July 9 Weekly Challenge: Summer Declutterfest
themedalist
Posts: 3,218 Member
Theme: Healthy Practices
Challenge: Summer Declutterfest!
Let the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Summer Declutterfest BEGIN!
I am only too happy to make this challenge a quarterly event. I made great strides at our Spring Declutterfest in April on the upstairs bedroom and happily it remains reasonably clutter free. This week, I’m taking on the dining room which has become a catch-all space and clutter magnet. What decluttering project are you taking on this week? Let’s all roll up our sleeves and dive into that project that we’ve been meaning to get to.
If you're wondering what decluttering, cleaning, and organizing have to do with better health, there are at least two interesting connections. When we're working on house projects like these, we're not sitting. We are up and moving around and this light to moderate activity has lots of health benefits. In addition, for many people, clutter is a source of stress, guilt, and can inhibit focus and productivity. Clutter becomes an array of visual cues of projects we haven't finished. The articles below go into greater detail as to how clutter affects our stress, productivity, brains, and indeed our lives. Not good. So this week.... let's bag, tag, recycle, and reorganize! We will feel great when we're done!
This Week's Challenge: Whether it's one project worked on over the week or lots of smaller projects, let's get these projects done. I'm looking forward to hearing what you accomplish this week. Post a picture of your finished project if you are so inclined!
Make it a great week!
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Suggested Resources:
Why Mess Causes Stress: 8 Reasons, 8 Remedies
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies
How Clutter Affects Your Brain (and What You Can Do About It)
http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035
The Emotional Toll of Clutter
https://experiencelife.com/article/the-emotional-toll-of-clutter/
The Cost of Clutter: How Clutter Affects Your Time, Money, and Stress
https://www.verywell.com/the-cost-of-clutter-3144688
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Challenge: Summer Declutterfest!
Let the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Summer Declutterfest BEGIN!
I am only too happy to make this challenge a quarterly event. I made great strides at our Spring Declutterfest in April on the upstairs bedroom and happily it remains reasonably clutter free. This week, I’m taking on the dining room which has become a catch-all space and clutter magnet. What decluttering project are you taking on this week? Let’s all roll up our sleeves and dive into that project that we’ve been meaning to get to.
If you're wondering what decluttering, cleaning, and organizing have to do with better health, there are at least two interesting connections. When we're working on house projects like these, we're not sitting. We are up and moving around and this light to moderate activity has lots of health benefits. In addition, for many people, clutter is a source of stress, guilt, and can inhibit focus and productivity. Clutter becomes an array of visual cues of projects we haven't finished. The articles below go into greater detail as to how clutter affects our stress, productivity, brains, and indeed our lives. Not good. So this week.... let's bag, tag, recycle, and reorganize! We will feel great when we're done!
This Week's Challenge: Whether it's one project worked on over the week or lots of smaller projects, let's get these projects done. I'm looking forward to hearing what you accomplish this week. Post a picture of your finished project if you are so inclined!
Make it a great week!
...................................................................................................................................................
Suggested Resources:
Why Mess Causes Stress: 8 Reasons, 8 Remedies
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies
How Clutter Affects Your Brain (and What You Can Do About It)
http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035
The Emotional Toll of Clutter
https://experiencelife.com/article/the-emotional-toll-of-clutter/
The Cost of Clutter: How Clutter Affects Your Time, Money, and Stress
https://www.verywell.com/the-cost-of-clutter-3144688
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And It's Move It Monday!
Please post your Monday workout here:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10637806/move-it-monday-weekly-challenge2 -
OH MY Declutter Fest is here! I sooo need to declutter lots of drawers that have so much crap!!! I have been procrastinating.
Thanks for this challenge.
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With out knowing what this week's challenge was I spent the day deep cleaning and decluttering. My husband returned from Florida with more stuff from his childhood. UGH! we have no room and this man throws nothing away. My son and grandpup returned to Georgia this morning and oh my goodness the nose prints on windows and dog hair everywhere. LOL A day off from the boys today and I cleaned the playroom again and their bedroom closet. I hope the do not notice but I got rid of a lot of toys and clothes they no longer use. Whew I am tired. Going to bed early.5
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I need to seriously declutter my kitchen. I would like to replace all the cupboards and benches, but I have soooooo much clutter hiding in them it's going to take a bit longer than a week to go through them all! Thankfully the Flylady's system is starting to work, and even if it takes a while, I will do it.
