Take one house with closets already overflowing, throw in holiday decorations and a few deliveries from UPS and soon you have a house that is ready to explode. The holidays are a great time to put your home on a diet. A clean up of all of those items that have been sitting on the closet shelves for a year that you haven't used, clothes that you don't wear and old magazines gathering dust.
Over the years I have become acutely aware of the clean up and throw out process. With my numerous moves as a military spouse, emptying out my parents home of 45 years, downsizing and combining households, it has been a constant battle to sort out what is important and what needs to go. Along the way I've come to know my way to the local dump, Salvation Army and the phone number for various charities that will pick up larger donations. We are coming up on the anniversary of the last purge and have made a pact that anything in a box, except holiday decorations and true family heirlooms, must be tossed. If we didn't need it for a year then we can live without it forever.
When you are driving around do you ever notice the number of storage facilities that seem to be on every corner. In today's "throw away" society it seems a bit odd that there should be so much of a need for storage facilities. What is lurking behind all of those locked containers? Is it stuff we really need or is it easier just to tuck it away instead of dealing with it? How much money is being spent every year to store things that really should be headed to the dump or donated to a favorite charity? Could you have a vacation with the money instead?
Need some help getting started on the de-cluttering? It is over-whelming I can admit it! So here are a few ideas that helped get me started on the stuff purging:
- Pick a room-doesn't matter where you start
- Set a timeframe-only work on the room a couple of hours at a time
- Sort through it-look at it once and decide if it is a keep, toss or donate
- Don't reminisce-high school is long over, the faded corsages have got to go
- Keep the space organized-have trash bags and plastic bins handy so that you aren't surrounded by piles
- Repeat the process on the next room-move on the next day or next weekend to another space.
- Reward yourself-trust me after you have made a run to the dump you want a reward
So take a look around and decide what you really need and what is ready to go. You might be surprised how good it feels to have put your house on a clutter diet.
Thanks for the reminder. I have been thinking of organizing my closet .
Funny you should mention that. I have a vehicle full of items for Good Will today. That's the back seat. The items in the cargo area go to the landfill.
Hi Cindy, thanks for your post. Things and people too? Regards,
Ladies, we are on the same page. I stayed up until 1 am last night purging those closets. Still not finished, but I feel tons lighter. Time to continue..... thanks for the pointers! No more buying stuff, just cause it's on sale!
Cindy:
The removal of clutter is very cleansing. Besides just clothes and vacuum cleaners that do not work --should be professional and personal files.
I am about to move (within a week) into a new house and that will be the best time to weed out. When we packed I saved yardsale items and put into storage for next spring and tossed other unwanted stuff. When I unpack, I will again sort through and anything else I don't need/want is GONE!
Great tips on a not so fun job that needs to be done at my house. Where did it all come from?
Thank you Cindy- One of the top personal goal for next year...
Barbara Calwhite
Cindy, I am in desperate need to clean out and declutter. My first step is my car. I began last night. I will continue on. Once I finish there, I need to tackle my house. When my busiest months (Oct-Dec) hit, I let things go!!! Time to get back on track. Great tips, thank you!
My assistant and I hauled seven boxes of office supplies out of my home office and to my private office at Long & Foster. My husband says he made three trips to Good Will with a Jeep filled to the top. And we counted thirty-some super-size trash bags. Who knew that much clutter could accumulate in a teeny little bedroom space?
Cindy:
Not the prom corsage - I can't part with it yet...
There are those who are organized and those who feel that they must keep everything. And, space is finite. So, unless you clean out, donate items and call 1-800-gotjunk once in awhile you will have quite a fire hazard on your hands.
I was looking at my closet yesterday....full of stuff I don't wear anymore.
I have to do a closet cleaning. Good reminder to get rid of stuff.
Great tips, Cindy! Thank you! I did finally take two loads of stuff that had been sitting in the garage for a couple of years to Goodwill last week. But haven't even started the inside yet....yikes!
This is a great time of the year to do this. De-cluttering your space is the first step in de-cluttering your mind to help you focus and be more productive.
What a timely post. Starting the new year lighter is my goal as well and I have blocked time this week for the adventure.
Great idea at the perfect time of year to do it, now I have to write it down as a goal, and attach an affirmation to hopefully get this done
Gerry-Of course I didn't obey my own rules and ended up spending time sitting with family photos.
Gita-I managed to sort out the clothes before the holidays now it is the other boxes that have been hiding for the last year that need to be dug into.
I thought I was the anti-clutter bug until my girlfriend topped me. Next month it is eBay, Craig's List, and a garage sale.
Great post. Been cleaning up all month. Will take some time.
Tony
Iv'e been trying to get motivated to do this. Sometimes it looks overwhelming.
My kids have a rule they have to donate atleast 5 toys that are working condition for donation before they get new xmas or their b'thday gifts. Keeps my home clutter free for most part :-). Same goes for adults we clean up and declutter our closet atleast twice a year
Good ideas! Personally I can't function in clutter..or what I perceive as clutter. When packages arrive or mail or anything..I sort at the garbage can! I don't store clutter either..when I have something new..I give away/donate/get rid of something too.
What an excellent post! I agree that you feel so much better when things are lighter in your environment and not weighed down by all the disorganization and clutter. Some of my clients that feel overwhelmed only start at 15 minutes per day in one part of the room. Soon they're feeling better and increase the time on their own!
Fantastic post, Cindy. Over the years, we have moved a few times. Each time, I have looked at it as a chance to "purge" all old stuff that we absolutely HAD to have and hadn't used in God knows how long. With a teenager, we tend to purge the closets once a year, too. Most of the clothes go to the Salvation Army, along with anything we couldn't sell at a garage sale. I am so with you on getting rid of stuff you haven't used in the last year (other than family heirlooms or holiday decorations). It's like a good deep cleaning of your home. Nice!
