I recently did an interview on simplicity with Mohamed Tohami for his blog Midway Simplicity. I really enjoy what Mohamed writes about at his blog and he seem to me to be a genuinely nice fellow as well. You can read more about his goal for Midway Simplicity here.  Mohamed is also the bestselling author of The Pharaohs Code (Creating a Joyful Life and a Lasting Legacy).

Without further adieu here it is the interview.

This Weekend’s Mini Missions

Saturday ~ Spy and declutter something soft.
Sunday ~ Spy and declutter something made of fabric.

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

There were so many great comments for the “Enough! It’s time to get rid of this stuff!” post this week that I didn’t want to single any out. If you haven’t read them go back and take a look and add your story.

This comment from Lena was very interesting and it also shows how far she has come in her declutter and concern and action for environment welfare.

Grace is starting to enjoy the benefits to decluttering. Read about it in this comment.

Toffee made me laugh with this question she said I should add to the Declutter Decision Making Guide. And I did add it.

Judith had a good point with the comment she sent in. My husband uses a similar digital upload site to save our important documents.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is a short helpful article from moneysavingmom.com on What to do when a gift becomes clutter

Here is a little Feng Shui advice about clutter.

This link isn’t about decluttering but about how hip my town is. Newcastle has a vibrant art scene, great cafes and beautiful beaches. So scroll down take a look at where I live.

Here’s a fun little quiz from fellow Aussie Peter Walsh.

Quite often when I link to The Minimalists their post are not universally well received but I thought this one made some good points about consumerism.

Today’s Mini Mission

Spy and declutter something metallic.

Today’s Declutter Item

I used this wire can rack for years in my pantry but the last time I decluttered in there I decided to set it aside. The design of my pantry makes using this item rather awkward and I don’t stock very many cans anyway. I haven’t missed it so it is out of here.

Wire Can Rack

Something I Am Grateful For Today

 Old reruns of Frasier.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Some time ago I compiled a decision making guide for my readers to use as a tool to help them choose what should stay and what should go. I haven’t mentioned it for a while so I thought I might bring it to the fore today so that you can refresh your minds  on the strategies of letting go. So here is the guide…

Questions to ask yourself when you are deciding what stays and what goes when decluttering.

• How long since I last used this:- If you are keeping an item just because maybe you might need it some day then it is probably clutter.
  
• Is it still useful to me:- Do I still use this item or even participate in the activity that this item is used for if not then it’s clutter.
  
• Is it in working condition:- If an item is broken and you do not have the expertise to repair it or you are not prepared to pay the price to have it fixed then it is clutter.
  
• How many do I have and how many do I need:- If you have multiples of a certain item but only ever need one then the others are most likely clutter.
• Do I need this item for the information it contains:- So much information is right at your finger tips these days on your computer and it is constantly updated do you really need to keep a library of books whose information may or may not stand the test of time.
• Do I like it:– If you are keeping something that was given to you even though you do not like it, it is definitely clutter.
• Do I really need this item in order to remember good times or lost loves:-If it is an item that has purely sentimental value yet you never get it out and look at it then there is a good chance you don’t need it to remind you of the good times you had and the wonderful people you have known. If it means so much to you put it out where you can see it if not let it go.
• Am I keeping this item out of guilt:- I paid a lot of money for this so I hope one day I will get my money’s worth out of it (old hobby items, sporting equipment, expensive clothing all fall into this category). These are the items you need to cash in on now and sell while they are still useful to someone else.
• Do I want to clean it:- Any item out on display will require dusting at least.
  
• Do I want to store it:-Do you have the space to store this item or is it just taking up precious space you can’t afford. 
  
• Do I want to move it out of the way when looking for something else:- The more items you have taking up space in your home the more likely they are going to get in the way of each other forcing you to have to shuffle things around when you do have cause to use them.
  
• Does it have a real purpose other than looking pretty:-This one speaks for itself. Although I like to have some nice objects to enjoy just for their appearance there is a limit to how many I can accommodate or justify.
  
• Will I be tired of it in six months:- This is a good question to ask before even acquiring an item in the first place.
  
