Day 31: We've Made It Through the First Month!

In this first month of simplifying, I've gotten rid of a lot of little things. As I'm decluttering, I'm also rearranging, making the remaining items look neater. When out shopping, my simplification mindset has kept me from buying some unnecessary items. It's been encouraging with all of you on board, hearing of your successes. Now on to another month!

Today I threw out some special dog shampoo the breeder gave me in Nov. of 2009 for our dog's skin problem. It was in a mason jar and already diluted with water, so it probably isn't that potent anymore. Gone!

Day 30: Magazines

I pulled out a stack of magazines from a very nice, neat magazine holder to throw out. Yes, they were organized, but 6 to 12 months old. It's difficult throwing out magazines because they seem like books with their colorful pages and helpful hints. However, they accumulate quickly and in themselves cause a lot of clutter. One thing that has helped me is to know that magazines run the same types of articles in a timed cycle...every 18 months, an article on topic one, every year, an article on topic 2, etc. So...if you haven't digested every bit of each magazine, the info will come back around.

Thanks for those who have commented on their progress for the first month. You're an inspiration to me! Let's try to do that in the next week or so to encourage each other to keep simplifying!

Day29: Good Intentions

Buying items ahead of time for gifts and then forgetting I have them can be a problem. Today I put 3 photo frames I had bought ahead for a gift of pictures for my husband probably 6 years ago. They were just collecting dust in a remote place. They are in the Goodwill bin because if and when I need frames someday for grandchildren photos, I'll get new ones.

Day 28: Almost one month!

A lunchbox that hasn't been used since before my son went to college (1.5 years ) is the newest item to go.

Those of you who are trying to simplify by getting rid of at least one thing per day, we've been at it for almost one month. Sometime in the next week, if you have time, I would love to hear an update of your progress so far, if your attitude is changing toward clutter, what difficulties you are having, or whatever you can tell us. It's been fun for me having you all on board!

Day 27: Hand Me Downs

I'm starting a "hand-me-down" box for items to give to my sister who has young children. Today a set of little bundt pans will go into that for for her. I used them for making doll dresses for various parties for my daughter. My neice will enjoy that cake option.

Day 26: Those Out of the Way Places

I went into a closet under our stairway to find a disaster area. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. In 5 minutes I put a fanny pack and a camping hammock in the box for Goodwill. I will be visiting that space again and again this year.

Day 25: House Size

Because there were newspapers, mail, bags of fruit, used drinking glasses, etc. all over my kitchen counter this weekend, the kitchen felt cramped and small. When I cleared everything and put it in its place, the kitchen seemed bigger. Those of us with modest sized homes don't need bigger homes; we need to have less stuff and then the space appears to enlarge! Is there anything large that can go, giving your home a larger feel? I'm thinking on that.

Another older formal went into the Goodwill box. Great job everyone! One per day: keep it up!

Day 24: Formal Wear

Each year my husband and I attend a formal event in town which requires a formal gown/dress for me. I know it's weird, but I would rather get teeth pulled than shop for a formal. I don't like the cost, the low cuts, knowing whether to get another black one or go with a color, etc. For the past few years, I've just reused the ones I had accumulated. However, it was time to shop again yesterday. I did find a nice dress after realizing that my others were looking a bit dated. So, at least one of the older gowns is going into the Goodwill box and perhaps I'll get rid of more.

Day 23: Phone Directories

I have a wooden box I made in high school shop class where our phone books and directories are kept. Going through it today, I found all kinds of phone directories from organizations I've been involved with: multiple years on the PTA, a couple churches, updates of all those, my daughter's theater groups, etc. I quickly scanned the older ones for any important numbers I'd penciled in like cell phones, wrote them in the newest edition, and threw away the rest. Now the box has the basics and there are no squished items on the bottom, unused.

