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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 13:55:10 GMT
done any major cleaning/organizing lately?
I've been reading some blogs on minimalism lately, and have been making a big effort to purge.
Some of the points I found really enlightening where about how we spend so much time and money on organizational tools, and how having more doesn't really make us happier. I'm really trying to change my ways.
I spent all of last weekend cleaning my basement (really if I wasn't sleeping I was down there.) After about 30 hours of work I'm happy to say my basement is purged, cleaned and super organized. I was brutal! I stuck to my criteria: Has it been used in the last year? Do I love it? Do I need it?
Apparently I had a lot of crap that didn't fit any of this because I was able to get rid of about 20 large totes worth of stuff! I do have a few individual totes I need to go through, mostly sentimental stuff for me & my son. I have one tote of stuff from my childhood, awards, teddy bear etc. My son has 2 totes of stuff including one of just artwork. I am going to take pictures of most of it and just do a digital scrapbook. I rarely ever look at that stuff, and I will look at it more in a book I think. I don't really "need" it kwim?
My son said he would be fine with the same thing, and I think having a photo book of his artwork will last longer than the loose sheets anyways.
I'm moving on the the upstairs this weekend. I am going to do one room a weekend. Go through every closet, drawer, etc.
Needless to say I have a lot of yardsale stuff ready to go. Clothes I'm just donating. After our yardsale in August anything that doesn't sell will go to donation as well.
I really feel sick though at how much money I've wasted over the years on stuff that served no purpose.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Jul 25, 2014 14:28:14 GMT
I'm moving so I have to clean and purge. It's finally given me the push to do it, since I've wanted to do this for a while. It's just so bloody tedious and boring. I have so many more important, more fun things to do... but I have to buckle down and get all this shit done. Gross.
I know that most of what's in one particular room will be tossed out or donated. I've gotten the important things out but the rest of it is no longer needed.
I know I'm supposed feel great about purging. At least that's what I always read here on the boards, that purging and getting rid of everything and having nothing in your house is the bestest feeling ever, however I just resent the whole process and resent the fact that people think that stuff is not important and no one should have any. I don't really know how to get past that feeling. I know that once I do purge and everything is moved that all will be well (hell, I'm getting a new office out of the deal... that should be exciting) but I just resent the whole bloody thing.
I wish I could be as upbeat as you are about purging. It's not really about holding on to stuff, I don't think, but more about the process.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Jul 25, 2014 14:32:00 GMT
We worked on our basement for 2 days in June. My dh didn't feel too good the second day   I think he was overwhelmed. We took a huge load of stuff to goodwill, threw away a lot and shredded tons of my dh's old paperwork. I think he is completely satisfied with what we did, I on the otherhand wish we had scheduled a week and got it all done completely. I am supposed to be working on paperwork stuff today, but not getting too motivated so far. PS: I have been doing shutterfly books for my kids schoolwork (special things) artwork and awards. It is freeing to toss that stuff after the photos are taken and the book is made. I just came across a more of my son's from when he was in preschool, so I have to do that one now. Kohl's has had a few coupon codes in the bill for free books or $20 credit which is nice. Congrats on getting your basement done btw!!! |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 14:45:31 GMT
Such a great feeling when you getting areas purged....I have kinda been on a continual conscious effort to purge...if I don't wear it, use it, etc. off to goodwill it goes.
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Post by quinlove on Jul 25, 2014 14:48:28 GMT
I need to go through my "office" which really only consists of an old desk top and 3 more old desk tops.
How do I safely dispose of these ?? I'd love to turn this room into a sewing room.
