Decluttering is very much on my mind. It's not an easy matter. Over the years, we get attached to our stuff; on the other hand, there comes a time, when we begin to realize that at a certain age, and under certain circumstances (such as living in a war zone or seismic zone that might involve evacuation, lack of money and food), a minimalistic way of life would be more apropriate.
There's nothing at the moment, that has actually 'taken over' my home, and yet I feel the need to let many things go ( with or without regrets), and reorganize the freed space.
There are lots of articles and online courses on the subject of Clutter, yet I think it's mainly a personal and individual issue.
To my mind, in order to succeed with decluttering, one has to make a thorough Plan and stick to it. First of all, for the time being, stop buying new stuff. Use up the old items even though they are not in their best shape. Secondly, evaluate one by one, the various item Categories at your disposal: clothes, kitchenware, books, paperwork, furniture , suitcases/bags, sentimental memorabilia, etc...
Well, from my own experience so far, I think it's easiest 'to dispose of' and find decent Homes for clothes and shoes. These could be donated to individuals as well as to second - hand shops. Books are hardest 'to dispose of'. Not all books; fiction books are still very sought after as gifts and means of escapism.
Most of my books , however, are non-fiction: guides, law books, biographies, health books, encyclopedias - all in good condition. I'll have to make up a list , decide what to keep . and the rest of it try to place in libraries or even sell some, if possible. Let's face it; we live in the world of computers. and most of the knowledge is online. Besides, books take up place and need periodical dusting.
Anyhow, it takes time and patience to make the best of all worlds - my world, and the world of my stuff.
I like the clutter in this photo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine. That's a rather mild clutter. I've seen worst than that.
DeleteEvery year, at this time, I try to declutter ... some years I am more successful than in previous years. That is what I have been doing all week. I started in the kitchen. The mug section. Had 17 mugs. Now I have 5 and the rest are in the basement inside a box. I will decide later on what to do with them. Little steps at a time. : )) Much more to do next week.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Catarina! From 17 mugs to 5!
DeleteSpring season usually goes well with declutter.
Our Spring, however, is short. May is already hot, making things difficult.
I've been seriously winnowing since January2020! Mainly because of age and not wanting to leave a lot of work for other people to clear up. I live just fine with a lot fewer things around me.
ReplyDeleteIt's work though, sorting, finding destinations, sending off. Best done in short sessions. There's a lot of emotional work to do, too.
I totally agree with your comment, Boud.
DeleteDecluttering is lot of work, and a lot of emotion is involved in it.
Much of the world is clutter. What we truly need takes up very little space.
ReplyDeleteRight, Sandi. I'm with you on that.
DeleteDecluttering is foremost in my mind these days. Wish my husband would embrace it too. He is still buying. I stopped ages ago. Oh well. I do what I can. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Marie, one does what one can. Not worth it quarrelling with husband over buying stuff.
DeleteThanks for wishing me Good Luck; I need it.
Duta, I so agree with you that decluttering is a personal preference as to how we do it. I have the hardest time when it comes to books! I love to read !
ReplyDeleteI've always considered books as a treasure, and it breaks my heart to think of giving away or even sell these highly valued items.
DeleteReality, it seems, is stronger than our feelings.
Very interesting and I speak from experience when I say I am prone to clutter. I need my “stuff” around me. I do admire people who know where to start when it comes to tackling the problem with a plan and I wish you luck. Like dieting one has to be willing to make the changes necessary and to go forth and clutter no more. My heart wishes I could but my mind tells me differently.❤️
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Susan, it's a bit like dieting - having a plan, and willing to make the neccessary changes.
DeleteBoth dieting and decluttering take time and patience; they require that we clarify things with ourselves, before taking action.
We really need to declutter too. I am taking some small steps. Strides are needed.
ReplyDelete"small steps" - is good for me too Sue. Doing it on a daily basis, we can achieve quite a lot in this way.
DeleteI've done several large declutterings, and now try to keep on top of it a couple of times a year so the mess doesn't take over again.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you, Kathy! I'm sure you'll be able to keep the clutter away for a long period of time, maybe forever.
DeleteParting with books is very hard for me. I have bought many from thrift stores. They are like pre-read and chosen. I like a book that looks like it has been read.
ReplyDeleteI like to declutter. We are a family of packrats and it is difficult to clean up because we have so much stuff. Now the ones that don't do the cleaning truly protest the most. Hmmmmm. I'm getting rid of it. lol
The main source of my books used to be the annual "Book Week" with its generous discounts, held during summer, both in stores and in central public squares of the various cities.
