| Author | Content |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 18, 2008
06:28 PM Post #5806357
| I have been Lurking a bit. And I look around here and have no clue where to start..Looking for some Motivation..
TIA
Kylie |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
November 18, 2008
11:19 PM Post #5807417
| Are you talking decluttering or something else? If the problem is strictly motivational (versus being overly emotionally attached to stuff) then the best way I've found to get things done is every day set the timer for some small chunk of time (5, 10, 15 minutes) and pick an area and do what you can until the timer goes off. You can even do multiple small time chunks at different points in the day if you're up for it. When you sit there looking at things and thinking of your goal in terms of getting the whole house straightened up, that's such a huge job that it's very hard to motivate yourself to do it, but now if your goal is cleaning for 5 minutes, that's a much easier goal to achieve so it's much easier to motivate yourself to do it.
If your problem is emotional attachment/inability to throw things away, then the thing I usually suggest to people is rent a storage space and put all the stuff there that you can't bear to throw away. That way you still have it if you ever want it, but the fact that you are now paying to hold onto your stuff that you can't bear to get rid of can help break that emotional attachment to it and make it easier to get rid of it in a few months when you realize that you have other things you'd rather do with that money. |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 19, 2008
05:31 PM Post #5809945
| No emotional ties here..LOL Funny you say the timer thing.. That is how I get the dishes done.. I can do those dishes in less that 5 min's.. LOL When it comes to the office I just get overwhelmed..poor organizational skills..(Can't spell either).. I want it to be better .. BUT I usually find something else to do...outside... I am open to any suggestions.. I know I need to do better and it would cut the stress factor of coming in here..
Thanks!!!
Kylie |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
November 19, 2008
08:57 PM Post #5810544
| An elephant is eaten one bite at a time.
That runs through my head as I work on various insurmountable messes in my office.
Some day I will be done with all of this and can move on to all of the pictures I have sitting around in boxes. That will be fun... |
TroubleX2
Montgomery, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 19, 2008
09:06 PM Post #5810581
| It didn't get that way in one day so it stands to reason one day won't clean it up. I'm starting with the motto," If I haven't used it in a year throw it out." There I said it. |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
November 19, 2008
09:47 PM Post #5810717
| 1 of my problems is many times, as soon as I discard sosmething...I find that i need it. Or with the "haven't used it in a year rule"...well, I haven't known where it was, but would have used or worn it if I knew where it was.
When rented, I'd move to a bigger house about every 5 years. I own now and after 13 years, I can hardly walk thru my house. It is very depressing and I would be terribly embarrassed if anyone came to visit.
Also, I am disabled with back neck and knee problems and just the bending and lifting things to decllutter causes such arthritis pain that often I just go to bed. ...eother from the physical pain or the emotional pain.
BUT, I really don't want o live like this anymore. I'm 57 and figure to have at least another 20 years or so...O me,how and where to begin... |
newhobby
Tolleson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
November 20, 2008
11:06 PM Post #5814594
| Here is how I begin-
I wait until I can't stand it anymore, there are too many weeds, or the office is soooo cluttered, and or (actually the best) there is clutter everywhere and I am about to pull my hair out! I pick a day on which around 11 AM I pour a rum and coke and start cleaning the kitchen (the daily stuff). I go to the bathroom and clean that. By then, I need a refill. I go outside (yes, a smoker here) have a smoke and enjoy a few sips knowing I got a few things done. While out there, I casually pick a few things up and put them away. I head back in and that is usually when the bug gets me...By around 4 I am still pumped (and a little tipsy) and am looking for more to do. DH makes dinner, I eat, and after a good soak in the tub because my back is bad too, I am out like a light for the night!
The only problem with this approach though, I can never seem to find anything I organized during the spree. LOL! So, I try and keep it to cleaning only and make stacks if it's paper to be organized later! ;o) |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
November 20, 2008
11:12 PM Post #5814616
| I never thought about the rum & coke approach...may have to try that one myself! |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 21, 2008
12:16 PM Post #5815951
| I am a "Frosty Beverage" drinker.. ;O).. Maybe I should give that a go...LOL
I know I do better if I make a list.. The reward is being able to scratch something off reguardless how small of a task..
I NEED a list!! and I will scratch something off by the end of the day!!
HMMMM???? does icing down the "Frost Beverages" count???...hahahaha
Thanks Ya'll !!
Kylie |
newhobby
Tolleson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
November 21, 2008
04:55 PM Post #5816844
| LOL! I was afraid I would be banned from this forum with my approach! Glad I am not the only one who likes the idea!
I am horrid with lists! I lose the dang thing before I can even cross it off! Hopeless without the adult beverage getting me started! |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 21, 2008
05:17 PM Post #5816920
| Nice to know I am in Great Company!!! LOL |
newhobby
Tolleson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
November 21, 2008
05:42 PM Post #5816991
| Always!!! |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
November 22, 2008
09:16 AM Post #5818743
| I'm a "one brick at a time" person. I had things bothering me in 2000. I decided to lay a brick sidewalk around the side of the house. I started on New Years day and finished in June. My thought was one or two or a few bricks a day. Amazing how delighted I was to see the end results and my mind could work over my problems while I was on my knees. They worked out too. I use the same theory on clutter. I vow to discard at least one thing a day. A bag for donations, junk mail and catalogues. At least one item a day. It will show results eventually and for now, it is instant gratification. Good luck! |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 22, 2008
06:17 PM Post #5820405
| THANKS!!!
I can discard one thing a day!! HMMMM!
Kylie |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
November 22, 2008
09:14 PM Post #5820879
| My 1st suggestion would be the alcohol bottle. At least for me. and besides that never helps anyone and is a poison to the human liver |
Kylie2x
Millsap, TX
November 22, 2008
09:47 PM Post #5820991
| Food For Thought!!!!
Thanks!!! I would love
Kylie...
|
SudieGoodman
Broaddus, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 30, 2008
02:20 PM Post #5844468
| Zone 8b Lake Sam Rayburn, deep East, TX
"A cluttered house means a cluttered mind". I'm working daily on my cluttered mind. In the meantime, I tackle what is "bugging me the most".
"Anything is a cinch, inch by inch".
Terry, can we have a "spell check?"
Keep at it folks; you can do it. |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
December 09, 2008
01:54 AM Post #5873401
| HI Sudie,
It took me a while before I discovered that there was a spell check right there on my desktop (I think it's called)...anyway, it you look in the upper right hand corner just above the white page that the typing is on, there should be "tools"...
Right click on "tools"- that should bring up a list of options with "ie spell" (this is the next to the last on my list)...
Left click on "ie spell"... if you have this feature, this is the only one that I know of and know how to use. It does miss some things and , of course does not recognize others, so click onto ignore or add accordingly, then when done, I often must return to finish with my own editing. I have found this to be better than nothing, however. If anyone out there has a better way, please enlighten both of us...
Happy gardening and , as always - Wing waves to ya,
BirdieBlue / AKA Sheri 
|
susan727
Culpeper, VA
December 09, 2008
11:33 PM Post #5876753
| The flylady approach is great for folks who tend to have a bit of ADD (like me :) Approach some clutter, set timer for 15 mins, and stay focused on task. It is amazing how much can get done in just 15 mins. It has helped me. I don't follow everything she talks about but the 15 mins deal is great.
Susan |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 10, 2008
09:03 AM Post #5877358
| Yeah, I like to visit the FlyLady site and pick up hints and motivations. |
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
June 09, 2009
10:28 AM Post #6663173
| A dear friend who is highly productive in spite of battling MS said to me once, "Life is a piecemeal project." I wrote that down and hung it on my fridge to battle my perfectionism and impatience with process vs. product. |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
June 12, 2009
08:05 AM Post #6677213
| "A cluttered house is a cluttered mind" aaarrrgggghhhh! I hate that kind of thinking! I have a dear aunt that had the cleanest and tidiest house of anyone I have ever known. But cleaning was her hobby. Not messy things like painting, gardening, broken china mosaics, etc. etc.
