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 like Spendwisemom’s outlook in this short comment.
It always warms my heart when I hear of a young person seeing the error of there ways, in relation to materialism and consumerism, at such a early age like Amanda in this comment. I sincerely hope some of her friends follow her example.
I loved this comment from Mary about how she has gently encouraged her husband to declutter boxes of books he has been hanging on to. Well done Mary and to your husband too.
Sanna has a good approach to decluttering in this comment. I also like her attitude to donating stuff to the thrift shop, I feel the same way myself.
I had to share this comment, it’s from my baby girl. She will be 23 in a weeks time but she is still my baby girl.
Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!
Loved this post from Leo Babauta at Zen Habits
Here is a link sent to me by Cindy that she thought we might enjoy.
Here is a link to Rick Steves’ ~ Pack Smart and Travel Light article. Rick is the Guru on travelling in Europe and knows a trick or two on travelling light. I taught us all we needed to know.
Found this summary at The Simplicity Collective quite interesting and am looking forward to reading the full paper on the subject.
Today’s Mini Mission
Do you have too many publications ~ novels, magazines, cookbooks, newspapers, non-fiction books…? If so now is the time to weed out a few.
Today’s Declutter Item
These are a batch of craft magazines that didn’t make the cut during my latest flurry of getting my craft room declutter completed. There are more craft decluttered items that will come up soon. I have been decluttering in advance of being physically out of action for a month from the 21st. Don’t worry I will still be blogging, I’m not letting you off that easily. No rest for the wicked as they say.
Craft Magazines
Something I Am Grateful For Today
Lots of errands complete and dinner with a group of friends. A pretty great day all round really.
Have really been enjoying the comments lately. I imagine it’s hard to pick only a few for Friday. I liked what Leo had to say about his kids and how we need to learn to see fun in things. I’m trying to learn that. 40 bags in 40 days sure sounds interesting though I have to say I’m not sure I would want to be doing this that fast. I could but I know my mother would have a fit and we wouldn’t get as far as we would have doing this slower. I really like what Rick Steves has to say. I have used his ideas for some time now. Most of my friends think I’m nut to pack so little–yet I’m the one that gets around easier and I have what I need. they just don’t get it. I plan to go back and read the full paper once I have a bit more time. The summary has enticed me. Thanks for all these good links.
Hi Deb J,
you are right it is hard to narrow down the comments I highlight to just a few. I don’t use any sort of formula or pay attention to who gets a turn and who doesn’t I just simply choose what appeals to me.
The forty bags post sounds a lot like what I used to do before I realised it wasn’t working for me. A thing a day has taught me so much more.
I have to say I love all the links! The packing light is one thing that I’ve always done. I think I’m kind of similar to you Colleen (or at least where you were at the start) – Great at packing clutter away. Fortunately, that means that all my clutter is in nicely labeled boxes, and it’s easy to find things that I want to get rid of. I plan on slowly working through everything I have. Right now it’s all packed nicely into a couple of closets, but there’s no room for anything else in the closets. I am thankful that I found this site early in life, so I can start out better, before I own a place and clutter it up with “useful furniture.” Our rental is cluttered with furniture right now, and I’m trying to get rid of some of it. Hopefully I’ll be able to soon 🙂
Amen to that! I really have no idea how many boxes I have/had. I already decluttered a lot of them, and I keep on finding more!
You guys are like magic! Not two minutes after I posted, a friend of mine offered to take the chair and couch off my hands! They are OUT of here, and he didn’t have to buy any furniture. I told him they are his to get rid of now, that I don’t want them back. He’s happy, and I’m happy.
oh, I love when that happens. I got the couch from my friend when I moved in and she got her new one, basically the same day. we even managed to use the delivery truck for getting the couch from her place to mine.
Sometimes you identify that an item is clutter because the way to get it out is there first: like a friend saying, she/he needs this and that, and you suddenly know you can let got of yours without regret. and the good thing, you could even borrow it back if you should happen to need it.
Yahoo! It’s meant to be!
A similar thing happened to me the other day. One of the young volunteers at the thrift store asked if I knew of anyone with a laptop for sale. My husband had only mentioned to me that he was going to get rid of our extra one. I would much prefer give it to someone who wanted it but couldn’t afford to buy new than sell it for some paltry sum on ebay. I ran it by my husband and he is happy to hand it on to this young man. Everyone is happy.
