What did you declutter today? Part II

[Aleta]

Yesterday, I deleted 165 emails. I went through some papers and checkbooks but couldn't finish any particular project. I am still coming off of a very bad sinus and upper respiratory infection. Still have another 6 days of antibiotics to take. Am feeling better but I take on small tasks at a time. Disney Steve says it best when he says he trys to so something everyday. Even if I can only get rid of 165 emails, it is time consuming. That is 165 emails that I no longer have to deal with. I'm prioritizing what is important to do and the rest can wait until I'm better and stronger.

[disneysteve]

Disney Steve says it best when he says he trys to so something everyday. Even if I can only get rid of 165 emails, it is time consuming.

Exactly. The whole point of the original thread was a challenge to take care of at least one piece of clutter each day. Most who have become regulars on this thread are doing a lot more than one thing per day but just getting in that mindset and always being on the lookout for something that you can clean up, throw out, recycle, give away or sell is what is moving us all toward our goal of a cleaner, uncluttered, simpler life.

And don't downplay getting rid of "only" 165 e-mails. That's a huge accomplishment. I'm happy when I knock out 10 or 20.

[snafu]

Good going, the biggest challenge is to keep de-cluttered areas clear of clutter. If you've cleared off your computer desk...compel yourself to take 3 minutes to clear it before you shut 'er down. If you've cleared a space on the floor...don't let stuff land there again. It's great to give yourself a reward. Earn a quality coffee or glass of wine, chit chat with a friend, bike ride, bubble bath or whatever gives you a lift...well done.

Caught a TV interview with Peter Walsh, who is the current De-clutter guru. Seems he will have a new show on Oprah's network. He explained how important it was to keep flat surfaces clear...to be used for their major purpose. For example, the kitchen counter is needed for food preparation, so keep piles of mail, bills, papers, and junk off the counter. Basically said the same thing about the table to facilitate eating dinner. I liked the boxes/baskets lined up in the laundry area to keep the floor clear, clothes folded on a wide shelf/counter or even the machines and stacked in baskets that go to a specific room or specific person. No stacks of laundry here, there, anywhere!

Just making the bed before leaving the BdRm. makes a huge difference. If you do it for 28 consecutive days, it becomes a habit...according to the researchers. I love having one of those shopping bags we're encouraged to use instead of plastic...at the door, to dump all the junk mail, un-addressed mail, brochures, flyers, ad books etc. not getting into our living quarters. Those contents are easily added to the recycle bin

[disneysteve]

Caught a TV interview with Peter Walsh, who is the current De-clutter guru. Seems he will have a new show on Oprah's network.

I just read an interview with him. He said something interesting. He said that clutter tends to be of two types. There is "memory" clutter that we keep to hold onto our past and there is "in case I need it" clutter that we keep out of anxiety about the future. The problem is that both prevent us from living in the present and enjoying life today.

[Aleta]

Someone on this thread pointed out a site called The daily green.com. Somehow a photo sticks out in your mind and when you go there, you see a simple bowl of fruit on a counter. There is nothing else around it and I just thought about how I loved the uncluttered look to of the counter and it encouraged me to clear everything off of my counter. Everyday I have that photo in my mind and it encourages me to not allow unwanted items to be there. If only I could get my other half to see the same vision. Maybe, we should take those photos and put them in the areas that we want to be free of clutter.

[disneysteve]

Someone on this thread pointed out a site called The daily green.com. Somehow a photo sticks out in your mind and when you go there, you see a simple bowl of fruit on a counter. There is nothing else around it and I just thought about how I loved the uncluttered look to of the counter and it encouraged me to clear everything off of my counter. Everyday I have that photo in my mind and it encourages me to not allow unwanted items to be there. If only I could get my other half to see the same vision. Maybe, we should take those photos and put them in the areas that we want to be free of clutter.

I may have shared this before, but every year when we go to Florida, we rent a house or condo and I always love the clean, uncluttered space. It is so nice to come back to each day. Then we come home and it is back to the mess. After this year's trip, having just spent 2 weeks in that environment, is when I started the original decluttering thread.

[My English Castle]

More Stuff out Today!

Again, my blog has more details including the $50 gift certificate find in the 10-year-old wedding cards, but we've hauled up a huge box to load into the car for the charity shop, made a box of books to donate to the library sale, found a recycler for the old small TV in the basement, and I hope--a spot for some moving boxes. During the football game I went through more stuff--bills, mail, my mom's old jewelry box. My goal is to get this all out the door tomorrow!

And I'm with you DS on the uncluttered hotel room. Is there anything more peaceful?