So what's wrong with a cluttered mind? I like to have a lot of things to think about. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
June 13, 2009
11:14 AM Post #6682075
| AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!! I am not sure if any one else on here has the problem of merrily typing along and then ending up losing the whole message. That is more than annoying. Maybe it is the Universe's way of saying that I am babbling and should come right to the point. hahaha Oh well, will try again.
As I was typing in the lost message, I went back over this page and read some of the old posts. They are full of some very sage advice. If only we were better at practicing what we preach. That is speaking for myself only, of course.
Anyway, I came upon the idea of putting in to practice something that I learned at a Motivational Seminar that I attended many years back. The instructor pointed out how powerful the written word is and also how important images or visions are too. One of the main points that the leader wanted to get across was that in order to succeed in obtaining whatever our goal was, just how important it was to be able to clearly define the aim. Our aim, or mine at least is to get to a point where my home is still cozy and inviting, but uncluttered at the same time. In order for me to obtain this, I have to reach a point where I am finally willing to give up some things that are now standing in my way of achieving this goal.
The point of the seminar was to help us first clearly define our goal and then to take the needed steps to obtain it. In order to clearly define it, it helps to write it out and keep it in a place where we will see if often in order to reinforce our desire. One of the exercises that we did at the training was to take old magazines and cut out pictures of the object of our desire. In my case here it would possibly be pictures of shiny and clean, uncluttered floors with nice pieces of furniture sitting around and minimal knick knacky sorts of things. We were to take these pictures and paste them to a piece of paper or a board and to also have this displayed in a place that we would see it often in order to remind us of our goal.
Until this morning, I never thought of incorporating this exercise in to my de-cluttering wish. I am going to start today and first find an index card and write out my goal and later today after chores are caught up, I plan to start looking through magazines and cutting out pictures of my dream home. I will then keep both the written message and also the collage of dream pictures on my desk where I will see them several times a day.
I am excited that I thought of trying this. Maybe some you will find it helpful also. If anyone else does decide to do this, I would love to hear back how things are working for you.
Thank you Joey and Caitlin for re-activating this thread. Looking forward to hearing from folks who might give this a try. I hope that all reading here will have a great weekend. Take care.
Ruby |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
June 13, 2009
02:18 PM Post #6682675
| Ruby,
I think you made a really good point. We each need to define our goals.
|
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
June 14, 2009
06:16 AM Post #6685076
| Ruby, you're right- the written word IS very powerful. Sometimes I make "want" lists- just material things I would like, and then I put the list away. Often, sometimes even years later, I'll come upon one of those lists and am always amazed at how much on the list has manifested itself in my life! I've done the same with "to do" lists. Every time I make a to do list, I get overwhelmed. It always seems like so much to do and of course it all seems "urgent" at the time. Now, I'll make the list, tuck it away in a drawer and forget about it. A week later I can look at it and be surprised at how much I've accomplished (again, the power of the written word). And often, the things that seemed so urgent at the time I was writing the list somehow take care of themselves or I've gained perspective by then and realize they were no big deal. |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
June 15, 2009
06:12 PM Post #6692186
| I think my immediate goal is to get everything UP off the floor so I can clean all of the floors...This is a well-named thread - "Where do I start"? I get overwhelmed with it all and end up doing nothing. Kitchen if first - easiest to pick up, but dirtyest. Living on a farm makes cleaning much more of a constant challenge.
If you don't hear from me in awhile, maybe you could send in the national guard?
I have a great idea. I have wished that I had a portable out building where I could temporarily store unsorted clutter as I clean each room, then sort thru it and put it where it belongs or send it on its way...Well, I have used all of the spare rooms in our house for this job up until now, until there are no more spare rooms, so that idea has definate drawbacks...but here is the NEW idea:
A "cluttermobile" that you can rent for various periods of time, and when your rental period is over, someone drives away with anything still left in it and it is donated to Goodwill.
As you can tell, I would much rather sit and talk about cleaning than clean. Ah well, keep on keepin' on everyone! |
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
June 16, 2009
07:41 AM Post #6694453
| Haha! I love the cluttermobile idea! Not very practical, but THIS lady http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp is. I just found her site a couple of days ago through a mention in one of the forums here. Very simple, very inspiring stuff and it's working- at least on me. Yesterday I filled the trunk and half the backseat of my Honda Civic with clutter and took it ALL to the City Mission. Can you believe it? And of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Not sure what I'm gonna take on today... maybe the linen shelf in the laundry room. I LOVE her babysteps concept.
Caitlin, I don't live on a farm- just 1.25 acres here, but we're rural and there's just never enough water, so I always feel behind on laundry, even when I'm being "good" and trying to keep up. Do you have a mudroom? None here, so everything gets tracked in- dog paw prints, grass clippings, "helicopters" from the maples, even an occasional slug- ew! |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
June 16, 2009
09:21 AM Post #6694826
| HaHaHa! yes, we have a mudroom and it is the kitchen/entry way! Lots of mud in the mudroom...
I have begged for a mudroom addition, but DH doesn't care to spend on "cosmetic improvements". I understand, as dairy farming is a challenging industry and he has done terrific just to survive for the last 35 years.
This message was edited Jun 16, 2009 8:21 AM |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
August 26, 2009
08:29 AM Post #6989778
| Hello readers. My goodness, what a busy couple of months I have had. I see that I haven't been on this thread since June 13. I am almost ashamed to admit that I as I re-read what I had written on the thirteenth of June, I see that I never did what I said I was going to do as far as defining my goal and having images of it where I would be reminded. (Hangs head in shame.) NOT...but, I do see why I haven't made much progress with the two rooms that needed the most attention.
Joey and Caitlin, I appreciate both of your input. I hope that you two are still interested in sharing here. Joey, I love your testimony of how you have taken the time to write things down and then put the message away only to find later and see that you have indeed made some progress with your goals and also gained some of the material items that you had hoped for. Gosh, I guess I feel like admitting my shortcomings this morning...I just realized that I have had this clutter problem for at least five years, the length of time we have lived in this particular house. If the truth be known, I actually developed the problem long before this when I lived for seven years in another house.
I began accumulating a lot of "extras" when I had something particularly traumatic happen in my life. After giving some thought to why this may have started I realize that what I was maybe doing subconsiously was trying to fill a void from a particularly painful loss, with things. I am here to attest that it didn't work.
I believe the problem began when my husband, my 8 year old son and I moved to a town about a thirty minute commute from where we had lived previously. My ex, my son's father didn't like the move and immediately began causing legal problems for me. We moved in June and the very first week I was there I received a suit in the mail for a change of physical custody of my son. I won't go in to how I spent the following few months because they are really painful to recall and would be book length to explain. Anyway...after spending many thousands of dollars on a poor example of a lawyer, and being a nervous wreck round the clock, I finally decided that I didn't have any more fight in me and I consented to let my little one go and live with his dad.
This left me feeling utterly devastated. I spent almost a two year period in a deep depression which left me feeling zombie like. I cried buckets and buckets it seemed. Thank God that when my son turned fifteen he decided that he wanted to come and live at my place again. He is now nineteen and he just recently moved in to his own apartment and everyone is doing well. Good ending to the story...but it left me with a bad habit which has created several areas of clutter for me to contend with.
As I stated, I believe that I was using amassing things to try and fill the void that was left when my son moved. When I finally was able to get myself up off the couch and tiptoe outside in to the world, I found an auction house within a mile of my new home and the auction house held two auctions a week. That definitely spelled T R O U B L E for me. The thing about auctions is that a person can take a very little bit of money and sometimes come home with a car load.
For several years afterward the highlight of my life would be attending the auctions and very often buying lots of things that no one else in the place wanted. I would often get a box of goodies in which one of the items would be actually used and the remains of the box began being stored in the two extra bedrooms that we had. Several times during the years that I was actively attending the auctions I actually sent some things back to be auctioned off. There would come a point every so often when I could no longer stand the clutter, so I would get myself psyched and get rid of all the extras. This proved to always be short lived, because I kept up the buying and cluttering.
