Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 6:17:13 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 11:01:05 GMT
We don't live in a large house by any means (1200 sq feet plus another 1000 sq feet basement) but we all have too much stuff. My house is very uncluttered compared to many, but I find myself stressed out when even the closets are messy. I think I am happier when I have less stuff.
This week I decided I had enough and I'm purging. I'm trying to go by: I have to need it or I have to love it.
So, I went through my Christmas decorations, and managed to get rid of 5 totes of stuff, all going to a yard sale.
I was so happy when I was done I want to do the rest of the house.
How do you keep an uncluttered house? How do you decide what is worth keeping? How do you keep yourself from bringing more crap into your home?
|
|
|
Post by Florida Cindy on Jul 18, 2014 11:37:18 GMT
Thanks for posting this thread. I'll watch it!
|
|
anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,394
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
|
Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 18, 2014 11:48:17 GMT
1. Don't put it down put it away! (I can hear my mother's voice from the grave here!) 2. I find this a useful tip. If you are unsure about jettisoning something, seal it in a box, and put the date on the box. Store in the garage, and if you haven't opened the box in a year, sling it, as you don't need it.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 6:17:13 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 12:31:30 GMT
I'm still thinking about the pea who posted on the tiny house thread about us acting/feeling self righteous. Scared to post because I think I might be. I was born this way. Not self righteous,but I hate clutter. It makes me very uncomfortable. I feel blessed and grateful to have a nice home and would not want to let it get junked up as I am able to keep it clean.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 6:17:13 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 12:41:29 GMT
Listen, you can't take it with you. All it is, is a burden on your kids/grandkids to have to deal with when you are gone. Sure, it's nice to have pretty things, and if you enjoy them, then you should keep them. I had a lot of pretty things. Basically just dust collectors. When I had to move because of loss of a job, I felt suffocated from everything. I have finally purged everything except the bare essentials. I feel FREE!
My mom's a hoarder. God forbid, when she dies, my siblings and I will have a real hard time deciding what to do with everything. She collected a set of dishes called Blue Danube. She has the entire set. She said I could have it when she passes. So help me God, I don't want it. What am I going to do with it all? If any of my siblings want the set, they can have it. But can you see the potential for disaster?
As for tips, garage/lawn sale. Donate the rest. Only keep what you can use in the right now.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 6:17:13 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 12:59:33 GMT
I can testify to this. When my mom passed a few years ago, it was a huge task to go through everything. She was a very neat person, but she had her closets stuffed, the attic stuffed. I found things I had never seen before, really nice dishes, glassware, etc. We told the grandkids to each to what they wanted, my sister and I each took a few things, everything else got sold. It made me sad to do it, but since it wasn't stuff out in the house being used, it didn't hold much sentimental value anyways.
Personally, if I have nice stuff I want to use it.
|
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Jul 18, 2014 13:01:21 GMT
I wish I had the time/patience/drive to go through all the closets and purge. I married into a family of hoarders and have 2 kids who I swear are slobs. I feel like i"m constantly tripping over crap The thing is I can't blame it on a small house, we have a giant house (3500sf) and just too much junk.
|
|
scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,739
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
|
Post by scrappert on Jul 18, 2014 13:03:44 GMT
I have to say I was one who has so much clutter! Junk everywhere. I like to purge, but at that time my ex was a pack rat. When I left him with just a few essentials to take with me, oh the feeling of freedom! I totally learned to live without all the stuff. Never thought that would be possible, but it is true. When I go shopping now, I really take into account if I REALLY need it. After 4 years, I am still clutter free and it is great. So easy to clean! I have also learned the don't put it down, put it away. Good words to live by.
