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Welcome to Day 18.
Today we’re going to explore a radical idea for getting rid of clutter and simplifying your life.
We’re going to decide to live within the boundaries of your available space…
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The following are our group’s responses: Questions to ask yourself during the de-cluttering process: 1. How long has it been since I used this? Is there a reason to keep this item? If yes, why? 2. Do I like it? Does it serve a purpose? 3. Does it work properly? Is it broken? 4. Do I have more? How many do I need? 5. If I keep this what will I get rid of to make room for it?
Make a plan to organize your area[s]. Make sure your plan is manageable. Spend 15 minutes per day de-cluttering & organizing; choose an area of your home; work that area until it is completed. Then move to another area of your home.
I Need Storage Systems So I Can De-clutter: Your valuables and everyday items you use
I Can’t Get Rid of Anything I May Need One Day: Sort into: 6 boxes or bins: keep; trash; needs attention; donate; recycle; important documents
All My Clutter Must Go to the Perfect Place: Things should be organized in areas that you need constantly vs. rarely.
One Day I’ll fix it/Fit into It/Want to Use It: Boxes & label! Store a specific amount of time & not used trash them.
I Have to Keep It Because It Was a Gift: If you receive a gift you cannot use re-gift it or donate it
I Need It to Stay Connected to the Past: You can’t change the past. Remembering good times & attending family & school reunions. But it is not good to dwell on the past all the time = unhealthy.
I Need to Be Organized Before I Can De-clutter: You need to de-clutter in order to be organized. Then organize a section at a time.
Clean your car out including the trunk
Clean your medicine cabinets including throwing out expire products
Clean under your kitchen sink
I am downsizing my holiday decor items. I found items stuffed in a closet ( and there are more in other areas of the house) that didn’t truly have its own home. I am only keeping things I know I will use to decorate and keep a list of what items to use, where they will be displayed and document where I can find the item. I plan to put the information in a table form in my computer.
I am pretty good about clearing stuff out on a regular basis, but I do tend to accumulate more than I need. Today I organized my entertaining pantry. We entertain a lot so, I tend to accumulate serving dishes for every party, paper goods, drink holders (I might have a problem :))
Ok, cleared the bathroom of lotions and potions, either the bin or the drawers I have – no more!
This one is great – I like the concept of removing what doesn’t fit. I can come back later, to a more organized space, and sort through it for what I need/love.
Living within my home’s boundaries is my goal but I still have a ways to go. I am finding setting smaller goals helpful in not feeling overwhelmed. I decluttered a few small spaces and areas today but the one that felt the best to declutter was the top of my nightstand. I removed a couple of things, including a portable cd player that I put there so I could listen to meditation/relaxation cds in the morning. It made my nightstand very crowded and I actually didn’t use it very often. Now the top of the nightstand looks spacious and it was a good reminder of how much easier it is to clean surfaces when they aren’t cluttered 🙂
My home is quite tiny, so I think there will be a lot going out the door soon. I will work on my kitchen cabinets the coming week. Also, I have a filing cabinet that is filled with lots of files that I’m thinking I don’t really need. I am going to go through it and determine what can be shredded. Perhaps I can even get rid of the filing cabinet and switch to a small filing box. This would free up a good chunk of space and make the room feel breathable.
My home is quite tiny, so I think there will be a lot going out the door soon. I will work on my kitchen cabinets the coming week. Also, I have a filing cabinet that is filled with lots of files that I’m thinking I don’t really need. I am going to go through it and determine what can be shredded. Perhaps I can even get rid of the filing cabinet and switch to a small filing box. This would free up a good chunk of space and make the room feel breathable.
Sorry if I’ve already asked you this Lety but have you done 7 Days To An Organized Home Office? We spend Day #3 on filing: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/my-account/7-days-to-an-organized-home-office/day-3/
I haven’t done so, but I will look into it. Thank you 🙂
Oh–and last year, I cleared out tupperware-type bowls in the kitchen…and now we only use round bowls–so that we can stack them all. Although I still have quite a few in different sizes–because they are all the same shape–they take up so much less space! It has been great! And I used chipped dishes/mugs that were reminders of my mom and grandma to make mosaic flower pots!
Love the stackable bowls tweak!
We downsized a few years ago–and I have tried hard to take something out every single time we bring something in. HOWEVER, my continuing issue is mail/bills. I organized our home office and it is much better, but by the weekend–we always have a pile of bills and mail that needs work on our coffee table. Maybe I just need an attractive basket or file box…I do tackle it once a week–but it looks pretty tacky for several days…
Have you done 7 Days To An Organized Home Office Ann? We cover bills and mail on Day #6: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/my-account/7-days-to-an-organized-home-office/day-6/
I love the idea of living within my home’s boundaries. Today I decluttered the baskets I keep on the built-in shelf in my coffee table. They are supposed to house beauty, skincare, and health items that I want easy and quick access to, but it’s become a dumping ground for other things. I know there’s more in there I can toss or move to a more appropriate location, but I managed to clear out enough space so it’s neater and leaves room for other things that actually do belong in there. I will repeat this challenge for other areas 🙂
This one, though necessary, is not easy. I am a couponer and I like to have my “stuff”-and I must admit my “stuff” has come in handy more than once. But…I do like the philosophy of simplify and downsize–which is why I am taking this 3 week course! thank you!
I have focused mainly on closet and bedroom clutter recently because it was out of control and stressing me out. It’s amazing how much more peaceful I feel in this space. Now I need to keep it this way and dig deeper into some other trouble spots.
It feels good, doesn’t it, Beth! Well done for embracing the challenge. Kylie ~ Community Manager
I am working right now on reducing the clutter in my email folders ~ I have more clutter there than I do in my house!
Then those folders are good boundaries to work on Marla. 🙂
This is precisely the issue that made me want to do the Challenge. After working on the upstairs, things look great. But everything ended up in the basement which is overflowing and overwhelming. Filling up a bag or two of donations each week feels like it will take the rest of my life to move this stuff out. Any ideas for a “mass cleanup?”
Sharon this challenge is mainly about simplifying. You may want to look at my clutter-specific programs, especially 52 Organizing Missions, which tackles clutter and storage throughout your home (http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/shop/product-category/home-organizing/).
Is it possible to get the chair fixed? Then people could sit in it, and it wouldn’t just be clutter. I think it’s great that you have that chair from your Grandmother. I’m sure she would want you to be able to use it. Do you have another family member that could keep it for you until you move again?
Okay, I need help with this one. We have moved from a big 3 bed/3bath/2 living room house to a small 2 bedroom apartment. I’m trying to downsize yet keep what I can as I know this apartment living is only temporary (maybe a few months to a year). The big elephant on my back at the moment is a rocking chair. It belonged to my Grandmother and my Mother gave it to me just before she (my Mother) passed away. It is the only thing I have from my Grandmother. One of the slats in the back is broken so I don’t let anyone sit in it. Right now it is squeezed into our bathroom because it doesn’t fit anywhere else. What do I do? I can keep it and just let clothes and towels pile on it while we live in the apartment, OR I can give it away which will break my heart but make living here more comfortable and probably make hubby happy (although he hasn’t complained). Help?
Is it the one thing you associate with your grandmother Lisa? Do you have other photos/letters/memories that better represent her and the relationship you shared? If you keep the chair will it be a true memento, respecting her memory, or will it be a source of frustration to your family? I guess the main issue is – is this THE item to remember her by? If so, then try to store it elsewhere in the short term. If not, then find a better way to treasure the memories and let this piece go.