Decluttering!

An everyday system, TM, is a simple, commonsense solution to an everyday problem, grounded by a pun or metaphor. Propose/discuss new systems here.
eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:31 pm

Lol oolala! I love that idea, although cutting your food might be challenging.

I did more decluttering. I went ruthlessly through my closet. I realised that a skirt I had for years but never wore is a bit too long for me so looking forward to having it fixed and then worn as it's beautiful but I never pick it as I don't like the mid-calf length. Otherwise, I was pretty tough. I have some really nice clothes in brilliant condition that I will try to see on ebay. If no one wants them there I'll give them to charity but I would prefer to sell because I realised how few clothes I have left and how many of my favourites need replacement and I do really have to get money for that.

I finally see my room again! I just need to sort my make-up now and then it's really down to the nitty-gritty. The storage boxes etc. but all the big things will be out of the way.

My capsule wardrobe will be interesting to say the least. At the moment nothing fits together. I did settle on a colour scheme though so from now on things will be royal blue, bright pink, or cream. I don't like black too much but those colours suit me. We'll see.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

oolala53
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:56 pm

Wow to those colors!

I had to straighten up quite a bit (by my standards) for a guest. I've been basking in the results on my first official day of summer break. Culled papers to be recycled or shredded from one box. Many more to go...

I have a friend who gets even more discouraged over this than I do. We judge ourselves a lot over it, though we try to fight that, as it's usually not helpful. There is a popular book out now that our local library has over 40 copies of, yet there are several HUNDRED holds on it! If that's not proof that lots of people feel overwhelmed... well, there's also Peter Walsh's books, one of which is called It's All Too Much. It's definitely a challenge to plenty of us.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:17 am

So true Oolala. I'll check out that book by Peter Walsh.

The hardest part with this, I find, is that it seems such an overwhelming amount at first and if another day is spent doing it and then another - sometimes I don't see the end of it. But I know that eventually, there is an end and I remember that feeling when I reach it so I plough on through.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

oolala53
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:37 pm

Here's another book, this one on my wish list at Amazon. I resist spending money on another book I might not actually implement the plan from, especially since I don't feel that clothes are the big issue these days. But I may break down and invest in it when I retire, as I may want some direction on how to have a more streamlined wardrobe then.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1494701502/ref ... 1ENRZRGWQP

I wish I could say I have a plan for today and faith that I will follow through on it. Okay, I will commit to ONE thing: I will go in the garage and see if the paper shredder I have in there, which I believe I inherited from someone else because I know I didn't buy it, works. If it does, I will bring it in the house and shred a little pile I culled from emptying a box recently.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:10 am

Go eschano, you're on fire!

The hard part for me is decluttering (like gardening, or house cleaning) is an endless task, it's never just "done" forever. It's that endlessness that wears me down sometimes. But then I don't complain about cleaning my teeth, even though they just get dirty again the next day :)

Well, with a brand new baby in the house, I am pretty pleased if we have food to eat, dishes to eat off and clean(ish) clothes to wear. I'm hoping to get back onto decluttering soon in baby steps (pun intended). I'm looking forward to each phase that the new little Squiggle grows out of, as this time I'm not storing things for the "next baby" so I can actually get things out of the house! Today I've packed up my maternity gear to give to my sister, and even that small step makes my closet look much clearer. Phew!

gingerpie
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Location: Pennsylvania, US

Post by gingerpie » Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:37 am

Hi there,

Why did I only recently discover this thread? I love it. Keep the motivation coming, I really need it! :roll:

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Wed Jun 10, 2015 4:26 pm

I lied! Never got the shredder out. Ah, me. It is SO pleasant to drift.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:55 pm

I opened up a big container on my deck and found that it had leaked in the last rain. Water damage can sure make it easier to let go of things that had seemed essential before. There were also stacks of papers that I would normally have filed or shredded. (My place is only 498 sq. ft, so I sometimes keep stuff on my deck. Not ideal, but here we are.) I drained off as much water as I could and threw them in the trash, which went out today. They certainly couldn't have been saved, and are compacted in the trash trucks anyway.