Good for you Amanda, working this out young has to be a great advantage for the rest of your life. The trick is I suppose to not come off the rails. Embedding the concept as deeply and permanently as possible it the key I think and the younger you do it the better. Well done you.
I certainly hope so. Keeping the momentum going! Our living room is getting better, as is our dining room. My room is peaceful and serene – a bed and a wardrobe. (My bedroom was the first thing I decided to declutter) I probably have too many clothes, but for right now I’m ok with it. I wear almost all of them, and I’m not ready to part with a couple of sentimental shirts – I tried, but couldn’t.
Now, to “declutter” this housemate of mine 😉 … her clutter is everywhere (including my desk in common space). Fortunately, she plans on moving out, so will declutter herself.
As I get my rental/home decluttered, I hope to slowly move stuff out of my home/parents house (college kid – still half at home and half moved out) and get rid of it. (all the sentimental shirts I DON’T care about for one – I know right where the box is)
In terms of going off the rails – I think I will be able to control it. I’ve found that I feel “weird” without a junk drawer – a messy unorganized place to throw things. So I have a single junk drawer, and when it gets full, I clean out chunks of it. I think as long as I keep that idea around (whether it be a drawer, a box, a bin, a bag etc) I will be fine. It keeps the mess contained, because it only takes a few seconds to throw things into it, and I can clean it out at my own pace.
(I just realized this comment went all over the place – that’s why I’m a chemistry major, not an English one 😛 )
its a good one. I moved out years ago from my mums place, but it wasnt until I got my own flat and active in decluttering that I could get ALL my things here. I will visit my mum in a couple of weeks and I hope to get the last rest out (I know there are some clothes, books, school-items, decoration, pictures, etc.). And then I can finally get rid of all those things that I truly dont need anymore, but loved once.
I had really big issues with letting go of sentimental clothes/shoes, because they reminded me of good times, and all the miles I walked in them. you could take a picture of yourself in those clothes, or just the shirts, maybe that would help?
I am on the oposite side of your story I am the mother who has her daughters stuff still filling boxes in the garage and spare room closet. That is OK though, one day she will be better settled and ready to take the stuff away. I won’t be sorry to see the back of it though.
Don’t worry about your English around here, you will soon learn that I was more a math/science student as well when I was at school. English was definitely not my forte.
How funny! Amanda and me share the same age.
I wonder if I even can be able to fill 4o bags of clutter/donations. I think my entire possesions will fit into about 20; furniture not included. Ok, so I’m still trying to pare down, my goal is moving with a big kipling bag (a very iconinc bag, sentimental thing because I carried that monster everywhere during high school and very handy during vacations – and book donations), one sports bag (or I just purge that bag, I don’t use that bag anymore) and perhaps one or two boxes. That way, everything can fit nicely in my little Fiat Cinquecento (Iconic as well, as well for the fact that it is my first car).
I’ll be looking forward to this summer. I’m going to Scotland and I’m going to see if I’ll be able to pack lightly. Perhaps I’m going to use my kipling bag, and see if I can fit everything in it.
I have to admit, I was wondering, too, about how big those bags are supposed to be.
I think, I wouldn’t be able to fill 40 bags in 40 days. I declutter much slower. One bag a week is about my pace.
Btw: I’m jealous of your Fiat Cinquecento. (But just a little, I don’t need a car at the moment, but if I did, I’d love it to be a Fiat 500)
It’s great that you’re going to be visiting Scotland and I hope you have a fantastic time. I lived there for 5 years and loved it. Just remember that you’ll need a lightweight waterproof an a warm layer (fleece or a sweater) even in the heights of summer. 🙂
read first, then answer. you said it all before 😉
uh, scotland. I lived there for a year. packing light can be tricky though, because you need warm clothes even in summer. like a fleece jacket. and never forget WATERPROOF stuff. the rain there is not heavy but this nasty stuff gets everyhwere… and the good old boots. otherwise – have fun!!
my first car was a red VW Golf II. the classic. I loved it. it was my perfect car, and after years of helping friends move (I was the only one with a car), I could get tons of things into this car. it was really great. and cool. and loud. and it taught me to become half a car mechanic myself 😉 I dont have a car right now, because I just dont need it at all. If I need a car, I usually borrow from friends or rent one. the next one I want to have is a camping van 😉
Colleen, just today, I brought two baskets full of dishes to the thrift store. And a bag full of thread.
