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Nov 13 Weekly Challenge: Fall Declutterfest

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Replies

  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    bcTRAI wrote: »
    I'm new to this forum. Thanks @OConnell5483 for the nudge. :)
    This challenge really helped and this week I've managed to do some decluttering in my studio. It makes it a much nicer place to go into and want to work. :)
    The results.. . Test drove a machine that's been sitting there since last Christmas, it wasn't a fit so I sold it. Bonus another generation will get some joy and usefulness from it! Plus 'space' and $.
    Went shopping with my daughter and bought some pants that actually fit. Unpicked the alterations I'd put in old pants. Washed and straight into donation box. Box is full and will be dropped at thrift store on the way to work! Bonus time with daughter and 'space'.
    I want to finish a project in my studio but I need to complete one with a time limit first so worked on that each day. Bonus psychic clutter lessened and closer to getting projects out of my space.
    Thanks

    Welcome to our group, @bcTRAI! Wow...you have certainly embraced Declutterfest! I love how you’ve parceled out each project with its benefits and bonuses. Nicely done!
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    What wonderful posts. encouragement, and amazing declutter moments everyone has posted this week! It was such a delight to read them whenever I had some moments to peek in this week.

    My feelings exactly! Especially since I’m sidelined for this Declutterfest, I have just LOVED reading your detailed posts of what you’re working on, why it’s been a stressor to you, and how happy you are that it’s now taken care of. I am so happy reading your updates!

    Great job with those Paper Tigers, @texasgardnr!

  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    This afternoon I was looking to make space on the storage shelf in the laundry/ pantry room for a small appliance that I had to replace finally, but the new one ended up being a bit bigger in size. It dawned on me to see if there was anything that I haven't used for a good while that I could give away to make space. Yes! Of course there was :laugh:.

    But I didn't want to start cleaning or creating a marathon decluttter project today. But then I realized that I actually can declutter without all the tidying and dusting and rearranging that usually accompanies decluttering a specific area, shelf, drawer, or room.

    So... I removed several thing and put them into the donation box. Then, being inspired about the no cleaning decluttering of that shelf I started looking into my kitchen cabinets. My decisions were based solely on when was the last time I used it. And was I holding on to anything based on wishful thinking that I would use it someday or that I would cook or make something with it etc.

    My box is full now with the additional kitchen gadgets that I have purchased over the years. Most have been used for a time or a specific purpose, then as time went on, or children grew and moved out, these gadgets or kitchen items just became part of the landscape of the shelves.

    But no more!

    I am also going to extend this challenge into next week as I clean/ tidy the house for my company. As I progress I am going to keep an eye out for what can easily be given away during the normal course of cleaning.

    :flowerforyou:

    This is fantastic! Isn’t it amazing how many things that we acquire and hold onto that we no longer need and get usefulness from?
  • nebslp
    nebslp Posts: 1,690 Member
    (I don’t know how to reply to posts like you all do so I’ll just do the old school copy and paste thing.)
    The medalist said: “Isn’t it amazing how many things that we acquire and hold onto that we no longer need and get usefulness from?”
    This statement also applies to the patterns in relationships. There are things, feelings, and responses we hold on to because they’re just there, and have been there for decades (in my case). They might have been useful at one time but, if they’re no longer working and making me happy, it’s time to move on, get rid of them, and find a new way of responding that actually makes a positive difference. I’m not talking about getting rid of the person (although there are times...lol!). I have old diaries going back 40 years that have the same issues, same responses and it’s time to burn them and start a new chapter. We can’t get rid of the old by holding onto it. It’s outa here! This is one case where I don’t plan to reuse and recycle!

    Congrats to all of you on your successes this week and thanks to those who have shared your decluttering stories this week. The world is much neater now, isn’t it? And if you didn’t get started, it’s never too late!

  • jlperiard
    jlperiard Posts: 107 Member
    Thank you @themedalist and @77tes for the great 15 minute plan. A put away later box, a trash and a donate box is a terrific idea and I CAN do 15 minutes a day.
    My trick will be to focus only on what I'm doing right in front of me and don't look around the room.
    I really appreciate your kind words as well. It feels like you truly understand.
  • PackerFanInGB
    PackerFanInGB Posts: 3,476 Member
    nebslp wrote: »
    (I don’t know how to reply to posts like you all do so I’ll just do the old school copy and paste thing.)
    The medalist said: “Isn’t it amazing how many things that we acquire and hold onto that we no longer need and get usefulness from?”
    This statement also applies to the patterns in relationships. There are things, feelings, and responses we hold on to because they’re just there, and have been there for decades (in my case). They might have been useful at one time but, if they’re no longer working and making me happy, it’s time to move on, get rid of them, and find a new way of responding that actually makes a positive difference. I’m not talking about getting rid of the person (although there are times...lol!). I have old diaries going back 40 years that have the same issues, same responses and it’s time to burn them and start a new chapter. We can’t get rid of the old by holding onto it. It’s outa here! This is one case where I don’t plan to reuse and recycle!

    Congrats to all of you on your successes this week and thanks to those who have shared your decluttering stories this week. The world is much neater now, isn’t it? And if you didn’t get started, it’s never too late!

    I never thought of decluttering in this way before, but you are absolutely right! Great way to look at it. Out with the old and in with the new....new chapters are good! Thanks for putting your spin on this. Mental decluttering is an awesome idea!
  • texasgardnr
    texasgardnr Posts: 2,617 Member
    @77tes, I am enjoying reading your recommended book: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I am reading the eBook from the library, and I am fairly near the end. I also just checked out from the library the eBook of her follow up book: Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. It is has illustrations and diagrams in it. I thought I would skim through it. (She also has a comic book version which could be a great way to reach the YA readers to introduce them to how to decluttter, or rather how to "tidy" :) ).

    The author put a whole new meaning to the word "tidy" for me! I stumbled onto a news article about her, and it stated that she has a huge following in Japan, and that her book has now been translated into multiple languages.

    :flowerforyou:
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,845 Member
    @77tes, I am enjoying reading your recommended book: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I am reading the eBook from the library, and I am fairly near the end. I also just checked out from the library the eBook of her follow up book: Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. It is has illustrations and diagrams in it. I thought I would skim through it. (She also has a comic book version which could be a great way to reach the YA readers to introduce them to how to decluttter, or rather how to "tidy" :) ).

    The author put a whole new meaning to the word "tidy" for me! I stumbled onto a news article about her, and it stated that she has a huge following in Japan, and that her book has now been translated into multiple languages.

    :flowerforyou:

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. It really is life-changing, isn't it?! I'll have to check out the eBook. I first read her book after last Christmas.
This discussion has been closed.