This prompted me to walk around the yard and find a few more things to go out. Yes, it does feel good, but I'm not raring to keep going, darn it. But maybe I'll get a second wind.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

gingerpie
Posts: 1031
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, US

Post by gingerpie » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:36 pm

I'm seeing a great technique. Just keep moving things out to the deck for "storage", let them get water damage then into the trash they go. :wink: A bit of the long way 'round but if it works, who's to Argue with it.

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:49 pm

Getting SoCal to cooperate with enough rain might be a problem. Though apparently there's a good chance we are in for El Nino next winter.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:19 pm

While it is lovely that people are being so generous because of our new baby, I'm a bit overwhelmied lately with hand-me-downs. A friend brought me 3 huge boxes of toys which I've had to sort, discard the broken, work out what to keep, store, donate, etc. I'm finally done, now on to the baby clothes.
I know I shouldn't complain, but there's just no time lately

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:32 pm

Embarrassment of riches. I can imagine. People really need to sort before they give things away to individuals. But I hope you'll be glad you have what you kept.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

gingerpie
Posts: 1031
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, US

Post by gingerpie » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:49 pm

I know what you mean. Isn't it nice that we have such affluence to share but wouldn't it also be nice if folks were just a bit more picky about what exactly they are sharing :)

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:59 am

Thank you for understanding! I did feel a bit ungrateful posting about people's generosity. It is a good reminder to me to be selective about what I donate or offer to others. In our efforts not to be wasteful we can end up making our clutter someone else's problem.

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:30 am

Hey, I got some decluttering done today. Thought I was going to be able to fill up a trash bin, but didn't. I"m still pretty glad for what I did get done.

Also did some hard-core trimming of a bougainvillea gone wild in my yard. I didn't get all of it chopped up and ready for the trash, but that's okay.

Boy, is this getting older stuff whack! My body is hurting like I did some full-on dance class. But it's a good sore.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:37 am

Nice work oolala! And hey, combining exercise with stuff that needs doing anyway - that's extra efficiency :-)

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:42 am

ironchef wrote:I did feel a bit ungrateful posting about people's generosity.
Ha! As someone who has just unloaded most of our wedding decoration I can tell you that the generosity lies in accepting the gifts and not in giving them away. I was so glad to have them out of the house and to know someone is using them as opposed to me throwing them into the bin. (I was too lazy to put them up on ebay as the profit would have been tiny).

Brilliant oolala! I always think it feels so good afterwards that this is reward enough to get to it. And as for trimming - I find any kind of garden activity pretty exhausting physically.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:43 pm

Got inspired because it's light out early to get a lot of branches chopped up and in the trash before the collectors came. Spent about 90 minutes on my feet. Awesome! I think I"m making headway in the garage and extra room, too. Not a lot of stuff is gone, but I'm realizing it will be when I take the books where they're gonna go, and the usable stuff where it is. I see that there's a lot I don't plan to keep. I just want to give myself a bit longer to keep it out of the landfill.

And I admit there are a few things I cling to the idea of selling.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Fri Jun 26, 2015 8:47 am

Wow, that is so motivating for me to read oolala! Definitely sell things. I'm too lazy but all my friends do it and have made quite a lot of money if you add it over the years.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Sat Jun 27, 2015 11:54 am

Nice work oolala!

With selling stuff, my rule for myself is I only get a limited time. So, if I say I'm keeping something to sell on ebay or gumtree, I'll set a date about 1 month ahead, and if I haven't sold it by that date, I have to donate it. Otherwise I end up with my garage full of stuff I've been meaning to sell, but never got around to.

My MIL had my son this afternoon for a few hours, so I finally managed to sort out all of the Squiggle's clothes, put the stuff that's too large into storage and put all the wrapping and bags either into storage for re-use or in the recycling. Phew, now I can see the bottom of her cot again (she's still sleeping in the bassinet for now).

I also spent a bit of time rationalising Ironbaby's bottle collection. He loves bottles, but if I don't sort and recycle every so often they start to take over the house and garden. My rule of thumb is that we only keep one of each style of bottle, and I recycle any that get crushed or dented. That tends to keep it reasonable - well, sort of. I guess most little kids get obsessions, and at least bottles are free, unlike toy cars or the like.