|
|
ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
|
Post by ginacivey on Jul 18, 2014 13:09:03 GMT
"a cluttered home is a cluttered mind"
i thought this was a bunch of new age bullshit until we built a new home
i only brought 60% of my stuff (we stil own the other home so their was no need to clean it out completely right away)
to be honest...i only went back and got a few things
after a while...i threw the rest away
i never missed it...and my life feels so much better NOT surrounded by so much shit
all those 'projects' you'll get to - throw them away - you won't ever get to them
go through all your 'skinny' clothes - odds are...well...you all know (and on the chance you do shrink back down...buy some new stuff to celebrate
gina
|
|
|
Post by AN on Jul 18, 2014 13:10:28 GMT
Obviously the most important thing is to purge and pare down. A tip for purging, if you're having a hard time letting go of stuff. For the stuff you really are having a hard time letting go of, put it into a box and put it in a closet or garage or whereever. Set a date - write it on the box. Whatever you HAVEN'T gotten out of the box & didn't need, give it all away on that date. That sort of makes you prove to yourself you don't need those items. It's better if you can just get rid of it right away, but for things you are saying, "But I might use it" - well, prove it. For me, posting stuff free on Facebook sale groups gets it gone much faster than taking it to Goodwill which is a bit of a drive. I do sell stuff, although some people will advise you not to because it stays in your house longer. For me, I have one "for sale" box and everything stays contained there. The free stuff on Facebook gets snapped up every time, and I just put it on my porch and someone disappears with it. I've even done it where I had a box of stuff (decent, but some was less desirable than others), and I said it was free but the person had to take it ALL. Make a rule for yourself about buying non-need things. Maybe you need to wait 48 hours? a week? a day? between when you look at it and when you buy it. That will help reduce the amount of stuff coming into your house. I personally do best working in 15 minute increments for clearing out areas. Trying to power through for hours just exhausts me and I get less done in the course of a day because I burn out, where working in 15 minutes on/15 minutes break makes me work hard against the clock and really energizes me. Now, this is a bit dangerous, but I do prefer it - in every house, I sort of designated one "doom room" and tackled that last. I got everything else tidied up/purged, and that one room was the last thing, it was where all the random, harder boxes went. Don't do that if you won't tackle the doom room, but for me I really liked getting 90% of the house done quickly. Every night, do a sweep through the house and "reset" it. Readjust the couch pillows, pick up any books/magazines/toys/other stuff that has been laid down somewhere and put it away. If you do it every night, it will probably take less than 15 minutes. Identify spots where stuff gathers and make a place for it. For example, my husband IS going to set stuff on the dryer right when he walks in and then again on the kitchen counter. There is no changing that behavior. What I did was put a small basket on top of the dryer and a little pedestal dish on the counter that looks pretty and decorative. I asked him to please put anything he wanted to leave around in those two spots. It looks totally tidy... and his random receipts, screws, small tools, papers all are contained. Plus, if he does leave something out, I can put it into the bin and he knows exactly where to look for stuff, it isn't like I "moved" it on him. If this sounds a little controlling, it is just how I wrote it. Before I placed the "hot spot containers," I asked him if he was okay with that plan, if that would work for him, if he wanted them somewhere else. He was on board, he just wouldn't have taken the initiative himself. It is MUCH easier to change your environment to accommodate than to change someone's behaviors long-term. Another example - my DH is GOING to leave his shoes by the door when he comes in. It is happening. He (very graciously) asked me where I wanted them to go by the door. Well, I don't really want them to go by the door, but I need to be practical. I created a little shoe area in a corner of our living room with a bench (that shoes fit under - key!) and a hook rack. It wasn't my first choice in how to arrange the furniture, but otherwise I was going to have random shoes splayed everywhere. This gives him a natural "target" to try and get under the bench. Give natural boundaries that people will generally adhere to without you having to nag - for example, I want to put a rug under that bench because if there is a rug, he will put them on the rug completely. Right now he kind of kicks them halfway under. It's the same principle as the bin for his stuff. Get as much off your counters as you practically can. Get your paper towels mounted under a cabinet if they aren't. It's okay to have some small appliances out, but limit it. In bathrooms, get a small basket or tray and everything that stays out on the counters needs to be within that tray. I position it to DH that it makes it much easier for me to clean (TRUE), but basically - if he is cluttered within the tray, it still looks much nicer than all that stuff being spread all over the counter. Keep your sink clear. This is so Flylady, but whatever. Keep your dishwasher unloaded (if you have one) and put dirty dishes directly in there. If you don't, wash dishes every time you eat. Dishes in the sink and an unmade bed are the broken windows that lead to my clutter downfall. Oh yeah, make your bed daily. It makes everything look less cluttered. Figure out where paper comes into your home and put recycle/waste/shredders there. Even if you need to buy another shredder, if paper comes in both the front and back door, get some shredding stations going. We had one in our garage at our last house. Paper coming in and laying around is the kiss of death. Try and switch as many of your bills to auto-pay/e-bill as possible. You can also go opt out of new credit card offers here. That will cut down on paper coming into your house. I think that's enough for now, but I'll try to think of others throughout the day.
|
|
|
Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 18, 2014 13:14:56 GMT
For me, the "less is more" concept, took a while for me to figure out. I think I came to that realization, in my early 40's. I think I was stuck in an idyllic wanderlust, rather than reality.
