Anne here, departing from the wenchly historical focus for a little. And having just completed a blog tour to launch The Winter Bride, I'm not going to say another word about it. Not a word!
Today I want to talk about clutter. I have a long-running relationship with clutter — I come from a family of pack-rats and hoarders and I can tell you, a background in history only makes the problem worse.
When I first studied history one of the things I loved, apart from all the stories, was poring over primary sources, and making inferences and judgements and guesses from them. primary sources being letters and diaries and all kinds of things that today we call . . . clutter. I remember one example was a large collection of household account books, discovered in a trunk on an attic somewhere. They kept historians busy for years and they found all kinds of fascinating information. 
So now, when I think of whether to toss something out, I think of those old account books, and the diaries and letters that various pack-rats of the past kept. How much poorer would this world have been, for instance, had some well-meaning neat-nik tossed out the diaries of Anne Frank? Or the letters of Jane Austen — some of which were destroyed anyway, for reasons of family privacy.
“What happened to all the historical detritus in the world? Some of it made it into drawers of museums, okay, but what about all those old postcards, the photoplates, the maps on napkins, the private journals with little latches on them? Did they burn in house fires? Were they sold at yard sales for 75¢? Or did they all just crumble into themselves like everything else in this world, the secret little stories contained within their pages disappearing, disappearing, and now gone forever.” ― Reif Larsen, The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet
The trouble is, not all letters and diaries and account books are worth preserving. I remember as a teenager, finding a tiny diary of my father's — he was nineteen and at war. The whole year contained perhaps a hundred words altogether. He said it was for reasons of security, but I'm more inclined to think he just wasn't in a mood to keep a diary. We have a few pages from his many letters home to my mother. They're family treasures, but probably not worth donating to the war memorial collection.
I have attempted many times to have a really big clear-out —I want (need) to renovate my house, and with very little storage space, I really needed to bite the bullet. But I keep putting it off, and getting side-tracked, and the packrat/historian in me really wanted to keep so much stuff. 
But after Christmas I decided it was time to Get Serious about clearing clutter from my house and life. So I decided to start by getting rid of —shock horror— books!
We moved all the time when I was a kid and the books that survived I have hung onto — plus replaced the favorites that went missing. When I was an adolescent, I spent most of my pocket money on books. It goes on…. Until recently, my attitude was that you can't have too many books. But I have large bookcases in every room and still there is no space for all my books.
Surprisingly (or maybe not) it was a book that helped me, one I'd had for a few years and almost put into the unwanted pile, except that being easily sidetracked, I started to read it. And this time it really spoke to me. CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston.
Now, quite a few of the wenches are fans of and very knowledgeable about Feng Shui, but for me, it wasn't the feng shui part that clicked so much (though I do find it interesting) as the way she went through all the various reasons people hang onto things they don't need, giving examples. At the same time as you see the crazy 'logic' of their justifications, you recognize that you've been operating on that same crazy 'logic'. Twenty different versions of it. I read it, going "OMG that's me," and "that's me, too," and "I do that!" LOL
I found it so inspiring, and it fired me up to get started — and keep going. (Actually even reading the amazon reviews of the book is inspiring.) Her examples really helped me to toss stuff I never could before, like my good camera with all its expensive lenses. But I just use a little point and click one, or my phone these days. So off it went to the charity shop and someone who will love it. I tossed so much — loads and loads and loads —most of it going to the charity shop. And the more I tossed, the easier it became.
I won't say that my house is clutter free yet, but it's a LOT emptier and I feel so much freer. And the whole prospect of renovating is actually starting to feel exciting, instead of daunting.
What about you? Do you have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Tell me about the things you tend to hoard. Or something precious —or bizarre— that someone in your family kept. I'll send a copy of Karen Kingston's book to someone (a packrat) who leaves a comment.
My closet runneth over with garments to the point where I made a pact with myself not to buy anything new unless I donate two pieces of clothing to the local op shop. I also boasted 13 pairs of boots for a while and suspect they are breeding again. So, there you have it, my secret hoarding habit.
My closet runneth over with garments to the point where I made a pact with myself not to buy anything new unless I donate two pieces of clothing to the local op shop. I also boasted 13 pairs of boots for a while and suspect they are breeding again. So, there you have it, my secret hoarding habit.
My closet runneth over with garments to the point where I made a pact with myself not to buy anything new unless I donate two pieces of clothing to the local op shop. I also boasted 13 pairs of boots for a while and suspect they are breeding again. So, there you have it, my secret hoarding habit.
My closet runneth over with garments to the point where I made a pact with myself not to buy anything new unless I donate two pieces of clothing to the local op shop. I also boasted 13 pairs of boots for a while and suspect they are breeding again. So, there you have it, my secret hoarding habit.
My closet runneth over with garments to the point where I made a pact with myself not to buy anything new unless I donate two pieces of clothing to the local op shop. I also boasted 13 pairs of boots for a while and suspect they are breeding again. So, there you have it, my secret hoarding habit.
I come from a long line of hoarders…. I am now clearing many many boxes brought from my father’s house after it was sold following his move to a nursing home, sorry “aged care facility” 🙂 I have over three hundred linen tea towels my parents collected in their travels, with flowers, towns, events commemorated and my father’s collection of candlesticks. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start!
I come from a long line of hoarders…. I am now clearing many many boxes brought from my father’s house after it was sold following his move to a nursing home, sorry “aged care facility” 🙂 I have over three hundred linen tea towels my parents collected in their travels, with flowers, towns, events commemorated and my father’s collection of candlesticks. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start!
I come from a long line of hoarders…. I am now clearing many many boxes brought from my father’s house after it was sold following his move to a nursing home, sorry “aged care facility” 🙂 I have over three hundred linen tea towels my parents collected in their travels, with flowers, towns, events commemorated and my father’s collection of candlesticks. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start!
I come from a long line of hoarders…. I am now clearing many many boxes brought from my father’s house after it was sold following his move to a nursing home, sorry “aged care facility” 🙂 I have over three hundred linen tea towels my parents collected in their travels, with flowers, towns, events commemorated and my father’s collection of candlesticks. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start!
I come from a long line of hoarders…. I am now clearing many many boxes brought from my father’s house after it was sold following his move to a nursing home, sorry “aged care facility” 🙂 I have over three hundred linen tea towels my parents collected in their travels, with flowers, towns, events commemorated and my father’s collection of candlesticks. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start!
I know exactly where you are coming from.I come from a family of hoarders – tho in fairness we must remember our parents and their parents probably had to reuse things and reinvent uses for things – so the heap of wood in the back of the garage that one day MAY come in useful makes a certain amount of sense !But living in a bungalow bulging at the seams with several generations of clutter from the now independant children back to their grandparents we decided on a good clear out last year and within reason have succeeded despite having children with their own houses who couldn’t possibly find room for their motheaten beanie bear collection or toy soldiers but woe betide parents who wanted to throw them out ! Threats involving the tip had to be made!After all if I had parted with some of my precious books – – -!
I know exactly where you are coming from.I come from a family of hoarders – tho in fairness we must remember our parents and their parents probably had to reuse things and reinvent uses for things – so the heap of wood in the back of the garage that one day MAY come in useful makes a certain amount of sense !But living in a bungalow bulging at the seams with several generations of clutter from the now independant children back to their grandparents we decided on a good clear out last year and within reason have succeeded despite having children with their own houses who couldn’t possibly find room for their motheaten beanie bear collection or toy soldiers but woe betide parents who wanted to throw them out ! Threats involving the tip had to be made!After all if I had parted with some of my precious books – – -!
I know exactly where you are coming from.I come from a family of hoarders – tho in fairness we must remember our parents and their parents probably had to reuse things and reinvent uses for things – so the heap of wood in the back of the garage that one day MAY come in useful makes a certain amount of sense !But living in a bungalow bulging at the seams with several generations of clutter from the now independant children back to their grandparents we decided on a good clear out last year and within reason have succeeded despite having children with their own houses who couldn’t possibly find room for their motheaten beanie bear collection or toy soldiers but woe betide parents who wanted to throw them out ! Threats involving the tip had to be made!After all if I had parted with some of my precious books – – -!
I know exactly where you are coming from.I come from a family of hoarders – tho in fairness we must remember our parents and their parents probably had to reuse things and reinvent uses for things – so the heap of wood in the back of the garage that one day MAY come in useful makes a certain amount of sense !But living in a bungalow bulging at the seams with several generations of clutter from the now independant children back to their grandparents we decided on a good clear out last year and within reason have succeeded despite having children with their own houses who couldn’t possibly find room for their motheaten beanie bear collection or toy soldiers but woe betide parents who wanted to throw them out ! Threats involving the tip had to be made!After all if I had parted with some of my precious books – – -!
I know exactly where you are coming from.I come from a family of hoarders – tho in fairness we must remember our parents and their parents probably had to reuse things and reinvent uses for things – so the heap of wood in the back of the garage that one day MAY come in useful makes a certain amount of sense !But living in a bungalow bulging at the seams with several generations of clutter from the now independant children back to their grandparents we decided on a good clear out last year and within reason have succeeded despite having children with their own houses who couldn’t possibly find room for their motheaten beanie bear collection or toy soldiers but woe betide parents who wanted to throw them out ! Threats involving the tip had to be made!After all if I had parted with some of my precious books – – -!
I did a huge chuck out of books in 2008 and then started to buy ebooks (mostly). I need to do another chuck out again. I’m contemplating getting rid of my mother’s crockery. I agree Anne, once you start chucking it becomes very liberating. I’m fortunate that we have a very active group of women in the Blue Mountains who raise money for East Timor so they’re always having garage sales. I’m seriously thinking about culling CDs next.
I did a huge chuck out of books in 2008 and then started to buy ebooks (mostly). I need to do another chuck out again. I’m contemplating getting rid of my mother’s crockery. I agree Anne, once you start chucking it becomes very liberating. I’m fortunate that we have a very active group of women in the Blue Mountains who raise money for East Timor so they’re always having garage sales. I’m seriously thinking about culling CDs next.
I did a huge chuck out of books in 2008 and then started to buy ebooks (mostly). I need to do another chuck out again. I’m contemplating getting rid of my mother’s crockery. I agree Anne, once you start chucking it becomes very liberating. I’m fortunate that we have a very active group of women in the Blue Mountains who raise money for East Timor so they’re always having garage sales. I’m seriously thinking about culling CDs next.
I did a huge chuck out of books in 2008 and then started to buy ebooks (mostly). I need to do another chuck out again. I’m contemplating getting rid of my mother’s crockery. I agree Anne, once you start chucking it becomes very liberating. I’m fortunate that we have a very active group of women in the Blue Mountains who raise money for East Timor so they’re always having garage sales. I’m seriously thinking about culling CDs next.
I did a huge chuck out of books in 2008 and then started to buy ebooks (mostly). I need to do another chuck out again. I’m contemplating getting rid of my mother’s crockery. I agree Anne, once you start chucking it becomes very liberating. I’m fortunate that we have a very active group of women in the Blue Mountains who raise money for East Timor so they’re always having garage sales. I’m seriously thinking about culling CDs next.
I had to downsize and still have too much stuff in containers in the cellar. Maybe that book would help me get rid of all those books. I have found that my favorite books are no longer available to me through the library – they declutter too. That is one reason I hang on to my favorite series re-reads!
I had to downsize and still have too much stuff in containers in the cellar. Maybe that book would help me get rid of all those books. I have found that my favorite books are no longer available to me through the library – they declutter too. That is one reason I hang on to my favorite series re-reads!
I had to downsize and still have too much stuff in containers in the cellar. Maybe that book would help me get rid of all those books. I have found that my favorite books are no longer available to me through the library – they declutter too. That is one reason I hang on to my favorite series re-reads!
I had to downsize and still have too much stuff in containers in the cellar. Maybe that book would help me get rid of all those books. I have found that my favorite books are no longer available to me through the library – they declutter too. That is one reason I hang on to my favorite series re-reads!
I had to downsize and still have too much stuff in containers in the cellar. Maybe that book would help me get rid of all those books. I have found that my favorite books are no longer available to me through the library – they declutter too. That is one reason I hang on to my favorite series re-reads!
Another aid to getting rid of clutter is Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. It goes through all aspects of your life, from wardrobe to computer files to all that stuff you inherited from your husband’s aunt to turning a room into an efficient workspace to kitchen cabinets to everything else. I listened to the audiobook (he’s a great narrator) and am in the process of getting it in print because there’s stuff you just need in print. (Not least because finding a specific place in an hour-long chapter is difficult.)
Another aid to getting rid of clutter is Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. It goes through all aspects of your life, from wardrobe to computer files to all that stuff you inherited from your husband’s aunt to turning a room into an efficient workspace to kitchen cabinets to everything else. I listened to the audiobook (he’s a great narrator) and am in the process of getting it in print because there’s stuff you just need in print. (Not least because finding a specific place in an hour-long chapter is difficult.)
Another aid to getting rid of clutter is Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. It goes through all aspects of your life, from wardrobe to computer files to all that stuff you inherited from your husband’s aunt to turning a room into an efficient workspace to kitchen cabinets to everything else. I listened to the audiobook (he’s a great narrator) and am in the process of getting it in print because there’s stuff you just need in print. (Not least because finding a specific place in an hour-long chapter is difficult.)
Another aid to getting rid of clutter is Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. It goes through all aspects of your life, from wardrobe to computer files to all that stuff you inherited from your husband’s aunt to turning a room into an efficient workspace to kitchen cabinets to everything else. I listened to the audiobook (he’s a great narrator) and am in the process of getting it in print because there’s stuff you just need in print. (Not least because finding a specific place in an hour-long chapter is difficult.)
