What did you declutter today? Part II

[disneysteve]

With holidays approaching, it helps to have at least public rooms de-cluttered and 'company ready.' It avoids the stress of those frantic clean-ups, shove stuff anywhere temporarily out of sight before the guests arrive.

This was largely what got me fed up and started on this challenge. Every time we had people coming over, we'd spend a day or two before cleaning up, clearing piles, putting stuff away and making the house somewhat presentable. It was exhausting. I finally realized that if we didn't have all of the excess crap lying around, straightening up for company wouldn't be nearly as big a deal.

You are absolutely right that just shoving stuff in closets and drawers wasn't a viable solution because then we'd lose track of things and just have unusable closets and drawers. We needed to start getting rid of all of the stuff that we didn't really want or need or love. Then, once that is done, we can figure out how to organize what remains so that it is usable and accessible without being messy.

[bjl584]

Hmmmm....I cleaned out the medicine cabinet recently. It's amazing how much expired stuff I found in there.

[disneysteve]

Hmmmm....I cleaned out the medicine cabinet recently. It's amazing how much expired stuff I found in there.

I am constantly advising patients to do this. I tell them to do it twice a year and throw out anything that is expired or more than a year old but doesn't have an expiration date. You'd be amazed what people bring in and show me they've been taking. The oldest was a woman who was taking vitamins that expired 10 years earlier. Just last week, a woman came in and asked me to refill a skin cream she had been using. I looked at the box and I had ordered it for her in 2004. It expired in 2006 and she had just finished the tube, 6 years after getting it.

[Aleta]

For the last few days I have been cleaning out all newspapers especially Sundays. I also threw out all of expired October coupons, grocery sales papers, fast food restaurant coupons. I also went through any mail that I had laid to the side. I also went through some envelopes that had receipts from the various stores and discarded them. I also caught up on my house bookwork. Just staying on top of this stuff keeps you from allowing it to accumulate again. With the holidays coming up, now is a good time to get on top of extras that come into our lives. Maybe New Year wouldn't be such a dread if we were able to be a step ahead with the clutter.

It's a work in progress. I find that I have days that I do a lot and some that don't get very much done, but just being cognizant keeps you from forgetting.

There are a lot of good tips here and some that I'm using now. Thanks to all who contribute.

[snafu]

Challenge: Clear the kitchen counter[s]. Corral piles of paper BUT put the bills and invitations on the computer so you know exactly where they are on 'desk' day. Pitch/recycle menus, coupons, clippings, newspaper, old invitations. If you save receipts stuff them in an empty tissue box [they may be a jumble but they will all be in one place]. Sign any of DKs school papers and insist they put them in backpacks immediately.

Remove everything from the counter[s] EXcept those used daily like coffee maker. Ask appropriate age DKs or DH to take anything that belongs elsewhere to it's place. Items used weekly get cupboard or pantry space; heavy items below counter, lightest on upper space. Items used annually or a couple of times a year go in a laundry basket to facilitate a move to out-of-kitchen storage.

Cluttered counters are visually exhausting, you'll love having clear space.

[Homebody]

I just finished decluttering my countertops and cleaning my kitchen, came in to take a break at the computer!

Now I have the groceries from yesterday to find a place for. We need to rearrange our pantry in the garage, but that is my goal for the day.

Threw out an old frozen bag of Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets from Costco that were gross.

[marvholly]

41 items that have been in my trunk dropped (w/hangars) at charity resale Thur.

[disneysteve]

I just went through a large stack of mail that had accumulated in the kitchen. I also finally got to Goodwill today with 2 boxes from the garage that have been in my trunk for over a week.

[marvholly]

I still have an overloaded box of stuff in my foyer to go to Salvation Army. Maybe next week as we are moving my Dad back to his senior apt today.

[disneysteve]

Saturday morning decluttering time...

Entered some Coke Reward points
Got a large box full of smaller collectible boxes from our bedroom into the attic and got rid of two appliance boxes from the attic that we have no need to save.
Finally got the box from our new computer out of the hall where it had been since we got the computer a few months ago.
Did some general straightening up in the family room and computer room partly because DD has a classmate coming over this morning to work on a school project.
Worked on gathering old cell phones and accessories so that they can be donated. Have to match each phone with its charger and box. Haven't finished yet but got a couple ready to go.

[marvholly]

put togethr a bag of stuff from the medical supplies stash to take to my Dad so visiting nurse will not need to order/charge my Dad for.

Found an OLD work portfolio of late DH. Emptied it of work stuff (about 15 y/o-trashed) but saved the dividers for my use for bank & Investment statements.

Got 3 new magazines on Thur. All have been gone thru, coupons & recipies wanted cut out and remainder into recycle.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Bagged up 88 empty egg cartons for someone coming to pick them up tomorrow. This was another Craigslist connection and the third time over the years that I have given away a large lot of egg cartons. Plus I have a back-up claimant in case the first one is a no-show.

(If y'all are reading, thanks to J & M for teasing me into finding a recipient for these things. They truly had become a toppling tower beside the refrigerator. )

[disneysteve]

Joan, why on earth did you have 88 empty egg cartons?

[Aleta]

Those egg cartons are good for planting your seeds. Yesterday I decided to weed out my large area in the front yard. (Talking about decluttering). I didn't get into my usual perfectionism at making it look perfect. I did enough to make it look neat, deweeded and presentable. I also went through items that needed to be thrown out. I also cleared off the coumter (eating and preparation area) after Steve reminded me of clearing the counter. I'm working on the big stuff that don't take long and makes a big difference in the appearance.

[Aleta]

Egg Cartons and decluttering

Those EGG CARTONS are good for planting your seeds. Yesterday I decided to weed out my large area in the front yard. (Talking about decluttering). I didn't get into my usual perfectionism at making it look perfect. I did enough to make it look neat, deweeded and presentable. I also went through items that needed to be thrown out. I also cleared off the coumter (eating and preparation area) after Steve reminded me of clearing the counter. I'm working on the big stuff that don't take long and makes a big difference in the appearance