Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 16Sep2011

Oh my! This weeks comments had me hitting highs and lows and I am kind of glad it’s over. Here are my favourite five, they are an eclectic batch, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

I received this comment from Paul (his first) which contained a link about perfectionism in business that was quite interesting. Check out the link as well because much of what it says could apply to decluttering or any walk of life.

I loved reading about Snosie’s attempt to declutter the leftovers in her fridge in this comment. It had such a multi-national theme.

This comment is Jo’s response to all the kind responses to her post on Saturday. We have such a supportive community here at 365lessthings.

Jo@simplybeingmum shared some great tips on grocery shopping and pantry control in this comment in response to this weeks Mini Missions.

I liked this comment from Di because it shows she understands how complicated we make our lives by placing too many expectations on all sorts of things. The goal of physical decluttering is to simply our homes, lighten our work load and be happy with less, decluttering our minds can simply of lives even further.

I didn’t have to look to hard to find my favourite five internet reads and views this week. They just about fell into my lap all week long. Enjoy!

www.sciencedaily.com ~ Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads To Greater Happiness

This article and particularly the accompanying TED video is brilliant. While you watch the video think how you can relate it to decision making while decluttering.  www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2011/09/12//3315374.htm 

This link was tweeted by Peter Walsh on Monday and I just had to share it with you all. It gives hope to people with hoarding issues. ~ au.news.yahoo.com ~ Cluttered lives of hoarders

This link is a real eye opener when it comes to the cost of consuming oil based products. Onedressprotest.com ~ Finding-freedom-in-prison

I have added this link as a follow on from the previous one  just to give you an idea of how many products are oil based. This is why we need to cut back on consumption. This is why we need to free our unused clutter back to the community to save someone else from buying new. www.anwr.org ~ oil uses

Today’s Declutter Item

Half used note book are almost as prevalent as baseball souvenirs in this house. I wonder if they will just keep coming out of the woodwork forever.

Half Used Notebooks

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I took a walk at the beach today and I really enjoyed watching folks go buy laughing and talking to each other. There was one lady on her own that was smiling and I thought that must be what I look like, smiling as I walk for seemingly no apparent reason. It’s not a bad way to be even if people might think I am a little strange. 🙂

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

Comments (38)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 2Sep2011

Oh my goodness, it was near to impossible to narrow this weeks comments down to just five? There were so many great conversations going on. Here are the five I have picked though, I hope you enjoy them. I would also suggest you read all the comments from Saturdays post if you want to hear some inspiring declutter success stories.

Amidst floods and tornadoes Amy found time to leave this humorous comment. She squeezed this in during a short break from pumping water out of her basement and with the power flickering on and off. Now that is dedication to my blog. Thanks Amy!

Willow took the time to email me and say I should include this comment because it held such a good message. Even though it was written my me I will include it on her request. Don’t forget to scroll up and see what Becky had to say that triggered this response.

I received this comment from a new reader, Kelly who had a great way to avoid the pain of posting things for sale. I think you will agree that she is on to something here. 😉

This comment came in from Willow how discovered something interesting about here use of clothes by participation in the 333 Project.

Ideealistin has come up with a plan to declutter her music collection in this comment but the beginning of the story starts here.

Posts

Inspired by Willow’s comment about here is a link to Project 333 

Don’t miss reading this post as it is a lovely review about my blog by Jennifer Reid @ Lifes like a cupcake.com ~ Best of blogs reviews I was really pleased with what she wrote.

Here is a post from one of our readers here at 365 Less Things who has been inspired to start a blog her Happy Shiny Me ~ Connections

Here is my first ever Twitter link whose author is also one of my readers. I am now following you NatalieInCA.

I haven’t tried this tip from Leo at Zen Habits yet but it sure sounds feasible so I thought I would share it with you in advance. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part.

Today’s Declutter Item

Yet another pair of binders empties of their contents and donated to the thrift store.

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I needed a car today when my husband had ours at work. Luckily for me I am collecting my neighbours mail at the moment and they had generously offered for me to use their car should I have the need. I was most grateful to be able to take them up on their offer today. I am so lucky to have such kind neighbours.

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

Comments (21)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 26Aug2011

There were lots of great comments this week and here are the five that I have chosen to bring to your attention.

Deb J tells us in this comment how her church group is trying to do their bit for the environment. Like decluttering, every little thing makes a difference.

Kathleen has been reading my blog for a while but was inspired by my Simple Saturday ~ Operation donate Recycle post to leave her first comment. I am glad it has inspired her to make her own stand for the environment.