So, sorry about the length of this. I am hoping it will serve being freeing to me and allowing me to move on to the step of finally getting rid of the things that are weighing heavily upon me. To add to the many items amassed from auction sales, my husband and I have both been inheritors of items of the closing of two estates, his parents and mine. My parents both died during the last twelve years and his parents closed out their home and moved in to a retirement facility.
So, if you can imagine, there are many, many objects inside of our current home, which is half the size of our previous one and also a medium size storage shed over filled. And here I sit, twelve years later feeling pressure about the condition of my house and the shed. One of our spare bedrooms has served as a catch all since we moved in five years ago. I have watched TV shows about de-cluttering, read books on the topic and talked myself blue and there has still not been a complete release for me.
I would love, love, love for the next little while on the calendar to be the time that I am actually involved in finally ridding myself of things that I will never use. I am not going to put too much time or energy worrying about starting the process until I get back from vacation on September 6. After that I am going to devote as long as it takes to go through all of my things and donate or give away. I am hoping to find some support in some of these clutter threads.
Sorry about the length of this post, but I needed to get it written down in one place so that I may refer to it later when I find myself getting discouraged about all that I have to do. Before getting up from here I plan to at least write my goal down on paper and put it where I can see it.
Thanks to anyone who read this far. Take care and have a good and productive week.
Ruby
|
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
August 26, 2009
08:50 AM Post #6989849
| Ruby, we are on the same wave length! Where to start is my question. I guess "anywhere" is as good an answer as any! Our youngest son moved his bed to grad school this summer, so I have one empty space to begin my decluttering and organizing. I once read this advice: Have 4 boxes, one labeled "throw away", another for "put away", "give away", and another for "decide later".
Good luck, brave fellow traveler! |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
August 26, 2009
08:58 AM Post #6989880
| Hi Caitlin - Yep, I didn't share before, but I have actually made progress on getting a guest room set up in Tucker's old bedroom. The only thing that needs done in that room is to begin dusting and recording how many elephants I have in my collection and putting them away in the cabinet that we moved from living room in to there.
Oh yeah, go through the several boxes that I kind of just pushed in the closet in order to shampoo carpet in there. Not too much to do thankfully. I will start there after returning from our trip. I hope that you will share your progress on your new room too as you get things done.
Joey, I forgot to respond to your note on Flylady. Yes, those boxes will make the process a whole lot easier. I will do that when I get started too. Thanks for sharing and I am glad to hear it is working so well for you.
Take care all.
ruby |
TroubleX2
Montgomery, TX
(Zone 9a)
August 26, 2009
09:35 AM Post #6990005
| You will get er done! |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
August 26, 2009
02:20 PM Post #6990978
| Ruby, you've made me think - why am I such a clutter keeper? Can I really blame all of it on thritiness? I'll give it some thought over the next several days.
I still have some things I'm keeping in my closets. My only child gave me his high school letter jacket. I can't wear it - it's huge, he doesn't want it, why am I keeping it? It's one of those mornings that the tears are so close to spilling over about nothing. (oops, not close, they just spilled out.) It hard to get rid of his things on some days. It has been in a closet since he graduated in 2001.
Maybe being able to get rid of things is a gift. I have a talent for "keeping" junk! I told my mom this morning that my son doesn't want any of my KRAP. She just laughs. But it's true. It doesn't hurt my feelings as bad as it used to. Guilt is a terrible reason to keep stuff, too.
Get started anywhere - yes, that's good advice! But don't give up when you get bogged down in tears, guilt, regret, and other emotional baggage! Get back in and keep plugging away. Don't let a bad day ruin the project. Keep on keeping on. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
August 29, 2009
04:44 AM Post #7000552
| Thanks Gava and Trouble - Awwww Gava, even though tears are beneficial in many ways and we most often feel a bit of relief after shedding a few, it is sometimes upsetting to be at a point where they are necessary. I hope that you will begin to feel better really soon. I hope that doing my examining of my life on here wasn't responsible for you feeling bummed out.
I just know that the trauma I experienced with my little guy leaving my home to live with his dad is when my clutter problems began and I need to, or at least want to, somehow get free from the hold all of these extra things have on me. I am kind of waiting for some big revelation to smack me between the eyes so I can go in to the "clean sweep" mode and be brutal about it. The idea just popped in to my mind that maybe I need to begin visualizing the over stuffed closets and piled high shed as being de-cluttered and organized. Oh my gosh...seems delightful. I can see it in my mind's eye. That is what I want!!!
As for your son's letter jacket, I believe that I would have to hold on to it. Maybe someday his children will want it. I plan to keep things that are special to me such as this. Not sure of anyone's ages here but I am sure that some of my hoarding is due to being raised by depression era parents, who tended to hold on to everything because there may be a use for it one of these days. I totally hate waste and wouldn't think of trashing some things that I see people put in their trash. I am a real believer in using second hand items if they are in good and working condition.
Whenever I give clean sweeping some thought, I try to decide where I want to sell or donate. Just this week I have decided that I will begin calling some consignment shops in the area and finding out about consigning details. Maybe I can make a dollar or two with some of my things.
I need to also give some thought to where I will donate the things that aren't of consignment quality. I know of several worthy causes that I wouldn't mind donating to. Getting things together and transporting them is something else all together. Ideally, I could find a group who would come here and get it instead of me, who has walking balance problems trying to lug things around.
Alright, I am just rambling on now. Gonna scoot along and get some chores done. I hope that everyone is having a good weekend and Gava I hope that you are doing better today. Take care all.
Ruby
|
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
August 29, 2009
08:24 AM Post #7000714
| I too wish that someone would come around to pick up my "give aways". At one time Goodwill did this.
Keep on keepin' on, everyone! |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
August 29, 2009
04:16 PM Post #7002087
| Ruby, thanks for your "ramblings" - they really do help. Thanks for the sympathy and advice - today is a better day. Maybe that is part of what my mom means when she says, "Tomorrow is another day."
The sheltered workshop in our area will come with a truck and take big loads. Maybe you have such a place in your area. Maybe the youth in your church are going to have a yardsale and would come get your stuff then take everything that does not sell to the goodwill. I'd help you haul if I lived closer to you.
I cleaned out my closet again yesterday and got rid of all the shirts and pants that were too small. It's so much fun to try on clothes when I shrink, but horrible to try them on when I grow.
I thought about what it would be like to live in a trailer (small camp trailer) Would I need or want all this stuff? So I'm going to go back into the closet and make some more trips to the thrift store. It's easier for me to keep the junk pared down in some areas than others. I resist kitchen stuff easily. It looked like I'd have to buy a piece of fabric to finish the quilt top - but found a piece in my stash that will be perfect. I have bought only two pieces of fabric since we moved here 2 years ago. And I have had plenty to make all the quilts I wanted. Scarey, isn't it?
Work hard - so you can enjoy immensely. |
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
August 31, 2009
06:45 AM Post #7007569
| Late to respond, but Ruby, that situation with your son was ROUGH. I went through something very similar a few years ago and had the long, hard depression as well. But as Flylady says, "You are not behind... jump in where you are!" |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
August 31, 2009
04:37 PM Post #7009466
| Thanks, joey, I like that saying about not being behind. |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 01, 2009
01:22 AM Post #7011608
| Wonderful saying by the Flylady. I have a lot of difficulty feeling that I am so far behind that I shouldn't start anything. I will apply that positive thought to my decluttering process tomrrow. Tonight I will likely fall asleep chanting "Jump in where you are" :- ) |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 01, 2009
09:41 AM Post #7012433
| start where you are.
where is that?
Look down. See your feet? There you are!
Begin...set a timer for 20 min and sort, discard, clean...whatever needs to be done -Just from that starting point!.
