View Full Version : Another 40 Hours of Decluttering Using Flylady's Timer Method: July-August 2019
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 (last winter and summer, it was 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/ (http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/decluttering-15-minutes/)
It's also helped me a lot to keep track of progress towards my goal here, so here I am setting up a new goal: to complete another 40 hours of decluttering in my house by Monday, August 26.
If anybody else wants to join in with a decluttering goal of their own for a certain number of hours, I would love company! Happily, Chicken Lady has already said she will join in this time. The more, the merrier!
Chicken lady
7-25-19, 7:13pm
Ok, tomorrow I hit the studio!
congratulations on completing the other thread too!
Chicken lady
7-26-19, 6:14pm
I ended up needing to spend a lot of time working in my animal barn today (that looks better and while I mostly cleaned and organized - I did clear out three grocery bags worth of garbage, recycling, and burnables.)
I didn’t want to go work in the studio, but even though i’m Trying to AVERAGE an hour a day, starting with zero minutes didn’t seem like a good idea. So I dragged myself out and worked for half an hour. I’m not sure how effective I was, but it’s a little bit more organized, and there is a little less stuff out there (mostly because I carried back stuff I decided should go in the basement.)
I didn’t want to go work in the studio, but even though i’m Trying to AVERAGE an hour a day, starting with zero minutes didn’t seem like a good idea. So I dragged myself out and worked for half an hour. I’m not sure how effective I was, but it’s a little bit more organized, and there is a little less stuff out there (mostly because I carried back stuff I decided should go in the basement.)
You know what a big fan I am of baby steps, Chicken Lady. Sometimes that's all I can manage. Good for you.
I eked out my first hour today.
ej, I have a question. Are you holding the gain from all the past 40 hour segments?
I ask, because you've spent a ton of hours decluttering. I can't relate as I'm an organized person and our home would be empty by now. I'm trying to understand the scope of this project.
Chicken lady
7-27-19, 8:23am
Lol Gardnr, I otoh and wondering how she keeps from being buried if she only spends 80 hours a year clearing out all of the things that accumulate.
Teacher Terry
7-27-19, 11:05am
When I first started decluttering years ago I became committed to only bringing in the number of things that I was willing to let go. So if I bought 2 shirts 2 had to go. That’s prevented a build up.
rosarugosa
7-27-19, 11:07am
EJ posted this on 6/2/19 on the other thread:
"One thing I realized last week: when I started this 40 hours last December, my first priority was to deal with the clutter in my bedroom which had gotten pretty bad - I think about a fifth of the floor was covered with stacks of papers. When I resumed decluttering in the last couple of weeks, I had totally forgotten how bad it was. Now about 90% of that clutter is gone - there are just a couple of small stacks of clutter left, mostly in the corners, and I may be able to get rid of them entirely this week.
Having a decluttered bedroom just feels "normal" now, which is great. But it also feels good to remember how much progress I'm making because at times, all these decluttering hours feel endless. But the bottom line is, I like my home SO much more now since starting these batches of 40 hours two and a half years ago!"
So there are clearly sustained gains, but sounds like it's still a work in progress. I can certainly relate to the fact that some areas in my life will ALWAYS be works in progress, even if organization isn't one of those areas for me personally.
Chicken lady
7-28-19, 6:21am
I spent an hour and 15 minutes yesterday. Made good progress this time. Dh even commented on it. Dd came over last night and took away a large broken bin full of stuff to throw in a dumpster she can use this week.
total 1:45
Chicken lady
7-28-19, 6:25am
https://scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram.com/vp/c241431cbd85c6fd366b906e0a65e069/5DD8AB45/t51.2885-15/e35/66468729_2346910958911826_2094350270780657309_n.jp g?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram.com
Some inspiration from a hoarding friend.
ej, I have a question. Are you holding the gain from all the past 40 hour segments?
I ask, because you've spent a ton of hours decluttering. I can't relate as I'm an organized person and our home would be empty by now. I'm trying to understand the scope of this project.
