ‘slowly, easy‘ does it.
There was a thread on this forum years ago about this and I’ve always remembered the word they used / a make up word ; for opposite to accumulate. The word here is ‘umulate.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/have-you-become-a-umulator.24249/

Click to expand...

Thanks for this! I will have to come back to it when I take a break from umulating.

B

 

P

pelerine

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Another one, year after year...

• Sep 23, 2020

• #12

I don’t umulate. Have this big box / banana carton into which everything goes when I am back. So the following camino I pack what I want and leave the rest in case I want/need it on another camino.

Meanwhile buen umulating, simply B, and lots of hugs from your dearest! Trusting you will survive!

 

David

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First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Sep 23, 2020

• #13

pelerine said:

I don’t umulate. Have this big box / banana carton into which everything goes when I am back. So the following camino I pack what I want and leave the rest in case I want/need it on another camino.

Meanwhile buen umulating, simply B, and lots of hugs from your dearest! Trusting you will survive!

Click to expand...

Ah - I think it is to do with clearing out one's unnecessary possessions at home when one gets home rather than one's Camino kit.

 

Anamiri

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2016, 2017, 2019 Camino Frances

• Sep 24, 2020

• #14

pelerine said:

I don’t umulate. Have this big box / banana carton into which everything goes when I am back. So the following camino I pack what I want and leave the rest in case I want/need it on another camino.

Meanwhile buen umulating, simply B, and lots of hugs from your dearest! Trusting you will survive!

Click to expand...

My pile of Camino stuff is called my Camino shrine.

 

P

pelerine

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Another one, year after year...

• Sep 24, 2020

• #15

Anamiri said:

My pile of Camino stuff is called my Camino shrine.

Click to expand...

Voilà! Since I am alone there is nobody to call it a shrine. But it amounts to the same - was set up after my second camino when I realized I was hooked....

 

Adelina

Adelina

Time of past OR future Camino

'18 Astor-Stgo '19 St Jean-Carrion '22 Porto-Stgo

• Sep 26, 2020

• #16

It took a trip to Cuba during the special period to help me umulate. I decided to have just enough when I returned home - so if I buy a new black top, one from my closet goes to the thrift shop, new hiking shoes? Old ones to the thrift shop. New knife for the kitchen? Old one goes to the thrift shop. Finish a book that was not borrowed from the library? It goes to the Little Free Library. Upon returning from the Camino I umulated even more. It is a continuous process! In addition, I believe in sharing - my Camino pack has even done the Camino without me!

 

Redvespablur

Active Member

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Norte/Primitivo April/May 2016
Voie Littorale May 2020

• Sep 26, 2020

• #17

We started decluttering about a week after we were home from Norte/Primitivo in 2016. Like others a month with such a little amount of stuff - and not missing the weight of all our things we have accumulated was formative.

 

K

KellysMom

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Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances - May (2019)

• Sep 26, 2020

• #18

I believe it took me less than a week after coming back from walking the CF to donate 3/4 of my clothes and shoes to my local thrift store. Having survived on maybe 3 changes of clothes for 34 days proved I didn't really need a lot of the things I was holding on to. Decluttering some of the larger items has definitely been a work in progress.