Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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LindaGilpin59 wrote: »A friend's blog was talking about using a one minute rule. Will it take one minute to hang up/put away and item vs laying down where it doesn't belong. If so then put it away. I have been thinking about this and trying to do this whenever possible. Also when done with a sewing project I am making it a practice to clean/organize the sewing room before leaving it or starting a new project and after taking a lot of time to find a rotary cutting board I had misplaced (it had slid behind a desk) I reorganized my pegboard so my cutting tools could be right above my cutting table.
One minute rule sounds great:) I'm trying something similar - the one 'touch' rule - right now. You only touch something once, so if I pick something up, I put it away. I don't put it down somewhere it doesn't belong only to have to touch it again. Might combine the two and do that for one minute:)
That’s a great rule too, bonus if you touch something that belongs in another room you get some steps in!2 -
I am still working on cleaning out some old paper and stickers from the craftroom. I have one large reusable shopping bag full that I am taking to a young man that teaches grade 2. My little scraps and stickers will end up being treasured artwork on some parents fridge.
I still need to go through the PJ drawer and I think the closet again. I noticed one of the talks I wear for sleepwear is now getting indecent in the chest area. That is the same size as all my tanks.
Ok off to go help my daughter get ready for my Granddaughter’s birthday party.
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I like to watch the Hoarders and 600 lb shows. Makes me reflect on my own reasons/excuses.
A few years back, we were renting out rooms. One of our tenants was a hoarder, he brought the stuff from his storage and bags of stuff/trash from ? When he moved out, the bed was unusable and he ran out of time moving stuff. When contacted, he came for the left behind stuff/trash here. Essentially, he was literally moving trash from one place to another (We're talking fast food bags). Starting to acknowledge if I'm not using it, what's the difference? Nicer but not necessary
@laurenq1991 no judgment from me! You gotta do what you need to stay sane, function well and thrive. ps friend's advice is great.
Thanks!
Yeah it is great advice from my friend isn't it...the more brutal alternative to Konmari. I think of it every time I declutter.
I also love My 600 Lb Life. Even though I don't have the same problem of food addiction I can relate to some of the people (especially the most recent patient from this week, Justin McSwain).
I had to stop watching Hoarders as it was too close to home with my family. Not only is my MIL a hoarder but so was my now-deceased FIL, my maternal grandparents, and my paternal great-uncle who partially raised my dad...and my immediate family members had to clean up after all of them. My brother has some self-awareness so he keeps it under control (for now) but he does have a lot of hoarding tendencies, AND his ex-wife was a hoarder. My parents are both minimalists though. I wasn't always a minimalist but I think I became one in response to seeing what my husband has had to deal with. I don't want my stuff to be a source of unnecessary stress in my or anyone else's life and that includes moving it when we move again."I know people will get mad at me for being judgmental but I've had many hoarders in my family and it seems like their homes just become a black hole where time, money, resources, and good intentions get sucked in to die. "
I think that's very accurate. Americans have a cultural thing about "being judgemental", but us Australians don't think in those terms at all.
Hoarding is a physical representation of a sad, depressed, messy, illogical mind.
