Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?

JessiBelleW

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

And done! Now to list a bunch of spare stuff on marketplace and ebay and see what I can be rid of!

Remus42

Just did a little decluttering today myself. Got rid of what I believe to be a person pretending to be someone else in my life. I attempted to get them to admit it, why you ask? Well they were pretending to quite a famous individual and I really was curious to know if they truly were that person. But after calling them out on a few things and asking for a selfie to prove who they were (which was never provided, which in my mind hammered home the lie), I thought screw this idiot and blocked them. There is nothing worse than a lier in my opinion and why start off any relationship be it friendship or a personal one that way. It was beyond disrespectful to me and to the real individual that this person was claiming to be. The worse part is, I bet they don't learn anything from that. But then it's not about that for me. For me it was removing the lie from my life. Baaaai Felicia!

JohnDziak

I gave away some old computer equipment I wasn't using -- that will clear up my closet a little.

4Phoenix

These posts are so inspiring....weight is not just about the food we eat, but the thoughts we think, the emotions that we feel, and the stress that burdens. I have strategies to release and have experienced and mindful of relationship with food and the challenges that are presented daily. I'm loving my life's journey, even though there will always be trials, I've incorporated daily habits that mitigate toxicity and damage. Peace, joy, and health are often a product of release. Best wishes and thanks for all the inspiration that I've gained from this thread.

snoo61

snoo61 wrote: »

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.

All the empty boxes are broken down and on the porch, ready to burn! I also mended 3 dog beds that were under the boxes. (Puppy chewed holes in them). YAY!
During football today, I hope to go through the huge bin of pictures from Dad's house.

Laughter_Girl

snoo61 wrote: »

snoo61 wrote: »

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.

All the empty boxes are broken down and on the porch, ready to burn! I also mended 3 dog beds that were under the boxes. (Puppy chewed holes in them). YAY!
During football today, I hope to go through the huge bin of pictures from Dad's house.

You are on a roll. Good for you! I was resting today because it's my Sabbath, but I'll be at it tomorrow.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

I'm nervous about tomorrow, so I think my plan will be to turn on the radio and listen, and while I'm doing that I can work on redoing the main set of shelves in the pantry. They get used all the time so periodically it gets to be time for a straighten and put right, and it's time for that now.

Gisel2015

All of you are sooooo good!

snoo61

snoo61 wrote: »

snoo61 wrote: »

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.

All the empty boxes are broken down and on the porch, ready to burn! I also mended 3 dog beds that were under the boxes. (Puppy chewed holes in them). YAY!
During football today, I hope to go through the huge bin of pictures from Dad's house.

Dad's pictures are so daunting! I'm just grabbing a handful everytime I go in the spare room. I'll get them done that way. I have a clear space in the spare room now, so I can move the dresser!

Gisel2015

I came across these articles and I thought about this thread. Maybe somebody can relate to what is written and even get some ideas. I didn't read them to completion yet, but here they go:

How to Spend Less Time Cleaning: My Minimalist Cleaning Routines simplyfiercely.com
https://www.simplyfiercely.com/spend-less-time-cleaning/

Clutter, Minimalism, & Convenience - TPW235 - The Productive Woman
https://theproductivewoman.com/clutter-minimalism-convenience-tpw235/

pljs010381

Recently I have started decluttering my life. I started with ridding it of unhealthy food and drink habits, and now I have been decluttering things around my house. It feels really good. With each area I declutter I feel like I can breathe a bit easier. My next projects include my Tupperware and pots and pans cabinets which are basically just a bunch of stuff thrown in several bottom cupboards, half of the stuff and most of which we don't even use, then there's the bookshelf, which is full of "maybe ill read it someday", honestly, someday is never going to happen. Time to do like the song says and "Let It Go!"

RetiredAndLovingIt

Trying to do decluttering in hour segments so I don't get bogged down. Going through old files & shredding or recycling papers, then doing clothes. 1 1/2 bags of clothes so far to donate. Just doing winter clothes for now, then will do summer when I decide what I really like/need when it warms up. (I'm in Iowa, so definitely don't need summer things right now, lol)

@Gisel2015 Thanks for the links. I like reading things like that.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

We cleaned out/up the home office today, hung the steampunk clock that he got for Christmas, and a few other art pieces, and now it looks a lot nicer. Plus that clock will look really cool over his shoulder when he's on Zoom.

snoo61

My utensil drawer has been ridiculous for a while now. I don't like the crock with cooking utensils in it, but that's all I could think of. So I just dig through the horrible drawer. Yesterday, I thought of moving the kitchen towels to the linen closet. After 16 years! So today that happened! Then I put new shelf paper in the drawer, and started sorting the horrible drawer!

Gisel2015

I like the way she explains things. Maybe you find it helpful too.

