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!

In this comment Wendy B demonstrates that all kinds of circumstances initiate decluttering. Well done Ian and Wendy.

Wise words form Ideealistin in regards to buying to resell. I have encountered more than one person in my life who bought to resell then stopped reselling. There homes ended up full of clutter. The buying became like any other addiction.

Yesterday we had four previously silent readers come forward to make their first comments. I felt inclined to share them with you. Enjoy! I appreciate every reader contribution to the blog and encourage you all to join the conversation. So welcome to Katy, Nanette, Leah and Purplej. I hope I haven’t missed anyone.

In this comment Marianne gives her advice on how to enjoy books and magazines without the clutter.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

This link for Becoming Minimalist gives good advice on why fewer toys are better for your kids.

I enjoyed this link also from Becoming Minimalist. It matches so well with the theme of my mini missions this week.

Andréia sent me this link to an article about decluttering books After reading it I was a bit reluctant to share it here as the writer still had a vast collection. As it turned out she was a book reviewer. However I found the first few paragraphs too interesting to keep them to myself. And here is another one about making a household inventory.

Here is another great article about including kids in the chores and decluttering from The Other Side Of Complexity.

Today’s Mini Mission

Having too many items of clothing to choose from can lead to baskets of unwashed and/or unfolded washing laying around. This can also cause wasted time making choices on what to wear. Declutter some excess clothing. Think about whether the number of clothing items you own represents the amount you really need or how often you can be bothered washing and ironing them. I DO NOT mean for you to consider washing small loads more frequently (that would be bad for the environment). What I am saying is do you still have several weeks worth of this seasons clothes in your wardrobe at the time you are doing a full load of laundry. If that is the case perhaps you are overstocked.

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!

Michelle has been converted to using microfibre for cleaning. Read why in this comment.

Melissa tells us about some quick clothing decluttering she did this week in this comment.

This comment  from Dizzy had my head spinning. What a mammoth effort.

Whoever Anon is I thank them for this comment. What a wonderful example of why stuff is not the answer to a happy life. And more so, what a great example that with the right help one can overcome depression and keep it in check.

Kim and her husband have instigated some great ways to avoid clutter and do the right thing by the environment in this comment. Good for you Kim and Hubby.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is something to think about when choosing which brands you think have the right ethics to suit your sensibilities.

One a week where I post a mini mission about reducing your gift wrapping supplies Lena stubbles upon this article to share with us. I am only posting it for your amusement, please no one tell me you have a wrapping room or I am going to give up blogging. 😆

Here is the latest episode of The Midway Decluttering Show from Midway Simplicity.

I liked this article from The Minimalists because I was never on the minimalist path either. My path had the same purpose described in this article. One the suited the way I wanted to live. Little did I know how wonderful that feeling of freedom from stuff and the desire to acquire would be.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something that has no real value to you, either of use or sentiment. I am sure if you go searching with this criteria in mind it shouldn’t be too hard to find something. You may have pangs of “I might need it someday” but I am sure you can determine that most things are never really needed in the first place never mind someday down the track.

Eco Tip For The Day

I have been skipping the Eco Tips here and there lately because I can’t always come up with something new to add. My question is would you rather I skipped it or would you prefer if I just reposted a previous tip. I like the idea of reposting because we can always do with a reminder.

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!

This comment from Ideealistin came in too separate parts. Here and here. Don’t miss the part where she is telling us that she has a beautiful new baby daughter. 50 isn’t such and old age but I feel like I am watching some of my younger readers growing up. Congratulation Ideealistin, life will be very different from this point forward.

Rebecca B. A. R. has a great suggestion as to where to donate unwanted suitcases in this comment. Great idea Rebecca. Those precious children can do with whatever moral boost they can be given. A suitcase isn’t just a place to store clothes in this situation.

Moni shares with us a good tip for keeping kitchen drawers tidy in this comment.

I loved this comment from Grace from Brazil. She was good enough to set herself as an example of “this is what you should not do” to emphasise the message in Cindy’s post. Good on you Grace!

I don’t know how I missed this comment from Moni the first time around but I was lucky to find it when writing up todays post. Another Moni classic.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Wendy F sent through this link. It is a little out of season but gift giving happens all year round so a little reminder to be sensible with it never hurts ~ www.guardian.co.uk – On-12th-day-christmas-present-junk.

Here is a link that Steve flicked over to me last week ~ lifehacker.com – Declutter-in-your-life-and-embrace-minimalism-this-weekend

Nana enjoyed this post and wanted to share it with you all.~aslobcomesclean.com ~ Drawing on past clutter experience

Fruitcake also sent a link this week ~ www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/apr/12/escalating-consumption.

And here is a post for those book lovers out there that are trying to reduce their collections. The Other  side of complexity – Things to remember when getting rid of books .

Today’s Mini Mission

Round up, declutter and organise hair accessories ~ These tend to end up scattered all over the place making them impossible to find when you need them. They end up in school bags, handbags, bathroom drawers, bedside cabinets, in the little nooks and crannies in the car, sports/gym bags, coat pockets and even under the sofa cushions.

