Declutter Motivation

What motivates you to declutter?

I have just begun again this week after reading a hard copy of 3 posts that I had printed out some time back. After going through these articles, I made me a working list and stuck to it rather well this week. I've gotten quite a bit done in the kitchen area which always seems to be my worst. Maybe you can find some motivation there as well. Check it out here. I would start with parts 1 and 2 first even though this link is to part 3. This link has all parts linked so that is why I chose it rather than linking to the different parts.

I haven't read the Emilie Barnes book that she refers to yet. I'm still batting back and forth whether or not to purchase it from Amazon. I did go there and preview some pages which gave me even more ideas. Those ideas plus the articles got me started with my daily lists this week.

I still have quite a bit to do in the kitchen, but it looks so much better. I think rather than moving on to another area of the house this next week as I am more accustomed to doing, I will just hold steady and keep on doing more in the kitchen. Everything else can hold its own for another few days.

Declutter Begun Again

It has been over a year since I did any posting about decluttering. That's not to say that I haven't decluttered anything. I just haven't written a post about it. Over this past week, I have been going through the kitchen and throwing out lots of things:

1. Recipe books that I have never used and have never even looked at but thought I would
2. Cereal that was out of date last year (how does this stuff get pushed so far back in the cabinet?)
3. Plastic containers (this things seem to get in my cabinet and multiply like rabbits and where are the lids -why don't they multiply, too?)
4. Stale bread and crackers
5. Dish cloths (one day I don't have a single cloth in the cabinet and the next day it won't hold them all - the mysteries of below the sink)
6. Food that I bought on sale that I thought we would eat
7. The dreaded vegetable bin (some of this stuff I wasn't even sure what it HAD been)

So, here I go again, trying to declutter a little each day. Don't know if I'll have the opportunity to blog about it every day, but I will try to keep you up to date as much as I can.

What are you decluttering this week? Leave me a comment so I know I'm not all alone out there in this cluttered world.

Declutter Day 42

Today we have cleaned out closets and it was a huge job. The room where our exchange student will be staying was used for storing things that we hadn't gotten around to putting anywhere yet. Yes, we've lived here 3 years and still have boxes of stuff that hasn't been put away. I probably should have just tossed that stuff (since I haven't needed it in 3 years).

Most of the stuff was decorative things that I hadn't decided exactly where to use or if I wanted to use them. I also had stuff that belonged to my grandmother that has sentimental value but really doesn't go with my home.

Here's a better breakdown of what we did:

• all holiday decorations to the attic (we had Halloween and Thanksgiving and even some Christmas stuff that needed to be organized and put in one place)
• box of enamel pots (still haven't decided what to do with these - maybe on the tops of the cabinets like they were at the old house)
• sewing material and supplies (gathered these together in one place so I know where to find them) - I left the sewing machine in that closet because I don't think I have enough space for it elsewhere and it won't interfere with any of her things
• blankets and bedspreads - these were placed in two of those space bags and will be stored in the hall closet once I go through it - I was amazed at these bags and how much they shrank
• school papers from our little one - I had already gone through these and saved only the ones that were special to us - I have them in a clear box that will be stored in the top of my closet
• bed linens for the camper were returned to it
• several other items were sent to our local charity store - mismatched sheets, old picture frames, etc.

I intend to post a picture of that room when I am done (probably another day or so).

Declutter Day 41

Today I have decluttered literally a ton, but not at home. Today was the day to clean up the old computer lab along with its cabinets, drawers and storage towers. We (my little one, six students helpers and two teachers) worked nearly 5 hours to go through the whole area and toss items that were old, broken, obsolete or just plain unusable. I wish I had taken pictures, because the students would feel so good about all the help they gave.

Here's some of the things that made up that "ton" - we didn't weigh it but it had to be close to that:

• old software with its documentation and users manuals
• dictation equipment and curriculum materials
• calculators
• textbooks
• printers and printer parts
• keyboards (with some kind of connection that I have never even seen)
• broken mice
• decorative posters and other items
• old assessments and worksheets
• broken furniture

We did recycle everything that we could and all of the technical equipment is sent to one area in our county where it is auctioned off. The furniture that is still usable was put in an area at our school where others have an opportunity to use it.

It was a very successful day. The lab is looking more like a lab and less like a trash dump, but I am really tired. Now to get everything set up next week.