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Post by aljack on Jul 25, 2014 14:56:34 GMT
We worked on our basement for 2 days in June. My dh didn't feel too good the second day I think he was overwhelmed. We took a huge load of stuff to goodwill, threw away a lot and shredded tons of my dh's old paperwork. I think he is completely satisfied with what we did, I on the otherhand wish we had scheduled a week and got it all done completely. I am supposed to be working on paperwork stuff today, but not getting too motivated so far. PS: I have been doing shutterfly books for my kids schoolwork (special things) artwork and awards. It is freeing to toss that stuff after the photos are taken and the book is made. I just came across a more of my son's from when he was in preschool, so I have to do that one now. Kohl's has had a few coupon codes in the bill for free books or $20 credit which is nice. Congrats on getting your basement done btw!!! Interesting about Kohls credit. I have lots of books to give and need to get a few essentials for the new school year. I will look into this. Thanks for sharing! |
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Jul 25, 2014 14:59:38 GMT
Such a great feeling when you getting areas purged....I have kinda been on a continual conscious effort to purge...if I don't wear it, use it, etc. off to goodwill it goes. How do you get that "great feeling"? I need to find that "great feeling" or I'm just going to be miserable about the whole thing. I don't want to be a minimalist (sounds miserable having nothing around you) but I don't want to move stuff if I don't have to. If I can just find a way to suck it up buttercup and get through this move, I don't have to think about purging ever again. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 15:12:01 GMT
Such a great feeling when you getting areas purged....I have kinda been on a continual conscious effort to purge...if I don't wear it, use it, etc. off to goodwill it goes. How do you get that "great feeling"? I need to find that "great feeling" or I'm just going to be miserable about the whole thing. I don't want to be a minimalist (sounds miserable having nothing around you) but I don't want to move stuff if I don't have to. If I can just find a way to suck it up buttercup and get through this move, I don't have to think about purging ever again. For me, it's not about having nothing around me, it's about having just stuff I absolutely love, and learning to be okay not holding on to stuff I don't cherish. I've never been a collector really, but I have things that people gave me that I didn't feel right getting rid of. I've come to the realization that I would not want people to keep stuff I give them just for the point of keeping it, so I'm not going to either. A move is great time to really evaluate your items since you have to touch them all anyways. Maybe you won't feel happy doing it. I bet though when you unpack you will feel good not unpacking stuff you don't need or love. |
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 25, 2014 15:21:02 GMT
For me, the great feeling comes from having a spot for everything I love and need. I am in no way a minimalist. I just hate clutter. I like knowing where everything is. I like not having to move 3 things to get at the thing I want. I like opening my linen closet and seeing everything neat and pretty, not a jumbled mess because I can't part with all the kids old sheets.
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Post by dawndoll on Jul 25, 2014 15:29:02 GMT
We bought a second home this spring and after we moved the necessities, I went ballistic on the basement at the house in town. The basement was approaching hoarder status, with a small path to walk through. I donated over twenty boxes to St. Vincent De Paul and FILLED a dumpster I had delivered to the driveway. I also sold quite a bit on local buy sell trade FB pages and made close to $400 doing so! What a load off my mind.
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YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by YooHoot on Jul 25, 2014 15:29:35 GMT
I'll be moving too soon and I know I need to start going through things. I guess I'm just at a standstill because I'm not really sure when/where we are going. Ever feel like your life is a big snowglobe and God gives it a good shake for shits and giggles.  |
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Post by katiekaty on Jul 25, 2014 15:32:15 GMT
I know I hoard fabric and scrapbook supplies. I gave at least half of my fabric to my daughter and it is still a lot! I would have it all nice and organized except I keep getting distracted and have to stop and SEW some of it. Same with the dang scrapbook stuff! Woe is me-distraction, distraction, distraction. I guess I will just have to use it up to actually get it "organized"!
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kelkel
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by kelkel on Jul 25, 2014 15:33:41 GMT
I love to purge, clean out closets, etc and give things away to charity. My problem is how do I get my husband to go along with that plan? UGH!! He drives me crazy with wanting to keep EVERYTHING.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
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Post by purplebee on Jul 25, 2014 15:46:59 GMT
Wow! I'm impressed by you ruthless purgers hauling off gobs of stuff for donation and to the trash!
I'm finally starting to clean/purge/reorganize my back room. It's a combination laundry, mud room, scrap corner and we also have a hot tub in there that hasn't been used in years. Finally convinced dh that we need to get rid of it and use the room for a tv/hobby room instead of a giant repository for "stuff." Had good intentions, and you know what's paved with THOSE, of starting in June when school let out. Well, lets just say I got sidetracked and finally forced myself to start this week.
