declutter my house

I tried on a suit I had sitting in my closet and found that it’s way too big for me. I don’t feel bad about getting rid of it at all. While I know I got a lot of use out of it, it’s still in excellent shape and I feel great about donating it to our local women’s shelter.

I keep finding items in my closet that just don’t fit or aren’t as flattering as I once remember them being. Out they go. I’ve gotten rid of a lot, but it’s still amazing to me that there is still so much left to declutter!

Well, we sold a bunch more on Saturday, including a 6 1/2 foot Christmas tree, lights and trim. I just don’t need it! Emptied several Rubbermaid containers. Some of what didn’t sell will be donated and some saved for a spring tag sale. I keep pulling out more to get rid of, candles to burn, etc. Decluttering feels G-O-O-D!

This weekend I found a few items bought through the years intended for gifts and they are finally going to make their way out of the house this season. Perfect timing – and the money has already been spent! More space created, weight eliminated, and money I don’t need to come up with right now. I proceeded to wrap a few because I know that as the month progresses, it only gets busier. That means I get to clear out gift wrap, too! ;)

I’ve sold a few more items on ebay. Not a lot, not making much money at all, but it’s freeing up space in the house, freeing up a few dollars for me to use toward bills and eliminating my clutter.

Let’s see. I’ve learned a lot this year about not putting things off…not saving things for “someday”, enjoying them now, eliminating maintenance of some of these “things” so I can spend more time enjoying life. Stuff does not make me happy. Actually, lack of stuff often makes me happier – it’s strange how that works. Turns out, I’m a sucker for a clean, uncluttered kitchen counter and a home office where I can find just what I need. :) We’re getting there…slowly…

Had a quick tag sale this past Saturday and got rid of a little. We’ll be having another sale this weekend and will hopefully get rid of a bunch more. In the meantime, I’ve pulled aside a few more items…it’s nice to see things walk away, even if I’m only getting a quarter for some of them. They’re out of the house!

I’m continuing to list items on eBay, thinking little by little, it will make a bigger dent in my clutter. I’ve started burning my “pretty” candles that have been sitting around for years because I have the right to enjoy them, rather than just have to pick them up to dust! I’m checking expiration dates and cleaning out my food pantry.

These all seem like small steps, but they are all part of the transition taking place inside me and being reflected in my home and lifestyle!

I cleared out more VHS tapes to be put on the upcoming tag sale. It’s funny sometimes how time can put “stuff” in perspective. I’ve lost attachment to so much. A stuffed animal from an ex-boyfriend (new with tags still attached) is moving on to a new life through Toys for Tots. I pulled out a beautiful work blouse from my closet (I love it, the sleeves are too short for me) to be donated to the local women’s shelter. I know someone out there will be able to use it. I’ve also listed more items on eBay to clear out, find new homes and hopefully generate a little income.

made me realize a greater need to declutter. I don’t mind cleaning, but I would mind it less and do it more often if I didn’t feel it was such a chore to have to pick up and move things each time I dust or vacuum. So I feel like I still have further to go with this. Fortunately, we’re having a tag sale in the next few weeks. Time to get rid of some more stuff!

I did a little impromptu cleanout and quickly emerged from my closet with 4 tops I have not worn in forever. I tried them on and decided they were too short, not flattering, not life stage appropriate, etc. Their leases are up in my closet and they will be donated in the next batch.

I’ve been finishing up bathroom products (toiletries and cleaning products) and have made a lot of progress in this area. I’ve been cleaning out the pantry by using what I have and getting rid of those items that are “beyond freshness”. I read something that sparked within me, along the lines of this: When you allow your life to be filled with things that are worthless, you begin to see yourself as worthless. Focusing on the importance of only having items that serve a purpose and/or are beautiful and meaningful is giving me more motivation. It sometimes seems like a slow process and it’s definitely ongoing, but I’m getting there. Feels good!

Parted with 3 more bags of ‘stuff’ this weekend all to be donated! The pounds out of the house, the inches in reclaimed space, active decisions about what to keep…I love it! I got rid of 4 pairs of shoes, enough to do away with a shoe rack that I’ve been thinking takes up too much space in my closet. So, out it went. Sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts that I can’t remember the last time they were worn…gone. How many cold weather clothes do I need in Florida? More importantly, why are cold weather clothes that don’t fit, have seen much better days, or make me feel self-conscious taking up space in my closet and life?

I still have a long way to go, but I’m getting there. My mindset has changed – I’m thinking in terms of the life I want to live and, in turn, it feels like I’m giving myself the space to live it. What’s that? Is my house is starting to echo? Just kidding. :)

Still quite a way off!

does wonders for perspective.

I had some time off from work, visited my parents and helped my mom go through her closet and drawers. She wound up getting rid of about 5 garbage bags full of clothes (donated), and we resorted the rest into different categories.

I was able to go through pounds of paper (it’s amazing how much a little pile of paper actually weighs) and recycle it. I was also able to say goodbye to a bunch of other random items that previously I would have been sentimentally attached to. I’m just in a better frame of mind right now about ‘stuff’. This is definitely a process, but I feel further along!

Today I mailed another item sold on eBay…and have 2 more boxes to go later this week! It feels so good to unload (and send them to people who wanted these particular items enough to buy them!). A few more square feet of space. I love it, love it, loooove it.

As was recommended to me, I’m reading a book that I’m finding very helpful in this decluttering process (thanks again, Frannie) – It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh. It’s helped me put the process in perspective.

Well, the aforementioned tins are on their way out the door this week, along with another item. Every little bit makes a difference.

I went through a couple of drawers over the weekend and separated a shopping bag of clothing (you know, the paper kind with the handles) from my room. Donation to the Vets.

Also, this weekend my parents were here and my dad helped take photos of a bunch of things so I could put them on eBay at my leisure. My attachment to “things” seems to be dwindling more and more. It’s nice to decorate, but I’m really feeling the “less is more” mantra.

Definitely a process, but I’m getting there!