Simple and Serene Living: DECLUTTERING 101

DECLUTTERING 101

If you are looking for me today, I am lost in my closet. I forgot to bring my phone in with me so it may be awhile before someone finds me or before I am able to make my way to the surface.

After yesterdays post I decided to get busy on the decluttering. I started last night and then got back to it first thing this morning. This, embarrassingly, is how much I have already relegated to the trash. How in the world have I accumulated so much in such a short time. SIGH!!!

I think I may need some inspiration, as my energy is starting to wane along with my enthusiasm. Becoming Minimalist has 10 creative ways to declutter your home here. I liked the fill one trash bag idea, although my trash bag may be larger than the average bag.

via Becomingminimalist

Popsugar has 12 golden rules of decluttering here. She says if we had been following these rules there would be no need to declutter. OUCH!!! That kind of hurt, because I have actually not been following the rules, and I am just such a rule follower. NOT!!!

via Popsugar

As I stare at the big stack of spring and summer clothes piled on my bed I am telling myself it is all a process. The problem is if I don't get processing here pretty quickly, I will be sleeping in my chair tonight.

I am staying off the computer for the rest of the day, but I promise to visit everyone tomorrow.

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P.S. How lucky are you that you got to see my trash.
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Brenda PruittMarch 28, 2015 at 3:52 PM
I know the feeling. Every time I declutter my two closets, miraculously things grow back in there and I have to start all over again.
Brenda
LorrieMarch 28, 2015 at 5:35 PM
I feel for you. Decluttering is h.a.r.d.!
Linda @ A La CarteMarch 28, 2015 at 5:52 PM
It's amazing how much we accumulate! I keep decluttering and keep decluttering!
MichelleMarch 28, 2015 at 7:57 PM
Good luck!
Cathy @ My 1929 CharmerMarch 29, 2015 at 10:41 AM
I know I should be de-cluttering too! Right now you can't get into our garage or basement! I know I should, I know I should. Like you living in a small space our furniture must do double duty. I love using luggage and baskets for storage as well as hat boxes. It's hard to go through things and decide what to keep or not!
RURAL March 29, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Good for you Laura, but don't forget to get outside in the sunshine and enjoy the spring weather also.

We did a lot of uncluttering when we put our little condo up for sale, gave away a third of the stuff that we had, and then moved up here.

Now with a house, my Mom is always giving us "stuff" that she needs to shed, silverware, antique linen, things....lol. Now how on earth do I turn that down?

Oh my biggest decluttering trick I learned years ago....separate the mail when it comes into the house. Keep, shred, and recycle...there are no extra empty envelopes, and flyers in my house....lol.

Jen
KellyMarch 29, 2015 at 11:35 AM
Hey at least you got started and filled a bag! That counts for something!
Diana StuderMarch 29, 2015 at 1:58 PM
People seem to split into hoarders, like me and organised minimalists like my niece (currently caravanning but she's just bought a house ...) Life in 2 bedrooms and one bathroom is sharpening my decluttering impetus. Once I can see where I am!
MelanieMarch 29, 2015 at 2:40 PM
Good luck with the decluttering! My basement is a terrible mess and I've been working on it slowly for over a year. Hope you don't get lost in your closet!
sweetbriardreamsMarch 29, 2015 at 2:52 PM
I am going to be doing the same in the Easter holidays, so as I start the spring cleaning I will be filling more than one trash bag per day I can assure you! Enjoy :-/
Daytona DamselMarch 29, 2015 at 4:57 PM
Best advice I ever got was set a timer for 15 minutes and declutter. When timer dings take a break then do it again. It is amazing what you get done in 15 minutes. Second rule: Never take out more than you can put away or take to the trash in an hour. Baby steps and you can get a lot of accomplished because it is not so overwhelming in small chunks of time.
GayleMarch 29, 2015 at 5:49 PM
Hi Laura,
Browsing around the blogs today and came upon yours and am looking forward to catching up on some of yours posts.
I invite you to take a peak at my blogs and look forward to your comments.

https://familyresearchandme.wordpress.com/ (today was my first post on this one as I venture into new territory)

and http://atmuldoon.blogspot.com/ (this one has been neglected for a few months and I hope to change that soon)
DonnaMarch 29, 2015 at 7:44 PM
I actually went through three weeks of decluttering from basement to upstairs through every drawer, cabinet, closet, nook and cranny....we hauled out bags and boxes of stuff and still have one big pile for a garage sale this summer. It was a fab feeling going through 10 yrs of accumulated stuff and clearing it.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesMarch 29, 2015 at 10:17 PM
Decluttering is an ongoing process with me. Lately I have been cleaning out my clothes...it really needed to be done. Even just doing a little at a time, feels so good!
Ronda@islandmotherMarch 30, 2015 at 12:12 AM
Today I actually sorted through my daughter's toys. Taking out the one's she's outgrown and neatly organizing the remaining ones. It took a hour and I hope to encourage her to put everything back where she helped me put it.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseMarch 30, 2015 at 3:37 AM
I'm very bad at decluttering, so really I admire you here!
Far Side of FiftyMarch 31, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Way to go! I have a closet in progress...it is slow going. :)