Christina

Loved reading your bio, add another 20 years and we are almost identical, yes I am outspoken too!

My de cluttering occurred because we have lived in this home for 35 years and unlike friends and family have had no need to declutter due to moving house. I decided I didn’t want to leave unnecessary “stuff” for my 2 adult children to declutter when the time eventually comes ( we are determined to live until we are at least 90!) So I am religiously following your de cluttering advice on a daily basis, with a few extras of my own.

This last week I decided to attack my sewing /craft room, as our two granddaughters are now 8 and 10 they no longer want to do as much craft as previously so that was the first box to be de cluttered , old dried up paints were binned,some paints in little pots were washed out and the pots used for the beads which I was able to consolidate from the different cupboards and drawers. Next was my material/ lace stash, I rang a school teaching friend and she was thrilled with my offer of a huge box of very usable material, she has her students make clothes for a children’s charity as an assignment.

I regularly take a box of usable stuff to my local Salvos and they are always very appreciative, so what my friend couldn’t use will go to them.

My only dilemma has been decuttering the box of greetings cards, some from my childhood are 60 years old. Advice here please? I have collected a box of some of the cards from my children, they didn’t want them! To be donated to the local kindy for craft. What about the letters from and to my boyfriend, now my husband (of 47 years), they are the poignant writings of 18 year olds! I have followed your advice and photographed many documents and transferred to my computer. If we dispose of all of this memorabilia, will future generations not have anything nostalgic to reflect upon?

Thank you for reading this and for your weekly decluttering advice.Today’s Mini Mission

From Delores

Here is a reflection from my crazy day yesterday (names changed of course):

Yesterday I experienced an amazing contrast.  A friend, Jill, was moving out of town.  Another friend, Rocky, is contemplating a move shortly.

Over the course of several days, Jill sorted and boxed.  She was travelling by ferry and could only take what she could carry.  That meant a lot of paring down and choices as to what was important.  I helped find outlets so her castoffs would not end up in the dumpster.  The last day, I arrived to load her give-aways into my vehicle, not sure how many trips I might need to make.  We filled my vehicle, once.  There were still a lot of boxes in her apartment.

The next thing she said stunned me.  She decided to keep her 40 suits, figuring she would never have to buy another suit.  I was speechless.  I am 61 and I don’t think I have owned 40 suits over my lifetime much less all at once.  She boxed them up and was willing to carry the extra baggage.  Later she texted me that instead of a taxi she had needed a ten passenger van to take her to the terminal.

That same afternoon I met Rocky and some friends for coffee and conversation.  He is retiring soon and hopes to spend time in another country for an extended period.   We quizzed him about visas, insurance, and travel plans.  Someone asked what he was taking.  One suitcase for clothes and a briefcase with his laptop. Period. All he needs.

I am somewhere between those two extremes in my life but the contrast of those two persons on the same day will stick with me for some time.

“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” — Unknown

I’ve been racking my brain today, trying to come up with an idea for a blog post, without success. I thought of a few experiences I have encountered during the week in reference to clutter. However these thoughts didn’t amount to enough content for writing a whole blog post. So I decided I would just put these thoughts to you and see what comments ensue. The conversation in the comments section is often as stimulating and inspiring as a post anyway due to my clever and engaged readers. So here goes.

