Decluttering progress

When I look back over everything I’ve de-cluttered this year, it amazes me. I’ve gotten rid of a lot. I’ve gone through almost everything I set out to do. I’ve left a few projects that I haven’t been ready to deal with, but I may still get to them this year. I even wrote Wayne’s office on the list, and he worked on cleaning that out a few weeks ago. I’ve given away, sold, or threw away over 20 large boxes of stuff. Now that’s progress.

Lacking motivation in clutter clearing

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been completely unmotivated to do anything (it seems), including finishing my October clutter clearing project. I’ve gotten rid of quite a few things this month, but then my motivation/energy stalled. I think part of this had to do with my diet, and over the last few days I changed it and I’m starting to feel a little better.

Motivation is a funny thing; it’s either there or it’s not. There’s no in between. And when it’s not…life doesn’t seem as productive, exciting or happy. I’ve also come to realize that is it essential to everyday life.

Donations after clutter clearing

Thursday, there’s a street pickup for clothes and small household items. I’ve collected several boxes full of stuff to put out. It always makes me feel good to get rid of stuff. I will try to get more stuff together to put out before Thursday morning.

All-in-all, I’ve donated about 10 large boxes full of stuff this year, I sent a few boxes of stuff to my nieces, I’ve sold a few boxes of stuff, and I have another box of stuff to take to a consignment store. Not too shabby.

Finding things I’d forgot about while clutter clearing

Today, I made another dent in my holiday closet. It amazes me how much stuff I have in there. I bought three large plastic bins last week, and separated out the different holiday decorations for each holiday. Most things went into piles to donate, sell or recycle. I went from three large boxes of Christmas decorations to one bin. I had decorations I love, but never use. Some are from the Bath and Body Works store I worked at a long time ago, and they are really nice; I think I might be able to sell them on KSL. There were some velvet table covers that I might be able to use around the house.

I also found some cool pics I forgot I had; one is shown below and it’s a drawing of me that someone did almost 8 years ago. I think I have a few more hours to finish the closet.

Getting sidetracked while clearing the clutter

One of the things that’s made clutter clearing more difficult is getting sidetracked by an item I’ve come upon or an idea. I can sometimes get sidetracked for hours, days or weeks by something I bought or an idea behind it. The best advice I can give is to set the item aside and finish the current task, and then take the time to review that item or idea.

This sense of execution also seems to apply to how we get things done in life, and might help with focus. I’ve had a difficult time focusing this year…mostly on what needs to get done or what is important. I hope that having an organized home helps with that (by the end of the year).

Seeing the benefits of clutter clearing

My bedroom is one of the rooms that is perfectly organized and only contains items I use. It’s nice to be able to easily access what I need when I need it. It will be great when the whole house is this same way.

Clearing the clutter in the holiday closet

Today, I started clearing the clutter in my holiday closet.  Ironically, I pulled out a few items for Halloween and put them up in the house, but the majority of the Halloween decorations I don’t really like and don’t want to use. Obviously, I won’t be using these and they will be donated.

I also realized that it’s time to invest in a few large plastic bins to store things in. I have been using cardboard boxes and they are falling apart and the items inside end up getting dusty. I’ll watch for a sale and buy some in bulk.

Ultimately, I’d like to get this closet down to a box or less of one holiday. I have quite a few boxes of decorations for Christmas…so this might be hard.  And yet, we don’t use all of them and many need to go.

Last summer, we started having people over to play cards and we are typically outside. So a new addition to this closet is all of the summer plastic outdoor items we use. I’ll need some space for this too.

It’ll be nice to get this closet organized and have a little more space in it.  Since the closet is in the guest room, it would also be nice if I have some space for our guests to hang some clothes as well.

If you don’t buy it, it won’t need to be added to the clutter pile later on

Yesterday, I went to lunch with some friends and afterwards we walked to a few clothing stores. I had a difficult time even entertaining the idea of buying anything. Most of the items I looked at felt cheap; I even managed to talk my friends out of buying anything (one was standing in line to pay at the time). I found myself thinking about what I already owned and didn’t use. It seemed overwhelming to even think about buying anything. I see this as progress. 🙂

Before and after photos of clutter clearing

Here are some before and after photos of the clutter clearing I’ve completed in the basement living room and closet. At the beginning of the year, there was so much stuff in these areas that I had a difficult time locating items when needed. It’s amazing the room we have now. We’ve been using the living room area almost daily and my closet is easy to access and find items. I love it.