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 weeks mini mission are based on the kinds of items that I notice were donated at the thrift store last week. Specifically items that we seem to receive an copious and endless supplies of.
Monday – Declutter at least one glassware item.
Tuesday – Declutter an item of clothing that you no longer wear.
Wednesday – Declutter an item of costume jewellery.
Thursday – Declutter old videos, DVDs, records or CDs you no longer watch or listen to.
Friday – Declutter some items of crockery.
Saturday – Declutter at least one book it is doubtful you will ever read again.
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
Consider secondhand when making purchases.
It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow
Thanks for the missions Coleen!Glassware is always something that seems to come in multiples. Off to the kitchen for some decluttering!
Hi Stella, I wish you success. Even I might take a look although I think I am pretty much glass clutter free.
Ah yes, Colleen. It seems like a never ending supply of rejects. Grin. I have one of each item listed. Off they go.
Hi Deb, they sure are items that turn up at the thrift shop constantly.
Wow. You must have read my mind. I was just thinking that I need to get rid of DVD’s and CD’s when I opened a cupboard to put the TV remotes away. I was also eyeing the jewelry dish. I don’t wear even the small amount I have theses days. Both of these thoughts came as I was putting things away, right before I sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee and read your post:) I know what I need to do next.
Hi Sheryl, I am glad to have formulated missions that confirm for you that these things need to go. Get them out of there before you change your mind.
I have a handy source of decluttering now that the eldest has left home, a few weeks ago…….any surplus household items go his way.
I must have missed this exciting news. I don’t manage to read or respond to all comments these days because there are so many. Yay Moni, he has actually moved out. That has been coming for a while. I hope he is enjoying it and am glad it gives you a great source for decluttering your stuff. I find it easy to let things go I would otherwise keep when I am giving it to help out my kids.
Colleen – it wasn’t his first attempt to leave home – the last flat fell thru as he was all set to move in but the guys who were already there got an eviction notice for being too loud – he does seem to be going for dual residency with us and his new flat but at least he doesn’t bring his laundry home. Grocery items and lightbulbs seem to be fair game though.
Hi Colleen, these are good mini-missions! As we keep unpacking, we keep a donation box handy. Last night I added two green bath rugs (we used to use these at the condo but our bathroom colors are different at the house), a T shirt, a huge cloth bag that I have no clue where it came from, 2 locking mechanisms for slider doors (we had those at the condo, but not at the new house) and a tablecloth. My husband added a tie and an undershirt he no longer wears.
Hi Melissa, that is great. Handing all your stuff sure make the unneeded come to the surface. As we fine tune our home more things keep showing up that can leave. Keep up the good work.
just came home from a trip to the open bookcase close my home. had a great chat with a man from scotland, who visited my city and was impressed that it works that easy. love telling people how simple giving and taking can be. 15 books gone. saturday? check!
clothes and jewellery is under control, but I will go and declutter excess postcards and cards instead. I will throw them in the for-free box which will go out as soon as the weather gets better. I will go through clothes, glasses and cups. and the plastic containers, because I have the feeling there are more lids than containers…
thanks for the inspiration!
Good for you Lena. I am looking forward to going to a strata committee meeting here in my apartment building to see if we could instigate a system where people can share unwanted stuff. Although I fear they won’t go for it because, from what I have already noticed, there will be people who will abuse the system. That is judged by the way the put incorrect stuff in the recycling bins and are too lazy to break down the stuff and have it hanging out of the top of the bins when other bins still have room. Why are some people so inconsiderate and lazy?
Colleen, we have that laziness here too. I can’t believe how many people screw up on dumping their recycle items. It only takes a minute or two to preak down a box or rinse a can.
Yes Deb, once a week I hear someone in my apartment block dump numerous bottles down the garbage shoot. The odd thing is that it sounds like they have separated them from other garbage because it sounds like all bottles. Perhaps they think it is a recycling shoot as well. Maybe I should go out there a clue them in.
Colleen, we have to take our recyclables to specified dumpsters in the middle of our community. Many won’t take the extra time to have an extra bin for them so they all go in the trash. It really irritates me because it isn’t that hard. We have a dumpster for paper and then another for everything else. So they don’t even have to separate cardbard from cans from glass. That is done by the waste treatment plant.
isnt it just sad? I have to say, I would try to run a exchange place like that, even if there are people who misbehave. If you are willing to sometimes go through and seperate trash from things, it is still worth it. I would advise for talking about the recycling, informing your neighbours about your arguements and your concerns. and even if just one person likes your idea, it is worth saying it.