No leaving that room to take something to another. Have a box for "other rooms"! When the timer goes off, relax.
I was amazed at what I got accomplished in just 20 minutes!
How about some success stories here !! |
Bairie
Corpus Christi, TX
(Zone 10a)
September 01, 2009
04:22 PM Post #7013923
| I told my kids (especially son) when they were young: Just pick up 5 items and put them away, then you can stop. After that I could ask them to pick up 5 more things, and they could handle it. When they were older, I asked them to pick up 10 things. This works for me even now--by the time I have picked up 5 things there is no stopping!
Birdieblue--I like your idea of having a box for "other rooms"--when I take something to another room, I get distracted, and start doing something in that room. One reason I never finish getting rid of the clutter. Sometimes when I have worked hard for a couple of hours, I look around and can't see that I have done anythng! Because even though a dozen little jobs were done, you see NO progress. I promise to not leave the room I am working in from now on until 5 things are done...
Thanks, everyone--it's good to know that there are lots of us living in clutter and wanting out. At least we're not to the point (yet) that we need therapy, or are in danger of being evicted, or the city is ready to fine us for having a cluttered yard, or a judge or fire marshall ruling that our house is unihabitable.
Joey |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 01, 2009
08:16 PM Post #7014916
| The other room box was deffinately what mad it work for me. My entire house needs work so of course when I'm in the mood to do that I get distracted by going out of the room I am working on into another one.
There are very few people that I let in my front door (or any door) and fortunately (I guess) not many come by. It has deffinately affedted my life both social and emothinal though. It's very sad and I so want to be out of this mess.
Good luck and God speed to all of you in this endeaver.
Hey , I just had a thought ...anybody want to do a 20 minute clean or declutter sesion with me tomorrow and come back on and share our success?? That just might enspire others!!
|
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 03, 2009
11:47 PM Post #7023868
| Birdie Blue,
I will do a session with you-
Tomorrow.
Tonight I have too much to do.
And I will post
When the 20 minutes is through. |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 04, 2009
12:56 AM Post #7024024
| OK_ Friday the 4th, 20 minutes lets share ...good or not! And I must mow also!
See ya tomorrow!! |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 04, 2009
01:00 AM Post #7024036
| BTW!!!
It would be very exciting if some others set a 20 minute imer and sorted or whatever nonstop til the "ding" , using the "other room box" to avoid geting distracted.
We could have a group happy dance together tomorrow night!!
This message was edited Sep 4, 2009 12:05 AM |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 04, 2009
05:08 AM Post #7024315
| I tried the other room box thing, but the boxes started piling up and looking a whole lot like my collection of "misc. to sort" boxes! |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 04, 2009
07:45 PM Post #7026667
| boxes? not a box for each other room...1 box for anything that goes in a different room. I did the same thing when I tried tat the 1st time...1 for BR, 1 for bath, etc...too much decision making. Just one box is easy for me. and then after my 20 min dinger goes off I have accomplished whatever and have a box of things that do not goe in say the kitchen.
I'm bad about leaving my tools where I use them. So that is something that I wil have say a bucket that all tools/garden stuff etc. but otherwise...
lets remember that not a single one of us walked very well or far the first till many repeated tries...and then each time we got a little farthur, stronger, surrer.
WE CAN DO THIS ONE BABY STEP AT A TIME TILL WE GET STEADY ON OUR FEET!!! |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 05, 2009
02:00 AM Post #7027753
| Did a warm-up today. Spent about 10 mins. doing a wash of whites and puting things away. Then I got distracted by the siren song of ripening raspberries and spent the rest of my free morning time picking them. =^..^=
Tomorrow I will do more laundry. I am in the middle of an embarrassingly large clothing clear-out and am cleaning all the clothes I have decided to keep, plus the nicest "Go" ones that I hope to consign. Also there is the regular washing to do. And I need every precious drop of water for the garden. Yikes!
I use a happy music CD to time my 20 minutes. I probably shouldn't because I spend time being happy to the beat instead of concentrating. My crowing rooster timer is unreliable and I waste energy and add frustration wondering if it is really working. So, I'll be dancing when the 20 mins is up. Yeah, I'll be dancing alright! |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
September 05, 2009
12:59 PM Post #7028683
| I decluttered by going through each room with a box searching for only the things that went into one area. Like, the first thing that I did was to gather all of the tools and put them close to where they went in the garage. I had screwdrivers and hammers, picture hanging nails and screws for this and that spread all over my house! I don't know why the pliers were here and there, but I was glad to finally know where to find them! After doing this off and on for a month and getting close to being organized in my overstuffed house, I started working on "spots" like the closet here, a cupboard there and hauling the bag or box to my van immediatly so that I could really see that I had accomplished something. I only worked every other day on decluttering, but I made myself WORK some every other day. For me, keeping to a written schedule helped.
Hey! Isn't someone supposed to be going through their Christmas stuff this summer to get it decluttered and ready for this winter?!!?
I seem to remember somebody had plannned that. Doing it in decent weather is a lot better than trying to organized all that stuff in a frozen attic or garage right before Christmas.
|
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
September 07, 2009
07:44 AM Post #7035316
| Success stories would be great! I need to get back to de-cluttering for 15 minutes a day. I am SO close to finishing up some old papers that need filing. I have almost two full bags ready for the shredder but I seem to have stalled out.
That said, I am sitting here this morning in my office, decluttered, freshly painted, with a new piece of carpeting- yay! All that's left is to decorate the walls with things that make me smile :D I can't take all the credit, though. My boyfriend did most of the actual work (I did the planning and shopping), prep, etc. The de-cluttering I've been doing in other areas of the house seems to have become contagious! |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 07, 2009
12:40 PM Post #7036399
| Yeah Joey!! good job!! I wan't a new room too. gonna get a trash bag, an "other room box" and set my microwave timer!! |
jjsgramma
Woodhull, IL
(Zone 5a)
September 07, 2009
01:59 PM Post #7036659
| Just an idea you could put your unwanted items on freecycle. The person who wants it comes and picks it up.
You can go to freecycle.org to find your counties freecycle site.
I have gotten rid of many items this way
Good day to all |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 09, 2009
12:01 AM Post #7042971
| Joeyramone, you're right! I am happy to hear your success story. I am halfway thru my first de-cluttering project. Admitting I am a hoarder and then sorting thru the hoardees is all I have accomplished thus far. All I have to do now is get the stuff out. |
crystalspin
Santa Ana, CA
(Zone 9b)
September 09, 2009
12:41 AM Post #7043063
| I restrict Freecycle to things that (for whatever reason) it seems that Goodwill or Salvation Army isn't appropriate (too fragile, too awkward, too specialized, etc) -- at least in my densely populated areas, I get SO many responses that I have trouble picking the one to give to, etc. Then there are the no-shows, so always keep the e-mail of a second or third taker. DH replaced the TV antenna with a HD one, and I freecycled the old one. The first and second takers thought it was an inside rabbit-ears one! Even though I thought I had described it well, I never said OUTSIDE TV ANTENNA in so many words. #3 knew what a "standard UHF/VHF antenna" is and was happy to take it off our hands.`
But, there are places with no GW/SA in town, that might still have Freecycle available. Also I have made contacts that I can contact directly, like a grade school teacher who will take any paper or craft goods, and I feel so good to give to her, as the school budgets are so slim.
~'spin!~ |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 09, 2009
02:56 PM Post #7044795
| I would be terrably afraid of having strangers come to my house! I live alone and just do not think that is a safe idea for elderly single females to do. |
crystalspin
Santa Ana, CA
(Zone 9b)
September 09, 2009
04:42 PM Post #7045047
| Most of the things I have left on the stoop with a name on them and never met the person picking up. The antenna I did open the garage as it was a little large. However, Freecycle as an institution does have a "Take reasonable precautions" in the introductory message.
I freecycled a lot of stuff from my MIL's house, that just didn't "fit" or "suit" anyone in the family, and I did meet those people (loading furniture, etc) and never felt at all at risk. But there are a few bad apples out there, so you have to do what you feel comfortable with.