Another aid to getting rid of clutter is Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. It goes through all aspects of your life, from wardrobe to computer files to all that stuff you inherited from your husband’s aunt to turning a room into an efficient workspace to kitchen cabinets to everything else. I listened to the audiobook (he’s a great narrator) and am in the process of getting it in print because there’s stuff you just need in print. (Not least because finding a specific place in an hour-long chapter is difficult.)
Also, I’ve noticed that regular moving helps with the decluttering. I especially notice now that I haven’t moved in five years…
Also, I’ve noticed that regular moving helps with the decluttering. I especially notice now that I haven’t moved in five years…
Also, I’ve noticed that regular moving helps with the decluttering. I especially notice now that I haven’t moved in five years…
Also, I’ve noticed that regular moving helps with the decluttering. I especially notice now that I haven’t moved in five years…
Also, I’ve noticed that regular moving helps with the decluttering. I especially notice now that I haven’t moved in five years…
You lost me when you said you got rid of books! Everything else can go, but the books stay! I have bins of stuffed animals & beanie babies in my basement. My kids are 21 & 14. I know I just need to throw them out, but something keeps stopping me!
You lost me when you said you got rid of books! Everything else can go, but the books stay! I have bins of stuffed animals & beanie babies in my basement. My kids are 21 & 14. I know I just need to throw them out, but something keeps stopping me!
You lost me when you said you got rid of books! Everything else can go, but the books stay! I have bins of stuffed animals & beanie babies in my basement. My kids are 21 & 14. I know I just need to throw them out, but something keeps stopping me!
You lost me when you said you got rid of books! Everything else can go, but the books stay! I have bins of stuffed animals & beanie babies in my basement. My kids are 21 & 14. I know I just need to throw them out, but something keeps stopping me!
You lost me when you said you got rid of books! Everything else can go, but the books stay! I have bins of stuffed animals & beanie babies in my basement. My kids are 21 & 14. I know I just need to throw them out, but something keeps stopping me!
I am a total hoarder. I wish I wasn’t, but I am. Luckily my sister is an excellent purger (the only thing she hordes is her pennies in her savings account!). Once a year or so she comes over and forces me to toss out stuff that I’ve been saving for who knows what reason.
If you were in Southern California, I’d send you my friend Paulette. She’s finally decided to accept her trust fund and start a non-profit dedicated to cleaning out and organizing people’s homes (instead of paying her, you donate to the charity of your choice). She did my kitchen when I bought my house and it was amazing.
I am a total hoarder. I wish I wasn’t, but I am. Luckily my sister is an excellent purger (the only thing she hordes is her pennies in her savings account!). Once a year or so she comes over and forces me to toss out stuff that I’ve been saving for who knows what reason.
If you were in Southern California, I’d send you my friend Paulette. She’s finally decided to accept her trust fund and start a non-profit dedicated to cleaning out and organizing people’s homes (instead of paying her, you donate to the charity of your choice). She did my kitchen when I bought my house and it was amazing.
I am a total hoarder. I wish I wasn’t, but I am. Luckily my sister is an excellent purger (the only thing she hordes is her pennies in her savings account!). Once a year or so she comes over and forces me to toss out stuff that I’ve been saving for who knows what reason.
If you were in Southern California, I’d send you my friend Paulette. She’s finally decided to accept her trust fund and start a non-profit dedicated to cleaning out and organizing people’s homes (instead of paying her, you donate to the charity of your choice). She did my kitchen when I bought my house and it was amazing.
I am a total hoarder. I wish I wasn’t, but I am. Luckily my sister is an excellent purger (the only thing she hordes is her pennies in her savings account!). Once a year or so she comes over and forces me to toss out stuff that I’ve been saving for who knows what reason.
If you were in Southern California, I’d send you my friend Paulette. She’s finally decided to accept her trust fund and start a non-profit dedicated to cleaning out and organizing people’s homes (instead of paying her, you donate to the charity of your choice). She did my kitchen when I bought my house and it was amazing.
I am a total hoarder. I wish I wasn’t, but I am. Luckily my sister is an excellent purger (the only thing she hordes is her pennies in her savings account!). Once a year or so she comes over and forces me to toss out stuff that I’ve been saving for who knows what reason.
If you were in Southern California, I’d send you my friend Paulette. She’s finally decided to accept her trust fund and start a non-profit dedicated to cleaning out and organizing people’s homes (instead of paying her, you donate to the charity of your choice). She did my kitchen when I bought my house and it was amazing.
Moving definitively cuts down on clutter. Although I have five boxes of stuff that I’ve never opened. It’s mainly nick-knacks from overseas trips that I hold on to because of the memories of those adventures. And then there’s the electric saw that I use to make extra shelves for cheap bookcases. With two extra boards, I can get a lot more paperbacks into that cheap bookcase. Of course, I can’t fit anymore bookcases, but I need that saw just in case.
When I do declutter, I do need the support of a good book or an email listserve–something to keep me tossing. My other trick is to invite a friend to hold the garbage bags for me. “Do I need this?” “Probably not.” “I think I’ll keep this.” “Why?” Or “Why not give it away to charity?” In two or three hours, I can get through a big pile with only a little left in the keep stack.
Moving definitively cuts down on clutter. Although I have five boxes of stuff that I’ve never opened. It’s mainly nick-knacks from overseas trips that I hold on to because of the memories of those adventures. And then there’s the electric saw that I use to make extra shelves for cheap bookcases. With two extra boards, I can get a lot more paperbacks into that cheap bookcase. Of course, I can’t fit anymore bookcases, but I need that saw just in case.
When I do declutter, I do need the support of a good book or an email listserve–something to keep me tossing. My other trick is to invite a friend to hold the garbage bags for me. “Do I need this?” “Probably not.” “I think I’ll keep this.” “Why?” Or “Why not give it away to charity?” In two or three hours, I can get through a big pile with only a little left in the keep stack.
Moving definitively cuts down on clutter. Although I have five boxes of stuff that I’ve never opened. It’s mainly nick-knacks from overseas trips that I hold on to because of the memories of those adventures. And then there’s the electric saw that I use to make extra shelves for cheap bookcases. With two extra boards, I can get a lot more paperbacks into that cheap bookcase. Of course, I can’t fit anymore bookcases, but I need that saw just in case.
When I do declutter, I do need the support of a good book or an email listserve–something to keep me tossing. My other trick is to invite a friend to hold the garbage bags for me. “Do I need this?” “Probably not.” “I think I’ll keep this.” “Why?” Or “Why not give it away to charity?” In two or three hours, I can get through a big pile with only a little left in the keep stack.
Moving definitively cuts down on clutter. Although I have five boxes of stuff that I’ve never opened. It’s mainly nick-knacks from overseas trips that I hold on to because of the memories of those adventures. And then there’s the electric saw that I use to make extra shelves for cheap bookcases. With two extra boards, I can get a lot more paperbacks into that cheap bookcase. Of course, I can’t fit anymore bookcases, but I need that saw just in case.
When I do declutter, I do need the support of a good book or an email listserve–something to keep me tossing. My other trick is to invite a friend to hold the garbage bags for me. “Do I need this?” “Probably not.” “I think I’ll keep this.” “Why?” Or “Why not give it away to charity?” In two or three hours, I can get through a big pile with only a little left in the keep stack.
Moving definitively cuts down on clutter. Although I have five boxes of stuff that I’ve never opened. It’s mainly nick-knacks from overseas trips that I hold on to because of the memories of those adventures. And then there’s the electric saw that I use to make extra shelves for cheap bookcases. With two extra boards, I can get a lot more paperbacks into that cheap bookcase. Of course, I can’t fit anymore bookcases, but I need that saw just in case.
When I do declutter, I do need the support of a good book or an email listserve–something to keep me tossing. My other trick is to invite a friend to hold the garbage bags for me. “Do I need this?” “Probably not.” “I think I’ll keep this.” “Why?” Or “Why not give it away to charity?” In two or three hours, I can get through a big pile with only a little left in the keep stack.
Anne, I think part of the problem is that clothes shopping is a pastime, not a necessity. And temptation is everywhere. Great solution to donate two for one new item.
I also have the problem — or I used to 🙂 — of keeping clothes for when I’m fatter/slimmer than whatever I am now. I tossed everything that didn’t fit me now, and then culled the pile again for things I didn’t much like or didn’t wear often. I now have spare coat hangers — even gave a pile to the charity shop — a situation never before experienced in this house. 😉
Anne, I think part of the problem is that clothes shopping is a pastime, not a necessity. And temptation is everywhere. Great solution to donate two for one new item.
I also have the problem — or I used to 🙂 — of keeping clothes for when I’m fatter/slimmer than whatever I am now. I tossed everything that didn’t fit me now, and then culled the pile again for things I didn’t much like or didn’t wear often. I now have spare coat hangers — even gave a pile to the charity shop — a situation never before experienced in this house. 😉
Anne, I think part of the problem is that clothes shopping is a pastime, not a necessity. And temptation is everywhere. Great solution to donate two for one new item.
I also have the problem — or I used to 🙂 — of keeping clothes for when I’m fatter/slimmer than whatever I am now. I tossed everything that didn’t fit me now, and then culled the pile again for things I didn’t much like or didn’t wear often. I now have spare coat hangers — even gave a pile to the charity shop — a situation never before experienced in this house. 😉
Anne, I think part of the problem is that clothes shopping is a pastime, not a necessity. And temptation is everywhere. Great solution to donate two for one new item.
I also have the problem — or I used to 🙂 — of keeping clothes for when I’m fatter/slimmer than whatever I am now. I tossed everything that didn’t fit me now, and then culled the pile again for things I didn’t much like or didn’t wear often. I now have spare coat hangers — even gave a pile to the charity shop — a situation never before experienced in this house. 😉
Anne, I think part of the problem is that clothes shopping is a pastime, not a necessity. And temptation is everywhere. Great solution to donate two for one new item.
I also have the problem — or I used to 🙂 — of keeping clothes for when I’m fatter/slimmer than whatever I am now. I tossed everything that didn’t fit me now, and then culled the pile again for things I didn’t much like or didn’t wear often. I now have spare coat hangers — even gave a pile to the charity shop — a situation never before experienced in this house. 😉
Oh, Karen, me too. In fact, being the only daughter in the city where mum and dad lived, my older sisters offloaded heaps of stuff to me.
It was hard to get rid of some of these things, but you know, I didn’t need all that crockery or the heaps of embroidered doilies or whatever to remember my mum and dad or my grandparents. The book really helped me to deal with this stuff.
Here’s an idea — the tea towels are gorgeous, but they’re not your memories, so why not choose half a dozen of your favorites, then have a bunch of friends around for a tea-towel party and let them each choose a tea towel — or three. It will be fun, there will be lots of lovely talk about your parents and the tea towels will go to your friends. It’s a start, anyway.
Oh, Karen, me too. In fact, being the only daughter in the city where mum and dad lived, my older sisters offloaded heaps of stuff to me.
It was hard to get rid of some of these things, but you know, I didn’t need all that crockery or the heaps of embroidered doilies or whatever to remember my mum and dad or my grandparents. The book really helped me to deal with this stuff.
Here’s an idea — the tea towels are gorgeous, but they’re not your memories, so why not choose half a dozen of your favorites, then have a bunch of friends around for a tea-towel party and let them each choose a tea towel — or three. It will be fun, there will be lots of lovely talk about your parents and the tea towels will go to your friends. It’s a start, anyway.
Oh, Karen, me too. In fact, being the only daughter in the city where mum and dad lived, my older sisters offloaded heaps of stuff to me.
It was hard to get rid of some of these things, but you know, I didn’t need all that crockery or the heaps of embroidered doilies or whatever to remember my mum and dad or my grandparents. The book really helped me to deal with this stuff.
Here’s an idea — the tea towels are gorgeous, but they’re not your memories, so why not choose half a dozen of your favorites, then have a bunch of friends around for a tea-towel party and let them each choose a tea towel — or three. It will be fun, there will be lots of lovely talk about your parents and the tea towels will go to your friends. It’s a start, anyway.
Oh, Karen, me too. In fact, being the only daughter in the city where mum and dad lived, my older sisters offloaded heaps of stuff to me.
It was hard to get rid of some of these things, but you know, I didn’t need all that crockery or the heaps of embroidered doilies or whatever to remember my mum and dad or my grandparents. The book really helped me to deal with this stuff.
Here’s an idea — the tea towels are gorgeous, but they’re not your memories, so why not choose half a dozen of your favorites, then have a bunch of friends around for a tea-towel party and let them each choose a tea towel — or three. It will be fun, there will be lots of lovely talk about your parents and the tea towels will go to your friends. It’s a start, anyway.
Oh, Karen, me too. In fact, being the only daughter in the city where mum and dad lived, my older sisters offloaded heaps of stuff to me.
It was hard to get rid of some of these things, but you know, I didn’t need all that crockery or the heaps of embroidered doilies or whatever to remember my mum and dad or my grandparents. The book really helped me to deal with this stuff.
Here’s an idea — the tea towels are gorgeous, but they’re not your memories, so why not choose half a dozen of your favorites, then have a bunch of friends around for a tea-towel party and let them each choose a tea towel — or three. It will be fun, there will be lots of lovely talk about your parents and the tea towels will go to your friends. It’s a start, anyway.