I do have to say, here in germany, recycling and seperating trash is so common and normal, its rare that I see really “wrong” trash. I always made fun of my dad who was pedantic when it came to seperating and recycling, but in the end, I do hate it as well, when I see plastic in the paper. I had this huge discussion with an acquaintance once, that blew my mind. She told me that she would not seperate paper and normal trash anymore (we call it “rest” – trash without paper, organic, plastic, metal and glass) as she got the information that trash companies who burn trash need to buy paper additionally in order to keep the fire burning. because it seems like we sepereate so well, there is nothing left to burn anymore. HA!! so now they have to deal with the trash in a different manner. I want them to do something about it. maybe seperate it even more and then press solid bricks out of it, which go under streets as a fundament or whatever. I mean SEROUSLY!!! we made people walk on the moon. it cant be so hard to deal with trash, for heavens sake, and no, I wont make it easy for them and stop seperating.
sorry for the rant. long story short. I told her I will always reuse, recycle and seperate my trash, because I think thats the only way to use resources in a reasonable manner. she had to agree. I keep telling people, even if they dont want to listen to it 😉 if you convince one person, its worth it.
Lena, we don’t even have to separate the different items to be recycled, they all go in the one bin. Yet people still can’t get it right. They put the recycling in the garbage and sometimes the other way around. I think it is easier for some people to convince themselves that global warming isn’t a manmade problem rather than them making an effort to do the right thing. Even if the scientist are wrong about global warming why take a chance when it is not so hard to make the effort to do the right thing.
Today I got around to replacing batteries in four watches. The fifth watch didn’t work even when I replaced the battery. It is a cool watch, but probably not worth fixing. There are three other watches (one for me and two for hubby) that need new batteries, but the backs are not cooperating with coming off. Ugh. Pretty sure I can do piece of jewelry, a CD, a book, and a piece of clothing, but I think the kitchen glassware is under control.
Yesterday in a store I was behind a lady and her two daughters. The mom had an Australian accent. Fond memories of the time I saw a video of Colleen and heard her speak. hee hee 😉
Hi Moni, I don’t even own a watch anymore but then I don’t go out to work where I can’t carry my cell phone. We get so many come through the thrift shop. We encounter some whose backs won’t come off either, or when they come off they don’t want to go back on. They end up in the bin. I assume they are so cheap that the manufacturer didn’t expect anyone would ever keep them long enough to bother to replace the battery.
Ha ah, those Aussie accents sure do stand out in America.
Hello Colleen – after following the blog for so long, I just decided that either the watches need to be fixed and worn or donated away. We’ll see how my follow-through is on actually wearing them.
As far as recycling, it just makes me feel great to know that I am not contributing to landfill waste. I also notice that a lot of folks don’t follow the separation instructions. Ugh!
Wow, I think this week’s mini missions will be a breeze! I already gave away glassware (Monday MM) on Sat. to the “give and take” shop at our dump along with a sweater (Tuesday MM). I am gifting a piece of crockery ( Friday MM) tomorrow as part of a friend’s B-day gift. And, (Saturday MM), I already put a book aside to take to our local secondhand book and music store. When my bag is full of books, movies, and/or music, I take it to get credit for discounted new or used items. Great for gifts or the occasional splurge! Not sure about the jewelry, what’s left is good stuff as I did that a while ago….If I can get the hubby to watch a movie from the pile ready to go out the door after being watched, I’ll have (Thursday MM) done! Whew! Thanks Colleen! 🙂
Last week I finally asked one of the girls I work with her shoe size and would she like a new pair of leather boots. We were equally delighted that we wore the same size – she got new (worn once) boots and I am thrilled to have her enjoy and wear them!
Colleen, you simply saying (last week I think) that it is harder for some to find a good shoe fit relieved much shoe guilt for me. Another facet to this encouraging blog!
Hi Colleen
I still read most days but don’t often comment, however I love your mini missions this week and have managed them all, yay!
I have set myself a target of 365 things for 365 days and started January 1. I have now decluttered over 200 items! Some very small, well in fact most of them are small but that’s okay, they all make a difference at some point in my life 🙂
Thanks for your inspiration, it is most appreciated
Cheers
Judy xx
Hey Judy, good for you. And yes small is most certainly okay. Everything does make a difference, in fact sometimes the small things are more invasive even if they don’t take up much space. A drawer full of small utensils makes it hard to find the ones you do use when you need them. Same for socks, stationery supplies, pieces of paper, jewellery…
Keep up the good work and you will be sure to see the difference.