u/Easy-Caregiver2749

I've been thinking a lot lately about how cluttered my life had become. Last year, I decided to quit my corporate job that had me working 60-hour weeks and moved into a tiny one-bedroom apartment in a quieter neighborhood. Before the move, I went through all my stuff and ended up donating over 15 boxes of clothes I never wore, old electronics that were collecting dust, and books I'd bought but never read. Now, my wardrobe consists of just 8 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, and a couple of jackets. It's simplified my mornings so much – no more standing in front of the closet wondering what to wear. I also canceled all my streaming subscriptions except one and started reading physical books from the library again. The peace of mind is incredible; I feel less overwhelmed and more present in my daily walks. Has anyone else made a big change like this and noticed similar benefits? What small steps did you take to simplify?

Lately I've noticed this intense urge to doomscroll or grab junk food whenever I'm sitting with any kind of emotional discomfort, and I'm pretty sure it's my firefighter trying to keep me from touching an exile. It's gotten so automatic that I barely catch it before the evening is gone.

I've been trying to slow down and actually ask what the part is protecting me from, but the answers feel fuzzy and it just wants to keep moving. Journaling the sequence of events helps a little, yet I still end up blended half the time.

Has anyone found decent ways to build a relationship with their firefighters without forcing them to stop? Would love to hear what worked for you.