Backwards

Ok, girls,

ALL of the hangers in my closet have been hung backwards.

 I will turn them around as I wear each piece.

By December there will be no doubt about which clothes I have worn 

and which clothes I haven't, and therefore don't need.

(I promise to donate all the unworn clothes to charity.)

I once heard someone say that we wear the same 40 pieces, over and over, 

and everything else in our closet is just a waste of money and space.

It will be very interesting to see how it all turns out for me.

Whoever thought of this was a genius!

Easiest way to sort out a closet!

I can just sit here and let time do the work for me.

:-) 

Anybody want to join me?

106!!! Decluttering Goal Reached

I reached my 2013 decluttering goal back in November.

But I was so busy getting ready for company to arrive and the holidays
that I never got around to posting about it.

So here goes:

68. Sorted through my yarn bin and donated ones I won't use in future

69. Sorted through three mountains big piles of papers

70. Shredded a huge mound of personal/financial papers

71. Cleaned out under kitchen sink (And discovered we have a slow leak! Eeeek!)
72-76. Tossed old yucky stuff from kids bathroom cabinets and drawers and
organized all the hotel sample shampoos/lotions into a jar for guest use.

77-82.  Organized and tossed a bunch of old grungy stuff in master bath drawers

83-84. Cleared and sorted dresser tops in son's room and master bedroom

85-86. Cleared and sorted two boxes under beds in kids rooms

87. Sorted and donated unwanted white/cream quilting fabrics
89-90. Packed up two boxes of children's books and mailed them to my daughter

91-97. Sorted, sized and donated clothes from seven dresser drawers

98. Recycled another pile of magazines and catalogs

99- 102. Organized and tossed old junk from four shelves in upstairs cleaning closet

103-105.  Tossed outdated food items from three shelves in kitchen pantry 

And...

106. In December I packed up a box of my Christmas ornaments 

and mailed them off to my niece.
Her very first tree was looking kinda bare, and I had way more than I could use.

So that brings me to a grand total of 106 spaces (drawer, shelf, etc...)
cleaned-up/cleared-out/donated/recycled/organized/decluttered for the year!  

What a liberating feeling to send these things I no longer needed to a new home.

How did you do?

Empty Spaces

Things were so busy this spring I got really far behind

  on the decluttering goal I set for myself:  Sort through 100 spaces by Thanksgiving.

But we scheduled a garage sale for June, so I had to kick things into high gear.

So much for clearing things out a little bit at a time.

In the past three/four weeks I sorted through:

10 shelves in the kitchen (still more to go in there)

15 drawers in my craft room/office  (still more to go in there)

7 shelves in the china cabinet and buffet in the dining room

7 storage bins and shelves in the basement

4 storage boxes from son's college house

20 shelves, drawers and storage  boxes in my daughter's room 

(still more to go in there, too, but she promised to do some of it herself 

when she comes home in a couple of weeks.)

Whew!  

That's 63 spaces!

Add the 4 from before and I've reached 67!

I like seeing some empty spaces!

We sent sports equipment, small appliances, books,

bedding and curtains, glassware and dishes, holiday decor,

crafting and quilting supplies, and tons more 

off to new homes, where they will be appreciated and used.

Things that didn't sell are already packed in my van, ready to donate.

(No, they may not come back into our house.)

Just as our sale was ending, the skies opened up and it rained.

We felt it was a rather symbolic way to end our day of letting things go.

So, how is the decluttering coming along at your house?


* * * * *
PS- I'm going to give threaded comments a try.
I think it might help the flow of conversation to keep replies with the comments.
Have any of you already started using it?
(Be sure to check back here for answers to any questions in your comments.)

100 Spaces- The Decluttering Continues

Last year I made some pretty good progress towards making my home less cluttered.  I participated in the 366 challenge, and sent unwanted things packing. (One item for each day of the year.)  But the job is not done.  (Is it ever?)  I need to keep plugging away at it, so that eventually I will be where I want to be; living a simpler, less cluttered life.  With less "stuff",  I will spend less time searching for things, less time dusting, and more time focusing on my family and friends and the things that I want to enjoy.

This year, instead of counting items that I'm getting rid of,  I'm going to count the spaces that I sort through, clean up, clear out and organize;  each shelf, each drawer, each cupboard, each pile of paper,  counts as one space.  And for the most part I will try to concentrate my efforts in one area at a time (instead of just going willy-nilly all over the house) so that I feel like I have accomplished something. 

My goal is to tackle at least 2 spaces each week (8-10 spaces each month), with a final goal of 100 spaces by Thanksgiving. 

