Deb J

Most of us are so used to seeing our homes that we don’t really LOOK at it. We live our days hurrying through life and there are many things we don’t look at but are just in the background. One of the things that will help get our lives back on track is to begin to look at our lives through a stranger’s eyes. What do I mean by this?

Before we go on let me tell you that this will take some time. Depending on your personality and what is going on in your life it could take a lot of time or a little. It all depends on you. The first thing you will need to do is find the time for this exercise. The second thing is to do this either alone or with a second pair of neutral eyes like a friend. Next you need to look at your home or even a room or your life with the eyes of a stranger. Imagine yourself looking at your home like it is the first time you have seen it and it isn’t your home. Sometimes this means you have to close your eyes and take a deep breath before taking that second look. Perspective has a lot to do with how we see things. You don’t want to look with a critical attitude or even the idea of trying to measure up. The idea is to just SEE your home like it was your first time.

You don’t need to write anything down unless it really stands out. You just want to mentally make note of the things you notice. Some may be good things like a particular arrangement of furniture that really makes good use of space and is easy to navigate. Some things may be not so good like a very crowded kitchen counter or a pile of bills and unopened mail scattered around. For now, just make a mental note of what you notice.

Now you want to look for trouble spots. Do you have a garage so full you can’t put the car in it? Your clothes closet is so full you can’t get everything in? What are your challenges? Pick one to be your first challenge to tackle and keep it in mind. Ask yourself why it is bothering you? Why is it there? Several people could have the same issue (a messy dining room table) but may all have different reasons for what is behind the “mess”—no other place to do bills, more room in the dining room to spread out even though you have a proper place where you could do them, the desk you have is unreachable due to too much stored in that room because you also have too much stored elsewhere or you tend to hang onto all paperwork even when it is no longer needed. When you have figured this out you have a line of attack to help you understand how to resolve this challenge. It may not be an immediate resolution. If you have bills and paperwork all over your dining room because too much is stored in your garage so that you are now storing things also in rooms in your home like the office, you will need to take numerous steps to resolve this challenge. What is exciting is you now know why you have this issue and can slowly and carefully make steps to resolve it. One thing I have learned over time is most issues are many times tied to other issues. By digging into the problem we can find not only the immediate issue but related issues and work toward resolving them all.

Today’s Mini Mission

Any items made from light coloured fabric that have been worn against your body at some point can be prone to yellowing from the body acids that aren’t completely washed out during the laundering process. Old wedding dresses are a fine example of this. The acids can even perish the fabrics and weaken them. I also find that old sheets that haven’t been used can get quite a rancid smell about them when not washed regularly. So declutter old clothes that you have worn before but now never use and if you have an over abundance of sheets in your linen closet make sure you rotate them on a regular basis.

Eco Tip for the Day

Set your smart phone on Power Saver. The battery will last longer saving electricity by needing recharging less often.

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

These two comments, from Sanna and Ideealistin, kicked of the responses to yesterdays Mini Mission post.  They make a great point about how we don’t need to be cluttering up our homes with stocks of items that in no way constitute emergency supplies. Especially when one spare is enough or in some cases aren’t even crucial. How often do you urgently need an envelope, a scented candle, four cigarette lighters or a can of fly spray.

And how far ahead do we really need to restock these items before they run out. Do you really need to have another bottle of shampoo waiting in the wings immediately after you start the current one. Same goes for your deodorant, dishwashing liquid, moisturiser, toothpaste, laundry detergent etc. Why clutter up your cupboard. Let the supermarket do your storing for you. Leave buying their replacement just before they are about to run out.

Believe it or not the world is not going to stop spinning even if you do run out of these things before your next grocery shopping day. So what if you use your husbands deodorant or your daughters conditioner or wash your hands with bubble bath for a day or two until you can get to the grocery store.

And I think this theory especially stands true when it comes to changing products. Like when you want to try a new shampoo and your current one is still about half full. How tempting is it to ditch that perfectly good current product and start using the new one if it is right at hand. Especially with all its promises to make your hair shiny and manageable.  Best to wait until the old one is all but spent before purchasing the replacement. How easy is it to end up with three or four moisturisers, conditioners, body washes or even breakfast cereals etc when the temptation of the exciting new one is right at hand. And what are the chances that you will go back to using the old discarded items when there is always a new temptation waiting at the store.