Jo, that’s it, exactly — my parents were raised by people who used everything to the last shred — and they were the same, and so am I. Recycling comes so naturally to me. 🙂 It made it so hard to throw out things that I didn’t want but still were “useful” — but I did. And the more I tossed the easier it became.
But you need to be firm with your kids. My mother was the same — many years ago, when I was still a student, she told me she’d toss anything that wasn’t gone by easter and she did. She needed to get rid of my clutter to make room for her own. *g*
Jo, that’s it, exactly — my parents were raised by people who used everything to the last shred — and they were the same, and so am I. Recycling comes so naturally to me. 🙂 It made it so hard to throw out things that I didn’t want but still were “useful” — but I did. And the more I tossed the easier it became.
But you need to be firm with your kids. My mother was the same — many years ago, when I was still a student, she told me she’d toss anything that wasn’t gone by easter and she did. She needed to get rid of my clutter to make room for her own. *g*
Jo, that’s it, exactly — my parents were raised by people who used everything to the last shred — and they were the same, and so am I. Recycling comes so naturally to me. 🙂 It made it so hard to throw out things that I didn’t want but still were “useful” — but I did. And the more I tossed the easier it became.
But you need to be firm with your kids. My mother was the same — many years ago, when I was still a student, she told me she’d toss anything that wasn’t gone by easter and she did. She needed to get rid of my clutter to make room for her own. *g*
Jo, that’s it, exactly — my parents were raised by people who used everything to the last shred — and they were the same, and so am I. Recycling comes so naturally to me. 🙂 It made it so hard to throw out things that I didn’t want but still were “useful” — but I did. And the more I tossed the easier it became.
But you need to be firm with your kids. My mother was the same — many years ago, when I was still a student, she told me she’d toss anything that wasn’t gone by easter and she did. She needed to get rid of my clutter to make room for her own. *g*
Jo, that’s it, exactly — my parents were raised by people who used everything to the last shred — and they were the same, and so am I. Recycling comes so naturally to me. 🙂 It made it so hard to throw out things that I didn’t want but still were “useful” — but I did. And the more I tossed the easier it became.
But you need to be firm with your kids. My mother was the same — many years ago, when I was still a student, she told me she’d toss anything that wasn’t gone by easter and she did. She needed to get rid of my clutter to make room for her own. *g*
Keziah, I’d never get rid of books I’d enjoyed — the ones I gave away were books I hadn’t ever finished and new I never would, or books I’d hated. I will always have a book problem — I want any book I like available in hard copy, with no technology needed to read it. I do read e-books these days, but any book that I think is a keeper, I’ll order in hard copy to go on my bookshelves.
But you’re so right about the liberating feeling of getting rid of stuff. And giving it to raise money for a good cause makes you feel doubly good, I think.
Keziah, I’d never get rid of books I’d enjoyed — the ones I gave away were books I hadn’t ever finished and new I never would, or books I’d hated. I will always have a book problem — I want any book I like available in hard copy, with no technology needed to read it. I do read e-books these days, but any book that I think is a keeper, I’ll order in hard copy to go on my bookshelves.
But you’re so right about the liberating feeling of getting rid of stuff. And giving it to raise money for a good cause makes you feel doubly good, I think.
Keziah, I’d never get rid of books I’d enjoyed — the ones I gave away were books I hadn’t ever finished and new I never would, or books I’d hated. I will always have a book problem — I want any book I like available in hard copy, with no technology needed to read it. I do read e-books these days, but any book that I think is a keeper, I’ll order in hard copy to go on my bookshelves.
But you’re so right about the liberating feeling of getting rid of stuff. And giving it to raise money for a good cause makes you feel doubly good, I think.
Keziah, I’d never get rid of books I’d enjoyed — the ones I gave away were books I hadn’t ever finished and new I never would, or books I’d hated. I will always have a book problem — I want any book I like available in hard copy, with no technology needed to read it. I do read e-books these days, but any book that I think is a keeper, I’ll order in hard copy to go on my bookshelves.
But you’re so right about the liberating feeling of getting rid of stuff. And giving it to raise money for a good cause makes you feel doubly good, I think.
Keziah, I’d never get rid of books I’d enjoyed — the ones I gave away were books I hadn’t ever finished and new I never would, or books I’d hated. I will always have a book problem — I want any book I like available in hard copy, with no technology needed to read it. I do read e-books these days, but any book that I think is a keeper, I’ll order in hard copy to go on my bookshelves.
But you’re so right about the liberating feeling of getting rid of stuff. And giving it to raise money for a good cause makes you feel doubly good, I think.
Gram, me too — in fact I have double copies of a few books that are almost falling apart from all the times I’ve read them. I could still make room by getting rid of more books, I know — and not books I particularly care about, but books that make me think of what I used to read when I was student, or the books I studied at Uni. The Clutter book really helped me to rationalize those thoughts and realize they were no reason to hang onto stuff I really didn’t need or want and wasn’t likely to again.
Gram, me too — in fact I have double copies of a few books that are almost falling apart from all the times I’ve read them. I could still make room by getting rid of more books, I know — and not books I particularly care about, but books that make me think of what I used to read when I was student, or the books I studied at Uni. The Clutter book really helped me to rationalize those thoughts and realize they were no reason to hang onto stuff I really didn’t need or want and wasn’t likely to again.
Gram, me too — in fact I have double copies of a few books that are almost falling apart from all the times I’ve read them. I could still make room by getting rid of more books, I know — and not books I particularly care about, but books that make me think of what I used to read when I was student, or the books I studied at Uni. The Clutter book really helped me to rationalize those thoughts and realize they were no reason to hang onto stuff I really didn’t need or want and wasn’t likely to again.
Gram, me too — in fact I have double copies of a few books that are almost falling apart from all the times I’ve read them. I could still make room by getting rid of more books, I know — and not books I particularly care about, but books that make me think of what I used to read when I was student, or the books I studied at Uni. The Clutter book really helped me to rationalize those thoughts and realize they were no reason to hang onto stuff I really didn’t need or want and wasn’t likely to again.
Gram, me too — in fact I have double copies of a few books that are almost falling apart from all the times I’ve read them. I could still make room by getting rid of more books, I know — and not books I particularly care about, but books that make me think of what I used to read when I was student, or the books I studied at Uni. The Clutter book really helped me to rationalize those thoughts and realize they were no reason to hang onto stuff I really didn’t need or want and wasn’t likely to again.
Sounds good. This book I’m talking about wasn’t so much about how to organize your stuff, as about how to unstick your thinking.
For me, it was the unsticking the thoughts that was the really valuable part — the reasons I was keeping some things which, when examined, were really dumb reasons. And once I unstuck my thoughts, I was able to toss clutter.
Sounds good. This book I’m talking about wasn’t so much about how to organize your stuff, as about how to unstick your thinking.
For me, it was the unsticking the thoughts that was the really valuable part — the reasons I was keeping some things which, when examined, were really dumb reasons. And once I unstuck my thoughts, I was able to toss clutter.
Sounds good. This book I’m talking about wasn’t so much about how to organize your stuff, as about how to unstick your thinking.
For me, it was the unsticking the thoughts that was the really valuable part — the reasons I was keeping some things which, when examined, were really dumb reasons. And once I unstuck my thoughts, I was able to toss clutter.
Sounds good. This book I’m talking about wasn’t so much about how to organize your stuff, as about how to unstick your thinking.
For me, it was the unsticking the thoughts that was the really valuable part — the reasons I was keeping some things which, when examined, were really dumb reasons. And once I unstuck my thoughts, I was able to toss clutter.
Sounds good. This book I’m talking about wasn’t so much about how to organize your stuff, as about how to unstick your thinking.
For me, it was the unsticking the thoughts that was the really valuable part — the reasons I was keeping some things which, when examined, were really dumb reasons. And once I unstuck my thoughts, I was able to toss clutter.
Yes, regular moving is a compulsory clear-out, isn’t it? And I haven’t moved for ages, which is part of the problem.
But part of my hoarding I think comes from the fact that we moved every year or two when I was a kid, and being the youngest, most of my stuff just disappeared with every move. It made me want to hang onto things more, I suspect.
Yes, regular moving is a compulsory clear-out, isn’t it? And I haven’t moved for ages, which is part of the problem.
But part of my hoarding I think comes from the fact that we moved every year or two when I was a kid, and being the youngest, most of my stuff just disappeared with every move. It made me want to hang onto things more, I suspect.
Yes, regular moving is a compulsory clear-out, isn’t it? And I haven’t moved for ages, which is part of the problem.
But part of my hoarding I think comes from the fact that we moved every year or two when I was a kid, and being the youngest, most of my stuff just disappeared with every move. It made me want to hang onto things more, I suspect.
Yes, regular moving is a compulsory clear-out, isn’t it? And I haven’t moved for ages, which is part of the problem.
But part of my hoarding I think comes from the fact that we moved every year or two when I was a kid, and being the youngest, most of my stuff just disappeared with every move. It made me want to hang onto things more, I suspect.
Yes, regular moving is a compulsory clear-out, isn’t it? And I haven’t moved for ages, which is part of the problem.
But part of my hoarding I think comes from the fact that we moved every year or two when I was a kid, and being the youngest, most of my stuff just disappeared with every move. It made me want to hang onto things more, I suspect.
Sharlene, I didn’t get rid of all my books — I still have um, thousands 🙂 — but in the past I’d never been able to get rid of *any* books. This time i got rid of all the ones I hadn’t finished and never would, or ones i hated, or books I knew I’d never pick up again.
I kept all my faves, and the series, and many many more.
Can I suggest you get your kids to pack one box of stuff they want to keep and let them choose what stays and what goes. You never know what other people find precious — private little memories, etc.
Sharlene, I didn’t get rid of all my books — I still have um, thousands 🙂 — but in the past I’d never been able to get rid of *any* books. This time i got rid of all the ones I hadn’t finished and never would, or ones i hated, or books I knew I’d never pick up again.
I kept all my faves, and the series, and many many more.
Can I suggest you get your kids to pack one box of stuff they want to keep and let them choose what stays and what goes. You never know what other people find precious — private little memories, etc.
Sharlene, I didn’t get rid of all my books — I still have um, thousands 🙂 — but in the past I’d never been able to get rid of *any* books. This time i got rid of all the ones I hadn’t finished and never would, or ones i hated, or books I knew I’d never pick up again.
I kept all my faves, and the series, and many many more.
Can I suggest you get your kids to pack one box of stuff they want to keep and let them choose what stays and what goes. You never know what other people find precious — private little memories, etc.
Sharlene, I didn’t get rid of all my books — I still have um, thousands 🙂 — but in the past I’d never been able to get rid of *any* books. This time i got rid of all the ones I hadn’t finished and never would, or ones i hated, or books I knew I’d never pick up again.
I kept all my faves, and the series, and many many more.
Can I suggest you get your kids to pack one box of stuff they want to keep and let them choose what stays and what goes. You never know what other people find precious — private little memories, etc.
Sharlene, I didn’t get rid of all my books — I still have um, thousands 🙂 — but in the past I’d never been able to get rid of *any* books. This time i got rid of all the ones I hadn’t finished and never would, or ones i hated, or books I knew I’d never pick up again.
I kept all my faves, and the series, and many many more.
Can I suggest you get your kids to pack one box of stuff they want to keep and let them choose what stays and what goes. You never know what other people find precious — private little memories, etc.
Thanks, Isobel, but I don’t need Paulette *g* — I have a friend who offered to help (ie. make) me throw stuff out, but I don’t need her either. This book has helped me change my attitude to so many things. I had a major purge, which made a huge difference, but it’s still going on — I look at things and think — I don’t need that. And into the charity box it goes.
I suspect a lot of writers are hoarders — it’s the stories in things that make you want to keep them.
Thanks, Isobel, but I don’t need Paulette *g* — I have a friend who offered to help (ie. make) me throw stuff out, but I don’t need her either. This book has helped me change my attitude to so many things. I had a major purge, which made a huge difference, but it’s still going on — I look at things and think — I don’t need that. And into the charity box it goes.
I suspect a lot of writers are hoarders — it’s the stories in things that make you want to keep them.
Thanks, Isobel, but I don’t need Paulette *g* — I have a friend who offered to help (ie. make) me throw stuff out, but I don’t need her either. This book has helped me change my attitude to so many things. I had a major purge, which made a huge difference, but it’s still going on — I look at things and think — I don’t need that. And into the charity box it goes.
I suspect a lot of writers are hoarders — it’s the stories in things that make you want to keep them.
Thanks, Isobel, but I don’t need Paulette *g* — I have a friend who offered to help (ie. make) me throw stuff out, but I don’t need her either. This book has helped me change my attitude to so many things. I had a major purge, which made a huge difference, but it’s still going on — I look at things and think — I don’t need that. And into the charity box it goes.
I suspect a lot of writers are hoarders — it’s the stories in things that make you want to keep them.
Thanks, Isobel, but I don’t need Paulette *g* — I have a friend who offered to help (ie. make) me throw stuff out, but I don’t need her either. This book has helped me change my attitude to so many things. I had a major purge, which made a huge difference, but it’s still going on — I look at things and think — I don’t need that. And into the charity box it goes.
I suspect a lot of writers are hoarders — it’s the stories in things that make you want to keep them.
Shannon, I also add shelves to cheap bookcases to squeeze in more books. And moving is a huge help in forcing you to get rid of excess stuff. That’s my problem — i’ve been in the same house for ages.
Love your attitude. It’s taken me forever to get to that point, but now I’m here, it’s a great feeling.
Shannon, I also add shelves to cheap bookcases to squeeze in more books. And moving is a huge help in forcing you to get rid of excess stuff. That’s my problem — i’ve been in the same house for ages.