Sharron points out some interesting facets of perfectionism in this comment. Funny how the same trait can be helpful in some cases and a hinderance in others.

This comment from Amy was an AH HA moment for Jo who although been told these things over and over suddenly heard it in a way that spoke to her. Read the whole comment stream to get the full conversation.

Cindy picked this comment from NatalieinCA as her pick from the ones that came in as a result of Cindy’s Weekly Wisdom. Natalie has even got the kids in on the act.

I seem to devote very little time to reading other blogs these days because I am just too busy. Luckily though I seem to stumble on to some good ones when I am least expecting it.Here are this weeks five that I have chosen to share with you.

Dave hits the nail on the head here. How are people supposed to feel good about showing consumer restraint when we keep getting told it is bad for the economy. I for one think it is time the economy adapted to revolve around another axis. A Guy Named Dave ~ Restraint as economic revolution

When reading this post keep an open mind as to how you can implement the spirit of it into anything you do. Jonathan Fields ~ Make more bad stuff

Do you have the same issues in your kitchen as Lynn does at Defrag my Life ~ Kitchen dekluttering ha ha, if you do perhaps you should follow her lead.

I am lucky that my spouse is on board with the whole declutter/simplify mission but not everyone is so fortunate. Maybe this post from Be More With Less ~ When your spouse isn’t simple will help you to get your partner motivated.

This post was suggested by Amy amid the comment stream mentioned above. I decided to add it here for those who didn’t read that far. Wisebread ~ 25 things to throw out today

Today’s Declutter Item

These pieces of fabric were quickly snapped up at the thrift shop and I was glad that they would finally get used. They have been languishing away in the bottom of my camphor wood chest for years.

Fabric Pieces ~ More Aspiration Clutter

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I had a little visitor today in my back yard as I pottered in the garden. It was the next door neighbour’s cat. He is gorgeous in his lush black and white coat and purs happily when I scratch him under the chin. Other people’s pets are the best, all pleasure and no responsibility. I would have one of my own but I like the freedom of being able to get up and go whenever I want without the trouble and expense of finding a carer. So I am grateful that the neighbour is happy to share theirs with me.

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

Comments (25)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 19Aug2011

Comments aren’t as plentiful as they used to be but there are still some great ones among them and here are five of those that we received this week.

Wendy B has left two great comments that I didn’t want you to miss. She shared a couple of good donating tips with us last Thursday in this comment and gives some good advice about moving on in this comment. Great advice Wendy B, thank you.

This comment from a new contributor jbc puts a whole new slant on how to disassociate from hidden clutter. I hadn’t even considered this possibility before. Thanks jbc and welcome to 365 Less Things.

It is clear from this comment that Sharron grasps the concept of Cost v Value and she has learned the error of her ways.

The thing I liked about this comment from NatalieinCA is that she is happy to go against convention to do the right thing by the environment. I only wish I had the same range of opportunity here where I live.

There are an endless supply of informative posts in all corners of the internet and here are the five I wish to bring to your attention this week.

Lovefoodhatewaste.com Thanks to Ideealistin for pointing this website out to us in a comment she left a week or so ago.

You may think this post from How to be Amazing.com has nothing to do with clutter but it has more to do with it than you can imagine. Clutter often builds up due to insecurity and unhappiness and this post ~ How to be happy 7 tips increase joy ~ could well be the key to avoiding clutter in the future and letting go of the stuff you already have.

I stumbled upon this link while looking for something else and I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too. Paul Graham ~ Stuff

Simply Being Mum ~ No-waste-tastes-great-5-august-2011

This next link was a gem found by Cindy. Motherhood Your Way ~ How-to-have-a-simple-organized-school-year

Today’s Declutter Item

I am not sure whether to chalk this up as aspiration clutter or I might need it one day clutter but either way it is out of here. I am sure a thrift store customer will think they have hit the jackpot when they find this on the shelf.

Aida Cloth for Cross-stitch

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I enjoyed the chance to catch up with a friend that I see far too infrequently even though we live quite close. I love these encounters with old friends because it is always as though we have never been appart. Except that we have so much to say that the conversation runs all over the place and that isn’t a bad thing.

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

Comments (26)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 12Aug2011

Here are my favourite five comments of the week. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Becky left this comment on the weekend about the advantages of the New Messy at her home.

This Comment from Cat’sMeow expresses how glad she is that the word is continuing to get out about the advantages for living with less.

Carolyn dropped in to leave her first ever comment and tells us about her “blessing in disguise” declutter experience.

