I have dithered many times in my decluttering journey, unable to make a decision about my stuff. Two of the “ditherees†left my house this morning because I needed soft fillers to keep the glass bowls I was donating from clashing with each other. One item was a top I bought that always looked better on my younger daughter than it did on me. When she left home, she also left the top. I thought this morning that I’m never going to wear that again and it’s not my other daughters’ style, so out it went. The other item was a pair of nice warm slippers. They didn’t have an … [Read more...]
What is right for you?
I often get comments from people contradicting my suggestions regarding what to declutter and pleading their case on why they keep certain items or collections of things. Avid readers love their books, baking enthusiasts love a good range of pans and utensils, crafters, like myself, will cater to their craft, perhaps even over cater. There are also shoe lovers out there, fashionistas, modellers, family history caretakers, plant enthusiasts, collectors of all sorts of things... The purpose of my blog is not to insist that we all live a completely minimalist lifestyle. I don't, so it would be … [Read more...]
Love it or heave it (Revisited)
As you may have guessed, due to the lack of them, I struggle to come up with new posts these days, mostly because I declutter much less now, therefore the inspiration for posts isn't constantly forthcoming. Today it occurred to me that I have been blogging about this subject for over six years now, so why not repost some of my old articles. They are still as relevant as they ever were, not everyone has read through all the archives and we could all do with a refresher of information previously disseminated. So without further adieu here is todays revisited post. Take a look around your home … [Read more...]
It bugs me so I’m over it ~ A post by Peggy W
I have begun to look at a lot of things in my home through a filter of “does it bug meâ€? It’s kind of the opposite of “does it spark joyâ€. Like the embellished sweatshirt that I had loved for years. One day I just realized out of the blue that things about it were bugging me! So I took it off and threw it in the trash bin. There is a pair of slippers that, while wearable and don’t look too ratty, I don’t especially enjoy wearing because they are hard to keep on my feet. So they are in my sights… Recently I found a half empty jar of jam in the fridge. It didn’t … [Read more...]
Holiday Declutter by Deb J
Each of us has a different day when we clean up all the decorations from the holidays. One thing we all do though is repack and stash away everything. This is a great time to declutter. We have a great opportunity to look at each item and decide: Did we use it this time? Does it need repair or a toss into the trash? Do we like it? Do we want to change our style/color? Has our life changed in a way that requires our decorating to change? Now is the time to declutter all of those holiday items you no longer need taking up space in your home. Things like decorations, … [Read more...]
One readers clutter nemesis
I received an email from Christie this week asking for some advice. I'll launch right in with her email, followed by my advice, and then I would love you all to add your thoughts on the subject. Hopefully somewhere among all that advice there will be the spark to help ignite a flame of determination in her to let go of these items standing in the way of a beautiful uncluttered life. Christie's email Hi Colleen. I am a single mother with a long list of things to do...always. Life is a process I know and I can't tackle everything at one time. I try to heed my own advice I give my … [Read more...]
The endless to-do list
Isn't it baffling that no matter how much you reduce your belongings and simplify your life, there still seems to always be an endless to-do list. I think it is highly possible, at least in my case, that while I am un-complicating one area of my life I am filling that void with something else. Actually as I write this, I am sure I published a post on this very subject not so long back. Nevertheless I am going to prattle on about it again today. If for no other reason than the fact that I obviously didn't listen to my own advice the last time. Sometimes even the things we enjoy in life … [Read more...]
It’s all about you
Today's mini mission is ~ Just declutter something that isn’t “youâ€. In reality all of this weeks mini missions have been about getting rid of things that aren't you. By this I mean things that don't spark any joy in you. Joy that something fits you. Joy that something works well for you. Joy that you find something beautiful. Joy that brings back happy memories... Unwanted gifts. Disappointing purchases. Items that feel like they are nagging you to do something you don't have the time or inclination for right now. Items you accepted from others only because you felt you couldn't say … [Read more...]
Poverty thinking
I received a comment from Jill which inspired this post. It will probably sound like a confession as well but so be it. Here is Jills comment and I will write my thoughts after it. "I have been a collector of “stuff†my whole life. Had a major life changing operation last October and since then have been getting rid of lots of stuff. For the past 10+ years, I had been stock piling items for use after retirement (this November). Using “poverty thinking†(after retirement not having enough money to buy craft items, books to read, clothing, i.e…), my small home was piled high! After … [Read more...]
Declutter item of the day ~ Fear
I received the following comment from creativeme on Wednesday and thought it would be a shame if anyone missed it so had to make a post of it. Also I wanted to add my 10c worth, of course! It was meant to publish yesterday but it wasn't finished and I was sick. So here it is, better late than never. "I’m getting better at this. Especially with the food! I have found that I go through this journey of letting go of stuff, what I am really letting go of is FEAR. I think I was afraid that I might not have enough in the future or it would never go on sale again or that I might not be able to … [Read more...]