Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,682
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jan 15, 2023 7:51:14 GMT
I have lost motivation to organize. I am just exhausted. The last 18 months or so have been so draining. I'm sorry the last 18 months have been tough for you. While you are still making progress it's ok to do less or take a break if you need to. I hope this year is better for you. |
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Post by cecilia on Jan 17, 2023 19:19:19 GMT
I took the rest of the recycling off today.
Trying to use up crafting stuff and toss stuff that isn't good enough to use or give to friend or organization. My Dad keeps complaining about how we're not getting our money's worth with the trash pick up weekly (ie, it's only about 1/2 full regularly) so I think some of it is to shut him up about that. (I release it's minor to most, but considering he had nothing growing up and it was rough money wise at times for me growing up, it's not a fight I am willing to have right now with everything else going on).
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Post by alsomsknit on Jan 17, 2023 20:04:00 GMT
Saturday was an energetic day. Tossed the expired food from the kitchen cupboards and rearranged. Finally, tossed Girlie’s meds. It’s been over a year since she passed. Nobody I knew used that type. It was hard. But, it was time.
From 2 closets, Have a purse and pair of, I think, unworn shoes to take to work for whatever coworker may want them. Also, have some books to go to work for the lobby and a stack for my nephew.
It was more cleaning than purging. But, still managed a kitchen trash bag, plus a half, from the kitchen alone.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 17, 2023 20:09:19 GMT
Today is recycle and we have more stuff out than anyone. All is great. I would like to do more but I am kind of tired and don’t feel like working on it. I do have more stuff to do on my side. Maybe soon like tonight.
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Post by belgravia on Jan 17, 2023 21:03:18 GMT
Joining in here to bask in the glow of my two cleaned and organized bathroom closets. I’ve got a big bag of stuff to donate, much went in the garbage, and my closets look beautiful! I hope to keep the momentum going.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390 
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Post by peaname on Jan 17, 2023 21:14:52 GMT
If you’re Christian you might like the book I just got from a friend. Dawn The Minimal Mom on YouTube and her pastor sister Diana wrote a devotional called Decluttering by Faith it’s a beautiful book with great inspiration to clean up your home. I highly recommend it!
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Post by papersilly on Jan 17, 2023 21:36:35 GMT
when we were putting the xmas decorations away, i made the difficult decision to purge some decorations i haven't used in years. retirement is looming in a few years and i really have to start paring down on the holiday decorations. the halloween purge will be especially painful because i have a pretty good halloween village collection.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,305
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Post by lindas on Jan 18, 2023 1:37:15 GMT
when we were putting the xmas decorations away, i made the difficult decision to purge some decorations i haven't used in years. retirement is looming in a few years and i really have to start paring down on the holiday decorations. the halloween purge will be especially painful because i have a pretty good halloween village collection. I need to purge Christmas decorations too but I can’t seem to bring myself to do it. It’s ridiculous too because a lot of what I have hasn’t been used in years. I did however give myself a 15 minute challenge and cleaned out the junk drawer in the kitchen. I now have plenty of room for more junk.  |
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Post by Linda on Jan 18, 2023 1:46:45 GMT
I've gotten Christmas put away - added an ornament container I don't like to the donation pile along with a folk-art ish santa in a rocking chair that I also don't care for - it was a gift I suspect. And I've added a pair of corduroy trousers - not only are they too big, they are also too warm even on a cold day in Florida.
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Post by callmenutz on Jan 18, 2023 3:29:53 GMT
I’m on a roll and it’s almost giving me a rush! I find myself thinking about what I can get rid of next as something goes out the door.
I gave the grandkids a lot of my crafting supplies and a gal who works with the elderly is taking my idea books and anything else craft wise that I don’t want. I took a 12x12 pad of patterned paper on one side and white on the other and made 120 5x7 envelopes. The pattern is on the inside unless it was a solid. I priced envelopes at Michael’s and saved myself a tidy bundle.