DeleteI think about it all the time..decluttering..actually, doing it..is another matter. I have had night mares waking up to a distorted mess from a tornado..tis the season..but getting it dones..feels endless. i hate that I collect things..and as a consumer..there is always something new..unfortunately. Thanks for the post. It is a topic we all need to weed more. But it is a slow go for me.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a cosumerist society - a society in which people buy all the time new things (which they don't actually need), and then they find it difficult to tackle the clutter.
DeleteI don't like clutter in my home and try to keep it under control on an ongoing basis. Still, there are closets and drawers that need going through and I keep plugging away at it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose nobody likes clutter, but few are like you managing to keep it under control.
DeleteYou have my deepest appreciaion for that, Lorrie!
I've been going through every room of the house, trying to be brutal and get rid of things I'm not using. I've made many trips to the donation place. I now keep a cardboard box in the spare room to put things in for donation. As soon as it's filled, it goes into the car to be brought away.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we listen to a daily report on what happens in Israel. I want you to know that many in the US stand behind you, even though these crazy protesting students are getting a lot of news coverage right now. I don't think they even know what they are protesting...
I like your description of "trying to be brutal" and of the box to be filled with things for donation. That's the way to go!
DeleteThanks Mari, for your very kind and supportive words! They mean a lot to me.
I'm sure most americans are not anti-Israel as it appears in the coverage of the protesting students.
It's sometimes a big decision to get rid of 'stuff'. I often do clothes and give my older ones to charity.
ReplyDeleteAll the reminder of my stuff my children probably won't want when I'm gone but mostly I use it.
True Margaret - a big decision. Giving items away to charity helps with decluttering , and gives us satisfaction that others might enjoy using them.
DeleteI know you were talking about clutter, but until we have all seen Hoarders on tv, noone realises what the end product of cluttering could be.
ReplyDeleteI had no trouble taking clothes and 2,000 books to second hand shops, but pots, pans, dishes and glasses are harder to place. I would happily throw old computer junk in the rubbish bin, but the men in the family said NO.
I haven't seen Hoarders on TV, but I know what hoarding means. It's an extreme , compulsive condition which has to be treated by professionals.
DeleteMy pots and pans, Hels, usually not of the expensive kind, get replaced at Passover by new ones. No problem with disposing of the used ones.
That AI generated picture of study room actually looks pretty nice. I need to declutter my kitchen..darn..baking forms and bits and pieces are everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt has a 'homey' feeling about it.
DeleteI suppose your kitchen area, Angie, is an empire which rquires efficient running and controlling - and so, also decluttering activity.
To me that pic is not clutter, just well lived in. Clutter is one of my moms room where she saves everything as she may need it one day as she says. LOL I am also trying to de-clutter. Not an easy task when I love so much of my things. Janice
ReplyDeleteYour remark "just well-lived in" makes me smile. You could definitely say that.
DeleteWe are all like your Mom - save things as we may need it one day.
We are going through much the same thing as I've been dealing with putting my basement back together after the mold remediation. I've taken dozens of bags to donate for charity, rehoused some things of value or interest to others and pitched a lot of things that even the poor wouldn't want. I'm still at it but almost done. Of course, this is just a first round. The things kept will need to be dealt with - and then I start on the living part of the house. Yes, books. Hard for me to part with. And things I just like or connected to family. Good luck -- I like your plan.
ReplyDelete..."almost done" about the basement - sounds good. Good Luck with the next round and with the living part of the house!
DeleteThanks for wishing me good luck too!
Oops. I hit send too fast! I meant to add stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeanie. The same to you.
DeleteDuta, I get attached to material things and it's hard for me to let go of them. Of course, everything is tidy. But there comes a time in life when we give away what we love very much, for example I have given my medical books to my clinical doctor. Although they are not of much use at present, he told me that he appreciates and values them and that he will see to it that they are in his library. Kisses
ReplyDeleteWell, Norma, that's a very nice gesture -offering your medical books to your clinical doctor! It looks like he very much appreciated that.
DeleteOn my goodness Duta - I know exactly what you are talking about. We moved two years ago and I had to get rid half my home. Then we moved again got rid of more. Now we are adding things in and it is driving my crazy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
That's a subject that touches us all. Usually, decluttering becomes urgent before moving, like in your case. Now, you feel you need to add some things. Well, that's perfectly normal.