Eco Tip For The Day

Use lists to save fuel. As you think of errands you need to run during your week jot them down. Then arrange them in sequential order for economy of time and driving.

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!

Deb J shares some advice on how she got her mom on board with the decluttering in this comment.

Donna B had a couple of good comments this week. Here and here.

And here is Jen’s take on ~ You are not your stuff.

Jean doesn’t comment often but when she does it is usually a good one.

Rebecca J shares with us how she is progressing with her decluttering.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

In this post from Mark Adam Douglas he doesn’t talk about decluttering but the principle he talks about certainly applies.

This one, also from Mark, reminds me of the great conversations that go on between everyone here at 365.  

It has been a while since I shared with you a uni-tasker post from over at Unclutterer and these two just blew my mind. Egg holder & iPotty.

Here is an interesting strategy for decluttering from Robert @ Untitled Minimalist.

Today’s Mini Mission

Tidy and declutter your CD or DVD storage area.

Eco Tip For The Day

Line up all your errands so you only have to go out once in the car once and not several times in a day.

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!

This was a nice way for Donna B to introduce herself to 365. Read her comment here.

Here is Sanna’s thoughts of gift giving and receiving. And Deb J has something to say in this subject too.

I loved that Angela did not live Deb J’s method of decluttering and wanted to share that with others who also might feel the same. Read her comment here.

Here are three great responses to my post Never Satisfied ~ Deb J, Andréia and Megan S

And here is an update from Lena C on her 365 days of listing her decluttered items. Give her a little virtual pat on the back.

Here is a great comment I received from Danni via email ~ “My husband says we used to play storage jinga – how much can I stack/move before it falls over on me. These days there is actually open SPACE in my closets – first time EVER! and I LOVE it!”

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Loving Simple Living ~ Simple Living and Simple Kids

Here is a link that Leo Babauta shared with his readers recently. “Yet another number one company and clever marketing has done on us all.” Priceonomics.com ~ Diamonds are bullshit

Here is an oldie but a goodie from Leo Babuata@ Zen Habits

I would not encourage you to go adding stuff to your home but these tips give good clues as to how to use the already lovely stuff you already own to achieve a warm yet minimalist look. It is possible to remove the bulk of the clutter and still have a friendly, comfortable, welcoming home.

Here is the simplest decluttering advice I have seen so far. Substance Over Stuff.com ~ beginners-guide-to-minimalism 

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something made from fabric.

Eco Tip For The Day

Decorate outside the box with the stuff you already have rather than buying new.

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!

Jen sums up the problem with being owned by your stuff in this comment.

Melissa gives us an update on her decluttering efforts with the ten casserole dishes.

Jenny knows her weakness when it comes to finicky little chores and has put strategies in place to avoid avoidance. Read about it here.

Fruitcake gives us her take on deprivation in this comment.

This comment from Deb J is short but so true.

A couple of weeks back Cindy was chasing a link which Jo. H ended up finding for her. Her comment had a couple of other links she wanted to share with you. Thanks Jo.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here are two short articles from the guys at The Minimalists that I enjoyed this week ~  It’s Complicated  &  Never Happier.

And here is a post about escaping materialism from Tony over at We Only Do This Once.

Tohami from Midway Simplicity brings us the latest edition of the Midway Decluttering Show this week, featuring  Lorilee Lippincott of Loving Simple Living.

Cindy sent me this link she found with some great ideas on using up leftover vegetables from www.vegetariantimes.com

This last article has got me stumped and I almost didn’t include it here because I thought the message may not be congruent with what I advocate here at my blog. It was sent to me by Clare with whom I have discussed it with via email. I can’t make up my mind whether the author and I agree on nothing or whether we agree on more than I think but he is coming from a different stance than I. In the end I have decided to share it with you all for no other reason than for your opinion.

Today’s Mini Mission

We all have clutter we would be happier to give to a family member or friend rather then sell or donate. Do this with such an item today.

Eco Tip For The Day

Clean the filters in your home air-conditioning system regularly so it runs efficiently, saving energy and cost and possibly reducing allergy problems.

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!

Andréia’s comment

Cat’sMeow’s comment

Jane comment

Calico ginger comment-

Moni comment

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

News.com - Downsizing your life sell everything and move on

Found via Becoming Minimalist ~ Mark’s Daily Apple - How simplifying your life can help you refocus on whats important

Raptitude - How to make hard things easy

Cindy sent this link through~ Small Notebook – Resisting the desire to acquire

Jo H. found the link Cindy referred to last week and her it is ~ Small Notebook- Loosen the grip of more stuff

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter a piece of excess furniture such as bedside cabinet or a dressing table in a spare room. Guests don’t bring that much stuff that they require whole pieces of furniture to store it in. It is just something else you have to dust and vacuum around.

Eco Tip For The Day

 Investigate if things can be repaired before throwing them away.

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!

Here is a great comment from over at the 365 Facebook page from Jenny Adamson. Giving things away can bring more joy than keeping them.

Here is a thought about the shopping high from Idealistin.