I’m almost there. Your craft room declutter really gave me another kick. 🙂
I really liked the post over at Zen Habits. Thank you very much for that link.
and about 30 books…
Well done Sanna,
that reminds me it is about time I packed up my “good” set of crockery and took it to the thrift store. I keep passing over it for other things.
I like that Zen Habits post too. Finding the fun in tasks sure makes them more bearable.
I really enjoyed the link to 40 bags in 40 days and was really impressed with the author’s list. But, by the time Lent rolls around next year I’ll be to the point where I won’t need that. Still, one could use that information and make your own challenge. My year has been something like that – 6 major areas; 6 months to do it in. And I am so close to the finish line! Once I’m done with the last room, then I will start the process all over again, but instead of one month for one room, I plan to do it one week for one room.
Well done Mary, if you are anything like me you will continue to find things that you really don’t need or love. The longer the task goes on for the more ruthless one tends to get.
hey colleen, thanks for the links. great comments, and great links.
I was a bit put off by the 40 bags thing though. thats too much in too less time. I didnt lose the feeling that this woman is doing it so quick that she forgets to take time to overthink. and then regret what she lost and needed to buy new again. but then maybe thats just me being too careful 😉
I havent done any decluttering this week. writing thesis had taken over and I already was forced to prioritize cleaning myself over cleaning the flat… uah. couple of weeks and I am done! yay.
Hi Lena,
it wasn’t until I just reread that article that I realised she has done this challenge before. I must have not been paying too much attention to what I was reading the first time. It does make you wonder how many times has she done this and how careful is she about her purchasing in between times. She does have five growing children so I suppose 40 bags isn’t out of the question and I am not sure how big those bags were. I don’t recall seeing a photo of any of them just the end results. Either way I do tend to agree with you that purging too quickly does have greater risk of regret unless one is happy to just repurchase. As you know that certainly isn’t my style. I don’t know enough detail from what I was willing to read to any judge of what really is going on here. Sorry!
no need for apologies! I thought I saw some bags (big BIIIIG black plastic bags full of stuff) – but I didnt catch the 5 children 😉 that explains a lot for sure.
I do love reading becoming minimalist, because I love his style of writing, and he gives you such a motivation in between. but the thing that annoyed me about him, is also that he just trashed most of his decluttered items. He didnt bother to find them a new home or a way to recycle/reuse things. thats a shame. I am happy for people going minimal(istic), but I really hope they go maximal(istic) in environmental consciousness at the same time. otherwise they are as ignorant and egoistic as “the consumers”. (I sometimes love stereotyping – please forgive me)… I know that the 365ers here around you, Colleen, are also considering the responsibility towards the environment, which I really think is essential if you change your lifestyle (for some towards minimalism).
Hi Lena, that was something that struck me about Joshua’s story from Becoming Minimalist when I first discovered his blog and went back through the archives. I haven’t read him for a while now so I should go over and take a look. I imagine he has learned the error of his ways and regrets it. Or perhaps he just had a lot of junk to begin with. Junk is the sort of clutter I do not understand, if it is rubbish why is it still there. Of all the things I have gotten rid of in my two and a half years of doing this very little has gone in the trash. But then you can look at it from the other angle of ~ I shouldn’t have had so much perfectly good stuff that I probably never needed in the first place. One sounds like laziness while the other reeks of stuff gluttony. Either way it isn’t good.
sure, stuff gluttony is not pretty either. But you made your choice to give away your good items, so that somewhere someone will NOT buy a new product but use yours. and I think it is important to value quality over cheap – in general.
Wow, this article, http://greens.org.au/node/4990, is amazing. It was first through Cindy’s link that Colleen posted, and then swimming around and linking through some other stuff that I found this.
As always, the Friday Fav’s are amazing and I am enjoying them with my favorite cuppa. Thank you.
Hi Annabelle,
I will check out the web site when I get a chance. Thanks.
Mmmmm a good cuppa.
Thanks Cindy, I’m loving CloverLane whilst sick on the sofa! As an aussie, she’s so ‘un’ american, it’s lovely! (Ok I’m not that close minded, but she is very reasonable and seems genuinely lovely)