Throw out one thing every day for 30 days, to de-clutter my life!

I added this goal to my list in preparation for my move, thinking it would help me (literally, and psychologically as well.)
Of course, I didn’t throw out one thing every day for 30 days. But in the weeks leading up to my move, as I began packing, I threw out probably a LOT more than 30 things, so I suppose it all balances out. I just need to make a conscious effort from here to not let junk accumulate yet again. It’s amazing how quickly it happens! Especially with random pieces of paper that I pile on my desk saying “Oh, I’ll get to that later…” and end up forgetting about.

I’ve been throwing stuff out for 15 days now and my room/life is so much more spacous and organized, and it has also gotten me to orgaize stuff and I know where my stuff is now.

Okay, so I haven’t been doing this EVERY DAY… but today I recycled so much junk, so much paper that it’s a wonder my room doesn’t float away! I also tidied up a lot. I got rid of 5 prints I had sitting on my desk by finally matting and framing them and hanging them. I bought boxes and organized some correspondence and threw out a lot of needless cards and notes that I’d kept but have no sentimental value for me whatsoever.
I also reorganized one of my bookshelves a bit. I think all the ground I’ve covered today could safely account for how many entries of this I’ve missed. It must make up for at least 20 days! I’m proud of myself, and even though all this paper junk that I speak of was in folders and filed away, just knowing that it’s sitting in the recycling bin outside, waiting to go out on garbage day, is making my head feel lighter and less like spinning!
Yay for getting things done!!

....but I did donate a big, big bag of clothes I no longer need to the Salvation Army last week. I figure that should be making up the days I’ve missed!

My next step is to “let go” of school books that I will clearly no longer need, such as statistics and research methods and anthropology. While interesting, I know I will not read them again and I should practice ‘non-attachment’. I find this the hardest thing to do sometimes, getting rid of stuff in general. But once I conquer the struggle between want and need, I feel so much lighter and more relieved!
I’ll try to sell the books at a second hand bookstore, even if I only get a few dollars for each one, it’s better than nothing!

This is a lot harder than I anticipated it to be… and again, I’m questioning my spur of the moment decision to do this! Grrr…
To add a bit more to this, I’m also going to do stuff like give things away to friends (like books I no longer need) or donate them to a charity.
I’m also including throwing out papers in this goal because for me, letting papers and documents build up on my desk is a HUGE deal and I always end up feeling overwhelmed.

Tonight, I’m filing two things and recycling the envelopes they came in. One less thing to clutter my desk!

I have no idea what I’m getting myself into. I think it might have to do with the beer I’m drinking. But I was looking around me thinking that even though I try to do a big “cleanse” every once in a while and get rid of a bunch of junk, I really should get rid of more stuff! Maybe I can’t declutter my mind, because I can’t declutter my space completely. So in that spirit… I thought.. heck, I don’t know what I thought. But I added this goal. And I’m going to keep a daily log of this, to make sure that I actually DO it!

Sooooooo… let’s get to it, shall we?

Day #1:

I am throwing out an old highlighter (okay, okay… I know, it’s silly… but I have to start small. I have to ease myself into it slowly or else I’m never going to accomplish this and I can’t “give up” on this goal because giving up is something I don’t take lightly).

Don’t make fun of me. Just smile and nod. :D