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Welcome to Day 6.
Sometimes decluttering is easy – you see things that are clutter, unneeded, unloved, and you let them go.
Other times all you see are reasons why you couldn’t possibly let anything go. But I might need it! But I don’t know what to do with it! But it was a gift!
Today we attack those decluttering blocks. No more excuses!!
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“one day I’ll want to use it.” – the only block that affects me in a glaring way, but it’s enough 🙂 Got rid of lots of clutter that I didn’t remember I had, but was sure I would use one day.
Haha great job Kim! I love that you never remember that stuff but at the time you think you can’t live without it!
2,4 and 6 are my demons! No 2, is less about having to buy it again, but more that by not having it to hand it appears I am disorganised (hence too many rolls of Sellotape for example). No 4 is definitely “fit into it” with clothes but I like your “treat yourself to a cute new outfit” to counter that one, and “want to use it” is very nimbly swiped with “you’ve likely moved on”. No 6 is the Irish in me that likes to stay firmly linked to the past but “memory” boxes for the most important bits will help here! I’ll put into action with the next de-clutter this weekend!
I like how you’ve adapted these for you. 🙂
I went up against clutter block 2 and finally whittled down my shoe collection. Now they fit in the storage area instead of spilling everywhere. Yeah! I need to revisit this day for each area of the house!
Good job Briana!
The biggest blocks for me are 2&4 (which are very similar, really). They’re tough because I really do fix things, need them again, or use them someday! But I know I have many things just sitting around not getting fixed or used. So, instead of trashing of a lot of perfectly good things, I’m challenging myself to use them within the next month – and if I don’t, they’re gone. A big one for me? Sample-sized shampoos, soaps, etc. I have a whole box!
Write that date in your diary so you actually have a deadline Jen. And toss those samples. If clutter is a problem then the few dollars you save are not worth the added stuff. If you’re concerned about the $, then buy value-sized products instead. That’s what I would do!
Write that date in your diary so you actually have a deadline Jen. And toss those samples. If clutter is a problem then the few dollars you save are not worth the added stuff. If you’re concerned about the $, then buy value-sized products instead. That’s what I would do!
I have tonnes of sample-size things too. I put them in my swimming bag so I am gradually using up hotel shampoos and moisturiser after my swims!
I keep the sample size stuff in a box in the guest bathroom. That helps when guests come over and need something – they can just help themselves! Not really a “conquer clutter” solution, but it helps keep them out of MY bathroom! AND they get used up.
I am getting a bit stuck on some of these, Michelle. I can relate to every one of these Declutter Blocks… and I can even add another one! I am an artist and we tend to collect things so that we have objects to paint… and we don’t just paint them once. Nearly every artist that I know collects ‘stuff’, sounds like I am justifying now doesn’t it? I am also still stuck on Chores, in that I don’t have ‘set’ chores that I do every day. I am still cleaning, tidying, etc every day though, and feel this may be my problem as I never feel that I achieve too much because there is always something looking at me to be done. I can see that I need to work on these.
Maree perhaps you could have a large container or bin for your artist ‘stuff’. That way you have a set amount of space allocated. You have to keep curating the best items and letting go of the not-so-good ones to make room for new ones.
Re chores, you will never never never have everything perfect. Accept that life is a trade-off between the ideal and the achievable and let yourself feel good about what you do get done. 🙂
Michele Connolly Thanks, Michelle, I can see that this has been a problem of mine. If I have a list of things that I need to do each day, etc, then when I have completed them I will feel better about myself. As for my art stuff, I just need my own studio, as I have outgrown the spare room and am overflowing into another bedroom and the dining room and … There seems to be a lot of gear that we need, but I realise that I just need to be tougher on myself. I have realised too during this challenge that I am making a silent stand against the ‘throwaway society’ that we have become. Thank-you so much for your help, Michelle.
I’m hearing you!
Yesterday I had an organizer come to help me with my studio. I didn’t ask a friend because I knew I would drag my feet and somehow it was different to have a professional helping. I tried really hard to focus and stay in reality. In two hours we filled 3 trash bags and I have a huge pile yo take to Goodwill. She is coming back next week and we are going to keep at it! I feel so much relief that it is worth every penny. And now that I have gained some momentum I can keep decluttering between her visits.
Lol, I feel trapped by my clothes, literally thinking of turning the gues room into a closet. And my kitchen is a whole nother story. I need to build a second floor over the kitchen for a butlers pantry. And the garage OMG, I have too much stuff!
I’m so glad that worked for you Donna. 🙂
I have 12×12 hanging file folders for all the memorabilia from kids school stuff, various family vacations, etc. (This touches about just about every one of those blocks somehow) Last night I went through what remains (one box of the original three) comparing to what was already in albums and was able to toss another three files worth of brochures and receipts that I’d been hanging onto (think about 5 pounds of paper!). It feels so good to have it gone and no longer a pressure that I have to scrapbook it someday!