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Jun 29, 2015 3:14 pm

Well done ironchef! Very motivating. Reading all these great things I need to get back on it too!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

roseha
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:28 am
Location: New York NY

Post by roseha » Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:54 am

Hi all,

I was on this board for NoS back around 2006, but in addition to a new post at the NoS section, I wanted to chime in here. I tried to find the post but couldn't - didn't someone here mention just filling up a bag of stuff to toss to get started? I think maybe that is what I should be doing - I live alone in an apartment and just don't know where to begin. I know there's a lot of stuff I really don't *want* but just get kind of lost not knowing where to start. I do occasionally give away old clothes (after I wash them of course) and I have even paid a local recycling company here in my city to take away an old computer/scanner/various electronics stuff since you can't just dump them anymore. But general tossing etc is just so hard and to be honest it doesn't get easier since I have osteoporosis and my back hurts after awhile (I don't have a car). On top of everything my building's laundry dryers haven't worked for a week so I had to trek maybe 20 pounds of laundry five blocks today. Sigh. I have to admit I'm just no good at this but can't help thinking the "fill a bag" might work for me since all the organization advice seems to come from people who are *already* organized! which I'm not....sorry to complain but just wondering how to proceed...thoughts?

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:02 am

I think there are charities that come to your house to collect the clothes and as long as they are in a wearable state they can wash them or you can donate some money towards them washing them.

Everything failing - just dump it. Seriously. One bag gone is a good start.

I finally got most of the thank you cards for the wedding out. Ten more to go but we had to reorder them so I'm waiting. Is this decluttering? I think so as it gets them out of my house and it feels like there still is "wedding clutter" haha!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

roseha
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:28 am
Location: New York NY

Post by roseha » Tue Jul 07, 2015 4:44 pm

Thanks much eschano, I think sometimes you just have to "let it go". Good advice.

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jul 16, 2015 5:49 pm

I've continued to be able to spend afternoon time decluttering and organizing. I had stuff pulled out in the driveway yesterday when my next door neighbor dropped by. He commented on how much I had accomplished, as he had seen what it was like before. I have a two-car garage (tight fit) and a little room about 4 x 10 ft, maybe less, off it. I think now when I get rid of everything I want to, the rest will fit in the little room!

It helped me to read parts of the book It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh. Just his saying what kind of things are appropriate to keep in the garage helped. Christmas stuff. Tools. Sleeping bags. Seasonal play stuff, like a boogie board. Especially since I live in 498 sq. ft.

Still have problems, though. Both the garage and the room leak, but not from above. I have had bad experience with finding people to solve this problem and am reluctant to start the process.

But that doesn't negate my progress! Yet now I'm procrastinating on taking the boxes of books somewhere. It's amazing how I can be stopped by anticipating any glitch. Will someone say something critical of my books? Will it turn out most of them just need to go to recycling? Is that the worst thing in the world? I don't want some poor charity having to decide, though if they could make money from recycling them, that would be awesome. I just have so many really old textbooks, not in especially good shape. I guess I should do a search on Amazon. I thought some local used bookstores might also have online ones that would make it more likely that they accept more books, but it doesn't sound like they have the space to keep them. I guess the thought that SOMEONE could really use what I have is part of what has slowed me and others down. I'm amazed when I talk to people at work and find out they aren't bothered at all by that idea. I still think I'm right to want to avoid so much waste, but I can't repair the way trying to connect buyer/taker and seller/giver isn't efficient enough. And I got my camera stolen about a week ago so I can't post pics anyway. Honestly, I will have a yard sale at some point, but when I imagine a lot of the stuff I've been deciding about spread out for shoppers, I'm pretty sure it would look pitiful. I've just gotten desperate enough to try not to let myself imagine good, usable stuff in the landfill. But writing this, I realize there is some stuff I can afford to keep until I do have a sale. It can go to the landfill just as well then, if I do my best and no one wants it. There is not that much.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

kwerp
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 7:24 am

Post by kwerp » Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:30 pm

Having read some of this threat, I immediately thought of this blog/website:
http://www.unf*ckyourhabitat.com/

(put a u in for the *)

I think it's a good resource and motivation for constant uncluttering/ cleaning. :D

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:59 pm

I hope you meant since you read some of this threaD, not threat. :oops:
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Wed Jul 22, 2015 3:59 pm

Lol!