I had misguided visions of what I and/or society deems a "normal" home should be. However the reality is, I am not normal, nor is my home, persona and lifestyle. My misguided vision, made me collect possessions that did not match my reality or lifestyle. Idyllically I had what I envisioned , but my reality was, that I didn't use or need the majority of it.
I'm not the entertaining type. I do not like cooking or having a houseful guests, yet I had a whole kitchen full of everything necessary to entertain and be a good hostess. But, I never once entertained/hosted a group. So, I downsized.
Downsizing my possessions, is still a work in process. When all is said and done, 'll have what I need and want, to suit myself and my lifestyle.
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jul 18, 2014 14:16:51 GMT
I think the most important realisation I made was that decluttering was an on-going process not a once and done deal. I go through the whole house (minus Dh's stuff) twice a year and always find things that can be donated or tossed.
I have a milk crate designated for donations and when it's full - it gets bagged and taken to Goodwill. I find that the girls are starting to add stuff to the crate - which is awesome because it means they are learning the skill of decluttering as well.
In my scrapbook area, I keep a 2-gallon ziploc bag and I regularly add the end of a sticker sheet or a piece of paper I no longer love or the last eyelet or...I bring the bag to the monthly Girl Scout leader meetings and it's always snapped up.
|
|
|
Post by snappinsami on Jul 18, 2014 14:34:44 GMT
AN's reply is awesome. I think I'm going to officially worship her from now on. We moved last month from a house that was almost 3,000 sf to one that is just over 2,000 sf. Went from a 3 car garage (where we parked both cars in it but used the 3rd bay purely for storage) to a 2 car one (not parking in the garage - 2/3 of it is set up as a gym, and the rest is storage). MUCH more storage overall in the old house. We'd lived in the other house for 5 1/2 years and had accumulated a TON of crap. I was shocked at how much we purged before we moved. We had boxes in the garage that we hadn't opened since we'd lived there. 90% of it wound up being thrown out. We got a mini-dumpster and filled it twice. Had TONS of other trash. Took bags of clothes to Goodwill and boxes of books to the library. And I swore to DH that I wanted our new house to be less cluttered and to not keep so much stuff. I'm trying to not keep stuff on surfaces. It's hard, but I'm trying. I'm determined to get shipping boxes flattened and out in the recycling right away instead of letting them pile up in the garage. (There's no room in there for them anyway.) Things that aren't being used are being purged. I'm trying not to fall victim to the "I might someday want/need/use this." If I haven't used it in the last year, it goes. As Linda said, it's an ongoing process, not a one-time exercise. Once you have that mindset, things should get a little easier.
|
|
|
Post by Peace Sign on Jul 18, 2014 14:35:02 GMT
my house is the same size as yours. I am sentimental, so I like to keep some things. but, I hate the clutter.
we have a super active facebook garage site in my neighborhood, so I have gone through each and every shelf, drawer, and closet (since last fall) and pulled out all I could. duplicate utensils. decorations. clothes. shoes. artwork. furniture. organizers. scrapbook items. old toys. an extra cooler. old tailgate chairs. I've probably made a couple thousand dollars. which feels great!! and my children got in on the action and made some money for themselves too.
I am also trying to maximize the space I have. I added a shelf in two closets below the two existing ones and moved the hanging rod down a foot or so. it's another shelf for storage and the kids can reach their clothes better. I'm going vertical.
it's a long process, but I like how things are heading. the things I have out on display mean something, and I feel like I have room to move. i even removed my drapes/rods and did bamboo blinds, which makes me feel less cluttery too!
|
|
|
Post by justcindy on Jul 18, 2014 14:37:15 GMT
This isn't a huge, "cleanse your life" kind of tip, but man, it's really helped me through the years since I came across this idea for cleaning out smaller areas. Think drawers, cabinets, a surface that constantly attracts clutter. I ended up working my way through my entire kitchen, though, and it's really worked for us!