I have to admit I enjoy the chance to improvising. Like the time when I was half way through making a Thai beef curry only to discover I had no coconut milk and I did not want to rush out to the store. So I mixed together some milk, cream, palm sugar and a little coconut essence and no one noticed the difference. However if improvising is not your thing then you may want to be more careful with your stock of products than I am.

And for those who just love to have variety at hand or live a long way from the grocery store then this will, I guess, be an area of clutter you will be happy to live with.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter the excess of anything with elastic. In my underwear drawers there are always those couple of old bras, pairs of knickers, socks and stockings that only get used on the rare occasion that the ones I prefer to wear run out. On more than one occasion I have encountered the problem that these spare pairs are no longer useable because the elastic has perished during their lack of use. I have found the same problem in my sewing kit, the stationery drawer (rubber bands) and even among the sports gear (swimming goggles, elasticised shin pads, support bandages). So with elastic it is truly a case of use it or lose it.

Eco Tip for the Day

When all else is equal between one product or another choose the one with the most eco friendly packaging.

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

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.

This week the mini missions are based around things that perish when not used for a long time. So even if you think you “might need these things someday” it may turn out the someday is too far away and the items will only be good for the garbage can by the time you get around to using them. Best that you limit the number when purchasing certain things, pass on the things you have too many off that are likely to perish and just accept the fact that some of the things you reduce in number now will just have to be replaced later.

Monday – Today I suggest you do a pen round-up. All pens have ink that can dry up over time so it is best to limit the number you keep on hand. Donate the excess to your local school, take them to your workplace to use them up or offer them to friends or family who might be running short. Even your local post office or bank, whose pens go walk-about on a regular basis, might appreciate your generosity.

Tuesday – Anything with elastic. In my underwear drawers there are always those couple of old bras, pairs of knickers, socks and stockings that only get used on the rare occasion that the ones I prefer to wear run out. On more than one occasion I have encountered the problem that these spare pairs are no longer useable because the elastic has perished during their lack of use. I have found the same problem in my sewing kit, the stationery drawer (rubber bands) and even among the sports gear (swimming goggles, elasticised shin pads, support bandages). So with elastic it is truly a case of use it or lose it.

Wednesday – Food. This one is a no-brainer really. Even less perishable food has some sort of used by date. So if you have something in the pantry or freezer that hasn’t been used in a long time find a recipe to use it up on. You never know you might just stumble upon a recipe that will end up in your regular rotation this way.

Thursday – Fabrics. Any item made from light coloured fabric that have been used against your body at some point can be prone to yellowing from the body acids that aren’t completely washed out during the laundering process. Old wedding dresses are a fine example of this. The acids can even perish the fabrics and weaken them. I also find that old sheets that haven’t been used can get quite a rancid smell about them when not washed regularly. So declutter old clothes that you have worn before but now never use and if you have an over abundance of sheets in your linen closet make sure you rotate them on a regular basis.

Friday – Electrical appliances. Like anything else on this list these items will wear out from being used but at least then you will have gotten your money’s worth out of them. Having left electrical items in storage when we moved to America and then coming home to find they no longer worked I know for sure that it is a reality the they don’t like sitting idle for too long.

This hand cream has been around for a little too long I feel. I will use it up as a lubricant when shaving my legs.

Saturday – Make-up and medicines (pills, ointments, antiseptic etc). Both these items are made from substances that perish over time. Although medicines will usually have a used by date some cosmetic don’t. Either way you need to do a regular declutter of, what is or what you believe to be, out of date products in your medicine cabinet, your first-aid box and your make-up kit. (Read here for advice on used by dates for make-up)

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Eco Tip for the Day

Choose products to use and use them up before replacing them with something else. Unless of course you are allergic or they are having some other detrimental effect. Waste is waste no matter what form it comes in and having too much variety on hand is a sure fire way of things getting perished and require throwing out.