I made the decision to break this de-cluttering job into small spaces, rather than whole rooms, because I just don't have time (or energy) to do a big area all at once.  So instead of getting frustrated, I'm breaking the work down into small pieces that I can manage.   I can do this!  

So far I have:

1. Sorted through Christmas tree ornaments.  (I did this on Jan 1 as I packed everything up to put away.)

2. Looked through a big stack of magazines and pulled out just a few pages that I will file away for inspiration later. (I save very little now, because so much can be found online and saved on Pinterest.)

3. Organized the kitchen junk drawer.

4. Sorted through the kitchen-linens drawer. (It's so nice to have empty space in the drawers now.  Room to breathe.)

Things going bye-bye include  several decorations,  many magazines, Scentsy wax (a scent I don't care for), old thermometers, plant food packets,  old tea towels,  old dishrags (I got pretty new ones for Christmas!  So get rid of those ugly old stained ones!) and an  old wrap-around apron that I made when I was 20-something.  (Guess what, friends? At 50-something that apron does not fit me anymore.  Imagine that.  I honestly don't know why I still have it!)  

Anyway, this is just the start.  I'll probably post once a month to let you know how close I am to  reaching my 100 spaces goal.  If any of you want to join me, you are welcome.

*  *  *  *  *

When I sort, I ask myself these questions to help decide what to keep and what to get rid of:

Do I love it?

Do I use it?

Do I have space for it?

Does it reflect who I am and the life I want for myself?

Does it fit me right now? Have I worn it in the last year?

Will I read it again?

Is it a duplicate?

Is it broken? Does it have missing pieces?
Who gave it to me?

Items can be thrown away, recycled, donated to a charity of your choice, put in a garage sale, sold on e-bay, given to a friend, tossed over the fence into your neighbors yard (Ok, maybe not that) ...whatever... as long as they leave your house.

If I'm not sure, I can put it away in a six-month-box.   If I need to get it out to use it during those 6 months,  now is probably not the right time to get rid of it.  On the other hand if I never even think about it,  it's probably safe to toss it.

No, I will not be chucking family heirlooms or all of my collections or my crafting stash.  But I will be getting rid of the useless junk that fills my house, things that don't fit me, things I never should have bought to begin with.  And by doing that,  I will create space to display the sentimental family items and collections I love.

366 Challenge Complete!

Get rid of the things you don't care about,

to make room for the things you do.

Keeping that saying in my head all year long

helped me to reach my 366 Challenge goal today!

I have cleared 366 items from my home,

one thing for every day of this leap year.

Not everything made it into these pictures, but you get the idea. 

Most of these items are being donated/recycled,

and a couple will be sent to someone I know who will enjoy them.

I left off at number 283,  so here goes:

284.  bag of hangers

285.  desk organizer

286-288.  tea towels (3)

289.  delft tile

290-293.  picture frames (4)

294.  boom box

295.  binder

296.  package of plastic cups

297. cups (2)

298.  firetruck

299.  trash bin

300-309.  books (10)

310.  small chest

311.  magnets

312-313.   ironing hams (2)

314.  swinging pendulum sculpture

315.   glass box full of seashell soaps

316-319.  Christmas sweaters (4)

320-321.  purses (2)

322.  crock pot

323.  markers

324.  floral decor

325. navy shorts

326.  socks

327.  teal polo shirt

328.  mattress cover

329.  calculator

330.  cleaning bottle

331- 343.  Halloween decor (13)

345-347.  pillows (3)

348-350.  plastic party serving trays (3)

351-354.  gift wrap bags (4)

355-356.  Americana bowls (2)

357-359.  grocery bags full of magazines to recycle (3)

360.  bag of shredded papers out of my files

361. set of dolly stamps

362. Fiskars edger

363.  brown sweatshirt

364. striped henley

365. framed photo of the Beatles

366. bottle of room spray

And there you have it!  366 things hauled out of here. Gone.

Are you close to reaching your goal?

I realize that I still have a LOT of things that could should must go,

so I will very likely continue with 365 things next year.

But with the holidays approaching I am glad to have this project finished!

Goodbye Junk, Hello Clean Linen Closet

The 366 purge continues.

(One item for every day of the year.)

This weekend I sorted through more of the holiday decor boxes 

and totally emptied and re-organized the hall linen closet.

More old junky stuff leaving this house.

Picking up where I left off: 

225.  Horrible shiny pink dress from the 80's  

(WHY did I still have this big-shouldered-monstrosity in my closet? LOL!!)

