topic Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN! in Home

Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Susan Louise — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:13:04 GMT

It's that time of year again...UGH!

I usually do the most just before and after the holidays (and just before 12/31) to at least get the tax credit for us.

Honestly, I am so tired of the process every year, but it must be tackled. Although I keep a clean home, our closets, drawers do have a tendency to burst at the seams.

I have spent many hours over the past several days reorganizing and decluttering our basement.

One of several areas I focused on was all the dinnerware I have collected over the past few years. My collection got out of hand.

All of the dinnerware/supplies took up two shelves on a shelving unit. I had to get real with myself about the insanity.

The 1st thing I did was empty out 3 shelves in a cabinet in the kitchen full of dishes...going through them and then set them aside so I can have a mental image of what I want to keep between those shelves/dishes and what was in the basement.

Then I got a mug of coffee, went down in the basement, turned on one of the portable heaters and put all the piles of dishes/bowls/etc on the 2 shelves from the shelving unit onto the floor to sort through.

I'm not going to lie...it was a painful process, but I made sure I narrowed down the dinnerware to what I was able to store in our cabinets ONLY in the kitchen with absolutely nothing in the basement other than the rattan chargers I love (they don't fit in the cabinets...diameter too large) and two tablecloths. Additionally, we have one shelf for the Ronco Rossiterre and the portable Masterbuilt Smoker which we use both regularly. Mind you, for those that don't know, we have a small house/small kitchen.

I am also making a 3rd round of purging of decor. All the new pieces must fit in the containers I already have been using for years. The only exception are the containers I got from Target for the vintage ornaments for our tree. I also am purging a 3rd round because I want to wind up with less decor overall than previous years.

The space the new containers are taking up for the ornaments are going in the space where I had a pile of 5 wreaths (still in the original boxes) most of which I never used and had already went to charity last week.

I also am figuring out in my head when I bring down the holiday decor, I will have a 'home' for it all...making sure I have purged enough...and then some. I am also still working on a space for the large 4' white flocked tree

As for the wreaths, for the most part, they were relatively easy to purge since I got the wonderful VPH pomegranate & mixed greens set with swags and tree. All the other wreaths I had just didn't compare. How my taste for decor has evolved...SMH. The sad part was spending the money on them in the 1st place. At least bringing them to charity someone else can enjoy them and we will get a little back from taxes.

Anyway, my next couple of purging areas is our closets and drawers...oy!

I hope I have inspired someone else. What I had found helpful was googling 'purging clutter' and reading some articles/blogs/etc to get motivated myself.

Since everyone has their own speed and way they want to tackle their own clutter, I'm no good at advice for others. I can only share a few bits on how I got started. One blog I read suggested purging a garbage bag full a day so over a month that would be 30 bags. I guess for me, that would be agonizingly slow...besides my wanting to get as much done before 12/31. I think I got rid of about 12 bags worth of clutter (not including the dinnerware I put in 7 boxes).

What is keeping me going is knowing how much better I will feel when I'm done...wishing others luck on their purging journey. If you aren't quite ready yet, I thought making snow angels was a fun alternative

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

lucymo — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:01:45 GMT

@Susan Louise Thank you for boosting my desire to be less of a hoarder. I have donated tons in the past few years but have brought in more than I took out. I had plenty of decor displayed for the Christmas season and didn't make a dent in what's in storage. I could donate everything left in storage and still be able to do a nicely decorated holiday home. I may just do that too.

Now for the clothes closet. Yes, I'm a clothes hoarder too, have enough that I don't unpack some of the storage containers each season. Since I like classic styles they don't go out of style much so they build up as I buy new ones. Yes, it's crazy hoarding. Shoes and purses were donated already.

Kitchen was purged earlier this year so I'm in good shape there. I could still give up a few bakers and large pots since we don't entertain as much as we used to.

Desk, dresser, chest and table drawers all need cleaning. Thanks to you, my friend, I'm in the mood. I won't put a deadline on it but I will get it done.

Happy New Year to you and DH and thanks for your help. Hopefully, I'll go further this time withe purging. We need the 'Buddy System' in place for CIJ this year. Help!!

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

KailaS — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:09:53 GMT

i live in rent and purge twice a year. I keep donating items, but the remaining ones seem to increase in number. Like you, my decorating style has changed. I have only what I love and use... for now.