Hi Gardnr, I would say it's a very "three steps forward, two steps backward" process. The quote from me rosa rugosa posted says it best. Unlike you, I've been pretty disorganized over my life, and when I began this project, I probably had about 30 boxes of just clutter in my house, so I have serious issues. A corner of my bedroom, the guestroom, and upstairs hallway all had huge stacks of clutter. Now the guestroom can be made for clutter-free for a guest within an hour (things sometimes still collect in there), and the upstairs hallway and my bedroom are about 90% clutter-free. I still have some boxes of clutter to go through (from "backsliding" or just ones I've never gone through) at various places in the house (maybe 5-10?), but it's all a lot better than it was before.
Every time I do a block of 40 hours, I end up establishing some systems or places for things that prevent future clutter build up, but I still have much to do. In any case, these 40-hour blocks have made more of a difference in me finally facing these life-long issues than anything else has, and I'm so grateful to the community here for all your support with it.
Good for you, Chicken Lady, for your progress and thanks for the inspirational quote. One thing that always comes up for me when I start another 40 is a lot of shame - e.g. "Why have I let it get this bad?" "Why can't I keep my home organized like 'normal' people can?" That quote really helped me deal with that.
Now that I've done a fair amount of decluttering in the house, I want to also count as part of these hours time spent making the house nicer. I can't quite find the right word for it - nesting? decorating? "styling?" In any case, it seems an important part of facing my issues with clutter and making my house a happy place to be.
In that spirit, I'm going to count the 30 minutes my daughter and I spent last night spreading mulch in our front flower beds. Ever since we moved into this house 8 hours ago, the front flower beds have sort of been a mess. This past spring, I hired a landscaper to help me tear out everything that needed a lot of water (we're in LA, where we often go months without rain) and put in drought-tolerant plants. We got that done, but we never mulched. Now that we have, the front of the house looks SO much better. The drought-tolerant plants are thriving and blooming and are a big source of joy. And now we don't have to worry about weeding or watering much. Very nice.
I find so much of the "power" of these 40-hour blocks for me is just giving myself permission to spend time making my house nicer. For some reason, that is hard for me, like it's frivolous or something, which I know is ridiculous. In any case, the 40-hour structure really helps.
New total: 1.5.
Chicken lady
7-28-19, 8:48pm
“Home improvement.”
nice!
did another hour and a half.
also had a conversation with dh about reorganizing the whole studio. Have a plan that will take well over 40 hours!
new total, 3:15
iris lilies
7-29-19, 9:51am
Last Saturday I was tired and cranky. I packed DH a picnic dinner to take to the concert in the Park. Because I was annoyed with having to put away too much crap in our kitchen that day, I packed it so everything could be tossed in the trash.
I told him “do not bring any of this stuff back home, even the plastic bag. Just put it in a trash container in the Park.” So he did, and I didnt have to wash and put away food containers and eating utensils.
I get so tired of DH coming into our house and dumping stuff on the counter for me to deal with. It is now the height of garden production and armloads of produce enter my house. He IS taking care of his huge onion crop (they are going to the refrigerator in our basement.) He has plans to can gallons of tomatoes, plus we can give some away. But I will be living Assault of the Vegetables for the next few weeks here and oh yeah, now we have double the problem because his production garden in Hermann is sizeable and is producing similar amounts. And our kitchen counter space in our 1940’s kitchen there is minimal.
First world problems, I know.
i just pulled out my old FlyLady book...I tried it when I was younger with kids, but now I am home more and retired, so it's a different set of problems. I notice she does 15 minutes at a time. Is that what you are doing? I imagine you are doing more at a time to get to 40 hours. I would like to join you and get my house to look like a home and feel good about having people over WITHOUT crisis cleaning! Are there any rules/suggestions? I know she said I need to declutter in order to follow her steps!
Are there any rules/suggestions? I know she said I need to declutter in order to follow her steps!