Practical Guide to Room-by-Room Decluttering - The SpareFoot Blog

https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/21425-expert-minimalists-guide-room-room-decluttering/

snoo61

Ok, reality check. I haven't done any decluttering in a week! Work schedule changed, and it messed me up. I feel doomed to live with big plans and no results. I have to start over, small steps. That's how I made so much progress. Its so discouraging though.

snoo61

So today I got some cleaning done. Not actual decluttering, but the place looks better. Since my schedule changed, I've been kinda overwhelmed. Today made me feel like I can do this.

TerriRichardson112

I did the 365 day challenge on Home Solutions 101 a few years ago, and found that it helped me develop quick routines to stay on top of clutter. It does a daily 15 minute declutter, and over the year you tackle various areas in the home.

https://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter.html

ReenieHJ

I've had 'clean my closet' on my to-do list for an embarrassingly long time. It got to the point the only clothes I was wearing were the ones I had hung on the lines in the basement.
So I finally took a plastic bag and told myself I'll start by sorting through the top level. I have an extra small closet, can't be more than 2x3' so had poles hung to split it into 2 levels. An hour later, I had 2 bags filled with clothes I haven't worn in years, 3 sweaters I'd forgotten I owned, and everything is organized so I can see what's in there.
AND I found my long hidden away slippers.

Patting myself on the back now. Lol But paperwork? Egad, I've got years and years of stuff packed away.

sikorski

I mostly don't agree with the Kondo theory of decluttering in this thread, but I'm glad for those of you for whom it works. (I still regret all the books I donated/threw away when I moved from a house to this condo, and I've been slowly rebuying them. So I overdid it on the book decluttering.)

But one aspect I can relate to is donating old clothes from now-too-big sizes. I had been hanging on to them for years. Today is the day I schlep them to the donation box, confident that my weight loss is lasting!

Yesterday I tried on a formerly too-small sweater that I love--and it fit! Yah!

Gisel2015

I also have clothes that I haven't' worn in a long time ( a couple of them never...), but so far I have been enable to give them up. I think that I may change that approach as the summer comes. They are nice one and I have a boutique in mind that mainly provides clothing for business people but it has been closed for several months due to COVID .

I have a large closet, and I organized everything so the extra items don't clutter the space. Maybe that is the reason why they are still hanging in there. In the back of mind there is still hope that someday I will be wearing them again. Wishful thinking .

I also have lots of nick-knacks that I need to get rid of but I heard that donation places don't take them anymore because they can't sell them. I live in a gated community and garage sales are not allowed, even without the pandemic floating around. If any of you have any ideas about what to do with them, please let me know.

My kids are not interested in practically anything that I have. Their taste is totally different, and I understand and respect that.

KeriA

last weekend our youngest who is a young adult who lives with us decided we were going to clean out the fridge. It feels very nice knowing what food is there and having space for things you want and need.

emmclean

I'd highly recommend checking out Emma Gleeson's writing on decluttering - full disclosure, she is a friend of mine, but I only found out about her specialism in this area years after we met when it wasn't her main work. Her approach to tackling the consumer mindset so many of us are beholden to has been really valuable for me.

Stuff Happens! New book out end of Feb (not sure how it will be available outside Ireland though!): https://emmagleeson.com/stuff-happens

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stuffhappensemma/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emgleesondublin

Enjoy!

RubyRed427

What do you do with cards from special people? I can't save all of them and they mean something only to me, so not sure what to do?

@emmclean Thanks for the tip. I will check her work out.

I went to my sister's house. Her house is overwhelmed with clutter but her husband just can't part with anything. I feel badly for her- she said well if I keep hounding him about the clutter, it's like a cancer on our relationship. That's a battle- when one person is neat and the other messy. I live alone- so I have total control. Just ramblin'

RubyRed427

KeriA wrote: »

last weekend our youngest who is a young adult who lives with us decided we were going to clean out the fridge. It feels very nice knowing what food is there and having space for things you want and need.

I bought fridge liners (cloth) at TJMaxx and they get so dirty, so today you inspired me to wash them and clean my fridge. I also need to stop buying veggies that I just don't eat..... I hate throwing them away. Grrrr

jenniferinfl

I used Marie Kondo's methods to do a huge declutter about 5 years ago- something like 55 bags of stuff went to Goodwill.

I didn't pare my books down heavy at all, just got rid of old college textbooks and books I didn't enjoy or books that I started reading and then didn't like. I still have tons of books and I always will.

But, my life is still pretty cluttered, because that's the way I enjoy it.

I don't have much left where I'm like, "why do I still have this?" I keep a basket by my front door and as I come across things I'm done with, they go in there and go to a thrift store when it's full.

I now use little things to trigger when I declutter- if I go to a book store or order some books, I'll do a peek through my shelves for anything that doesn't bring joy anymore.

I probably have more sentimental paper items than a lot of people, but, I scanned a ton of them and have them all piled in a few gasketed boxes under the bed. That way they aren't attracting silverfish or anything gross.

I went through my fabric this year and aggressively trimmed back. I used to own a ton of it when I worked in a public library doing the craft program for teens. But, I just use different materials when I'm crafting for myself. I finally purged all of that this year.