Great progress Oolala! I'm procrastinating too. I have two bags in the back of my car to get rid off and this was the second weekend I didn't do it. This one, hopefully!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

roseha
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:28 am
Location: New York NY

Post by roseha » Wed Jul 29, 2015 5:51 am

Hi Gang,

Thanks for the words of encouragement earlier. I have been getting to some de-cluttering finally and have tossed about 5 or 6 large bags of stuff in the last few weeks. I have been home all month (previously going away a lot and I took this time to schedule a lot of doctor's appointments), so between one thing and another I dove into a lot of old papers and miscellaneous junk and got it out the door, pretty much tossed it. I did go through one day where I got out the shredder so I could get rid of old banking and credit card mail - I wish I would stop getting this stuff, I always ask to be online only but it comes anyway. sigh. However, I have to admit at times I had an ulterior motive, like the 5 days when I couldn't find my iPhone! Finally it turned up, but I at times like this I wish I had stayed with a $100 phone. Oh well. Making some progress I hope, good luck to everyone here!

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:36 pm

So funny you say this as my $15 flip phone has been on the blink, and I really need to surrender to a smart phone. A friend who just recently made the switch said she's happy she went straight to the iPhone! But she doesn't lose things. I have an iMac., so... oh, I hate this dickering! Being good at Jeopardy does not help with these issues.

Well, a couple of boxes of books I had out ready do go got rained on and are now dried, crinkled, and in recycling. I did get the others out to libraries and thrift stores. But I've been basically stalled. I tried to deal with one small box of papers. Got about a third of the papers into recycling, but couldn't deal with the rest and back in the box they went. I am being better about dishes!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

ironchef
Posts: 1630
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:12 am
Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Sun Aug 30, 2015 3:30 am

Yesterday I had a big win by involving my son in decluttering (he's 3 and 1/4). I've been getting really frustrated with never having any time to work on stuff, except at night after the kids are in bed, by which time I'm usually exhausted, plus want to spend some time with my husband.

Anyway, I started out explaining to him that sometimes we have too many things and it means we spend too much time cleaning, tidying and looking after our things instead of playing. Then we took two boxes from his room (one toys and one clothes) and one box from my kitchen (storage bags) and sat together. We did my box first so he could see how it was done, and I discarded about half my storage bags and now they fit properly in their container. Then we did his things. For each thing I asked him if it was "good and needed to stay" or "could go to other little kids", and it was amazing the number of things he said "oh, I don't like that, it can go" or "I'm too old for that, give it to little kids". I'm so pleased, and we now have a bag of recycling, two bags of clothes and toys to donate, and even a few toys he wants me to give to his little sister. And MUCH less clutter in his room that we continually have to tidy off the floor! He actually thought the whole thing was good fun.

I look back and really wish my own parents had taught me something like this as a child. My Mum and Dad are borderline packrats, so I guess they were never going to teach minimalism. I just feel like this was stuff I've had to muddle along with and work out much later in life. I really hope I can teach my kids simple, easy habits that they can carry forward into their adult lives.

oolala53
Posts: 10072
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:19 pm

He might even be better at it than you are.

My mom was very tidy and so is my sister. My brother is a pathological horder. I'm messy. I'm not lying to make myself sound better. But Mom never taught any of us.

It's very hot here. Hard to imagine going into the tough areas. MAYBE I'll deal with some papers in decorative boxes in the house. I wish my mom was here to keep me company while I go through them!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

owendell
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 5:55 pm
Location: RV Full Time Traveling