My biggest challenge is that I tend to buy holiday and birthday gifts for family and friends throughout the year. And I like to buy supplies for cleaning and cooking when on sale, so I have to be creative with storage. I have no basement or garage and have only two small closets, so I agree that organizing and purging sometimes is painful, but it is necessary and I feel good when I am done.

Good luck with this year’s project.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Katcat1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:33:03 GMT

I cleaned under the bathroom sink but I keep items in separate plastic containers so I remove what is in the container and wash it out & dry. Wipe bottles and replace in container. I need to do the kitchen sink one too. Yes, I started a bag of clothes to donate too. My bedroom looks like a cyclone hit it because I have clothes out of the closet and going through them. Yes, it is a pain but it has to be done. I am glad I am feeling better because I was in bed for a few days. I am not 100% but about 80%.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

OKPrincess — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:52:07 GMT

I decluttered my kitchen a few months ago when I emptied everything in order to sand and paint. When completed I refilled drawers and cabinets with the things I wanted to keep. The other stuff is still in tubs and if I havent missed anything by now I'd say it's safe to get rid off the things for good.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

lucymo — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:12:13 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
I cleaned under the bathroom sink but I keep items in separate plastic containers so I remove what is in the container and wash it out & dry. Wipe bottles and replace in container. I need to do the kitchen sink one too. Yes, I started a bag of clothes to donate too. My bedroom looks like a cyclone hit it because I have clothes out of the closet and going through them. Yes, it is a pain but it has to be done. I am glad I am feeling better because I was in bed for a few days. I am not 100% but about 80%.

@Katcat1 I admire you for getting in and getting it done even though you aren't feeling well. I hope you will feel great very soon. I know I will feel better when I get rid of some of the enormous baggage load that I have now. I'm a clean hoarder if there is such a thing.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

LoveMyBaby — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:23:10 GMT

@Susan Louise

Great inspiration! Great post, and the pic is hilarious 😂

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

pupwhipped — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:32:35 GMT

It's becoming painfully obvious that I don't have a purging bone in my body.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

DREAMON — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:33:34 GMT

For the past year I have been really sticking to ONE IN ONE OUT when I purchase everything.

I keep a donation bags on all levels of my home and every time I buy something new I put something in the donation bag.

It works!!

Happy New Year to us!!!!

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

CAMOGIRL — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:34:48 GMT

Funny. I think most women tend to buy, use, store, forget about, find one day, re use, and then finally get rid of items. Never met a woman yet that does not... I indeed am exactly that person...

Purging needs to be a constant or it just piles up all over again ... ha, maybe I should follow that thought to the biggest closet ... 😉

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Regal Bee — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:35:13 GMT

I don't keep clutter anywhere in our home. It makes me crazy and really stagnates my creativity.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

LoveMyBaby — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:45:22 GMT

@pupwhipped

🤣 I hear ya, but sometimes one just gets inspired, and is sick of looking at the 'stuff'! Lol. I downsized last year from 2000 sq ft to 1350 sq ft, and can't believe all the stuff I moved with me. And I thought I purged a lot with the move (and I did). I always think maybe someone in the family will want it some day. Highly doubtful 😏

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

151949 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:58:37 GMT

This summer we sold our camper and brought home a ton of stuff. It had been our full time summer home for 7 years so it was a mini version of our house. Anyway - last winter I had cleaned out everywhere and had nice organized closets etc. but now we brought home all this stuff that had to find a home and filled up everywhere. So now I'm going to have to go through and reorganize it all again!

This seems like an endless journey! Fortunately, though our home is small it has a lot of storage space.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Susan Louise — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 22:47:40 GMT

@lucymo wrote:
@Susan Louise Thank you for boosting my desire to be less of a hoarder. I have donated tons in the past few years but have brought in more than I took out. I had plenty of decor displayed for the Christmas season and didn't make a dent in what's in storage. I could donate everything left in storage and still be able to do a nicely decorated holiday home. I may just do that too.

Now for the clothes closet. Yes, I'm a clothes hoarder too, have enough that I don't unpack some of the storage containers each season. Since I like classic styles they don't go out of style much so they build up as I buy new ones. Yes, it's crazy hoarding. Shoes and purses were donated already.

Kitchen was purged earlier this year so I'm in good shape there. I could still give up a few bakers and large pots since we don't entertain as much as we used to.

Desk, dresser, chest and table drawers all need cleaning. Thanks to you, my friend, I'm in the mood. I won't put a deadline on it but I will get it done.