Thanks for all the insight into issues with clutter - I know why I do it, and it will not get the better of me!2 -
OK, I couldn’t decide on one project for today,so I cleared a small bookcase that had become a hotspot, watered our plants, and then carted the things that belonged elsewhere to their locations.
Re-organized some books so additional ones would fit, and then put away art supplies that I’d found elsewhere last month, but had not completely put them away. Cleared/prettified the tops of storage and my table. This art studio is ready for prime time again!
Finally, I moved a bunch of empty containers to the closet where I keep them until I’m completely done with Marie Kongo-big.
I did find myself, at times, a bit frustrated/sad. I’ve been at this awhile & most of what is left seems difficult to really get through: flashlights, old phones, games, old electronics (need to figure out where they can be recycled), decorative objects, frames, old art...
However, I am powering on!!!
Total time spent: 1 hour 3 minutes!4 -
@MadisonMolly2017, you are doing great! Old phones can be recycled at the phone store here. Many electronic stores also recycle.
I won't be doing much decluttering this week because I'm going to Paris tomorrow!!!!
I do plan to tidy up a bit before I leave for the airport. 3 -
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Hi all
It is possible to eat healthy while traveling..I used mindfulness ( my favorite discussion here) and lost .5 pound in one week. Slow and steady is the way. I ate mostly vegetarian with some fish...like at home.
I'm practicing "anti affuenza" and think about abundance differently. Smaller carbon footprint. Think about future generations. It means getting rid of excess stuff just taking up space... but more. It's how I consume. Buy less.. live more. Part of self and life transformation.
This week I'm getting rid of old cassette music recordings. There is a vintage record store that will buy them back. Last summer I gave away dozens of old books and CDs. Felt great. Got tax receipt but no matter. It was good.
Warm regards
M.
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »
Oh yes! That is definitely on the must do list!2 -
Michaela_LaGata wrote: »Hi all
It is possible to eat healthy while traveling..I used mindfulness ( my favorite discussion here) and lost .5 pound in one week. Slow and steady is the way. I ate mostly vegetarian with some fish...like at home.
Yes, I do have a strategy for eating while traveling. We basically eat 2 meals, but I do mean to sample the pastry!
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Declutterfest! Yea! I have been meaning to do this in several areas but just kept putting it off. This week I will dig in.
Declutter my closet. This will be big. I did it a year ago and it really needs it again. It's kind of a catch-all spot.
Declutter our linen closet. It's become linen, medications, nail polish and salon products, etc. What a MESS!
Declutter file cabinet of old papers.
Declutter the tupperware cupboard....driving me crazy! Open the cupboard door and everything falls out. UGH! 2 -
July 10
Cleared top of dresser!
Recycled old magazines
Shredded old receipts
Cleaned purse/backpack
Organized to-do’s & desk paperwork4 -
Today I am working on out two game cabinets. My family has always been big on board and card games. I will go donate those games that we no longer play and open each and every game and make sure all the pieces are there.
The upstairs spare closet is a disaster and I hope to get to that today too.5 -
July 11 - did those niggly little spots that we tend to overlook, but when a guest is coming over...& reduced some areas that were “over-decorated”
Cleared entry, the few things left from earlier bookshelf emptying, spiffed up kitchen, removing all that I could from counters, recycled some boxes & junk mail, removed things from
Mantle, side tables, and other surfaces in living room to make it more modern & lighter in feel, etc.
Took about an hour - only “stashed a few items” hehe3 -
@PinkyPan1 How did the closets go?0
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@PackerFanInGB How’s it going?0
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@MadisonMolly2017 Way to go! Keep up the good work.
Thanks to this challenge I was cleaning the cabinets under the kitchen sink, I found a small leak.
I still have the drawers to do and I do not want to. I want to procrastinate. It is giving me anxiety just thinking about it. Too messy. LOL!3 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PinkyPan1 How did the closets go?
All done! A pain in the butt but I got them done and I am happy with the results.
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PackerFanInGB How’s it going?
Getting there! I shredded old documets and cleaned out the file cabinet, so that was a great feeling. That's been on my list for awhile! I decluttered a few of my trinket/jewelry boxes in my bedroom which were not planned but were overflowing with junk. I decluttered my desk at work (unplanned). I decluttered two drawers in the bathroom (unplanned). I plan to hit the closets and tupperware cupboards on Saturday. They're going to take some time and I've been working later than usual this week! 3 -
PackerFanInGB wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PackerFanInGB How’s it going?
