Decluttering and lightening the load for the new year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: the kitchen cupboards, I came to the realization that I shouldn't be keeping a large inventory of things I -might- need. I don't live in an isolated location. There are 3 grocery stores with I live within 2 miles of me.

They can store it. The store can keep it on their shelf, until I need it.

I also try to take this approach with a lot of things. I decided this about a heater fan yesterday. It hasn’t been used in like six years. If I ever need one again, I can run to Home Depot.

Now watch, the furnace will go out for days and we’ll be freezing.

But actually I doubt we’d stay home with the heater fan for long anyway.

[Anonymous]

You all inspired me! I spent the last two days posting bunches of things on my neighborhood Buy Nothing group and I'm addicted.

It's fun to pass on something to a neighbor who's super excited to have it. Wheee!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We scheduled a pick up with the Vietnam Vets for two weeks from now. We felt bad tossing stuff but didn’t have patience for Buy Nothing. It will go to the curb to be picked over and then Vets will pick up the rest. It’s nice to have a deadline to fill boxes by!

I try to have a monthly-ish pickup scheduled from Greendrop - sometimes I just have one box to put out, other times it's several, but it helps me to finish that difficult last decluttering step of actually donating the stuff.

[Anonymous]

Last night I sorted through our dish/hand towels for the kitchen and powder room. Demoted a pile to rags and put the ones in good condition but colors/patterns I don't love in the Goodwill box. Then I folded the ones that were left and they actually fit in the drawer where they belong!!

Tonight I'm going to sort the table cloths and placemats.

My 2 teen sons asked if they could put the Christmas gifts from their aunt directly in the Goodwill box. That would be a yes. They were given toys meant for 5 year olds but they are 15 and 17. (the aunt in question also has a 17 yr old and asked me what to get them but then went for toys that would have been great 10 years ago)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

The sparking joy bit is the only thing that works for me. I get rid of everything that doesn't make me feel a zing when I hold it. So yes, that includes basic things like scissors, etc., because I've found that when I surround myself with things that I really like, my entire environment becomes special. No mundane things I'm just putting up with.

The version that works better for me is : If this was covered in poop is it worth cleaning? Then if it is worth cleaning, does it bring me joy? If not I donate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We scheduled a pick up with the Vietnam Vets for two weeks from now. We felt bad tossing stuff but didn’t have patience for Buy Nothing. It will go to the curb to be picked over and then Vets will pick up the rest. It’s nice to have a deadline to fill boxes by!

I have an old hamper in the garage. I put donate stuff in it. When it is full I schedule VVA to come for a pick up.

I turn around all my hanger so that they are the wrong way at the start of the year. By the end of the year, if the hanger is till backwards, I get rid of the item. I do make exceptions for things like evening gowns etc.

A great place to start is to go through all your plastic storage containers. Match up lids and containers. No lid? Toss it! Old, no container? Toss it.

[Anonymous]

I love using what I have before buying anything new with that being said I don't need mass amount of stuff just like a PP said let the stores hang onto them until I need them. There are some great ideas on this thread. Keep them coming!

[Anonymous]

I spent 45 mins decluttering my office My goal is to declutter a new space each week. I find it helpful to set a timer on my phone and I leave my phone where I am focusing, so if I get distracted, I know where my focus is supposed to be. I don't actually buy much, but there are things that have accumulated from parents, etc. over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never have this issue as I do not just buy every little trinket I see. Try cultivating some self control in 2025, OP.

An you can work on humility, PP.

[Anonymous]

This morning I went on a spontaneaus blitz of our (very small) upstairs bathroom (shared by 2 adults and 2 teens). I noticed that there were about 12 toothbrushes in the little rack that holds them. So I bought 4 new toothbrushes, told everyone to pick a color, and threw the rest out. I also cleared out ton of random products my teen girls don't use anymore. It was so satisfying...

[Anonymous]

This morning I went on a spontaneaus blitz of our (very small) upstairs bathroom (shared by 2 adults and 2 teens). I noticed that there were about 12 toothbrushes in the little rack that holds them. So I bought 4 new toothbrushes, told everyone to pick a color, and threw the rest out. I also cleared out ton of random products my teen girls don't use anymore. It was so satisfying...

[Anonymous]

just decluttered my office. So much paper to trash. Based on the age of things, last time I decluttered was 2020...I wonder why?

For kitchen decluttering motivation, try your top and bottom kitchen shelves and bottom drawers. I bet you can fill a box with zero regrets.

I decluttered my bathroom closet two weeks ago and now it's so big and spacious.Before, crammed with random stuff.

Good luck y'all.

[Anonymous]

It’s ’pare down.’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Love this thread, thanks!! The above is the approach I am trying to take. 10-15 mins a day during minor wait periods. Cooking, waiting for a kid. So far I’ve cleaned a couple of drawers. I have to manage the size so I do t make it a big project.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apartment therapy has the 21 day January home cure starting tomorrow.

So far I'm not impressed- it feels very random and ad hoc.