My daughter came over and took a beautiful corner shelf back that I didn’t need anymore. Then she went downstairs and browsed around and took a cooler, picnic jug and several other things that I had set aside for charity. I can’t wait to see what she does with the stuff. She started painting things in grade school and repurposing things into really cool stuff. When I asked if I could have it back she had the gall to say no! 😂. I can’t wait to finish cleaning out the craft room closet.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 18, 2023 14:24:44 GMT
I repurposed some shower curtain S-shaped rings to hold my grandson's baseball caps in his closet. I think he was excited about it, LOL!
I cleaned up my pantry before I went grocery shopping and to Costco, so that was a win. Everything fit. I'm trying to get past the Covid stocking up phase. I only need to buy for a week, not a month at a time.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Jan 18, 2023 15:22:34 GMT
My DD came home for college winter break and bc she is switching dorms, she had to bring EVERYTHING home. But we didnt want to put it all away away bc she was going back in a month. So some of her stuff is in the basement, and other things (like clothes and desk stuff) were in Ikea bags in her bedroom. Except the poor kid barely had any room to move! She needs to go through her closet and purge clothes and stuff, BUT I told her, lets just get this stuff up off your floor so you can move around. We went through bags in her closet and were able to consolidate, and also purge things she just wasn't ever going to use again (ie, old shoes, old team jerseys, etc). I took out 3 laundry baskets and some boxes of stuff and moved it into my bedroom so I could go through things, and we ended up purging 3 trashbags of clothes and shoes! It felt great. She goes back to school this weekend, so once she gets settled in, I may go back into her room and assess what she's left behind, to help her have space before she moves home for the summer.
The other thing that happens is my mom will send her stuff and it just accummulates. For instance, she sent her a BOX full of kleenex holders. Very nice, but after she gave some away, she still had probably 50 left. My mom just can't give in moderation. So I told her to give them to me, she is not responsible for my mom's over-gifting. It was relief I think for her, she feels guilty giving away or throwing "gifts" esp from her grandmother.
Next up, is my office which is a catch all for all sorts of life and craft crap for me. UGH.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,641
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Jan 18, 2023 17:05:48 GMT
Well, I've done absolutely nothing I had wanted to do from my January goals thus far. I've known for a while that working part-time while trying to get the house ready for sale wasn't compatible. I finally gave notice at my job yesterday, my last day will be January 31st. Come February I will need to kick things into high gear!
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's progress. It's very motivating!
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Post by papersilly on Jan 18, 2023 17:44:19 GMT
I need to purge Christmas decorations too but I can’t seem to bring myself to do it. It’s ridiculous too because a lot of what I have hasn’t been used in years. I did however give myself a 15 minute challenge and cleaned out the junk drawer in the kitchen. I now have plenty of room for more junk. the christmas stuff is tough because a lot of the stuff are things i used when we were first married. a lot of sentimental attachment and yet i haven't used them in years. the storage boxes are literally marked "DO NOT BRING THESE DOWN". that note itself should be an indication that we are not using them anymore and they need to go. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 18, 2023 17:59:07 GMT
the christmas stuff is tough because a lot of the stuff are things i used when we were first married. a lot of sentimental attachment and yet i haven't used them in years. Take photos of each item, then compile a digital photo book of the photos. You could include a short note of why each ornament/decoration is special in the photo book. Then box them up and donate them! |
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Post by papersilly on Jan 18, 2023 18:13:59 GMT
the christmas stuff is tough because a lot of the stuff are things i used when we were first married. a lot of sentimental attachment and yet i haven't used them in years. Take photos of each item, then compile a digital photo book of the photos. You could include a short note of why each ornament/decoration is special in the photo book. Then box them up and donate them! omg, i never thought of doing that! great idea! i think that will definitely take the sting out of letting them go. one is of a Christmas Raikes bear (you know, the ones with a wooden face). my bear days are far behind me but this one is the hardest to let go of. |
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Post by cecilia on Jan 18, 2023 19:56:16 GMT
I reuse empty soda carton for trash on the back porch. I am tempted to just throw them all away. They are so handy outside though.
I may just put them in what I call Baby's storage and get them out of my room. (We have a storage unit thing you use for garages outside with dog stuff. I need to go through the shed anyway).