Paige, in general everything in your home should have a place. A place close to where it is used. A place you can easily return it to.
My rules of thumb:
1. Laundry always goes to the hamper.
2. Everything is in it's place when I go to bed. If it can't have a home, there is too much stuff.
3. Dishes are done-they may be in the drying rack and I'll put them away in the morning after I make my coffee.
4. I don't have stuff I don't use unless I just really really love it.
Start with small bites. Choose a drawer or a cupboard and go through it. If you don't use something, put in a donate box. Put that box in your trunk. Give yourself a week to change your mind. If it's still there, take it to the thrift store and be done with it.
Do you have a spare room you can use to stage? If yes, empty all the small stuff out of a room into that spare. i suggest starting with your bedroom. Make it a sanctuary that is restful and kind to your soul. Is there too much furniture? If yes, remove something. If no, yea you! Put back only items that are a MUST in your bedroom. For us it's our clock and a plant on my nightstand., hubby likes his jewelry box and a stuffed gorilla I gave him decades ago. There's a handmade stone dish on a table next to a lounging chair. The chair footstool is hubby's "changing table"-he wants a place to put clothes. and there is a captains' dining chair next to our Armoire. I have a plant in a ceiling hanger and there is a corner decorative paper mache "vase" with "Ting" that is super tall and gives a bit of height to the room and softens the corner.
Some would say our room is empty.....to me it's just right. Does this give you a visual?
For us, it was "easy". Many years ago, we decided to replace carpet in the entire house. We asked the carpet layers to divide the house in half. We unloaded half into the garage on a weekend. They laid the carpet. We "moved back in" and emptied the other half the following weekend and repeat. We made careful decisions as we moved back in. Much went to the thrift store. Only what we loved or used came back in. It was a great experience for us. All these years later, we still have empty spaces.
Chicken lady
7-29-19, 9:32pm
I think the point is just to get started and do something.
today my something was literally five minutes.
3:20
Gardnr, it sounds like you have really mastered this. Hats off!
Paige, I use the timer system for these 40-hour batches in increments of 30 minutes or more. On days when I'm really trying to do a long stretch, I find I can do about 90 minutes before I need a break, and generally, I can't do more than 4-5 hours in any one day. But something about knowing I just have to "deal" for a certain amount of time really helps me get going.
Also, somewhere, years ago I read that Baroque music is good for cleaning - I can't remember the reasoning behind it, but I often play Bach when I'm doing it - if it's a kind of decluttering that is sort of mindless, like filing papers or something like that. When I'm trying to figure out new systems for organizing things, or trying to find a "home" for certain types of items or am dealing with clutter that is emotional (heirlooms, etc.), I sometimes need to turn the music off.
Congrats on your five minutes, Chicken Lady!
Teacher Terry
7-30-19, 12:47am
I do find it much easier since my kids are gone. Not as many people making messes.
mschrisgo2
7-30-19, 1:29am
Looks like everyone is making good progress :)
Chicken lady
7-30-19, 6:23am
Lol! I had some actual creative work to do yesterday, so I counted the five minutes I spent cleaning up and organizing my work space before I got started. I also cleaned up after myself, but I didn’t count that.
today I have to do a lot of desk work in the house, so I will plan on a 30 minutish break to work on the studio for a change of pace.
I did an hour today on just little piles of clutter in the dining room and living room. I'm still in baby steps mode, which I feel is often how I start.
New total: 2.5.
Chicken lady
7-30-19, 9:49pm
Well, I did my 30 minutes, so I am up to 3:50. I am baby stepping along with you.
dd still has her dumpster until Saturday, and I am going to be near her on Thursday, so my plan for tomorrow is to go through some of the larger stuff in the studio and try to identify things that I don’t need and that can go.
