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Post by joblackford on Feb 15, 2020 17:33:07 GMT
Following on from the January Minimizing game thread led by our minimalism cheerleader sleepingbooty I thought maybe we should have an ongoing place to chat about what we’re getting rid of, what we’re putting on our “use it or lose it” lists, who is inspiring us to use it up/wear it out/make it do/do without and who we’re avoiding because they make us want to shop. (Jennifer McGuire. My answer is always JM) I’m taking a good hard look in the mirror as I grumble about my in laws accumulating so much junk that they didn’t look after. I’m helping widowed FIL sell a LOT of stuff and it’s all dust caked and long forgotten, kind of cool stuff, but waaay too much of it, and not useful stuff - just a lot of decorative thingggggs. But then I walk past my built in display shelves and ask myself “when was the last time I dusted this stuff?” I have a lot less, but I’m just as guilty of holding onto things I don’t really use or love for reasons that don’t really make sense. So I’m going to tackle that this weekend. Dusting, setting aside things to leave the house. And on the crafty side, I’m going to try to focus some attention on a ”Mom” die that I just *had* to have last year, going to see what I can do with it besides the obvious. It’s not something I’m going to declutter, but I want to feel like I’ve used it well. And in the process I should be able to use well/use up some other supplies. Crafty or not, what’s leaving your house or what you’re struggling with?
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 15, 2020 18:34:29 GMT
What I struggle with is one side of my unfinished basement. It's the abyss of all kinds of crap. Unfortunately it's an accumulation of four people's junk. I'm going to work on minimizing my things but I can't bother with the other people in my house right now. As long as their crap stays in that area it's okay with me.
Our laundry area is in another unfinished part of the home (we have four levels). I want to try to find some kind of hooks I can attach to the studs in the walls to hang up our steam mop and vacuum. Our kitchen table area is currently a place for storing all kinds of things under and to the side of the table. I'd also like a new laundry sorter with hanging bars above.
What I will work on is getting rid of a lot of home decor and holiday stuff. My son is destructive and the less things out the better. That makes me kind of sad, but I really don't enjoy that kind of stuff anymore. It's too much of a hassle. Then there's tons of miscellaneous things like VHS tapes that are going to mysteriously disappear. Paper books that need to be read and donated. Oh, and paperwork!
I probably have too much scrap stuff, but it makes me happy and it currently does not overwhelm me. I feel like I finally have it organized based on how I scrap. I easily find what I need. The basement is the biggest issue right now. I'll eventually get back to crafty stuff.
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oaksong
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Post by oaksong on Feb 15, 2020 18:46:51 GMT
I am in denial, but I will pay attention to all of you minimizers anyway. Maybe something will rub off on me!
Seriously, I do have too much stuff in general, and my scrap stuff has outgrown my plentiful storage. Rather than taking over another room, I should probably pare it down. Also, I am facing the possibility of moving this year (bad marriage situation), and not sure where I will land, so decluttering will help me get mentally ready.
Thanks for starting the thread!
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Post by cannmom on Feb 15, 2020 19:11:12 GMT
Fun post! I have been focusing on using my AE kits. I used to get the Story & Stamp kit and now I get SBTM kit. Every month I love getting my kit, but I’m not using them. I decided to break all the kits apart and store them by product. Since doing that I use them so much more. I have all the chipboard in a 4x6 box and it’s so easy to flip through to find something for a layout. Right now I have all the SBTM stamp sets in a metal tin on my desk and again, I can easily look through them and I’m using them way more now.
I want to really use up some supplies. Lately I have been really going through my pp and pulling together sort of page kits. Mostly it’s just paper that works together and I look at it and say I would make a layout with these papers. It’s just paper , no embellishments. I don’t have any sort of organization for my pp so it’s working for now. It’s good because it has forced me to sort through my paper and look at it. So now I know more of what I currently have and what I don’t need.
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 15, 2020 19:23:52 GMT
Also, I am facing the possibility of moving this year (bad marriage situation), ((hugs)) I hope everything works out for you.