I am making progress, took a big trash bag of stuff to the Salvation Army yesterday, and will have more to donate. School starts on the 18th so I'd better get my hiney in gear. I need to paint after the hot tub is gone, hopefully that will be soon. I really want a nice, organized area to scrap,
I've started scrapping again after a long hiatus.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 25, 2014 15:48:02 GMT
I'm doing it now. I've done both boys rooms and am heading the garage or the basement next
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Laura
Full Member
Ruby Slippered Pea
Posts: 139
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:02 GMT
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Post by Laura on Jul 25, 2014 16:07:44 GMT
We have lived in our current house for 17 years and have acquired and gotten rid of a lot of crap. We recently decided to sell our house and move to a new neighborhood in town and we are building a new house. For the past five or six months we have been getting ready for the move so we have been boxing stuff up and putting it in storage so we could get our house ready to sell. We had to hurry the process though so I didn't do much decluttering and throwing away while I was packing, I mostly just threw stuff into boxes. Its when we move into our new house that I will really have to begin the decluttering process as I am unpacking and trying to figure out where to put things. We are getting a bigger house but we won't have as many places to store things so I'm sure I will have to get rid of a lot of my craft things and books.
I have a hard time throwing things away so I'm not looking forward to it. But I'm keeping in mind that I have really enjoyed having a clutter free home the past couple of months since most of our things are in storage right now. Cleaning is just so much easier without having a bunch of nic-naks that you have to dust. I won't have as many horizontal places to put things so no places for all those trinkets that I have collected over the years. I'll have to get rid of them.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Jul 25, 2014 16:16:34 GMT
How do you get that "great feeling"? I need to find that "great feeling" or I'm just going to be miserable about the whole thing. I don't want to be a minimalist (sounds miserable having nothing around you) but I don't want to move stuff if I don't have to. If I can just find a way to suck it up buttercup and get through this move, I don't have to think about purging ever again. For me, it's not about having nothing around me, it's about having just stuff I absolutely love, and learning to be okay not holding on to stuff I don't cherish. I've never been a collector really, but I have things that people gave me that I didn't feel right getting rid of. I've come to the realization that I would not want people to keep stuff I give them just for the point of keeping it, so I'm not going to either. A move is great time to really evaluate your items since you have to touch them all anyways. Maybe you won't feel happy doing it. I bet though when you unpack you will feel good not unpacking stuff you don't need or love. It is a great time... it's just such a pain in the ass. I really need to fix this attitude... because it's just going to make things harder. I don't plan on moving everything, so I need to purge a lot. But ya. thanks. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 16:49:10 GMT
Cleaning is just so much easier without having a bunch of nic-naks that you have to dust. This is so true, and one of the bigger reasons I decided to declutter. I love the items less than I hate having to clean so much. I really am at the point that I want more free time (which means less time to clean) The less stuff I have around, the easier it is to clean and keep up I think. I'm even getting rid of wall stuff I don't love or have just changed taste on. I'm fine just having a couple nice pictures on the wall and leaving it at that. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 16:57:27 GMT
My problem is having a husband who wants to hold onto things; so frustrating! Boxes, baseball card collections, Lego sets he's never put together, Kinex, kids toys he can't let go. SO my plan is to get more shelving in the basement. Put all his crap together and have my own area. I plan to have 1 tote per kid of sentimental stuff. I also need to get my Kindergarten son's preschool artwork scanned or photographed.
It was actually my special needs son that got me motivated. He's at about the level of an 18 month to 2 year old but a big 5 year old who can get into stuff. I took almost all things off the walls, took knickknacks (sp?) and off the kitchen cabinets. My home is very boring, but cleaning takes so much less time! I do my best to ignore my husband's messy crap on the kitchen counter and his desk area.
I also purged lots of scrapbook stuff. I switched to scrapping using divided sheet protectors. Still have some more I need to get rid of.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 25, 2014 16:59:05 GMT
Wow, bravo to you! Sounds like you made enormous headway.
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Post by bosoxbeth on Jul 25, 2014 17:03:42 GMT
I go through stages of really purging, sorting, donating, tossing. I love when I have the time and gumption to do this! This summer we re-did two bedrooms in our house (bedroom of each of our daughters) and got rid of a lot. We also worked on our garage which is about 90% done now. We need to work on our basement and home office. About six months ago I went on a tear and did closets and kitchen cabinets, the pantry and master bedroom. Many trips to Goodwill! We also used 1-800-GOT-JUNK to pick up heavy stuff we couldn't get rid of on our own. It's not cheap but it simplified when we needed to get rid of our broken down fire pit that weighed six bajillion pounds and a huge bureau that wasn't in great shape any longer.
Unfortunately, my husband doesn't share my interest in cleaning/purging. He goes along with it but doesn't enjoy it and he needs some convincing that it is worthy of our time. We are both extremely busy and I do understand that it is not the most fun way to spend our limited free time. But to me, it is worth it because I feel so free afterward! Plus, it's nice to know that others can use our items that we don't need any more. I love the donating part. I don't have time or interest in selling stuff - although it probably would be smart. We just donate and wash our hands of the stuff!