I need to move to Australia then (too bad I'm super pale and paranoid about sun damage). In a way it is debatable how much they are aware of what they're doing...but you also can't help getting pissed about it sometimes.lorrainequiche59 wrote: »@laurenq1991 You are not being judgemental and whoever may accuse you of being judgemental are making their own judgement...just sayin`!! YOU are living with this so you are entitled to see it as you see it...no more no less!!! Who cares what anyone else thinks! You are the only one who has to deal with it. I think you are also giving your MIL credit where credit is due for what she does contribute to your family, so please try to be kind to yourself because you are doing more than most would to help her, and your husband sounds like a caring soul who likely feels like he`s between a rock and a hard spot...I truly hope you guys can work this out
I feel better about it than I did last week. I do think she is making more effort now. I snuck a peek into her room yesterday and it did look like there were fewer piles of papers and stuff in there than there was a week ago. I also haven't seen any messes left in the kitchen, like she used to leave spills on the stove every single day and I haven't seen any since she came back from the hospital even though she is cooking on most days. I think we can work out the situation with her and the bird. I would be fine with committing to living with the bird for life and caring for it if it outlives her with monetary compensation. I don't have a problem with her living with us as long as she doesn't try to control my life or judge me anymore, she isn't just pretending to be nice to me, and she keeps her hoarding under control so that it is not a safety or sanitation issue and does not pose a burden on our lives.7 -
Pulled all my cookbooks out and only kept the ones I actually look at. Donating the rest. My spare bedroom is getting full of donations, but I'm planning on packing everything up this weekend. Have a great weekend all
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'The 4 types of friendships I threw out when I Marie Kondo-ed my social circle.'
https://www.mamamia.com.au/marie-kondo-tidying-friendships/
A good read that reminded me of our discussions in here.4 -
My coworker is now using Kondo as a verb. As in “I Kondoed my scarves last weeend.” She just Kondoed me into dumping the contents of two file cabinet drawers. They were filled with stuff from the last person who had my position eight years ago.
Then my other coworker started pulling stuff out of our recycling bin! LOL!6 -
Got some donations packed up today. Called a church that's taking donations and they gave me a number to call. Called, and that lady said she knew someone who just got a fema trailer and needs everything. So, I'm waiting for her to call, so we can set a meet time. So happy someone can use these things!10
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Donated some extra nonperishables to my town's food pantry today, in a reusable shopping bag. We have too many because my husband used to have a bad habit of buying new ones every time he forgot his reusable bags. The last time I donated to the pantry the ladies working there were very happy about the reusable bags and said that they were very useful to have around. Also yesterday I saw a bin in a nearby store parking lot that said "clothing recycling" so I have to find out if they take worn out clothing to recycle into insulation/rags/etc. because it would be really easy to drop off our bag of worn out clothing there.Got some donations packed up today. Called a church that's taking donations and they gave me a number to call. Called, and that lady said she knew someone who just got a fema trailer and needs everything. So, I'm waiting for her to call, so we can set a meet time. So happy someone can use these things!
That's great that your stuff is going to help someone rebuild their life! May all our donations end up with people whose lives are improved by them.
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Got some donations packed up today. Called a church that's taking donations and they gave me a number to call. Called, and that lady said she knew someone who just got a fema trailer and needs everything. So, I'm waiting for her to call, so we can set a meet time. So happy someone can use these things!
That's great! A positive in both directions! Somehow, it's easier (for me) to send things off when hear there's a need.
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The young lady called and came over today. She hugged me at the door, I thought she was gonna cry. She was shocked that the dishes matched, that there were so many different basic items. But she teared up when she saw the "pretties" , telling me she can't take them. I told her she has to, unless she doesn't like them. ( pretties included a decorative clock and vases). She even took a couple of the dog rugs I've been making.
I have donated for years, by dropping things off. I had no plans that this time would be different, but it was. I feel blessed to actually meet a mom of 2 little boys, who, with her husband, is trying so hard to make their world right again.16 -
The young lady called and came over today. She hugged me at the door, I thought she was gonna cry. She was shocked that the dishes matched, that there were so many different basic items. But she teared up when she saw the "pretties" , telling me she can't take them. I told her she has to, unless she doesn't like them. ( pretties included a decorative clock and vases). She even took a couple of the dog rugs I've been making.
I have donated for years, by dropping things off. I had no plans that this time would be different, but it was. I feel blessed to actually meet a mom of 2 little boys, who, with her husband, is trying so hard to make their world right again.
She put a face on the good you are doing and made it personal! You are inspiring me to step it up. Have a toaster in the garage - we don't use anymore, just needs cleaning, and it's leaving.4 -
I read this a few months ago, coincidentally around the same time that I also decided to get back into MFP. The holidays were hectic (what's new?), but I was making slow progress cleaning out a cupboard here, organizing my vanity there.