Cat’sMeow has some great advice about treating yourself without causing clutter in this comment.

Brenda sent us this comment with a great quote to live by.

And while we are on the subject of quotes here is a message Cindy sent me this week that I wanted to share with you all. If you can identify who the quote was made by we would appreciate it.

Does this quote ring any bells with you? “I never dreamed that when I grew up I’d have so much crap that all I did was take care of it?” I know that’s not exactly right, but it came from this blog post that I loved and cannot re-locate. The author, who is a woman, is imagining sitting with her idealist college friends and never saying things like “I hope I have so much junk when I grow up that I have debts.” and “I hope I have to buy a bigger and bigger house to store all my belongings.”

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is a link sent in by Sanna for your enjoyment and mine ~ Just a little less ~ Making Room ~ The junk-room

And  Cindy sent in this link that is good for parents or even grandparents to read ~ www.parents.com ~ The to-do gift

I enjoyed this post from Tohami at Midway Simplicity ~ 25-simplicity-quotes-to-live-by-illustrated-with-pictures

Willow sent us in this link ~ www.nytimes.com ~ Living-with-less-a-lot-less

The Minimalists ~ 3 REASONS PEOPLE SEEK OUT OTHER POVS

Here is a link to a post by one of your fellow 365ers, Mard Adam Douglas.

Today’s Mini Mission

 Declutter some odd little thing that, up until now, has escaped your notice because it isn’t outstanding in any way. Yesterday I checked my bra drawer and in the bottom I found four little plastic baggies of extra bra straps that had come with bras that have long since worn out.

Eco Tip For The Day

If you use a cleaning service ask them about switching to using eco friendly cleaning products or consider switching to one that does.

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!

Kim tells us how she is finding it hard to walk past her favourite shops and asks her fellow 365ers for their advice in this comment.

Deb J had some great comments this week. This first one gives her take on those somedays that never come, while the second lets us in on a little update about decluttering with her mom.

This comment from Jo H says, in nine words, what my whole post didn’t quite convey. Well said Jo H.

Wendy B likes to want things, actually getting them would spoil the fun. Read about it in this comment.

Michelle tells us how she isn’t settling for second best or forever wanting stuff in this comment.

Judging by this comment Jen has cured herself of someday clutter collecting. 

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

If you feel like exploring some new to you blog on the subject of clutter reduction you might find a couple that take your fancy among this link  www.housekeeping.org/blog/25-blogs-guaranteed-to-help-you-reduce-clutter-in-your-home

Here is a good eco tip link sent in by Wendy F ~ www.providentliving.org.nz ~ Bottle Drip Irrigation

Here is a nice little post about how clutter kills freedom by Dana Byers

I am not sure if I have posted this link form The Happiness Project here before but just in case I am posting it again. It has nothing to do with decluttering just a lot to do with seeing things from another person’s perspective and possibly questioning our own. I thought it worth sharing.

Here is a blog post from the lovely Shaloo Walia at Spiritual Boosters. It has links to some good minimalist/simplicity posts.

Today’s Mini Mission

Get rid of a craft project you keep promising yourself you are going to finish someday. Donate it to a thrift shop as-is or find a local craft group who might be happy to take it off your hands. Learn what your habits are in the respect of finishing projects. If you have a habit of not finishing large project stick to smaller ones in the future. And also commit to not buying craft supplies that you only plan on using someday.

Eco Tip For The Day

Purchase and use reusable diapers/nappies for babies rather than disposable ones.

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!

This comment from Wendy B has some great advice about getting a reluctant partner into the decluttering frame of mind.

Lois tells us about how her life changed and how she adapted to those changes in this comment. She is to be applauded for her positive outlook on life. Good for you Lois, fur

Lena C talks about the changes in her thinking about possessions in this comment and how that makes it easier to let go. Good for you Lena.

Jen gives us her thoughts on kitchen gadgets in this comment. I agree Jen, they aren’t all they are cracked up to be.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Wendy F has been busy surfing the web to find me three interesting finds this week. I hope you also found time to declutter Wendy ;-). I know you did because you brought a few things in for donation at the thrfit shop including a sandwich maker. Thank you for that. Here are those links

1. century of the self – a documentary – summary

2. This video from Vimeo.com is sad in many ways but there is at least one winner in the story and that is the environment. Desperate times call for desperate measures. http://vimeo.com/m/57976073

3. This article about a photo exposé of kitchen portraits by Erik Klein Wolterink  clearly shows the differences in the states of one kitchen to another. Which kitchen does yours mostly resemble.

Sent from my husband Steve ~ http://lifehacker.com/5985779/how-to-curb-your-clutter-and-reduce-stress-in-the-process

Both Sanna and my husband suggested this link. I may have linked to this one recently but I am not sure. So if you have read it before please forgive the repetition.

Today’s Mini Mission

Some gadgets are just not worth the effort. Declutter those you don’t use because they are too complicated to assemble, to difficult to clean or that you can’t use because some parts are missing.

Eco Tip For The Day

 Don’t over soap your hands when washing them, you will not only waste soap but also use more water rinsing them.

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