Getting there! I shredded old documets and cleaned out the file cabinet, so that was a great feeling. That's been on my list for awhile! I decluttered a few of my trinket/jewelry boxes in my bedroom which were not planned but were overflowing with junk. I decluttered my desk at work (unplanned). I decluttered two drawers in the bathroom (unplanned). I plan to hit the closets and tupperware cupboards on Saturday. They're going to take some time and I've been working later than usual this week!
@PackerFanInGB Awesome! I have to say I prefer doing “unplanned things” that catch my fancy!! Good luck on Saturday!!2 -
@prgirl39mfp I hear you. I found doing the kitchen in categories rather than locations really helped...
1st: Dishes, mugs (OMG- do they multiply like rabbits?!?!), glassware, bowls, eating utensils
2nd: serving dishes, spoons, pitchers
3rd: cooking (stove & oven) pots&pans, thermometers, potholders, baking pans
3.5: appliances: toaster rice cooker crockpot mixer, food processor, etc
4th: Cold Baking Center: measuring cups, measuring spoons, scales, spatulas, shifters, whisks, musing bowls
5th: Salad Center: knives, cutting boards, vegetable brush, garlic press, peelers, spinner, strainers
6th cookbooks/recipes
Then I did:
Vases
Spices
Pantry (in sections)
Cleaning supplies - sponges, scouring pads, soap, dishwasher soap & rinse, dish towels, brushes
Tupperware, Empty containers & glass jars
Saran Wrap, ziplocks, etc
This way it was not so overwhelming.
We worked 2 hours a day for 3!days one Xmas Break. Got through everything except the Vases on down... did those gradually over time. The biggest was the Pantry. I just did a half shelf each week
You will be Amazed how fun it is to cook when you are done- Truly!!! Cleanup is honestly a snap!2 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PinkyPan1 How did the closets go?
All done! A pain in the butt but I got them done and I am happy with the results.
@PinkyPan1 You Rock! And wow you work fast!!!1 -
Thanks @MadisonMolly2017 I will continue this weekend.
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My decluttering got off to a slow start due to some extra work stuff but it’s picking up steam.Yesterday, I tidied up my office which looks much better. I also decluttered my computer desktop, organizing files and folders and purging documents that serve no real purpose. its so much cleaner now!
I’ve made some progress on my dining room but most of it will happen this weekend. I’m also adding my bag to the list. I have a big beach bag sized bag that I purchased from an Etsy shop years ago. I bring in my breakfast, lunch, and thermos of coffee to the office and it’s in serious need of a cleaning! I’m a little afraid of what I might find in there....
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@prgirl39mfp I hear you. I found doing the kitchen in categories rather than locations really helped...
1st: Dishes, mugs (OMG- do they multiply like rabbits?!?!), glassware, bowls, eating utensils
2nd: serving dishes, spoons, pitchers
3rd: cooking (stove & oven) pots&pans, thermometers, potholders, baking pans
3.5: appliances: toaster rice cooker crockpot mixer, food processor, etc
4th: Cold Baking Center: measuring cups, measuring spoons, scales, spatulas, shifters, whisks, musing bowls
5th: Salad Center: knives, cutting boards, vegetable brush, garlic press, peelers, spinner, strainers
6th cookbooks/recipes
Then I did:
Vases
Spices
Pantry (in sections)
Cleaning supplies - sponges, scouring pads, soap, dishwasher soap & rinse, dish towels, brushes
Tupperware, Empty containers & glass jars
Saran Wrap, ziplocks, etc
This way it was not so overwhelming.
We worked 2 hours a day for 3!days one Xmas Break. Got through everything except the Vases on down... did those gradually over time. The biggest was the Pantry. I just did a half shelf each week
You will be Amazed how fun it is to cook when you are done- Truly!!! Cleanup is honestly a snap!
Oh my gosh, I love this list! Good for you! I now have added a few more declutter items to my list. LOL Spices is a HUGE mess! Outdated and multiples to say the least. That's a "must do". Cleaning supplies - under my kitchen sink! Oh my gosh. That is an area I always say is just horrible but is such a mess that I never even start. I just ignore it and hope it will magically go away. That's another "must do".
P.S. I agree with the coffee mugs. The first declutter challenge we had in this group, that was one of the things I did also. I could not believe how many coffee mugs we had...and we use maybe 4 of them on a regular basis. Crazy clutter and freed up a whole shelf in the kitchen!
