Plastic Cards

Gift cards nowadays have rulers, lights, music, and all sorts of fun things.  Once you've used up the money on a gift card, do you keep it?  As cute as it is, unless you refill it, it's clutter.

I recently got a new driver's license.  I actually looked fondly at the old one before cutting it up and tossing it.  Anyone have old driver's licenses, amusement park year passes (expired), expired credit cards, etc. lying around?  Get rid of them.  Trust your brain to carry the memories, not a piece of plastic.

Stuffed Animals

We are getting rid of some stuffed animals that have graced my daughter's bed for years.  There were too many and she's too old to want them anymore.  A select few made the cut.

Hotel Rooms and Dorm Rooms

Before college kids move in all their belongings, think of how simple dorm rooms are.  The next time you stay in a hotel, analyze what it is that seems so peaceful. 

You know I'm going to say this...it's the lack of clutter.  Try an experiment soon.  Take everything off each surface in one room.  Nothing to dust around.  How does it look?  Then, put just a couple knick knacks back.  Stop when you've achieved a good balance of decluttered and homey.

More Excuses

Here are more excuses people use to avoid simplifying:

1.  " It only has ____ holes in it."
2.  "It's part of a set."
3.  "I'm going to fix it."
4.  "I'm keeping/saving it for parts."
5.  "We only used this once!"
6.  "It's brand new!"
7.  "It's an antique."  (Clutter Free by Don Aslett)

Once again, ask yourself, "Will I ever use it?  Is it taking up valuable space and making us feel crowded in our home with stuff instead of people?  Could someone else be helped by this?"

Helping Others Through Our Clutter

Over the weekend I stepped into a Goodwill store.  I was so impressed to see donated matchbox cars packaged in sets of three (by Goodwill) for sale.  I always wondered if they would take something that small.  They also had packaged random baseball cards into packs for sale. 

If in doubt about your clutter, go ahead and give it to Goodwill.  They sell it and use the money to help train people for work!

Switching to Fall Decorations?

As you switch to fall decorations, sort through them.  Is anything outdated or unwanted?  Dejunk or get rid of it. 

Borrowed Items?

A week ago I gave back an item that had been lent to me for as long as I needed it.  I had used it a little bit at school, but the benefit wasn't worth the large size of storing it. 

Does some of your clutter need to be returned to a lender?  Give it back!  You feel better about remembering to return items and that simple act declutters immediately.

More Decluttering Excuses

Here are more reasons people give for NOT getting rid of clutter:

1.  "Someone put a lot of work into it."
2.  "I might need it some day."
3.  "I paid good money for that."
4.  "I intend to use it up."
5.  "It's too nice to wear."
6.  "It's made of real/solid _________."
7.  "It was a gift."

If it sits around and clutters your home and your life, it IS OK to get rid of it. 

(Taken from Don Aslett's Clutter Free.)

Undergarments

As you put away clean laundry in the next few days, check your undergarment drawer.  As mothers of old used to say, (sort of), "If you were in an accident, needed medical attention, and would be embarrassed by the condition of your undergarments....get rid of them and replace them."

The Definition of Clean

Troubles in marriage sometimes stem from arguments over the state of the home.  A suggestion I read was to discuss with your spouse his/her definition of clean.  Sometimes our definitions differ and it's good to get it out into the open, understanding where the other person is coming from.  It's ALSO important to respect the spouse's thoughts and work to get the home to a standard where both of you can relax and feel peaceful.

Accessories

Accessories come and go with fashion.  If you have too many to deal with, sort through them.  Those that are left can be organized on the back of a door or on vacant wall space for easier access.  There are many organizing hangers/bags/hooks that can be purchased at house goods stores.

Reasons I Keep Clutter

Here are some quotes for why people don't get rid of their clutter:  (again I borrow from the brilliant Don Aslett and the book Clutter Free)

1.  "It's in my blood."
2.  "I wouldn't have any identity without it."
3.  "I'm compulsive."
4.  "I can't let it go to waste."
5.  "It fits into my 'country' decor."
6.  "I collect these."
7.  "I'm a shopaholic."