I like Freecycle and its function (it actually exists to keep things out of the landfills!), but I wanted to make the point that it's actually easier just to drop stuff at one of the thrift/charity stores. Or in a town small enough not to have GW/SA, maybe the fire department or hospital auxillary has rummage sales, or a church.
Also be strictly honest with yourself -- if it's junk, throw it out. Don't give it to someone else to have to throw it out!
~'s!~ |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 10, 2009
03:07 PM Post #7048298
| Hello to everyone - I was missing in action for a while. We spent last week at rainy and windy VA Beach. There was one nice beach weather day all week, the day before coming home. I enjoyed being away and was able to meet up and visit with a long lost cousin who I have been emailing back and forth since last fall. So not all was lost.
Several of you made reference to something I had written, and I am too lazy to go back and see what I last wrote. Someone mentioned my son story, so I recall writing about it being connected with my trying to fill a void in my life by accumulating things. That void is filled and I am left with a lot of things that need new homes.
I also posted on another thread here that I keep up with and posted some pictures of today's accomplishments. Birdieblue, I am reporting with a good progress report from this morning and share my pictures here also. I took a before and after, even though I didn't completely finish the whole room. I ran out of energy before I was able to finish, but I think with a couple hours in the morning, I will have my room ready to begin housing my many houseplants for the winter. I am really excited because I had looked at the junked up state for too long now.
You all have some great ideas that will serve to be very helpful. I love the encouragement that I see here. Seems that each of us has a little cheerleader gene somewhere in our souls. Go girl, go!!!
I too am a freecycler. Because of no-shows I learned early on to just offer to deliver the items myself. I have been both giver and receiver of some pretty nice things. It always feels really good that I have had something to offer when someone was looking for something in particular. I think that it is a great concept.
Anyway, gonna close. This is the before picture of junk room. No laughing. hahaha
Ruby
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 10, 2009
03:11 PM Post #7048313
| This is after a couple of hours of straightening. I was too tired to try and complete whole room today. I am hoping to get psyched up again tomorrow morning and finish finding new homes for things and once again having a winter houseplant room. I will try to update with new photo when room is ready for its new purpose. And I will then really blow everyone's minds after I bring in the horde of plants and take a picture of them to share.
I hope that some others are having a productive day too. Take care everyone.
Ruby
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 10, 2009
03:45 PM Post #7048461
| Good work Ruby! I can actually see the floor! I hate to admit it, but I have more than a couple rooms in this state or worse. Thanks for showing that it can be done!
I like to take my misc. to a local second-hand store that is set up as a community benefit. Don't be real quick to assume that something is junk, either, because to someone else it might be a treasure. For example, I love to find miscellaneous saucers, cracked plates, weird figurines, etc. and then I use them in my mixed media mosaic creations. Dolls without legs, doll heads without bodies, etc..I just love to trade my old junk for new junk! |
TroubleX2
Montgomery, TX
(Zone 9a)
September 10, 2009
05:47 PM Post #7048853
| caitlinsgarden is right,
you never can tell what someone else can do with what you consider junk. Look at the antique light shade I turned into a bird bath with my DH's help!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 10, 2009
09:18 PM Post #7049560
| CONGRATULATIONS RUBY!!! GOOD JOB |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 11, 2009
07:42 AM Post #7050621
| Trouble, what a great idea! I will look for one of those at my next junque jaunt! |
TroubleX2
Montgomery, TX
(Zone 9a)
September 11, 2009
04:54 PM Post #7052388
| caitlinsgarden,
Thanks!
There's allot to be said for the mother that raises her children on hand me down's and Homemade Potatoe Soup in the 60's, it makes her children thrifty and creative. LOL! |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 11, 2009
05:43 PM Post #7052518
| I am clearing one surface off in each room and then displaying a fresh picked vase of flowers on it as a talisman of hope and inspiration! |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 11, 2009
05:46 PM Post #7052530
| Hello All - I wanted to report in. I didn't get to spend as much time working on the rooms as I wanted to today. I slept in later than usual and then spent a lot of my morning on the computer. I was able to go in and spend an hour or so preparing the room for the plants that will be brought in soon. I still have a couple of areas that need de-junking and then I will consider it a job well done. It truly feels good to be getting it done. I now have to think of a way to prevent it becoming junked up again.
I love the bird bath, Trouble. Great idea!!! Caitlin, I would love to see some pictures of your art. I have always wanted to do some tile work but never made the time yet.
Probably one of my issues with having so much is that I don't discard things because of cracks or other marrings. I see beauty in most anything made of glass or ceramics. The only collection that I admit to having is elephants, but realized today that I have the beginnings of several other collections too. Those barrister bookcases in the plant room have several shelves of tea pots. Another few of the shelves are holding old magazines that I have always said I will get around to looking at someday. Will that day ever come? I think that I am almost at the point of getting rid of the magazines now. A while back I decided to keep them when I was straightening and organizing at another time. I suppose this is a process and baby steps are often needed.
Okay, that is it for the day. I wish that I had gotten further along, but it just feels good to know that it is finally getting done. Thanks for the encouragement from everyone. (Waving hello to BirdieBlue.) Take care and have a wonderful weekend all.
Ruby
|
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 11, 2009
05:50 PM Post #7052541
| Cross posted with you Caitlin, but had to tell you that is a wonderful idea. We cannot have both clutter and beauty competing against one another. Make every room worthy of the beautiful flowers. Now that I have finally started this project, I feel so good about it. Just starting is the hard part for me usually. I tend to put things off and then worry and fret and then realize that all the negative emotions are getting me no where at all. Good luck with soon finding the motivation and inspiration to get started. I will cheer lead for you, if you'd like me to.
Ruby |
BirdieBlue
Winston Salem, NC
(Zone 7a)
September 11, 2009
08:29 PM Post #7053203
| Ruby - I also collect elephants, with their trunks up (but don't turn away a gift if trunk is down) |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 12, 2009
02:10 AM Post #7054327
| It is fun to be away for a while to come back and read all the postings. I was a bit deflated as my clothing clear-out project had to be postponed. For some strange reason, I decided I had better get up on the roof to inspect the plumbing vent pipes. Then I had an overwhelming urge to clean them. It's a long story, but it took 3 days of spare time. Then the weather turned hot again (101 today) and I needed to use the water for the garden and postpone the clothes washing. So Sunday I will be back to my clothing mounds in the living room. I am hoping to make a few bucks for myself and the wonderful lady who has the consignment shop. The rest I will donate, and I will try to Freecycle what is left as rags or craft fabric. That's the plan. Thank you all for the discussion about which charities you choose to bless with your castaways. I have so much to donate, I am sure I will be asked to spread the wealth around. That is how it was, before the economy stalled. Maybe now they will be happier to get lots of items.
I think I blew it on the 20 minute clean up. I let myself be distracted by getting up on the roof and cleaning the vents.
I am not in control of my behavior yet. I hope this posting about it will help me to get a grip. Get a grip on myself that is, and let go of the grip I have on the clothes! ; - ) |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 12, 2009
03:19 AM Post #7054375
| Almost forgot- Caitlinsgarden, after I cleaned up the mess in my bathroom (long story, go to the Plumbing forum if you want to read all about it) I had the idea to put a little bouquet of mini pink roses on the counter. Not for company, just for the room itself (it had been through a trauma). And you were doing the same sort of thing! I think it is a fabulous idea! Soon my flowers will all be gone. Better enjoy them now. Is that the menopause talking? |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 12, 2009
07:22 AM Post #7054541
| There are always flowers, even after menopause! In fact, there is more time than ever to plant them, weed them and enjoy them.
Magazines: WE save magazines! May I suggest sterlite containers that stack up in a corner somewhere? (Like the basement!) After the pile gets a little too high, I like to go through my mags and tear out all of the pages I want to save and put them in a sterlite of their own, and throw out the rest of the magazine. Then I get a large sketchbook of blank paper and I have a fun project for winter and down days; cutting and pasting into my dream books. I especially like to combine pictures of things I like together, as inspiration for my own gardens and artwork.