Sharron shares how she changed the way she stores food in this comment in response to Cindy’s Weekly Wisdom this week.

Sue tells us about her unique plan to declutter in this comment, but make sure you also read Rachel’s response to Sue’s comment because she has a unique plan of her own.

Five posts from around the blogosphere I really wanted to share with you this week

Be More With Less ~ 10 ways you can have enough money and stuff ~ No more explanation necessary the title of this blog post by Courtney Carver speaks for itself.

Life should be the cats meow ~ Minimalist-approach-to-exercise ~ I love this post from one of our readers, Cat’sMeow, mainly because I use the same approach to exercise. If you feel like you are unfit just move more and see where that takes you. Putting too many expectations on your exercise routine can lead to inertia.

Here is a good blog post if you have been loosing your drive to keep working at your decluttering. Minimalist at home.com ~ When your passion fire fades to a flicker

This blogger, who also reads my posts, has been linking to my blog a bit lately so I thought I would return the favour. Breathe Releaser Repeat ~ oh-thank-you-obligation-clutter

Here is an excellent example how living with less can make a big difference in your life or to your debt at least. Jenny at Exconsumer shares her success in this post ~ Happy Birthday To Me I’m Consumer Debt Free

Today’s Declutter Item

Yet another science calculator sold on eBay for a mere $10 but better that than having it lingering in a drawer somewhere unused.

Another Scientific Calculator

Something I Am Grateful For Today

The opportunity to travel and explore places I haven’t been to before. We are off to Tasmania soon and I am really looking forward to it. There is a new art Gallery there that should be quite interesting from all accounts.

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

Comments (11)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 5AUG2011

My favourite five comments has turned into ten this week.

There were so many great comments and so many new readers adding to the conversation that I just could not resist doubling my quota for the week. My choices this week may seem a little indulgent at times because there are a lot of lovely thank yous among them. But each thank you message comes with a unique story from the writer that I thought had a lot to add to the conversation.

This comment comes from Ann who despite the fact she has been laid up for months with an Achilles heal injury has not let that stop her from decluttering. She has tackled all those nasty little jobs like sorting photos and the file drawers etc that quite frankly I have been avoiding for some time.

Wendy left a heartwarming Comment about how she used the gently gently, slowly slowly approach to turn the clutter situation in her home around despite the all the set backs along the way. He husband Ian is a little cheeky but I am sure she can whip him into order. 😉

In this comment Robyn talks about her pledge to downsize and the joys of passing on some of her much loved items to people who she knows will appreciate them.

Inspired by the post Disassociation Part 2 ~ Obligation Clutter Marianna joined in to share with us some great advice that her grandmother once gave her in relation to gifts in this comment

I have always said that the comments form my readers are a great part of my blog which is why I choose my Favourite Five on Fridays. This was proved last week when Chelle came to Andréia’s rescue with this comment. I was a little busy and hadn’t seen Andréia’s request for some TLC when she was feeling discouraged.

Esther a new reader had some great decluttered children’s gifts ideas to share with us in this comment . Now if I can just find the time to add the to the guide.

Janine another new reader discovered my blog via one of the radio interview I did last week. She tells us her strategy to join the one thing a day decluttering trend in her comment.

Okgirl tells us how she replaces aspiration with donation in this comment. Sure sounds like a good trade off to me.

And last but not least this comment from Gisela tells us how 365lessthings is finally the answer she has been searching for when it comes to decluttering.

And here are my favourite five blog posts/web finds for this week.

I have to confess I was a little indulgent here as well by adding a couple of blogs by some lovely ladies who I met over the last week or so.

I particularly liked No. 3 on this list from Mark and Angel Hack Life ~ 20 things to stop doing to others

If you want to know where your money could be better spent than on recreational shopping, take a look at this post by Francesca of Tasmanian Minimalist ~ I am sorry to shock and upset you

The Change Blog ~ What’s motivating you the carrot or the stick. It would be interesting to know what is your carrot and/or your stick when it comes to decluttering.

I met a lovely young lady at a lunchion I attended last Friday who has recently started her own blog about cooking, baking and entertaining her name is Megann and her blog is called Meganns Kitchen. So if you like a good recipe go and take a look at what Megann has to offer.

Also last week I did a live interview on ABC Radio with a lovely lady called Sara Cottman she runs her own professional organising business and her web site is www.horder.com.au . She made me feel so comfortable during the show and she really knows her stuff. Anyone in the Sydney area who is thinking of hiring a professional organiser why not look Sara up, her business is call Heavenly Order.