Watch out for your mind making excuses and get rid of at least one item today!

Shed or Garage

Look here for anything you can declutter...just one thing!

Leftovers

We Americans do waste a lot of food.  Students purchasing school lunch are required to take two fruits or vegetables along with the entree, even if they don't want them.  So much goes into the trash.  I cringe when I clean our my refrigerator periodically and throw what used to be good food away.

My goal is to be more organized and waste less food.  This also cuts down on clutter in the refrigerator.  I've always planned meals for a week at a time and shop accordingly.  I'm trying to incorporate what I know will be left into the menu now, not just a night for leftovers, but to reuse the food in another way:  leftover tomatos from the tomato plate can be chopped into the salad the next night.  The rest of the fresh mushrooms not used in the chicken stir-fry on Tuesday can be sliced into the homemade vegetable soup for Thursday. 

Today I'm heading grocery shopping and as I looked into the fridge today to plan the week's menus, it was good to see not much left that will go to waste. 

Try to change your mindset and use what you have.

Stored Treasures

I'd like to quote from Don Aslett's Clutter Free!  Finally and Forever:

"Here lies the problem with sentimental clutter, not in having it, but in not having it handy to do its job.  You have it for a purpose, remember--it holds treasures of influence and history, triggers deep and important emotion, not only for you but for your family and friends.  If you can't find it when you need to feel it, forget it, it's not worthy of its room and board."

Old Spices

Take another peek into your spice drawer or cupboard.  Is there anything in there that can be tossed for lack of use?  Sometimes in our ferver over cooking shows, we buy an herb or spice for a single recipe and then it sits.  I found some herb packs for marinating last week that I've had for over five years and never used.  They went into the trash.  Declutter this space.  It's amazing what accumulates.

Clothes from Jr. High

A twenty-something friend was moving into a new apartment and paring down her belongings.  Her roommate chided her for having clothing from junior high.  In trying to get her to declutter, she said, "If you're not going to wear it this week, get rid of it!"

Do we have 15 year old sweaters covered with "pilling?"  How about faded, unfitting shirts?  Start looking at your wardrobe as you pull out fall clothing with a critical eye, and declutter.

Storage Containers

Since we lost power a couple weeks ago and had to throw out food from the freezers, I suddenly have an overabundance of plastic storage containers.  While organizing that cupboard, I found a couple water bottles that we haven't used in years and put them in the Goodwill bin.  There are a few more items in said cupboard that are on my radar as I consider their usefulness.

Weed It Down

When we use a weed eater, we don't get rid of the grass altogether, we just weed it down so it isn't so tall.  The same goes with clutter, particularly sentimental clutter.  If you have multiples of something, get rid of all but one.  Someone suggested imagining yourself as your heir weeding through your stuff:  save him/her the trouble and get rid of a chunk now.  One more idea:  with saving letters or greeting cards from all the years, just cut out the messages and put them in a scrapbook or decorative box.  That will cut down on the amount of paper you are storing.

Linen Closet

Check your linen closet or storage place today for any clutter.  Are there any towels that could become rags?  Are the sheets folded into sets?  See what you can do to that area.

Reducing Waste

We were without power for about 50+ hours a couple weeks ago due to Hurricane Irene's damage.  Though we tried to keep the freezer food cool with ice, much thawed and had to be trashed.  While wiping out the freezer before restocking, I realized how many meals had been stored in the freezer that I didn't even remember.

On clutterdiet.com, one suggestion is to keep a white board next to the freezer to keep track of what goes in.  By seeing the frozen possibilities for meals, it will keep us from overbuying, cluttering up our freezers with things we forget and allow to get too old, and help us reduce wasted food and money.