I finally dedicated my entire Friday evening to cleaning out my x-mas tree and finding permanent spots for a bunch of crap that was out perpetually. I vacuumed and bought flowers, and now my place finally feels like a well-kept home for the first time since moving in about 5 years ago (seriously). I am beyond motivated and I now look forward to coming home and to cooking in a clean, organized kitchen!
I still have a couple of piles of paperwork to sort through and file, but I've got a ton of stuff checked off my old to-do list and my new tasks on my list are improvements that make me happy, and are not necessary tasks.
This has cleared my mind more than I really thought possible. I am so motivated! Thanks for sharing, everyone. You're all so inspiring!
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callmecarina wrote: »I read this a few months ago, coincidentally around the same time that I also decided to get back into MFP. The holidays were hectic (what's new?), but I was making slow progress cleaning out a cupboard here, organizing my vanity there.
I finally dedicated my entire Friday evening to cleaning out my x-mas tree and finding permanent spots for a bunch of crap that was out perpetually. I vacuumed and bought flowers, and now my place finally feels like a well-kept home for the first time since moving in about 5 years ago (seriously). I am beyond motivated and I now look forward to coming home and to cooking in a clean, organized kitchen!
I still have a couple of piles of paperwork to sort through and file, but I've got a ton of stuff checked off my old to-do list and my new tasks on my list are improvements that make me happy, and are not necessary tasks.
This has cleared my mind more than I really thought possible. I am so motivated! Thanks for sharing, everyone. You're all so inspiring!
That is fantastic, what a great accomplishment!
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The young lady called and came over today. She hugged me at the door, I thought she was gonna cry. She was shocked that the dishes matched, that there were so many different basic items. But she teared up when she saw the "pretties" , telling me she can't take them. I told her she has to, unless she doesn't like them. ( pretties included a decorative clock and vases). She even took a couple of the dog rugs I've been making.
I have donated for years, by dropping things off. I had no plans that this time would be different, but it was. I feel blessed to actually meet a mom of 2 little boys, who, with her husband, is trying so hard to make their world right again.
What a sweet encounter, thanks for sharing.
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My mother is also a paper hoarder. Because she donates to charities, she's now on virtually every mission, charity, whatever mailing list out there. The solicitations come in bunches and she's so afraid of identity theft (nevermind that her info is ALREADY being sold and resold) that insists on cutting out name & address from every one of those solicitations and shredding it. So the amount of time involved to actually do what she wants is horrific and overwhelming and her desk has mounds of this trash piled and falling off. (She was hospitalized last year and I stole piles of this junk mail and disposed of it.)
Oh my god, this is my landlady (and friend)!! I had offered to help her organize and I went by her house twice to help. She hoards these charity mailers, but I did manage to convince her to throw most of them out the last time I was there. But she is insistent on shredding her address, even though her info is out there already...
I haven't helped her with that in a while. I should go over next week and do another round. Thanks for reminding me! 2 -
callmecarina wrote: »I read this a few months ago, coincidentally around the same time that I also decided to get back into MFP. The holidays were hectic (what's new?), but I was making slow progress cleaning out a cupboard here, organizing my vanity there.
I finally dedicated my entire Friday evening to cleaning out my x-mas tree and finding permanent spots for a bunch of crap that was out perpetually. I vacuumed and bought flowers, and now my place finally feels like a well-kept home for the first time since moving in about 5 years ago (seriously). I am beyond motivated and I now look forward to coming home and to cooking in a clean, organized kitchen!
I still have a couple of piles of paperwork to sort through and file, but I've got a ton of stuff checked off my old to-do list and my new tasks on my list are improvements that make me happy, and are not necessary tasks.
This has cleared my mind more than I really thought possible. I am so motivated! Thanks for sharing, everyone. You're all so inspiring!