BUT, I will always be that person with furniture along most walls and metal shelving in my closet covered in bins.. lol

The important thing is that you are able to vacuum and dust without it being too much hassle to do regularly.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

So often people get sold that the only thing you should do is aim for minimalism and everything else is a failing at adulthood and competence. And that's not true. I like living in a Victorian steampunk library of a house. Doesn't mean we do clutter, because two of us are autistic and it makes our heads crazy when there is clutter. But you can have a dejunked house without sliding all the way over to minimalism.

snoo61

RubyRed427 wrote: »

What do you do with cards from special people? I can't save all of them and they mean something only to me, so not sure what to do?

@emmclean Thanks for the tip. I will check her work out.

I went to my sister's house. Her house is overwhelmed with clutter but her husband just can't part with anything. I feel badly for her- she said well if I keep hounding him about the clutter, it's like a cancer on our relationship. That's a battle- when one person is neat and the other messy. I live alone- so I have total control. Just ramblin'

I was in the same boat. Now I only keep the most recent ones, and certain special ones. But only from certain people.

BMcC9

jenniferinfl wrote: »

I used Marie Kondo's methods to do a huge declutter about 5 years ago- something like 55 bags of stuff went to Goodwill.

I didn't pare my books down heavy at all, just got rid of old college textbooks and books I didn't enjoy or books that I started reading and then didn't like. I still have tons of books and I always will.

But, my life is still pretty cluttered, because that's the way I enjoy it.

55 bags to Goodwill is very impressive! And "cluttered" is really more about how you define the decorating style you are going for, whether you have made room for where your life is NOW, and where you plan to take it. Not everyone is a minimalist.

I'd be more interested to know if .... in the 5 years since, the volume of "your clutter" has basically remained stable. If so, then you succeeded by what I gather is her basic definition. You have found YOUR correct equilibrium point.

I just discovered Marie Kondo's methods on audiobook from the library, and turns out there is a season of her on Netflix. Now I am watching something called "the Home Edit" which is a company apparently started and run mostly through Instagram. The shows are more "do your closet OR garage OR kitchen for you" than a guiding you though a whole house (Marie) and is heavier into "use product to contain".

But I see big similarities in Marie's "keep only what sparks joy NOW ... set-up to support your CURRENT 'vision of a best life' / a designated place for everything, and keep everything in its' place"; and tHE's "define space-goals / edit / collect / contain" plan. They aren't REALLY so different.

They both are into "define zones, and when the content starts encroaching on the one beside it, time to see what can be parted with" (like when the "gonna sell this" is spreading into "home gym area", it means either get on with the sale, or take at least part of it to a donation centre. )

I may not do things in Marie's suggested order, but I am starting to try out what her folding does for my drawers, putting all my sewing things together in one place - and contemplating the kitchen drawer of 'rarely if ever used preparation utensils'. And the big blender is going as soon as there is a drop-off place open to take it to!

RubyRed427

jenniferinfl wrote: »

I used Marie Kondo's methods to do a huge declutter about 5 years ago- something like 55 bags of stuff went to Goodwill.

I didn't pare my books down heavy at all, just got rid of old college textbooks and books I didn't enjoy or books that I started reading and then didn't like. I still have tons of books and I always will.

But, my life is still pretty cluttered, because that's the way I enjoy it.

I don't have much left where I'm like, "why do I still have this?" I keep a basket by my front door and as I come across things I'm done with, they go in there and go to a thrift store when it's full.

I now use little things to trigger when I declutter- if I go to a book store or order some books, I'll do a peek through my shelves for anything that doesn't bring joy anymore.

I probably have more sentimental paper items than a lot of people, but, I scanned a ton of them and have them all piled in a few gasketed boxes under the bed. That way they aren't attracting silverfish or anything gross.

I went through my fabric this year and aggressively trimmed back. I used to own a ton of it when I worked in a public library doing the craft program for teens. But, I just use different materials when I'm crafting for myself. I finally purged all of that this year.

BUT, I will always be that person with furniture along most walls and metal shelving in my closet covered in bins.. lol

The important thing is that you are able to vacuum and dust without it being too much hassle to do regularly.

It's important that you feel comfortable in your surroundings and you do.

I think because my mom was such a neat freak, my brain got used to that. I am not as nearly as neat as her. She's the kind of person where she has just a few pencils and paper in a drawer, no junk drawer at all, no pantry, just fresh food in the fridge, etc. I thought her perfume was bleach! She always smelled like it. Poor lady- cleaning all the time when we were kids. Now, I see how that perfectionism can be somewhat detrimental. Anyway ....

I do love Kondo's method of keeping what brings you joy. I watched her Netflix shows. I sometimes think that objects give off a vibration so I want to keep my shelves a little open, some space between things.

I am a lover of books; I recently donated a bunch but I did keep the ones that I won't necessarily read again but I sure loved them!

Ahhh you did crafts with teens; how wonderful!