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Post by donna on Aug 6, 2014 14:29:34 GMT
Every summer I say I am going to declutter and never seem to get around to it. This summer has been different though! We have actually done a lot around our house.
We donated hundreds of books to our local library system. This was 12 book boxes of books and I probably have a couple more boxes to go. We did keep some old favorites, so we are not totally bookless.
We donated several bags of clothes to Goodwill and several bags of old sheets to the animal shelter.
I still have a long way to go. Dh and I discussed how to move forward with this process once school starts next week. I am ready to live a life without so much stuff.
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Post by Linda on Aug 6, 2014 14:33:51 GMT
we donated a pick-up truck load to my daughter's Girl Scout troop's yard sale. I have at least one bag sitting in the donation pile now. It hasn't made a dent (and this after donating at least a pick-up truck load at least twice a year for the past several years)
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Aug 6, 2014 14:33:59 GMT
I've been working on my scrapbook/craft room (going to be just basic crafts when I'm done). I've moved a LOT of big stuff out and it feels so much more roomy but if you stand back and look from the door with fresh eyes, it still feels like a lot of crap is in there I have moved some bigger things out of my living room too. As an incentive I'm selling lots of stuff on facebook swap groups and taking that cash and putting it towards paying off my house. It's working well.
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cakatie
Junior Member
Posts: 77
Jun 29, 2014 4:45:05 GMT
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Post by cakatie on Aug 6, 2014 14:42:43 GMT
This is inspiring me! I had big plans for the summer decluttering but have done nada - better get going!
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Aug 6, 2014 14:51:23 GMT
I gave up... well postponed it all. Ended up doing a bunch of fun stuff over the summer with the kids.. Will get back to decluttering after school starts back up!
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 6, 2014 14:54:27 GMT
A friend gave me a good tip. Don't set yourself impossible goals. Recycle or throw 10 items a day (in addition to your usual rubbish disposal). Put it to one side, and when you have a sizeable load, take it to the charity shop or whatever. So far so good. Achievable, and not too deadly boring.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 16:46:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 15:02:01 GMT
I've made huge progress this year!
Having a yard sale at the end of the month, so I've been going room by room from top to bottom. I did the basement one weekend (that was a HUGE job) but I was able to get rid of close to 15 totes worth of stuff. I'm really trying to downsize, so I'm being very picky about what I keep. I had a lot of Christmas decorations that I was so-so about, so those went. I just kept stuff I loved.
This past weekend I did my sons room. Cleaned, touched up the paint, he went through all his toys/games/clothes.
Clothes I don't bother selling at yardsales, so I've already taken about 6 bags to a donation place.
This week I'm working on my room, going through every drawer, closets, etc.
I've also been in the middle of a big project with pictures and old sentimental paperwork. I'm almost done with pictures. I've done multiple scrapbooks for relatives, thrown out scenery/people I don't know/blurry photos, and given away a lot. I'm trying to fit everything into 1 Irish photo case (with the smaller iris cases inside) But I started with 4 large totes, so that is a big difference.
I've been scanning old school stuff in I want to have access to but not keep originals. I've been tossing stuff I just don't care about anymore (old letters, postcards, etc) I'm even considering ditching my old yearbooks (other than my senior year one) but I'm still deciding on that.
I've been busy, busy, busy, but my house is slowly becoming very organized and functional and less crowded. I hate clutter, I hate knicknacky type items too, so I love having clean empty surfaces.
Next week I'm doing the office, and then the following week kitchen/living room.
I also have changed over to digital from traditional scrapbooking. I thought I would hate getting rid of my stuff, but it's been FREEING! I love not having the mess and I gained a ton of space.
I'm on schedule to be completely finished by the end of the year with all of it!
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Post by alibama on Aug 6, 2014 15:08:22 GMT
I had good hopes of getting stuff done this summer starting with the kitchen redo and then my husbands accident came along so it has been postponed. I don't have much time to declutter since I am the taxi driver and everything for him at the moment. I can not wait for September 24th that is the magic day we hope his neck and back brace come off. I am hoping and praying it happens and they don't decide surgery is needed!
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 6, 2014 15:10:50 GMT
Luvcookies, you are my hero! I can't wait to be through the house. I've been working steady, and can see some difference. But like Freebird said, fresh eyes still see a lot of stuff.
I think I'm going to start craigslisting.. I've donated a lot, but having a goal like new lens or even paying teens car insurance might motivate me to move it!
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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 Aug 6, 2014 15:12:15 GMT
I'm in the process of moving so I don't really have a choice about the whole decluttering BS. I hate it... but I hate housecleaning in general so it just makes me angry overall. It's going well, I guess. I've gotten rid of quite a few things that I don't need but it still feels like a chore rather than the relief everyone talks about here after decluttering.
