Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?
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I'm all for ridding your life of toxic people, if they're not relatives, and limiting your contact as much as possible, if they are. I have no problem doing this.
On the other hand, while I'm not a hoarder, I have a problem getting rid of anything that I paid $ for and still think may be useful even if I haven't used it for years.
I occupy a 2900 sq ft house with 5 bdrms & a 3 car garage all by myself and every room and storage space is full. I also rent a 10x20 storage space that is the same. However, the house is still neat and looks uncluttered.
The fact that the house is already full is what prevents me from buying any more stuff. If it was empty again, like when I first bought it, I would just buy stuff to fill it up again. So, for me, it's best to leave well enough alone.
Not sure what decluttering "places" means unless you're talking about getting rid of excess houses, condos and/or time shares. Fortunately or not, I do not have any real property other than my house and have no need to rid my life of any excess places.
You remind me of my grandmother 😊. She could fill every square inch whatever the space might be. She was compelled to just give those spaces a purpose, even if no one would use those rooms.
Of course some people enjoy having more stuff than others. Personally I’m a minimalist. I believe younger generations are saving less and are generally more detached and clutter free, for one reason or another.1 -
I moved into my current flat almost 18months ago. This weekend I have finally taken out the last items of clothing from my big suitcase, and placed the last of it into the "almost fits" pile. I also rearranged my wardrobe for ease of finding things5
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Anyone want to really declutter? Adopt a couple of kittens! As they grow more independent and playful, the'll love to knock down any stacks of things you might have, so quickly said stacks will be at least put in cabinets or behind closed doors! I recently needed to move my work from home setup into another room of the house because of an employer requirement so out of the living room and into my studio I go. My part art studio/storeroom/ cat room is now a home office. Time to get rid of a bunch of old junk in my filing cabinet, get rid of massive amounts of dead pens and old mail, and set up a new workstation. I did some decluttering in the meantime. I left one of my old 8 pound dumbbells in there so I can do quick exercises during downtime.5
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Love reading your ideas! Sometimes, I just take one drawer or one cabinet in my kitchen. Empty it , declutter, and put things back in. Just one small task can make great differences in your mood.
My grandmother taught me another tip. When you clean a room, clean in order like go clockwise. Don't zig zag when you clean. Just clean in clockwise order.
One last tip, my friend says if you have an uncluttered home there is no excess money spent on those big containers to store things. So in the long run you save money too!
My biggest hurdle is I have no success selling things on Facebook marketplace. My friend sells things on there all the time and makes hundreds of dollars. I post a few things and they never sell. Any ideas?7 -
@RubyRed427
I don't do FB or sell things on line, so sorry that I can't be of help. What about asking your friend for tips on how to be successful as she is? Maybe she has a special trick under her sleeve. By the way, I like your grandmother's idea. Smart woman!4 -
It feels very intuitive to me that holding onto weight and holding onto excess stuff are related.9
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I’ve just swapped over my seasonal clothes, and discarded items I didn’t wear over the summer.
I put a marker in the wardrobe, and anything I have worn goes on the left of the marker. At the end of each season I donate anything that’s remains to the right of the marker. I have a similar system in my drawers.
I’ve become very fussy about not wearing clothes in which I don’t feel comfortable. Also find that I’m no longer self conscious about wearing tighter clothes.12 -
I clean each room once a week, and in the kitchen that means that I will take one drawer or cabinet, remove the items in it, wash the inside of the cabinet and polish the outside, and if the shelf paper needs renewed, I'll do that then too. It also gives me a chance to sort through the items in the cabinet and make sure that there's no junk in there, just useful items in a good useful order. By doing this week by week, I get through them all over a three month period, and it never becomes a huge burden to do it; it's just ONE drawer.
In the library/dining room, we have a large built in bookcase. Again, when it's that room's turn for weekly cleaning, I take one shelf, take the books out, and dust and polish the shelf and the books thoroughly. One shelf isn't terrible, and it lets me make sure nothing's misfiled, and I can see if I want to let any of them go. (If so, we have a bag those go in; when the bag is full, it's time to go to the used bookstore.) I do this with the drawers in the bedrooms, and it really makes keeping the clutter out of the corners easier, and I feel better knowing that things can never get too bad.13 -
jenniferc933 wrote: »I am ashamed of my hoarding of clothes and now that I've read everyones remarks - it makes me feel less isolated. I began getting rid of stuff about 2 years ago but IT is difficult - because every dress/piece of china etc etc etc., has a memory attached. But YOU are ALL correct - it does weigh you down - and now that I know I'm not alone in my tendancy to clutter, I will push forward faster and more quickly than I have been doing. Thank you all for the insight.
One suggestion I've heard is to take a picture of anything really special. Then you still have a memory jogger. And if you keep an electronic journal, you can paste the picture and describe the good memory there.
I'm planning to do that even with some family heirlooms I'm keeping, so when they go to the next generation, they know who sewed the quilt, and who made that piece of furniture.
I still need to do a massive declutter. (On top of my normal collecting, I recently had to combine parts of two households twice.)6 -
I have an excel workout sheet with 4 columns labeled:
1) Category (organizing, de-cluttering, cleaning, etc)
2) Chore (could be a room, a drawer, boxes, garage, cars, etc.)
3) Status: on going/started, pending, etc
4) Completion/Date: The date that the chore was all done (bolded and in red)
It helps me to keep track of what needs to be done, register the completed task(s), and to add notes if the cleaning or whatever, was delayed/pending (reason). For me it is another way to be more organized, and to start with the easier task that can be done quickly. It is a morale boost.
