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

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Gisel2015

@Fit2btied2016

You should have written that comment on 1/09. I was more motivated yesterday than today and I got more things done. I managed to cancel/delete three things in my "to do list." Today it was only one.
Today I had things popping up that were not part of my plans, so I had to take care of that. I guess that it wasn't a lost day after all.
I donate the front cover of Christmas cards to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. But I wait until the following year to do that. So yesterday, January 2023, I reviewed the cards, cut all the front pages of the cards that I got on 2022 (except for Hallmark's card), and today I put them in an envelope ready to mail them tomorrow.
All Christmas ornaments and decorations (no tree for us this year) were put away between 1/02 and 1/03, just like I do every year.
I washed some throw rugs today. Does it count?
Don't be so hard on yourself. Tomorrow you will feel better and do more. it is OK to feel lousy once in a while. It proves that you are human. At least that is what I tell myself...

summerviking1

sounds like a good challenge. I am still wrking on bedroom closet getting rid ofany cloths that i have not worn orare too small.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

cory17

I cleaned all the receipts out of my purse and went through them. Tossed a bunch, checked that returns are actually present on the credit card, updated our budget tracker. Part of my bigger picture toward getting ready to do taxes. So have to clear off my desk again.

cory17

summerviking1 wrote: »

sounds like a good challenge. I am still wrking on bedroom closet getting rid ofany cloths that i have not worn orare too small.

This is my kryptonite. The pretty colors, I'm losing weight, I like it (regardless of when it was last worn). Telling myself it's time to be more selective - got rid of the really bad, worn out stuff that would wear constantly at home and for yardwork. Now thinking that really don't want to iron tops, that all those that need ironing and only look nice on for a short while should go. It's not enough that its sat in the closet for YEARS unworn, have to find a reason to let it go.

Gisel2015

I cleaned up and organized one of the cabinets in the laundry room. It was not cluttered but I needed a better way to be able to find all the items stored. This cabinet keeps mostly cleaning/laundry products that I use often, if I don't have room under the kitchen sink. I found things that I forgot I had, and others that were old (they were trashed).
Since I was in that room, I cleaned up a couple of drawers and threw away what was no longer needed too. It was a productive week considering that on Thursday I took a big bag with clothes and shoes to a donation place, and on Wednesday my husband and I drove to Habitat for Humanity with household things that we don't need anymore.

cory17

Fit2btied2016 wrote: »

Gisel2015 wrote: »

@Fit2btied2016

You should have written that comment on 1/09. I was more motivated yesterday than today and I got more things done. I managed to cancel/delete three things in my "to do list." Today it was only one.
Today I had things popping up that were not part of my plans, so I had to take care of that. I guess that it wasn't a lost day after all.
I donate the front cover of Christmas cards to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. But I wait until the following year to do that. So yesterday, January 2023, I reviewed the cards, cut all the front pages of the cards that I got on 2022 (except for Hallmark's card), and today I put them in an envelope ready to mail them tomorrow.
All Christmas ornaments and decorations (no tree for us this year) were put away between 1/02 and 1/03, just like I do every year.
I washed some throw rugs today. Does it count?
Don't be so hard on yourself. Tomorrow you will feel better and do more. it is OK to feel lousy once in a while. It proves that you are human. At least that is what I tell myself...

****Challenge: Alright, today is January 11. What's hiding in your purse? Time to declutter your handbag. (I just dumped mine on the kitchen Island, and I swear the junk that got in there since Christmas is astounding. It's not super huge, and yet I could probably live out of it for 2 days, eek.)***

January 12 Challenge: Your choice: Twelve pieces of paper, twelve magazines, twelve old pieces of clothing that don't fit, twelve random things that you have no idea what they are/where they came from (but they are in your house), twelve gross or unused water bottles/sippy cups/chipped/broke dishes, Twelve lonely socks, Twelve partly burned candles that are too small/too annoying/too dangerous to keep burning, Twelve unused, but open toiletries (donate them if unopened), Twelve things from your garage/storage closet/attic that "you have been meaning to get to," (One of Twelve self-care things you MUST DO (Book a Dr. Appt., drink water for the day, book a physical/mammogram/PAP smear/bloodwork/"icky test"/Men-Prostate Exam, Walk for 12 minutes, nap for 12 minutes, go to bed 12 minutes earlier, wake-up 12 minutes earlier, something else in the self-care realm).

Good luck! Somebody else started this thread, but I plan to help keep it going :-D

Hop on the Declutter and Wellness Bus, and let's get going! Don't be shy.

Just wanted to say thanks! Thanks for writing, and posting challenges! I'm reading them and find them to be inspiring - to do more, pickup something else, make a decision about "stuff".