1. I was thinking of how I hold on to some things longer than I ought to, because I just hate waste. Last week I finally put an old t-shirt in a bag to become rag at the thrift shop. The problem was that, from a distance, the t-shirt looked perfectly good, but get up close and tiny holes were visible in the lower front. I hate this about t-shirts, the way those wholes wear through. The general theory is that it is from being sandwiched between your pants button and hard bench tops. Which for me is very possible because I craft so much at my kitchen bench. But I digress, I felt inclined to continue to wear the t-shirt because it was mostly good, but I had to admit that, up close, I probably looked like a bit of a slob. Who else has trouble parting with things that are mostly good but in reality “mostly” isn’t good enough in public?
2. Another area in which I hate to see waste is when crafting. I like to use up materials until what is left is of no use to anyone. At the same time I find it hard to turn down the offer of free or near to free materials that I know I could use. As a result I have snippets of ribbon, card stock, patterned papers etc just waiting for that little element of a project that will see them used up. Meanwhile more stuff comes in the door. As a result I sometimes feel like I am taking two steps forward one step back. So lately I have been tailoring my projects with the goal to use up lots of little bits and pieces. For example I might make a batch of six cards. While the design is the same, each card will be slightly different than the other due to the fact that I am making the elements for the card from scraps. I have also been expanding my product range, at my retail art space, by creating small items that are perfect for using up scraps. At the same time I refuse to purchase any new materials, it is make do or go without. Now I finally feel I am making inroads into reducing my craft supplies. Do my crafty readers also have issues with lots of little bits and pieces of scrap materials and what do you do to declutter them from your stash.
3. Do what you can to find ways to responsibly declutter items that you think are of no use to anyone. There is always a charity or company out there who has a use for your stuff, by either rejuvenating it or recycling it. Let Google find such places for you or use good old word of mouth. You might be surprised what you can learn from conversations with others. Sometimes it is possible to just stumble on to such information when you least expect it. Today I arrived home to my apartment building to find a folder sitting on the ground near the entrance. It belonged to a bedding recycling/reconditioning company. I looked around and, sure enough, saw two guys loading a mattress into a truck. I thought “Good for you!” and also “Kudos to the people who had the decency and initiative to find a way not to let that mattress go to waste.” Has any of my wonderful readers found great ways to send their unwanted stuff to be repurposed or recycled? If so tell us about it.

So that is what I have been pondering when it comes to decluttering this week. So now I am interested to hear your ideas on the subjects.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something you wear.

“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” — Unknown

I received a comment yesterday in relation to craft clutter. Please read it below…

Gillie: I recently decluttered almost all of my craft supplies. Not because I was going to give up but because I wanted to take it back up again. There was always so much there that I was just overawed by it all and never really got around to doing anything. When I was younger and had very little I made a lot more, because I had little choice and got on with what I had.

I think this applies to so much of our stuff . The more we have the less we are able to do because it takes too long to choose or sort.

***

And there was an equally interesting reply that I can fully relate to…

Sanna: Gillie, you are making such a good point here! I also find that in the past I often have bought supplies for a hobby instead of pursuing the hobby (bought books instead of reading one, bought fabrics instead of sewing etc. etc.), whereas I purge most in the areas I actually work in most – because it bugs you most if you can’t get to things you need on a nearly daily basis because they are buried in an overflow of other similar items.

***

I also chimed in on this conversation…

Colleen: I have experienced this situation myself Gillie. I actually think that I gave up scrapbooking because it was too hard sifting through the 1000s of photos of every vacation we went on. In the end the decision making got the better of me. Now that I no longer scrapbook I also never bother to look at the vacation shots once we get home. I was there, I remember it, I had a wonderful experience and I don’t need to relive it through photos. It is all there in my mind when I want to revisit it.

And the same goes for me with the craft supplies and tools. I ended up with so much that they were also a pain to sift through every time I wanted to make something. Even lately I have been picking up some free bits and pieces from my mother and MIL for crafting, and it just starts to build up to too much aspirational clutter. KISS (Keep it simple stupid) really does apply when it come to craft. Right now I want nothing more to come in, even though there is more going out, because I just can’t bare the thought of it building up again and turning me off crafting altogether.

You name the situation, they may all be slightly different but they end in the same result, frustration, disappointment and abandonment.

So yesterday while I was making some new labels for my spice jars I ran out of a cartridge for a certain craft tool I have. I quickly improvised to finish the project. Then I made a split decision ~ If I can improvise on this occasion,  I can do without this item, whose cartridge are terribly expensive here in Australia. Add to the fact that this item doesn’t get used all that often these days when I am crafting a lot. So I put it in the corner of my living room with a pile of other stuff I intend to auction on ebay.

It is so easy to get carried away like this. Whether it be with craft supplies, décor items, clothes, shoes, tools, sporting equipment, pretty things, books, cooking ingredients, collections… you name it. We get all excited about a hobby or pastime and go crazy with catering to it. Before you know it the pressure to perform, so to speak, gets too much and we end up giving up altogether. Or the trouble sifting through trying to find just the right thing for a project that you know is there somewhere, get irritating. Or the aspiration to use up all the stuff turns into an all or nothing situation and you give in and give up. Or you thing the next purchase will improve your game but it doesn’t and meanwhile spenders guilt becomes unbearable.