I wish I could figure out a way to be more positive about decluttering.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 6, 2014 15:13:27 GMT
Alibama that will be a great day! Decluttering and material things sound very trivial by comparison. Hope the next two months are comfortable for you both.
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twilight
New Member
Posts: 3
Jul 10, 2014 15:40:07 GMT
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Post by twilight on Aug 6, 2014 15:16:51 GMT
I did this a couple of years ago. I found myself quite overwhelmed so I did it in 15-20 minute increments at a time. It doesn't sound like much, but it all adds up and it works.
Right now I'm working on my basement. I took everything off one shelf and cleaned it. Once I decided what will go back on that shelf, I grabbed those items and put it away. When this one is done, I'll do the same with the second shelf. If I pick something up and don't want it or need it, it goes directly into the donate box.
I am making progress. It's looking better and better everyday and I'm not overwhelmed anymore.
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Post by 1lear on Aug 6, 2014 15:20:14 GMT
I'm slowing working on going through the house. On 8/12/14, a donation truck is coming by the house, so I'm going through books and clothes now. I told them I'd have 8-10 boxes and bags of things to donate so I'd better get busy!
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,410
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Aug 6, 2014 15:35:46 GMT
So far this Spring/Summer I've gone through my closet and the kids closets. I've also cleaned out DS [HASH]3 bedroom while the older boys did theirs. I've also cleaned out the laundry room and organized the pantry closet and a hall closet. Overall the house isn't looking too bad. What really helped is we moved 1.5 years ago and did some major purging then. I've never been a pack rat though so the clutter never gets too bad around here.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 16:46:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 15:59:59 GMT
Luvcookies, you are my hero! I can't wait to be through the house. I've been working steady, and can see some difference. But like Freebird said, fresh eyes still see a lot of stuff. I think I'm going to start craigslisting.. I've donated a lot, but having a goal like new lens or even paying teens car insurance might motivate me to move it! thanks! Yes money is nice too, I've been putting most stuff in boxes for the yardsale, but some items that are easy to sell on ebay are going on there - video games mostly, my son wants money, so it's great for him. Some furniture on Craigslist. For my scrappy stuff I've used a Facebook scrapbook resale site. We've both made a few hundred each already! I'm hoping to get a new camera, so the yardsale is motivating me.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,298
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Member is Online
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Aug 6, 2014 16:06:28 GMT
Well, yesterday I took 27kg of old clothing and shoes to a recycling place that pays 60p a kilo. Yay, £16.20 in the savings tin takes up a whole lot less space than 27kg of clothes! Apart from that, I'm doing it one drawer at a time. Slowly.
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Post by jmurray on Aug 6, 2014 16:15:24 GMT
I took the opportunity to dump all the old / never used stuff in the bathroom when we recently remodelled. It was a lot!! And now that we have brand new cupboards and drawers I've set them all up with compartments for specific items, and nothing is cluttered. And I am going to keep it that way.
There are 2 massive mountains I need to conquer though: the scrapbook stuff, which takes up more than half my office at home including a triple built in wardrobe, and the garage that is used as a "storage room". What a nightmare. I don't know where to start so keep putting it off. DH said he will help, so the plan is to completely empty out the garage, install proper shelving etc and then bring back in only what is needed. That'll be fun - DH is worse than me for hanging onto useless stuff "just in case".
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Post by jmurray on Aug 6, 2014 16:16:37 GMT
I did this a couple of years ago. I found myself quite overwhelmed so I did it in 15-20 minute increments at a time. It doesn't sound like much, but it all adds up and it works. Right now I'm working on my basement. I took everything off one shelf and cleaned it. Once I decided what will go back on that shelf, I grabbed those items and put it away. When this one is done, I'll do the same with the second shelf. If I pick something up and don't want it or need it, it goes directly into the donate box. I am making progress. It's looking better and better everyday and I'm not overwhelmed anymore. Good idea. We need to do this with our garage. I can't see us ever tackling it in one hit.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 16:46:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:20:14 GMT
I'll put it to you this way: Craigslist is my friend. I've put a ton of stuff on and slowly but surely, people are responding. In fact, I have someone coming over tonight to look at stuff. I took a bag of clothes to the donation center and have thrown out a bunch of trash. And to make it better: my 11 year old DD is now on the decluttering bandwagon.