Cindy, What a great efficient list for how to make this happen. Also, when you start with one room/spot, you can feel a sense of accomplishment that helps it move forward. We were sadly amazed at the amount of wrapping paper we had. We didn't buy anything new this year and we still have enough for all of next year!!!! (It's been 3-4 years since I tackled that closet.) Now, it's my first task when we return to town. Less clutter feels great. All the best in 2010! Michelle
Words of wisdom to be sure. I hope more than a couple people take your advice!
Cindy-
De-cluttering can be a wonderfully liberating experience! Thank God I've been blessed with a girlfriend that is practically the antithesis of a hoarder.
I have picked a room for the last ump teen years. My office. I'm getting better. It's been trimmed down but I'm still not there. The no reminiscing part...that's where I get caught. I usually will start thinking about where I got something, who was there, what was going on, etc... My only chance is to get into a bit of a huff (angry) and start tossing things. I am getting better. Thank for the article.
Hi Cindy -- Solid advice and one which often goes unheeded in closets I see when a buyer opens the doors and says: Wow, look at all that stuff, our stuff won't fit in here. Keeping a closert 50-75% full and storing things under the bed, etc., and keeping things very organized will go a long way.
Cindy...You have wonderful tips which I really need to follow! Now that you gave me the game plan, can I execute it? Ah, not sure yet! Thanks for the pointers.
Cindy: I started this process in the kitchen this holiday. I got new pots and pans. Boxed up the old ones, then thought, "Hmmmm, since I'm going to the Salvation Army anyway..." Cleaning up closets is a great feeling.
Thanks for the post...all great tips that we should try and do at least once a year.
Even better than throwing stuff away, consider whether you really need to buy more stuff. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Great points, I like to donate a lot of my items I dont use or need.
Great post but it just reminds me I need to tackle my garage and make the garbage man earn his keep. Happy New Year and may you have a very very prosperous 2010.
I want to declutter, I want to declutter, I want to declutter!!
Great timely post. I will be doing this when I take the Christmas tree down. I was showing a house yesterday that was such a mess...it showed terribly. I should send this post to the owners prhaps they would take the hint to clean and remove some all the trash, toys, clothes, etc...so the home would sale.
My sister and I are both purging this week....she's way ahead of me but I'm getting revved up. Nothing like a little sibling rivalry to get the job done!
Cindy,
I'm going to start with my office.
And, I must have at least 30 old computers.....
Brian
Cindy - you are so right about de-cluttering. I worked on my office area yesterday, and have clothes to give away as well. No point in keeping them around, and they may be useful for someone else.
Sure, I can move furniture, boxes, shelves, etc. But how, oh how, to I organize the clutter in my mind?! =)
Cindy - I loved the analogy of putting my house on a diet...sure fits my after-holiday mindset.
Great post, Cindy! I'd like to pay someone to do it for me but couldn't possibly allow anyone to see the clutter until I've sorted it out! LOL
Cindy - I'm in the process of moving and I can't believe how much stuffs I have. I've been organizing my paperwork. It's overwhelming but I see your point. I feel much better that the house looks neater.
Cindy,
Great post! I currently have my home on the market and, as hard as we try, it is always panic time when we have a showing. Your tips are priceless ... and soooo timely.
Cindy, this is a great reminder for getting rid of clutter, especial now that we have time, just before the new year. I kinda started on this yesterday, I was looking for a paper. I have to go through my room and all my papers I accumulate. last time I did a major clean up was about 6 months ago when I got my puppy, its 2 years old.
Ah Cindy! You reminded us that THAT has to go on the New Year resolution list! Hate the job, but that wonderful feeling when you walk into that organized room or closet! Great post- timely
Cindy, I'm so proud of us. We purchased only ONE roll of wrapping paper this Christmas. We re-used old paper and, most of all, decorative bags. This week after Christmas is a great time to declutter/discard/donate before all the storage boxes go back to ... where? ... the storage unit.
Great post. I pick my garage. A man can never have a "too" organized garage, can he ? My fetish I guess.
I love to get rid of stuff I don't need. You just function better when the house is clean and in order also. It carries over into your business and relationships.
We started by organizing staging stuff....and have expanded that plan....trips to the Good Will.....wallls we forgot we had...:)...closets that have room...the stuff you can actually see and don't buy again cuz now you know you already have....when we moved to this house...my best gal pal made me get rid of my prom dresses....enough....best to you in the new year !
Posted yesterday that I was mid-purge. Updating today to say I got two big boxes of books to my local thrift shop (nice ones, too) and several bags of clothing. Feels SO GOOD...I'm staying on it today, Here in Sonoma Valley the sky is grey, but my day is brightening with each thing I decide to give away.
Cindy - I've lived in the same house for 30 years. Not only do I have my clutter, I have clutter from my grown children. And I'm sure I have the prom corsage from my youngest.
I see several trips to Goodwill for me in 2010. It's getting crowded in here.
Cindy I have to agree. I have a bad habit of keeping paper in particular, magazines, etc....thinking I might need that later. So, my plan is to deal with it immediately and move on. Besides the piles on my desk don't look too good. Thanks to your spouse for his service.
The reward part sounds like a Starbucks and Panera run to me!
OK - My husband and I are guilty. We just rented a storage unit so we can make room in our house and garage.
Now... you might think we are just trying "to tuck it away instead of dealing with it", but we do have a plan. Here in Arizona the only time my husband and I seem to have in our busy careers is smack in the middle of the summer (think 115 degrees+).
Anyway, we figure we'll head to the air conditioned storage unit this summer and deal with the stuff I'm sure we don't need but still need to sort through. :)