shortcuts

Post by owendell » Tue Dec 01, 2015 6:23 pm

Having had a 3 bedroom house, and now in an RV I learned a few shortcuts to decluttering that you probably already know -- but I thought to post just in case they might prove useful. These are practical shortcuts not habit forming ideas. 1. If you are getting giving something away there are charities and people who will come pick them up. Don't use your time dropping them off. Also this site you can schedule a pick up http://www.scheduleapickup.com/ Craigslist is awesome for this. Just say something is free on Craigslist and you'll have someone at your door in a half hour. 2. Don't spend your time selling items - There are services for every type of thing you have to sell. Many will pay the shipping too, and will cut you a check when it sells. Here's an example for electronics http://www.amazon.com/Trade-In/b?ie=UTF ... 9187220011 3. Don't spend time shredding paperwork. Office supply store will do it for you and at very reasonable prices. Stop incoming paperwork by using a mail service. They will scan in your mail and then you can choose to have it sent to you, save it to your PC and/or have them shred it. This has saved me so much incoming paperwork, and saved me the time of scanning in the things I want to keep. https://www.mailboxforwarding.com/

r.jean
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Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 7:47 pm
Location: Midwest

Post by r.jean » Sat Dec 05, 2015 1:11 am

Very interesting ideas owendell. I have a charity place less than a mile from home so I accumulate things in a box and throw it in the car when it is full and drop it off. I call for larger items. The mailbox idea is new to me and intriguing. I would imagine that the horrible influx of unsolicited junk mail would eventually end up there too? The Amazon link also was interesting.

I retired three years ago and have been on a mission to not just declutter but also to reduce my belongings. We spend a fair amount of time camping and also go South for a month or two in the winter. We let a lot accumulate after 28 years in the same house with a family of five. Our children have been out of the house for 8-10 years but some of their stuff remains. (Although most of it is finally gone.). Eventually I can see us downsizing and want to be ready!

For clothes, I used an idea I read somewhere of separating clothes off in another space or side of the closet as you wear them. At the end of a year get rid or at least evaluate clothes you have not worn in a year. I have huge closets and I use this method on an ongoing basis. Today I went through all my cookbooks and got rid of half. To fill a donation box I looked at stuff on the left of my closet and picked a few items to get rid of. I try at least once a week to donate a box or bag or throw a bag of shredding or junk in the garbage. Yet I still have a long way to go.
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

owendell
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 5:55 pm
Location: RV Full Time Traveling

inspriation and habit forming

Post by owendell » Mon Dec 07, 2015 1:00 pm

For those reducing (not just cleaning up) how about a HabitCal tracking for the "one in one out rule."

*If you get something new, and get rid of something else you get a green light that day (including all gifts, all mail, etc anything you physically bring into your home, vehicle, garage)
*If you don't bring anything in, you get a green light, OR if you just get rid of something without bringing in anything new, you get a green light.

***If you buy something and don't get rid of something, you get a red light.

Food and toiletries are exempt -- but everything else counts. If you have a closet overflowing with toiletries and pantry food items you'll never use perhaps they shouldn't be exempt at least for the first month or two.

For the sake of clarity "get rid of" can mean throw away, give away, drop off at charity, etc, or simply put in your get rid of box or bag (but it must be clearly a get rid of only pile to make sure you don't end up with a mess later to go through again, ideally you would get it out of your possession that day.)

For personal Olympics you could track extra "get rid" ofs by giving yourself bronze star for getting rid of an extra item that day, silver for getting rid of an extra garbage bag full that day, and a gold star for multiple bags or boxes gotten rid of that day.

Food for thought - *Why keep more than two sets of towels? Are you expecting you'll ever have more than yourself and one set of guests over at the same time? These take up a ton of space in your closet.

*Why keep more than a few serving spoons? How many dishes can you possibly serve at the same time? I'm serious if you can only possibly serve 6 dishes at one time why have 12 serving spoons?

Being sarcastic with yourself over some of the things you're trying to hold onto that don't make sense will be helpful.

You may like this TED talk for inspiration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgBpyNsS-jU

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:26 pm

I don't think I've seen this last post and can't even look at it that carefully right now, but wanted to report that a few things came together for me such that I got rid of a truckload of clutter two days ago. AND I've actually got it so that all the stuff I still need to go through, besides teaching/school materials, will now fit in a space about 10x5. I'm guessing at least half of that will be gone when I get done.

