40 Hours Decluttering Using Flylady's Timer Method - April 14 - August 29, 2022

[ejchase]

Hi All,

I'm a teacher who is on a reduced schedule for about four months a year, mid-December through mid-February and mid-June through mid-August. I also have a REALLY cluttered home. In the past, I've had some success with setting myself a goal of doing a certain number of hours of decluttering during my periods of reduced work. I set one overall goal (usually 40 hours), then chip away at it in smaller increments of time. Some days I aim for an hour; others for four hours (with breaks!). I basically use flylady's timer method described here, but with longer periods of time than 15 minutes:

http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-sta...ng-15-minutes/

This past winter, I postponed finishing my 40 hours because I knew I had family coming to visit this month (April) and would be making a big push at that time, so I just finished that 40 on Tuesday. I still have about 2-3 more hours of decluttering to do this morning because I'm picking up my family for a road trip today and then on Saturday, they are returning to stay with me for three days. So I'm starting the tracking of my summer hours with the last hour I did on Tuesday and whatever I accomplish this morning.

Though clutter is still an issue, over the years of focusing on decluttering, I've also discovered I need to spend time on making my home comfortable and pleasant which involves putting in time on things like repotting plants into pretty containers, picking out a nice bureau scarf and a "jewelry tree" to make the bureau in my bedroom pretty, and finding a nice tray for the containers of salt, pepper, and olive oil by my stove. I've learned that decluttering is not all it takes for me to finally enjoy my living spaces - figuring out what's pleasing aesthetically to me is super-important too - and really fun.

In any case, since I started these batches of 40 hours of decluttering in winter of 2017, I've made a lot of progress. My home isn't perfect, but it is MUCH less cluttered and MUCH more comfortable to me than it was five (!!) years ago. And recording my progress here has really helped.

I know for some people setting up a home is kind of second nature, but I've always struggled with it and always lived in cluttered, uncomfortable spaces, so these batches of 40 hours have been a real breakthrough for me.

In any case, thanks for "listening" and for the encouragement so many of you have given me over the years. Your support has kept me going and made a tremendous difference in my life and I think in my daughter's too.

And, as always, if anybody else wants to join in with a decluttering/homemaking goal of their own for a certain number of hours, that would be great!

[ejchase]

I started my summer 40 hours when I finished my last batch on Tuesday and kept going.

I have to make the final decluttering push before my family's visit this morning because my daughter and I leave at 9 to go pick up my dad and sister to go on a road trip. When we return on Saturday, they will be staying with us for 3 days.

The upstairs and backyard are presentable. This morning, I have to get the first floor in order.

This deadline has been incredibly helpful and motivating. The house is nowhere near perfect, but it's better than it was three months ago. Our housekeeper is going to come while we're away, too, so I know when we return, everything will be clean.

Total so far for this batch: 1 hour I did on Tuesday.

[Tybee]

I am going to try doing an hour a day for a month, since I have things starting in May, new things, and I need space in my life.

[iris lilies]

I am on hold right now about getting rid of things because DH and I are having a sale during our neighborhood house tour at the antique/collectibles booths. I’m a little worried about what doesn’t sell there, but the neighborhood Methodist Church says they want our remains so we shall see. I’m trying to save things that I think I have some value, but that are on sale tables at Uber cheap prices, and get rid of them then. All monies will be donated to the park Conservancy.


My friend is digging plants in the public park – it’s OK, she and others put in and maintain the plantings there - I’m taking some of the ostrich ferns for my Hermann house, but she’s also giving me hosta plants that I will put in pots and sell at our sale on June 4. They will all look good on that date. I’m also digging hosta plants from my own house to sell to others, and already have a buyer for some of them.

I have sold $70 in plants already.

I don’t want to denude my flower garden entirely, but I’ve already lifted most of the lilies and put them in Hermann. I have a very nice collection of hostas, but I’m hesitant to take many of them to Hermann since the deer just chomp them down. It is likely my flower garden will become a building lot for a new house, so I don’t want remaining nice plants to be bulldozed, but on the other hand I don’t want to make the place bare For the new owners who will have it for a while, and then what if that sale falls through and we sell to other people who keep the garden?

[ejchase]

Yay, Tybee, glad to have you joining in!

Iris Lilies, it sounds like you are making some thoughtful preparations for your move.

I did 3 more hours on Thursday before heading out on the road trip with my family. The big revelation: I still have too much stuff in my house.

But the house is presentable and ten times better than it used to be. I just need to keep up what I've been doing.

New total: 4.

[ejchase]

Hi All,

Well my spring semester of teaching finally ended, though I am - for the first time in about 6 years - teaching one 5-week class this summer.

Nevertheless, I got back to this yesterday and did an hour. New total: 5.

[ejchase]

I did another hour yesterday. New total: 6.

[rosarugosa]

Nice to see you back at it, EJ!

[ejchase]

Thanks, rosarugosa!

Just 30 minutes yesterday. New total: 6.5.

[nswef]

Good to see you back ej. You tend to inspire me...at least until I change my mind. I'm working on an hour outside each day and the flowerbeds are looking controlled. Today is newspaper and mulch a bed day. Maybe two if I get going soon.