I've still got to finish our exchange student's room. She'll be here in a couple of weeks. The room is shaping up and starting to look more like a bedroom instead of a storage area. I've still got to do the closet, but I've got to get my closet straightened up first. Maybe tomorrow!

Declutter Day 40

Today I have tackled the back closet. Do you hear the horror movie music in the background? I did when I opened the door. SCREAM!!!!!
























Now, I'm hearing the birds singing and the crickets chirping and the soft sound of a cool breeze.








Once again, I can't believe all the stuff that was in there that really didn't need to be. Plus, we have some free space available in there now.





I love this hanging organizer. I put items in there such as

• gloves (which we aren't needing right now but they still need a space)
• glue that I don't want my 5 year old having access to
• glue gun
• bug spray
• flashlight (again away from the kid - he loves to run down the batteries
• cleaning cloths
• summer pool items

I have linked this post to Work on It Wednesday. Visit there for more inspiration.

Declutter Day 39

I have finally gotten all those kitchen drawers finished and am now ready to post my before and after pictures. It always amazes me how much gets tossed into these drawers and forgotten.

Before:

and After:

Routines and Schedules Help With Decluttering

Routines and schedules tend to help me with my daily life and decluttering. After some prompting by Joy at Just Organize Yourself in this post, I have decided that I need a summer schedule to be sure that I am getting as much done as possible. I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and have not been spending as much time with Boo as I would like to. I want him to remember the summer months as fun times and not Mama trying to declutter all the closets.

So this week I am making an attempt at creating and using a schedule. I will probably find that I need a couple of schedules (days that I need to work or attend trainings, days at home, days with outings), but for now I am focusing on the days at home.

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Breakfast, dishes and cleanup, 1 load of laundry

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Decluttering and cleaning up the zone area for the week, 1 load of laundry

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Reading and learning time with Boo

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Play time with Boo

11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Lunch, dishes and cleanup

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Nap time for Boo and individual play time (if shorter nap)
Computer time for Mom (bills, blogs, email, etc.) and more declutter time if needed

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Screen time for Boo (TV, movie, video game, computer)
Mom finishes up any household chores

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Cut and Write time for Boo (can also be science or craft time)

4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Dinner, dishes and cleanup
Boo can play outside if not too hot (this Florida heat has been so bad this past week that I haven't let him out in it too much)

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Games and reading time as a family

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Bath

7:30 - 8:00 p.m. Pickup time around house

8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Family devotion time with Boo, then Boo to bed

8:30 - 10:00 p.m. Adult time for parents

We may have to change around a few things, but we are going to try to stick to this attempt at a schedule this week. The only thing that I didn't slot for a particular time is gardening and taking care of the animals. We'll try to work around the hot weather for these things.

Declutter Day 38

Today I decluttered at school. When we got out, I left my room just as it was. I'd had enough that week and knew that I would be back to clean and straighten up. Boo went with me this afternoon and here is what we got accomplished:

• textbooks put on cart to be moved to book storage room
• new computer table put together and part of the computers moved to it - this table has a back tray to hide the cables so everything looks more organized - I have one more to put together and organize but there wasn't enough room to get both of them done without moving some other furniture
• moved extra desk over to my teacher desk to make an L-shaped workspace (added more storage and work area)
• organized differentiated instruction materials for easy access
• decluttered printer areas and reorganized
• decluttered magazines and reorganized
• old computer monitors moved out from under computer tables - these need to be gone through to determine what still works but now they have been moved to a place where I can check them out
• moved unassembled computer carts for the lab out of my classroom and into the lab - they just got put there when they were delivered and we haven't had a chance to get them assembled yet - there's more room in the lab than in my room

My classroom looks like a whirlwind has gone through it, but at least the decluttering and reorganizing has begun. We'll probably go back on Monday and do a bit more. Needless to say, no decluttering got done at home today.

Declutter Day 37

Today I have worked on Boo's clothes drawers. He had quite a few things that he had outgrown or that were really worn. We are also thinking about vacation and what will need to go with us then. We've gotten the shorts and shirts gone through and the drawers look much more organized. (He was having trouble putting away his clothes, because there just wasn't any space.)

When I was going through my Google Reader this afternoon, I ran across a post at Small Notebook with a wonderful idea for packing kids clothes for camp or vacation. I love this idea for the camper since we have such limited space. I'll post my pictures a little later today.

