Start by preventing new stuff from coming in. If you live in a small
house you must be more ruthless about getting rid of things that you
don't use. Google this group for Brenda's Bible. She has been there
and cleaned out a ton of stuff from her late father. It doesn't happen
quickly no matter how ambitious you are. Take " before" pictures and
compare them to your situation a year from now.
Barbara in CT
Torge wrote:
don't
have
a
There are several copies of it as it has been reposted a few times, one is
at:
http://tinyurl.com/foa73 or
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.recovery.clutter/msg/6dfa274c9b6c2b1c?dmode=source&hl=en
--
You can\'t have everything.....where would you put it?
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.recovery.clutter/msg/6dfa274c9b6c2b1c?dmode=source&hl=en
thanks. yep it was on the other group...silly me! ive copied it here for
anyone else interested. its good stuff thanks.
Barbara in CT (Brenda's Bible follows)
Welcome!
I posted the following a while ago and some suggested that I should
re-post it when new posters arrived.
The first thing I think one should do is to stop the incoming flow of
new clutter. This will take the effort of making a conscious decision to
adopt some new habits. Take care of new clutter as soon as it
arrives. Throw out junk mail. It doesn't all need to be shredded, just
the stuff with personal info on it. If you don't like throwing it out with
your address intact on it, just rip off your address and throw out the
rest. Shred the address later.
Don't buy things you don't need. Really have a good think about the
stuff that lines the checkouts in stores--it's there because they know
you are likely to be susceptible to buying that stuff in an unplanned
purchase. Some people find it helps to make a list before they go
shopping and only buy what is on the list. Never go grocery shopping
when you're hungry.
Don't accept "gifts" that you don't need, like when people are moving
and they offer to give you their living room suite. If you don't need
living room furniture, say "No thanks!"
Don't accept offers of free samples and other freebies unless you
are really going to try them or use them. If you hoard, try to stop it.
Don't buy a year's worth of something if you don't have room to store
it, no matter how good the price is.
Assign "homes" to items you use and keep them there. When you
use them, put them back in their home when you're done.
Unsubscribe to magazines you don't ever read--sometimes you get
a pro-rated refund. Check out your local library instead of buying
books.
When you first get started, don't worry so much about recycling.
Excuse yourself from it until things are under control. Then, start by
creating an oasis. Choose a small area of your house--like a front
entrance hall, a coffee table, etc., something that will be quick and
easy--and declutter it, clean it, make it look attractive, and then make
a commitment to keep it that way. This can be your starting
point--work out from there.
Another way to go at it is to first throw out all of the stuff that would be
easiest to get rid of--like a collection of seemingly useful newspapers
in the garage--or your collection of empty grocery bags, mayo jars,
out-dated makeup, etc.
Another way to get started is to choose something BIG to get rid of
that will make an instantly noticeable improvement in your home--like
a broken down car on the front lawn--call the junk yard and have it
towed away—the worn out chair that no one sits in because the
sprung springs are uncomfortable.
Some people get three containers and label them:
to throw away
to keep
to donate
Then they get a timer, take their containers into their chosen area to
work, and start sorting in 10 or 15 minute intervals. Then they take a
break and do something they like, such as have a cup of coffee, play
a computer game, etc., and then go back and do a bit more. Many
find it helpful to listen to the radio or their favorite music or watch TV
while they are doing this. When sorting, some people find it helps to
put like things together, i.e. stack all the books in one corner, all of
the clothes in another, etc. If you end up with a pile of items that you
are "not sure" about--might need them someday--might become
highly collectible and valuable--might get interested in this hobby,
book, etc. again--put them in a box, seal it up and put the date on it
and store it away. Decide how long you are going to wait--a month, a
year, etc.--and see if you have to go into that box to retrieve
something during that time period. If at the end of your deadline, you
haven't had to retrieve anything from that box, don't open it. Donate it
still sealed to a charity. I often do this, only I use trash bags, and I
leave it sitting in the way in the garage. When I can't remember what
is in it and I am tired of working around it, I load it in the car and take
it to the Goodwill drop off. This is very painless since I don't look in it
to remind myself of what is in there, plus the garage is instantly
easier to move around in, which gives me a sort of "instant
gratification" (I only have a very small area that I can walk in the
garage--BIG clutter problem out there).
One thing that I had a hard time realizing is the value of decluttering
closets, drawers, cupboards, etc. I used to think that they didn't have
a high priority because you could shut the door--close the drawer
--and the mess "disappeared." However, when your storage areas
are already full of useless stuff you don't need, you don't have
anywhere to put the things you do need and use so they sit around
appearing to be clutter.
Probably the best method is the "one small thing" method. Throw out
or put away at least one thing every day. Usually you will find yourself
doing more. This way at least some progress is made every
day--and it stops the downslide.
Something that may be a good idea if you have an overflow of
antiques—call an auctioneer and have it auctioned off.
Posting what you have done, problems you are having, etc. to this
group helps me a great deal. People here are not judgmental but
supportive and very helpful. Plus, reading what others have done can
be very inspirational and keep you going if you get discouraged.
Don't try to "binge" declutter." It doesn't work. The clutter will return
after your decluttering marathon and you will become discouraged.
The key to success is to keep a steady rhythm of progress going
while you are creating the new habits. Slow and steady wins the race.
You'll find that as time goes by you not only make noticeable
progress, it will become easier to let things go because you will begin
to see how nice a room could really look without the clutter, and how
nice it would be to use that room. Good luck. We're all pulling for
you--because we're all there--or have been there.
Brenda (who is there)
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This is crossposted to two groups.
Which group did you google?
If it was alt.home.cleaning, probably didn't find it. I dont't remember
Brenda's Bible, and I've been coming here for years.
peggo
Torge wrote:
. my problem is that i hate to throw stuff out, but now have so much
What kind of stuff? Magazines, clothes, books, bricabrac - give us
some specifics and we can prob. make suggestions.
Personally, I would start with the room that bugs you the most. You
could play this game - in that room, pretend you are moving and can
only take 5 items. This might highlight those things you hold dear.
Is it that you have too much stuff, or that's it's disorganized or
both? Is it that you have a problem with putting things away?
Try again for Brenda's Bible - it's there. We also can direct you to
threads on displosing of books, clothes, laundry stratefy, etc. Good
luck.
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