What an excellent idea! It helps with the planning, breaking the project into reasonable "bite-sized" bits, and creates a way to track and feel good about what's been done.4 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »
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My grandmother taught me another tip. When you clean a room, clean in order like go clockwise. Don't zig zag when you clean. Just clean in clockwise order.
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My biggest hurdle is I have no success selling things on Facebook marketplace. My friend sells things on there all the time and makes hundreds of dollars. I post a few things and they never sell. Any ideas?
Great ideas!
It helps when selling things on-line to have good pictures. Make sure the item is clear. It may help to have pictures of the front and back (or sides, top, open/closed). Check whether it looks better against a plain background or "in place" - for instance glassware might look better if you also have a picture of it as part of a place setting. Depending on what you're selling, it may help to give measurements or materials, and list any features. Also make sure your prices are in the normal range - usually less than 1/2 the original price. See what prices are listed for similar items.4 -
I like Terri's idea about a marker & donating clothes not worn and will probably try this after Covid is "over". At this point, since I am not going anywhere this would not be effective for me. I am just wearing my regular "at home" clothes, lol.4
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@Robin_Bin Thanks so much for the ideas~ I will try them!0
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Its been almost a year since I checked in here. As all of you know, its been a year! I was not home for most of it., and the clutter proves it! I'm back at it, little chunks at a time. Its a bit discouraging, but I made huge progress before, so I can do it again. Happy New Year all!14
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AlexandraFindsHerself1971 wrote: »I clean each room once a week, and in the kitchen that means that I will take one drawer or cabinet, remove the items in it, wash the inside of the cabinet and polish the outside, and if the shelf paper needs renewed, I'll do that then too. It also gives me a chance to sort through the items in the cabinet and make sure that there's no junk in there, just useful items in a good useful order. By doing this week by week, I get through them all over a three month period, and it never becomes a huge burden to do it; it's just ONE drawer.
In the library/dining room, we have a large built in bookcase. Again, when it's that room's turn for weekly cleaning, I take one shelf, take the books out, and dust and polish the shelf and the books thoroughly. One shelf isn't terrible, and it lets me make sure nothing's misfiled, and I can see if I want to let any of them go. (If so, we have a bag those go in; when the bag is full, it's time to go to the used bookstore.) I do this with the drawers in the bedrooms, and it really makes keeping the clutter out of the corners easier, and I feel better knowing that things can never get too bad.
This is a great idea! Doesn't take much time, but accomplishes so much!6 -
I got the business paper work sorted and put away last weekend. New files ready for the new year. Have some shredding left, but working on it.
Also, got some shelf liner this weekend. Will be implementing that idea!4 -
On Saturday I’m going to go through the paper files in our house and blitz them! I’m putting it down here so I commit to it9
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I am working on decluttering stuff. I have a disabling emotional attachment to my crap. Crap in totes I only look through when I move to a new place. Crap from my last marriage that can go in the dumpster with the ex... I agree it will help to have a more organized space. I look for things constantly and get frustrated and anxious. Will be decluttering my STUFF for the next couple months. Also trying to just eat healthier because my body deserves that. Treats are for once in awhile, not daily... also an issue I have. Thanks for posting!15
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I was walking in my basement because it is cold outside, but as I walked I picked up a few things I saw and dumped them in the trash. I think as I walk , I will slowly declutter here and there. It's a win-win.10
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JessiBelleW wrote: »On Saturday I’m going to go through the paper files in our house and blitz them! I’m putting it down here so I commit to it
You know what they say Only handle a paper once... either shred, file or recycle.
I have been saving magazines for my annual vision board. I like to cut out pictures, words, sayings and glue them on a paper; I write the date on it and hang it where I can see it.
Once I am done with the vision board, I will recycle the magazines. OR give them to my neighbor - we like to share magazines. Saves money and waste.8 -
With some of my family I have to set boundaries, Got To Go, now when I am in the grocery store I realize when I am around tempting foods, I need to do the same, Got To Go and run!7
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Good ideas and resolution ladies. Great for the new year, and to take our minds away from all the heart breaking crap that is going around. Keep up the good work!
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RubyRed427 wrote: »JessiBelleW wrote: »On Saturday I’m going to go through the paper files in our house and blitz them! I’m putting it down here so I commit to it
You know what they say Only handle a paper once... either shred, file or recycle .
@RubyRed427 i have actually never heard this saying. I still get paper bills for the water and power/gas, I’ve been filing them but as my partner pointed out it’s not like I need too! I have a record of paid bills on the website and receipts in my email!4 -
I’ve graduated to non paper statements/bills for utilities and most of my other purchases. Junk mail now goes straight into the recycle bin. Now, if I can just get DH to do the same thing ......3
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I worked on my apartment for 2yrs. decluttering and getting rid of stuff. I never totally finished and now it has been hard to maintain and is getting cluttered again mainly with papers. I want to finish my original sorting and getting rid of stuff then get to the papers that built up again. I’m finishing the living room sorting, then the bathroom. I’m going to work on it 1/2 hr. at a time. I’m looking forward to it.10
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I started decluttering my home last year and made some great progress. My momentum slowed once the pandemic hit and my workload increased. There is still a more to do, and with slowly finding that work/life balance again, I plan to continue what I started. This weekend I plan to declutter more, and I'm committing to decluttering 10 minutes a day during the work week. 10 minutes might not seem like much, but it really is. There's something about working purposely for a limited time that is motivating yet not exhausting/overwhelming. Try it!9
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My plan today is to clear all the empty boxes out of the spare room. Once that's done, I'll be able to do more than step in! I have to get to the point I can move the dresser to the wall.6
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You are all so motivating!1
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