I've been reading a book called Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD. It's also good for the generally disorganized. At 62, I've finally decided to accept FOR NOW at least, that I am better off accepting the label and complying more with the author's recommendations. I can decide later if I think it's worked. It's doubtful any mistakes will cost me much more than a couple of hundred dollars, if that. (I got rid of some wood I had been keeping that I thought I might use for some deck repair at some future point. I kept two long boards. Hope it's enough, if needed.)
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

roseha
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Post by roseha » Wed Aug 31, 2016 4:34 pm

Coming back to this thread again - how is everyone doing? I have started up again, I'm at home in the city after doing a lot of traveling the last few months and what I think has hit home is that I need a new air conditioner in the future - it's been a terrible hot summer - but it will be hard to do anything about it until I do a better job of decluttering the apartment. Just today I tossed a couple of large things that were useless, and yesterday when changing the sheets I stopped to throw out loose papers and other ancient junk that was around my bedroom. So I'm doing something, but I feel conflicted. On the one hand I know that I don't *want* any of this stuff, but on the other tossing also makes me feel bad, maybe just guilty that I bought things I never ended up using. I do plan to do some more donating, but I am not up to carting anything much so I'm hoping to find a charity that will pick up some household dishes and other never-used things. Clothes will always be taken I guess if they are in good shape. It's just a big job to do yourself but I guess one or two things a day are still progress?

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Sep 01, 2016 3:58 am

No matter what Marie Kondo says, yes, decluttering can happen in stages or at a slow pace, if the testimonials on Flylady can be believed.

Maybe I should actually start reading the daily blurb I get from her.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

roseha
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Post by roseha » Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:24 pm

Thanks for the thoughts, oolala53. I don't think I will be able to do this except slowly, I just am not able to do a lot of heavy lifting anymore, but every once in awhile I look at something and realize it's going to be the next thing to go. I do think I can make progress that way eventually. I'm trying to think positive about it. My super thinks I can put the AC in the kitchen (when I get around to it) since my apartment is old and most of the other windows are casement type, so at least that problem should have a solution. Sooner or later I hope this will get better!

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Post by oolala53 » Sun Sep 04, 2016 6:01 pm

Let's keep up with each other!

I spontaneously dealt with a kitchen problem, not actually decluttering, this morning. It turned out not to be what I thought was the problem, and it was a relief.

A neighbor offered to help me move some free mulch to my yard today. Now I feel I have to declutter my yard some before he comes back and sees it! But a part of me also wants to let go of what people think. I know of some people who have some real messes around and they don't care who sees. I'd like a little of both.

I'm actually going to use a timer similarly to how Reinhard (and Flylady) recommends in a podcast.

I wonder if I'll remember to come back and report progress?
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

roseha
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Location: New York NY

Post by roseha » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:14 am

Thanks oolala! Hope it's going well for you.

I've actually been doing a lot of tossing the last few days, sorry I didn't post about it though. I did start the Fly Lady "15 minute" toss though it tends to end up being an hour or two, today I did a little less because sometimes it just starts to make my back hurt. But it is progress.

There are a couple of things I need to locate, haven't yet, sigh, but in the meantime I have gotten rid of several bags of stuff, including a *lot* of old papers and paper work that I definitely no longer need - glad to see that stuff go out the door.

Also one advantage in my building is that we can drop off books we no longer want in the laundry room and other people are free to take them. I already dropped off one batch and have another ready to go - couldn't be easier!

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Sep 08, 2016 10:51 pm

there is an advantage for me being close to the end of my teaching career. Last year, I got rid of a TON of stuff. Teachers nowadays want materials they can access on the internet. One woman at our school was supposed to be a resource person, with time allotted for that. I offered to give her originals of a lot of handouts that had been used in literature classes so that she could scan them and put them in Google Drive where the whole dept. could see and use them, if they wanted. She said that wasn't allotted in her time budget. Out they all went. I just can't afford to be the keeper of that kind of thing anymore. I have hardly any of that stuff at home anymore, and only about a tenth of what I used to have in a classroom at work.

But there's still some clutter at home...
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by eschano » Mon Nov 21, 2016 1:22 pm

Delighted for you oolala but what a waste that the resource woman couldn't be bothered.