For example, if you are cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer, take it all out, everything. Clean the drawer, add an organizer if you want, whatever. But the trick is to only put back in that drawer what you would love to live there. Only the stuff you know you use or reach for regularly. Then like others have mentioned, deal with the rest...toss, donate, sell, or if you are undecided, box it up and see if you have a need specific enough to go to the garage (or wherever) and dig it out. This system worked WONDERS for me decluttering my kitchen. DH is a gadget whore and I hated having to dig thru a dozen specialy items to get to the stuff I use every day. When I cleaned the kitchen out like this, I designated one cabinet to any gadget his heart desired, and we put the rest in a cabinet in the garage. (Stuff we use, but only when we host thanksgiving, etc, that kind if thing we kept, just not among the daily used stuff).
It's helped immeasurably for us!
|
|
ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,946
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
|
Post by ddly on Jul 18, 2014 15:25:33 GMT
My DH tends to have more stuff than I do so he has a few drawers and a decorative box that his things go in. We have a hook for keys and a closet by the door for coats. We also have a few hooks by the door that dad's purse, dog leashes, etc get hung on. Shoes go on the boot mat by the door. We also have a bench toy box by the door that shoes go in. We have 4 seasons so we have different shoes out dependent on weather. DH's table next to his recliner is a repurposed bedside table with drawers so I can out his stuff in the drawers.
I purge during the summer when I'm off work but also every time I use something seasonal. This way decorations don't pile up. We store things in the basement so this is summer purge work. Every year it gets easier because I only bring in what I'll use. I am currently painting my kitchen cabinets so they are getting reorganized.
We don't have a lot of stuff we don't use. I don't like stuff and I have a small house so everything needs to serve a purpose. I clean up every night before I go to bed but it only takes a few minutes.
For paper, I recycle rap as it comes in. Most of our bills are paperless so that helps. All bills go I the bill binder. Misc stuff goes right in the file cabinet. It only takes a minute and keeps stuff off surfaces.
I think you really need to be willing to part with things you don't need. While I love fun coffee mugs, I don't need a hundred. The same goes for me with clothes. I don't have a ton and I wear everything I have.
Lisa D.
|
|
anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,394
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
|
Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 18, 2014 15:32:23 GMT
Listen, you can't take it with you. All it is, is a burden on your kids/grandkids to have to deal with when you are gone. Never has a truer word been spoken. When my sainted MIL shuffled off her mortal coil, it took forever to clear her crap (treasures). Most of it went on a skip. It wasn't even charity shop worthy. One thing is for sure, I never want to see another pair of double gussetted airtex knickers as long as I live. There were over 40 pairs of the buggers, in varying states of decrepitude, in all sorts of odd places around the house.
|
|
msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Jul 18, 2014 17:15:27 GMT
Listen, you can't take it with you. All it is, is a burden on your kids/grandkids to have to deal with when you are gone. I never want to see another pair of double gussetted airtex knickers as long as I live. There were over 40 pairs of the buggers, in varying states of decrepitude, in all sorts of odd places around the house. I had to google that. Now I'm laughing at the thought of you finding them everywhere, "in varying states of decrepitude."
|
|
|
Post by krc11 on Jul 18, 2014 17:35:30 GMT
I really really need to do this. I had been slowly doing it but then have got side tracked with life. I need to get back on it. I like the suggesting about skinny clothes above. I just looked at a drawer this morning marked of "big size 12 jeans" I put there god knows how long ago - I put the note on them with the specific thought that when I go a size smaller, I have a drawer full of jeans. Guess what, I'm still the same size and I can't remember if it's been 1-2-5 years. They are going as soon as I get home.
One thing I found that works is purple heart will come pick up your donations at your house in my area. And now I can schedule it online (donatestuff.com). When I was doing it, I would schedule 2-3 appointments out for next 3 weeks. That would propel me to actually do the purging since I already had the appointment. And I didn't want them to come just to pick up one bag. Sometimes I was grabbing things for bags on Tuesday night without more thought than filling a bag. Know what. Haven't missed a thing.