So that is one less bulky, space wasting tool cluttering up my crafting space and one step to simplifying my options in this area.

I have done the same in my kitchen over the years of slow decluttering, also my wardrobe, my toiletries, make-up, jewellery, shoes, reading materials etc, etc.

I am now itching to take a good look at my other crafting tools and make some choices on other items I can declutter. I have a couple in mind without even looking. And the plastic containers in my kitchen are also in my sights right now too. I can feel some very satisfying decluttering coming on.

And before I go I just wanted to share another of this weeks comments that I found very true and satisfying. I love to hear from reading who have made big changes to their thinking that has helped them declutter. And this comment from NF is just such an example.

NF: As I’ve decluttered, downsized, whatever u want to call it, during the past four years, I realized my conglomeration of “stuff” was a combination of my depression era parents(save everything) and my 1980′s mentality of “buy everything.” Both were creating a huge conflict in my life. First I de -cluttered because I didn’t have the room in our smaller home, then I sat back and watched what I actually used and what I did with it, how i used it and and how often(and how often I had to dust it if it were decorative). It was like a minor epiphany. I understand the “I might need it one day” or “I spent a lot of money on this” guilt and logic. if I live to 100, I would never use all the stuff I’ve accumulated on a consistent basis, so off it goes. charity, eBay, heirlooms back to relatives. I used to take any free thing offered to me, no more, much to the affront of the giver. I had one of my biggest arguments with a friend over a pair of hot pink velour sweatpants (which I would only wear if I were comatose and naked), because I refused them. They weren’t a gift, someone had given them to her and she didn’t want them either. I now follow my own logic and heart, not my guilt. it’s really hard to do, but just like any habit, if you keep doing it, it will become standard practice. Minimizing is very liberating once you get past your own mental roadblocks and detours. Drive straight and don’t deviate. 

Have a great week-end everyone and happy decluttering.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter  a grooming tool or product that you don’t care much for using. Even I have one of these to declutter.

Eco Tip for the Day

Borrow and share rather than buy, clutter and add to your carbon footprint.

For a full list of my eco tips so far click here

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

Today I just want to share with you a couple of post from other bloggers that I enjoyed, and a comment from one of your fellow 365ers.

1. A great article ~ For many people, gathering possessions is just the stuff of life.  I found the link to this article in the Becoming Minimalist Newsletter . In Joshua’s newsletter I also enjoyed his lead article ~ Answer softly, answer clearly. He and I follow the same approach when it comes to this article. However the real point to it is to follow the same principle when dealing with similar realtime situations. I must say though that the same online delivery system used by the offending person becomes a Godsend for the time it affords one to formulate and deliver a response. I suppose in realtime the strategy of think before you open your mouth is all one has to fall back on. It is too easy to jump angrily to ones own defence in this situation. I know I am guilty of that at times but am working towards taking a few deep breaths and being a bigger person.

2.  Michelle sent me this post to share with you. I found it a little amusing but others might find it a little blunt. Either way it is good common sense.

3.  And a shared declutter story ~

I just had my partner give me 5 weeks home alone the dog went to his boarding place – a happy home with more dogs of his breed and I decluttered and destuffed. On my computer screen I have the Mantra: A place for everything and everything in its place There was once a time when I had that because we had very little income, yet lived comfortably What I began to realize a year or more ago, that the place to put things was filled with stuff which was no longer necessary Now I am getting back to that situation, where there is room for the things I do want AND I also made decisions that I would no longer think about doing all the myriad crafts, arts, fun things, etc for which I’d been saving equipment but never used, My life is some simpler. When I go to a store and “things begin singing to me: ‘buy me’ “ I remind myself that I do not need it and have no place for it I have a friend who will not bring a new thing into her home without taking something else out of her home This includes a book, a piece of pottery, what-have-you. She is a good role model Years ago, at a spiritual retreat, the leader warned us: If you take up this discipline, you will have to remove something from your life. There is still only 24 hrs each day. This also applies to “stuff” I enjoy reading your blog, I read others and they all help me to stay focused. I am not entirely there yet, but getting closer. Maybe 85% of the way Thank you for your words ~ Mary Farley

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something that the kids have grown out of or that belongs to a child that has left home. Get their permission first of course.

