*WARNING* Perfectionism is a trap. I received a comment from Jo a couple of weeks ago which underlined the connection between perfectionist tendencies and uncontrolled clutter. Here is what Jo wrote... Being a perfectionist, oddly enough, can also contribute to not starting. I spent years waiting for a block of time to tackle some jobs (so I could do a good job, by which I meant a thorough job from start to finish in one go), but now I find breaking the job up into smaller parts – and being willing to do a good rather than perfect job – is the only way I ever accomplish anything … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2011
What’s in your Purse?
Cindy's Weekly Wisdom I was in church one Sunday, sitting behind K. When I stood and bowed my head to pray, I could see right into K’s large, open purse, and what I saw in there shocked me. K had six items in her purse. It was as clean as a whistle besides those six items. Her bag contained a pen, wallet, glasses case, full size tape measure, box of mints, and a folded piece of paper. There was one pocket on the side of the bag with looked like it had her keys zipped into it. That’s it. K has three children in elementary and middle school and a husband. How does she do it? I think that I … [Read more...]
Defining Sentimental Clutter
Taking into consideration the theme of yesterday's mini missions I thought that I would write a post today about defining sentimental clutter. One would be forgiven for thinking that if the item has sentimental value then it isn't clutter and on the face of it I would agree. When I refer to sentimental clutter though I am really talking about items with a personal history element to them that we keep even though we don't like them enough to use them or even go out of our way to look at them. In some cases we may have lost all interest in these items some time ago but keep them because we feel … [Read more...]
Mini Mission Monday – Keepsake items
Hi folks, this week's mini missions are going to center around keepsake items. You might be surprised at how many places in your home these little blighters are hiding. You may also be surprised to realize how many you keep just for the sake of it but don't really care that much about. So, we are going to do a bit of a "don't care enough to keep you" keepsake round-up. When contemplating each item, your first thoughts may go to the occasion/person/place that they remind you of and get you all sentimental. Don't stop at your first thought! Take five deep breaths and channel your rational side … [Read more...]
Happy birthday to 365lessthings
I didn't realise until today that yesterday the 5th of March was the anniversary of the first post I ever sent out from 365lessthings. My quest to rid myself of 365 items was already 64 days old at that point but better to start late than never. Below is a link to my very first post... Starting at Day 64 of the 365 Less Things Challenge Thanks to all my readers for making this a fun project for me. Even thought the official challenge is over the decluttering continues as does my will to help others find their way through the maze of clutter and the mind barriers we put up that prevent us … [Read more...]
Simple Saturday – Communicating your needs
Recently I received a pair of photos from Willow which demonstrated her frustration with items cluttering up her kitchen bench. Even though this is a launch area for stuff coming in and out of  Willows home there wasn't a lot of items out of place once she removed the things that had just accumulate during the course of a day. The problem was the items that had landed there and not been shifted for some weeks. I will let you read her email so you get the full picture. Willow wrote :- This counter is higher than the kitchen counter and would normally be used as an eating bar, but my … [Read more...]
Friday’s Favourite Five 4MAR2011
Just so you all know, I appreciate each and every comment I receive and I hope no-one ever feels left out from my favourite five. I chose them for all sorts of reasons but mostly because I feel we all have something to learn from them.  I hope you enjoy the five I have spotlighted for this week. Andreia in response to Day 91 Stocking up of obsessing - I used to paint. Not canvas, but plaster figures... Read more Andreia in response to Mini Mission Monday - Hi Colleen! I did the same with our tools... Read More Katherine - I wanted to feature three comments that Katherine has posted this … [Read more...]
Adam and Eve and rampant consumerism
I am sure you are wondering how does Adam and Eve figure into the clutter equation. Well of course I am going to tell you even though I can't recall why this even popped into my head while I was cleaning the toilet yesterday. Most of us would know the story of Adam and Eve and the strife they have caused the rest of the human race over the course of history. For those who don't know here is the abridged version. God created man it only took God a short while to realise man needed company so God created woman. These first two humans are called Adam and Eve. Next God told these folk that they … [Read more...]
No Brainer Decluttering
Cindy's Weekly Wisdom According to my mother, a successful and busy real estate agent for 28 years who has looked in thousands of closets, my husband and I are an anomaly: he has far, far more clothes than I do. He’s not a clothes horse; he’s gentle with his clothes (unlike me, I’m sorry to say), so they last and last. He wears a standard American working guy wardrobe: khakis, Dockers, button down shirts, polos, and t-shirts on Friday and the weekends. He gets a couple new dress shirts a year and a ridiculous number of new t-shirts (his work, conferences, and other people’s … [Read more...]
Decluttering for people with allergies
A guest post by - Nurchamiel - a regular reader and commenter A clean, tidy and declutter house is very important for asthmatics and people who suffers from hay fever. Unfortunately, sometimes clutter enters our home and it is time to clean it up. I would like to give some tips about decluttering as an allergy sufferer. To some, the tips may sound a bit extreme, but I have noticed that if I follow these tips, my outbreaks are less severe and less frequent than if I don't. If you have an extreme sensitivity to dust and dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) hire a professional … [Read more...]