I am trying to find a way to declutter and more importantly to assess better what comes into the house for the baby as we have a tiny house and her things are taking over. I am also do a proper reassessment of my pre-pregnancy clothes when I get time.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

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Started again January 2021

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:59 pm

I just read of someone on the No S section who aspires to a program called something33: a total of 33 pieces of clothing in the entire wardrobe! That can't mean undies, can it?

So glad I don't need to be that intense.

I'm away for TXgiving so no decluttering. Good excuse, huh?
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by kaalii » Thu Nov 24, 2016 9:42 am

im decluttering, too...
getting ready for a move to another home in some months...
flylady-style 15min. decluttering... but i make it mostly 2 times 15 min...
it feels so good already...
i soooo hope to keep up the motivation and not to have to do too much when the time of the move comes...
i need to keep reading decluttering motivation texts... :D
Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!

eschano
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Post by eschano » Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:27 pm

Yes, it's 33 items every 3 months http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

Crazy as they count jewellery and shoes ha! but I'm full of admiration

Oolala, thanks for introducing the minimalists to me, I read a lot during pregnancy and am trying to make it work for the whole family xx
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

roseha
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Post by roseha » Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:59 am

How are you all doing?

Back again - I think I am feeling similar to some of you that it's possible I may wish to travel more in the future, anyway I decided last week that I needed a new shredder and I got a medium sized one online and am finally getting those ancient financials and credit card invoices and offers shredded and out of here. I am throwing the shredded stuff, along with other papers, out in clear recycle bags that I found at the supermarket. This really feels like progress, I'm embarrassed to say how old some of those papers were but now they're gone.

Who knows what I'm going to find in those plastic bins I've been using for "important" old papers....but I'll get to them. All the stuff I've let go can be gotten again online so as long as I look at it first I'm not so concerned...I hope this will help!

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:19 am

On a thread devoted to decluttering, I think you would never have to be embarrassed by how old the papers are. People who would be shocked or judgmental about that don't use these threads. Their houses are tidy!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by kaalii » Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:51 pm

hahaha, exactly - no shame here!

i just came back from a short prolongued weekend trip to italy...
even though so far (3-4 weeks) im quite succesful in 15 min.decluttering of a flylady style i was curious about konmari method and i took her audiobook to listen to while driving if needed... managed to listen through it and im newly inspired...
i will finish a round around the house in flylady style... but the second round is coming soon when i will have to pack my whole home to move 1.3.2017... im thinking of actually packing for the move the konmari style... as much as possible...
and then unpacking again in the same way... "does it spark joy?"
i want our new home to be also an opportunity for more joy and love and i know that chosing to be surrounded by things i love and hold well in my awareness will help that...

so the move motivates me but - it would not be possible on such a basically short notice if my papers were already not in pretty good order - i had a major documents and paper decluttering and organization about 6 months ago and two weeks ago i untangled (read: threw almost everything away) one other paper area so it will need just a touch up...
the challenge will be toys... and attick (i cant even name what is up there... :D )...
but i think i can do it...
Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!

eschano
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Post by eschano » Mon Jan 09, 2017 8:48 am

We looked at a house to buy and it was pristine which gave me the will to start to declutter again. Unlike Marie Kondo I'll do it bit by bit as it's not easy with a little one. Already excited to getting a nice house back!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

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kaalii
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Post by kaalii » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:52 pm

my declutering is basically done!!!
i have 5-6 plastic bags in the attic to go through with some books and photos but the rest of the house is beautifull!!!

i am so energized... i put stuff back to their designated place with pleasure... the air is fresh, the space open...
it is so easy to keep it clean... it is so easy to get myself to wash the dishes, wipe the counter, table, dust, broom...

in the meantime i also had to dogproof the appartement because we are adopting a young dog that we yet have to educate in house manners so preventing the accidents in the beggining made me to touch up on the organization but also some more decluttering...

round 2 is coming soon, when packing for moving to the new appartement begins...
im not dreading it at all anymore - im even looking forward to it...

and then round 3 in the new appartement, for sure...

this was the first time that im finding such profound pleasure in my home!
thanks to flylady and konmari inspiration (although i havent followed neither of the methods precisely)...

and thanks to noS that liberated my mind to have the capacity to do it!
Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!

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