Decluttering and lightening the load for the new year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Marie Kondo book really worked for me. Not really the sparking joy thing but the process of piling and sorting categories.

Liked the book but like to tackle in smaller areas not dump ever item of clothing on the bed it feels too overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oooh thank you for this post! It brings me joy.

Earlier today I threw away all the annoying condiments that come with takeout so I could make room for some fancy new wine accessories I received for Christmas. Gotta start somewhere!

My next step probably is to walk around the house w a giant garbage bag and the goal of filling it. Unfortunately the detritus of Christmas will do a lot of the work here so who knows what actual progress I’ll make. But I’d love to learn about any useful hacks!!!

Love this idea of a giant black trash bag!!! Goals!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YES. I need to do this. Our tiny home is so terribly cluttered and my husband never wants to throw anything away. Please someone give me strength!

Do one smal area at a time it builds momentum. You feel accomplished and do more once you see the results.

[Anonymous]

One area or space at a time works for me.
If I wandered the house with a trash bag I’d get overwhelmed.
I sorted out a small bookcase this morning when I moved it back where we had the Christmas tree. Got rid of games we don’t play anymore and puzzles DD is too old for.
Only took 10 mins but felt good about how it looked after.
This afternoon I’m gonna tackle some of my stuff in the office. It’s hard to throw stuff out but I like how it looks afterwards so it’s doable for me.
I’m gonna tell my 12yo to tidy her room while I’m doing the office. I’ll do a declutter in her room when she goes back to school lol..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One area or space at a time works for me.
If I wandered the house with a trash bag I’d get overwhelmed.
I sorted out a small bookcase this morning when I moved it back where we had the Christmas tree. Got rid of games we don’t play anymore and puzzles DD is too old for.
Only took 10 mins but felt good about how it looked after.
This afternoon I’m gonna tackle some of my stuff in the office. It’s hard to throw stuff out but I like how it looks afterwards so it’s doable for me.
I’m gonna tell my 12yo to tidy her room while I’m doing the office. I’ll do a declutter in her room when she goes back to school lol..

She's 12, so I bet she can find a few toys or things she wants to donate to other kids at that age. It's a good way for her to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES. I need to do this. Our tiny home is so terribly cluttered and my husband never wants to throw anything away. Please someone give me strength!

Do one smal area at a time it builds momentum. You feel accomplished and do more once you see the results.

+100

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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January cure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! Please post tips, ideas. I need inspiration. Empty nesters with a full attic of stuff and it must go. Having a hard time figuring out old kids art, photos, etc.

I took photos or scanned and had a book made of favorites on Shutterfly. I let the actual kids art go but can still enjoy looking at it.

[Anonymous]

Watched a YouTube video the other day and the organization pro explained that instead of making it a big project, decluttering has to be a part of everyday.

So today when I made toast I cleaned some crap out of the silverware drawer. Will be trying to do it one thing at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have Poshmarked a lot of clothes over the past year and it's great!

what is that process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES. I need to do this. Our tiny home is so terribly cluttered and my husband never wants to throw anything away. Please someone give me strength!

Do one smal area at a time it builds momentum. You feel accomplished and do more once you see the results.

How big of an area to start? One room, one shelf? What do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES. I need to do this. Our tiny home is so terribly cluttered and my husband never wants to throw anything away. Please someone give me strength!

Do one smal area at a time it builds momentum. You feel accomplished and do more once you see the results.

I cleaned out the top drawer of my bureau the other night - the one that doesn’t hold clothes, but rather junk. I threw so much away that when I opened the drawer the next day, it was so light that it flew open, and I had to catch it before it fell on the floor! That’s progress, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes! Please post tips, ideas. I need inspiration. Empty nesters with a full attic of stuff and it must go. Having a hard time figuring out old kids art, photos, etc.

I took photos or scanned and had a book made of favorites on Shutterfly. I let the actual kids art go but can still enjoy looking at it.

And then you threw the hard-copy photos away, right? I do, but it horrifies my siblings, lol. But we have the albums and backups all around - no need to keep the paper.

[Anonymous]

I’m of no help here. I tried to throw away some birthday cards with handwritten notes from dear friends and a save the date card for my cousins wedding beautifully illustrated by my aunt. I’ve shifted them three times between the waste basket and my dresser.

I’m much better about clothes. If it’s itchy, unflattering, stained, etc, I put it into a bag or box in my closet for either goodwill or one of those green fabric recycling bins.

I inherited a lot of items that have religious importance and am thinking of giving them to a temple.

In the new year I’ll cancel magazine subscriptions that have lingered.