Eco Tip for the Day

Watch less television. Find something to do for amusement that doesn’t require electricity in place of at least one session of your weekly television viewing. This of course will only work if the television gets turned off and not watched by someone else in the family. Perhaps you could instigate an old fashioned games night.

For a full list of my eco tips so far click here

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

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!

Here is a lovely story from Tam who made a lot of people happy with her donation of craft supplies. 

Jane  had an opinion on gifts inspired by Deb’s post on Thursday

Juhli also had something to say on the subject of gift giving/receiving. http://www.365lessthings.com/thursdays-with-deb-j-gifts-of-cheer/#comment-58260

Andréia gives the facts on how few gadgets one needs in the kitchen.

Also received and email from one of the lovely ladies on was on tour with in Ireland. Here is what she said…

Have been thinking a lot about you lately and wanted to say “thank-you”.  I checked out your 365 Less Things Blog and you reminded me of things I used to do decades ago when the kids were little. I’ve been following your de-clutter suggestions and WOW do I feel better!!!  I’ve even gotten my husband* into the act.  If we’re sitting watching a football game or whatever, we’re going through old files, the piles, etc. and cleaning out.  Mucho thanks.  (*Husbands name removed for privacy reasons)

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is an article from Courtney Carver to think about as we approach the silly season

I am sure you will all be able to relate this next article from Mike Burns to your decluttering efforts.

Here is a link to a survey on disorganisation. It is for US or Canadian citizens, take it if you like.

Oh good gracious me, yet another ridiculous unitasker from Unclutterer.com

Here is a great article form Unclutterer.com if you feel that you are a bit organising deficient in the paper filing department. 

And here is an article I enjoyed from The Minimalists. I agree with his philosophy but when I can find exactly what I need I do a little more investigating to see if I can get it at a discount.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter any stationery items that are overstocked in your home. Especially if they were purchased for their novelty factor. Cute pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, thumb tacks, paperclips etc. ~ You may think this is an odd thing to suggest but you might be surprised at how often inexpensive items such as these are purchased when they aren’t needed.

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

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!

Tuesdays post resulted in some great comments,  here are three of my favourites from…

Gillie who share the positive changes a tweak in her dog walking routine has made.

Moni who tells us how her parents have notice the changes in her home due to her slow and steady decluttering.

Lucinda who tells us about the differences a small tweak in her diet has made.

Nanna starts out this comment by saying she doesn’t think her decluttering shows all that much, but then goes on to prove otherwise. Decluttering doesn’t have to be obvious to others so long as it is making an obvious difference in your life which it sure seems to be for Nanna.

Christine tells us how she has curbed her need to acquire craft supplies.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is another article on clothing decluttering ~ www.theminimalists.com/no-love/

Here is the wedding dress article I told you about on Wednesday that Cindy brought to my attention. ~ missussmartypants.blogspot.com ~ what-did-you-do-with-your-wedding-dress

I found this post via the Becoming Minimalist Newsletter. http://www.slowyourhome.com/2013/10/18/stickers/

Cindy also sent this next link to share with you. Start reading here but when you get to the bottom of the article follow The Dumpster Project link for some more interesting reading on the subject.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something you have set aside to sell but haven’t gotten around to it. Either sell it now or give it away.

Eco Tip For The Day

 Don’t switch your dishwasher on to perform a cycle unless it is full.

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

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 enjoyed this comment form Vicki K and the responses to it by other readers including myself. Read the whole conversation from here.

I love the attention to detail that Diana is deploying while following this weeks mini mission. Read about it here. Well done Diana.

Angela give an example here that just because you like something and use it doesn’t mean it isn’t excess to your needs.

Angela also left this comment. Perhaps you, her fellow readers, can give her some extra advice on how to keep the clutter down when you have children.

This comment from Creative Me puts into a nutshell the situation I am likely to find myself in real soon if our acquisition of this latest apartment goes through as planned.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is an oldie but a goodie from Becoming Minimalist ~ Dont-just-declutter-de-own.

And this post from The Other Side Of Complexity, is helpful for those of you who work in an office, have an unorganised home office or perhaps work from home. How I maintain a clutter-free work space.

Here is a recent post from Midway Simplicity that I rather enjoyed. Share more own less, I think condenses down what is suggested in this post.

With Halloween just around the corner here is a post from Unclutterer.com that gives suggests to both avoid the candy clutter and distribute any excess acquired during the celebration.