• Do I want to pack and unpack this item when we move in a couple years:- This is a critical question for anyone who tends to move location on a reasonably regular basis due to work commitments for example.
• If this item had been taken from you and sold to a pawn shop (by a junkie friend or an evil in-law, whatever) would you buy it back? :- I bet there will be a lot of items that you wouldn’t waste your money on,  however low the cost. These are the things that need to go! (Thanks Gogol for this tip)

* * * * * * *

This guide can be a great help especially when sentimentality or “I might need it some day” ideas starts seeping in. These days I rarely have to think past “Do I want this item cluttering up my house or do I want it gone?” Gone usually wins. My desire to declutter my home now tends to override any petty reasons for keeping things that aren’t loved or well utilised. The chances are if you are considering an item for decluttering it is probably just that, clutter.

I never look at the pots and pans, my hairbrush, my one pair of slippers, the kitchen trash can or anything else I use everyday and think “Should I declutter those?” because I know they are useful. Same goes for useful items I use less regularly (such as my ironing board, the hairdryer, our ladder, or the immersion blender) or items I constantly enjoy like artworks, what’s left of my craft tools and my potted plants. Most other stuff that doesn’t fit into one of those categories does eventually end up as the focus of my declutter radar and is therefore more than likely clutter. Some things do pass the decision making test but that is a personal choice not because the item is essential to my existence. These items usually come under more scrutiny not to much further in the future and often end up sold or in the donation pile in the end.

So if all else fails and you still can’t come to a conclusion on a certain item then skip it and move on to something simpler to declutter. Chances are you will become more ruthless soon enough and wonder why you found in so hard to pull the trigger in the first place.

Today’s Mini Mission

Spy and declutter something shiny.

Today’s Declutter Item

These shiny gold bowls were given to me by my mother. I owned a couple of cups in the same style so she thought I would like the bowl which I did. They remind me of my grandmother and they are a good shape for eating cereal from. However I own plenty of other bowls that take up a lot less room that are also good for eating cereal from so these don’t need to clutter up my kitchen. I still have and use the cups that remind me of my grandmother and that is enough.

Shiny Gold Milk Glass Bowls

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Winning $10 on a scratch lottery ticket. I can exchange it for two more tickets and perhaps this time I will win a fortune. If not I will have had a few minutes of fun anticipation while scratching them. It is good to be easily amused. 😉

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Cindy’s Weekly Wisdom

Offices seem to be the center of the vortex of flotsam in a house, particularly paperwork. If you work outside the home, your office probably still has files that were set up by the previous holder of your job – files you haven’t looked at the entire time you’ve had the job. My desk and filing cabinet had “current” files that were five years old and notes that said “to file” on documents dating back to when the law firm was started.

Why do we do this? Do the phrases “paper trail” or “for our records” ring any bells with you?

Try to think how far back you really need to keep things. Ask the company auditor or attorney, if you have one and need guidance. In my office, the habit had been to scan everything and keep a hard copy. Why? One or the other, please. In addition, there are scans of documents without the attorney’s signature and a scan of the same document after the attorney has signed it. Just because it’s electronic, doesn’t mean it’s not clutter. If that document is needed again, sorting through two copies of everything (signed and unsigned) is not going to make finding it faster. When the final copy is scanned, the previous copies should be deleted.

I know some people want to keep all the scans to “show their work.” Again – think this through. Is it really necessary? Is it necessary for the first month and then no longer necessary? Necessary until you have your annual review and then no longer necessary? Make a note about when certain items can be eliminated. Cleaning up your work after yourself is a legitimate use of time. After all, if everyone saved everything, eventually your office would need a bigger server or additional file cabinet just to managed all that clutter.

In addition, sometimes keeping records can work against you instead of with you. I was once hired to purge a large business of all of its employment records that were more than 10 years old. Their legal department had decided that 10 years was how much was needed; however, some of the records were 20 years old. An former employee had sued, and because the records were there, in the cabinet, they were admissible in court. If the records had been destroyed in a timely fashion, the lawsuit could not have gone forward. It took me a month to pick through all those records!

There is the same temptation to keep everything in the home office. I shredded 13 pounds of documents that Dan had kept, including many years of pay stubs, utility bills for a house he hasn’t owned in 15 years, and credit card statements. Why did he keep these? “In case he needed them some day.” “For what?” I ask.

What’s needed is a regular system of purging. Maybe you do need to keep some records for a time. But, eventually, that time will pass. By then, it’s “out of sight, out of mind,” also known as clutter. How can you keep your paper trail from trailing back to the 1970s? Start at the front of the files and start purging, one folder at a time. It might be slow work, but one folder at a time, it will get done. I’m sure you’ll find entire files devoted to things unnecessary: a vehicle you no longer own, a project you decided not to start, a pet who has died. Next you’re going to need to revisit the files on an annual or semi-annual basis. Or, every time you put in a new piece of paper, you can take the last one out and discard it.

