Books, Kindles, and the Library

Books take up a lot of space.  We love having them, but they often sit for years, unread a second time.  Taking advantage of public libraries is an active way to keep out the clutter.  You borrow the books, then return them, not having to store those volumes.  If you are trying to economize, using the library is again your answer.  My children and I read hundreds of children's books when they were small without spending a penny.  It was a joy to go to the library every Tuesday and fill up our bags with books.

Kindles are also wonderful for the space conscious.  Any books you wish to keep are stored electronically, and take up no space on a shelf.  They are great for travel, as you can take many books to read in one small device.

If you have an overflow of books on your shelves, consider donating them to Goodwill.  If you ever wish to read one of them again, they are easily accessible at the public library.

Problems With Paper

Paper is the nemesis of many a well-meaning individual.  The problem with letting paper accumulate is that it often inconveniences others:  businesses waiting for payment, teachers, events with timelines/due dates.  It's important to have a system in place to deal with the barrage of paper that assails us all.
Questions to consider:

1.  Where do my bills reside?  Have a place and if needed, mark the mailing date on the envelope.
2.  What do I do with school forms?  Have a place your children know to place them for you to fill out, sign, or read.
3.  Should I keep all my child's school papers?  I would say a resounding NO, but if you have a system,  you can try it.  I kept a few choice pieces each year.  Look over the graded papers with your child, praising the good, and working with him/her to understand what was wrong and could be improved.
4.  Deal with junk mail immediately.  Nowadays, it's mainly what fills our mailboxes.  Toss it, read it and then toss, or file it where you'll later need it.

One final thought from an insider as to how your organizational system or lack thereof affects others.  As a teacher, when the due date for a field trip permission form comes near, I look over my class list to see who still needs to return the form.  Inevitably, it's the same four each time.  I cringe thinking about those homes.  Where are copies one and two of the form?  Are they sitting in a massive pile of debris and junk mail on the counter?  As a professional, I print an additional copy and often write the parents a nice e-mail reminding them their child needs to have it turned in, also reminding the child, again; however, as a blog writer promoting decluttering, I let my imagination go to what their home might look like…

Think through your paper situation and how you deal with it.  There are many wonderful organizational ideas out there to help.

Moving

I have heard military families tell that if they don't dump their trash before the movers arrive, it will get boxed up and moved when they are reassigned to a new location.  Other stories from people moving are that they have moved boxes which haven't been opened in 20 years, sometimes for multiple moves.
Generally, moving is a great way to declutter, especially if you're paying for the movers to box it all or for a truck, but you have to work at it.

Try not to wait until you have to move to declutter.  Simplify every day so that if and when that day arrives, you will have already made those decisions on keep, toss, or donate.

Questions to ask yourself as you're packing up suggested by Lorie Morrero of The Clutter Diet are as follows:

1.  Is it valuable enough to be moved by the pound?
2.  What is the cost in time/money to acquire a new one?
3.  Is this something I can just borrow in the future?
4.  Will something else do the same thing?
5.  When did I last use it?
6.  Is there a use for this that doesn't include the phrase, "Someday when I have time..?"
7.  How old is this product?  Is it even effective anymore?

Stuff complicates.  Pare down and relax in the freedom of simplicity.

Tote Bags

If you or your spouse attend many conferences, you know that  a tote bag stuffed with brochures and advertising pieces often returns home with you.  These bags can accumulate quickly.  Tote bags are also becoming the new "mugs" of teacher gifts.  I really love them, but I'm beginning to have too many that aren't used.  Gifts for beach loving friends often include a tote bag.  How many beach bags do you have?

Sometimes they can double as reusable grocery bags on market day.  I've used them to send homework home to sick students.  However, too many is too many, and it's time to declutter a couple of the old ones.

Think about your stash of tote bags and determine if you can let any go.

Sheds

Please, no!  I'm not even done with my house and we're moving outside to the shed!!
Sometimes, you need a different venue to reinvigorate your quest to simplify.  Many people have a garden/storage shed in the backyard.  It invariably gets cluttered with last minute stashes of extra lumber, weed killer, garden tools, kids' toys, you name it.  A friend of mine recently purchased a new home and the previous owners left a shed packed full of that kind of clutter.  Lovely.

At least once a year, go through the shed.  Pull everything out, sweep, and then put back only that which still has a purpose or use.  It will make you feel more optimistic about opening those doors to get a tool or supply you need.  I know I need to do this soon as yesterday I was fishing around for something and found a snake wrapped around the pitch fork.  He was only trying to be helpful, for I later discovered a mouse family of five in a flower pot I needed.

Yes, it's time to declutter the shed.

Compared to the '60s

I was comparing the 1960's, the earliest decade I remember, to 2015.  Why is clutter such a problem now?  Here are some thoughts:

1.  It's now a global economy.  Many of the toys, tchotchke, and plastics are manufactured in other countries inexpensively, so they are readily available and cheap.