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

I received a message on Facebook over the holiday break from a reader who would like some advice on decluttering journals. Here is her message :-

“Hello I am a follower of your blog which I very much enjoy. I could use some help on one of my final decluttering projects. I have about 20 years worth of old journals which I never look at but can’t seem to part with. I think I am ready to get rid of at least some, but I could use some suggestions as to how. I don’t know if I should save them for my daughter to read (or if I would want her to!) Any suggestions you have would help! Thanks. Steena”

I have never been one for keeping journals so my advice is fairly generic ~ If you think they are clutter than they probably are. However if you could condense them down to a more manageable cross-section of your life – keeping only the pages that give a good insight into the person your were – then perhaps future generations would appreciate this inheritance.

Having dabbled in genealogy in the past I know how important such document can be to future generations. I wish my father’s mother had keep a journal so I would have some insight as to what her internal world was like and way she was the way she was. That being said I would only have needed a sample of the way she thought about life and how she felt about those around her. A little about what her childhood was like and how she felt about marriage and motherhood. I would not so much appreciate piles and piles of journals with years of endless rambling of her everyday life.

Once again this might be different for other people. Any advice in this matter would be helpful. So if any 365ers have had experience with this please chime in.

The Weekend’s Mini Missions

Saturday – Were there any kitchen gadgets or utensils that didn’t get used over the holiday period or the twelve months prior for that matter. Time to embrace the idea that you have no use for them and release them to someone who does.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

“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

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 loved this comment in response to Cindy’s post this week. Wendy F has a great way to combat to-do forgetfulness in this comment. Don’t do what I do though Wendy F when I only leave a small note and then don’t remember what I meant by it. Damn early onset Dementia ~ not really, but it sure feels that way some days. Like when I made two first cups of coffee the other morning and then later went to the supermarket only to realise I had left my wallet at home.

I don’t often post my own comments here but I felt this one added something to the conversation.

My happiness goal post also inspired this great comment from Jen and  this one from Ideealistin and also this one from Megan.

There were so many great comments generated from Moni’s post this week but this one from Deb J left me feeling appalled at the ridiculousness of some neighbourhood bi-laws. Of all the places in the world where dryers should almost be completely unnecessary Arizona must be somewhere near the top of the list. I know some owner corporations (particularly in high-rise apartment buildings) frown on the ugliness of clothes flapping from balconies but seriously who disallows people from hanging clothes behind a fence in their back yards.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is a short but thought provoking post from The Minimalists.

Do you hoard your new underwear? I will let Grethen Rubin explain this one to you in this blog post.

I loved this post from Annienygma because it is something I do often.

Here is another thought provoking link shared with me by Cindy.

My ego forced me to add this link from Budgets Are Sexy.

I also liked what Peter Walsh had to say in the short video.

Today’s Mini Mission

Did you have more than enough wine glasses for your liquid Christmas cheer. If so declutter the ones that you avoided using because you don’t like them so much. My daughter bought me the ones I mentioned I wanted in a post prior to Christmas. She was only too happy to claim the ones I have but don’t like.

Eco Tip Of The Day

Fans merely move air around which helps keep you cool by evaporating sweat. Leaving them on after you vacate the room does not keep the room cool, in fact the power necessary to run a fan can slightly increase the temperature in the room. (Read more here) Save electricity buy turning off the fan when you leave the room and aren’t coming straight back.

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

As you all know I dole out a lot of suggestions about what to declutter. I even put forward formulas on how many is enough of anything to keep. It is no secret that I’m not a lover of gadgets that are only useful if you perform a task in large quantities and/or frequently. Dusting is certainly not my favourite pastime so nicknacks are no longer my thing. For one thing they require somewhere to be displayed which means excess furniture which takes up space and requires more dusting. Practicality is important to me while status symbols aren’t, so I don’t need fancy things on show to prove anything to anyone. That is not to say that I don’t like beautiful object of which I certainly have a few that I enjoy. And I like to have enough craft supplies on hand to be creative when I feel the urge. Not too many of course…. Therefore my decluttering goal is simply this ~ to reduce my belongings to a point that I am happy with the result.