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Post by joblackford on Feb 15, 2020 20:06:15 GMT
I am in denial, but I will pay attention to all of you minimizers anyway. Maybe something will rub off on me! Seriously, I do have too much stuff in general, and my scrap stuff has outgrown my plentiful storage. Rather than taking over another room, I should probably pare it down. Also, I am facing the possibility of moving this year (bad marriage situation), and not sure where I will land, so decluttering will help me get mentally ready. Thanks for starting the thread! You're always welcome to hang out regardless of whether you're in minimizing mode or not! Sorry to hear about the bad situation. {{Big hugs}} Decluttering a bit, or at least going through some stuff might be a good thing to work on, even if it's just to exert some control over something (if things are uncertain/chaotic that can help), to get a sense of what you have and what you love, and to make things easier if you do have to move. I don't always get much out of the house but just "churning" (that's the technical term for picking stuff up and moving it around without actually organizing it or getting rid of it!) can be comforting. And like cannmom said, it helps to know what you've got.
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Post by hop2 on Feb 15, 2020 20:15:36 GMT
I am in denial, but I will pay attention to all of you minimizers anyway. Maybe something will rub off on me! Seriously, I do have too much stuff in general, and my scrap stuff has outgrown my plentiful storage. Rather than taking over another room, I should probably pare it down. Also, I am facing the possibility of moving this year (bad marriage situation), and not sure where I will land, so decluttering will help me get mentally ready. Thanks for starting the thread! Hugs
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Post by artisticscrapper on Feb 15, 2020 23:44:49 GMT
Great timing for this thread. I’m In the process of going through all my things and not just the scrap related stuff. Let’s face it—as we go through life we accumulate things. I have things that I bought because I liked them, things I need, and things that I’m emotionally attached to. There’s just too much of it and I’m tired of dusting and cleaning it all. So I’m going through everything slowly and deciding what can go. Scrapping stash has been purged several times so probably there won’t be much to toss. oaksong sorry you’re going though some bad times. Sending hugs.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Feb 15, 2020 23:52:30 GMT
Ok, so I need to go through all of my organization supplies. I have a bunch of containers and storage items that I’ve either used in the past or “might use someday.” It’s taking up half of a hall closet! I’ve used some of it and I need to either figure out how to use the rest or donate it. That’s my goal by the end of the weekend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2020 1:16:28 GMT
I just need to stay out of tuesday morning. Really and truly. Stay out. I took a different way home on Friday in order to avoid the temptation to go in. Even though my carpool partner was like, "This way is 10 min longer." I told him there was a road closure!
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Post by Linda on Feb 16, 2020 1:51:55 GMT
I've been decluttering for 8 years now...and for some reason...there's always more to declutter.
Last Tuesday we brought a bag (tall white trash bag) plus a cast iron griddle to Goodwill. Today I brought two rolling coolers, 2 picture frames, and 3 books. My goal is to bring at least one bag (or its equivalent) each week.
I've already added a book to the donations crate...
I'm making a concentrated effort this year to read through my to-read pile (I won't get through it this year - it's over 300 books). I set a goal of one book/week and am ahead of my goal - it's currently week 7 and I'm on book 16. As I read them I either pass them on or donate them.
Every year I try and touch everything in the house twice (at least - every six months) and decide if it's staying or leaving. I'm feeling a bit overcluttered right now - a combination of how much stuff was in my mum's house and the stuff I've brought home from there.
And on the flip side of that - I'm trying to think really hard about what I'm bringing INTO the house and how long it stays.
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Post by Jessica on Feb 16, 2020 2:11:22 GMT
Thanks for starting the thread! I am actually bringing things into my house today as I went through what was left of my things at my parents' house. They are currently getting ready for their home to sell -- they've lived there for over 30 years and it was more emotional than I thought to go through items today. I got rid of a lot (college yearbooks, notebooks, prom dresses, etc) but there were still some things I didn't want to part with quite yet.
Bonus though, I found my original scrapbook from when I started back in college -- full of paperkins, letter templates, and shaped photos. I'm absolutely thrilled as I had completely forgotten about it!
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 16, 2020 2:43:09 GMT
As I take out my Iris cases of themed embellishments, I am tossing those little leftover bits, things I don't even like, but they came in a collection, that sort of thing. I want to love and use what is in there.