You can see my artwork at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitlinsgarden/ |
TroubleX2
Montgomery, TX
(Zone 9a)
September 12, 2009
07:55 AM Post #7054614
| caitlinsgarden,
You are soooo talented, my mosaic attempts look like kindergarden works compared to yours. Beautiful work!
April |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
September 12, 2009
09:23 AM Post #7054766
| Thank you Trouble, one thing I have learned over many years is not to compare my work to others work. It can be discouraging. You have to begin where you are with your own uniqueness and passion. |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 14, 2009
02:16 AM Post #7061864
| Today I was a good girl. I spent most of the day washing the best of my hoarded clothes so they can be consigned. I really hope they will sell, so I will be encouraged to "rinse and repeat" until they are all gone. O, Happy Day!
CG, I do the same with mags. I recycle the ones I have cut up. If untouched, I donate them to the free box at the library. Except for the New Yorkers stashed under the dresser.
Thanks for the link to your site. I will peek when I have more time ( I have dial-up ). |
joeyramone
Schenectady, NY
September 14, 2009
08:45 AM Post #7062290
| Oh, if only I could get my boyfriend to get rid of his 3+ foot high stack of New Yorkers! |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 16, 2009
04:03 AM Post #7069528
| Oh my goodness Caitlin, I am in awe. What a wonderful tour of your work, mosiac and garden wise. I am so glad I asked you to share. I have found over the three or so years that I have been chatting on Dave's that many of the gardeners are also artists of some sort. The two must be connected somehow. Both are objects of beauty which bring so much joy. I have no art training but have always wanted to do something creative. I am going to have to make it a priority if I am ever to start doing anything that will bring me joy. Thank you so much for sharing your work with us.
I love the Obllama. Cute!!! Who in the world thought of that? hahaa
No reports of making any progress clutter wise. I have been making some calls to possible charities where I will donate to find out the hours and policies for donations. Huckleberry, I too called a local consignment shop to find out their policies for selling. I am to go next Friday to meet with staff and can bring 20 items with me. My main clutter is not clothing, but household articles. Glad that you are coming along with your process of getting some things sold. The extra money will be good to have.
There is not really too much left inside of my home that needs to be gone. My area of disrepair is my shed which over the five years we have lived here has become more and more packed. The way it stands, I couldn't find anything if I really needed it. I hope to get started out there next week maybe. I will report in from time to time.
BirdieBlue, I too have some elephants with their trunks down. I just love them so much that I can't turn them away just because their trunks are not up. Trouble, I agree that Caitlin's work is very professional looking. I love it. Joey, I too have stacks of magazines almost 3 foot tall. Oh well, what can I say?
I hope that everyone is having a decent week. I for one am so happy that the temperatures are lower these days. Sure makes a difference in wanting to do any sort of physical work. Take good care until we meet again.
Ruby
|
ladyfiresign
Richmond B.C.
Canada
September 16, 2009
04:31 AM Post #7069536
| Caitlin...first, ex-Prairie du Chiener here...how small the world!
I recently read something in a magazine that made me really take notice re: de-cluttering. It said "It's hard to put things away if there is no 'away' in which to put them." That seemed to be the problem I had here. Our house is big for 2 people but it was built in the mid-70's and had very little actual storage space but a lot of rooms that just seemed to collect clutter without any help from us (LOL). After much bemoaning of the messiness of our house my DH is slowly but surely starting to add storage in the form of built-in cabinets and shelving. Lo and behold, we have an "away" now in the laundry room in the form of shelves above the washer/dryer and small freezer. He also built a cabinet the same height as the dryer which serves as additional storage and doubles with the dryer surface for folding. It's amazing how just that little bit helped in that one room. There are actual places for detergents, fabric softeners, irons, and freshly canned jams and tomatoes. It's no 'House Beautiful' laundry room but at last it is a FUNCTIONAL laundry room! I am like a kid in a candy store now...being the "concept" person and having the good fortune of having a DH who can bring those ideas to life. |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
September 18, 2009
02:32 AM Post #7076691
| Ladyfiresign, I'm happy to meet you. You have some excellent ideas to make homes for items so they can be organized. I am learning how to organize. I never gave much thought to it before, just crammed things in any place that made some sense. I am removing things now and looking at the empty space and then saying, "Okay, what should go back in?"
Joeyramone, you have my sympathy. I love to look at the cartoons in the New Yorker, especially the ones I have forgotten about and are new again. Gives me a buzz. I intend to part with them when I am done with the clothing.
Caitlinsgarden, I loved your site. I especially liked " Jardin des anciennes". I enjoy playing with the color saturation feature also, especially with scenes of the ocean and sky.
I have some success to boast of. I consigned a few things and donated the remainder to the Goodwill store. Took a few things to the Senior Center today. So that is 2 large garbage bags down and about 20 to go.
I had a moment after I left the consignment shop where I was going to take all the rejects home to comfort them. But I toughened up and drove into the Goodwill and handed the bags over to them. I am happy and in the mood to continue the process. whoo hoo!
|
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 18, 2009
06:00 AM Post #7076780
| Bravo, bravo!!!! Way to go Huckleberry!!! I am thrilled to hear your news. Hopefully it won't be too very long before I am able to come in with the same sort of report. For some reason I don't have much of problem ridding myself of clothing. It is room decor, especially glass items that I tend to hold on to, even when I don't have proper space to display them.
Yes Ladyfiresign, great news about having your husband build storage for you. It sounds as though with him doing this it is going to take a lot of the pressure off of you to find hiding spaces for your things. I live in a very small house and every nook and cranny is being used.
I realized yesterday that I am now racing against the clock and need to get a move on with finishing straightening my plant room. It is getting chilly here each night and my house plants should be coming indoors pretty soon. I am hoping to devote a bit of time this morning to finishing up the organization of that room so that I can begin bringing the plants inside for the winter months. Somehow this week has gotten away from me and I haven't accomplished much of anything.
Again Huckleberry, I loved hearing your success report. Keep up the good work.
Ruby |
ladyfiresign
Richmond B.C.
Canada
September 18, 2009
11:28 AM Post #7077551
| Ruby,
I sort of laughed when I read your comments about hiding things since we really don't have a lot of things that qualify as "things". The problem seems to be more of just not having places to put things like light bulbs or toilet paper or wrapping paper. I guess the nicest thing about my DH though is that he's darn thrifty...builds stuff out of a lot of salvaged materials such as old cedar fences people are replacing or building materials from remodel jobs around the area. Costs us nothing but carrying it home and keeps stuff out of the landfill, too.
Good luck with your plant room!
Cin |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
September 20, 2009
05:38 AM Post #7083412
| Great that your hubby is so thrifty Cin. That helps matters a lot. Yes, if a person were to come to my house and begin opening doors, they would see that I hide a lot of things. HaHa I also display a lot of things too and wonder how bare walls would look in here. Years back I had an interest in Feng Shui and could never get past the first requirement for incorporating it in to my decor...first trick was to clear space of all clutter and what not sort of things. I enjoy looking at my things too much to do that. My decorating style is more on a course of Funky Shui. hahaha I hope that everyone will enjoy their last day of the weekend. Take care all. |
dsa2591
North Port, FL
(Zone 9b)
September 25, 2009
11:35 PM Post #7105344
| A rule I used to use with my children when they balked about cleaning their rooms was "Pick up one thing and put it where it belongs, then do it again and again until everything is where it belongs, even if that's the garbage". That way, you can do it one piece at a time, and it doesn't seem like such a huge task. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
October 14, 2009
04:17 AM Post #7167166
| Interesting concept dsa. Hmmmmm...wonder if I could somehow trick myself in to doing something along these lines? I am probably at almost three months of working on setting up two of our bedrooms in to new purpose rooms. The one that is now a guest room served until this past July as my teenage sons room before he moved out to a place of his own.