Love your attitude. It’s taken me forever to get to that point, but now I’m here, it’s a great feeling.
Shannon, I also add shelves to cheap bookcases to squeeze in more books. And moving is a huge help in forcing you to get rid of excess stuff. That’s my problem — i’ve been in the same house for ages.
Love your attitude. It’s taken me forever to get to that point, but now I’m here, it’s a great feeling.
Shannon, I also add shelves to cheap bookcases to squeeze in more books. And moving is a huge help in forcing you to get rid of excess stuff. That’s my problem — i’ve been in the same house for ages.
Love your attitude. It’s taken me forever to get to that point, but now I’m here, it’s a great feeling.
Shannon, I also add shelves to cheap bookcases to squeeze in more books. And moving is a huge help in forcing you to get rid of excess stuff. That’s my problem — i’ve been in the same house for ages.
Love your attitude. It’s taken me forever to get to that point, but now I’m here, it’s a great feeling.
I’ve always been a purger (my father was too – I’m sure I learned it from him), except like everyone else here, books. But several years ago now, someone whom I greatly respected said simply, “Books can’t live on shelves. They die.” That felt really profound and really resonated with me. I took umpteen boxes of books to a library in eastern Ky. and you would have thought they’d won a lottery.
It’s easy for me now to move books on. The questions I ask are 1) Will I ever re-read this? or 2) Do I need this for research?
I’ve always been a purger (my father was too – I’m sure I learned it from him), except like everyone else here, books. But several years ago now, someone whom I greatly respected said simply, “Books can’t live on shelves. They die.” That felt really profound and really resonated with me. I took umpteen boxes of books to a library in eastern Ky. and you would have thought they’d won a lottery.
It’s easy for me now to move books on. The questions I ask are 1) Will I ever re-read this? or 2) Do I need this for research?
I’ve always been a purger (my father was too – I’m sure I learned it from him), except like everyone else here, books. But several years ago now, someone whom I greatly respected said simply, “Books can’t live on shelves. They die.” That felt really profound and really resonated with me. I took umpteen boxes of books to a library in eastern Ky. and you would have thought they’d won a lottery.
It’s easy for me now to move books on. The questions I ask are 1) Will I ever re-read this? or 2) Do I need this for research?
I’ve always been a purger (my father was too – I’m sure I learned it from him), except like everyone else here, books. But several years ago now, someone whom I greatly respected said simply, “Books can’t live on shelves. They die.” That felt really profound and really resonated with me. I took umpteen boxes of books to a library in eastern Ky. and you would have thought they’d won a lottery.
It’s easy for me now to move books on. The questions I ask are 1) Will I ever re-read this? or 2) Do I need this for research?
I’ve always been a purger (my father was too – I’m sure I learned it from him), except like everyone else here, books. But several years ago now, someone whom I greatly respected said simply, “Books can’t live on shelves. They die.” That felt really profound and really resonated with me. I took umpteen boxes of books to a library in eastern Ky. and you would have thought they’d won a lottery.
It’s easy for me now to move books on. The questions I ask are 1) Will I ever re-read this? or 2) Do I need this for research?
I have way too many boxes in my life. One of the few boxes that I have managed to discard after carefully moving it with me over 6 years, through 3 states and 11 houses contained 27 empty glass jars of assorted sizes. They were recycled during my last attempt at decluttering. Right move? Absolutely not! Recycled last year, in demand this year. My brother sent an urgent message asking for any empty jars yesterday confident that I would have some as I don’t throw anything away!
I have way too many boxes in my life. One of the few boxes that I have managed to discard after carefully moving it with me over 6 years, through 3 states and 11 houses contained 27 empty glass jars of assorted sizes. They were recycled during my last attempt at decluttering. Right move? Absolutely not! Recycled last year, in demand this year. My brother sent an urgent message asking for any empty jars yesterday confident that I would have some as I don’t throw anything away!
I have way too many boxes in my life. One of the few boxes that I have managed to discard after carefully moving it with me over 6 years, through 3 states and 11 houses contained 27 empty glass jars of assorted sizes. They were recycled during my last attempt at decluttering. Right move? Absolutely not! Recycled last year, in demand this year. My brother sent an urgent message asking for any empty jars yesterday confident that I would have some as I don’t throw anything away!
I have way too many boxes in my life. One of the few boxes that I have managed to discard after carefully moving it with me over 6 years, through 3 states and 11 houses contained 27 empty glass jars of assorted sizes. They were recycled during my last attempt at decluttering. Right move? Absolutely not! Recycled last year, in demand this year. My brother sent an urgent message asking for any empty jars yesterday confident that I would have some as I don’t throw anything away!
I have way too many boxes in my life. One of the few boxes that I have managed to discard after carefully moving it with me over 6 years, through 3 states and 11 houses contained 27 empty glass jars of assorted sizes. They were recycled during my last attempt at decluttering. Right move? Absolutely not! Recycled last year, in demand this year. My brother sent an urgent message asking for any empty jars yesterday confident that I would have some as I don’t throw anything away!
Lynne, I has the exact same experience, only I was delighted. A friend emailed me for a box of jam jars, because I always save them too.
Only this time I didn't have any.
Pooh to them I say — save your own jam jars.*g*
Lynne, I has the exact same experience, only I was delighted. A friend emailed me for a box of jam jars, because I always save them too.
Only this time I didn't have any.
Pooh to them I say — save your own jam jars.*g*
Lynne, I has the exact same experience, only I was delighted. A friend emailed me for a box of jam jars, because I always save them too.
Only this time I didn't have any.
Pooh to them I say — save your own jam jars.*g*
Lynne, I has the exact same experience, only I was delighted. A friend emailed me for a box of jam jars, because I always save them too.
Only this time I didn't have any.
Pooh to them I say — save your own jam jars.*g*
Lynne, I has the exact same experience, only I was delighted. A friend emailed me for a box of jam jars, because I always save them too.
Only this time I didn't have any.
Pooh to them I say — save your own jam jars.*g*
Those are good questions to ask yourself, Donna. Lucky you to be trained in purging young. I am envious of people who seem to come by it naturally — which means having a parent who taught the skill and passed on the attitude.
Those are good questions to ask yourself, Donna. Lucky you to be trained in purging young. I am envious of people who seem to come by it naturally — which means having a parent who taught the skill and passed on the attitude.
Those are good questions to ask yourself, Donna. Lucky you to be trained in purging young. I am envious of people who seem to come by it naturally — which means having a parent who taught the skill and passed on the attitude.
Those are good questions to ask yourself, Donna. Lucky you to be trained in purging young. I am envious of people who seem to come by it naturally — which means having a parent who taught the skill and passed on the attitude.
Those are good questions to ask yourself, Donna. Lucky you to be trained in purging young. I am envious of people who seem to come by it naturally — which means having a parent who taught the skill and passed on the attitude.
God help me, YES! I confess! I am a clutterer–I need anything that works!!
God help me, YES! I confess! I am a clutterer–I need anything that works!!
God help me, YES! I confess! I am a clutterer–I need anything that works!!
God help me, YES! I confess! I am a clutterer–I need anything that works!!
God help me, YES! I confess! I am a clutterer–I need anything that works!!
LOL Donna. Read the reviews of this book on amazon and it will give you a head start.
LOL Donna. Read the reviews of this book on amazon and it will give you a head start.
LOL Donna. Read the reviews of this book on amazon and it will give you a head start.
LOL Donna. Read the reviews of this book on amazon and it will give you a head start.
LOL Donna. Read the reviews of this book on amazon and it will give you a head start.
WONDERFUL!!! Except my brother is the family relish supplier! To guarantee supply I have to pay required jar ransom. My plan is to check the back of my cupboards for spares and tidying as I go. 😉
WONDERFUL!!! Except my brother is the family relish supplier! To guarantee supply I have to pay required jar ransom. My plan is to check the back of my cupboards for spares and tidying as I go. 😉
WONDERFUL!!! Except my brother is the family relish supplier! To guarantee supply I have to pay required jar ransom. My plan is to check the back of my cupboards for spares and tidying as I go. 😉
WONDERFUL!!! Except my brother is the family relish supplier! To guarantee supply I have to pay required jar ransom. My plan is to check the back of my cupboards for spares and tidying as I go. 😉
WONDERFUL!!! Except my brother is the family relish supplier! To guarantee supply I have to pay required jar ransom. My plan is to check the back of my cupboards for spares and tidying as I go. 😉
Oh, then that does complicate the matter. Curses!
Home-made relish is not to be sneezed at. *g*
Oh, then that does complicate the matter. Curses!
Home-made relish is not to be sneezed at. *g*
Oh, then that does complicate the matter. Curses!
Home-made relish is not to be sneezed at. *g*
Oh, then that does complicate the matter. Curses!
Home-made relish is not to be sneezed at. *g*
Oh, then that does complicate the matter. Curses!
Home-made relish is not to be sneezed at. *g*
Do I have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Not so much these days. Rather than trying to do a big clear-out, I do a little bit if not quite every day, but certainly every week. It’s turned into a habit. I look at things thinking “do I really still need that? Do I still like that book and if I do, should I replace it with an ebook? Is there more than 3 songs I like on this CD?” And depending on the condition of the things I either throw them away, give them away, sell or swap them for something else or -at least in the case of worn out old jeans- turn them into something else. I for instance made dust covers for my printer and computer out of some of my old jeans.
Do I have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Not so much these days. Rather than trying to do a big clear-out, I do a little bit if not quite every day, but certainly every week. It’s turned into a habit. I look at things thinking “do I really still need that? Do I still like that book and if I do, should I replace it with an ebook? Is there more than 3 songs I like on this CD?” And depending on the condition of the things I either throw them away, give them away, sell or swap them for something else or -at least in the case of worn out old jeans- turn them into something else. I for instance made dust covers for my printer and computer out of some of my old jeans.
Do I have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Not so much these days. Rather than trying to do a big clear-out, I do a little bit if not quite every day, but certainly every week. It’s turned into a habit. I look at things thinking “do I really still need that? Do I still like that book and if I do, should I replace it with an ebook? Is there more than 3 songs I like on this CD?” And depending on the condition of the things I either throw them away, give them away, sell or swap them for something else or -at least in the case of worn out old jeans- turn them into something else. I for instance made dust covers for my printer and computer out of some of my old jeans.
Do I have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Not so much these days. Rather than trying to do a big clear-out, I do a little bit if not quite every day, but certainly every week. It’s turned into a habit. I look at things thinking “do I really still need that? Do I still like that book and if I do, should I replace it with an ebook? Is there more than 3 songs I like on this CD?” And depending on the condition of the things I either throw them away, give them away, sell or swap them for something else or -at least in the case of worn out old jeans- turn them into something else. I for instance made dust covers for my printer and computer out of some of my old jeans.
Do I have trouble keeping clutter at bay? Not so much these days. Rather than trying to do a big clear-out, I do a little bit if not quite every day, but certainly every week. It’s turned into a habit. I look at things thinking “do I really still need that? Do I still like that book and if I do, should I replace it with an ebook? Is there more than 3 songs I like on this CD?” And depending on the condition of the things I either throw them away, give them away, sell or swap them for something else or -at least in the case of worn out old jeans- turn them into something else. I for instance made dust covers for my printer and computer out of some of my old jeans.
Karen, you could turn those tea towels into something else. I just saw this book on Amazon: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.
Karen, you could turn those tea towels into something else. I just saw this book on Amazon: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.
Karen, you could turn those tea towels into something else. I just saw this book on Amazon: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.
Karen, you could turn those tea towels into something else. I just saw this book on Amazon: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.
Karen, you could turn those tea towels into something else. I just saw this book on Amazon: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.
Replace books with ebooks. Made a lot of sense and freed some book shelf space. But what about the embarrassment which comes from ordering another ebook and this message comes up- “according to our records, you have already purchased this book!”
Hoarding on an ipad?
At least the ipad takes up little room.
Replace books with ebooks. Made a lot of sense and freed some book shelf space. But what about the embarrassment which comes from ordering another ebook and this message comes up- “according to our records, you have already purchased this book!”
Hoarding on an ipad?
At least the ipad takes up little room.
Replace books with ebooks. Made a lot of sense and freed some book shelf space. But what about the embarrassment which comes from ordering another ebook and this message comes up- “according to our records, you have already purchased this book!”
Hoarding on an ipad?
At least the ipad takes up little room.
Replace books with ebooks. Made a lot of sense and freed some book shelf space. But what about the embarrassment which comes from ordering another ebook and this message comes up- “according to our records, you have already purchased this book!”
Hoarding on an ipad?
At least the ipad takes up little room.
Replace books with ebooks. Made a lot of sense and freed some book shelf space. But what about the embarrassment which comes from ordering another ebook and this message comes up- “according to our records, you have already purchased this book!”
Hoarding on an ipad?
At least the ipad takes up little room.
This is serendipitous, as I spent much of yesterday decluttering my makeup case and bathroom beauty creams. Lest you think that is *nothing*, I am a woman of certain age who has never been able to resist the “free gift with purchase” lure of fine cosmetics. Even after tossing unflattering colors and consolidating containers, I still have probably 50 lipsticks and 13 jars of moisturizers/serums. I’ll let you know what works, LOL. Since I’m having Easter here, I also need to clean my desk/dresser top/bookshelves this week. If that doesn’t kill me, my walk-in closet, which has no door, is next to be tidied. I’ve started a Goodwill bag–this after 8 bags of clothes went there a few months ago. I obviously need to simplify!