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Post by happyOCgirl on Jul 25, 2014 17:13:26 GMT
My uncle had a stroke and has to move to assisted living. Packing up his place of stuff that is never touched is very inspiring to de-clutter my house and classroom!
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 17:17:58 GMT
My uncle had a stroke and has to move to assisted living. Packing up his place of stuff that is never touched is very inspiring to de-clutter my house and classroom! Yes that is motivating for me too. A few years ago when my mom passed away going through her stocked full closets was time consuming and depressing actually. It made me sad to see so many beautiful things she never used (or had a chance to use) I'm of the mind that if I don't use it, why have it? I don't keep anything just for special occasions only. |
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Post by scrapsuzy on Jul 25, 2014 17:33:51 GMT
We just moved out of our home of 22 years. From the time we had the idea to sell, to the time I had to be done packing was about 2 weeks, and I couldn't move anything by myself due to pain (pre-Achilles-tendon-surgery) so I had to have help. And that helped the most, having someone else who wasn't emotionally invested in this stuff help me go through it. Plus, every other day or so, my dh made a run to our storage unit, the give place, or the dumpster.
In the last couple of days of packing, I know I kept more than I should have, but I was tired and hurting and needed to just be done. So I'll deal with that on the other end.
It is amazing to me how much stuff we have in storage that I don't miss. I will certainly take that into account when we are unpacking, and expect to get rid of even more.
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Post by melodyesch on Jul 25, 2014 17:33:58 GMT
I really needed this thread today! I spent the morning doing some cleaning/purging in our bedroom and it really motivated me. I'm going to tackle one of the bathroom closets that's stuff to the gills with I know not what. I REALLY need to stop hanging onto stuff that might possibly need one day in the future when I haven't needed it for the 12 years we've lived in our house.
Lately, DH and I, who both love our own stuff, made a pact that for every item that comes IN the house, one must go OUT. That has been a good way to start us down the path of only buying what we REALLY want.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 18:02:09 GMT
Such a great feeling when you getting areas purged....I have kinda been on a continual conscious effort to purge...if I don't wear it, use it, etc. off to goodwill it goes. How do you get that "great feeling"? I need to find that "great feeling" or I'm just going to be miserable about the whole thing. I don't want to be a minimalist (sounds miserable having nothing around you) but I don't want to move stuff if I don't have to. If I can just find a way to suck it up buttercup and get through this move, I don't have to think about purging ever again. A sense of satisfaction by not setting the bar too for myself too high....I even delight if I can clear off a table top and keep it clear....for me its babysteps... |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:49:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 18:04:20 GMT
I read somewhere recently that over 10% of people rent storage units. At a minimum they usually cost $100, so one year is at least $1,200. You have to wonder if the stuff inside is even worth that much money! |
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Post by christine58 on Jul 25, 2014 18:07:42 GMT
I have...completely emptied my spare bedroom, purged, tossed, gave away a crap load of scrapping stuff. Then I reorganized, shampooed rug and on a whim walked into Michael's to see if they had this 12 x 12 file folder box made by Recollections...well that led to more purchases and for under $100----my scrap room is almost all put together and it feels GREAT~~
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Post by teacherlisa on Jul 25, 2014 18:24:27 GMT
I am in the processes of this as well. Like some others I'm all about the baby steps...but every baby step is bringing me closer to where I want to be. Some of my baby steps include throwing away 5 things a day (it can b anything...I'm a huge paper piler upper...or bigger things- it all counts), one in one out (if I buy a new shirt I get rid of one too) and if I don't love it or need it it goes. So far so good and much less overwhelming for me.
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Post by blueswede on Jul 25, 2014 19:09:58 GMT
My goal is to purge from all of the rooms in the house. I don't feel the need for a deadline so I have been doing it in spurts as I find the free time.
I had gotten to the point where things were "lost" because of the lack of organization and I had too many things that were never used. I love looking in my cupboards now because they are so clean and organized.
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I think he was overwhelmed. We took a huge load of stuff to goodwill, threw away a lot and shredded tons of my dh's old paperwork. I think he is completely satisfied with what we did, I on the otherhand wish we had scheduled a week and got it all done completely. 
