as I’m going to be moving imminently this has become my most pressing goal. I’m actually doing OK but still can’t be as ruthless as I think I should be/need to be. It will come! My main problem is books, I have dozens to get rid of but it just seems such a tragedy.
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More "How I Did It" stories
How I did it: I started slow. with a drawer, whatever I was wearing that day, whenever I was packing to go somewhere I simply let a bit go. I either left it where I went, found it a new home or donated it to a better cause. I am a conscious buyer, but I somehow always end up with too much. I don't use it all and do not wish to be burdened by it, so I let it go. Money and the things of life are meant to be enriching to your person, not distracting from. Read how I did it…
How I did it: Small steps. One drawer of clothes at a time. Then the closets. Never more than 10-15 minutes at a go. It doesn't have to be done at once. Read Oprah.com for suggestions. I really looked at stuff and decided I would never use it again so it had to go. Made money selling things on Craigslist and put it toward debt repayment. Soon it become a habit--when things start to get cluttered now I hop on it right away. And I am selective about what… Read how I did it…
Maerad is having the time of her life
How I did it: In preparation for a huge party my family was hosting, I decided to take it upon myself to "tidy up" and redecorate my room with some new sheets. Having to go through the process of first getting (mountains of) clutter off my bed finally gave me the impetus to get my act together. A bedroom is supposed to be a haven where one can relax, de-stress, and sleep well at night. I did none of these things in my room. I always used the excuse tha… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Sold, donated, or junked stuff that we didn't use in the house any more. So far it feels like we have two times the space already. We are hoping to be moving into a smaller place but one that we own, so this made sense... Read how I did it…
How I did it: Mainly it took so long because I can be bloody lazy a lot of the time, but with the help of some friends and motivationn I got this done in the end and it fells very good !Bow I don't have to spend hours panicing, trying to find essays etc... Read how I did it…
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brickhorse has all the swirling plates in the air!
Did some cleaning this weekend that ended up decluttering my bathroom and kitchen in significant ways. It feels so good to have more space and less stuff from simple cleaning! Now I have to do the floors. I also decluttered two drawers at work that hold food, utensils, mugs, etc. One drawer is totally empty, and ready for files. The other drawer is so organized that I can look inside and see everything there, and get what I want easily. What a concept! I also got rid of clothes.
where there is absolutely nothing I own that I do not use. Then I will know I have accomplished my goal, and my reward will be buying a nice bed (instead of having it up on spokes so I can hide things in it.
I’m aiming for clean lines and lots of organization. Where I know where everything is without thinking twice. Where I actually have used all the housecleaning products my mom insists on buying, and have space for storage of the things I need.
I think this is best down step by step. Each month I pick a room and pack up all the stuff I don’t need and call the Vietnam Vets or the Salvation Army to come take it away. If I’m not sure about something, I’ll leave it, and then when I come back to that room, I’ll go through it again.
Right now I have a nice pile in the bedroom to go. I need to resort through it with my Mom this weekend, and then I think I’ll get it hauled away. More space less on my mind.
Next month I think I’ll concentrate on the dining room, partcularly finding a place for all the random papers that I accumulate in my buffet drawers like for taxes, etc. I have some extra binders that I think I’ll use for that.
greenforlife is content.
I’m moving into my friends place after my break up. So I’ll be forced to declutter from a whole house worth of stuff to a tiny (and I mean tiny… as in hardly enough room to fit my bed) bedroom… I’m considering this goal complete.
And it feels amazing. (However, I still wish I didn’t have to declutter this much… I am going to miss having my clutter free house…)
greenforlife is content.
But I’m doing really well with this lately!! AND my house is usually always clean!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I absolutely cannot stand a messy place anymore.
This move was a lot better than the last one, in part because of how much we jettisoned before we left. There are a few things that will need extra organizing, and some parts of the new house that will need rethinking later, but on the whole I’m quite pleased with all that we did.
brickhorse has all the swirling plates in the air!
I too am going to sort stuff out this weekend for clothes that I no longer will wear. I still have some BIG stuff, as in physically large, to declutter. I hope I can do that this weekend. My plans have changed slightly about the sofa on the back porch. I’m thinking of spraying it for bugs/spiders, then moving it into the living room, but moving out the one that’s in there now (it’s over 30 years old, a hand-me-down from a friend who had it for years, then I’ve had it for years). I’ll put that one on the front porch for my dogs to sleep on and the better one on the back porch can go inside.
tinysarah is keeping her options open.
I don’t have too many items in storage, but with the change in seasons I am hoping to make good headway with the odd box or two holding unnecessary junk.
October-21-2009
Donated:
- 1 jacket
- 1 pair of boots
- 1 dress shirt
- 1 box of soup (it’s expired, but likely still edible – better to donate than toss!)
- 1 pair of legwarmers
edgey123 got the smiths on, just brushed teeth
old stereo and some old books are going tomorrow and i have sold them too so it’s better than taking them to the tip
edgey123 got the smiths on, just brushed teeth
it’s about the most i would have got for it, i have had time wasters inquire about it before and it wasn’t a very good dvd player anyway
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Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal
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Jamaica Plain
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lostinboston asks,
“How does one rationalize letting go of old letters, ticket stubs, little mementos? I am willing to part with "materialistic things", but these other things are hard to let go.”
— 3 years ago |
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Boyds
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vignette asks,
“Sell vs. give away: How to decide??”
— 4 years ago |
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Boyds
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vignette asks,
“How do I let go of something and not worry I'll regret it later on?”
— 4 years ago |
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