I also have gallon ziplock bags of items to donate. I had unopened packages of stuff from years ago that came in warehouse boxes that if I haven't used by now, I never will.
I also created a new Iris box called RANDOM. When I come across an embellishment I think I might use, but it doesn't fit one of my themes, it goes there. It has video game controllers, doctor related items, game board pieces, etc. That has been helpful for me.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 16, 2020 3:38:13 GMT
I destashed washi tape two weeks ago, tossed bottles and bottles (about 100) of old perfect pearls and Tattered Angel sprays, and today I went through my colored card stock and pulled out at least 100 sheets. I got rid of the colors that made me go ewww.
Now my card stock is very organized and all of the same colors are together. I have over 50 shades of yellow. I like to use colored cardstock as base pages sometimes, so many sheets have 4 of the same color.
I should do my ribbon, but that is for another day.
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Post by joblackford on Feb 16, 2020 3:52:20 GMT
I just need to stay out of tuesday morning. Really and truly. Stay out. I took a different way home on Friday in order to avoid the temptation to go in. Even though my carpool partner was like, "This way is 10 min longer." I told him there was a road closure! That made me laugh! Good for you though, staying away. I’m lucky my one is a little out of the way, a pain for me to get to, and hard to see from the street. If I do start thinking about going in (usually because people mention is here) I tell myself that the reselling vultures will have already gotten all the good stuff. I don’t know if that’s true but it helps me feel like I’m not missing out. Stay strong! If you didn’t know you needed it until you saw it there did you really need it?
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Post by pas2 on Feb 16, 2020 11:15:31 GMT
I just need to stay out of tuesday morning. Really and truly. Stay out. I took a different way home on Friday in order to avoid the temptation to go in. Even though my carpool partner was like, "This way is 10 min longer." I told him there was a road closure! I lamented the closing of my local TM but now I’m grateful. For me TM had become an addiction. The same goes for AX.
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 16, 2020 13:41:06 GMT
I just need to stay out of tuesday morning. Really and truly. Stay out. I took a different way home on Friday in order to avoid the temptation to go in. Even though my carpool partner was like, "This way is 10 min longer." I told him there was a road closure! I lamented the closing of my local TM but now I’m grateful. For me TM had become an addiction. The same goes for AX. I have stopped going into TM, unless I need something specific and non-crafty. I was impulse buying too much stuff.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2020 14:53:45 GMT
Another one who tries to stay out of TM. I dont buy much when I go so its really a waste of time when I could be actually scrapping.
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 16, 2020 15:02:06 GMT
I also created a new Iris box called RANDOM. When I come across an embellishment I think I might use, but it doesn't fit one of my themes, it goes there. It has video game controllers, doctor related items, game board pieces, etc. That has been helpful for me I have an envelope with that type of stuff too. I need to do some rearranging with my 12x12 iris cases and move the items to there.
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Post by scrappyem on Feb 16, 2020 15:37:25 GMT
Love this thread. I need some work done on my 1950's house: Re-do laundry area in the kitchen completely, new floors in kitchen and family room, painting kitchen & cabinets white, some work in master bath, and then I want to replace all the doors and molding in the house, paint my studio, and guest room. I had the contractor out to give bids and he pointed out how if I wasn't living there, he'd also recommend re-doing the ceilings to fix some settling cracks. Since every room in the house is being touched, I'm really considering packing everything up, moving out for a few weeks and having them knock out everything all at once. I am waiting on the bids, so not sure if I can afford everything I want, but if I can, I think I'm going to go for it. I can't afford to move to a new house (which is what I'd prefer but things are so expensive now, it's not an option). I think if I finish all the things I want to do I'll be happy with the house again. I've lived here just over 10 years, so it's time. I think I'm going to get rid of a ton old furniture I don't love too. I may have to slowly replace things overtime but I'm ready. I want my space to be mine. I'm trying to focus on that being the positive since my partner and I recently split after 10 years.
I also canceled my Citris Twist sub this week. I have too many piled up right now. I canceled some other non-scrappy subs too: one clothing rental, one for face stuff, & an online news site that my work is now paying for. It felt good to free up that $. I loath how everything is a subscription now.