2.  We truly are a wealthy country and all of us can spend for things we really don't need.

3.  We now have HGTV and magazines that show us how a well-decorated home should look, so we buy more to attempt to fit in, not clearing out our former functional furniture and decor.  Marketing also leads us to believe that to be good parents, children "need" all the technological gadgets, toys, equipment for organized sports, etc.  (They don't, by the way.  They need involved adults who talk with them, play with them, and teach them.).

4.  Yard sales are prevalent and the cheap prices are enticing.

5.  We have bigger homes so extra clutter gets tucked away for years without us even noticing or tripping over it.

6.  We are more environmentally conscious, so don't want to throw things away.

7.  We are busy people.  Many women work and don't have time to sort and clean.  Stuff just keeps accumulating.

Perhaps if we consider why we are buying something, where it will go, and what we will unload to make room for it, our decisions will be more thoughtful and help simplify our lifestyles.

Take a Picture…It Lasts Longer

Last evening, my daughter was showing me a creative wedding shower invitation.  I said, "You should keep this in a file of cute ideas for showers, weddings…"

Her comment, "Really?  Keep it?  This coming from "Simplify?"

I regained my right mind and restated my first comment, "Oh, well yes, just take a photo of it and store it in a file on your phone."

I will take a picture today of an invitation we had to a family gathering.  It's been sitting on the desk waiting for a home since February.  Recycling bin, here it comes.

Have a file on your computer or phone with photos of memorabilia.  It saves space and clutter!

Kids' Rooms #3

Just a couple more thoughts which also apply to adult bedrooms…

1.  Insist that your child make the bed after he/she rises!  This one element can be half the battle for a room staying neat.  Keep it simple.  A bedspread and pillow without all the extras makes it easy.  Stuffed animals can rotate for the prized bed spot.  The rest could go into another resting place or just be arranged on the bed daily, though that takes extra time.

2.  Have a dirty clothes hamper in a convenient place.  In terms of decluttering, less clothing means children need to keep up on getting dirty clothing placed where it will be seen to be washed.  I always wonder when I read complaints by parents of their kids having mounds of dirty clothes on the floor.  Have fewer clothes for them to care for and develop habits for where to toss daily clothing.  Kids love the games and rewards many of us employ to help them master lifelong good habits.

The bottom line is, fewer belongings make neatness easier.

Kids' Rooms #2

A place for everything, and everything in its place is a worthy saying that deserves implementation.  Having a system for our kids is important in training them to manage their things.

I attempt to keep 24 - 27 children organized each year.  I'm very specific about what my school kids can bring so everything fits neatly in a school desk.  They don't need Sharpies…please no!  Little good can come of Sharpies in the elementary classroom.  They don't need the 128 box of crayons that takes up half their desk space.  And, perhaps a bit over the top (but it works), I even keep a drawing on the board all year of how their desks are to look.  I'd say 92% of the students do keep their desks exactly as I ask; there ARE rewards weekly.  Since I began this method of organization, few students "can't find" papers (which is a teacher's thorn in the flesh).

I share this because it works with 24+ children on a daily basis, year after year.  It works at home as well.  Of course we don't need to be as regimented with only two or three children, but the point is, you must train a child.  Setting up an organization system for belongings and routines is crucial.  

More on that tomorrow.

Kids' Rooms #1

I often see articles in magazines, posts on Facebook, and overhear conversations involving getting kids to keep their rooms clean.  Having taught over 250 children, "living" in the same space with them for at least 6.5 hours per day,  also having had my own children who are grown and neat in their living spaces,  I may have a platform.

 For all of us, trying to keep too much stuff organized is overwhelming.  Solution?  Have fewer items to keep neat.  I think of Amish families who hang their few clothes on wooden pegs on the wall, no books, rare toys.  Yes, some of our kids may still drop their stuff on the floor even if Amish, but you get the idea.  One tactic I used with my own was we removed half of the playthings.  It left fewer items to put away after play, the toys were enjoyed, and life was simpler.  We would then box up that half and bring out the other half for enjoyment.  Even as teens, having less in their rooms helped.

Thought for the Day

"One can furnish a room very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in."

-Francis Jourdain

Constant Vigilance

Digging through my pantry for a certain can of something, I once again came across a specialty dessert dip mix I had been saving for a special occasion.  As I've said to myself the last 40 times I've seen it…"Not today.  Don't have the cake needed."  I pulled it out, knowing I've ignored it for a long time.  "Wonder if there's an expiration date."  There was.  2005!  Really?  I have been ignoring it to save it for a special occasion for ten years?  Sadly, I admitted defeat and chucked it in the trash.

