I am so predictable
I failed to declutter for ~98% of 2023 but somehow a fire has been LIT and I am just READY!
(This 100% has to do with the fact that I am not working either of my two jobs right now. Other than writing this post.)
I started getting rid of stuff and now I am on a serious roll. I have a bag for my niece. I stored clothes between A & G’s sizes for G’s future use. Yesterday I went through each kids’ wardrobe with a fine-toothed comb – now their drawers only contains things that they might actually wear (imagine that!). I unearthed size 6 clothing in C’s closet, a million mismatched socks, and more.
Then today, my lovely Boca friend Amanda came over and helped A declutter her room for TWO HOURS (!). I then finished up (two more hours . . .) and now every single item in her room has been considered / curated / decided upon. I am so proud of her for sticking with it AND proud of us all for getting it done.
Time Limited – the key?
We are headed out soon so it may be the fact that I didn’t have dayyyyyys to work on this project that kept me as motivated as I was (and still am). The house (aside from A’s room) is nowhere near where I want it to be but I feel like seeing what was possible in just a couple of hours was really motivating.
HOORAY for the end of December. I love this time.
Now back to my ‘end of year’ podcast playlist (also making me incredibly happy).
15 Comments
Wow. Her room looks great. You know I LOVE decluttering so my heart is actually aching I can’t just pop over and help. (How lame is that?!). Seriously, though, these posts are like my favourite type of post. Gold stars for getting so much done!!! Decluttering is my #1 mental health hack. It always, always, always leaves me feeling energized and ready to tackle other things in life.
You are invited anytime you are in Florida! I wouldn’t say I generally love it but when I get into it there is definitely a bit of a high!
Same same same as @Elisabeth. My mom’s motto (now mine, too – the apple doesn’t fall far): “when in doubt, throw it out!” (Read: donate). My stress level is readable by how frequently I schedule donation pickups. It feels SO GOOD to purge! Great work on A’s room and I hope the energy continues!
Donating is such a huge hurdle! I do not have the energy or patience to deal with local buy nothing groups, and taking it to a thrift store is also a huge pain (they may be “full” or only accepting certain things, which you only find out when you get there, and they are a 20 min drive away). TBH if my husband weren’t dealing with this on his week off, I would probably throw everything into the trash.
This is a late reply and you likely won’t see it BUT I totally agree that donation is a hurdle – that’s why I schedule pickups! Several organizations will do them, depending on your area (maybe not if you’re super rural…?). I pick a date and then put everything out on the curb that morning. It’s gone by afternoon and my stress level is magically lower! If you Google “donation pickup in my area” you could likely find someone to come. I just schedule them every few months and see what I can gather when they roll around.
I have some serious decluttering goals this year – looking at you, books! We get back from our travels on the 28th and I can’t wait to get a head start on them! I have over 1000 books, and although I read a lot, it’s a bit excessive and most importantly, starting to outgrow my extensive bookshelves. Haven’t figured out an exact goal, but I think I want to cut my collection in half? My reading goals for the year are centered around reading from my bookshelf and (gulp) visiting the library less.
Wow from 1000 to 500!!! You will have to give a progress report!
Ha I very much identify with this – when I’m not working for a few days the world suddenly seems full of endless realistic possibilities! Some of them stick, some of them don’t but I do think it shows the value of taking time out of the usual routine. Happy New Year!
happy new year to you, too!! And agree – breaks are so nice. I don’t think I’ll have 2 weeks off any time soon (2025, maybe?) but even a solid week can be rejuvenating esp with weekends on either side.
We did a big clothing purge right before Christmas and it was great – especially because there are two boys who live around the corner from us who are the sizes between Will and Ian. I’d pick something up and say, “Scott, do you want it?” “Will, do you want it?” “Ian, do you want it?” “Friend, do you want it?” and we cleared out a ton of stuff that was to small, worn out, etc. And it makes it so much more pleasant for everyone to put away their clothes.
Good for A for sticking with it. Looks like she’s got a light, airy, cozy tween room 🙂
Love it! We spend 10 days at my parents, usually coming back at New Year, but about now, I get a bit twitchy to start getting things done. We are having a lazy day today so I’m getting presents sorted and doing some 2024 planning (setting up flight alerts, etc). We get home the evening of the 31st and in laws arrive the 3rd, so a few days. A big toy sort is on the horizon.
We are trying to think through all the grandparent visits – there is drama so this requires a bit of sensitivity which is annoying. My parents just show up whenever we ask them to (definite only child privilege) my in laws don’t and then complain they don’t get equal time. My husband needs to go to his dad’s in Canada next year and is coordinating with his brother and brother’s 4 20 something kids and it is overly complicated and annoying.
Love decluttering posts, so inspirational, and great job team! P.S., A has amazing flexibility!
Will you share a list of goals lists podcast episodes besides you, Laura and Gretchen (maybe you already are in an upcoming episode)? I LOVE those too (so fun and inspiring!) but when I search my podcast app for them, what comes back is not a list of ones I would recommend to anyone!
That is a great idea! Will work on it. I suspect some are not out yet, I’ve been seeing more recap episodes and “best of” than goals so far.
I would love a round up as well. Love all of the BLP and BOBW year end episodes (really all the episodes)! And congrats on the progress!!