ComPact 2018 – Declutter December - Page 5

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@geezerette wrote:
After starting to look at what I’ve spent on this and that this past year, 2019 may have to be a no-buy year!

I can’t believe it’s almost time again to change out my 2018 files for next year’s. I never got used to it being 2018. Matter of fact, I’ve been in disbelief since 2000.😯

@geezerette, exactly. I am going to re-evaluate at the end of December and put "something " in place for 2019. If I am being honest, I need to find another outlet for my stress and boredom other than shopping and eating. The more I try and decutter, more seems to come in.

I think this is the first month I am staying true to the thread's name. I am decuttering little by litte, even if it is just small stuff. I am hoping in the end it will all come together. I have some time off at the end of the month and it will be my focus. I am not going to spend all my time focused on decluttering but it will be part of what I will do.

I really do want to reduce to simple, I just have to carve out the path and stay on it.

I did get rid of my big dining room table and got a smaller one. Let's just say it is an adjustment. But, I think I will appreciate the space once I adjust. It use to be my catch all and now I have to think where to put stuff. I dont think my kitties are loving my new ideas.

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@geezerette

@aprilskies

I'm ready to write off December and just start over in January. Where's that Montepulciano d'Abruzzo?

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@just bee wrote:
@geezerette
@aprilskies

I'm ready to write off December and just start over in January. Where's that Montepulciano d'Abruzzo?

@just bee, wait, let me get my glass! I feel ready to forget a lot of things for a while.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

I started on the attic the other day. At first glance, it appeared to be a huge undertaking. But after looking a little closer, it doesn’t appear to be so bad. A lot is packing boxes that I saved (twelve years ago) thinking we were going to move shortly and I’d need them. Ha. And it also looks like most of the rest of the stuff will probably end up being trashed. After twelve years in the attic with 100+ degree weather all summer and 20 degree weather all winter, there probably will not be much left to salvage. Which is fine. Actually makes my job easier.

Yesterday I took a load of suitcases to Goodwill. Today it was a load of cardboard and old printers to the recyclers. I have no idea why on earth I would save an old printer that doesn’t work properly, let alone two of them. Tossed the fax machine too, since I have fax on the printer that actually works.

Another “why in the world” moment was discovering an old iron that I had clearly marked on the box “This iron does not heat properly”. Why would you want an iron that doesn’t heat right? 🤨

In addition to my attic loads out, I’m also trying to fill extra trash bags every week with stuff that needs to go. I think if I keep up these smaller loads on a regular basis, the process is easier to get through.

Another habit I’m trying to break this time decluttering is that when I find something I forgot I even had, not to save it thinking “I might need that”. Duh. If I needed it, I wouldn’t have put it away and forgotten about it! Which applies to most everything I have in the attic, if I think about it.

Now, to admit that I spent a boatload on WEN products this last visit. And my justification is that I mostly use the winter scents, so I have to buy for all year during the season they’re available. Along with that, all the products I use are multitasking, so I’ve eliminated most of my other skin care products. Although I also did just buy the last philosophy TSV so I could get the pure grace EDP.

But even purchasing for a full year, I have to be careful because I think I overshot and ended up with too much. (Not surprisingly.) This is one of the things I’m really having trouble with, especially at the grocery store. Buying for one person. I just can’t make that transition.

Squirrel Lover · ‎03-10-2010

I have 6 denim & co tops and a few pairs of pants that are for spring/summer when do the donation places start accepting warm weather clothing?

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@Squirrel Lover

I don’t know where you donate, but Goodwill and my local animal shelter accepts anything at any time of the year. And they’re glad to get it!

Squirrel Lover · ‎03-10-2010

Hey, Geezerette, I live in Havre de Grace, MD. It doesn't warm up until the end of April, but I was thinking that the donatation places might want stuff before that. On the other hand, I doubt they have any space to store stuff until the next season.

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@geezerette- Wow! It sounds like you are doing a really good job getting old items out of the house! How wonderful for you! I think that the items you brought in are more than offset by the items that are going out. You are definitely making good progress!

I imagine it is a difficult transition to make, shopping for one. I'm so used to shopping for 4, I wonder what it will be like when the kids are gone and I'm back to just shopping for 2. Then I remember what it was like when I was single and shopped for just one. I hardly had to spend a thing! Not that I would give up my family of course, but it sure was easier in a lot of ways.

I'm at the store every week loading up a cart full. I wouldn't mind being able to cut back at least a little bit.

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

As far as my own personal decluttering, I'm not really doing much lately. I gave away a few Christmas items and have a small bag going with a few pieces of clothes and a couple of books in it. I just haven't really done a lot, partly because I just don't feel like I have a lot left to get rid of right now and partly because I'm just not motivated to do it.

It's obviously a really busy time of year, both at work and around the house for me, so I just have other things that are taking priority right now.

I feel kind of bad because I know a lot is coming in with all of the gifts that I've bought, but I figure I can tackle the decluttering again after the holidays when the weather stinks and I'm stuck in the house and things slow down again.

At least I can say that I haven't been sucked in yet by any of the holiday sales and I haven't bought any beauty items that I don't need. Between Christmas spending and the huge tax bill that we just got, I'm trying to avoid any unnecessary spending if I can.

I did finally get back to Rite aid and I exchanged my Aquasmooth foundation for the right shade, they gave me the exchange without the receipt without any trouble at all, so that was really nice. That's the only beauty product I've gotten recently.

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@aprilskies-Isn't it nice when you get in a "mood" to declutter? Sounds like you're doing really well.

I'm NOt in the mood right now and that is part of my problem. I'm hoping to get back in the mood after Christmas.

I really want to re-organize my closet but right now it's full of hidden gifts for everyone so I can't really do much with it. I'm actually looking forward to getting everything out so I can see what's left and what I want to do with it.

I think that's partly why I'm not in the mood. I have piles of stuff everywhere, wrapping paper and boxes out, etc. so I just don't really feel like decluttering and organizing. It kind of bugs me, but I'm trying not to let it get to me.

Maybe when the kids are off for 2 weeks we can work in their rooms and playroom. We did that last year and it kind of helped jump start the cleaning and organizing process.