Constant vigilance is our mantra in simplifying and decluttering.  Time passes more quickly with each year and we just don't realize how long we've been holding on to clutter we don't need or that is past its prime.  Take a glance through your food cupboard.  Is there anything that should be used soon?  Make a plan to incorporate it into a meal this week.

Comparisons

Yesterday on Facebook, a meme was making its way across the social media network:

"Instead of cleaning house, I just watch an episode of Hoarders and think, "Wow, my house looks great!"

Comparisons can get us in trouble in both extremes:
     1.  We can think all is well because there aren't three foot high piles with only narrow pathways through our spaces.  This keeps us from taking action on the clutter for which we need to make a decision.

      2.  We can become paralyzed and discouraged, feeling that we never quite measure up to another person's or a magazine's "perfect" home.

Both extremes can be combatted by the habit of getting rid of at least one item per day.  This simplifies your goal and keeps you focused on the attainable.  Once the habit kicks in, your mindset begins to change.  At that point, if clutter is a problem, you are capable of dealing with larger chunks at a time.

Anybody Have a Story?

I know many of the readers are decluttering.  Do any of you have any victories you could share under the comments section?  I would love to hear about your dilemmas or successes!

Today, think about old souvenirs lying about or in knick knack cupboards.  Are you "over" any of them?  Could some be boxed for awhile to see if you miss them?  You can even rotate knick knacks so fewer are on display at any one time.  Less clutter and less to dust.

Product Claims

We've all done it:  succumbed to product claims.  In a magazine there is an advertisement for a lotion, cream, or ointment that will cure what's ailing you or add renewed beauty.  They are generally expensive.

After trying the product for the recommended time to obtain results, we find that we are the exception to the claims of that particular cure.  What happens to the item?  It often sits on a shelf or in a cabinet because we paid so much for it.

If it doesn't work, pawn it off on a friend who might benefit from it, or just throw it away.  No need to be reminded of a foiled plan.

Unfinished Intentions

Sometimes you just need to throw away or donate partially finished projects.  If an unfinished cross-stitch or sewing project has been in a drawer for five years, just get rid of it.  You wouldn't believe the sense of relief knowing that isn't nagging you each time you open that drawer.

Are your expectations too high for an intended outcome?  If you've been putting off writing an e-mail or letter because it's going to take too long, wouldn't it be better to just write a short, simple note and be done with it?

Try to free yourself from something that has been holding your time captive.  We don't owe anything to those craft projects.  Free up space and time today by decluttering some of them.

Sheet Music

It's not just musicians who have sheet music.  People have sheet music that was purchased and performed at their weddings or perhaps another special celebration.  However, musicians truly can be like seamstresses, collecting hoards of their materials.

Here are reasons to cull your collection:

• Music goes out of style
• There are digital versions now for iPad which take up no space and turning two pages accidentally,  the wind blowing the music off the stand, the pages being mixed up and off you go playing page 3 when the chorus is on page 2 is a thing of the past (those of you who are musicians know of which I'm speaking.)  One tap of the screen takes you seamlessly to the next page. You can get these electronic versions of your favorites when you really need them.
• How long has it been since you've picked up Great Songs of the 80's?
• Some struggling musician might be able to purchase your sheet music when you donate it
• Music books and sheet music take up valuable drawer or cupboard space where you could store items you actually use
• Your kid left a stack from his days of learning trumpet

Consider your options with any music you may be storing.  Is it anything you don't need or use?

Things We Think Our Kids Will Want

As we declutter, there may be items or memorabilia we come across that we save just because we want to pass those onto our children.  Think long and hard about this.  What means a lot to us means squat to our kids, often times.  Historically, think about raising your kids:

You were a teacher; that's the last thing they wanted to be
You liked country decor; they went for bohemian in their dorm rooms
You liked country music; they went for classical

That twinge of rebellion toward becoming his/her own person is typical.  It's not to say they don't often change and become more like us that they planned.  However, stuff doesn't translate as well over generations.  If you are really waffling on whether to declutter an item, ask your kids if they'd ever want it and don't be hurt when they say no.

Leaving a house full of stuff they don't want after you pass is an arduous chore for loved ones.  It can take months to sort through everything.  If you think it's time to unload some of your possessions, please do.

Sorry to have a downer of a post.  Let me end on a lighthearted thought.  Our kids told us a couple years ago that the only thing they want when we pass is a Christmas ornament they fought over putting on the tree for years.  It's a toad that croaks when you pull its string, entitled "Mistletoad."  Well, that's easy, except now we need to find another toad so there isn't a battle when our will is read.

Keepsakes

We are often tempted to keep the "firsts" in our lives:  our first dollar earned, first pair of earrings, first bridesmaid gown, first corsage, first hospital stay wrist band, etc.  If your first will fit into a scrapbook or memory box, that's good.  However, when an old "first" takes up space just because it was important years ago, it probably can be considered clutter.  Please give yourself permission to take a photo of it and let it go.