The second part of the process, of course, is to resist the temptation to file all these extra papers in the first place. Your credit card and utility statements are on-line, as are many of your investments and other business transactions. Maybe you don’t need a hard copy of these at all. Don’t keep records that you simple don’t need. There can be such a temptation to hold on “just in case.”

Think before you file, and you’ll only have to declutter once.

Today’s Mini Mission

Spy and declutter something electric.

Today’s Declutter Item

I didn’t have anything electric to declutter (surprisingly enough) so I instead I thought I would throw something in that is quite different. Years back (in our USA days) we accumulated a collection of naked back art pieces and since our bedroom is now less the half the size it used to be some have to go. These didn’t make the cut so they went off to the thrift store.

Original Art Works

Something to be grateful for today

A day without a long to-do list. Just tidying up a few loose ends and making some yummy onion soup.

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Wendy B, one of our 365ers, suggested I ask my readers the following question…

…”What made you decide ‘Enough! It’s time to get rid of this stuff!?”

So here is my story although most of you must know it well by now. My family and I moved back to Australia from the USA into a much smaller home in 2007. Our stuff wouldn’t fit so I eliminated the things that I couldn’t find a space for or didn’t want to keep.  I thought I would be dissatisfied with this much smaller home but I soon realised it was much easier to care for and decided I never wanted to clean a big home again. By this time the house didn’t look cluttered but all the storage spaces certainly were. Then after discussing retirement options with my husband many times we came to the conclusion that we would downsize homes again when or  maybe even before that occasion arose. Needless to say that in order for that to work we would have to eliminate more stuff from our lives. So due to a sudden brainwave on the third of January 2010 I decided that I would begin a belated new years resolution to declutter one thing a day from my home for an entire year. This challenge was spurred on by a desire to beat the odds that most people never see their resolutions through. Not only did I beat the odds and declutter a thing a day for that year but after two years, four months and fifteen days I have decluttered far more than I ever expected I would. But then I have never been one to do anything half heartedly.

So now the question is…”What made you decide ‘Enough! It’s time to get rid of this stuff!?” Share your stories with us in 200 words or less including what strategy you used to kick start your mission.

And I have another question for those who are struggling with committing themselves to the challenge to declutter…

“Why is it then that you still can’t seem to get started?”

I encounter this problem from time to time where people really are tired of the clutter but their fear of dealing with it overrides their ability to do anything about it. The problem usually is that they can’t see past the enormity of the task. But the reality is that the task is only as big a one thing. One thing today, one things tomorrow, one thing the next day… Just five minutes choosing something to set aside to find a new home for. It is easier to begin with decluttering things you will be happy to donate to the thrift store or things that are rubbish and need throwing away. These two categories are easy to get rid of quickly. The rubbish things can go straight in the bin and the thrift store items can be set aside until you have a load worth going out of your way to drop off. Some charities even pick up so use that option to make it even easer if available.

If anyone is reading this who is having troubles getting started please feel free to send me a message using my contact form or leave a comment and I will be happy to try to give you advice on where and how to begin. Just always remember one thing a day may not sound like much but it is more than nothing each day. Keep it simple and keep it going and before you know it you will start to see the progress both in your home and in your mind. Then momentum will keep you moving forward.

Today’s Mini Mission

Quickly spy and declutter something small.

Today’s Declutter Item

This cute little teapot was a gift from a friend two Christmases ago but it has a habit of dribbling the tea down its spouts and onto the counter every time I use it. I don’t have the patience for things that don’t work properly so it has to go.

Tiny Teapot

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I got a hug from my 20 year old son for mothers day. That is a rare and precious thing. The photo below is more in keeping with his usual ways of showing affection towards me.

Yes that is artist charcoal he has wiped all over my face. Little rat! And as you might be able to tell from my wet hair, I had just got out of the shower.

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

While at the thrift shop last week a man came in and donated some children’s books and board games. One of the board games was called Eye Spy which I found intriguing so I took a look. It contained game pieces a board and a pack of cards. The cards had instruction as to what to spy such as ~ Something red, Something small, Something flat ~ and I thought what fun. Then I thought I could use this idea in my mini missions so here goes. Have fun with it.

Monday – Spy and declutter something that smells.

Tuesday –  Spy and declutter something small.

Wednesday –  Spy and declutter something electric.

Thursday –  Spy and declutter something shiny.

Friday –  Spy and declutter something metallic.

Saturday –  Spy and declutter something soft.