I think I'm going to put those scrapbook WIP in a few boxes to get rid of on XXX date. Keep thinking I'll finish them. Let's see - they were in the bags from the classes for a number of years and now have been in a laundry basket of "projects" for at least a year or two with the thought I could grab them for crops. I actually did finish a few projects - what should I do with that? I gave one away to a niece. They aren't well made enough or new enough product for etsy. I hate to throw away. Any thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by AN on Jul 18, 2014 17:39:58 GMT
I think I'm going to put those scrapbook WIP in a few boxes to get rid of on XXX date. Keep thinking I'll finish them. Let's see - they were in the bags from the classes for a number of years and now have been in a laundry basket of "projects" for at least a year or two with the thought I could grab them for crops. I actually did finish a few projects - what should I do with that? I gave one away to a niece. They aren't well made enough or new enough product for etsy. I hate to throw away. Any thoughts? This kind of stuff disappears quickly in my area if it is listed for free on Craigslist or Facebook sale groups (Facebook especially). I'm always a bit amazed at what people will take, but anyone who crafts might enjoy looking through it and taking pieces they need. They'll throw the rest out for you and you don't have to feel the pain of doing it. Just take a photo, give a rough estimate of what is included, and put "FREE FOR PORCH PICKUP - MUST TAKE ALL."
|
|
|
Post by NanaKate on Jul 18, 2014 17:43:07 GMT
I hate clutter, too. You might pop in one day and be able to write your name in the dust, but everything will be neat and tidy and in its place!
|
|
|
Post by candleangie on Jul 18, 2014 17:55:12 GMT
This is totally the state my brain is in right now. We had a fire a few years back, and we just kind of filled the how with "this will work" things because the shopping list was totally overwhelming. Now I'm finally starting to wake up and care that our space doesn't feel like 'ours'. 1 part clutter, 2 part personality. So I'm starting with the clutter. It's easier. lol
Right now, I'm tackling one piece of one space at a time. A cupboard, a storage box, a row of drawers...and just decluttering. No organizing is happening until the extra is gone and I know what I really have/really need re: storage.
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Jul 18, 2014 17:55:16 GMT
I know how you feel luvcookies. I hare clutter too. I told myself I wasn't going to have this house cluttered. My daughter has issues with piles. I think she got it from my mother. Her room is a room full of piles. I can't walk into her room with out feeling claustrophobic.
My craft room started to feel cluttered and unorganized so I took everything out of it and rearranged everything and reorganized all the craft and office supplies.
after we moved in here last May(2013) daughter and I went through all our holiday decorations. I got rid of 5 car loads of stuff. I had inherited so much stuff from my mom and grandma that I knew it was over due purging. then I decorated for Christmas last year and decided I didn't want anything that wasn't in my Santa theme collection I have going on and told my daughter that she could have anything else and what she didn't want I am getting rid of. I also have Easter stuff and Halloween stuff. I am going to purge through them again as well. I only want the stuff I want to use. The Halloween stuff with go to my daughter because that is her favorite holiday. The Easter stuff that I don't use will probably go to her or I will donate it. I just can't see myself using more of it then I did this year. I have a few Thanksgiving decos but I will keep them. I only have enough stuff for the dining table and the mantle.
I cleaned out all but 1 closet this spring. Ran out of time for the last one. It is our cleaning supply closet and I hate that closet it. I freak if our walk in closet in our master is messy. I usually keep it nice and organized.
The problem we have is the garage. I swear we have cleaned it every month since we lived here. We will clean it and it will be nice for a while then it will get crap thrown in there and we will have to clean it again. It is like a never ending story.... Right now we have tables in there that we put all the craft stuff on when we took all the craft stuff out of the craft room to get the rug cleaned. We still have stuff on the tables that is going to good will. that will be dealt with this Saturday. Have to get Jeep back into garage very soon. by Monday
|
|
amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,327
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
|
Post by amom23 on Jul 19, 2014 0:09:53 GMT
Here are a few things I do to help control the day to day clutter.
1. Go through the mail right away. Toss the junk. File the bills.
2. Read magazines/books then toss/donate right away.
3. Have a spot for school/sport schedules and notes to be keep for each child. Routinely go through and toss what is no longer needed. Also, have a spot to file school things that are meant to be kept to scrapbook, etc.