I love this double-benefit Cheri – your space looks better and you FEEL so much lighter and less pressured. This is a big deal so please appreciate yourself for what you’ve just achieved. 🙂
I LOVE the clutter challenges! For the past week I’ve been making more of an effort not to collect clutter, and not to feel guilty when I throw away a gift.
Problem – how soon is it to throw away a gift?
If you want to throw it out, donate it, or pass it on to another friend who would like it more than you, then do it whenever you feel comfortable. The longer it is in your possession the more clutter you’re holding on to. 🙂 Kylie ~ Community Manager
Working on yesterday’s assignment, I realized I possibly have a touch of the blocks I did not focus on today, but I definitely know my blocks are numbers 2, 5, and 6. After reading the realities, I realized how big my blocks are and always have been. When my brother passed away many yeas ago I held on to an empty box of cotton swabs! because he used to use those cotton swabs and had touched the box! I almost had a panic attack when my husband, without knowing I was saving it, threw away the box! Now that I write about/recall this, I feel like a hoarder :s.
I didn’t get as many items out of my home as I did yesterday. There were only eight. I would have had more, but I didn’t have a lot of time to declutter today. The majority of the clutter fell under the “just in case” block. Included was a BIG roll of sating ribbon which I’ve had since my wedding 15 years ago! I could have used that ribbon many, many times through out these years, but when I needed it I did not remember I had it! So what was the point of saving it just in case? I felt so wasteful!
The next block I tried to face today was the gift block. I must be honest and report I was not able to give anything up. I struggled several minutes on one particular item…I kept coming up with reasons I should keep it even though I don’t particularly like it. I let my reasons win because I was already spending way to much time on this one. I will definitely work on this block, however.
While I got rid of only one item under the “need to stay connected” block, I feel it was a big step! 🙂 I let go of a memento that I had not taken good care of and was tattered and creased. I had a bit of anxiety as I threw it out because it was something handmade. I told myself, however, that this was not something I would like to look at anymore, so out it went.
Small steps, and few things taken out, but feel good about yesterday’s assignment. 🙂
Every step counts Lety. 🙂
This is a big one for me, too, Lety. I have things from my parents, grandparents, husband, and sister, and all of them mean something to me. A good bit of it is art or photos and could mean a lot to other members of my family, too. The problem is, there’s so MUCH of it. I have put in my weekly and monthly chores to scan the art and photos, and post them for family to choose. Whatever is not needed, I’m thinking of letting go of; even the very old photos from the 1800’s, and the family painting/portraits. It’s a matter of sanity, I guess. STUFF is so weighing me down.
Gayle Michel it IS a matter of sanity. If it’s oppressing you then you have to let at least some of it go.
A couple of areas I could use help with. Michelle, or anyone else – do you have any suggestions for staying focused while decluttering? I start out decluttering my coffee table, for example, and next thing I know, I’m in the bedroom decluttering the dresser. Also, how do I not get caught up with trying to organize things when I should be spending my time tossing things out! Thanks!
I always consult my list – that helps me focus. Plus, I love putting a big tick next to each task before moving onto the next task. Also, I like to set time frames – like a mini challenge. …Can I decluttter this coffee table in x minutes. I’m looking forward to hearing other suggestions. 🙂 Kylie ~ Community Manager
Set a kitchen timer. Don’t leave the space until you’re done or it goes off. The more I dislike the job, the shorter time I set the timer for. Worked well for my kids when they were little; works well for me now on tasks I hate AND in the garden (where I work too long and then my back hurts). I have a cute little timer that looks like a ladybug.
Kylie Browne I like those ideas, Kylie. Will try them both as I continue to declutter in prep for company coming! Yikes! Thanks!
Brenda Monroe I’m going to try your idea of setting a shorter time, too. And I think I’ll try one of those ‘wind-up’ timers rather than the electronic one I usually use. That way I can hear it ticking and maybe it will help me stay focused. Thanks, Brenda!
Blocks 3 and 4 are my biggest challenges. I tend to hold on to stuff that I want to donate or till I can find someone I know who will appreciate it. I hate the idea of wasting something still usable It’ll take some time to fully sink in but I’ve made a start. I put in the trash a freebie re-usable bag that was slightly ripped but still functional. I had used it for a while then tossed it aside but always felt guilty about throwing it out even though I thought the bag was ugly. I’ll be filling it with more magazines that I declutter and tossing the whole thing out. For sure! Another thing that often keeps me from throwing stuff out is that the creative savant/slob in me usually can think of crafty things to do with it.:) So in today’s declutter session, I put back in the trash a couple of things I had taken out when I was decluttering on the weekend because I had ideas for them! Ha! Thank you for giving me permission to let go of stuff imperfectly and reminding me to look at the bigger picture!