The other room is my houseplant room which is about 95% complete. Hubby is hopefully going to hang two grow lights for me today. I have a little end table with a few knick knacks on it that need to find new homes and then I will consider that room as finished for now.
It has been quite a process with lots of starts and stops. Several days or close to a week will sometimes slip by and I don't do anything in either room. I brought the houseplants in from outside about two weeks ago because the temps at night are sometimes fairly low. There are still some plants which are not positioned where I want them but will be as soon as I can get the lights hung.
I have been really surprised at the amount of growth some of the plants made over the summer months. There are several of the larger ones which must have grown a foot or so while loving the outdoors. I hope that I can sustain all of them during the cold months.
I hope that all readers are having some successes in getting their de-cluttering projects done. Over all, I have been happy with my progress on my two rooms. Take care and happy de-cluttering to all.
Ruby |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
October 14, 2009
08:48 AM Post #7167471
| Ruby, thank you for your comments on my artwork. At least I have something to show for a messy house! I brought in a mosaic I have been working on for the last few days and set it on the fridge thinking, well, there is my filthy kitchen floor and mountain of dirty dishes. I guess the problem is that the artwork gives me so much more satisfaction than a clean house! But, enough is enough, today I am under house arrest...
Huckleberry, I like "Jardin..." a lot, also! It started with the bone I found in my garden that suggested a face to me.
ladyfiresign, I like the idea of making a "HOME" for everything, then you know where to put it. Once I played with the idea of making a "shoe barn" as a place to put the shoes that always clutter up the entry way. Adding some artistic object to be used as storage space. |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
October 15, 2009
01:40 AM Post #7170981
| Whatever you do will be wonderful! |
anastatia
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
October 17, 2009
10:04 AM Post #7179015
| Great thread! When I have been 'stuck' I have, in the past, asked a sister or good friend, to help me. Trying to explain to someone else why an item is being saved can be hilarious. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
October 24, 2009
06:33 AM Post #7202898
| I hear that Anastatia - I have finally hooked up through Freecycle, a group who is hoping to get yard sale items for their group's fund raising activities. They will be coming to my house on Tuesday, November 10 to pick the items that I am donating to them. Between now and then I am planning to have my cleaning lady work a few extra days to help me get things together to donate. I do better when I have someone with me to help keep me focused.
I have a shed and an attic that I need to go through and get rid of the excess clutter I have sitting around, serving no good purpose. I have done this sort of thing on numerous occasions in the past and am wondering what it is inside of me that makes me repeat the process every few years. Collecting and holding on to things must have served some purpose in the past, or I wouldn't have continued to do it. I am wondering how much being raised by Depression era parents have to do with it. "I might need that someday kind of thinking" that my parents had anyway.
Good to see folks posting here. I find the whole topic of "too much" very interesting and am always wanting to hear tips of how to change my thinking around. Have a good weekend and stay healthy everyone.
Ruby
|
anastatia
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
October 24, 2009
01:46 PM Post #7203786
| My husband says, when we are cleaning garage, basement etc together that I suffer from "The Depression (as in 1930's)syndrome. I was not even a twinkle in someone's eye @ that time!!!! And sometimes he says it is a symptom of 'greed' which sends me reeling and tossing stuff OUT. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
October 26, 2009
06:12 AM Post #7209163
| Gosh, that is a new word that I hadn't thought of connecting with hoarding and collecting...greed. I will have to give it some thought.
Ruby |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
October 26, 2009
09:43 PM Post #7212105
| Anastatia - I think that your husband is smarter than I would like to admit. I can remember the feeling of buying the rest of the bolt of fabric and thinking that nobody else could have that beautiful fabric - it was mine - all mine!
Yes, there are lots of pictures, wall art, and things that I have collected in a spirit of greed. Thanks for reminding me. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
October 30, 2009
06:20 AM Post #7223085
| Tomorrow I will officially begin de-cluttering my outdoor shed. Right now there is hardly a path to walk through it. I have someone coming who will help me with getting rid of things. I am packing away give aways for a group that is doing some fundraising and are taking my things to sell at a yard sale. They will be here on November 10 to get the items. I am hoping that I will be ruthless in terms of being able to let go of things. I am a bit nervous because I know that I might want to hold on to too many things.
Wish me luck with this project please.
Ruby |
MargaretK
PERTH
Australia
October 30, 2009
06:33 AM Post #7223102
| Good luck, Ruby. When in doubt, read your own posts, because they seem to sum up why a lot of us hoard as we do. Even if you relinquish items to which you have an emotional attachment, you will still have the memories. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
October 30, 2009
08:01 AM Post #7223195
| Oh my gosh Margaret!!!!! You are giving me a dose of my own medicine. I cannot recall which day this week that this happened, but one day the "listening to what we are saying" about any particular issue is where the truth is to be found, was what I was telling others regarding some of their issues. Yep, you have an excellent idea for going back and reading all that I have written regarding this over the past few months. I know that it has been a desire of mine to get this done, but as I said in another thread, I am losing some faith in myself and my ability to get rid of things. I need to get back some of the gung ho excitement that I had a while back. So, thank you sooooo much for getting me turned around some. I hadn't thought to apply the principle in this case, but do plan to heed what I find out about myself.
Wish me luck everyone please.
Ruby |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 09, 2009
11:29 AM Post #7255895
| Ruby, I wish you all the luck that I can summon. I hope you will get your mojo back. I suffer from the same distress in feeling that I am incapable of freeing myself from the quicksand of hoarding. Well, I'm throwing a branch over to you to help pull you out. We must work together on this.
Today I have an appt. with the consignment shop. I hope it will be encouraging and not discouraging. I have a load of winter clothes. The cold and fog has arrived in our valley, and hopefully people will be in to buy coats and sweaters. I get a good feeling from this, as if I am a provider. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
November 09, 2009
03:16 PM Post #7256672
| Dang!!!!! Just lost about four paragraphs full. I hate it when it happens here. Too bad that the program doesn't do a bit better about this particular problem. Anyway...I went back and read what I posted on October 30 and see that I was sort of bummed out that day.
I am now very pleased to announce that my husband John and myself have spent two different mornings cleaning out our utility shed. It was so full and disorganized that we had problems walking through it and forget finding anything that you needed. We could probably make at least one more trip out and maybe two and then we will be able to brag of a job well done. I am too excited about it to wait to share with you all. I can live with the condition that it is in now, but while we are on a roll, we may as well continue to gather things to donate. While I was at it this morning, I took a magic marker out with me and I labeled the things that are in totes. That too is a step in the right direction.
Huckleberry, thank you for the well wishes. I hope that you too will be able to continue on with your ridding yourself of some excesses. I am convinced that having a group here who is rooting for me, is making this major undertaking a bit easeir to swallow.
Well, I am sitting here about to fall asleep, so I will close for now. I hope that everyone will have a good week coming up. Take care and please stay well.
Ruby
|
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 12, 2009
02:51 AM Post #7266114
| Happy Days! The consignment shop took nearly everything I hauled in. Plus I had $45.00 in credit to use in the shop. I "bought" a few things toward the improved wardrobe I have promised myself. AND I found another "Mom and Pop" thrift store that accepts trades of less quality than the consignment shop, for the items that are rejected. I think I am gettin' it all together. Even the fortune in my cookie was in support of me, "You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course". Zippity do-dah!
Ruby, how did your date go with the fund-raisers? You sound like the wind is finally in your sails. Good for you! I hope the remnants of Hurricane Ida do not rain on your parade.
Gava, thanks for the admission of greed. I have to consider how much of my behavior is driven by greed. I suspect I have an inner glutton. OK, I know I have an inner glutton! If greed is the absence of a desire to share, then I have that sometimes. I bought a pair of those big-eyed "Keene" prints for my stepdaughter. I was thrilled for her because I am pretty sure she will love them. Then I had evil thoughts about keeping them here, because they are so interesting. Don't worry, I will give them to her. Then again...