You, on the other hand, may love your nicknacks and get joy out of dusting them for the chance to admire them up close. You might also entertain a lot so prefer to be sure you have enough of everything on hand to cater to a crowd. You could find that the finicky cleaning of kitchen gadgets is worth the time they save you during the cooking process. And when out in public you perhaps feel more comfortable smartly dressed in designer clothes and don’t wish to be seen in the same outfit on a too regular basis. You might find your home to be more homely with lots of furniture to adorn it. But crafting supplies are of no importance to you what so ever and waste no space in your home… Nonetheless your decluttering goal is the same as mine. You wish to declutter to a point where you are happy with the volume of your belongings.

Decluttering isn’t a one size fits all situation. What I require or desire could be completely different to you. However we all want to feel happy and comfortable in our own homes and that should be the only goal each of us sets.

Today’s Mini Mission

Do the same for your crockery as you did yesterday for your cutlery. If you have too much let some go. I ran out of cups one evening when friends came back for coffee and cake after being out for dinner together. The problem wasn’t that I didn’t have enough I just should have put the dishwasher on before we left.

Eco Tip for the Day

Save electricity by not turning on electrical appliances, like irons, hair straighteners etc, too long before you use them and by not leaving them on while you decide to take a break during the task.

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

From Colleen ~ Yesterday I introduced my Monthly Habit Changing Challenges. As mentioned in yesterday’s post it was a comment by Moni, where she mentioned her mini resolutions or Mini-lutions as she calls them, which prompted me to do so. I had been considering this idea for a while and Moni’s idea confirmed for me I was on the right path.

On Sunday Moni sent through the following post to share with you all explaining her mini-lutions. So without further adieu here it is.

I have a lousy track record with New Year’s Resolutions, my best intentions to better myself tend to falter around mid January and are usually deemed defunct by February at the latest. Through the years I have googled various plans and techniques to succeed with New Year Resolutions and there is a lot of good advice out there. However, I’ve yet to learn to speak Spanish, run a marathon (or even around the block for that matter) or do a night school course in Mediterranean cooking. Statistically speaking, this puts me in the bottom 92% of New Year Resolution entrants, yes that’s right, only 8% succeed and the common theme amongst the success stories, is that they were short term, achievable and quantified.

So this year I’m going with Mini-lutions. I’m going to pick one or two small areas of my life/household that need some improvement and I’m going to set a time limit of 1-3 months to improve those areas. Once I have completed this challenge, I will pick another area of my life/household that needs some tweaking. Often we baulk away from something that we feel isn’t do-able or just doesn’t seem a high enough priority, but it takes just 21 days to establish a good habit and if I tackle even just 4-6 small areas in a year, over the next few years that has got to add up to a lot of improvement in how I run my home and life.

My theory is linked to two challenges that I participated in here at 365 Less Things, the first was Project 333 which was to run from April to the end of June, but is still is in effect today. The second was “Keep It Tidy November” which initially took some effort but eventually the new habit entrenched and systems fell into place to help maintain the concept through to 2013.

 So, back to New Year’s Eve, while everyone around me resolved to get into shape, drink less, travel more and cut up their credit cards, I devised my first two Mini-lutions. Both are very humble in the scheme of things and spectacularly unglamorous, but both are areas that I knew I had loads of room to improve, were achievable and could make a difference to the bottom line of my household budget.

ONE: I am going to reduce my dryer usage. (I did mention ‘unglamorous’ didn’t I?) I now have two friends who don’t own dryers and though they both agree it isn’t always easy in a country with a fairly high rainfall count, they both manage. I’m not planning to never use my dryer again, but I’m going to save it for the times when all other options are out. I’m going to look at whether it is a time management issue or simply just a long established habit. 

TWO: I am going to reduce the amount of wasted food in my house, especially from the refrigerator. There were improvements in my household over 2012 especially thanks to ideas from 365 Less Things, but I want to see this wastage stopped and this means I need to rethink the quantities I purchase, possibly how I purchase, how I prepare meals, how I deal with the left overs and how I can make sure that food doesn’t get overlooked in the fridge. As someone who describes herself as “Cateringly Challenged” this definately requires some re-education and research but there is some great advice and tools via the internet that I have put into action.