Yesterday, I had a first.  It was "Bring Your Teacher a Lottery Ticket" day for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I was a bit confused at first and thought the first couple children were bringing them to me because we're studying probability in math class.  It finally hit me what was going on after more came in!  I had never had a lottery ticket before and after some Internet surfing last evening, my husband and I figured out what to do.  After all the scratching off of numbers, I was tempted to keep my first lottery ticket, but then common sense kicked in and I threw them away.  Had I won something, it may have gone into the scrapbook.

Coffee Table Books

Somewhere along the way, large hardcover books with lots of pictures became known as "Coffee Table Books."  They usually feature a place, person, or historic event.  I guess the purpose is to give your guests something to browse through if they are bored or really interested in Lady Diana's life.  These books truly are beautiful.  We have several on a bookshelf, not the coffee table:

Williamsburg:  Then and Now
Inside the Vatican (interesting, since we attend a Baptist church)
Prince William and Kate  (we were in London on their wedding day…no invitation though)

They are nice pieces of work…fascinating articles and brilliant photos.  These are books I would donate in a heartbeat if we had to downsize.  For now, I'll hold onto them just in case the conversation lags when guests visit.

Use Probability with Decluttering

There's been a lot of coin flipping going on in math class as we study probability this week.  Here's a question when you are considering whether to get rid of a certain item in your house:

"If I flipped a coin with Tails = Keep and Heads = Donate,  which would I secretly root for?"  In all likelihood, most of us would root for donate.

Remember the feeling of calm and peace in a hotel room?  It's because there isn't a ton of stuff around.  We can have that simplicity in our homes as well.  Take a chance today; clear out some clutter.  If you need to, grab a penny to help you make decisions.

Photographs

At a ladies' gathering last month, we were discussing clutter.  One friend brought up old photographs.  She said she could easily toss them as they aren't organized and just sit around, cluttering up areas.  I was rather horrified!  I'm a tried and true scrapbooking mom and while I'd be willing to part with some of the poor quality photos, I don't know if I could ever ditch the entire box.

It did get me thinking.  How many pictures of Susie at age 4 do we really need to keep?  Would 12, or one per month, of her 4th year be sufficient?  If you are wanting to get into scrapbooking, it's pretty expensive to use all 200 photos of Susie from that one year.  What if she's now 22 and you are a little behind on getting the photos cropped, placing stickers, and coordinating paper to accent each 12 x 12 page?  It just MIGHT be time to whittle down the box of photos waiting for a home.  Another avenue is to send them away to a company that scans them all, creating a digital version of all those shoeboxes full of photos.   Digital copies don't clutter our homes, so you could ditch the boxes of curling photos and still have them on the computer if you wished to take a walk down memory lane.

Consider what you can do with all those old photos sitting in boxes.

Reuse Creatively

Sometimes we hang onto things because they cost us money and/or bring back good memories.  They are too good to throw away or bring back too good of memories.  However, we can't rationalize keeping extra clutter.  Think creatively.

I have some extra professionally printed invitations for an event that has passed.   This school event was the culmination of a dream, so they represent a bigh point to me.  I just can't throw them out.  But, I have an idea to use them in a creative way.  One will be kept for the scrapbook.  The rest I'm using as thank you notes for the rest of the year.  I'm just writing the notes on the blank side.  People can then throw away the note and I won't mind.  At least they being put to good use.

If you're holding onto something, can you think of a creative way to gradually unload it but feel good about reusing?

Pitchers

It's truly amazing how items multiply in a home!  Take pitchers, for example.  How many pitchers does a household need per person?  I guess it depends on how many beverages you want to keep cold in large quantities:  iced tea, lemonade, Kool-aid, iced coffee, water.  I can't think of much else that doesn't already have its own container.  I counted mine for a current household of two residents, and we have SIX two quart pitchers!  At most, I have two pitchers of beverages in the refrigerator at any given time. So today, I'm getting rid of a pitcher my daughter didn't want after college that I haven't used in a year.

Storage Units

On stressful, overwhelming days in the classroom, sometimes I let my mind wander to what other career would be less exhausting.  Manning the desk at a storage facility often comes to mind….boring, but no children to control.  But, enough of that...

I heard a statistic this week that there are now more storage facilities in the USA than McDonalds restaurants!  Think of the logic of renting a storage unit:

• You pay monthly for space to store things you don't need on a daily basis
• You pay for space to store things you might not use for two years
• You pay for space to store items that are easily forgotten

I realize there are times to keep a storage unit.  I was very supportive of my daughter storing her college things over the summer  instead of bringing everything home.  However, too often, hard-earned cash is doled out month after month,  year after year for things WE DON'T NEED, USE, or SEE.

Consider letting the storage unit clutter go.  You truly will feel lighter and your budget will be healthier.