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

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!

June has a way to help her realise just how much clutter she has removed. Read about it here.

Sassy has an example of family members learning from one another no to burden those left behind with their clutter in this comment.

Melissa now realises how the little things do add up.

From experience Jen has learned that the best way to organise is to declutter.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is another collaborative consumption option ~ www.spinlister.com/ 

Wendy F sent in this link to give us something to think about when buying clothes. ~ www.theage.com.au/comment/what-we-wear-is-really-to-die-for

And here is a link my husband suggested ~ markmanson.net/minimalism

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something your kids have grown out of, physically or intellectually. If you don’t have children declutter and old souvenir or home décor item.

Eco Tip For The Day

Using electricity off-peak doesn’t save electricity but it can lessen the strain at peak times which can result in a reduced necessity to  increase infrastructure.

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!

Marianne explains the benefits of slow and steady decluttering in this comment.

Lucinda has had some insight recently as to what living with much less is like. Read about how it has inspired her here.

This comment is also from Lucinda. I love that even though she feels her home is still quite cluttered she doesn’t sound negative about it.

Sanna tells us in this comment how having less stuff is working out for her.

I like Michelle’s method of making sure her indoor tools and her garage tools don’t end up in the wrong place.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

http://mnmlist.com/have/

“Here is a link to a recycling site in the UK which recycles not only old video cassette cases but also the tape.  They also do audio cassettes and CDs. You have to pay postage, but it makes me feel less guilty about throwing them away!  Maybe there are similar sites elsewhere too? http://www.ems-europe.co.uk/services/domestic-tape-disc/ ” ~ Jane

Moni sent this link. I have to admit I did get sidetracked into looking at some wonderful cleverly designed home ideas for about half an hour. Please do read the article though and try not to get too excited about the pretty stuff. 😉

http://midwaysimplicity.com/how-to-have-a-life-full-of-experiences/ This was a good post from Tohami at Midway Simplicity. I have read his latest eBook ~ The P.A.S. Technique ebook ~ and am suitably impressed. I will write a Saturday post on that soon.

I loved this link sent to me by Cindy. If I ever find a Fixer’s Collective like this in my area I am in.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter some pantry or refrigerator items that you used once for a recipe but have not found a use for since. I think the ingredients, that tonight I will pass on to my daughter when she comes for dinner, may actually have been bought by her while she was living here recently. Of course I enjoyed her cooking for me, but she is more experimental with her cooking than I could be bothered with, so she is more likely to use these items than I.

Eco Tip For The Day

Save water and electricity ~ Think twice about how often you really need to wash your clothes and linens. Underpants and perhaps socks are the only clothing item the really need to be washed after one use. Most other clothing items are usually clean and fresh enough to wear twice unless badly soiled the first time round or if the weather is extremely warm and/or humid. Sheets need only be washed once a week at most while towels can last up to a week provided they are air dried between use.

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!

June  is new to 365 Less Things. Make her welcome.

Deb J‘s mom is thinking about doing some more decluttering. Yay!

Michelle has been decluttering and donating to her favourite charity.

Dymphy has found opportunity in the face of renovations. She also tells us, in this comment, about the progress she is making with her decluttering, how she can identify that and how she has used the mini missions and eco tips to same a pair of shoes from landfill for now. Good on you Dymphy. I also love that your name has no vowels, which proves that we don’t have to have things just because most people do.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

lifehacker.com ~ How-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-about-it

Don’t be deterred that this post from Open Shed is based on happenings in and around Sydney. Among the information there are some great eco ideas. Take a look.

Sanna suggested I include this Post from Gillie a fellow blogger and reader here at 365 Less things. onepairofshoesatatime.wordpress ~ read-or-dust

I am including this post (story) because I though it was both beautiful and inspiring. www.thechangeblog.com/personal-choice/

And here is a post suggested by Moni. ~ www.moneytalksnews.com ~what-happens-to-your-data-when-you-die/

Today’s Mini Mission

Deliver a load of decluttered but still useful items to a charity of your choice. Or if you have the option phone the charity to come and collect if from you.

Eco Tip For The Day

Save a tree ~Stop junk mail. It mostly contains advertisements for stuff you don’t need anyway. In Australia this is as easy as putting a No Junk Mail sticker on your mailbox.

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