Happy New Year to you and DH and thanks for your help. Hopefully, I'll go further this time withe purging. We need the 'Buddy System' in place for CIJ this year. Help!!

@lucymo ITA about the 'Buddy System'! Honestly Lucy, I can't believe I also bought more this past year than previous years too.

I felt so confident before the past CIJ that I expected not to buy a single piece of new decor. At the same time, the REAL crazy part is I have no regrets of the pieces I bought and kept. At least about half of them I was able to get at the 'As Is' price.

I felt as though my taste in decor has at least narrowed down drastically. I do use several pieces every year too. I think I'm better at honing in on my choices I make. When I say that though, it sounds so wrong since I bought so much...LOL

However, with each piece I did buy, I see myself using all of them several times, for many years and none taking up prime real estate in the basement and collecting dust. So that is a huge improvement.

Some of the decor I have been purging were the 3 VPH cloches I had....1 lg & 1 sm cloches of the Dicken's Carolers and the sm church cloche. I only used the lg Dicken's carolers once in the 4-5 yrs I had them and honestly didn't see myself using them again. GAWD, if I only had the foresight...SMH

One thing that has been helping me to decide on what decor to purge is asking myself "How many times over the next 3-5 years will I actually use (fill in the blank)?"

Here's an example of my working on/winding up with less in the end with one type of decor...

Since this year I got 4 sets (2 natural - 2 white) of the 'As Is' VPH H209362 pedestals, I was able to let go of 6 sets of the VPH MG pedestals H205247 (2 silver, 2 red, 1 gold, and 1 chocolate) I have bought over the years...so besides having 2 less pedestal sets between both types, I'm also using less MG overall.

I see myself using the new pedestals all the time! Out of the 4 new sets (12 pcs), currently 9 are being used now for holiday decor vignette set ups. I see myself using them all year round too and not just once or twice. I got 2 sets of each color so if I wanted to be symmetrical with the same height with 2 candles or anything else, I can.

I also got rid of the VPH large MG square pedestals and just kept the MG pedestals with inserts.

Some MG pieces I still use every year are the spheres for Spring/Summer decor in the livingroom and again during the Fall...which I don't see changing anytime soon.

I don't know if any of that info would help you in deciding what to keep or let go, but that is how I was rationalizing when purging and lowering the amount of decor as I am going along.

Blah, Blah, Blah...I see this post getting winded...sorry...sigh.

As for clothes, yes...way too much...I do need an intervention...

The last pieces of clothes I bought was back on 10/11 and it was 2 sets of A293908 in 'berry' and 'evergreen' which I have been wearing both of often lately. My weaknesses are mainly sweaters, D&Co/QF tops and Carole Hochman PJ's and I don't need anymore of any of it! LOL

I'm really hoping I can start and finish the new year without buying one more piece of clothing...seriously!

Shoes I'm not a fan of, so thankfully it's not something I have an excess of. I have about 17 prs...12 are sandals which are easily stored in a small container (always having spares of a few because I wear them til they fall apart), 3 prs are shoes, 1 pr of sneakers and 1 pr of boots. The 12 prs of Sandals are all 4 different colors/styles of Okabashi. Honestly, I loath wearing anything on my feet and have always favored walking barefoot...which I do 100% of the time when I'm home. I do wear the sandals when I am gardening or mowing the lawn though. I do favor this brand of sandals since they are as close to walking barefoot as I can get wearing shoes. I even wear them in the winter when grocery shopping/running errands unless there is a foot of snow or it's icy of coarse and wear the boots.

Handbags I am able to keep in check (with the 1 in - 1 out policy) since I store my D&B in the armoire cubby holes and the bags/totes of Vera Bradley are in one drawer below. That is one area I try to keep in check all the time...LOL The last D&B handbag I got I bought 'As Is' about mid-June. Hopefully I can stop buying those for several years! Ah...so many New Year's resolutions I want to keep!

Anyway, on the other hand, the linen closet is stuffed. For me I think it's one area I'm always frustrated with. Our bathroom has no storage area for towels/washcloths whatsoever other than a single bar for a couple of bath towels and a hook for a hand towel. So our narrow linen closet holds everything for our bedding (4 sets...2 Fall/Winter and 2 Spring/Summer...those alone take up a LOT of space), bathroom, most of our health and personal supplies, the sewing kit, dishcloths, cleaning cloths, mop heads, etc. I have to find a better way!