Declutter Day 36

At Making Your Home A Haven, this week's challenge is to clean out or organize a drawer or closet. My kitchen drawers need lots of TLC. So that's what I'll be working on. Before and after pictures to be added soon!

Declutter Day 35

Today has been a fairly good day for decluttering. I have several meetings this week (inservice training for teachers), so I have someone coming to my home to sit with my little one. I've decided instead of dusting so many things that it is time to get rid of some of those items. Here is what I've decluttered today:

• small basket that I really didn't like
• baby photo albums with no pictures (I got several of these and never used most of them - sending out to someone else to enjoy)
• books that we no longer read or enjoy
• decorative pillows that seem to be thrown on the floor all the time - we tend to just move them out of our way to sit down - who ever thought a couch needs 4 pillows? - where do you sit??
• sugar container that doesn't match our kitchen
• clothes that no longer fit (I didn't have to dust around these but I'm sending them out anyway)
• kids table and chairs set - we bought our 5 year old a real desk a few weeks ago and he loves it - he'll be starting kindergarten this fall and needed a "big boy" desk

So I think I'm getting back on track. These items will be taken to our local church thrift store tomorrow and be out of here.

Declutter Days 32, 33 and 34

This week we have been camping out at our old place because my son loves to go to Vacation Bible School at his grandmother's church. We are also planning a vacation for July. So I combined these two activities and have been decluttering the camper. I worked on it for three days (just in the afternoons). Here is the progress that I was able to make:

Day 32 (Tuesday, June 9):

• went through all the bed linens and organized by size
• pulled out all beach towels to be laundered
• removed heavy blankets (we won't be needing those at the beach in July)
• removed trash from under the main bedroom bed (these were items that had been used and we were saving the packaging for some reason??)

Day 33 (Wednesday, June 10):

• trashed old food and drink items from storage areas in the eating area (closed in benches provide storage) - these were out of date for too long
• organized bathroom storage cabinet (this is a small area and has to be kept neat and tidy or nothing fits - which is where it had gotten)
• decluttered toys from top bunk bed and under the bottom bunk bed
• organized toys that would be staying in the camper into bins
• replaced folding chairs (we had these in the car for t-ball games) and folding table under bottom bunk bed

Day 34 (Friday, June 12):

• decluttered kitchen cabinets
• trashed more old items that were out of date
• started a list of items that will be needed for trip in July

I didn't take any pictures because most of these areas are small and you wouldn't have been able to tell much about them. I did find a picture of the camper that we had taken earlier so I put it in.

I still have several areas to go through, but at least this has been started and won't require so much time right before we go on vacation.

Declutter Day 31

Tonight I was able to go through several stacks of junk mail, bills, statements, etc. and get some filing done. I worked on getting the master bedroom finished as well. We've finally gotten all the furniture in and set up. So I spent some time lining the drawers and putting away laundry. I also hung a clock that I had bought and never really decided where it should go. It was just taking up residence in the spare bedroom, but now it is hung in the master bedroom and I love it! Hopefully, tomorrow I can post my master bedroom pictures.

Earlier in the day I had a meeting at which I arrived about 15 minutes early. It was raining really hard, so I didn't want to get out of my car until the rain slowed down or stopped. I decided to use that time and a plastic bag that we all seem to have too many of to gather up the trash. When I got back to my work, I threw the bag away. My car isn't completely decluttered, but all the trash is gone.

All in all, today has been a good day for decluttering!

Declutter Day 30

Tonight was the last t-ball game of the season and we've almost reached the end of our school year, so I'm hoping to get more decluttering done. I need to make a list of all the places that still need some major decluttering and pick one place per day.

Today I was able to go through the stack of papers that Boo brought home from school (it was more than a stack - it was actually a paper sack full). We pulled out the items that we wanted to save and put the others aside to go to grandparents for their refrigerators or walls or whatever.

I also got my purse and wallet decluttered. It didn't take much time, but it was past due so to speak. Now I know where my library card is and where my movie rental card can be found. I thought I had lost those two items.

See why it's important to declutter? You never know what you may find. Personally, I'm hoping to find money stashed somewhere that I have forgotten. A $20 bill would be nice to find tucked away somewhere. I think I'll go check my wallet and the side pocket of my purse once more just to be sure that all the spaces have been decluttered and clean.

Decluttering Sunday?

