Got rid of a stereo set today. It had receiver, tape deck, cd deck, and speakers. Replaced it with a smaller, all in one radio. It gives me more space, 3 months ago

I figured that at this point it would be helpful to outline where I’ve been and where I need to be.

Where I’ve been:

I have placed in white box storage containers:
Army Related Materials
Exercise Belt and Paraphernalia
VHS Tapes
Cords
PS(G1) and PSP Games
Cranes Project

I have placed in other storage units:
Cases of media (in a Sterilite 50 gallon clear storage container)
Sewing Materials (in a button shaped container)
Media (in binders and one black zip case)
Cards and Stationary (in two card sized white boxes matching the other containers)

In the closet I have used:
Six wonder-hangers for a total of 36 pieces of clothing
A natural canvas six shelved hanging unit to replace our dresser

I have sorted:
All the clothes (as far as I know)
All media
Most of my shoes

What I have left to accomplish:
*I need to dry clean/tailor (if needed) any Navy uniforms and space bag them for future use
*I need to consolidate all paperwork from the Navy (separate from the Army) and organize it into a binder and a file storage tote.
I need to organize three binders (with the possibility of a fourth): Army Brag Binder, Army Binder, Deployment Binder, and Army Spouse Binder (work on the name for this optional binder)
*I need to finish organizing the closet by putting all dress shoes in nice containers at the top of the closet, I need to organize all boots on a bar hanger at the bottom of the closet, I need to store all coats and otherwise unneeded items in the guest closet (until further notice)—all other shoes will be left on the floor of the closet
*I need to put all clothes desired to keep for now, but not use, in a storage container
*I need to organize the Navy trunk and label it with a zip tie.
*I need to consolidate all electronic gadgets and put away in one cube of the storage unit
*I need to organize all linens
*I need to buy two medium sized containers for mementos, etc. (one for each of us)
*I need to call Quicken and finish importing all data
*I need to finish my laundry container
*I need to put a plastic container inside my magazine holder in the bathroom
*I need to put up shelf in shower
*I need to organize toiletries into two toiletry bags and put in bathroom cabinet
*I need to go through all paperwork in both downstairs room and guest room and organize it (this requires me to go to someone about what to keep and throw out, to get others to help me sort once I know what to keep and throw out, and then actually send off paperwork to be scanned, then file needed hard copies)
*I need a place for Stephen’s exercise gear
*I need a place for our medicines, supplements, and extra bathroom items
*I need to hang up Stephen Drill Book-bag in the closet
*I need to put the Trunk or Treat decorations into containers to be stored
*I need to consolidate all the photos and then find a place to scan them into high quality digital files (give access to family and friends through USB drives, photo sharing sites, and physical distribution)
*I need to put all my school notes (organized) away
*I need to organize and consolidate my internship search
*I need to organize all my gym gear into my gym bag (put in car or other place)
*I need to organize my dance gear into my dance bag (put in car or closet)
*I need to hang Stephen’s guitar
*I need put all Warranties and Manuals in a binder
*I need to create a home binder if possible

Above is my to-do list. There are 26 items on the to-do list. If I completed one per week, I would be done in six months—challenge accepted. 4 months ago

Simplify: Media

Check!

Today my amazing husband helped me transfer all our media into binders and storage boxes. I organized our media into four smaller binders labeled: Anime/Children, Game System Media, Music, TV Shows and left all of our movie collection in the main case that previously housed them. Our VHS tapes were placed in a storage box and in a separate box I put all generation one PS games and PSP media. Media complete. I may get two more binders (and CD pages) to complete the look for our movies, but we’ll see. All cases were placed together in a large storage container to be placed in storage. So this, I believe can be checked off my list. Yay! 4 months ago

The thing is, how do you decide what to get rid of. I’ve heard of people with no pictures on the walls, and places so bare, they seem like a monk’s cell. I’m nowhere near that, of course. I’m still quite cluttered. But it’s all material things. 14 months ago

Although to many my life may seem pretty simple, I have to be careful. My apartment is small, and can easily be cluttered. When I look at something, I always ask, do I really need it? If I get some new clothes, older ones leave.
I’ve gotten that way even with my books. They’re the one thing I splurge on, but because of space, I have to occasionally go through and weed out ones that I will probably not read again. 20 months ago