Today’s Declutter Item

This was one of those eBay sales that didn’t go as well as I would have liked. I listed them with a starting price of $20 and they didn’t sell. Just for some perspective, skate shoes usually sell for not less than $120 in Australia. These shoes were second hand but barely used. Because they didn’t sell eBay offer a free re-list option so I opted for that and lowered the starting price to $10 and they sold for $12.00. It was hardly worth the effort but I don’t mind making an extra effort when selling something of my son’s. He is sensible with his money and every little bit counts. 

Used Nike Skate Shoes

Something I Am Grateful For Today

The sun was shining and the birds were singing and I found some time to do a little walking. The postage on the shoes above cost the exact amount I expected it to and now they are out of my house. I am also grateful that I am on a bit of an eBay roll at the moment, some successful and some not so much but either way it is helping things exit my house. I like progress especially when it means that things that I have been marking time on are now being decluttered. Some of them aspirational, and that is a monkey off my back for sure.

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

Comments (6)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 29Jul2011

This week’s posts inspired some great responses from our readers and below are five of the many that I enjoyed reading.

I liked Sabine  take on gift giving and receiving in this comment.

Jo’s concerns were quite valid in her comment about the perils of upsetting people when decluttering obligation clutter.

Snosie tells us how she has soaked up my advice over the last couple of months and is putting it in to action in this comment.

Jude has some great cable recycling tips for our American readers in her comment in response to The Great Cable Roundup.

Sharron reminds us again in this comment about how one can be inspired to reduce their belonging when they have experience the heartbreak of decluttering when a loved one has passed away.

This week for the five blog choices I would like to drawer your attention to five blogs from five of our readers.

Some are long time readers, some new to my blog but it is always good to hear from them in the comments. There are several other readers with blogs that I will also feature in upcoming Fridays.

Willow at Willows Cottage

Chelle at On the domestic front

Angle Kay at Minimalist with 3 kids

Karin at  Green and Generous

Lynn at Defrag my life

Today’s Declutter Item

There is nothing like a little cash incentive to reinforce the benefits of decluttering. Although my son is already very good at decluttering, receiving $32 for the sale of this jacket through eBay will go a long way towards encouraging him to keep up the good work.

Liam's Jacket $32 on ebay

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Today my husband and I walked for miles on the Sydney streets visiting art galleries. It was a lovely day together but I am exhausted and am going to be grateful to lay my head on my pillow in my own bed tonight. I am also grateful to my husband of course for planning the gallery visits and for being with me in Sydney for my radio interview.

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

Comments (25)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 22Jul2011

As you know I enjoy and answer all the comments directed to me here at 365 Less Thing but each week I choose five to share with you that I don’t want you to miss and below are this week’s five.

I had to include this comment from Katharine this week and add my heartfelt congratulations.

Dianne had a sad story to tell in her comment in response to my post Sharing the wisdom of experience. I so very much appreciate readers sharing their stories, happy or sad, because there are such important lessons to be learned from them.

Angle Kay shows she is really “getting it” with this comment about how she is learning to separate from sentimental objects.

In this comment Donna reminds me of a hint I often use when deciding whether to list an item on ebay that I forgot to include in mt post. Thanks for the reminder Donna.

Ornela shows how she is doing a fine job or combining slow and bulk decluttering and finding new homes for the things she is decluttering in this comment.

And of course every week I weed out five blog post/articles from web sites to share with you that I found informative and below are my favourite for this week. Happy reading.

www.littleheroes.com ~ Be cautious about giving too much

Red Lotus letter ~ Feng shui and-clutter how an overstuffed home robs you of vitality…

Becoming Minimalist ~ Encouragement for your first step towards living with less

The Healthy Living Lounge ~ The emotional cost of clutter

A Fresh Space ~ Embrace your clutter release the guilt 

Today’s Declutter Item

I am not sure why I haven’t rid myself of these containers sooner. Actually I have three more in a smaller size and I dislike them just as much. I don’t see the point of microwave containers that can’t handle heating on high in the microwave without causing the lids to stop fitting properly. When I bought these containers I was told that they are designed to heat food not cook food and so I have never cooked food in them. When I tried to get them replaced under warranty I was told I had mistreated them because I had heated them on high. I am not impressed considering I was not informed about this subtle difference in instruction. Adding to my discontent is the fact that they cost about three times as much as the inexpensive containers I also use that seem to have survived my “mistreatment” quite well. Strangely enough Tupperware have redesigned these containers in the years since I bought mine which says to me that they weren’t a good design in the first place. Needless to say I am left feeling bitter and twisted considering what a good customer I have been over the years and I assure you I will never buy another Tupperware brand container ever again.