[snafu]

The experience of clearing-out my parent's home to ready for sale when they passed was a powerful incentive to de-clutter and keep stuff in check. Downsizing from house to condo crystallized sayings like "a place for everything and everything in it's place" into daily actions. There are so many external stresses that we can't control, it's empowering to control your home and it's stuff. [It's a great opportunity to improve and practice your negotiating skills with all the other family members]. You 'might need it, some day', but will you find it? Not very cost effective for your wallet or your blood pressure if you need to go buy another because you don't know where it is. 'Being Organized Means Doing Whatever Helps You Function...Nothing More...Nothing Less'

I sure get the sentimental/emotional/memory aspect of holding on to stuff. I got a powerful lesson from DSIL. If everything has sentimental value, it diminishes space available for new items or products or even new ideas. It's impossible to give all things equal value. Over time value is lost and stuff morphs into clutter with no value particularly if you imagine a family member having to prepare your home for an estate sale.

One solution is to create an attractive Memory Box. The point is to keep only your most important, sentimental objects/items and when it gets fullish, review what is still the most important to you releasing those whose importance has diminished.

[Slug]

Today I shredded 8 grocery bags of old financial statements. It's amazing to compare paystubs from when I was first starting out to where I am now.

How liberating! The recycling guys will pick it up tomorrow.

[My English Castle]

wow! Eight bags full!

We did a bit more modest dejunking. DH took the old TV to Best Buy where they took it when he bought a $10 gift card. I took a couple of shoe boxes to church for next year's Operation Christmas Child, and a freecycler came to pick up some kids' software. Not massive, but gone!

[disneysteve]

I'm in the midst of doing more work in our computer room and just taking a break. I removed a stack of papers from the computer desk, most of which got recycled and some that need to be filed.

I went through a file drawer that was mostly empty. What it did hold was just old papers and catalogs from when my wife used to sell Tupperware (2003-2004). All of that went into the recycling pile as there is no need to still have any of that stuff at this point. So there is now one entire file drawer that is completely empty. I'm sure that will come in handy for something.

In the center of the room is some assorted stuff that is primarily DW's scrapbooking supplies but I decided to start going through it because I figured there was some of my stuff mixed in. If I can take care of what isn't hers, it'll be easier for her to sort through what remains. So that's what I'm working on right now. A number of things have already been removed, recycled, trashed or added to the Goodwill pile.

Back to the clutter....

[marvholly]

Sunday was a cooking & watch football (Go Bears) day for me. Meal plan for the week was written down. However, I did cut & file the weekend coupon inserts. Sun paper was read and put into recycle. Sat I hit up the discount card place and got bday cards for the 5 bdays b/4 July.

My excel budgeting spreadsheets for 2010 were checked and are printed and ready for tax time. My website login ID & password info has been updated and reprinted.

[Aleta]

I went through and discarded all of last weeks sales, grocery flyers, expired coupons, and went throough some mail. All went out in the recycling bin and was picked up today.

I also deleted some emails.

I also defriended someone that I felt was a negative for me. About 2 months ago, I defriended a whole side of a family because of grape-vine gossip and others in the family having access to my page through a family member. I just got rid of most family. It's better to have a facebook page for a family. I'm hearing alot of people complaining about not wanting their family members on their facebook. When you dread opening up your facebook for any new drama; it's time to defriend them. Just explain that your facebook is only for close friends and classmates. That is decluttering on a new level.

[marvholly]

Aleta
I am considering signing up for facebook ONLY for the great oupons now being offered there. I have NO intention of befriending anyone. I am a bit hesitant because of some of the privacy & security issues that have happened in the past year.

The BEST way not to have to declutter is to never let it accumulate in the first place. Mon I was very good about this. I almost left the box of Cheerios on the counter but I put it way. I used the immersion blender, immediately washed it and put it away. I ran the dishwasher and put it all away. I did a load of laundry and folded/hung it all.

As I was dusting today I found 4 books to toss into recycle. I got 3 FREE calendars for 2011. One I am using on a daily basis. One I kept. Recycled the 3rd. Found a coupon magazine I get by mail every month from 1/09. Recycled. I just hope I can get it all put out today for my Tue pickup as it is supposed to snow, sleet, freezing rain today.

While I was watching the mid-day news to catch the weather (3” of snow predicted) and news I reviewed 3 f the magazines I have saved. I cut out 1 recipe and recycled the rest. I probably have 10-12 to go.

[minnie1928]

Today I shredded 8 grocery bags of old financial statements. It's amazing to compare paystubs from when I was first starting out to where I am now.

How liberating! The recycling guys will pick it up tomorrow.

I have a feeling that my kids will be home (again) due to the weather. I think I'll put them to work and have them shred! Gets it off my plate and they can earn a little $$. Recycling comes tomorrow too!