Sunday –  Spy and declutter something made of fabric.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Today’s Declutter Item

All marking pens have a smell but that isn’t the reason I am getting rid of these. They are washable poster pens which I don’t need. I only use markers for addressing packages I am sending due to ebay sales. For that job I don’t need a marker that will smudge should the package somehow get wet. It is probably unlikely but better to be safe than sorry.

Marking Pens

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Enjoying the art at local galleries. The high school student show ArtExpress is on again and there are some very talented young people out there that is for sure.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Here is an Aussie decluttering video for you to enjoy.

Today’s Mini Mission
Declutter single use gadgets that you really don’t have a single use for.

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

I liked this comment thread started by Sanna but followed up with a conversation with Moni. I love it when someone says one small thing that changes the mindset of someone else in a positive way. Thanks Moni for helping Sanna see her stuff in a new light.

This comment from Maggie shows she is progressing well with her decluttering and learning about establishing new good habits along the way. Well done Maggie!

I love it when my readers have come so far that they are now able to help others with the decluttering needs. Deb J tells us in this comment how she is about to help out her friend.

I likes what Jane had to say in this comment about not having to directly ask people not to give toiletries as gift.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

The advice is this post is not written but suggested but it is certainly there. Check ing out at www.inoveryourhead.net ~ The-short-16-step-guide-to-getting-rid-of-your-crap

Does anyone know what happened to Tanya and minimalistpackrat.com her posts just stopped. Nevertheless her posts are still worth revisiting. Check this one out How-to-be-a-good-minimalist

I haven’t read much from Leo Babauta of Zen Habits lately but after reading this I think I should pay more attention to what he has to say in future. He is Leo’s tips on How To Live Well.

I am equally appalled and amused by the items feature at unclutterer.com on Unitasker Wednesdays but seriously  this item would have to be the most ridiculous I have witnessed so far.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter fiddly little kitchen items that have fallen under the radar but aren’t useful enough to keep.

Today’s Declutter Item

This small group of kitchen items are being decluttered for a number of reasons ~ don’t use, excess to my needs, don’t have a use for and unwanted items brought in by someone else. Most went to the thrift store.

Kitchen items that aren't essential to me

Something I Am Grateful For Today

The off switch on the TV remote control. It get used by me the instant my husband walks out the door in the morning and peace reigns for the rest of the day.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

When I asked readers to write in about topics they wanted me to discuss here at 365 Less Things Shirls sent in this request…

What to do with the dozens of body lotions and shower creams people keep giving me as gifts or that I’ve bought myself. My skin has become super sensitive in my old age and these products irritate rather than soothe. Trouble is, having opened them I can’t regift them or donate to the charity shop. Yet tossing them seems such a waste.