Tupperware that left me bitter & twistedÂ

Something I Am Grateful For Today

I had a fun time today for my first day volunteering at my local thrift store. The staff were friendly, it was really busy and I wasn’t the only newbie. I spent my time processing clothes and was happy that there were only a few items that were unsellable out of the seven of so big bags that I emptied, tagged, priced and hung. I think I am going to enjoy this new experience and I will keep you all informed about how it goes. Oh! And I only stabbed myself in the finger twice with the tagging gun.

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

Comments (17)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 15Jul2011

The comments are coming in on a less frequent basis of late due to Summer vacation time in the Northern Hemisphere but there were still plenty to choose from and here are my picks for the week.

I enjoyed this great comment for *pol who freely admits to being a former packrat.

LJayne points out in her comment that there is a balance to be struck between too little and too much even when it comes to photography.

I love Natalle’s approach to photographing her children in this comment in response to Cindy’s Weekly Wisdom ~ Photos, photos everywhere.

This comment from ideealistin wasn’t informative but it sure was amusing.

Angle Kay tells us about her declutter mission in this comment and leaves us a link to her new blog where she is sharing her experience with the world.

I haven’t had much time to read other blogs since my return but I was lucky enough to stumble upon a few good ones very quickly that I felt were worthy of sharing with you.

A guy named dave ~ Regarding shortcuts

Marc and Angel Hack Life ~ 18 things I wish someone told me when I was 18

Exconsumer ~ Stop consuming start creating

1000 awesomethings.com ~ I love scrolling through the posts on this blog. I can usually relate to every awesome thing they mention. I like to direct people to this blog every now and again just to share the joy.

Zen Habits ~ A simple strategy for simplifying

Today’s Declutter Item

Book that are excess to our needs

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Thai food, particularly Tom Yum Goong (Hot and sour soup), the combination of flavours in this country’s food is possibly my favourite of all, except that I really don’t like to pick favourites.

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

Comments (4)

Friday’s Favourite Five ~ 8JUL2011

Friday’s Favorites, but Not Five

Once again I am delving into the cyberworld to ferret out interesting and useful blogs for your enjoyment. Because this week was lower than usual on comments, and higher than usual on blog suggestions, I decided to change it up a bit. Hopefully I won’t be in trouble with you or with Colleen!

1. Since so many readers have lots of scrapbooking materials, I love this guide to holiday gift making. It’s July – time to start, right? (Warning, at least one of the links doesn’t work any more.)  http://smallnotebook.org/2008/11/11/holiday-gifts-handmade-with-paper/

2. Blogger Barbara Crafton says good-bye to her old (inanimate) friends at a yard sale. http://geraniumfarm.org/dailyemo.cfm?Emo=1309

3. Katie at Making This Home gives some nice guidelines for dealing with heirlooms. http://www.makingthishome.com/2010/06/28/the-decluttering-project-heirlooms-sentimental-items/

4. Is it cheating to pick two posts from the same blog? Here Katie talks about resisting the lure of shopping. I found the tidbit that the average American woman buys 60 new clothing items a year shocking. My family of four might buy 60 items for everyone, including school uniforms. http://www.makingthishome.com/2011/06/13/is-the-no-new-clothes-challenge-worth-it/

5. The Minimalist Packrat shares ideas on helping your kids to declutter. http://minimalistpackrat.com/2011/03/02/helping-kids-declutter-their-stuff/

And, for your additional reading enjoyment, two links that I especially liked from this week’s interviews.

6. From Bea at The Zero Waste Home, who thinks that our love of cleaning products is out of control.  http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com/2010/05/cleanliness-standards-revised.html

7. And Dave at The 100 Things Challenge muses on dealing with the disappointment of things not going according to plan. http://guynameddave.com/2011/06/never-quite-according-to-plan/

Today’s Declutter Item (from Colleen)

I believe this is the last of the travel toiletries. I do solemnly swear that these will be the last ever to clutter up my bathroom cabinet as I believe that the purge is now complete and I plan for it to stay that way.

The last of the travel toiletries

Something I Am Grateful For Today

All the love that we have experienced in life whether fleeting, lost, long term or form those who have passed on. Look at all these experiences in a positive light no matter if the experience ended in sadness because that fact that someone loved you

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

Comments (2)