So, fellow 365’ers…..what Mini-lutions do you have?

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter any baking trays or cake pans that weren’t used over the holiday period. Let’s face it if they weren’t use in December when will they be. I came up short for one spring form pan which I borrowed from a neighbour. This is something I would rarely ever use anyway so I don’t feel the need to own one.

Eco Tip for the Day

Use some sort of reusable splatter guard when heating in the microwave. This can be rinsed off and used over and over rather than wasting paper towel or plastic wrap. I use a large plastic microwave safe container lid when reheating most dishes or a glass casserole dish with a lid when cooking from scratch. 

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

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.

The holiday season is done and dusted and most everyones visitors are gone by now. The kitchen has been the centre of activity on most days and as a result is probably due for a good overhaul. I know mine is. The pantry requires excavation whenever I need an can of something or packet of noodles. Some things have come to light that aren’t really necessary and can be decluttered. And I think natural progressing decluttering ought to be in effect on some of my microfibre clothes. So join me this week for a good old fashioned kitchen clear out.

But before we begin I have decided to set you all a Habit Changing Challenge each month. Similar to last November’s Keep it Tidy Challenge. Inspired also by a little nudge from Moni when she mentioned her Mini-lutions in a comment on the weekend. I will, along with the first Monday’s mini mission post each month, include the monthly habit changing mission. If you are lucky you will already have mastered the challenge and won’t need to participate but if you haven’t why not give it a go. This month, since I am late I will set a simple challenge. This month I want you all to make your bed as soon as it is vacated. This may be a time challenge for some but a whole new experience for those who never make their beds. I always feel that a made bed seems fresher to sleep in but you can decide for yourselves.

Update on the bed making:~ Over at 365’s Facebook page Elaine suggested that the bed could do with a little airing before making. I think this is a good point. So let’s change the task to “…mkae your bed within an hour of vacating it.”. Thanks Elaine that was a good idea.

Now for this week’s missions.

Old Spice Declutter

Monday – Start a use it up challenge on excess pantry items that have accumulated over the holiday season. If there are any spices that you didn’t use during this time they are probably ones that you never will use. Offer them to someone more likely to use them or throw them out because they are probably out of date anyway. This is something I will be checking in my pantry.

Tuesday – Declutter any baking trays or cake pans that weren’t used over the holiday period. Let’s face it if they weren’t use in December when will they be. I came up short for one spring form pan which I borrowed from a neighbour. This is something I would rarely ever use anyway so I don’t feel the need to own one.

Wednesday – Assess your cutlery drawer. Did you have more than enough knifes, folks, spoons etc to cope with a houseful of people. If so let some go. I had set aside a four person set of cutlery prior to Christmas to see if I really needed to keep them. We did run out of forks a couple of times but I could have easily washed some by hand so I think this spare set can go in a box for my daughter to take when she moves into her own place.

Thursday – Do the same for your crockery as you did yesterday for your cutlery. If you have too much let some go. I ran out of cups one evening when friends came back for coffee and cake after being out for dinner together. The problem wasn’t that I didn’t have enough I just should have put the dishwasher on before we left.

Friday – Did you have more than enough wine glass for your liquid Christmas cheer. If so declutter the ones that you avoided using because you don’t like them so much. My daughter bought me the ones I mentioned I wanted in a post prior to Christmas. She was only to happy to claim the ones I have but don’t like.

Saturday – Were there any kitchen gadgets or utensils that didn’t get used over the holiday period or the twelve months prior for that matter. Time to embrace the idea that you have no use for them and release them to someone who does.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Eco Tip for the Day

When you are out and about and there is no provision to recycle bring your items home if possible and not ridiculously inconvenient

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!

Wendy B gives us a great example of how happy she is with her decluttering efforts and how they are all coming together. Read about it in this link.

Jen has only been commenting here at 365 Less Things but she sure does get what this decluttering thing is all about as you can tell from this comment.

Maggie has been reading through the archives and left this comment recently on the post ~ Who can resist a sale. I thought it was worth sharing with you all. Send Maggie your encouragement to resist making any purchases in January.