See With New Eyes

I have a brilliant student teacher this fall.  She sees situations with fresh eyes and breathes new life into our classroom.  Some well meaning person created these massive containers of teaching materials that we feel compelled to store for the school.  The crates are huge and fit nowhere.  Last year, I found an unused spot in the school and secretly stashed them away.  (It's a lot to store for just one lesson in one subject!)  Over the summer, they found their way back to my room! 

I mentioned to her how having them behind my desk was driving me crazy yesterday.  She looked around the room and offered to store them upright behind a cabinet, out of sight.  Why didn't I think of that? 

Sometimes having someone with you who is objective can make all the difference.  Ask a spouse, older child, or a friend to help you organize difficult areas.  You'll be surprised how easy it seems when another pair of eyes help.

Old Shoes

I am throwing away a pair of shoes that have served their time.  Yes, they are comfortable, but polish doesn't restore their look and the heels are worn down beyond repair.  No need to keep them in my closet.

Unknown Boxes

Why do we agonize over boxes of stuff that have been stored for years?  If we haven't looked in them for 10 years, can't they just disappear from our lives? 

I quote from Don Aslett's book, Clutter Free:
"...why do we feel that this stuff...is owed such care and effort and reverence?"

I guess it's because when we go through it and find our dried corsage, drawings from a neice or nephew, a wooden spoon rack we made in shop class, it flashes back memories from a forgotten era, bringing with it good feelings.  We don't want to let that go, so we can't just junk a box without looking through it.  What is an alternative?  Going through boxes is fine, but perhaps take photos of the items and then give or throw the junk away. 

Half the Battle

We've discussed this before, but half the battle of becoming clutter-free is not bringing more junk into the house! Question whether that free or priced knick knack, souvenir, or extra whatever is really something that will enhance your decor, or will it sit around and be more work for you to clean around?  Will you still like it after a month or will it be shoved in a drawer?

Keep out the worthless!

Does It Work?

I'm working toward this mantra: 

Don't own anything that doesn't work.

I need to either make a date to have the item fixed or toss it.  Today, my broken umbrella is being discarded.  It was embarrassing when a guest borrowed it and didn't know it was broken.  I have researched how to fix it, but realize my time isn't worth the memory or effort.  The way to possibly fix it would be very complicated for me. 

Laundry Area

On Sundays, I give you an area to look for clutter.  See what you can get rid of in your laundry area.

Junk Judging Guidelines

From Don Aslett's Clutters Last Stand, I list these guidelines:

It is junk if:
1.  It's broken or obsolete
2.  You've outgrown it, physically or emotionally
3.  You've always hated it
4.  It's the wrong size, wrong color, or wrong style
5.  Using it is more bother than it's worth
6.  It wouldn't really affect you if you never saw it again
7.  It generates bad feelings
8.  You have to clean it, store it, and insure it (but don't get much use or enjoyment out of it)
9.  It will shock, bore, or burden the coming generation

Be ruthless in your decluttering at times, especially if you have piles.  You will feel so much more free!

"Roots of Clutter: Indecision"

I am borrowing these quotes from Don Aslett, written in his book Clutter Free:  Finally and Forever! 

"People who collect clutter also have trouble making decisions.  When you can't decide what to do with something, you put it to the side and put off the decision process--and the clutter accumulates."

"This is one of the reasons dejunking is emotionally tiring--we have to make ALL of those decisions NOW, one right after the other.  It'll be a lot easier on you if you start today to train yourself to do it on a one-by-one basis--the minute a questionable item first crosses your threshold or comes into your hand."

Does this describe any of us?  What can we do to improve?

Pull It All Out

Lesson learned from the last school year:  don't leave chocolate in your storage cabinet.  I spent a good bit of time yesterday cleaning out mouse droppings from my cabinet.  In order to do so, I pulled everything out and sorted it, filling up a trash can of junk.  Having a huge mess lying all over the floor helped me be more ruthless in dejunking.  I then organized and repackaged items that were still needed.  Having less stuff allowed me to free up extra space for the inevitable stash that will accumulate by next spring; no chocolate though!  (That will stay in my desk drawer for easy access!)