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 19, 2023 13:50:44 GMT
I reuse empty soda carton for trash on the back porch. I am tempted to just throw them all away. They are so handy outside though. I may just put them in what I call Baby's storage and get them out of my room. (We have a storage unit thing you use for garages outside with dog stuff. I need to go through the shed anyway). Don't do it. Just throw them in the recycling. It's not like you won't accumulate more cartons. Do not store trash and recycling. It not only takes up space in your storage area, and it takes up space in your head, as you know it's there and needs to be used. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 19, 2023 13:53:20 GMT
Three new blouses in yesterday -- four old tops into the donation bag!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 19, 2023 14:52:58 GMT
I reuse empty soda carton for trash on the back porch. I am tempted to just throw them all away. They are so handy outside though. That is how too much junk/trash begins to accumulate. Just bite the bullet and throw them away. Besides, you said your dad is complaining that the trash is only half full. Start putting all those empty cartons and boxes in the trash immediately! The mental weight that will be lifted by not seeing a pile of trash on the back porch will do wonders for you! |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Jan 19, 2023 15:07:39 GMT
the christmas stuff is tough because a lot of the stuff are things i used when we were first married. a lot of sentimental attachment and yet i haven't used them in years. Take photos of each item, then compile a digital photo book of the photos. You could include a short note of why each ornament/decoration is special in the photo book. Then box them up and donate them! I've been doing the photo thing for years. I save the memory without having to save the actual thing. |
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2023 15:12:52 GMT
I love decluttering! I feel like I am always decluttering my stuff or household stuff I am in charge of. The rest of my family doesn't have the time to declutter, so they don't enjpy it like I do.
But we as a family have made progress! My husband has decluttered some clothes and is going through the paperwork. He holds on to bills, etc. for many years, so we are shredding a big bin of bills from many years ago. I know he doesn't need to keep them as long as he does, but I won't win that one, haha! He is just so busy at work, so I can understand why he doesn't want to spend his little bit of free time on decluttering.
I had my kids sort through our 7 huge bins of their childhood toys. They still kept a lot and they are big, so it's hard to fit them in bins. They also got rid of many childhood books. I think they just want to keep some things becausse they don't have to store it, we do. If they had to store in their apt they would get rid of more, haha!
I am guilty of buying too much stuff still, then donating it within a year. Or always buying stuff for a better way to store things, then don't like it.
I would love to hire a professional organizer to help me organize my travel bags and car. I pack way too much even for a weekend trip and I have no strenth and a bad back, so it's so hard for me to lift. I am going to research this to find someone to help me. it would be worth the money.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 19, 2023 16:29:11 GMT
I would love to hire a professional organizer to help me organize my travel bags and car. I pack way too much even for a weekend trip and I have no strenth and a bad back, so it's so hard for me to lift. I am going to research this to find someone to help me. it would be worth the money. That I can help you with! Over the years I was guilty of packing too much and the kitchen sink. Many years of international travel as an expat, with a child in tow and a DH who was typically not with us make you learn how to eliminate the fluff and pack only what you absolutely need. For my last trip to France for a month in 2019, DH and I each took a 21" carry-on and a small tote bag. Mine held my crossbody purse/toiletries/headphones/ipad/eye mask and shawl. That's it! I survived and travel was so much easier. All those emergencies and what-ifs that everyone packs for never materialize over 99% of the time. And unless you are traveling to hang out with penguins at the South Pole, you are going to be able to find anything that you might end up needing anywhere else in the world. You are going to have to shed that 'take it all' mentality and come up with a plan. I need to run right now but will be back to address this topic - with some photos and links - later this afternoon. |
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2023 18:03:52 GMT