4. Several times a year go through closets and remove clothes the kids have outgrown. Do the same with your closet.
5. Have a spot for things especially shoes, coats, backpacks.
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Jul 19, 2014 1:03:02 GMT
We go through our belongings all of the time.
I find that I can change my mind about wanting something in a relatively small amount of time.
When my first son was a baby, around a year old, for instance, I had a whole big bin of his baby clothes. Over time I whittled that bin down to about 6 items.
Every few months I'd look through them and feel that I didn't need to save these items anymore.
We do the same with toys, videos, books, kitchen items, scrapbook stuff, clothes, you name it.
Right after Easter, DH & I went through all of our decorations (Except Christmas) and gave away 9 bags of stuff.
|
|
Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
Posts: 3,073
Jun 27, 2014 4:11:36 GMT
|
Post by Mary Kay Lady on Jul 19, 2014 1:27:04 GMT
I'm getting ready to put my house on the market to sell. So we're going through every drawer, every closet, etc. As I go through things I ask myself a couple of questions: 1-do I love it enough to pay $100/month to store it? (We'll have to rent a storage unit when I'm ready to put this house on the market. I don't want to pay to store junk that should be discarded or donated.) 2-If I were moving right this minute would I pack it or toss it? You know how when you're moving and you're tired and you just don't want to pack anymore stuff so you start discarding items even though their perfectly good? That's the perspective that I'm looking at with things. I've already taken an embarrassingly large amount of stuff to be donated, and we're only about half done.
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Jul 19, 2014 4:34:03 GMT
I never want to see another pair of double gussetted airtex knickers as long as I live. There were over 40 pairs of the buggers, in varying states of decrepitude, in all sorts of odd places around the house. I had to google that. Now I'm laughing at the thought of you finding them everywhere, "in varying states of decrepitude." Hilarious!
|
|
|
Post by cawoman on Jul 19, 2014 7:36:27 GMT
My step-dad passed away very unexpectedly 3 weeks ago. I, along with my daughter and her BF immediately drove 14 hours to get to my Mom. I told my DH we'd be gone probably 5 days. They lived in a very small place. Two weeks later we returned home. It took us that long to go through more stuff than I ever thought could fit in their house. It was horrible having to sift through things nobody needs to keep. There were multiples of just about everything. And there must have been 200 pencils each sharpened to a fine point stashed everywhere.
I had to move my Mom, who has dementia, to an adult foster home for the time being. It came highly recommended from a friend up there whose Mom also lives there. I also had to put my Moms place on the market.
Luckily there was a common gigantic dumpster area available to us. We made trip after trip. There were so many things I was tempted to keep. I only kept things like photos and a few things that my Grandma and Mom had kept. Other family things I left for the estate sale that was held today and tomorrow. I promised my daughter that I wouldn't do that to her and my other daughter. It was such a wake up call. This upcoming week I am starting The Big Purge. I am so over living in a huge house with so much stuff.
|
|
|
Post by Lindarina on Jul 19, 2014 8:48:58 GMT
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, you could check out Flylady. I know she's a bit passé, but some of her principles have been a lifesaver for me. I still keep a few of them as mantras ( swish and swipe, soap is soap, 2 minutt hot spot)
|
|
Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,454
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
|
Post by Chinagirl828 on Jul 19, 2014 9:56:45 GMT
I know I have far too much stuff in my house even though there is a lot less clutter than their used to be. I have two problems: I love buying old furniture and I'm sentimental. I inherited a lot of stuff from my grandparents as I moved in my own home about the same time we put my grandmother into full time care and emptied out her house. Over the last couple of years I've started cleaning out using a lot of the tips already mentioned above.
I keep things like my clothes under control by having a shelf in my wardrobe that I throw anything that I no longer feel fabulous in, or that no longer fits, onto. When the shelf starts to get full I fill up as many bags as it takes and donate it. I always deal with my mail as soon as I walk in the door - junk mail goes straight to the bin, bills get stuck on the fridge in date order (next to be paid at the front). I would donate stuff several times a year. I am working my way through the house selling or giving away any furniture I no longer love. As others have said, it is a constant process.
|
|