PAPYRUS3

Opened closet thinking...same old crap. Thought...let's organize...Minutes later: overwhelmed😐 So I just tossed one item I didn't like on the floor...which led to another and another until two garbage(for donation)bags of clothes!

Of course I had thoughts of 'should I keep this?' I changed thinking. Would my fashion muse wear this? If a resounding no came to my mind...immediately on the floor it went!

I'm still not done...but it's like I just lost weight! lol I highly recommend😉

Sand_TIger

For everyone who shreds paper - usually you can either compost the shreds or use them for mulch. Just a little tip for the gardeners. Of course, if there are lots of funky inks involved a person might want to be careful but a lot of times it's useful. Can also be used for worm bedding if anyone raises worms. More direct way to recycle than to have the paper waste shipped overseas, where is where a lot of it goes!

I want to declutter more but am reaching the end of things I can get rid of easily. I did remove a decent sized stack of magazines. I'd been hanging on to them because I'd gotten the subscription as a prize, but the magazines just weren't interesting! Speaking of which, I need a paper shredder. I could use some more mulch.

HASWLRS

Bump

PAPYRUS3

Just donated a huge bag of nice towels/bedding/clothes and kitchen stuff this afternoon.
Sold my Greenstar Juicer on FB today too.

From my experience, I have to sell things super inexpensively to get any offers lol! At this point, I'm fine with getting 'a bit' just to get rid of it so I don't have all the stuff staring at me each day lol!

cory17

On the days when I'm not too motivated at home, I look for things that are outdated at work to throw out. There is always something and it makes me feel better.

Gisel2015

@cory17
I do the same in my home office, and I also clear old files in my PC. I am retired, so I can do all that at my pleasure.

Sand_TIger

I found more stuff to declutter! Extra kitchen tools that came in a set and I never use, or were replaced by something better. Old art supplies that are perfectly good but again were replaced by something better. Old clothes that are too big. Some of them are even still usable! A few racks/shelves that no longer have a real use. It feels so good to get rid of it.

Best of all, my spouse and I are actually doing a kitchen refresh, which gives me a golden opportunity to do more decluttering. Maybe if I play my cards right I can get rid of some greasy old pans that came with the house, aren't used any more, and really need to go.

To me, getting my spouse on board with part of it is a huge victory - we have both been through extreme poverty and that makes it hard to part with things, even if we never use those things.

Plongmire1

This is so funny. I started with my pantry. I'm not going to tell you the expiration dates I found; let's say they should have been gone years ago. When done, I probably took out ten trash bags.

Then I started on closets, and wow, one down, and it took me three-plus days. I am on the second closet, and it is taking longer. I'm single and amazed at how much stuff I had that I never even remembered I did have. I found my ten-speed, though. It was in the first closet, back to riding.

SbetaK

I find it interesting that when you decide to work on one issue in your life, it overflows into other areas/issues. I've lived in my home over 35 years, and that's a LOT of debris to accumulate. I've realized that over the years I was always bringing newly purchased things into my home but not removing very many. So now, with more time at home and seriously logging my food, I'm getting a good look at my living environment. It sucks! The few thrift stores and shelters in my town are already overwhelmed, but I am donating as much as I can as I really hate throwing useful things away. Slowly my home is starting to look better, and I'm looking better and getting healthier! Feels wonderful. More energy, cleaner home. Yay.

cory17

Plongmire1 wrote: »

This is so funny. I started with my pantry. I'm not going to tell you the expiration dates I found; let's say they should have been gone years ago. When done, I probably took out ten trash bags.

Then I started on closets, and wow, one down, and it took me three-plus days. I am on the second closet, and it is taking longer. I'm single and amazed at how much stuff I had that I never even remembered I did have. I found my ten-speed, though. It was in the first closet, back to riding.

Your closets are big enough to fit bikes? I am seriously both impressed and jealous! And I want to get back on my bike too. Good job with the closets.

RunningGirlKC

I randomly stumbled upon this post - sat and read through it all. Got so inspired and crushed it went through it all: Phone Contacts, Text Conversations, Emails, Clothes, Drawers, Cabinets - everything. I think it ended with 23 bags to the donation center to help rehome people who are struggling, 11 bags to the trash and I think I took the biggest breath I have in a long time. The clutter was driving me crazy!

I didnt realize how many things I was holding onto because of the memories attached to them. Turns out you don't need to do that - I think this is really going to help me continue to push forward to achieve more goals!