Today’s Mini Mission

Choose another drawer in this weeks chosen room and declutter it. If you have no drawers choose a small area that is out of sight. A box under a bed, a shelf or a small cabinet.

Eco Tip For The Day

Don’t grab handfuls of paper napkins when dining out. One per person should be adequate. Take more only if you need them.

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

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!

Due to problems access my blog this week I have had all sorts of trouble just trying to read and respond to the comments I have managed to get access too. Between that, illness recovery, visitors, dog sitting and a last minute house inspection (for which I really only had to weed the garden) I have had little change to select and attach my favourite comments here this week. Lucky I had no problem accessing Pinterest where I found no end of useful links to share with you below. Enjoy!

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

http://www.add.org/page/stuff

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/03/08/clearing-clutter/#_a5y_p=817469

http://pinterest.com/pin/179229260143363231/

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/declutter/#page=14

http://theredchairblog.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/diy-storage-for-transient-items.html

joyfullygreen ~ The-roadmap-to-fewer-and-greener-vacation-souvenirs

Today’s Mini Mission

Alter ~ Alter an item that isn’t quite right so that you will be more inclined to use it. (Change the fit of a clothing item, cut up large note books to make small jotters, change a piece of furniture, maybe just give something a fresh coat of paint.) I used graffiti paint to freshen up some old coasters recently. I cut a body pillow down to two standard bed pillows. And I pulled the last few pages out of two old note books and cut them down to make note paper for my grocery list etc. 

Eco Tip For The Day

Don’t leave you car idling for unnecessary periods of time such as when you pull over to use your cell phone. 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting your car. http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html

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

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!

Saskia has run into the dreaded unwanted collection issue. Give her some advice if you have any.

June realised that she is a bit of a vase junkie. But never fear she has come up with a solution to the problem that will get her on the road to recovery in no time. 😉

Melissa is a dab hand at Use-It-Up decluttering. Read about her efforts here. Also Moni’s response to Melissa’s comment had a good method of using up toiletry products.

Now you are all going to think it odd that I appreciated this comment form Morgen. I have however felt in a bit of a blogging slump lately and admit that I may actually be coming across as a somewhat negative. I would be happy for anyone else to make suggestions where I could improve because I am certainly open to them. By all means don’t feel it necessary to come to my defence as I think the criticism was probably well deserved.

And finally, thank you to everyones condolences and well wishes regarding missing out on the apartment we were so exciting to be buying. I am inclined to agree with all those who suggested that something better is waiting just around the corner.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

In case you missed it here is a link sent in by Angel with some great natural cleaner recipes. Thanks Angel, I have found them very helpful and have bookmarked each sheet for future reference.

I like this concept of minimalism that I found at Pinterest.

This post from Tiny Buddha is about letting go of pain, but with a little imagination I think you can use the same principles to help let go of clutter. After all clutter, like pain, often holds us in the past, while letting go of it frees us up to live in the moment and opens our minds to the possibilities of the future.

This article from Real Simple has some good and sometimes humorous suggestion on why to let go of stuff.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter a book.

Eco Tip For The Day

Find some time to spend in the sun. This is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying bottles of vitamin D tablets.

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

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!

Lucinda gives us her take on slow and steady decluttering in this comment.

Jane tells us about how she is prepared to be flexible with her self imposed decluttering deadline in this comment.

Kimberley give us two more reasons to let go of stuff in this comment.

Moni‘s daughter set her an interesting declutter challenge this week. Wise beyond her years that one. Read about it here.

Here is a great example fro June on how one tends to take care of items better when they are the one and only.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is a little eco tip from Daily Lime

Here is a good link on decluttering.

Here is an oldie but a goody from Zen Habits.

I didn’t have much time for reading this week folks so I am sorry but that is all I have to share today. Have a great weekend.

Today’s Mini Mission

This one is mentioned often here at 365 Less Things. Declutter something you keep out of obligation. Most people have more than one of these ~ unwanted gifts, family heirlooms, stuff their kids left behind etc. . I figure if I keep harping on about it you will eventually, perhaps slowly as you become more comfortable with the idea, let them all go.

Eco Tip For The Day

If you use aluminium foil when cooking be aware that it is one of the easiest household items to recycle. So if it is possible to rinse it off and put it in the recycling bin please do so.

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