This is serendipitous, as I spent much of yesterday decluttering my makeup case and bathroom beauty creams. Lest you think that is *nothing*, I am a woman of certain age who has never been able to resist the “free gift with purchase” lure of fine cosmetics. Even after tossing unflattering colors and consolidating containers, I still have probably 50 lipsticks and 13 jars of moisturizers/serums. I’ll let you know what works, LOL. Since I’m having Easter here, I also need to clean my desk/dresser top/bookshelves this week. If that doesn’t kill me, my walk-in closet, which has no door, is next to be tidied. I’ve started a Goodwill bag–this after 8 bags of clothes went there a few months ago. I obviously need to simplify!
This is serendipitous, as I spent much of yesterday decluttering my makeup case and bathroom beauty creams. Lest you think that is *nothing*, I am a woman of certain age who has never been able to resist the “free gift with purchase” lure of fine cosmetics. Even after tossing unflattering colors and consolidating containers, I still have probably 50 lipsticks and 13 jars of moisturizers/serums. I’ll let you know what works, LOL. Since I’m having Easter here, I also need to clean my desk/dresser top/bookshelves this week. If that doesn’t kill me, my walk-in closet, which has no door, is next to be tidied. I’ve started a Goodwill bag–this after 8 bags of clothes went there a few months ago. I obviously need to simplify!
This is serendipitous, as I spent much of yesterday decluttering my makeup case and bathroom beauty creams. Lest you think that is *nothing*, I am a woman of certain age who has never been able to resist the “free gift with purchase” lure of fine cosmetics. Even after tossing unflattering colors and consolidating containers, I still have probably 50 lipsticks and 13 jars of moisturizers/serums. I’ll let you know what works, LOL. Since I’m having Easter here, I also need to clean my desk/dresser top/bookshelves this week. If that doesn’t kill me, my walk-in closet, which has no door, is next to be tidied. I’ve started a Goodwill bag–this after 8 bags of clothes went there a few months ago. I obviously need to simplify!
This is serendipitous, as I spent much of yesterday decluttering my makeup case and bathroom beauty creams. Lest you think that is *nothing*, I am a woman of certain age who has never been able to resist the “free gift with purchase” lure of fine cosmetics. Even after tossing unflattering colors and consolidating containers, I still have probably 50 lipsticks and 13 jars of moisturizers/serums. I’ll let you know what works, LOL. Since I’m having Easter here, I also need to clean my desk/dresser top/bookshelves this week. If that doesn’t kill me, my walk-in closet, which has no door, is next to be tidied. I’ve started a Goodwill bag–this after 8 bags of clothes went there a few months ago. I obviously need to simplify!
Minna, that’s a great habit to develop — good on you. And I love the recycling of the old jeans into a new dustcover.
Minna, that’s a great habit to develop — good on you. And I love the recycling of the old jeans into a new dustcover.
Minna, that’s a great habit to develop — good on you. And I love the recycling of the old jeans into a new dustcover.
Minna, that’s a great habit to develop — good on you. And I love the recycling of the old jeans into a new dustcover.
Minna, that’s a great habit to develop — good on you. And I love the recycling of the old jeans into a new dustcover.
Ute, I’ll never give up my print copy books, I’m afraid — and I certainly won’t replace them with e-books. Take music, for instance: first I had records, then I put them onto tapes, then I had to replace them with CDs and now they’re on the way out, if not already obsolete.
Same with photos — how many photos lie lost forever buried on an old computer? But the ones from my grandparents’ era that sit in my grandmother’s leather case are still there to be looked at with the naked eye (or a pair of glasses)
So I don’t want to depend on any technology for my reading pleasure— it’s too important to me. So while I’ll happily read books on an e0reader, if it’s a keeper, I’ll buy a print copy.
Ute, I’ll never give up my print copy books, I’m afraid — and I certainly won’t replace them with e-books. Take music, for instance: first I had records, then I put them onto tapes, then I had to replace them with CDs and now they’re on the way out, if not already obsolete.
Same with photos — how many photos lie lost forever buried on an old computer? But the ones from my grandparents’ era that sit in my grandmother’s leather case are still there to be looked at with the naked eye (or a pair of glasses)
So I don’t want to depend on any technology for my reading pleasure— it’s too important to me. So while I’ll happily read books on an e0reader, if it’s a keeper, I’ll buy a print copy.
Ute, I’ll never give up my print copy books, I’m afraid — and I certainly won’t replace them with e-books. Take music, for instance: first I had records, then I put them onto tapes, then I had to replace them with CDs and now they’re on the way out, if not already obsolete.
Same with photos — how many photos lie lost forever buried on an old computer? But the ones from my grandparents’ era that sit in my grandmother’s leather case are still there to be looked at with the naked eye (or a pair of glasses)
So I don’t want to depend on any technology for my reading pleasure— it’s too important to me. So while I’ll happily read books on an e0reader, if it’s a keeper, I’ll buy a print copy.
Ute, I’ll never give up my print copy books, I’m afraid — and I certainly won’t replace them with e-books. Take music, for instance: first I had records, then I put them onto tapes, then I had to replace them with CDs and now they’re on the way out, if not already obsolete.
Same with photos — how many photos lie lost forever buried on an old computer? But the ones from my grandparents’ era that sit in my grandmother’s leather case are still there to be looked at with the naked eye (or a pair of glasses)
So I don’t want to depend on any technology for my reading pleasure— it’s too important to me. So while I’ll happily read books on an e0reader, if it’s a keeper, I’ll buy a print copy.
Ute, I’ll never give up my print copy books, I’m afraid — and I certainly won’t replace them with e-books. Take music, for instance: first I had records, then I put them onto tapes, then I had to replace them with CDs and now they’re on the way out, if not already obsolete.
Same with photos — how many photos lie lost forever buried on an old computer? But the ones from my grandparents’ era that sit in my grandmother’s leather case are still there to be looked at with the naked eye (or a pair of glasses)
So I don’t want to depend on any technology for my reading pleasure— it’s too important to me. So while I’ll happily read books on an e0reader, if it’s a keeper, I’ll buy a print copy.
I wouldn’t ever minimise the effort of that, Maggie. I did much the same, recently and gave a pile of stuff away to a teenaged daughter of a friend. But I think the main thing is just to start. You seem to be doing brilliantly.
PS You do know that clothes breed in the dark while you’re sleeping, don’t you? And some of them get smaller, too. *g*
I wouldn’t ever minimise the effort of that, Maggie. I did much the same, recently and gave a pile of stuff away to a teenaged daughter of a friend. But I think the main thing is just to start. You seem to be doing brilliantly.
PS You do know that clothes breed in the dark while you’re sleeping, don’t you? And some of them get smaller, too. *g*
I wouldn’t ever minimise the effort of that, Maggie. I did much the same, recently and gave a pile of stuff away to a teenaged daughter of a friend. But I think the main thing is just to start. You seem to be doing brilliantly.
PS You do know that clothes breed in the dark while you’re sleeping, don’t you? And some of them get smaller, too. *g*
I wouldn’t ever minimise the effort of that, Maggie. I did much the same, recently and gave a pile of stuff away to a teenaged daughter of a friend. But I think the main thing is just to start. You seem to be doing brilliantly.
PS You do know that clothes breed in the dark while you’re sleeping, don’t you? And some of them get smaller, too. *g*
I wouldn’t ever minimise the effort of that, Maggie. I did much the same, recently and gave a pile of stuff away to a teenaged daughter of a friend. But I think the main thing is just to start. You seem to be doing brilliantly.
PS You do know that clothes breed in the dark while you’re sleeping, don’t you? And some of them get smaller, too. *g*
I was into genealogy many years ago. I collected pictures, documents, and family stories. I made books my kids and 7 great nieces with copies of all documents, pictures, and stories etc. But now, my correspondence with my distant relatives from my search for family history is still in boxes and I am feeling an overwhelming need to discard it all and free up some space in my home. It’s hard to part with what I have treasured for so many years but I think the time has come… If I knew of a person in the family who would take it, I’d gladly give it to them. Unfortunately most family members eyes glaze over when I bring it up. I just hope one of the books I put together survive for a future generation who has an interest in their family history.
I was into genealogy many years ago. I collected pictures, documents, and family stories. I made books my kids and 7 great nieces with copies of all documents, pictures, and stories etc. But now, my correspondence with my distant relatives from my search for family history is still in boxes and I am feeling an overwhelming need to discard it all and free up some space in my home. It’s hard to part with what I have treasured for so many years but I think the time has come… If I knew of a person in the family who would take it, I’d gladly give it to them. Unfortunately most family members eyes glaze over when I bring it up. I just hope one of the books I put together survive for a future generation who has an interest in their family history.
I was into genealogy many years ago. I collected pictures, documents, and family stories. I made books my kids and 7 great nieces with copies of all documents, pictures, and stories etc. But now, my correspondence with my distant relatives from my search for family history is still in boxes and I am feeling an overwhelming need to discard it all and free up some space in my home. It’s hard to part with what I have treasured for so many years but I think the time has come… If I knew of a person in the family who would take it, I’d gladly give it to them. Unfortunately most family members eyes glaze over when I bring it up. I just hope one of the books I put together survive for a future generation who has an interest in their family history.
I was into genealogy many years ago. I collected pictures, documents, and family stories. I made books my kids and 7 great nieces with copies of all documents, pictures, and stories etc. But now, my correspondence with my distant relatives from my search for family history is still in boxes and I am feeling an overwhelming need to discard it all and free up some space in my home. It’s hard to part with what I have treasured for so many years but I think the time has come… If I knew of a person in the family who would take it, I’d gladly give it to them. Unfortunately most family members eyes glaze over when I bring it up. I just hope one of the books I put together survive for a future generation who has an interest in their family history.
I was into genealogy many years ago. I collected pictures, documents, and family stories. I made books my kids and 7 great nieces with copies of all documents, pictures, and stories etc. But now, my correspondence with my distant relatives from my search for family history is still in boxes and I am feeling an overwhelming need to discard it all and free up some space in my home. It’s hard to part with what I have treasured for so many years but I think the time has come… If I knew of a person in the family who would take it, I’d gladly give it to them. Unfortunately most family members eyes glaze over when I bring it up. I just hope one of the books I put together survive for a future generation who has an interest in their family history.
There are some interesting books about what to make out of old jeans, like Jeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues and 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.
There are some interesting books about what to make out of old jeans, like Jeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues and 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.
There are some interesting books about what to make out of old jeans, like Jeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues and 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.
There are some interesting books about what to make out of old jeans, like Jeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues and 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.
There are some interesting books about what to make out of old jeans, like Jeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues and 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.
One trick to aid in letting go of mementoes is to take a photograph of the tea towel, knickknack, or whatever. Pictures take up much less space, whether in an album or digitally stored, and the item is still available when you want to think about the person or place.
My 3 boys are grown now. Two live in New York and one here in DC but our house remains the main storage facility for much of their stuff. One weekend in March all 3 were in town, so I had them go through closets, desks, and dressers and put everything in one of three piles: keep, donate, throw away. Goodwill was a major beneficiary of the excess clothing, and there were many garbage bags set out for pickup that week. The hardest are the electronics, but my workplace is having a recycling day next week in honor of Earth Day, so the last of the excess should be gone by the 24th. I feel so much lighter and in control (an illusion, I know, but it does feel good).
One trick to aid in letting go of mementoes is to take a photograph of the tea towel, knickknack, or whatever. Pictures take up much less space, whether in an album or digitally stored, and the item is still available when you want to think about the person or place.
My 3 boys are grown now. Two live in New York and one here in DC but our house remains the main storage facility for much of their stuff. One weekend in March all 3 were in town, so I had them go through closets, desks, and dressers and put everything in one of three piles: keep, donate, throw away. Goodwill was a major beneficiary of the excess clothing, and there were many garbage bags set out for pickup that week. The hardest are the electronics, but my workplace is having a recycling day next week in honor of Earth Day, so the last of the excess should be gone by the 24th. I feel so much lighter and in control (an illusion, I know, but it does feel good).
One trick to aid in letting go of mementoes is to take a photograph of the tea towel, knickknack, or whatever. Pictures take up much less space, whether in an album or digitally stored, and the item is still available when you want to think about the person or place.
My 3 boys are grown now. Two live in New York and one here in DC but our house remains the main storage facility for much of their stuff. One weekend in March all 3 were in town, so I had them go through closets, desks, and dressers and put everything in one of three piles: keep, donate, throw away. Goodwill was a major beneficiary of the excess clothing, and there were many garbage bags set out for pickup that week. The hardest are the electronics, but my workplace is having a recycling day next week in honor of Earth Day, so the last of the excess should be gone by the 24th. I feel so much lighter and in control (an illusion, I know, but it does feel good).
One trick to aid in letting go of mementoes is to take a photograph of the tea towel, knickknack, or whatever. Pictures take up much less space, whether in an album or digitally stored, and the item is still available when you want to think about the person or place.
My 3 boys are grown now. Two live in New York and one here in DC but our house remains the main storage facility for much of their stuff. One weekend in March all 3 were in town, so I had them go through closets, desks, and dressers and put everything in one of three piles: keep, donate, throw away. Goodwill was a major beneficiary of the excess clothing, and there were many garbage bags set out for pickup that week. The hardest are the electronics, but my workplace is having a recycling day next week in honor of Earth Day, so the last of the excess should be gone by the 24th. I feel so much lighter and in control (an illusion, I know, but it does feel good).