Wow this is very cool Ellen! 🙂
I discovered Memory Boxes several years ago-what a wonderful way to keep small mementos of a specific period of time! ^De-clutter #7 was the most powerful block for me-I am constantly organizing-but find myself moving the same items over and over. I focused on this today and made an effort to throw items out in the trash instead of moving to another part of the house! It is a choice.
I have such a hard time with not hanging on to supplies because if I did need it again it often involves an out of town shopping trip. With only a handful of stores locally, I have to do all of my craft, sewing, home deco and furniture shopping out of town. Consequently I tend to stock up and not let go willingly. Any suggestions?
What would happen if you had to go without Elaine? One of the keys to living with less clutter is being ok with those times when you just make do…
I have to get over Blocks 1 and 3. This is my achilles heel. My mom says when I get into something, I go beyond 100%. It’s probably some kind of compulsive impulse that makes me want to have every possible option. Right now, this behavior is driving me crazy. I’m so ready to let go of it. But there are 14 storage bins of good quality yarn in the basement and I can’t bring myself to toss them. If I can move them out, I think I might be on my way to fixing the issue. I might need to ask a friend to come by for moral support when I do it.
Asking a friend for moral support is a great idea Sharon! Please let me know how you go… 🙂
My friend sent me a list of siggestions for donating the yarn. (typo left in because I’m tring to let go of those perfectionist tndencies!) I found one friend willing to take some to knit hats for charity. Our local yarn shop owner apparently knows where to send yarn to women in third world countries who are making items to support their families. This will turn out to be a worthwhile donation project. I’m allowing myself to keep one bin of what I truly love and will use.
I guess #4 best describes me. I emptied two shelves of my closet of project books (mostly knitting that I know I’ll never do) and journals from the past nine years. I never read them, why keep them? That’s not who I am anymore.
I wish I had the willpower to do that.
It’s so freeing to accept this, Claire. Life is change and you cannot hold on to all possibilities as well as your sanity. Something has to go!
Each of your Declutter Blocks have slowed me down at one time or another. I have more success if I plan to declutter when no one else is home, I have a fresh pot of coffee, and I play upbeat music. Sometimes I even stand in front of the mirror with the item and talk out loud to myself. I’m planning to tape a copy to the closet door or garage the next time I tackle them.
Whatever works is what you should do, Brenda, however unusual. I find Abba helps. 🙂
I love the idea of standing in front of the mirror and talking out loud! I think that would really help to clarify why you are hanging on to something and your feelings about it.
I fit almost all of those!
Be sure you start with the MOST challenging one Lisa, and give yourself a dose of reality.
My parents both died in the past couple of years. I have a number of their belongings– clothes, books, etc.– that I know I should get rid of. But I am just not ready to. I have most of it in one place in the attic closet. Meanwhile there are things of theirs I will keep — my Mom’s Bible, letters, etc. I am not sure where to keep these.
From a preservation standpoint, papers should be in a closet, drawer or other place with heating & A/C. Under the bed?
Thanks!
As with all memories Angela, curate the special keepsakes. Keeping everything isn’t the way to respect your parents’ memory.
I know I have Blocks 2, 4 and 7 sorted. I’m working on 1, 3 and 6, and feel I’m making progress, but Block 5 kills me emotionally. It’s not so much that I feel I HAVE to keep the gift; I just become sad when I think of the time, effort and love that went into the whole present giving experience for that person. Luckily, we are not a big present giving family really, and we often make donations to charities rather than buying gifts, but I think that makes it harder for me when it comes to actual physical presents. PS – If my daughters are reading this – ” I did love your Mother’s Day presents! “
I completely understand the emotional attachment Jenn. When people give you a gift, though, they’re usually giving you a symbol of the way the feel about you. You can cherish that feeling, the love and care they feel, without having to hold on to the physical symbol.
My worst clutter comes from memories. Things that I had in high school or vacations and things that people give to me or the kids. What if they look for the gift when they come over??? LOL Any suggestions for PICTURES? I have tons that are in the memory boxes, and tons on my computer and cds. Its unrealistic to actually develop all of them.
My suggestion is to become a curator, Amy. Look for the one memento or the few photos that CAPTURE the time or the event. You’ll never have time to go back through everything so focus on preserving just a sense of the past.
With gifts, people generally don’t go looking. They’re in the same position and have no doubt let go of gifts themselves. If someone were to ask, I would say something like, ‘Oh I loved that’, because you DO love receiving a gift. And change the subject. If all else fails, blame me. Say ‘I did this program and they made us get rid of everything we hadn’t used in the past 12 months’. I really do that in 52 Organizing Missions. 🙂
I just love the curator idea. I’ve never thought about it that way.
THANK YOU!
I am using an all-in-one printer to scan my photos. That way I can keep the digitized photos in albums to share with friends and family, display in a digital frame slideshow, and keep only a few that I want to frame and hang.