get rid of all my clutter

Today while sorting stuff, I flipped through a notebook. It looked new but I’d written in a couple of pages. It was a diary from several years ago. And what was I writing about? Decluttering! Apparently I spent a whole weekend doing it.

I’ve been making very sincere efforts for a while now to weed out stuff and I think it’s going quite well. I don’t hoard so much stuff now (I used to call it “collecting”) plus there’s stuff set aside that’s earmarked to go once I get a chance to spend some time sorting through it.

One rule that I really like is the one in one out rule (or something like that). Basically if you’re going to bring an item into your home you have to get rid of one other item. So this is going to be my blueprint for the future.

I’m feeling quite pleased because in the garage now I’ve packed 10 boxes to take (more will be added) but the stuff that I’ve decided to give to charity is 16 boxes. BF’s mom was here today and she looked quite surprised that it was such a large pile.

Here’s an example of what I’m donating – some board games, a couple are brand new. The fact is, BF and I don’t play board games when we’re together, we either watch TV or go for a walk. So all the board games except one are going.

And as of today I’ve discarded all my lecture notes from the course I started (but never finished) 12 years ago. It was a bit sad as I was looking through them but I feel like they belonged to a previous version of myself. The new me has no time for these notes.

Another thing I’m going to do is to go through my old journals, take out only the juicy stuff and put them into my online journal. Then I can get rid of all the notebooks, about 10 of them or so.

I am also giving away quite a lot of books. One thing I am embarking on is to get e-books and to do away with actual books. As much as possible. I will try not to buy any actual books in the future.

I’m going to look through the bathroom now to see if there’s any stuff there I can get rid of.

They say challenges are opportunities in disguise. Well… We’re moving from a 3 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment. There is a chance that we can store a bit of stuff which we will take up however, we are committed to not storing junk. I’m really looking forward to having less stuff. I’ve now packed up 6 boxes of stuff to sell and 3 boxes to keep. Lots more to do!

I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed by the impending task hanging over me.

I have a house of things to get rid of, essentially. The reason? BF and I are moving interstate. It costs too much to move a lot of things, and also to store stuff. So everything not necessary has to go.

There’s a 3 bedroom house and a double garage with lots of stuff. And guess who’s responsible for decluttering, now that BF has moved?

Yep, that would be me.

But I did something new today, for the first time I have put 3 things on Ebay to sell. It took me ages to get good photos and write descriptions. I will keep going. Can I do this in a few weeks, and organize renovations, I ask myself. I shouldn’t think so much. Just do.

Major declutter due to moving interstate. It was traumatic! Didnt have enough time to do everything so some valuable items were left behind or went to the tip. Even though I knew 6 weeks ahead of time that the move was imminent, and tried to pack every weekend and finished work the week before leaving – it wasn’t enough. My perfectly working radiator went to the tip and I had to leave my $70 toolbench and large jade plant on the kerb.
Moral of story – Cull Well Before You Move!
Well, it wasnt all bad. I left some neatly packaged things out in front of my apt block and passers by took them. Culled the wardrobe and finally my ballgown (unworn since college) and the expensive Western blouse went to the op shop.
Major household items such as the fridge and washing machine also given to friends or sold via gumtree. Cassettes are all gone, most of my CDs are gone also, just the favourites are left. [about 25]. Took several weeks to do this with BF’s help. It’s done.
Now I’m living in a smaller space and the decluttering is still ongoing. Unpacking bit by bit and have accumulated a few things that are not needed, which should go to the charity shop.

On council cleanup day I left out the 2nd VCR and a large bag of my old recorded tapes. I put a note on the VCR saying it works fine. Well I expected it to go, which it did, but I didnt expect anyone to take all the tapes as well!! I’m glad someone took it and it didnt end up in a tip.
Only 2 tapes to go! I’ve started backing up a few cassette tapes. Should be ok but my computer is running out of space so i got a hard drive. And every few days I am taking a small bag to the charity bin. Gave away a nice dress watch to Vinnies so I hope they make lots of money out of what I gave them [gee I really did give them good stuff!] My flat still looks cluttered so i guess I’ll just keep goin…

I’ve also cleared out the tea cupboard [found weevils in one of the tins – gross!] also all the health food supplements are tidied up. Washed and recycled a heap of old jars in the fridge. Resolve not to get more than what I can eat.

It’s been a couple of months now and I’m decluttering almost every weekend. For a 2 bedroom apartment, it’s taking a while! Did a few hours today – went through my collection of packaging materials: bubble wrap and lots of plastic bags. Tossed out all the paper bags, couple of empty boxes, stacked all packaging materials neatly onto 2 cupboards. Went through collection of hair accessories which have been lying unused in drawer for a decade. They’re all in the charity bag.
I can’t believe how much stuff I accumulate.
Now, what to do with all those plastic bags? I can recycle a few, but not the shopping bags. Maybe put them on the kerb on the next cleanup day [early jan, few months away, drat!)
Left to do: piles of paperwork and notes – old magazines, donate cupboard and dresser to charity – photos – CDs – cassettes – VHS tapes – declutter the kitchen. Yikes!

I’m just looking at my bookshelf, and the stack of travel mags I cleaned up yesterday looks so good!

Still going! Filled large bag with things to go to charity. Tossed out a lot of news clippings. Tidied up the 2nd bedroom, put all tapes, DVDs and magazines in one place. Cleaned out the pantry cupboard, tossed out expired food. Looking for a VCR to go through all my old tapes [my current VCR doesnt read EP alas]

I’m having another go. Backed up some tapes. Took a few bags to the charity shop. Lots more, OMG better not give up now!