One trick to aid in letting go of mementoes is to take a photograph of the tea towel, knickknack, or whatever. Pictures take up much less space, whether in an album or digitally stored, and the item is still available when you want to think about the person or place.
My 3 boys are grown now. Two live in New York and one here in DC but our house remains the main storage facility for much of their stuff. One weekend in March all 3 were in town, so I had them go through closets, desks, and dressers and put everything in one of three piles: keep, donate, throw away. Goodwill was a major beneficiary of the excess clothing, and there were many garbage bags set out for pickup that week. The hardest are the electronics, but my workplace is having a recycling day next week in honor of Earth Day, so the last of the excess should be gone by the 24th. I feel so much lighter and in control (an illusion, I know, but it does feel good).
Anne–
You’re an inspiration! I sooo need to do this. A downside of having a large house is that it’s easier to ignore the problem, and I have. But now–I’m adding to the clutter by buying her book. *G*
Anne–
You’re an inspiration! I sooo need to do this. A downside of having a large house is that it’s easier to ignore the problem, and I have. But now–I’m adding to the clutter by buying her book. *G*
Anne–
You’re an inspiration! I sooo need to do this. A downside of having a large house is that it’s easier to ignore the problem, and I have. But now–I’m adding to the clutter by buying her book. *G*
Anne–
You’re an inspiration! I sooo need to do this. A downside of having a large house is that it’s easier to ignore the problem, and I have. But now–I’m adding to the clutter by buying her book. *G*
Anne–
You’re an inspiration! I sooo need to do this. A downside of having a large house is that it’s easier to ignore the problem, and I have. But now–I’m adding to the clutter by buying her book. *G*
I seriously need to declutter also. What holds me back is the thought that I can sell the things I don’t want on ebay. But that would involve actually taking pictures, putting the listing up, etc. I never seem to get around to doing that.
I seriously need to declutter also. What holds me back is the thought that I can sell the things I don’t want on ebay. But that would involve actually taking pictures, putting the listing up, etc. I never seem to get around to doing that.
I seriously need to declutter also. What holds me back is the thought that I can sell the things I don’t want on ebay. But that would involve actually taking pictures, putting the listing up, etc. I never seem to get around to doing that.
I seriously need to declutter also. What holds me back is the thought that I can sell the things I don’t want on ebay. But that would involve actually taking pictures, putting the listing up, etc. I never seem to get around to doing that.
I seriously need to declutter also. What holds me back is the thought that I can sell the things I don’t want on ebay. But that would involve actually taking pictures, putting the listing up, etc. I never seem to get around to doing that.
Please come and help me dig myself out!! I know about taking it in small bites, but when I start thinking about what needs doing I always end up in a ‘catch22’ situation. The house is clean & well maintained but very, very, very cluttered 🙁
Please come and help me dig myself out!! I know about taking it in small bites, but when I start thinking about what needs doing I always end up in a ‘catch22’ situation. The house is clean & well maintained but very, very, very cluttered 🙁
Please come and help me dig myself out!! I know about taking it in small bites, but when I start thinking about what needs doing I always end up in a ‘catch22’ situation. The house is clean & well maintained but very, very, very cluttered 🙁
Please come and help me dig myself out!! I know about taking it in small bites, but when I start thinking about what needs doing I always end up in a ‘catch22’ situation. The house is clean & well maintained but very, very, very cluttered 🙁
Please come and help me dig myself out!! I know about taking it in small bites, but when I start thinking about what needs doing I always end up in a ‘catch22’ situation. The house is clean & well maintained but very, very, very cluttered 🙁
Moving every few years helps clear clutter away, as did downsizing. My husband is the real hoarder. He’s happy to throw away everyone else’s stuff, just not his own. Tweeted.
Moving every few years helps clear clutter away, as did downsizing. My husband is the real hoarder. He’s happy to throw away everyone else’s stuff, just not his own. Tweeted.
Moving every few years helps clear clutter away, as did downsizing. My husband is the real hoarder. He’s happy to throw away everyone else’s stuff, just not his own. Tweeted.
Moving every few years helps clear clutter away, as did downsizing. My husband is the real hoarder. He’s happy to throw away everyone else’s stuff, just not his own. Tweeted.
Moving every few years helps clear clutter away, as did downsizing. My husband is the real hoarder. He’s happy to throw away everyone else’s stuff, just not his own. Tweeted.
Jackie, I know the feeling, but don’t get rid of them. Sometimes these things skip a generation or even two. And maybe there’s a toddler somewhere in the family who will grow up to share your passion. These family things can never be replaced. Don’t toss them, please.
You could seal up the boxes in plastic and shove them into the roof space, or just scan all the correspondence onto disk. Or if the worst comes to the worst, donate it to some local history group.
But I bet someone in the family will want it — they just don’t believe you when you say you want to clear it out.
Jackie, I know the feeling, but don’t get rid of them. Sometimes these things skip a generation or even two. And maybe there’s a toddler somewhere in the family who will grow up to share your passion. These family things can never be replaced. Don’t toss them, please.
You could seal up the boxes in plastic and shove them into the roof space, or just scan all the correspondence onto disk. Or if the worst comes to the worst, donate it to some local history group.
But I bet someone in the family will want it — they just don’t believe you when you say you want to clear it out.
Jackie, I know the feeling, but don’t get rid of them. Sometimes these things skip a generation or even two. And maybe there’s a toddler somewhere in the family who will grow up to share your passion. These family things can never be replaced. Don’t toss them, please.
You could seal up the boxes in plastic and shove them into the roof space, or just scan all the correspondence onto disk. Or if the worst comes to the worst, donate it to some local history group.
But I bet someone in the family will want it — they just don’t believe you when you say you want to clear it out.
Jackie, I know the feeling, but don’t get rid of them. Sometimes these things skip a generation or even two. And maybe there’s a toddler somewhere in the family who will grow up to share your passion. These family things can never be replaced. Don’t toss them, please.
You could seal up the boxes in plastic and shove them into the roof space, or just scan all the correspondence onto disk. Or if the worst comes to the worst, donate it to some local history group.
But I bet someone in the family will want it — they just don’t believe you when you say you want to clear it out.
Jackie, I know the feeling, but don’t get rid of them. Sometimes these things skip a generation or even two. And maybe there’s a toddler somewhere in the family who will grow up to share your passion. These family things can never be replaced. Don’t toss them, please.
You could seal up the boxes in plastic and shove them into the roof space, or just scan all the correspondence onto disk. Or if the worst comes to the worst, donate it to some local history group.
But I bet someone in the family will want it — they just don’t believe you when you say you want to clear it out.
Good idea, Susan. And also good move to get the boys to clear out their stuff while they were visiting. I have a little pile of electronic equipment that I will drive over to the recycle place across town. It’s a good feeling to get rid of stuff and know it will be of use to someone, isn’t it?
Good idea, Susan. And also good move to get the boys to clear out their stuff while they were visiting. I have a little pile of electronic equipment that I will drive over to the recycle place across town. It’s a good feeling to get rid of stuff and know it will be of use to someone, isn’t it?
Good idea, Susan. And also good move to get the boys to clear out their stuff while they were visiting. I have a little pile of electronic equipment that I will drive over to the recycle place across town. It’s a good feeling to get rid of stuff and know it will be of use to someone, isn’t it?
Good idea, Susan. And also good move to get the boys to clear out their stuff while they were visiting. I have a little pile of electronic equipment that I will drive over to the recycle place across town. It’s a good feeling to get rid of stuff and know it will be of use to someone, isn’t it?
Good idea, Susan. And also good move to get the boys to clear out their stuff while they were visiting. I have a little pile of electronic equipment that I will drive over to the recycle place across town. It’s a good feeling to get rid of stuff and know it will be of use to someone, isn’t it?
Mary Jo, I must confess I laughed at myself when I bought the clutter book — buying a book to help me get rid of clutter, half of which was too many books. But what can I say, it worked. And it’s one book I won;’t ever lend to anyone — I’ve bought several copies for friends. But no doubt they, like me, will have it hanging around for a while before they actually use it. The first time I started reading it, the early part — “do this and you will benefit financially” kind of thing did not resonate at all with me. But once she started on about the reasons people hang onto stuff— that was an eye-opener and quite self-revelatory. That’s the part that worked for me.
Mary Jo, I must confess I laughed at myself when I bought the clutter book — buying a book to help me get rid of clutter, half of which was too many books. But what can I say, it worked. And it’s one book I won;’t ever lend to anyone — I’ve bought several copies for friends. But no doubt they, like me, will have it hanging around for a while before they actually use it. The first time I started reading it, the early part — “do this and you will benefit financially” kind of thing did not resonate at all with me. But once she started on about the reasons people hang onto stuff— that was an eye-opener and quite self-revelatory. That’s the part that worked for me.
Mary Jo, I must confess I laughed at myself when I bought the clutter book — buying a book to help me get rid of clutter, half of which was too many books. But what can I say, it worked. And it’s one book I won;’t ever lend to anyone — I’ve bought several copies for friends. But no doubt they, like me, will have it hanging around for a while before they actually use it. The first time I started reading it, the early part — “do this and you will benefit financially” kind of thing did not resonate at all with me. But once she started on about the reasons people hang onto stuff— that was an eye-opener and quite self-revelatory. That’s the part that worked for me.
Mary Jo, I must confess I laughed at myself when I bought the clutter book — buying a book to help me get rid of clutter, half of which was too many books. But what can I say, it worked. And it’s one book I won;’t ever lend to anyone — I’ve bought several copies for friends. But no doubt they, like me, will have it hanging around for a while before they actually use it. The first time I started reading it, the early part — “do this and you will benefit financially” kind of thing did not resonate at all with me. But once she started on about the reasons people hang onto stuff— that was an eye-opener and quite self-revelatory. That’s the part that worked for me.
Mary Jo, I must confess I laughed at myself when I bought the clutter book — buying a book to help me get rid of clutter, half of which was too many books. But what can I say, it worked. And it’s one book I won;’t ever lend to anyone — I’ve bought several copies for friends. But no doubt they, like me, will have it hanging around for a while before they actually use it. The first time I started reading it, the early part — “do this and you will benefit financially” kind of thing did not resonate at all with me. But once she started on about the reasons people hang onto stuff— that was an eye-opener and quite self-revelatory. That’s the part that worked for me.
Hannah, I think that thought crosses all our minds, and often stops us from getting rid of stuff. What made the difference for me was asking myself how much money I would make. $100? And how much effort would that be to a) advertise it, b) sell it and c) post it.
Then I asked myself whether I would be prepared to pay someone $100 to clear my house of clutter. And the answer was yes.
The second thing was that I was giving any useful stuff to charity, and do I believe in donating money to charity? Yes indeed.
So for me giving it away was quicker and easier, and also doing good for others. I’m lucky too in that we have a charity here that comes and collects stuff from your front porch, and you would not believe the glee I felt as I watched the guys load all my stuff into their truck and drive off. Better than making $100 bucks any day. I would have paid them to take it away, but instead it was helping someone. A great feeling.
Hannah, I think that thought crosses all our minds, and often stops us from getting rid of stuff. What made the difference for me was asking myself how much money I would make. $100? And how much effort would that be to a) advertise it, b) sell it and c) post it.
Then I asked myself whether I would be prepared to pay someone $100 to clear my house of clutter. And the answer was yes.
The second thing was that I was giving any useful stuff to charity, and do I believe in donating money to charity? Yes indeed.
So for me giving it away was quicker and easier, and also doing good for others. I’m lucky too in that we have a charity here that comes and collects stuff from your front porch, and you would not believe the glee I felt as I watched the guys load all my stuff into their truck and drive off. Better than making $100 bucks any day. I would have paid them to take it away, but instead it was helping someone. A great feeling.
Hannah, I think that thought crosses all our minds, and often stops us from getting rid of stuff. What made the difference for me was asking myself how much money I would make. $100? And how much effort would that be to a) advertise it, b) sell it and c) post it.
Then I asked myself whether I would be prepared to pay someone $100 to clear my house of clutter. And the answer was yes.
The second thing was that I was giving any useful stuff to charity, and do I believe in donating money to charity? Yes indeed.
So for me giving it away was quicker and easier, and also doing good for others. I’m lucky too in that we have a charity here that comes and collects stuff from your front porch, and you would not believe the glee I felt as I watched the guys load all my stuff into their truck and drive off. Better than making $100 bucks any day. I would have paid them to take it away, but instead it was helping someone. A great feeling.
Hannah, I think that thought crosses all our minds, and often stops us from getting rid of stuff. What made the difference for me was asking myself how much money I would make. $100? And how much effort would that be to a) advertise it, b) sell it and c) post it.
Then I asked myself whether I would be prepared to pay someone $100 to clear my house of clutter. And the answer was yes.
The second thing was that I was giving any useful stuff to charity, and do I believe in donating money to charity? Yes indeed.
So for me giving it away was quicker and easier, and also doing good for others. I’m lucky too in that we have a charity here that comes and collects stuff from your front porch, and you would not believe the glee I felt as I watched the guys load all my stuff into their truck and drive off. Better than making $100 bucks any day. I would have paid them to take it away, but instead it was helping someone. A great feeling.
Hannah, I think that thought crosses all our minds, and often stops us from getting rid of stuff. What made the difference for me was asking myself how much money I would make. $100? And how much effort would that be to a) advertise it, b) sell it and c) post it.
Then I asked myself whether I would be prepared to pay someone $100 to clear my house of clutter. And the answer was yes.
The second thing was that I was giving any useful stuff to charity, and do I believe in donating money to charity? Yes indeed.