Yes, even though it is Sunday, I have been decluttering some today. I have been fighting a sinus infection or cold or something since Thursday afternoon (sore throat, congestion, low grade fever and either a stuffy nose or a drippy nose - it changes from one to the other). I was feeling some better today so I decided to declutter in the following areas (sorry but no pictures - I just wasn't up to it):

1. both the inside freezer and the refrigerator freezer (needed to see what we had before I do our menu plan for the week
2. bathroom cabinet - I need some space to store the extras that I have been buying at CVS, Walgreens and Target
3. under bathroom sink
4. makeup drawer

Considering that I had to do these in shifts and then take a minute to rest because I wasn't feeling great, I'm really proud of what I was able to accomplish. I got rid of lots of outdated OTC medicines and old makeup and organized all the extras in one area so it's easier to find when we need more toothpaste or deodorant.

Tomorrow I need to tackle the closet by the back door. I have bought quite a few cleaning supplies and I can't even get them in that space. I hope that I'll feel like doing this tomorrow.

Am I Still Decluttering??

I just noticed that I hadn't posted anything about decluttering since last week. I had a whole list of things to do over the long weekend and didn't get a single one accomplished - not one. I laid around all weekend (it was rainy here), watched movies, and did absolutely nothing (with the exception of a few loads of laundry.

I guess since today is Tuesday (I almost typed Monday - I'm already a day behind), it is time to start something. So I'm leaving you for now to go get something decluttered. I think I'll start with my dining room table. We probably need to eat somewhere other than in front of the tv tonight.

Before...

and After...

Tackling Another Pile

We didn't have much of a t-ball game tonight since the other team didn't show up. Our fellows (and gals) got to hit a few rounds and then go home. Bad for the kids but good for mommy because I got to tackle another pile - the pile of stuff on my kitchen counter.

My kitchen counter seems to catch everything. This week it was the stuff we purchased at CVS and Target over the weekend. There were also some dishes that had gotten stacked on the counter as well as a few grocery items from an impromptu grocery trip last night. I have gotten those piles cleared tonight and it looks so much better.

For more inspiration, visit Making Your Home a Haven this week.

Tackle A Pile - Still Decluttering

Today over at Making Your Home a Haven, the challenge is to tackle a pile. I have taken this challenge and tackled the pile of laundry that was on the freezer in the laundry room. I worked on this before school this morning and now the laundry room looks much better. There is still more to do, but I am so proud to have gotten a little done.

What pile do you need to tackle? I still have plenty more and hope to tackle something else for a few minutes this afternoon.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Decluttering

I haven't posted since Thursday, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been finishing up with the spring cleaning assignments and decluttering.

Friday night we worked on the master bedroom a little more because we went Saturday and picked up the rest of the furniture. We got back late Saturday afternoon and got the bed put together and all of the area around the bed (nightstand, underneath, baseboards, etc.) cleaned and organized. My goal is not put nothing under this new bed so that there won't be an accumulation of junk and dust bunnies under there.

Sunday after church, I had to go through the lateral filing cabinet that held our tv and all the peripherals for it. We bought a media chest with this bedroom suite which meant that the filing cabinet had to go elsewhere. I spent several hours pouring through old files and throwing out nearly 1/2 of the "junk" that was in there. There are still a few files that need to be gone through, but these were medical files that would take more time to decide if enough time had passed to allow it to be dumped. I didn't think I had enough mental alertness on Sunday to tackle those.

The new bedroom furniture is set up now and the room has been thoroughly cleaned. Now, we have to start moving the clothes and other items from the old dressers to these. I'm sure there will be even more decluttering to be done. I want to take pictures, but I am waiting until we get the decorative items back on the wall and dressers.

Declutter Day 28 and Spring Cleaning

Today the challenge for the Spring Cleaning Party over at Simplemom.net was the master bedroom. Because our bedroom is torn all apart right now waiting on the new furniture, I decided to attack my closet. I almost didn't take a before shot because it was so bad. Lots of things from the bedroom had just been thrown in there as we were trying to move furniture around from room to room. Now I'm glad that I did the before because it is a drastic change. See for yourself.

Before (as if you couldn't tell):

and After (aahhhh!):

Between what we cleaned out of Boo's room yesterday and the stuff from my closet today, we have a toy hamper full plus another paper sack that will get donated to the local church thrift store. Good for them. Better for us.