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[Susan Louise]

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 

[lucymo]

@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!! 

[KailaS]

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.

[Katcat1]

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%.  

[OKPrincess]

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. 

[lucymo]

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@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%.  

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@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. 

[LoveMyBaby]

@Susan Louise

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

[pupwhipped]

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

[DREAMON]

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!!!!

[CAMOGIRL]

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 ... 😉