So for me giving it away was quicker and easier, and also doing good for others. I’m lucky too in that we have a charity here that comes and collects stuff from your front porch, and you would not believe the glee I felt as I watched the guys load all my stuff into their truck and drive off. Better than making $100 bucks any day. I would have paid them to take it away, but instead it was helping someone. A great feeling.
Cynth, I think that’s the hardest thing. I have no storage space — no built in cupboards or shelves, so it’s very easy for clutter to breed.
I have a little card that asks:
Is it clutter?
Is it broken?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Does it have a home?
Strive for zen surfaces.
A zen surface is a flat, clear, clean surface. To start with I decided I needed a zen surface in every room. I started with my bedroom, and cleared the top of a little chest of drawers (which was piled high with stuff. I cleared the stuff away — if it didn’t have a proper place to be put away, I had to either find one, make one or give it away. I cleared that chest of drawers, polished it with lemon beeswax and have kept it as my bedroom zen surface ever since. It’s a little piece of calmness and inspiration. And zen surfaces are contagious.
Cynth, I think that’s the hardest thing. I have no storage space — no built in cupboards or shelves, so it’s very easy for clutter to breed.
I have a little card that asks:
Is it clutter?
Is it broken?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Does it have a home?
Strive for zen surfaces.
A zen surface is a flat, clear, clean surface. To start with I decided I needed a zen surface in every room. I started with my bedroom, and cleared the top of a little chest of drawers (which was piled high with stuff. I cleared the stuff away — if it didn’t have a proper place to be put away, I had to either find one, make one or give it away. I cleared that chest of drawers, polished it with lemon beeswax and have kept it as my bedroom zen surface ever since. It’s a little piece of calmness and inspiration. And zen surfaces are contagious.
Cynth, I think that’s the hardest thing. I have no storage space — no built in cupboards or shelves, so it’s very easy for clutter to breed.
I have a little card that asks:
Is it clutter?
Is it broken?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Does it have a home?
Strive for zen surfaces.
A zen surface is a flat, clear, clean surface. To start with I decided I needed a zen surface in every room. I started with my bedroom, and cleared the top of a little chest of drawers (which was piled high with stuff. I cleared the stuff away — if it didn’t have a proper place to be put away, I had to either find one, make one or give it away. I cleared that chest of drawers, polished it with lemon beeswax and have kept it as my bedroom zen surface ever since. It’s a little piece of calmness and inspiration. And zen surfaces are contagious.
Cynth, I think that’s the hardest thing. I have no storage space — no built in cupboards or shelves, so it’s very easy for clutter to breed.
I have a little card that asks:
Is it clutter?
Is it broken?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Does it have a home?
Strive for zen surfaces.
A zen surface is a flat, clear, clean surface. To start with I decided I needed a zen surface in every room. I started with my bedroom, and cleared the top of a little chest of drawers (which was piled high with stuff. I cleared the stuff away — if it didn’t have a proper place to be put away, I had to either find one, make one or give it away. I cleared that chest of drawers, polished it with lemon beeswax and have kept it as my bedroom zen surface ever since. It’s a little piece of calmness and inspiration. And zen surfaces are contagious.
Cynth, I think that’s the hardest thing. I have no storage space — no built in cupboards or shelves, so it’s very easy for clutter to breed.
I have a little card that asks:
Is it clutter?
Is it broken?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Does it have a home?
Strive for zen surfaces.
A zen surface is a flat, clear, clean surface. To start with I decided I needed a zen surface in every room. I started with my bedroom, and cleared the top of a little chest of drawers (which was piled high with stuff. I cleared the stuff away — if it didn’t have a proper place to be put away, I had to either find one, make one or give it away. I cleared that chest of drawers, polished it with lemon beeswax and have kept it as my bedroom zen surface ever since. It’s a little piece of calmness and inspiration. And zen surfaces are contagious.
Moving is great for decluttering, I agree, Ella. And though I’m not moving, the need to renovate this house — which is like moving — is what got me started.
Moving is great for decluttering, I agree, Ella. And though I’m not moving, the need to renovate this house — which is like moving — is what got me started.
Moving is great for decluttering, I agree, Ella. And though I’m not moving, the need to renovate this house — which is like moving — is what got me started.
Moving is great for decluttering, I agree, Ella. And though I’m not moving, the need to renovate this house — which is like moving — is what got me started.
Moving is great for decluttering, I agree, Ella. And though I’m not moving, the need to renovate this house — which is like moving — is what got me started.
Just look at the last pictures I posted on my newsfeed and you will see clutter. It’s my sewing stuff and I got a new quilting (okay an old table from a flea market) to hold some of my sewing stuff. I put some of my sewing chest around it so I could use it more easily. Oh, the joys of clutter! I don’t want to be free! If I’m free I have nothing to do with myself, with clutter I have a world of opportunity to fulfill dreams of enchantment. A quilt. Kinda like a Book. Read Winter Bride and enjoyed it very much..Looking for Spring Bride and Summer Bride. I do so hope you are working….
Just look at the last pictures I posted on my newsfeed and you will see clutter. It’s my sewing stuff and I got a new quilting (okay an old table from a flea market) to hold some of my sewing stuff. I put some of my sewing chest around it so I could use it more easily. Oh, the joys of clutter! I don’t want to be free! If I’m free I have nothing to do with myself, with clutter I have a world of opportunity to fulfill dreams of enchantment. A quilt. Kinda like a Book. Read Winter Bride and enjoyed it very much..Looking for Spring Bride and Summer Bride. I do so hope you are working….
Just look at the last pictures I posted on my newsfeed and you will see clutter. It’s my sewing stuff and I got a new quilting (okay an old table from a flea market) to hold some of my sewing stuff. I put some of my sewing chest around it so I could use it more easily. Oh, the joys of clutter! I don’t want to be free! If I’m free I have nothing to do with myself, with clutter I have a world of opportunity to fulfill dreams of enchantment. A quilt. Kinda like a Book. Read Winter Bride and enjoyed it very much..Looking for Spring Bride and Summer Bride. I do so hope you are working….
Just look at the last pictures I posted on my newsfeed and you will see clutter. It’s my sewing stuff and I got a new quilting (okay an old table from a flea market) to hold some of my sewing stuff. I put some of my sewing chest around it so I could use it more easily. Oh, the joys of clutter! I don’t want to be free! If I’m free I have nothing to do with myself, with clutter I have a world of opportunity to fulfill dreams of enchantment. A quilt. Kinda like a Book. Read Winter Bride and enjoyed it very much..Looking for Spring Bride and Summer Bride. I do so hope you are working….
Just look at the last pictures I posted on my newsfeed and you will see clutter. It’s my sewing stuff and I got a new quilting (okay an old table from a flea market) to hold some of my sewing stuff. I put some of my sewing chest around it so I could use it more easily. Oh, the joys of clutter! I don’t want to be free! If I’m free I have nothing to do with myself, with clutter I have a world of opportunity to fulfill dreams of enchantment. A quilt. Kinda like a Book. Read Winter Bride and enjoyed it very much..Looking for Spring Bride and Summer Bride. I do so hope you are working….
I hoard paperwork that I don’t want to go thru, but yet can’t throw away….urrrgh. Along w/collecting cookbooks that I rarely cook from.
I hoard paperwork that I don’t want to go thru, but yet can’t throw away….urrrgh. Along w/collecting cookbooks that I rarely cook from.
I hoard paperwork that I don’t want to go thru, but yet can’t throw away….urrrgh. Along w/collecting cookbooks that I rarely cook from.
I hoard paperwork that I don’t want to go thru, but yet can’t throw away….urrrgh. Along w/collecting cookbooks that I rarely cook from.
I hoard paperwork that I don’t want to go thru, but yet can’t throw away….urrrgh. Along w/collecting cookbooks that I rarely cook from.
I only hoard papers and books. I don’t have problems with the clothes, because I use the ‘one year rule’. Twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter, I go through my wardrobe. I haven’t used it in a year, it goes to charity.
But with books -I can’t.
Anyway, my main problem is paper. I print everything that interests me or that I think can be useful for my job. But then I don’t know how to file it so I don’t use it. In the office, one co-worker that has exactly the same job as mine has everything clear, with just a few of tidy stacks of paper. My office is the opposite -a lot of untidy papers everywhere. He says he really doesn’t know how I can work that way.
Not a long time ago I read ‘The Fear Index’, by Robert Harris. And in this thriller there was a company with a ‘zero paper’ rule. Everything was in the computers. I loved the idea! I even tried, I’m still trying, but I have the same problem, I’m not better at organizing electronic files as I’m with paper ones. So I accept any suggestion. I think I’ll even buy that feng shui book if it can help me.
I only hoard papers and books. I don’t have problems with the clothes, because I use the ‘one year rule’. Twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter, I go through my wardrobe. I haven’t used it in a year, it goes to charity.
But with books -I can’t.
Anyway, my main problem is paper. I print everything that interests me or that I think can be useful for my job. But then I don’t know how to file it so I don’t use it. In the office, one co-worker that has exactly the same job as mine has everything clear, with just a few of tidy stacks of paper. My office is the opposite -a lot of untidy papers everywhere. He says he really doesn’t know how I can work that way.
Not a long time ago I read ‘The Fear Index’, by Robert Harris. And in this thriller there was a company with a ‘zero paper’ rule. Everything was in the computers. I loved the idea! I even tried, I’m still trying, but I have the same problem, I’m not better at organizing electronic files as I’m with paper ones. So I accept any suggestion. I think I’ll even buy that feng shui book if it can help me.
I only hoard papers and books. I don’t have problems with the clothes, because I use the ‘one year rule’. Twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter, I go through my wardrobe. I haven’t used it in a year, it goes to charity.
But with books -I can’t.
Anyway, my main problem is paper. I print everything that interests me or that I think can be useful for my job. But then I don’t know how to file it so I don’t use it. In the office, one co-worker that has exactly the same job as mine has everything clear, with just a few of tidy stacks of paper. My office is the opposite -a lot of untidy papers everywhere. He says he really doesn’t know how I can work that way.
Not a long time ago I read ‘The Fear Index’, by Robert Harris. And in this thriller there was a company with a ‘zero paper’ rule. Everything was in the computers. I loved the idea! I even tried, I’m still trying, but I have the same problem, I’m not better at organizing electronic files as I’m with paper ones. So I accept any suggestion. I think I’ll even buy that feng shui book if it can help me.
I only hoard papers and books. I don’t have problems with the clothes, because I use the ‘one year rule’. Twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter, I go through my wardrobe. I haven’t used it in a year, it goes to charity.
But with books -I can’t.
Anyway, my main problem is paper. I print everything that interests me or that I think can be useful for my job. But then I don’t know how to file it so I don’t use it. In the office, one co-worker that has exactly the same job as mine has everything clear, with just a few of tidy stacks of paper. My office is the opposite -a lot of untidy papers everywhere. He says he really doesn’t know how I can work that way.
Not a long time ago I read ‘The Fear Index’, by Robert Harris. And in this thriller there was a company with a ‘zero paper’ rule. Everything was in the computers. I loved the idea! I even tried, I’m still trying, but I have the same problem, I’m not better at organizing electronic files as I’m with paper ones. So I accept any suggestion. I think I’ll even buy that feng shui book if it can help me.
I only hoard papers and books. I don’t have problems with the clothes, because I use the ‘one year rule’. Twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter, I go through my wardrobe. I haven’t used it in a year, it goes to charity.
But with books -I can’t.
Anyway, my main problem is paper. I print everything that interests me or that I think can be useful for my job. But then I don’t know how to file it so I don’t use it. In the office, one co-worker that has exactly the same job as mine has everything clear, with just a few of tidy stacks of paper. My office is the opposite -a lot of untidy papers everywhere. He says he really doesn’t know how I can work that way.
Not a long time ago I read ‘The Fear Index’, by Robert Harris. And in this thriller there was a company with a ‘zero paper’ rule. Everything was in the computers. I loved the idea! I even tried, I’m still trying, but I have the same problem, I’m not better at organizing electronic files as I’m with paper ones. So I accept any suggestion. I think I’ll even buy that feng shui book if it can help me.
Bona, I have a habit of keeping paper clutter, too — craft projects I think I'll do one day, recipes I keep meaning to try, but know I never will — even my mother's recipe collections of stuff pulled from magazine. I know I need to toss most of it — and I will. I *ought* to toss it all unseen and unsorted — I'm sure it would make no difference to me, because I haven't used any of them in ages. Just have to bite the bullet.
I wonder whether the "one year" rule could work for paperwork as well. A friend of mine once shared an office with a woman who at the end of every year went right through her filing cabinet and emptied out almost everything from it. She started each year with a pile of empty files.
Bona, I have a habit of keeping paper clutter, too — craft projects I think I'll do one day, recipes I keep meaning to try, but know I never will — even my mother's recipe collections of stuff pulled from magazine. I know I need to toss most of it — and I will. I *ought* to toss it all unseen and unsorted — I'm sure it would make no difference to me, because I haven't used any of them in ages. Just have to bite the bullet.
I wonder whether the "one year" rule could work for paperwork as well. A friend of mine once shared an office with a woman who at the end of every year went right through her filing cabinet and emptied out almost everything from it. She started each year with a pile of empty files.
Bona, I have a habit of keeping paper clutter, too — craft projects I think I'll do one day, recipes I keep meaning to try, but know I never will — even my mother's recipe collections of stuff pulled from magazine. I know I need to toss most of it — and I will. I *ought* to toss it all unseen and unsorted — I'm sure it would make no difference to me, because I haven't used any of them in ages. Just have to bite the bullet.