Kudos to you for a great job!! (It sounds like you have conquered Kondo challenges)1 -
callmecarina wrote: »My mother is also a paper hoarder. Because she donates to charities, she's now on virtually every mission, charity, whatever mailing list out there. The solicitations come in bunches and she's so afraid of identity theft (nevermind that her info is ALREADY being sold and resold) that insists on cutting out name & address from every one of those solicitations and shredding it. So the amount of time involved to actually do what she wants is horrific and overwhelming and her desk has mounds of this trash piled and falling off. (She was hospitalized last year and I stole piles of this junk mail and disposed of it.)
Oh my god, this is my landlady (and friend)!! I had offered to help her organize and I went by her house twice to help. She hoards these charity mailers, but I did manage to convince her to throw most of them out the last time I was there. But she is insistent on shredding her address, even though her info is out there already...
I haven't helped her with that in a while. I should go over next week and do another round. Thanks for reminding me!
ANGEL WINGS!!
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This mother must feel absolutely horrible. I feel so bad for her and am praying that whoever has the money will come forward:
http://www.walb.com/2019/01/29/family-mistakenly-donates-mug-goodwill-with-stashed-inside/0 -
callmecarina wrote: »I read this a few months ago, coincidentally around the same time that I also decided to get back into MFP. The holidays were hectic (what's new?), but I was making slow progress cleaning out a cupboard here, organizing my vanity there.
I finally dedicated my entire Friday evening to cleaning out my x-mas tree and finding permanent spots for a bunch of crap that was out perpetually. I vacuumed and bought flowers, and now my place finally feels like a well-kept home for the first time since moving in about 5 years ago (seriously). I am beyond motivated and I now look forward to coming home and to cooking in a clean, organized kitchen!
I still have a couple of piles of paperwork to sort through and file, but I've got a ton of stuff checked off my old to-do list and my new tasks on my list are improvements that make me happy, and are not necessary tasks.
This has cleared my mind more than I really thought possible. I am so motivated! Thanks for sharing, everyone. You're all so inspiring!
Congratulations! What a great accomplishment!1 -
BonnieHosk85 wrote: »This mother must feel absolutely horrible. I feel so bad for her and am praying that whoever has the money will come forward:
http://www.walb.com/2019/01/29/family-mistakenly-donates-mug-goodwill-with-stashed-inside/
I saw this on the news, I hope someone comes forward.1 -
callmecarina wrote: »My mother is also a paper hoarder. Because she donates to charities, she's now on virtually every mission, charity, whatever mailing list out there. The solicitations come in bunches and she's so afraid of identity theft (nevermind that her info is ALREADY being sold and resold) that insists on cutting out name & address from every one of those solicitations and shredding it. So the amount of time involved to actually do what she wants is horrific and overwhelming and her desk has mounds of this trash piled and falling off. (She was hospitalized last year and I stole piles of this junk mail and disposed of it.)
Oh my god, this is my landlady (and friend)!! I had offered to help her organize and I went by her house twice to help. She hoards these charity mailers, but I did manage to convince her to throw most of them out the last time I was there. But she is insistent on shredding her address, even though her info is out there already...
I haven't helped her with that in a while. I should go over next week and do another round. Thanks for reminding me!
ANGEL WINGS!!
ANGEL WINGS INDEED!0 -
I hadn't actually watched an episode until last Thursday, and even then I only watched about 15 minutes of an episode (skipping introductions, etc). That was the push that I needed to get my stuff sorted out! I have done laundry a few times this week and have put my clothes away each time right away, instead of letting it pile up on the bed or leaving it in the hamper.Kudos to you for a great job!! (It sounds like you have conquered Kondo challenges)
I also cooked enough for a couple days of food last night and cleaned up the mess immediately afterwards. I feel amazing, and I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of this "adulting" thing. Lol.
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Cleaned out the expired meds today. They are soaking in a Ziploc bag of water, I will throw them out in the morning.4
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Cleaned out the expired meds today. They are soaking in a Ziploc bag of water, I will throw them out in the morning.