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Post by ajsweetpea on Aug 6, 2014 17:32:25 GMT
It's actually going pretty well for me. Granted, I have family coming to visit and stay with us, so that has been a big kick in the pants and motivator to get stuff done! I went through a bunch of paperwork, tossed what I didn't need and organized the rest by putting it into an accordion folder. I made different categories and organized it that way. I also packed up about 3-4 bags of baby items to give to a family member who is pregnant. It will definitely clear up some excess space in my house. There is still more to be done, but at least I feel like I am making a dent in what I need to do!
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Aug 6, 2014 17:38:26 GMT
I got several rooms upstairs done. Still have a basement and garage to do
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Aug 6, 2014 17:43:12 GMT
These FB sale boards have been such a boon to me. Don't have to amass a bunch of stuff and lose an entire weekend to hold a yard sale. Just list items online and meet people locally. Yes, there are some fruitcakes that are a pain to deal with. But I've gotten rid of a ton of stuff. Plus, I think prices are a bit higher than they would be an actual yard sale, so I've made a fair amount of money.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Aug 6, 2014 17:49:25 GMT
HOW DAMN BIG ARE YOUR HOUSES THAT YOU HAVE THIS MUCH TO GET RID OF?? I can't imagine having ONE bag of old sheets to give away much less SEVERAL!!! Granted, we have too much crap and I'm always trying to rid the house of things just like anyone else, but really! 15 TOTES? Who ARE you people?
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Post by christine58 on Aug 6, 2014 17:51:59 GMT
Every summer I say I am going to declutter and never seem to get around to it. This summer has been different though! We have actually done a lot around our house. We donated hundreds of books to our local library system. This was 12 book boxes of books and I probably have a couple more boxes to go. We did keep some old favorites, so we are not totally bookless. We donated several bags of clothes to Goodwill and several bags of old sheets to the animal shelter. I still have a long way to go. Dh and I discussed how to move forward with this process once school starts next week. I am ready to live a life without so much stuff. GREAT~~ I tossed, gave away, organized...re-organized my crap room. Bought a bunch of those storage cubes from Recollections/Michael's and if I knew how to post a pic....I would...LOL
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Post by theboydbunch on Aug 6, 2014 17:58:19 GMT
I've been putting things on Freecycle every day and having Purple Heart picking up 1x per week whatever hasn't been taken... just starting to make a dent...We have way too much stuff!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 16:46:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 17:59:21 GMT
HOW DAMN BIG ARE YOUR HOUSES THAT YOU HAVE THIS MUCH TO GET RID OF?? I can't imagine having ONE bag of old sheets to give away much less SEVERAL!!! Granted, we have too much crap and I'm always trying to rid the house of things just like anyone else, but really! 15 TOTES? Who ARE you people? Ha, I have a small house (only 1200 sq ft.) BUT I have 1,000 square foot basement, just used for storage basically. I've always been a purger too, but having family the stuff just builds up, and I also had a lot of holiday decorations I decided to part with (that was a huge part of it). Those things take up a lot of space. I'm just grateful I'm not a hoarder!
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Madi & Me
Full Member
Posts: 248
Jun 25, 2014 22:20:27 GMT
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Post by Madi & Me on Aug 6, 2014 18:12:17 GMT
Tomorrow is my big day for decluttering and I'm pretty excited about it. I have a goal in mind - start and finish DD's room by Sunday. Then I will tackle my office. I have a desk to set up, toys (hundreds of small toys, eek!), books, clothes, a closet, and dresser to overhaul. Her dresser is filled with baby clothes and other sentimental things. I think that's what I dread sorting the most...the baby things. I'm determined turn her room into an organized haven. With DD starting kindergarten, I think it's important to have a peaceful environment for her as we adjust to our new routine. Crossing fingers for maintaining it, too!
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Post by cmhs on Aug 6, 2014 18:47:15 GMT
I am quoting myself from another post clutter rather than retyping it all. This is what I've done in the last month: In addition to the above update from 8/2, I have added several boxes and bags to the donation pile (one week 'til pick up), emptied out a few more large Rubbermaid bins ( have about 8 empty bins in the basement woo hoo!!!) and have finally started going through the paper/filing stuff. Decluttering is becoming an obsession!
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Post by angie3dpea on Aug 6, 2014 19:18:46 GMT
I took 2 large boxes of shredding to the document destruction people the other day
I have taken 2 trunk loads of stuff to goodwill with another ready to go this weekend
I listed stuff on Craigslist over the weekend and sold my old queen size bed that was sitting in my garage. It got picked up last night - added bonus is I got some cash too!
I have nibbles on a 2 of my other listings too!!
Way to go everyone!
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Post by sillyrabbit on Aug 6, 2014 19:20:16 GMT
I had a yard sale and got rid of lots of stuff. I still have several rooms to go, but I am making progress.
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