I love this challenge! Can you tell?
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@TheMedalist Sounds like a great plan! You’ve got this!
I cleared the top shelf of our pantry, cleaned it, pitched one item past it’s due date, put a few things I know we won’t use in give away pile, put a nice tea towel down & organized the three starches I eat! Looks so pretty!
Over the past 3 years, I’ve decluttered (at least a first pass) almost everything, so I find it more difficult now to identify an area to focus upon.
The Categories that I’ve done just a first pass, but need more, are: basically Photos & Memorabilia. Just such big jobs that bring up so many emotions... I just find them overwhelming to even begin...
Photos, Photos on Computer, Travel Photos, Old Family Photos, slides, videos, memorabilia. Personal memory items of mine. Some items from previous jobs I’ve had. CD’s, VHS & videos
Suggestions appreciated.
In the mean time, I’m going to do a “real” Marie Kondo of my jewelry, scarves, purses, clothing, jackets - now that I’m basically at a Normal BMI for my weight. I’ll keep the few things that probably won’t fit yet (in case they will as I continue to s l o w l y lose a little more.) My fear: that I will have very little to wear!! Still trying to figure out where to shop & what styles I like & look good on me. Before, I just went to large size depts, and chose from a limited selection, which was pretty easy, but rarely clothes that I loved.2 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@TheMedalist Sounds like a great plan! You’ve got this!
Over the past 3 years, I’ve decluttered (at least a first pass) almost everything, so I find it more difficult now to identify an area to focus upon.
The Categories that I’ve done just a first pass, but need more, are: basically Photos & Memorabilia. Just such big jobs that bring up so many emotions... I just find them overwhelming to even begin...
Photos, Photos on Computer, Travel Photos, Old Family Photos, slides, videos, memorabilia. Personal memory items of mine. Some items from previous jobs I’ve had. CD’s, VHS & videos
Suggestions appreciated.
Archiving family photos is on my to do list as well, @MadisonMolly2017. When my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary in 2011, I set up a Flickr account just so my siblings could upload their photos for the scrapbook we were making for our parents. It came in handy recently for my Dad‘s 80th birthday. One of my brothers was doing a slideshow for the party and he grabbed a lot of the photos from the account. I’m not recommending Flickr per se and in fact I’m thinking about moving everything over to Google. But before I do that, I’m going to research what is recommended for long-term photo archives. There must be some best practices for back ups etc.
Since you’ve made so much progress on decluttering in the past, my suggestion is to make your photo archiving project a year-long effort. Carve out 15 minutes a day just for that project. Most often, the stress and anxiety about a project comes at the beginning when we are contemplating doing something but haven’t yet started taking action. I think as you plunge in and chip away at this, your regular progress will alleviate your stress. And 15 minutes a day done every day is 91 hours year. That’s a nice chunk of time....you might even get everything archived by then!
And lastly, what you already know… not every photo needs to be saved. Digital cameras allow us to take lots of photos. But more of anything isn’t necessarily better.
Good luck! I know it’s daunting but you can make it happen!
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themedalist wrote: »
Since you’ve made so much progress on decluttering in the past, my suggestion is to make your photo archiving project a year-long effort. Carve out 15 minutes a day just for that project. Most often, the stress and anxiety about a project comes at the beginning when we are contemplating doing something but haven’t yet started taking action. I think as you plunge in and chip away at this, your regular progress will alleviate your stress. And 15 minutes a day done every day is 91 hours year. That’s a nice chunk of time....you might even get everything archived by then!
And lastly, what you already know… not every photo needs to be saved. Digital cameras allow us to take lots of photos. But more of anything isn’t necessarily better.
Good luck! I know it’s daunting but you can make it happen!
Great idea! 15 minutes a day is very doable. I've been thinking about this for a very long time...what to do with all the photos in the basement that are in boxes (not even in albums) and all the digital photos. More is not necessarily better. That is a good thing to remember when going through them. Also, if you break something down into small steps (15 minutes a day) it somehow doesn't seem as daunting, does it?
I love this group. You are all so insightful. I feel like I have so many "duh" moments! LOL0 -
Would you two - and others- be willing to do this GREAT idea with a discussion strand in this group, @themedalist @PackerFanInGB?
I should have thought of this solution!! Thank you Thank you!
And I agree on researching best practices for this, @themedalist !! I’ll spend 15 mins today researching that!!
THANKS!!1
This discussion has been closed.