Our 'full' bathroom is so small, you only need to take 1 step to get to the sink and 2 steps to get to the throne and bathtub. The 1/2 bath downstairs...well, it only takes 1 step to reach the sink, throne and stand up shower...LOL

OK...time for me to start prepping dinner...

I want you and your family to have a wonderful Happy New Year! Hopefully we can all help each other keep our buying in-check from now on and enjoying just window shopping for a change

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

deedledeedeedle — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 22:38:03 GMT

@pupwhipped wrote:
It's becoming painfully obvious that I don't have a purging bone in my body.

Me either, pupwhipped. Waaaaay too much is coming in, and not nearly enough going out the door

dee

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

RedTop — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:41:01 GMT

I started purging this house nearly 6 years ago, and continue to let go of my accumulated items easily. I’m retired and go out only when I have to, so I have right-sized myself as far as all clothing, shoes and handbags. I hate spending money on clothing, and have gotten rid of many, many things since I retired. If I died today, my daughters could pack every single item of clothing I own (except my 3 coats) into one 18 gallon plastic tote.

2 large items left here this week, and I have 2 pieces of furniture to burn as soon as we have safe burning conditions. My 2018 goal is to move more and more stuff to the curb.

For the last year, my husband has talked about buying a storage building for items currently filling our garage. Every time this comes up, my response is clean the garage, and get rid of items that are not being used. I am not in favor of spending $3000 for more storage space, when this house has enough space—-we just have too much stuff.

Just today, I made the comment to my husband, and sent texts to my girls, that in another week or so, I will be able to start working in the basement, and I intend to get everything off the floor and on a shelf, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Catiele — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:45:01 GMT

For me it is a work in progress. About two years ago we did a really good clearing out. My husband was not really ready. He had to be part of it because of the cellar and garages. In these areas practially everything went but the tools. Every so often I will get into one of those moods. I grab the biggest bag I can find and fill it. Sometimes its two bags. Maybe I will get a bag———no not today.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

Snoopp — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:47:18 GMT

I am doing one drawer at a time. I find the sorting and purging exhausting.

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

lucymo — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:22:43 GMT

@Susan Louise wrote:
@lucymo wrote:
@Susan Louise Thank you for boosting my desire to be less of a hoarder. I have donated tons in the past few years but have brought in more than I took out. I had plenty of decor displayed for the Christmas season and didn't make a dent in what's in storage. I could donate everything left in storage and still be able to do a nicely decorated holiday home. I may just do that too.

Now for the clothes closet. Yes, I'm a clothes hoarder too, have enough that I don't unpack some of the storage containers each season. Since I like classic styles they don't go out of style much so they build up as I buy new ones. Yes, it's crazy hoarding. Shoes and purses were donated already.

Kitchen was purged earlier this year so I'm in good shape there. I could still give up a few bakers and large pots since we don't entertain as much as we used to.

Desk, dresser, chest and table drawers all need cleaning. Thanks to you, my friend, I'm in the mood. I won't put a deadline on it but I will get it done.

Happy New Year to you and DH and thanks for your help. Hopefully, I'll go further this time withe purging. We need the 'Buddy System' in place for CIJ this year. Help!!

@lucymo ITA about the 'Buddy System'! Honestly Lucy, I can't believe I also bought more this past year than previous years too.

I felt so confident before the past CIJ that I expected not to buy a single piece of new decor. At the same time, the REAL crazy part is I have no regrets of the pieces I bought and kept. At least about half of them I was able to get at the 'As Is' price.

I felt as though my taste in decor has at least narrowed down drastically. I do use several pieces every year too. I think I'm better at honing in on my choices I make. When I say that though, it sounds so wrong since I bought so much...LOL

However, with each piece I did buy, I see myself using all of them several times, for many years and none taking up prime real estate in the basement and collecting dust. So that is a huge improvement.

Some of the decor I have been purging were the 3 VPH cloches I had....1 lg & 1 sm cloches of the Dicken's Carolers and the sm church cloche. I only used the lg Dicken's carolers once in the 4-5 yrs I had them and honestly didn't see myself using them again. GAWD, if I only had the foresight...SMH

One thing that has been helping me to decide on what decor to purge is asking myself "How many times over the next 3-5 years will I actually use (fill in the blank)?"