226.   Blue sandals that are too big for me

227.  Scented lotion that just isn't my favorite

228-240.  lots of Easter bunnies and other holiday decor (13)

241- 242.   Holiday door wreaths (2)

243-244.    Blankets  (2)

245-246.  the last of the twin sheet sets  (2)

247- 258.   Decorative towels (12)

 259- 281.   Old towels, hand towels, washrags (23)

282-283.  Water proof mats (2)

These are now G. O. N. E. 

The old towels will go directly to a local pet rescue shelter. 

And I only have 83 items to go to reach my goal by the end of the year. 

 How are you doing with your decluttering and clearing out?  

My sheet sets are folded and placed inside a matching pillowcase

to make changing beds easy. 

These days all our beds are queens, so I don't have to keep sizes separated.

I ended up with a whole empty shelf that I used for extra blankets. 

And there is still  more than enough here for just the two of us and the occasional kid or guest.

See the towels tied with ribbon and placed on a top shelf?

Now the guest towels won't get mixed in with the ones we use every day
and I can keep them looking fresh and pretty.

A close up on a stack of beautifully embroidered pillowcases. 

Yes, they get used regularly on all the beds at our house. 

So glad to have this closet neat and clean again.


* * * * *
If' you'd like to join in the 366 Challenge to rid your house of unwanted items,
let me know and I'll add your name to the list here.
And see my sidebar for all my past 366 Challenge posts.

More Junk and Donations

I'm rooting junk out of all the nooks, crannies. closets and drawers.

Finding lots more things that can go!!

And getting closer to reaching my 366 Challenge goal!

Boo hoo... broken things.  Oh well, it happens.

(Anyone know a mosaic artist who could reuse these broken bits of china/pottery?)

(I'm missing photos of a few things. 

I dropped a box off at the donation center 

and then realized I had not taken a picture.  Too late!)

At last count, I had reached #118.  So I'll continue from there:

119.   Tablecloth

120-121.   Napkins (2 sets)

122-125.  Table runners (3)

126- 131.  Picture frames (6)

132-133.  Tea towels (2)

134- 144.  Huge sack full of artificial flowers and greenery 

145.  Cookie jar with broken lid.

146.  Broken bowl

147.  Broken plate

148.  Big pile of old computer software and manuals

149- 160.  Old computer games and programs (12)

161-165.  Computer memory, ports and cables (5)

166-167.  Poly quilt batting (2)

168.  Bushel basket

169.  Teddy bear

170.  Old beach towel

171. Twin mattress pad

172. Twin sheet set

173-224- Books (51)

Yipeeeeeee!!!  Yahoooooo!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!  224 things gone from my house !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 142 more to go.

Letting go of things you no longer want or need is easier than you think.

And this is how I feel right now:

I'm doin' a happy dance!

I invite you to join me in the 366 challenge! 

 It's never too late to start.

116 !!

Someone asked if I was still decluttering here at my house.  

And the answer to that is a big YES! 

I get a smile on my face every time another pile leaves the premises.

For those of you who are new to my blog,

I'm taking the 366 challenge,

and I invite you to join me.

I am trying to donate or toss 366 things from my house this year.
(Things I no longer have a use for.)

One item for every day of the year.

Here are the latest things to go
(Not everything shows up very well in these pictures.
But this gives you a pretty good idea.)

My last count reached 62, so I'm starting from there.

63-64   old jeans (2)

65-67   outgrown shorts (3)

68   shirt

69   silver hoop earrings

70   scarf

71   phone

72   plastic bin

73-74   glasses (plastic and glass)

75-76   twin sheets (2 sets)

77- 80  several towels and washrags

81   fleece blanket

82- 84   candles

85   stuffed animal cow

86-87   decorative pillows (2)

88   cable

89   glass canister

90-91   cracked bowl and mug

92   broken kitchen utensils

93-105   books 

106   pile of kids valentines and stickers

107   bike  water bottle attachment

108   Christmas decorations and collectibles (3)

109   candleholder

110   pile of magazines

111   calendar

112- 115    four years worth of taxes and financial papers- shredded

116   another phone 

116 items gone!!!  YAY!!

I'm almost a third of the way towards my reaching my goal!!  And it's only February. Only 250 items to go.  

Old towels will be taken to our local animal shelter.  One of the phones will be mailed to the cell phone recycling center.   Broken things will be tossed, as they are no good to anyone.   And the rest will be donated.   How are you coming along with your decluttering?

Update:  Oops, I just realized that I didn't count all three of the Christmas collectibles so the total number really should be 118!  I'll just sneak the proper number in here.  (Aren't you glad I'm not your accountant? Ha ha!  Don't worry, they won't EVER give me a job that has anything to do with numbers.)  Only 248 left to go! 