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 16, 2020 17:51:55 GMT
scrappyem that sounds like a very exciting project! My house was built in 1999 and we've lived here since 2007. I've been wanting to make a few changes like yours as well. I'm sorry about your breakup. It sounds like you will be able to make an amazing new house that is all you!
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Feb 17, 2020 1:05:39 GMT
Hugs to oaksong and others that are struggling, I hope things look better soon. I spent some time today de-cluttering my scrapping desktop, putting away a bunch of Christmas things and storing some of them in a different way so I can get to the card-making things that I tend to work on throughout the year. I found an empty drawer in my storage cart and made it into a cards-in-progress drawer. I had forgotten that when I changed my desktop around about 6 months ago and added a small organizer hutch on the top, it left empty space in my drawer cart because I put a bunch of stuff on the hutch. It's funny how something as simple as finding an empty drawer can help with organizing (and also it made me really happy)...space - just when I needed it! In other parts of the house, this year when we put away the Christmas decorations, we went through them and donated a huge bag of stuff that we no longer like/need/want. Unfortunately a lot of my bigger de-cluttering jobs will have to wait until DD moves out this summer. It's a cross-country move so she's been told she'll either take everything with her or lose it, haha. Seriously, we're just a little short on all storage space right now because we needed to absorb her whole apartment into various places throughout the house - most of it will go with her.
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Post by scrappyem on Feb 17, 2020 1:54:12 GMT
scrappyem that sounds like a very exciting project! My house was built in 1999 and we've lived here since 2007. I've been wanting to make a few changes like yours as well. I'm sorry about your breakup. It sounds like you will be able to make an amazing new house that is all you! Thank you! I think I'll love it when it's all over. And I guess if I don't, then it really is time to move.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 17, 2020 11:37:38 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread, joblackford ! My main struggle? Honestly, it's living top floor sans lift and sans car. I have no issues assembling the stuff to get rid of but taking it downstairs for the bulkier stuff is such a hassle. Then taking several buses to get to a donation place or, worse, the recycling centre. It's a lot of physical effort and time. That's my main obstacle. Otherwise, I fly through the actual declutter process and actually enjoy it. That amazing feeling when you can clean out the closet properly and reorganise it, oh yeah!
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Post by ss on Feb 17, 2020 12:44:31 GMT
I'm excited for this thread on so many different levels! My oldest DD got engaged last Saturday and bought her dress this Saturday!!! She is a mover and a shaker, unlike her mom. lol. I so need to clear things out, update the house, and get ready for a wedding. I shudder to think pictures being taken in our house today!! I do have Vietnam Vets doing a pickup tomorrow. We just redid one of our bedroom, painted, new floor. Moved a desk up there, and want to make it more of a den, and a place to write out bills, do paperwork and taxes. Currently those things are on our kitchen counters.... So much to do! Just need to jump in! Let's continue our decluttering sweet peas!
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Post by scrapperal on Feb 17, 2020 17:10:50 GMT
I am participating in a SB garage sale next month. It is amazing how much stuff I can get rid of. And amazingly sad how it doesn't look like I've made a dent in my stash. I have to keep reminding myself that the goal is to reduce my stash, that I'll never get back what I paid for it, and that I can always rebuy something if I really need it. It is really hard!!!