Hello, MargaretK, all the way from Perth. Wow! I am thrilled to make your aquaintance.
Anastatia, you bring up some great points. I will think of you and your husband as I continue to declutter. Giggling over my "treasures". I suppose greed is the only thing strong enough to transform 5 buckets of broken glass into "keepers'.
Keep up the good fight, everyone! |
MargaretK
PERTH
Australia
November 12, 2009
06:58 AM Post #7266284
| Thanks for the welcome, huckleberry. I have this, and other threads on the clean and clutter free forum in my "watched" list. I always view, but don't often post. Hoarding must be a universal thing. I am becoming more disciplined, but it really goes against the grain. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
November 14, 2009
08:56 AM Post #7272931
| Awww Huckleberry, what an upbeat message. You are a good cheerleader and motivator. Yes, the yard sale folks came for one load and planned to come back for what wouldn't fit in the tuck, but we had rain the next three days and they didn't get here. So...I have some items on my porch that are now good and wet, waiting for our attention. After they dry out a bit, I will see about donating to one of two or three places that I have given to before.
Your consignment deal sounds good. Really great that you found another shop that will buy the items of lesser quality. Wonderful. Back many years ago when I was working outside of the home and had to maintain a wardrobe and while having and dressing children, I used consignment shops for myself and the children, to both buy and sell. I am not as organized as I once was though.
I thought about consigning some of the better pieces of home decor that I no longer want, but missed the appointment that I had set up a month or so back. Must not have been to hip on the whole deal after all.
I am happy with the progress that was made in both of the bedrooms and in the shed, though there is still work to be done. It is not a done deal by any means, I just need a break from it and will come back full force maybe after the holidays.
Huckleberry, thank you for pointing out that we have a new poster with us... ... hello Margaret. I understand you saying that the hoarding goes against the grain. My belly does a little flip flop to many of the items I go thorough while getting together to give away. As someone pointed out to me recently, most everything that I am holding on to could be replaced very easily and without too much cost, so I can't use the excuse that I might need it one day. If I do happen to need it, I can go and buy it when the time comes.
I hope that everyone will enjoy their weekend. Stay well everyone.
Ruby |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
November 19, 2009
12:46 PM Post #7289809
| Mornin' folks! I'm home for a few days and have taken the time to "choose contentment." Two recent incidents make me need to say that. #1 Our house has not sold yet. It's beautifully staged, cleaned up, and in perfect running condition. The "make-do" electric and plumbing jobs that we did have now been re-done by professionals and will pass inspection. There is nothing I can do about selling it except keeping it looking like a model home now. The realtors came and visited yesterday; everyone loved it and said it's priced realistically. We refuse to buy another one until this one is sold. So I might as well enjoy living in a clean and decluttered home, enjoy trips to the studio, finish some of the quilts I've started, and learn to be content.
#2. Yesterday I was at Walmart to get a quilt batting and I heard a lady say, "We might as well get two of those things so we'll have it." That's just exactly how I've always done it. And now I get to pack two and three of everything when the time comes to move. I can definitely see the greed in my heart in that statement. Especially in my craft room/stash. I was so thrilled to find Pendleton wool suits to cut up for projects. Now I see that I'm hoarding wool.
Contentment is a hard lesson for me to learn. Maybe it's part of my childhood, we didn't know we were poor, but we didn't have lots of material goods. And I know that coveting is the opposite of being content. So this is a good time for me to learn. Sometimes I think I'm cured of the coveteousness, then it slaps me up side the head again. We live like kings in comparison to most of the people in the world. And yet I forget to be grateful for the blessings I have and I want more.
Got to go to the studio for class today. I'll try to post the address where you can look at my clean house. |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
November 19, 2009
12:50 PM Post #7289821
| look at these photos. It didn't look like this when I started to declutter.
http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/PropertyListing?action... |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
November 19, 2009
04:36 PM Post #7290426
| Isn't it a ♥blessing♥ to live in a decluttered home?! So calming and easy to keep up... |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
November 19, 2009
06:50 PM Post #7290794
| YEP!!! |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 20, 2009
03:07 AM Post #7292048
| Gava, I can't look up your home now because my dial-up is too slow, but I'll look later.
You made me think of something I have been thinking of for a while now. My cat. He is the happiest, most contented being I know. All he "possesses" is his lovely fur coat. It is all he requires. I want to be more like him. I want to be free of this terrible urge I have to clothe myself with so many things. Truth is, I always wear as little as possible. So why do I have so many things to choose from???
I am still getting rid of clothing, but I am also adding things that are supposedly more suitable.
You also mention Pendleton woollens. AAAAAARRRRGGGG! I have 2 bags full of the lovliest, most moth-eaten Pendletons you can imagine. They could be yours if you could pry them from my clutches! |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
November 20, 2009
07:22 AM Post #7292183
| Gava, you have done some excellent work in staging your home. Everything is really lovely. Thank you for posting the pictures. They are very inspirational. Gosh, what insight has come along with the decluttering process you have been doing. I agree that we are a greedy society with our more, more, more attitudes.
I have also always enjoyed when Juneybug shared about her successes too. It gives me hope for some day...
Huckleberry, it sounds as though you are also arriving at a very wise place as you take the steps to control over abundance in your life.
I hope that everyone will have a good weekend. Take good care and be well.
Ruby |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 21, 2009
03:03 AM Post #7295474
| Gava, the link took me to your site very quickly. Well done!
Your home is lovely and well priced. Hope it sells easily!
Just saw a film about "The Notorious Bettie Page", pin-up girl of the early 1950's. In it, she says nudity is not the sin, the clothes came to Adam and Eve after they had sinned.
Now I have that to consider. What "sin" is my pile of clothing covering???
I was a tomboy, then I developed into a young woman against my will. Most of the clothing I rarely wear is pretty girly. My usual uniform is a plain top and jeans. I think I am hitting upon the reason for my confused state of dressing myself. Comfort and camoflage vs style. Comfort and not drawing too much attention to myself vs uncomfortable but interesting wild-child outfits. I can hardly wait til I finally mature enough to want to wear those Eileen Fisher kind of comfortable AND flattering outfits. Either that or a leopard Snuggie! =^..^=
Any advice for me? |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
November 21, 2009
04:42 AM Post #7295556
| Ear Rings and good shoes. They make everything look better! I live in that same uniform and can pull it off in all kinds of places by just changing shoes and wearing earrings. |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 24, 2009
12:49 AM Post #7304829
| Shoes. I am taller than my DH, and he is shrinking. I got rid of all heels higher than 1" (except for 3 pair of higher ones that are too beautiful to part with yet).
I have lots of costume jewelry. I am out of the habit of wearing it. I am going to do as you suggest. Thanks! |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
November 24, 2009
01:16 AM Post #7304883
| My DH is shrinking too. After watching Julie & Julia (Great! movie, BTW), I may just wear heels whenever again. I don't think that it would damage his ego to have a taller wife.
I have a couple of suit jackets (a gey one and a black one) that I throw on with jeans & I am suddenly "posh"! |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 24, 2009
01:33 AM Post #7304929
| I noticed that in the movie too (kinda hard not to). DH is a good sport, but I don't like to rub it in that I'm the taller one. Mother would say I am saving those heels for my Merry Widowhood. I just like to look at them. It's a wierd world. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
November 24, 2009
07:46 AM Post #7305294
| I can just see all of us lovely ladies all decked out with great jewelry and shoes that go with our jeans, simple top and a chic blazer set in for good form. Juney, I love your idea for earrings and shoes too. I used to always wear a long necklace of some sort too and just realized that I no longer do that. Gonna have to display necklaces near where I dress so that I begiin doing that again. I have an over abundance of jewelry for sure and it is a shame that I no longer wear any of it much.
Huckleberry, thank you for sharing your insight on clothes fever. Very interesting!!!
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