* * * * * * *

Don't forget that I'm having a giveaway!

Click here to see how to enter.

The 366 Challenge Continues

Hey, how are you all doing with your 366 challenge?

More junk and unnecessary stuff is being cleaned out of my house today.

In my previous 366 Challenge post, I reached number 15.   So I'll pick up where I left off counting.

16.  Wall paper tray

17.  4 partial rolls of old wall paper

18-24.   Lace doilies from the 80's  (6)

25-26.  Lace curtain panels  (2)

27-33.   Books (7)

34.  Bag full of little kids party prizes

35.  Bag full of drawer pulls

36.  Picture frame

37.  Chipped blue china saucer

38-40.  Sachets (3)

41- 53.  Christmas tree ornaments (13)

54.  Magnet

55.  Sweatshirt

56.  Dish towel

57.  Candle light lid 

58.  Spare vinyl blind pieces

59.  Gift bag

60. Flameless Candle scent refills 

61. whole bag full of dried out tubes of spackle, silicone, grout and joint compound  (not pictured)

62.  two yard sprinkler spikes (not pictured)

Yes, that is 62 items going, going, gone!   YAY!   Only 304 more to go!  

Here are some helpful hints as you go through your house.

ASK  YOURSELF these questions to help yourself decide if you will keep or let go of something:
Do I love it?
Do I use it?
Do I have space for it in my house?
Does it fit me right now?
Have I worn it in the last 12 months?
Will I read it again?  Or need to refer back to it?
Is it a duplicate?
Is it damaged or broken?  Are all the pieces there?


Start a 6 MONTH BOX for things you are unsure about.  I don't want anyone to have purgers regret.  So if you are not sure, put it away in a box for 6 months... if you need to get it out to use, or miss it a lot, maybe now is not the right time to get rid of it.   If, on the other hand, you never even think about it in those 6 months, it's probably OK to go bye bye.  


Please don't think that I am saying you should get rid of Grandma's heirloom china.  Quite the opposite.  Get rid of the icky, junky stuff you have, so that you have room to display the china you love in a way that will honor your Grandma.  


Have FUN with the process.  Turn on the radio and for two songs,  go through your room picking out all the things you don't want anymore.    


And be sure to let me know how you're doing!

(Anyone else want to join me in clearing the junk and unwanted stuff from your homes?  See this post or this page for more info on the 366 Challenge.)

Your Sagging Cupboards And Overstuffed Closets Will Thank You!!

Over the  past year I heard a lot of people complain that they had too much junk at their house and they needed to sort through it and get rid of a bunch of it.  That they had so much in their basements and in their closets that they didn't even know where to find things.   Then a blogging friend mentioned that she had taken a 365 challenge last year.  I thought that was a wonderful idea!

 So Ladies.... here is your chance to clear things out.   I'm starting the new year with a "366 Challenge" (it's leap year)  and I invite you to join me.    

Between now and Dec 31 2012, I'm going to try to donate, gift or toss at least 366 items from my home.  One item for every day of the year.  Yes, that is right... 366 items out of here this year.   Think how much lighter the house will feel by next December!

I'm  going to get rid of things I've outgrown, things I've already read, things that don't suit my taste anymore, duplicates, and things I must have been crazy to buy in the first place.   :-)

I can give things away to friends who collect, donate to a charity, sell things in a garage sale, sell things on e-bay,  or throw broken stuff in the trash.  It just can't come back in the house.  I can get rid of  7 things each week or  31 things each month.   But one way or another, 366 are gonna be outa here by the end of the year.   (If you don't make it to 366 that's OK.  Just do the best you can.)

I've already got my first pile ready to go.   Yay!!

1. Blue taper candles (4)

2. Snowman dinner plate

3. Stacked snowman decoration

4. Candycane pin

5. Rustic sheep decoration

6. Butter dish (with no lid)

7. Book-  PS What I Didn't Say

8. Book- The Time Travelers Wife

9. Book-Brer Rabbit

10. Book- Jantsen's Gift

11. Book- Wonder Play

12. Lotion (unopened)

13. Hand gel (unopened)

14. White taper candles (6, not pictured)

15. Vintage Tavern angel candle.

Only 351 things to go. 

C'mon and declutter with me!!   It will make you feel good to let go of things you don't want or need.   Your sagging cupboards and overstuffed closets will thank you!  Remember, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure, and these things can all go to someone else who needs them or will appreciate them more.   

(Let me know if you want to join in.  I'll start a list, so we can all encourage one another.)  

Update:  See the 366 Challenge page under my blog header.