Sand_TIger

I have seen a lot of discussion on this thread about how losing weight can cause a desire to declutter. Maybe this has been brought up before but it occurred to me that losing weight is like physical decluttering, and also as we start seeing success with improving our health perhaps we realize that we are not powerless. We can improve our health so why not improve our lives too? It all gives me a great little hit of dopamine, and when I'm done with either thing (losing another pound, or taking out another box of unneeded stuff) I can see the difference and be reminded of the fact that I can improve my own situation.

I wish I'd truly understood both these things in my twenties!

Evamutt

I'm mentally ready to go through my closet. There's many things in there I like & have kept them because I think I'll wear them sometimes but haven't worn them for couple years, mostly some dressy tops but I have no where to wear them any more so.....I'm going to do my best to donate them. Wish me luck

cory17

@evamutt How did the closet go? Ditto on what you expressed - I like all my clothes but don't wear most and they sit and sit.

Similarly in my office, trying to declutter paper and books. Books are like old friends but if they are also just sitting there, what is the use?

Gisel2015

Glad that somebody revived this thread because it is inspiring and needed it.
I am also working in cleaning up and organizing my closet, and a little bit at the time donating things that I no longer wear or need. But I am having trouble letting them go. I have a bag with items not good enough for the donation bin, but the fabric can be recycled and kept away from the trash can. I need to find a site nearby or even pay to mail it to places located in other cities of states, if necessary. I have a list of organizations; I just need to put my act together and make a choice. Maybe writing about it will motivate me.
Donating or recycling books are also in my "must do" list, but it is a slow process of detachment.
Nothing is out of order or cluttering the house and everything is in its place, and I think that it's the reason I don't act on these goals promptly. But I am getting there.
Hopefully, we will get some inspiring posting to keep this thread and my goals going.
G.

Toronto6fan

I organized my junk drawer yesterday and donated a couple bags of clothes today.

cory17

great job!! @Toronto6fan You took action!!

I got an email back from a group that sanitizes and redistributes Legos to kids (Pass the bricks). Have a bin in the closet that's been sitting there for years. Figure that would be a better use. Now to dump them in a bag and drop off.

Gisel2015

A plastic bag full of old and not longer relevant study books went to the recycling bin. A part of my past has been trashed, but I am keeping the memories and the knowledge.
But I am sad.....

deepwoodslady

Gisel2015 wrote: »

A plastic bag full of old and not longer relevant study books went to the recycling bin. A part of my past has been trashed, but I am keeping the memories and the knowledge.
But I am sad.....

@Gisel2015 Perhaps it will ease the pain if you think about all the space you have now to find things that will make new memories and/or bring new knowledge. You are right.....you haven't lost any of the old memories or the knowledge.

Gisel2015

deepwoodslady wrote: »

Gisel2015 wrote: »

A plastic bag full of old and not longer relevant study books went to the recycling bin. A part of my past has been trashed, but I am keeping the memories and the knowledge.
But I am sad.....

@Gisel2015 Perhaps it will ease the pain if you think about all the space you have now to find things that will make new memories and/or bring new knowledge. You are right.....you haven't lost any of the old memories or the knowledge.

@deepwoodslady

You are right, but these books were nicely tucked in cabinets and shelves without bothering anybody. Although I admit that the cabinets look better and cleaner now, and the books were absolute.
I am getting older (really older ) and I don't want to leave my children with a lot of things to clean up and get rid of when my husband and I are gone. They will have plenty to deal with from my husband, their dad, side. He doesn't part with anything.
I called the local public library today to see if they will take musical CDs and more books. They said yes to the CDs and "maybe" to the books. They need to see them first. So something else for me to take care of next month.
I have a bag full of clothing to take to the donation center this week, and that really hurts because I am giving away a couple of nice dresses that I have never worn, and never will.
Thank you for your nice words and insight. I appreciated it.
G.

cory17

I am getting older (really older ) and I don't want to leave my children with a lot of things to clean up and get rid of when my husband and I are gone. They will have plenty to deal with from my husband, their dad, side. He doesn't part with anything.
I called the local public library today to see if they will take musical CDs and more books. They said yes to the CDs and "maybe" to the books. They need to see them first. So something else for me to take care of next month.
I have a bag full of clothing to take to the donation center this week, and that really hurts because I am giving away a couple of nice dresses that I have never worn, and never will.
Thank you for your nice words and insight. I appreciated it.
G.
[/quote]
@Gisel2015 You now have space for something new and different or space itself (less dust?) And someone will come upon those dresses and be thrilled to score a new dress for their special occasion - what a blessing you have done!!

Acknowledging the difference between the person I dream of being and made plans for and the reality of today and today's limitations is hard. My mind thinks I'm 22ish and body/life is really older too. Will I ever go camping ago? (I want to but current hub won't) It's been 16 years since I've gone.