I wonder whether the "one year" rule could work for paperwork as well. A friend of mine once shared an office with a woman who at the end of every year went right through her filing cabinet and emptied out almost everything from it. She started each year with a pile of empty files.
Bona, I have a habit of keeping paper clutter, too — craft projects I think I'll do one day, recipes I keep meaning to try, but know I never will — even my mother's recipe collections of stuff pulled from magazine. I know I need to toss most of it — and I will. I *ought* to toss it all unseen and unsorted — I'm sure it would make no difference to me, because I haven't used any of them in ages. Just have to bite the bullet.
I wonder whether the "one year" rule could work for paperwork as well. A friend of mine once shared an office with a woman who at the end of every year went right through her filing cabinet and emptied out almost everything from it. She started each year with a pile of empty files.
Bona, I have a habit of keeping paper clutter, too — craft projects I think I'll do one day, recipes I keep meaning to try, but know I never will — even my mother's recipe collections of stuff pulled from magazine. I know I need to toss most of it — and I will. I *ought* to toss it all unseen and unsorted — I'm sure it would make no difference to me, because I haven't used any of them in ages. Just have to bite the bullet.
I wonder whether the "one year" rule could work for paperwork as well. A friend of mine once shared an office with a woman who at the end of every year went right through her filing cabinet and emptied out almost everything from it. She started each year with a pile of empty files.
Hi Peggy Sue, yes I am working on Spring Bride at the moment. *g* And I’m so glad you enjoyed Winter Bride— thank you for letting me know. As for your clutter, I don’t actually think it is clutter — it’s work-in-progress, which is quite a different thing. Clutter, in my mind, is stuff that’s not being used and isn’t useful any longer. Some of that, in my case, is old craft projects that I’ve never finished, and my rule for them is, if they make me feel bad or guilty or are a reproach to me, then they have to go. If it’s something I haven’t yet done and am looking forward to, it’s not clutter, it’s a treat-in-waiting. Quite a different thing.
Hi Peggy Sue, yes I am working on Spring Bride at the moment. *g* And I’m so glad you enjoyed Winter Bride— thank you for letting me know. As for your clutter, I don’t actually think it is clutter — it’s work-in-progress, which is quite a different thing. Clutter, in my mind, is stuff that’s not being used and isn’t useful any longer. Some of that, in my case, is old craft projects that I’ve never finished, and my rule for them is, if they make me feel bad or guilty or are a reproach to me, then they have to go. If it’s something I haven’t yet done and am looking forward to, it’s not clutter, it’s a treat-in-waiting. Quite a different thing.
Hi Peggy Sue, yes I am working on Spring Bride at the moment. *g* And I’m so glad you enjoyed Winter Bride— thank you for letting me know. As for your clutter, I don’t actually think it is clutter — it’s work-in-progress, which is quite a different thing. Clutter, in my mind, is stuff that’s not being used and isn’t useful any longer. Some of that, in my case, is old craft projects that I’ve never finished, and my rule for them is, if they make me feel bad or guilty or are a reproach to me, then they have to go. If it’s something I haven’t yet done and am looking forward to, it’s not clutter, it’s a treat-in-waiting. Quite a different thing.
Hi Peggy Sue, yes I am working on Spring Bride at the moment. *g* And I’m so glad you enjoyed Winter Bride— thank you for letting me know. As for your clutter, I don’t actually think it is clutter — it’s work-in-progress, which is quite a different thing. Clutter, in my mind, is stuff that’s not being used and isn’t useful any longer. Some of that, in my case, is old craft projects that I’ve never finished, and my rule for them is, if they make me feel bad or guilty or are a reproach to me, then they have to go. If it’s something I haven’t yet done and am looking forward to, it’s not clutter, it’s a treat-in-waiting. Quite a different thing.
Hi Peggy Sue, yes I am working on Spring Bride at the moment. *g* And I’m so glad you enjoyed Winter Bride— thank you for letting me know. As for your clutter, I don’t actually think it is clutter — it’s work-in-progress, which is quite a different thing. Clutter, in my mind, is stuff that’s not being used and isn’t useful any longer. Some of that, in my case, is old craft projects that I’ve never finished, and my rule for them is, if they make me feel bad or guilty or are a reproach to me, then they have to go. If it’s something I haven’t yet done and am looking forward to, it’s not clutter, it’s a treat-in-waiting. Quite a different thing.
Penny, me too. I have a box of old recipes and craft snippets I need to go through. I keep telling myself I’ll put the best ones in a scrap book, but I never do. Might be time to just close my eyes and toss them. I did manage to halve my recipe book collection when I was having my purge. I could probably do that again, though.
Penny, me too. I have a box of old recipes and craft snippets I need to go through. I keep telling myself I’ll put the best ones in a scrap book, but I never do. Might be time to just close my eyes and toss them. I did manage to halve my recipe book collection when I was having my purge. I could probably do that again, though.
Penny, me too. I have a box of old recipes and craft snippets I need to go through. I keep telling myself I’ll put the best ones in a scrap book, but I never do. Might be time to just close my eyes and toss them. I did manage to halve my recipe book collection when I was having my purge. I could probably do that again, though.
Penny, me too. I have a box of old recipes and craft snippets I need to go through. I keep telling myself I’ll put the best ones in a scrap book, but I never do. Might be time to just close my eyes and toss them. I did manage to halve my recipe book collection when I was having my purge. I could probably do that again, though.
Penny, me too. I have a box of old recipes and craft snippets I need to go through. I keep telling myself I’ll put the best ones in a scrap book, but I never do. Might be time to just close my eyes and toss them. I did manage to halve my recipe book collection when I was having my purge. I could probably do that again, though.
Bona, anything you can print, you can save to file and keep on a USB stick or even on a “cloud” like Drop box or something. The no-paper collection.
Bona, anything you can print, you can save to file and keep on a USB stick or even on a “cloud” like Drop box or something. The no-paper collection.
Bona, anything you can print, you can save to file and keep on a USB stick or even on a “cloud” like Drop box or something. The no-paper collection.
Bona, anything you can print, you can save to file and keep on a USB stick or even on a “cloud” like Drop box or something. The no-paper collection.
Bona, anything you can print, you can save to file and keep on a USB stick or even on a “cloud” like Drop box or something. The no-paper collection.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall we do said the spider to the fly! I’m guilty! I don’t “hoard”, I tell myself I “collect”. Right? I have (almost) managed to cure myself of collecting clothing – still working on that one. But I collect paper… newspaper articles, magazines, magazine articles, old notes from old friends, comments from old friends on sixty jillion subjects,greeting cards, letters, photos from magazines, family, friends, mother’s “stuff”, business papers that I never seem to have time to go through and purge, papers, papers, pictures, cards, everywhere! To go through all of them would take the rest of my life, yet I know not where to start. I think this paper collection may be a flaw of an artist’s and a writer’s soul and unfortunately perhaps, I’m both so I’m double-doomed! All these wonderful, wonderful ideas or “starting points” I like to say. No solution, no solution. My children may want to kill me even after I’m dead!
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall we do said the spider to the fly! I’m guilty! I don’t “hoard”, I tell myself I “collect”. Right? I have (almost) managed to cure myself of collecting clothing – still working on that one. But I collect paper… newspaper articles, magazines, magazine articles, old notes from old friends, comments from old friends on sixty jillion subjects,greeting cards, letters, photos from magazines, family, friends, mother’s “stuff”, business papers that I never seem to have time to go through and purge, papers, papers, pictures, cards, everywhere! To go through all of them would take the rest of my life, yet I know not where to start. I think this paper collection may be a flaw of an artist’s and a writer’s soul and unfortunately perhaps, I’m both so I’m double-doomed! All these wonderful, wonderful ideas or “starting points” I like to say. No solution, no solution. My children may want to kill me even after I’m dead!
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall we do said the spider to the fly! I’m guilty! I don’t “hoard”, I tell myself I “collect”. Right? I have (almost) managed to cure myself of collecting clothing – still working on that one. But I collect paper… newspaper articles, magazines, magazine articles, old notes from old friends, comments from old friends on sixty jillion subjects,greeting cards, letters, photos from magazines, family, friends, mother’s “stuff”, business papers that I never seem to have time to go through and purge, papers, papers, pictures, cards, everywhere! To go through all of them would take the rest of my life, yet I know not where to start. I think this paper collection may be a flaw of an artist’s and a writer’s soul and unfortunately perhaps, I’m both so I’m double-doomed! All these wonderful, wonderful ideas or “starting points” I like to say. No solution, no solution. My children may want to kill me even after I’m dead!
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall we do said the spider to the fly! I’m guilty! I don’t “hoard”, I tell myself I “collect”. Right? I have (almost) managed to cure myself of collecting clothing – still working on that one. But I collect paper… newspaper articles, magazines, magazine articles, old notes from old friends, comments from old friends on sixty jillion subjects,greeting cards, letters, photos from magazines, family, friends, mother’s “stuff”, business papers that I never seem to have time to go through and purge, papers, papers, pictures, cards, everywhere! To go through all of them would take the rest of my life, yet I know not where to start. I think this paper collection may be a flaw of an artist’s and a writer’s soul and unfortunately perhaps, I’m both so I’m double-doomed! All these wonderful, wonderful ideas or “starting points” I like to say. No solution, no solution. My children may want to kill me even after I’m dead!
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall we do said the spider to the fly! I’m guilty! I don’t “hoard”, I tell myself I “collect”. Right? I have (almost) managed to cure myself of collecting clothing – still working on that one. But I collect paper… newspaper articles, magazines, magazine articles, old notes from old friends, comments from old friends on sixty jillion subjects,greeting cards, letters, photos from magazines, family, friends, mother’s “stuff”, business papers that I never seem to have time to go through and purge, papers, papers, pictures, cards, everywhere! To go through all of them would take the rest of my life, yet I know not where to start. I think this paper collection may be a flaw of an artist’s and a writer’s soul and unfortunately perhaps, I’m both so I’m double-doomed! All these wonderful, wonderful ideas or “starting points” I like to say. No solution, no solution. My children may want to kill me even after I’m dead!
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Anything that is not worn for a lengthy while I donate. I clear out my cabinets and closets each year. I try to give away as much as possible.
Before the book gets around to the decluttering instructions, there is a whole section (with questions—and more questions—to answer honestly) to figure out WHY all the clutter/stuff exists. Because if you unstuff without figuring out the reasons for all said stuff, you’ll find yourself in the same cluttered situation in less than a year.
(The author’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I know one of my problems is that I don’t have places for everything, even all the necessary everyday stuff. Another of my problems is “that’s cool, I want that!” *hangs head*)
Before the book gets around to the decluttering instructions, there is a whole section (with questions—and more questions—to answer honestly) to figure out WHY all the clutter/stuff exists. Because if you unstuff without figuring out the reasons for all said stuff, you’ll find yourself in the same cluttered situation in less than a year.
(The author’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I know one of my problems is that I don’t have places for everything, even all the necessary everyday stuff. Another of my problems is “that’s cool, I want that!” *hangs head*)
Before the book gets around to the decluttering instructions, there is a whole section (with questions—and more questions—to answer honestly) to figure out WHY all the clutter/stuff exists. Because if you unstuff without figuring out the reasons for all said stuff, you’ll find yourself in the same cluttered situation in less than a year.
(The author’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I know one of my problems is that I don’t have places for everything, even all the necessary everyday stuff. Another of my problems is “that’s cool, I want that!” *hangs head*)
Before the book gets around to the decluttering instructions, there is a whole section (with questions—and more questions—to answer honestly) to figure out WHY all the clutter/stuff exists. Because if you unstuff without figuring out the reasons for all said stuff, you’ll find yourself in the same cluttered situation in less than a year.
(The author’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I know one of my problems is that I don’t have places for everything, even all the necessary everyday stuff. Another of my problems is “that’s cool, I want that!” *hangs head*)
Before the book gets around to the decluttering instructions, there is a whole section (with questions—and more questions—to answer honestly) to figure out WHY all the clutter/stuff exists. Because if you unstuff without figuring out the reasons for all said stuff, you’ll find yourself in the same cluttered situation in less than a year.
(The author’s motto is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I know one of my problems is that I don’t have places for everything, even all the necessary everyday stuff. Another of my problems is “that’s cool, I want that!” *hangs head*)
Yes, it’s an idea. But the thing is that I’m not good at organising electronic documents.
Yes, it’s an idea. But the thing is that I’m not good at organising electronic documents.
Yes, it’s an idea. But the thing is that I’m not good at organising electronic documents.
Yes, it’s an idea. But the thing is that I’m not good at organising electronic documents.
Yes, it’s an idea. But the thing is that I’m not good at organising electronic documents.
Good idea, I’ll try the one year rule for the papers. It could work with my professional paper. Perhaps it should be a ‘five years rule’ instead of a year, but it could work! Thank U
Good idea, I’ll try the one year rule for the papers. It could work with my professional paper. Perhaps it should be a ‘five years rule’ instead of a year, but it could work! Thank U
Good idea, I’ll try the one year rule for the papers. It could work with my professional paper. Perhaps it should be a ‘five years rule’ instead of a year, but it could work! Thank U
Good idea, I’ll try the one year rule for the papers. It could work with my professional paper. Perhaps it should be a ‘five years rule’ instead of a year, but it could work! Thank U
Good idea, I’ll try the one year rule for the papers. It could work with my professional paper. Perhaps it should be a ‘five years rule’ instead of a year, but it could work! Thank U