I would love to hire a professional organizer to help me organize my travel bags and car. I pack way too much even for a weekend trip and I have no strenth and a bad back, so it's so hard for me to lift. I am going to research this to find someone to help me. it would be worth the money. That I can help you with! Over the years I was guilty of packing too much and the kitchen sink. Many years of international travel as an expat, with a child in tow and a DH who was typically not with us make you learn how to eliminate the fluff and pack only what you absolutely need. For my last trip to France for a month in 2019, DH and I each took a 21" carry-on and a small tote bag. Mine held my crossbody purse/toiletries/headphones/ipad/eye mask and shawl. That's it! I survived and travel was so much easier. All those emergencies and what-ifs that everyone packs for never materialize over 99% of the time. And unless you are traveling to hang out with penguins at the South Pole, you are going to be able to find anything that you might end up needing anywhere else in the world. You are going to have to shed that 'take it all' mentality and come up with a plan. I need to run right now but will be back to address this topic - with some photos and links - later this afternoon. Thanks so much! I have a small plastic container from Target where I put a lot of the medications (advil pepto bismol, tums, etc.) and extra toothbrushes, travel toothpaste and travel deodorant in the car. I worried that extreme cold or heat may not be good for the medications, but they are not important prescriptions, so I may just keep that and not pack any medications, etc. in my suitcase. |
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Post by ntsf on Jan 19, 2023 20:08:34 GMT
one of the best things I did with my girl scout troop when they were older was practice packing light on trips. we went on a week long car camping trip.. everyone had sleeping bag, small duffle, school day pack, one icebox, one kitchen box, tents.
then when we went to new zealand for 1 month, we were down to one carry one, one 15 lb day pack, and, as a group, one duffle with all sleeping bags. and this was with winter clothes.
15 yrs later, my kids can still pack light. do the wash, only have a few clothes and shoes, don't sweat the small stuff. now back to putting books on my new bookshelf.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Jan 19, 2023 20:43:56 GMT
After lunch I filled the back of my SUV and dropped off the stuff I had decluttered after the holidays. Man do I love getting that stuff out of the house (as it feels like clutter too).
DH and I bought some of those large black storage containers from Costco and plan to declutter his office. He had a big project that is now over but needs to keep the information. It just doesn't need to stay in the office. DH doesn't move as fast as I do, but he eventually gets there LOL.
Otherwise there isn't much to do around the house as far decluttering goes. We still have some winter house projects we haven't gotten to yet.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,682
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jan 19, 2023 21:32:09 GMT
After lunch I filled the back of my SUV and dropped off the stuff I had decluttered after the holidays. Man do I love getting that stuff out of the house (as it feels like clutter too). I always feel like I've decluttered twice, once when I've decided to get rid of the items, and again when they leave my house. |
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Post by Legacy Girl on Jan 19, 2023 22:06:54 GMT
DH took the day off work today and together we worked on organizing ALL of our Christmas decor, ornaments, serving pieces, books, etc., etc. We store everything in the garage and it's now more condensed than it was before. Taking a load to the donation center later this evening. Also took a load of cardboard and paper bags to recycling. Every little bit helps!
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Jan 23, 2023 16:43:46 GMT
Holy smokes what a weekend! I helped DH clean out his office. Obviously he doesn't clean and organize like I do nor is he as ruthless as I am, but he did fill 4 black garbage bags and 3 large totes plus a couple boxes went to the basement. We also have a decent size box of books to donate. Dh still has more to do and I'm going to have to let him work at his own speed. At one point he asked me what we were going to put in the large opened up area and I told him nothing - we were going to enjoy the open space LOL.
DH really is his mother's son. This weekend reminded me how much our habits and way of doing things leave a lasting impression on our children. Thankfully our kids seem to have learned from me that it's ok to let things go and to appreciate a tidy home.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 24, 2023 17:16:58 GMT
My mom let me clean out her tiny laundry room. I can't believe how much junk she had stashed in there. You could not access the 30" of cabinets or the countertop at all due to stuff piled on the floor in front of the them. I filled the entire back end of my Ford Edge with trash and recycling.
She had old junky decor that she didn't display in years, dozens of empty pill bottles, a whole boot size shoe box of flashlights "needing repair", a decades worth of Weight Watcher booklets from at least 15 years ago, instructions for appliances and phones she no longer owns...
She could be a Pea, because she called to say she keeps walking in there to admire it!
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