Day 22: Good Stuff

Today I wrestled with what to clear out. I chose a perfectly good little duffle bag we got years ago at a Richmond Braves game, but no one uses it anymore. I also grabbed a decorator flag that will be nice for someone. Both items are in good shape, and there's always the thought that "I might use it again;" however, I also realized that I haven't used either in a long time and they might benefit someone else much more. It's difficult to get rid of "good" stuff.

Day 21: Placemats

Today I threw away a set of bamboo placemats we used outside. In the southern humidity, you can guess how they fared being on the screened porch table.

Keep up the great work! I think that after the first month, we should post a synopsis of our progress. (Is that a teacher thing to say???)

Day 20: Friends

No, I'm not getting rid of any friends; they remind me that people are much more important and necessary in my life than stuff! A book I read by Don Aslett made a statement like this: Would you rather have your home filled with people or stuff? He was implying that we are more apt to have guests when we aren't so cluttered. It's something to think about.

I finished another large candle and threw it out. My husband doesn't care for the scented ones, so I burn them before he gets home. I just have so many, I'm giving some away and using others on the sly.

Day 19: Sock Drawer

In my sock drawer I found two red jingle bells (!), some mismatched socks, and a sleeping mask that I must have gotten on a plane sometime and never used. Out they all went.

Day 18: Organizing Containers

I walked into Wal-Mart over the weekend and saw great sales on plastic organizing containers. Bargains like that always tempt me to buy as I like neat, orderly boxes housing my stuff. However, the BEST way to get organized is to get rid of the excess clutter first, then organize the essentials into bins or boxes. It's dangerous to just fill bin after bin without sorting. Having thought this way for a few years now, I actually have some drawers in my house that are empty (in end tables, etc.) It can be done!

Back to getting rid of one thing per day, today in the back of my van is a bag of clothes my teenaged daughter is giving to Goodwill, and another stack is going to the resale shop. Yea!

Day 17: Faded, Worn Items

Today a soap dispenser went into the trash. The metallic top had worn in places, it was discolored, and was looking just plain ugly. Sometimes I just need to get rid of the worn item and then I'll have the motivation to replace it with something better.

Day 16: Packaged Mixes

Today I am getting rid of some packaged mixes that have been in the pantry for too long. You know the type, the ones that come in a gift set on holidays, or with mugs, etc. I use part of the gift set and stash the other items on the shelf where they gradually inch toward the back and are forgotten. I need to plan to use them up soon after receiving them in the future.

Day 15: Cassette Tapes

Thankfully, one of my siblings has younger children and a cassette player in her van. Today I found a "stash" of children's cassette tapes hidden in a cabinet I haven't explored in a long time. All the memories of my children and I singing along, them begging for certain songs, etc. came flooding back. I'm packing them up to send to my sister's family; they will equally enjoy the tapes.

Day 14: "How To" Books

Today, a two inch thick SAT prep book is in the give away box for a family with two high schoolers. Our family is done with it. It got me thinking about "how to" books. Some we will still refer to, but if you have a lot of them you haven't looked in for awhile, could you donate them and get your info at the library or online if needed? I'm guessing a book on macrame` could probably be donated...

Day 13: Souvenirs

In the give away box went two vases we bought as souvenirs on a trip. They were lovely in that country, but I just never used them much here. In the future, I think I will really think hard about what souvenirs I bring home. Will I have a spot for the souvenir? Would a photo be better? Keep up the great work everyone!

Day 12 Back Into the Bathroom

O.K., I'll admit it. I color my hair every five or six weeks. Each time, I buy the same color/brand of hair color. In it is a tube of conditioner you are to use once a week until the next coloring, when, of course, you get ANOTHER tube of conditioner. Even if I did remember to use their conditioner once a week, I still couldn't use up each tube! It's hard to throw away things you know you do use, but sometimes the sheer amount doesn't allow you to finish products. One time, I found five tubes one time in my toiletry stash! With a new one coming almost monthly, mathematically, I just can't use it all. Today, I found two extra ones. I'm throwing them out, because next week is coloring time again.