Great work!
I threw out a bottle of NoDoz this weekend that expired in 2009! Ugh! Obviously I rarely used them, but that’s still pretty bad. Going through all items is helpful, because it’s so easy not to “see” things we don’t use, even though they take up space.
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IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt wrote: »Cleaned out the expired meds today. They are soaking in a Ziploc bag of water, I will throw them out in the morning.
Great work!
I threw out a bottle of NoDoz this weekend that expired in 2009! Ugh! Obviously I rarely used them, but that’s still pretty bad. Going through all items is helpful, because it’s so easy not to “see” things we don’t use, even though they take up space.
Exactly! I am constantly amazed by things I'm finding, that I look at all the time.2 -
Thank you for this lovely post!
I have started with the toxic people. Ongoing project.
I'd like to do stuff now. It sounds liberating!3 -
lemonita12 wrote: »Thank you for this lovely post!
I have started with the toxic people. Ongoing project.
I'd like to do stuff now. It sounds liberating!
I've been so much happier every day. There's a peacefulness that comes from it. I have a long way to go, but even 15 minutes a day, makes a huge difference.4 -
My coworker is now using Kondo as a verb. As in “I Kondoed my scarves last weeend.” She just Kondoed me into dumping the contents of two file cabinet drawers. They were filled with stuff from the last person who had my position eight years ago.
Then my other coworker started pulling stuff out of our recycling bin! LOL!
We watched this on Weds. I was aiming to have my gf see it and want to clear her stuff - and she does!! woohoo! so we are doing step 1: clothes tomorrow. Excited!!
We are both excited to Kondo the kitchen and make the drawers all neat and tidy6 -
My coworker is now using Kondo as a verb. As in “I Kondoed my scarves last weeend.” She just Kondoed me into dumping the contents of two file cabinet drawers. They were filled with stuff from the last person who had my position eight years ago.
Then my other coworker started pulling stuff out of our recycling bin! LOL!
We watched this on Weds. I was aiming to have my gf see it and want to clear her stuff - and she does!! woohoo! so we are doing step 1: clothes tomorrow. Excited!!
We are both excited to Kondo the kitchen and make the drawers all neat and tidy
Great job - sounds like you are being motivating in a very positive, supportive manner. Any chance of before and after photos? sharing is caring
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I have been reading this thread for a while now, constantly thinking, "Yep, I must sort my house out." I rarely get time to deal with "stuff" as I like to get out and about a fair bit plus I have four children, two of whom are home educated full time, one who has just started college and needs support with the transition from HE to college and one who is very much a "needy" adult who is in her last year at college and preparing for university.
I was pretty much snowed in yesterday so decided to clear out the area under the stairs. It took all day, between dealing with life stuff (such as meals, playing with the children, etc) but I have managed to get rid of everything that wasn't needed. I mean, who needs VHS videos when you don't have a video player? Who needs an A4 sticker sheet with just one sticker on it? And old magazines? What on earth was I saving it for?
The only stuff I didn't throw out that I didn't really need was some artwork that my adult daughter did as a child. But I am going to photograph it and then offer it back to her. If she doesn't want it then it'll be recycled.
The area is much less cluttered now and so tidy (it was spilling out everywhere). Pretty much filled the recycling boxes. I have lots of stuff to go to the charity shop and about 100 items to put on Ebay, which will be done tonight. If it doesn't sell on the first listing period on Ebay then it too will join the stuff at the charity shop. Later on, I am going to walk through the snow and take the stuff to the charity shop. It WILL be gone today.
Then I am going to start on the bathroom as I know that there is stuff in there that hasn't been touched for about 7 years. Time for it to go.
Then after that, either my bedroom or the kitchen. Then, the big one, the lounge.
Looks like I'll be snowed in again today (apart from walking anywhere) so I will get started on the bathroom. I can't wait to get stuck into it!
Who knew de-cluttering was addictive?15
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