Here's an example of my working on/winding up with less in the end with one type of decor...
Since this year I got 4 sets (2 natural - 2 white) of the 'As Is' VPH H209362 pedestals, I was able to let go of 6 sets of the VPH MG pedestals H205247 (2 silver, 2 red, 1 gold, and 1 chocolate) I have bought over the years...so besides having 2 less pedestal sets between both types, I'm also using less MG overall.

I see myself using the new pedestals all the time! Out of the 4 new sets (12 pcs), currently 9 are being used now for holiday decor vignette set ups. I see myself using them all year round too and not just once or twice. I got 2 sets of each color so if I wanted to be symmetrical with the same height with 2 candles or anything else, I can.

I also got rid of the VPH large MG square pedestals and just kept the MG pedestals with inserts.

Some MG pieces I still use every year are the spheres for Spring/Summer decor in the livingroom and again during the Fall...which I don't see changing anytime soon.

I don't know if any of that info would help you in deciding what to keep or let go, but that is how I was rationalizing when purging and lowering the amount of decor as I am going along.

Blah, Blah, Blah...I see this post getting winded...sorry...sigh.

As for clothes, yes...way too much...I do need an intervention...
The last pieces of clothes I bought was back on 10/11 and it was 2 sets of A293908 in 'berry' and 'evergreen' which I have been wearing both of often lately. My weaknesses are mainly sweaters, D&Co/QF tops and Carole Hochman PJ's and I don't need anymore of any of it! LOL
I'm really hoping I can start and finish the new year without buying one more piece of clothing...seriously!

Shoes I'm not a fan of, so thankfully it's not something I have an excess of. I have about 17 prs...12 are sandals which are easily stored in a small container (always having spares of a few because I wear them til they fall apart), 3 prs are shoes, 1 pr of sneakers and 1 pr of boots. The 12 prs of Sandals are all 4 different colors/styles of Okabashi. Honestly, I loath wearing anything on my feet and have always favored walking barefoot...which I do 100% of the time when I'm home. I do wear the sandals when I am gardening or mowing the lawn though. I do favor this brand of sandals since they are as close to walking barefoot as I can get wearing shoes. I even wear them in the winter when grocery shopping/running errands unless there is a foot of snow or it's icy of coarse and wear the boots.

Handbags I am able to keep in check (with the 1 in - 1 out policy) since I store my D&B in the armoire cubby holes and the bags/totes of Vera Bradley are in one drawer below. That is one area I try to keep in check all the time...LOL The last D&B handbag I got I bought 'As Is' about mid-June. Hopefully I can stop buying those for several years! Ah...so many New Year's resolutions I want to keep!

Anyway, on the other hand, the linen closet is stuffed. For me I think it's one area I'm always frustrated with. Our bathroom has no storage area for towels/washcloths whatsoever other than a single bar for a couple of bath towels and a hook for a hand towel. So our narrow linen closet holds everything for our bedding (4 sets...2 Fall/Winter and 2 Spring/Summer...those alone take up a LOT of space), bathroom, most of our health and personal supplies, the sewing kit, dishcloths, cleaning cloths, mop heads, etc. I have to find a better way!

Our 'full' bathroom is so small, you only need to take 1 step to get to the sink and 2 steps to get to the throne and bathtub. The 1/2 bath downstairs...well, it only takes 1 step to reach the sink, throne and stand up shower...LOL

OK...time for me to start prepping dinner...
I want you and your family to have a wonderful Happy New Year! Hopefully we can all help each other keep our buying in-check from now on and enjoying just window shopping for a change

@Susan Louise I enjoyed reading the post and thanks for being so specific about the items you purged. I have a lot of the pieces that you speak of. I do still love the square pedestals though, I think more than the round ones with mirror inserts. I have donated some colors like all of the silver ones but kept gold, chocolate and green, i set each color. I only bought gold and chocolate in the ones with inserts, two sets each. I will get in the garage next week and start sorting what's there and then into the storage room inside the house. You have inspired me...again.

Yes, if we clean our excess out, we don't need to fill every nook and cranny right back up again. 'Buddy System' it is. lol

Re: Purging Clutter...AGAIN!

bonnielu — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:25:24 GMT

I am slowly getting rid of stuff. My only problem is I have oodles of my mothers possessions and I have a hard time letting go.

And I have collected lots of stuff on my own. When I look at my personal clothes I feel guilty having bought them in the first place. When I look at decor trinkets I feel like I must keep them.

It is hard to declutter. I almost need a personal assistant and I need to leave and let him or her do it for me. I have not gotten to that stage yet.