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[amyb]

@gidgetgh That picture is hysterical. I can totally relate...that's me, sometimes, for sure! Lol.

I called my one consignment shop where I wanted to bring

a coffeemaker and few other things but they are booking to July! They will take a donation, though, and they said I have a whopping $7 check, haha. So I guess I'll just donate (my other consignment won't take appliances unless new in the original box) when I pick up the check. Last time I was there I only donated a Christmas pillow and I think one other small thing, so I didn't expect a big check.

I still have to make an appt. with the other place...I have a few clothing items and an outdoor decorative doormat, never used, if they even want that. Still need to "pull apart" outdoor storage...but for now I know that can go.

Tossed an old pair of pjs yesterday, one old undie, and a ratty workout tank top. Did a little more shredding too.

Went through a bedroom drawer and tossed some boxes that held small accessories, that then went into my jewelry box.

I still feel like it's 1/2 decluttering 1/2 organizing lately.

That Joshua Becker book reminded me that until you really declutter things you don't use/need, you are still constantly organizing stuff, rather than truly living simply, neatly, with less stuff, freeing up mental clutter/time/energy spent on maintaining it all.

I still think I have a balance, as I have a relatively small 1100 sq foot condo, with no attic or cellar, (which I'm glad about actually) and limited, practical storage. No garage either, only the outdoor storage units which are above the few garages here. And, here in New England I'm one of those that does change things, seasonally, so there's a conitnual need to move around, store, reorganize, seasonally. But I haven't really added to any of that and when I update a decorative pillow, now, others go, etc. Not adding. Subtracting all I can but still enjoying what I have.

But the goal is always more simplicity...in this process. 

Ok blah blah...that's if for now~have a good weekend everyone!

[RedTop]

Today was the day I walked by one particular item that I walk by at least 6x a day, picked it up and dropped it in the trash!  I love it when letting go is so easy.

[nwbabs]

Happy Saturday!

Tackled the 2 bags of things to go through from Thursday Morning's Downstairs Clearances. 

-Created bag of trash from the drawers emptied (dried up pens, plastic file card box 1970s vintage, rusty clippers, etc.). 

-Created bag of shredded material (resumes and job applications from the 1990s, travelers cheque copies from the 1980s, etc.). So glad to be retired and out of the rat race!

Did find a folder with ancestry documentation I started working on decades ago. Glad it finally surfaced. Carefully brought two small end tables upstairs, their spot was ready and waiting for them.

Lots of good purge momentum going in this forum. Great Job All!

[KathyM23]

@amyb   Your mention of the paragraph in the Joshua Becker book really struck a cord with me

"That Joshua Becker book reminded me that until you really declutter things you don't use/need, you are still constantly organizing stuff, rather than truly living simply, neatly, with less stuff, freeing up mental clutter/time/energy spent on maintaining it all."

That is me to a tee - always reorganizing and maintaining it all.

I definitey have too much stuff.  I wonder for someone like me who is definitely not a minimalist is it really possible to get to a point where you are not reorganizing and maintaining.  Something to think about.

[KathyM23]

Good for you @RedTop   Strike when the mood hits you

[Twins Mom]

Spoiler

@KathyM23 

Klondike bars expiring.  I would have purged those by eating.  You have willpower.
wonder how I made this a spoiler!

[Flatbush]

1.DH's flannel shirt from Land's End. He says it scratches his neck. I considered keeping it for me i.e. cutting sleeves shorter using it under a soft t-shirt etc. Then I said NO to me and put it in the donate box.

2. A book, that had lots and lots of foreign names in an index.I would have had to find the name I was reading about. It was full of these. 

Donate.

[rnmom]

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@KathyM23 wrote:

@amyb   Your mention of the paragraph in the Joshua Becker book really struck a cord with me

"That Joshua Becker book reminded me that until you really declutter things you don't use/need, you are still constantly organizing stuff, rather than truly living simply, neatly, with less stuff, freeing up mental clutter/time/energy spent on maintaining it all."

That is me to a tee - always reorganizing and maintaining it all.

I definitey have too much stuff.  I wonder for someone like me who is definitely not a minimalist is it really possible to get to a point where you are not reorganizing and maintaining.  Something to think about.

---

@KathyM23 - I think that everyone has to reorganize and maintain, minimalist or not. Just the act of living means that "stuff' will come into our homes, therefore "stuff" must be maintained. But, if you are a minimalist it is a much quicker process to reorganize and maintain just because there is so much less "inventory". 

I forget who first mentioned the Minimal Mom but she is a great one to watch/listen to. She still has to tidy up and periodically reset the house and declutter and reorganize but it is just so much easier because her "inventory" is so low. I could never be a minimalist like her but I do like following some of her principles.

I would like to have less someday and not have to spend as much time maintaining what I have. I know it will probably be a few more years, until the kids are out of the house and we move and downsize. Until then, I willl just declutter where I can and try to keep the rest organized. 

[rnmom]

I've been driving around with my donations in the back of my car for a couple of weeks now until I could get to the donation center and I finally got those dropped off yesterday. There wasn't a lot, a kitchen sized trash bag, a small bag, a small box with items. Also some plastic bags from the grocery store that they will use. 

I'm glad to have my car empty again. I also tossed 2 condiments from the fridge. 

[amyb]

@KathyM23 It is food for thought. For me as well. Something to keep in mind.

On the other hand, I was coming on to say, similar to what @rnmom said too...don't be too hard on yourself. I think, unless you're Henry David Thoreau, living in a cabin in the woods with very little, life is a balance of maintaining what we need/love, and not having more than we can handle and use.

I think, just living our lives we are constantly organizing, moving through life. As well as decluttering and keeping on top of that, not collecting, storing and forgetting about things we no longer need or want. I feel my home, basically stays organized, and I have places for most everything. But I do have some areas of excess, stored, I'd like to lessen.

Getting updated with the things I own to make sure I'm not keeping too much, that I no longer really use. Not having too many, if any, duplicate items. Not more than I'll wear or that I still get joy out of using. Not having way too many sentimental keepsakes (a softspot of mine...)

I keep comparing it to coming home from the Fla. vacation, where I mentioned staying in the very modern, pretty, but very minimal type apartment. Perfect for all we needed on a vacation...and I could feel the difference in a "simplicity" I felt there vs. at home. Aaaah, felt nice! Great for getting away and relaxing from all we "manage" back home. 

But real life usually means there will be more. Mail/bills/filing, so a desk/office will likely need constant organizing. All kinds of living in a home where you need more of things you use, do, enjoy. Gardening, cooking, laundry, living. 

Whatever that "balance" is for each of us...I think the goal is to live our lives more, and stress less, over unneeded "stuff." I think the more we constantly streamline, "intentionally" shop, or just shop less...the more we'll achieve the balance. 

Like you say, Joshua's book, quotes, Minimal Mom's inspiration...all good food for thought to keep in mind. The more we can let go of, the less we bring in, the less things we constantly need to shuffle from place to place. It's one thing to just be maintaining our regular functions within our home and another just to be shuffling around too much.

Anyway...I think we're all doing well, especially by constantly staying on track with it here!