Declutter 2022: What have you purged today? - Page 120

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

Hi, I have been MIA as well. I havent been any intentional decluttering except what I come across so I donate or toss as I go.

I have gotten rid of some big pots. I just dont use them enough to justify keeping them so I gave them to a family member that was in need. So now they dont have to go and buy any. Sometimes it is not bad to have extra.

Although I feel like I have a lot to do. I have some time off coming up and I hopefully I can bring myself to get started. Sometime getting started is the hardest part. But, it is time because I have everything out and in the way so I can deal with it. I just havent been handling it. Work has been incredibly busy so I dont always have the energy for much else.

I love that this thread is still here and glad to see we wiil continue with it in 2023 @rnmom. I really want to make 2023 the last year to deal with any major decuttering and be able to just do the maintenance version of it.

I am getting over stuff but I somehow keep bringing it in. One goal for 2023 is to be mindful about what I am bringing in. I need to get more interntional. Shopping has always been retail therapy for me so it is a hard habit to break.

One thing I really want to declutter in the new year is all these lbs I seem to have acquired. After Christmas I will try and be mindful of what I am consuming. I have just decluttered some junk food so it is a start. Still have plenty though. I have come to terms that I just cannot keep it in the house. I have no willpower no matter how hard I try and convince myself.

Merry Christmas to all that celebrate. I hope it is joyous.

Twins Mom · ‎04-03-2016

@aprilskies

Two very similar feelings: I have enjoyed shopping in stores as a form of relaxation. It has been positive therapy except that now I see I could have done without much. As for extra pounds, I need willpower, beginning with buying and on through consuming.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Wishing all those who participate on this thread a Merry Christmas. As I looked around at our Christmas decorations, I saw a few things I'll be getting rid of in about three weeks.

Ever discover you tossed something you might need? We set up a TV in our rec room so that those attending our family Christmas party could watch football (die-hard Packer fans and the game is at noon on Christmas). My husband needed six feet of coaxial cable and we threw out tons of TV accessories this summer. It's a near blizzard so we couldn't go to town. Thankfully our neighbor has two TV's hooked up to cable so she let us borrow a cable. Sometimes I take purging a little too far.

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@aprilskies - Hello, another old friend I haven't "seen" around in a while! How nice to hear from you too! I totally get how work can sap your energy so that you just don't feel like doing anything else. By the time my work day is over I'm doing good to just make dinner and clean up from that and get ready to relax.

I'd like to go thru the whole house after the first of the year and even if I don't declutter a lot I'd like to organize and neaten things up a bit, but for the first 4 weeks, all of January, I'm working extra so I don't know if I'll get to much until February. It's actually a good time for me to start because I'm stuck inside every day because of the cold weather.

I actually follow Creating Mary's Home and she does a 13 week declutter challenge every year and I try to follow along with her if I can. She designates a different space every week. So, I have to try to figure out where I'm going to squeeze in time to do the first 4 weeks before I start working more. I don't always stay on track, and I sometimes lose my momentum and don't finish it all either, but I at least give it a try.

I hear what you're saying about losing the extra pounds too. All that weight I lost in 2020? Yeah, I found it all again this past year. Sigh. Story of my life. Up and down and up and down Time to go on another diet after the first of the year for me too.

I really hope you'll post over here some more as time permits, I love hearing from you!

Skyegirl21 · ‎03-20-2010

I'll trying to STOP wanting to buy more stuff!! That's my challenge now- All strategies are appreciated!!
Just few moments ago, I stopped myself from buying yet another bag- Staying strong! 💪🏽

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

I have added a couple more things to my donate box: a top that is cute but I just don't wear it, and a pair of pants. Also a book that I finished. I need to go to the library and get the next one in the series to continue on.

I also started going thru and organizing my kitchen cupboards just a bit and set aside to donate an apple slicer and a bread baking tube. I organized the spice cupboard and tossed 3 spice bottles.

It's not much really, but a small start. Some things I'm just organizing and relocating too because they just don't need to be taking up space in my kitchen cupboards.

Also, if I didn't already say it, Merry Christmas to everyone!

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@Skyegirl21 wrote:
I'll trying to STOP wanting to buy more stuff!! That's my challenge now- All strategies are appreciated!!

@Skyegirl21 - Sometimes it actually helps to go thru what you already have. When you actually count and see that you already own 110 short sleeved tops, it might make you realize that you don't need any more short sleeved tops and you shouldn't buy more. Unless you get rid of some, of course, to make room for new.

Sometimes it helps to put it into a cost perspective too. Figure out how many hours you have to work to pay for something and see if it's worth working that many hours to purchase something. So, if you bring home $15 an hour after taxes, is it worth working 4 hours to buy a $60 foundation? Especially when all the basics like food and heat are getting so expensive.

Just a couple of things that come to mind right now, if I think of more, I'll write them down.

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@Twins Mom wrote:
@aprilskies

Two very similar feelings: I have enjoyed shopping in stores as a form of relaxation. It has been positive therapy except that now I see I could have done without much. As for extra pounds, I need willpower, beginning with buying and on through consuming.

@Twins Mom, if I am being honest, I could have done without 85% of it. Yes, I agree, willpower is the problem. I have none. 🥴

We can do it. Let’s try together in 2023.

Skyegirl21 · ‎03-20-2010

@rnmom , Thank you for the excellent ideas! Yes, you're right, I am forgetting all the things I already have! And agree, that the money I spend = my work hours... Quite a good lesson. I will follow through. Appreciate you!

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@rnmom, thanks. I have read your update upstream and am glad to hear you are doing well. You seem busy as ever. Your kids are getting older and you have one almost flying the coop. Wow. I have been thinking of you with all these frigid temps. The midwest was really hit hard with the negatives. I hope you are all doing well and bundled up. I couldn’t imagine.

Yes, like you, if I, at least, organize and make my life functional I will be happy. Right now I am far from it. Following those decluttering challenges whether you complete it or not, is still great. It keeps you focused and moving along. I will do more next year.

Oh sorry to hear you gained it all back. I know you had really worked hard to lose it but weight is just one of those things so don’t beat yourself up. We can try again in the new year and try to keep each other on track.

Wishing you and your family warmth!!!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!