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Post by oldgardengirl on Feb 17, 2020 17:48:17 GMT
Following on from the January Minimizing game thread led by our minimalism cheerleader sleepingbooty I thought maybe we should have an ongoing place to chat about what we’re getting rid of, what we’re putting on our “use it or lose it” lists, who is inspiring us to use it up/wear it out/make it do/do without and who we’re avoiding because they make us want to shop. (Jennifer McGuire. My answer is always JM) I’m taking a good hard look in the mirror as I grumble about my in laws accumulating so much junk that they didn’t look after. I’m helping widowed FIL sell a LOT of stuff and it’s all dust caked and long forgotten, kind of cool stuff, but waaay too much of it, and not useful stuff - just a lot of decorative thingggggs. But then I walk past my built in display shelves and ask myself “when was the last time I dusted this stuff?” I have a lot less, but I’m just as guilty of holding onto things I don’t really use or love for reasons that don’t really make sense. So I’m going to tackle that this weekend. Dusting, setting aside things to leave the house. And on the crafty side, I’m going to try to focus some attention on a ”Mom” die that I just *had* to have last year, going to see what I can do with it besides the obvious. It’s not something I’m going to declutter, but I want to feel like I’ve used it well. And in the process I should be able to use well/use up some other supplies. Crafty or not, what’s leaving your house or what you’re struggling with? I might be the only person that can't stand TM. I have been twice, and I can't handle that kind of disorganized chaos. Yuck. I am kind of decluttering... but mostly I am moving things from random various places I have been stashing myself supplies in our house into one of the bedrooms and calling it an official craft room, now that 2/3 of the kids are all grown up and moved out. So it's been fun finding all the old stuff, and while I am chucking quite a bit of it because nobody would really want it, I'm kind of sentimental for things like Paperkins and Journaling genies, so I'm putting some of my old favorites in bins in the closet in this bedroom, and then finding ways to store and display (finally!) the fun things in my stash. I found the wood mounted rubber stamps (D.O.T.S. lol) that I used to make my 2nd kid's birth announcement in 1998 so that was fun. I kept those and I'm going to need to figure out how to get rid of most of the rest of my stash of D.O.T.S stamps, purchased mostly because it is fun to buy stuff LOL but also because my bestie was a demonstrator and I seemed to get invited to loads of parties.
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Post by tc on Feb 17, 2020 18:22:50 GMT
My mother just moved this weekend. I knew it was going to be bad, but didn't realize how bad until they filled up two moving trucks with her stuff and then the movers got to her new place (she was "downsizing") and they looked right at her and said, "There's no way this is all going to fit." So dealing with *that* just reaffirmed for me that I need to get rid of my stuff NOW - not in 30+ years. But the best part of it? My husband was with me and he finally "got" it. I've been trying to get him on board for years. Now he's ready to get rid of stuff too! Yea! Finally! I've been spending 15 minutes a day on it (a lot of the time more than 15 minutes a day) since December 1, but didn't feel like I was really getting anywhere. But now that I have a partner - I think this will go a lot easier. The other bonus is he's agreed nothing new comes IN the house unless we both agree on it. We're going to concentrate on things leaving - not coming in. Our son was away this weekend so we tackled organizing the toys last night. We didn't get rid of anything yet, but even walking into that room feels a whole lot better just because everything now has a place rather than just being piled everywhere. It will make end of the night clean up a lot easier too.
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Post by Linda on Feb 17, 2020 18:59:02 GMT
I have a milk crate full of picture frames plus a couple of photo albums that are headed to donation. Also a packet of wallpaper border (unopened - I tossed the opened packet of a different border)
As soon as I finish labelling the digital images, one slide tray (80 slides, tray, and box) will be going in the trash. One down, SO many more to go....
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Post by Skellinton on Feb 17, 2020 18:59:19 GMT
I am the queen of churning! I am really trying to be better. I have started with my scrap room and am being really good that if something doesn’t have a place or an immediate use it is leaving the house. Some stuff I am taking to the thrift store, some is going to school.
I have been struggling going into my scrapbook room and scrapping lately after losing my scrap buddy, Kit Snicket last August. Ridiculous I know, but she was my constant companion/helper in here and I miss trying to scrap around her furry bottom or having her try to sneak off with my Thicker packages ( she loved the crinkly plastic). It just makes me sad to be in here without here. I did get my favorite picture of her blown up into an 8x10 and have it where I can see it and that helps. I am hoping just being In here will help. So far so good, also my other cats have started visiting me here and that helps. Previously they pretty much stayed out as Kit was usually queen of this room and if they were in here they were just looking out the window and ignoring me. ..Jo Buttons has taken over my chair and is doing her best to distract me today, so that is nice!
I got rid of a ton of papers, and PL cards and that felt great. I am going through my stamps now, whatever I can’t find a home for is leaving!
Thanks for starting this thread.
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