Day 11 School supplies

I cleaned out an old 3-ring binder from a "focus group" I was in for Stafford County. The group had finished its work long ago, but the full binder was on the shelf. I am taking the binder to the school to leave in the office for kids who need supplies. Teachers can often use extra things like this if you want to give assorted pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils (even mismatched) to one you know.

Day 10 Why Do We Keep Things We Don't Like?

Today's discard is a pallette of eye shadows that I have never liked. The shadow is cheap and within a couple of hours, fades. I haven't used it in a year, and am thinking now, why did I hold onto it for so long? What makes me feel I have to keep things I don't like? People we are told to love no matter what, but things can just be tossed, simplifying our lives.

Day 9

If you have time, read the comments our group makes. They give great ideas and are very amusing! Today, getting distracted from paying a bill, I quickly sorted through my "catch-all" drawer and threw out some miniscule pencils, pen tops (missing their pens), a metal nut, and found a hole punch that belongs at school. Now everything in that drawer is usable.

Day 8: Holding On...for What?

Ever since I was a little girl, I've held onto consumables, not wanting to "use them up." I remember a brides coloring book. I didn't want to use it up, so just kept my favorite pages blank until a special occasion. That special occasion never came and I never experienced the joy of coloring my favorite pictures. I also somehow smuggled some firecrackers in from Canada as a kid. My next door neighbor would often come over, knowing I had them, and try to persuade me to use the firecrackers with our group of friends and have some fun. My response was I was saving them for a special occasion. Alas, they were never used.

My point is, I am trying to make a new start to just enjoy consumables, not worrying if I'll use them up. This includes fun notepads, stationery, candles, lotions, soaps, etc. I have a posted notepad at school I've held on for probably 7 years, rarely using it, because I like it and didn't want it used. However, this week I'm using it up and with two more tear offs, it will be gone. I'm also burning favorite candles and enjoying them while I have them.

Keep it up! One week down, as a couple of you commented.

Day 7: Clothing Out of Style

It was tough for me, but into the Goodwill box went a beautiful circa 1991 paisley suit jacket my husband bought me after my 18 year old daughter was born. I guess I kept dreaming massive shoulder pads would come back into vogue. However, there's really no reason to take up space in the closet with it. Great work everyone. I really enjoy your comments!

Day 6: January 6, 2010

I'm feeling a little guilty as many in our blog have hit the ground running with their simplification. I am very excited for everyone! My guilt comes with just getting rid of another mug today. But...one per day is OK!

Day 5: January 5, 2010

Wonderful progress, everyone! Today I didn't have to find anything to put in the give away box because, for whatever miraculous reason, my husband decided to clean out his drawers and closet. I think his pile will take me until March! Honestly, I didn't ask or nag him! I would like to think that my talking about the blog, your fun comments, etc. spurred him on. Perhaps simplifying is contagious?? Now, about his electronics graveyard...well, that's for another day.

Day 4: January 4, 2010

In the Goodwill bin today is a mug where the logo has been wiped or washed off. My question to you all is, how many mugs per person should there be in one household? When you are cooking turkey, they recommend 1 - 1.5 pounds per person. What about mugs?

Day 3: January 3, 2010

All your comments give me more ideas! Thank you! Today's item for me was a loaned book. I returned it to the owner. Do you have anything borrowed? Ridding your home of those items should be painless and free up guilt you may feel for forgetting to give something back!

Day 2

From the comments you've made, you are all doing a wonderful job! Today a work shirt went into my give away bin. It's always been too big, so I have never liked it, and I have several others I can use for school spirit day.

Day 1: January 1, 2010

My day one "subtraction" is my 2009 calendar. People may say that doesn't count since I put up a new calendar. However, I have known individuals who save their used calendars for memories or who knows what. Please just get rid of it. Most likely you won't frame any of the pictures, and many of the "memories" will be similar in 2010. I did tear certain pictures off mine to use at school as they illustrate geographic features, but the pages are now in my school bag and the rest is in the trash.

Please comment to let me know what you got rid of!