Rebecca B.A.R sent in this very good and helpful suggestion…

I would ask friends/family if they wanted them. If not, I would see if any of the local homeless shelters or the domestic violence office would want them to give to their clients.

~~~~~~~~~~

I would also say that just because the toiletries you have are open doesn’t mean you can’t donate them to a charity shop. They are not going to be eaten so I don’t see that they can’t be sold to someone who might want them. Just drop them off personally so you can check to make sure they are accepted.

If you are a member of a craft or social group why not take them along to your next get together and offer them to your fellow members with the explanation that you have become allergic to them. Don’t even worry if some of these product may have been given to you by the members of this group. They will understand when there are allergies involved and won’t make the same mistake of gifting you any in the future. In fact to avoid receiving any more toiletries as gifts in the furture would let all your friend loved ones know about this allergy problem.

In general I have a few suggestions when it comes to toiletries.

• Only buy one type of product at a time. One shampoo, one conditioner, one lotion, one sunscreen, one deoderant… Multiples just clutter up your space and add decision making time to your routine. (You may need a set for each bathroom)
• Do not buy a replacement until the current one is just about used up.
• Be a responsible consumer. If the product isn’t quite what you like persevere until it is all gone anyway. So long as you aren’t allergic to it or it has the opposite effect to what you expected it won’t harm you and you will know better next time.
• If the product does cause a reaction or does not perform as advertised I would suggest taking it back and attempt to extract a refund from the retailer.
• Before trying new products see if you can acquire a trial sample to test. Some shops and department stores are better for this than others. If you care to investigate on line, you will find that some manufacturers will send you product sample.

Here are some alternate uses for toiletries if you really can’t tolerate using ones you already own for their intended use~

• Shampoo can be used as hand soap or body wash (Check this Link for more ideas)
• Mouthwash as drain cleaner or toothbrush soaker (Check this Link for more ideas)
• I use body lotion to shave my leg (Check out this Link for more ideas)
• I have been known to use toothpaste to clean silver jewellery (Check out this Link for more ideas)

For more great ideas for alternate use for toiletries just google ~ Alternate use for (Insert the the name of the products) (eg alternate use for shaving cream). The computer is an invaluable tool when it come to decluttering.

Good luck and happy ablutions.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter a fashion accessory or obscure clothing item that no longer matches anything you wear or your personality for that matter.

Today’s Declutter Item

This faux fur collar belongs to my favourite leather jacket. I think I have probably worn it on the Jacket twice in the eleven years I have owned it. Heaven knows why it hasn’t been decluttered before now.

Faux Fur Collar

Something to be grateful for today

I have to go in for day surgery tomorrow and I have got the 8am slot. That is like the jackpot of time slots. I only have to fast in my sleep and surgery couldn’t possibly be running very late at that time. Yay!!!

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

“Our minds tend to exaggerate the value of things related to remembrance.” ~ Juhli

The quote above is from a comment I received from one of our readers, Juhli, a while back and wow never a truer word has been written. Do you own lots of items that hold some sort of personal historical sentimental value to you? This is normal for most people so don’t think you are strange if you do, but that is the point. We collect these things because it is the norm of our society. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with preserving history but, if you are serious about decluttering, this is a practice best limited to items of significant value not every little souvenir collected on vacation, programs from every choir concert your children have ever been involved in or every item acquired at the passing of a loved one.

When on my recent vacation I took some time out one day to pamper myself with a wash, cut and straighten of my hair. The trainee hairdresser was very nice and we chatted about lots of things. After telling her I was on vacation in Texas from Australia she asked what I had bought in the way of souvenirs while there. She was almost mortified when I told I would be leaving with none. “Oh, but you have to have a souvenir to remind you of your time in Texas!” she insisted. “No I really don’t.”  was my reply and I went on to tell her about my blog and explain that is why I don’t buy souvenirs. I think she was still not convinced of my conviction but she liked the idea of my blog nevertheless.

This story just goes to show that buying and saving items to remind us of good times is not just the norm but if ones doesn’t conform to this behaviour you risk appearing strange to the “normal” people out there. My response to this is ~ once upon a time this wasn’t the norm. The norm used to be that only significant items were valued and handed down through the generations within a family. It is partly consumerism and merchandising that has suckered us into conforming to this new habit. And you are playing right into the manufacturers and retailers hands when you participate.

Also these days people own so much that when loved ones pass the generation next in line ends up with loads of items of little value except that they belonged to the now passed loved one. We then feel either obliged to keep these items or overly sentimental about them.  Once again, if you are serious about decluttering it is best to limit the number of these kinds of items. Keep the best and declutter the rest. It isn’t betrayal it is just sensible. The person who used to own them would likely wonder why, were they up there looking down on us.

Then there are those programs from the choir concerts of our children, their cute drawings and examples of school work etc. Sure keep the significant ones to share with the kids when they are older but don’t be keeping boxes and boxes of them. I am sure your children wouldn’t thank you for it. They will enjoy the ones with funny stories you can relate to them and perhaps a sample of their scholastic talents through the years but they don’t want to plough through pages and pages of this stuff. You don’t need to keep every certificate they ever received either unless it is significant or useful for their future.

So what I am saying is limit the accumulation of remembrance clutter because once we attach too much sentimental value to it, it become difficult to let go of. But don’t despair if you have already saved an overabundance because with a little conviction you can change your mindset on what is important and what isn’t.  Remember what I said yesterday about want v want and cull according to your ultimate declutter goal and don’t let over-sentimental feeling get it the way. Believe me the memories will endure without the clutter to back them up.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter an odd souvenir or novelty item that was acquired on the spur of the moment and is still cluttering up a shelf somewhere.

Today’s Declutter Item

Here is an example from the days when we used to buy pointless souvenirs while on vacation. This one was bought in Berlin and although it is supposed to be a genuine piece of he Berlin Wall I have grave doubts that it actually is. Either way we don’t really need it and I am sure there are plenty of examples of this significant moment in history preserved in museums all over the world and it is unlikely that we are going to forget having visited there.

"A piece of the Berlin Wall"

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Another beautiful sunny day, soaking up the rays while going for a walk and crossing of lots of things in my to do list.

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother David Steindl-Rast

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow