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jillian
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| Posted: Nov 03 2010 at 9:49pm | IP Logged
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So for 2 1/2 people (me, dh and dd) we have an inordinate amount of junk. I have been systematically been trying to go through it (especially since we are looking to be moving at some point next year). When I say an inordinate I mean it too. I was cleaning out/organizing earlier this year and discovered for 2 of us we have 6 t.vs, yup I said 6. I have been trying to donate and/or sell for reasonable prices but it seems like every time I make headway we get a bunch more junk (or I find a bunch more).
So how do you guys keep your home simple (see: de-cluttered)? I am not the most organized person but I am trying to turn that around lol.
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Patty
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Hi Jillian,
I am not a born-organized person either, but any one of us can develop good habits. That's what virtue is made of, good habits consistently adhered to over time, whether it is decluttering, being patient, showing hospitality, etc.
Set a timer and declutter for 15 minutes per day, longer if you can. Do not bring any unnecessary items into your home while you are decluttering (or afterward either, for that matter!) Many books and web sites are devoted to this topic, so you're not alone! FlyLady is a favorite for many people.
I have a large black trash bag going all the time. My kids are older, and they will give me clothing or other items to put into the donation bag. When it is full, I put it in the back of the car to drop off next time I'm running errands.
I think it is very freeing to declutter. It takes SO much less time to clean the house when you have less stuff, and I feel much more creative and energetic, and not guilty because I should be cleaning up--or getting rid of--junk. Really, how much do we *need*? Happy decluttering!
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Erin
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Jillian,
Are you feeling totally overwhelmed by this, not sure where to start? Or feeling energized and ready to go? 'Cause that would change how I'd tackle it. Oh the other big factor is how attached are you and dh to these items? That can be another area of difficulty.
If you have lots of energy and chunks of time, say at least an hour a day, I'd go for totally de-cluttering a room at a time. Start with a room that you would find easier, perhaps the bathroom? Look at EVERY item and ask yourself do you really need it, does it really need to be hauled miles to your new home. Is this item worth the energy and time and space it takes?
If you only have minimal energy and time I'd start with areas at a time, your dd's closet? Something you don't feel too emotional about. Set a goal of a little everyday.
When you need to do a major de-clutter start with areas of less emotion, leave the 'harder' items till later until you are in a rhythm.
The book that helped immensely and got me motivated was Don Aslett's Clutter's Last Stand. It really helped me see what a problem clutter was and helped me ask myself the hard questions regards attachment.
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greengables
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| Posted: Nov 04 2010 at 8:26am | IP Logged
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Patty wrote:
Hi Jillian,
I am not a born-organized person ...
FlyLady is a favorite for many people.
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Ditto! I am not born organized either and I really do like Flylady.com. Check it out!
Right now she has very short and FREE NEW tv video segments she has done to encourage us (her flybabies!) to be able to enjoy life - stress FREE! These videos are in particular done for the upcoming holidays. I am into the 27 fling boogie right now. For 15 minute max I take a bag and put 27 items in it that do not bless my home. Last night before bed I gathered two bags (27 items) to be given away. Today should be much easier as I am putting in 27 items that I will throw away. I am planning on throwing away many repetitive magazines today. I know this should have been done ages ago, but Flylady NEVER makes you feel bad about it. Her quote is "You are not behind." and something like jump in where you are. Enjoy! It is free!
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May God bless you,
Greengables - wife to best friend and mother to 11 blessings on earth
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JaysFamily
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Watching Hoarders is a pretty good motivator for me. After seeing that show, I realized we were heading down that path. Now, when I slack off going through things and donating them or throwing them away, I can just watch another episode and then I get right to work! I also found that listening to good music can make any overwhelming or mind-numbing task more fun! Buying a label maker helped too. 
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Jaysfamily
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Patty
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| Posted: Nov 04 2010 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
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One thing I struggle with is perfectionism. Sounds weird, I know. FlyLady talks a lot about that. I get very overwhelmed with a messy room or closet, and think I can't work on it till I have the time and energy to do it PERFECTLY. Now I'm realizing that a certain level of cleanliness is "good enough", and that whatever cleaning or organizing I do, is a step in the right direction, even if I cannot do it all perfectly today.
An example: a young, single relative of mine admits that this is a hurdle for her. She cannot bring herself to clean her bedroom unless she has the time to do it all perfectly, and all at once. The result? Her bedroom is nearly always very messy, floor covered with clothes and misc. stuff, etc. The perfectionist attitude keeps her from having a calm, restful bedroom.
I can't judge her, because I have the same tendencies and have to fight against them! I hope some of this has helped you. Happy decluttering!
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jillian
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| Posted: Nov 05 2010 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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I have tried FlyLady and it works well for awhile so I might try to start there again.
I really try to process what stuff we can get rid of in a practical way. I will be doing good and DH comes flying in and goes "oh we might need this/that/or the other thing".
I usually don't want to stop once I start either. I feel like once I get one room ready to go then I can start somewhere else, but while I am focusing on one room I feel guilty for neglecting the other rooms.
The only things I am trying to bring in are the things to help me organize, like under the bed storage boxes (for our sheets and blankets), hampers that don't break (we have a nasty habit with this), etc.
I have been trying the policy too of whenever we bring in something new we get rid of something it is replacing. So if we get a new pair of jeans, we get rid of an old pair that we are replacing, that way we don't have 10 pairs of jeans and only wear 2.
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mama2many
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Patty wrote:
One thing I struggle with is perfectionism. Sounds weird, I know. FlyLady talks a lot about that. I get very overwhelmed with a messy room or closet, and think I can't work on it till I have the time and energy to do it PERFECTLY. Now I'm realizing that a certain level of cleanliness is "good enough", and that whatever cleaning or organizing I do, is a step in the right direction, even if I cannot do it all perfectly today.
An example: a young, single relative of mine admits that this is a hurdle for her. She cannot bring herself to clean her bedroom unless she has the time to do it all perfectly, and all at once. The result? Her bedroom is nearly always very messy, floor covered with clothes and misc. stuff, etc. The perfectionist attitude keeps her from having a calm, restful bedroom.
I can't judge her, because I have the same tendencies and have to fight against them! I hope some of this has helped you. Happy decluttering!
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This is so ME!!
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Krystin
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SeaStar
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I like to ask myself: how would I feel if I never had to look at this (book, tv, shirt, bicycle, whatever) and deal with it again?
If the answer is "relief", then out it goes....
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Trinity
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JaysFamily wrote:
| Watching Hoarders is a pretty good motivator for me. After seeing that show, I realized we were heading down that path. Now, when I slack off going through things and donating them or throwing them away, I can just watch another episode and then I get right to work! I also found that listening to good music can make any overwhelming or mind-numbing task more fun! Buying a label maker helped too. |
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Every time I have seen that show I want to clean. 
I think what has helped me is scheduling cleaning/organizing. Every day of the week I have a set project or room(s) that are cleaned and decluttered. I tidy up as needed during the week, but once a week every room has a good cleaning. Generally Monday is for vacumming, mopping and dusting. Tuesday is the kitchen, Wednesday is the dining room and living room, Thursday is the bedrooms, Friday is closets and paper organization and Saturday is bathrooms. Sunday is for rest. : )
I have always found decluttering to be freeing. I don't think I have regreted giving away or throwing away anything yet. And I feel so much happier and less stressed when everything is organized.
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DS(05/01/03)& DD(03/02/08)
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onthelane
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Mosty a lurker (dealing w/ too much stuff 
A book that really helped me was It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh. Not so much about the "how to" de-clutter, but the psychology of why we clutter in the first place and how to get over some of our internal hurdles.
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CatholicMommy
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I am SO the perfectionist too! A **HARD** thing to overcome, but in tiny steps, I've come a long way.
What is interesting though - is that I don't get motivated by cluttered houses and tv shows such as were mentioned above - I personally get motivated when I visit a home that is clutter-free, organized, beautiful, relaxing, welcoming... then I go home and think ARGH! And I get rid of SO much within 24 hours.
All those decluttering shows? And cluttered homes we visit? Make me come home and say "Ahhhh! I can breathe!"
So - for me - I need to keep visiting those beautiful places for continued inspiration.
And I love FlyLady's ideas for the most part (sorry, I need my shoes OFF in my house - I feel more at home, less clutzy, and more "here" if that makes sense when I can feel the carpet or the cool tile under my feet - I *live* here - I want to *be* here) - but otherwise I love her inspiration!
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LisaC
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I second the recommendation of "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh. He's a bit repetitious but he's right, it's not about the stuff, it's about the excuses we make for not getting rid of it, and about the life we want to live, unburdened by all the stuff. I listened to the audio book read by the author himself and enjoyed it.
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mama2many
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CatholicMommy wrote:
And I love FlyLady's ideas for the most part (sorry, I need my shoes OFF in my house - I feel more at home, less clutzy, and more "here" if that makes sense when I can feel the carpet or the cool tile under my feet - I *live* here - I want to *be* here) - but otherwise I love her inspiration! |
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yes!!!!!!!!
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Krystin
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jillian
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| Posted: Dec 13 2010 at 2:36pm | IP Logged
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We were actually blessed in an unexpected way, we were forced to move in a very short amount of time (at the tail end of it now) and in order to make sure we had/have a place for everything we have gotten rid of SO much stuff. We have a bunch of stuff to sell too that will be taken care of after the first of the year when we get back from TX).
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CatholicMommy
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jillian wrote:
| We were actually blessed in an unexpected way, we were forced to move in a very short amount of time (at the tail end of it now) and in order to make sure we had/have a place for everything we have gotten rid of SO much stuff. We have a bunch of stuff to sell too that will be taken care of after the first of the year when we get back from TX). |
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As much as I dislike moving, I'm going to say - lucky you!
Sometimes, I wish we could have a move where we have two places for a short time - then I could just take over the items we need; then add in our seasonal stuff - and everything else can just go to a yard sale or Goodwill and be done with it!
But then - when I don't have time to think about things, sometimes I get rid of more! (sometimes I keep more, too, though!).
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Topic: de-cluttering