DeleteGood Luck to you and to me!
Our house isn't cluttered by any means, Duta, but I do need to go through things we brought from my mother's house like letters and cards she saved over the years. Danny's mother left us a lot to sort through, too. At least, everything is stored safely out of sight in air-tight bins, so we aren't in a hurry at the moment. With all Danny has been through lately, this isn't the time to embark on chores that can wait.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Hi Martha. Glad things are ok in the decluttering domain.
DeleteWishing you and Danny the Best of health !
Blessings and Hugs!
I live in a small 650 square foot 1 bedroom apartment. I don't have a lot of closets or storage space so I am always decluttering to make space for new stuff.
ReplyDeleteSure, you can't 'afford' clutter when living in a small appartment. You've got to free space for new stuff to come in.
DeleteDecluttering is so important. At times, I feel very connected to my things and do not wish to give them away, but once I make the heart of it, I like the clean feel post decluttering
ReplyDeleteI feel the same, Pooja - connected to my stuff, yet once I've made up my mind to give away certain possessions, I feel relieved.
ReplyDelete"law books" .... can I ask why law books?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...
I've never studied law, if that's what you wish to know. But it so happened, that I represented myself in court, at least three times. I needed to prepare myself, so I bought some light law books (cheaper than to take a lawyer).
DeleteI enjoy decluttering, Duta, it feels so calming when its done, holding on to clothes I don't wear makes me feel bad and possessions are easy to say goodbye to, sentimental value? take a photo! There are so many books on the subject but if I haven't worn something for a year it often will go and if I buy something new then I have to give something away to keep the space. Hubby on the other hand has about 30+ shirts! Betty
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude about decluttering, Betty. I wish I were like you on this! 'take a photo' is a good tip for items with sentimental value.
DeleteAs for hubby, may he greatly enjoy his shirts!
I enjoy uncluttered space and find it much easier to get around in and to keep clean and being in a wheelchair both are important. Good luck with your efforts!
ReplyDeleteWe all seem to agree on our being in favor of decluttering. I totally believe you that you even enjoy "uncluttered space".
DeleteThanks for wishing me good luck with the efforts.
This is a popular topic, Duta, since we can all identify with it in one way or another. Like several others, I also have items set aside for donation and once the decision is made to donate them, the goal is to get them out of the apt ASAP so there will be no second thoughts. Clothes and shoes are the easiest for me as are some household items. We have too many kitchen items so that area needs to be de-cluttered as progress is slower there.
ReplyDeleteDecluttering is indeed a popular topic, and Donation is a major, decent solution for it.
DeleteI wouldn't just throw away items or send them to the recycle bin. I'll try first to make someone happy with those items.
Every now and again we have a sort out, and things that are no longer used / needed find there way to charity shops.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
PS Stay safe and well.
That's the usual procedure in most homes.
DeleteThank you Jan for wishing me wellness and safety!
All the best to you too!
En casos como lo que cuentas hay un poco de todo, como en el caso nuestro que nunca compramos de forma desmesurada y tenemos en casa lo que realmente nos hace falta ¿para que almacenar cosas que no se utilizan?, y cuando tenemos que renovar no lo tiramos, si no que lo donamos, porque siempre puede haber alguien que le sea útil o le haga falta.
ReplyDeleteEl tema de los libros es un punto y aparte, ya que tengo libros de mi abuelos de finales del siglo XX, y de mis padres, además de los que yo he ido consiguiendo por lo que me cuesta más trabajo desprenderme de ellos, además de que me encanta ese olor a papel de libro viejo que tiene mi extensa biblioteca, y que ya, por falta de espacio, me estoy viendo obligado a desprenderme de algunas colecciones, y las estoy donando a la Bilioteca Naional de España, porque son ejemplares raros y difíciles de encontrar.
He de reconocer que soy un desordenado dentro de mi orden, porque aunque tenga cinco libros abiertos a la vez, se donde tengo cada uno, y lo que busco en cada uno de ellos, así como también he de decirte que jamás ha leído un libro en interne, me gusta el libro en papel donde lo puedes tocar y acariciar si te apetece.
Un fuerte abrazo, amiga Duta.
Thanks Manuel for your interesting, detailed comment.
DeletePlacing your rare books in the National Library of Spain, is the very sensible thing to do.
Like you, I prefer to read a real paper book that you can feel and smell it. So far, as I can recall, I haven't read one on the Internet.