Deb J gives us a little update on what she, her mom and S and has been up to regarding decluttering and in this comment. Way to go everyone and especially to S.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

From Cindy sent me this link from happiness-project.com ~ 7 tips for sticking to your new years resolutions

Also from Cindy ~ www.apartmenttherapy.com –10 things that will make you happier at home

Steve found this one from the web site for the Sydney Morning Herald

Steve also brought this one to my attention. I believe I have linked to it before but it is worth reading again. www.becomingminimalist.com – Don’t just declutter de-own 

This site may only be useful to our American Readers but it is certainly worth bringing your attention to BetterWorldBooks Makes donating old Books to charity so easy you don’t have to leave the house.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something that your children or grandchildren have grown out of. This could be clothes, toys, shoes, eating utensils, books, games etc.

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

Every home has items that are never considered for decluttering. Mostly useful items that are in service continually but also beautiful items that are admired or sentimental items that you wouldn’t dream of letting go. These items never feel like a burden to the household because they are a valued part of everyday life. They are used and used again, used up and then replaced or on display somewhere where they can be admired or remind us of happy times, successes or loved ones.

Then there are those items that are only lingering because we haven’t got around to donating, selling or tossing them. Stuff we’d have no qualms about decluttering if we could face the prospect of weeding them out and dispatching them. These items are the easy ones to let go of when we finely decide enough is enough it is time to declutter. Parting with them is only a physical thing no a metal challenge. These are the items to concentrate on first when we begin our declutter journey.

And then there are the problem items, these are the ones which we have trouble letting go. You know the ones.

• Items you keep out of obligation, such as things that have been gifted to you by someone else and you feel obliged to keep them even though you don’t really want them.
• Aspirational items that your inner most being craves to make use out of but the right time or creative inspiration never seems to strike or has long ago left you. Memory tells you these items are useful and that you should hang on to them but all they do is linger and make you feel a that you have failed them in some way.
• Then there are the sentimental items whose lesser significance to the truly loved memorabilia merely relegates them to a box deep in the attic somewhere. Sure when you pull them out you oooh and aaarh over them remembering good time but then they get sent back to where they came from for another ten years.
• And lets not forget the I might need you one day items. Sure you may have a use for some of these items one day but to say you may need them could be stretching reality a little. Stop and think about the things you do use all the time, even some of those are things you could live without. So don’t allow the thought of future regret plague your decision to let go of stuff the isn’t being used and hasn’t for a long time.

This blog post was inspired by a segment in Gretchen Ruben’s new book ~ Happier at Home. She talks about engaging with the items that you haven’t used or appreciated in a while. If you are having trouble deciding whether to keep them or to let items go try putting them into service ~ use them, bring them out and put them on display for a while. Give them one last chance to redeem themselves and if you still aren’t loving them or finding them particularly useful then just liberate them to someone who may find them more useful that you do.

This process can be applied to a few items at a time so you can focus your attention on them for enough time to assess their worth. This can be done while you continue to declutter the items that you are happy to remove immediately. With the slow and steady approach both processes can go on simultaneously so no time is wasted.

I have done this with many items over the last three years of my possession downsize. Some things I have used up and not replace. Some things I have put into use but not found them useful while others I discovered a newfound appreciation for. Things I have kept out of obligation have been viewed with a new neutral mindset and have either past muster or been added to the donation pile. Either way I have been satisfied that I am making the right decision for me and my home at this time and followed through on that decision.

So if in doubt give the item one last chance, in other words either use it or lose it.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter a pair of shoes that you no longer wear. Perhaps ones that are pretty but a torture to wear. Ones that are old favourites but are really so shabby you never, or shouldn’t, choose to wear them anymore. Or maybe a pair that are so ugly you wonder why you ever bought them in the first place.

Eco Tip for the Day

Add a few one pot meal to your weekly menu. Cooking everything at once saves on electricity and your precious time. I often also cook the meat portion of my meals separately but cook all my vegetable together one way or another. A slow cooker or a set of steamer saucepans come in handy for this method of cooking.

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