Hidden Clutter

An idea for today and this weekend is to delve into the spots in your home that contain hidden clutter.  We are empty nesters, so there are multiple extra closets that have begun to accumulate stuff that just needs to be shoved out of the realm of everyday living.  I am going for the jugular in those spots.  If it's never used, why keep it?  There are books, old sports equipment, clothes, etc. that need to be sorted and evaluated for whether they are worthy to take up space.

One excellent method is to take everything out, sort it, and only return those items that are useful or beautiful to you.  (Why would I keep something beautiful to me tucked away in an unused closet??)

Let's get to it this weekend!

Conflicting Messages

I was walking through the grocery store yesterday when I overheard a woman tell her friend about what she's been doing the past few snowed-in days.  "I've been decluttering!"  I wanted to run over, give her a hug, and ask her about her plan.  I refrained to save my dignity.

I've read many books on decluttering by great authors such as Don Aslett,  Lorie Morello, Francine Jay, and others.  Most were the same theme,

"Little by little, you, too, can have a decluttered home."

However, I've recently acquire the bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

She advocates a very different philosophy of decluttering which threw me for many weeks as I've thought about it.  She says you should totally declutter all at once, over maybe a period of 6 months, rather than a little here and there.  She says to make a commitment to totally go through everything in a short period of time, keeping only those items that are useful or give you joy.  Her reasoning is practical:  people who get their spaces decluttered will love it so much, seeing it simplified with plenty of space and order, they will not again regress into a cluttered lifestyle.

I guess the question is, do we have the time to devote to a massive decluttering effort this year?  If so, do you need help and support to do it?  I have enjoyed her book, and will continue thinking on her philosophy versus mine, which has been a little each day.  Mine worked for me, but friends who have trouble keeping down the mess, her method might be a better way.

I will try to encourage you along the way in your efforts by giving ideas whether you're going for the massive cleanup or just a little at a time.  Some will be repeats of years past, but I so believe in keeping "stuff" manageable, I think it's worth sharing thoughts on this topic throughout the year.

On that note, I am still going to be mentioning one area per day you can attack for decluttering.  Having dug through the recesses of a spare closet, I found several dresses for special occasions that I won't wear anymore or never looked good in in the first place.  They are going into my Goodwill bin.

Gift Giving

As you plan to buy gifts  for loved ones, consider the fact that one of them might be a minimalist, or a person at least trying to declutter.  As a budding minimalist, I like gifts as well as anyone, yet get even more thrilled when my gift is something I can't hold in my hand.  Here are examples:

• an experience gift with a friend...going to a concert, play, museum, volunteering together
• a gift of service...helping rake my leaves, making a meal, helping paint or redecorate, babysitting
• giving a monetary gift to a charity in my name
• give money to pass onto someone in need (My mom did that for me last year.  It was a real joy for me!)

Don't get trapped into "I have to buy something for everyone."  Certain ones may enjoy no package, just the promise of time together or help.

Keep a List

As shopping is gaining in popularity in our country and buying at least something for everyone is becoming expected, we are tempted to just "pick something up" while we're out and about.

If you feel compelled to buy for everyone, at least keep a list.  That way, you won't grab extra things for yourself as you're shopping.  Stick to the list.  Bringing less into your home is just as much a discipline as decluttering.

Soap and Other Extras

I have a large stash of soap.  Not Dove, Irish Spring, or Dial varieties, but handmade, wonderfully fragrant, luxury soaps.  I promise that I use soap, but it lasts me a long time.  What to do?  I don't want to be wasteful...I've always been careful to use up what I have before getting more, but in this case, I am going to have to be wasteful or my great grandchildren will inherit soaps from the early 2000's.  I had about 1/8 a bottle of body wash and tossed it today to break open the lemon grass bar of handmade soap I've been saving for 2 years.  It's a bit freeing, actually, to use something I've been putting off.

Think about the extras you are saving of any consumable product.  Will you ever get through using them all?  Consider ditching a current one for a new one more frequently so you get enjoyment and lessen your hoard of soaps, lotions, notepads, whatever.  We don't need to be confined by our mental rules when we have an abundance that is taking up space.

What's in the Drawer?

Do you know what a man look is?  Have you ever experienced,
"Why don't we have any lettuce?"
"It's in the refrigerator."
"I'm standing here with the door open, but there's no lettuce."
Wife walks over, moves the milk carton, and viola!  There is the lettuce.

That's a man look.

Anyway, I guess I've been doing that same thing each day opening my middle drawer.  Crouching at the bottom of that drawer were two pair of pants that are so worn that the corduroy no longer has ridges and there are holes in the khakis.  I've "seen" them for months yet mentally haven't seen them. They are going into the trash because they aren't good enough to donate.  Why have I kept them so long?  In the busyness of life, we just do that.

However, when you get a lucid, stress-free moment, really look at each drawer's contents (even one drawer per day).  Take out those old clothes and either donate or dispose of them.  It frees up room for your other garments and even some new ones!

Bird Feeders

One would think beggars shouldn't be choosy.  I find birds to be quite finicky in our backyard.  There's this quality wooden bird feeder my sister gave to me.  The first year, birds ate from it.  However, even when I clean it out each year, there's no apparent activity and so I must dump and waste the seeds in the spring.  Perhaps I need a better quality seed for my champagne-loving feathered friends.  Any suggestions?

The question facing me is: why keep the feeder if it takes time to maintain and no birds even want to eat there?  It makes me feel like I own a run-down diner.  I may give the birds one more crack at it this winter.  Then again, maybe not.

Consider any object that you must maintain but doesn't deliver on the chopping block.  Think hard about your time versus its value.