Chicken lady
7-31-19, 8:04pm
5 hours!
i have 8 shelving units I have to clear off, wipe down, and then either donate or move and reload in a neat and organized fashion.
two are empty. One has been cleaned and reloaded.
the back of my suv (behind the backseats) is packed to the level of the headrests with stuff to throw out tomorrow. One back passenger seat is lightly filled with stuff to take to school.
there is also a small donate pile.
new total 8:50
mschrisgo2
7-31-19, 8:32pm
Woot, CL! That is awesome progress all in one day :)
I am still in the process of right-sizing for my little house, while preserving as much floor space as possible for 3 dogs.
I am mindful of the fact that I cleared out files and paper over a year ago, have kept up with it, in spurts, even purged a few files totally... but have not touched the rest of it in at least a year. Mind you, this was all “important to keep” stuff. I’m reminded fairly frequently that there are 2 file boxes under my desk- because one of my dogs would really love to be there while I’m at the desk. Every time I pull out the shredder that also lives there, she skinnies under there and looks so unhappy when I make her move so I can put the shredder back.
So, all that to say I am going to join you all in keeping track of a couple of projects: revisiting my files, and revisiting photos to look for any I can add to a board for my uncles 90th birthday party in late August (I think I have a bunch of pics with him in Yosemite years ago, that would be a lot of fun). I don’t anticipate that these projects will take any where near 40 hours, but I may think of something else along the way.
Welcome, mschrisgo and congrats Chicken Lady on all your progress.
For the first time in my life, I seem to have a summer flu (?!). Chills, fever. I'm laying low but hope to get back to work soon.
I have set myself a 90 day challenge. I’m supposed to clean house an hour a day and deciutter for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. The first 30 days have passed, I got about 1/2 the decluttering done and about 1/3 off the cleaning done.
My problem has never been getting rid of stuff , it’s the panic attacks I get in a clean space which make it so hard.
So, I won’t beat myself up over what I haven’t done, but just try and do better this month!
newgig
Chicken lady
8-2-19, 5:28am
Ejchase, I hope you feel better soon.
NewGig, that is a lot of time each day. What else do you do?
all I did yesterday was drop the stuff off. I’m feeling pretty wiped out this morning.
Joining in a month late so will do 20 hours, starting counting from yesterday, did .5 on shed boxes.
Got rid of a cd player husband got at a SC garage sale 3 years ago and never used.
Got rid of only remaining rag rug that I made, had given to my parents and they had in their house. It just made me sad, so it's out.
Found some stacking mixing bowls that I put in a cupboard to use.
19.5 to go /.5 done
Chicken lady
8-2-19, 6:28pm
Hi Tybee,
good start!
i put in another 3 hours and 20 minutes today. I think I have almost reached maximum disruption. I keep removing stuff from the room, and the room keeps looking worse.
I have the back corner cleared out now. I swept it, but I need to shop vac and mop. Then I need to wash the empty shelves and start putting them where they belong.
new total: 12:10
Chicken lady, I write and edit. When I’m doing those things, I don’t do the cleaning and decluttering, obviously. I had a manuscript due today, didn’t make it, it will be turned in Monday, so no cleaning or decluttering, except maintenance.
I thought I was doing badly, with 3 hours a day!
However, I had a huge quantity of books when I closed the store, and I’ve been getting rid of those for years.
Chicken lady
8-3-19, 5:24am
3 hours a day is huge! It’s a part time job! I guess it helps that your regular job has no commute.
but no pets? Groups? Hobbies?
Two cats, no social stuff, or not much. DH and I live and work here. I’m trying to downsize, get rid of the last of the bookstore. I had, I figured, 100,000 books - stock, when I closed the shop 14 years ago. It completely filled 3 large storage units, our living room, etc. I want to live here, not cohabit a storage unit.
I’m down to one small storage unit, about 1/2 the attic and corners here in the house. The plan is to close the storage by 12/31.
Chicken lady
8-3-19, 7:56pm
How much is the storage costing you vs. the value of the books? Are they still selling?
i spent 45 minutes. I didn’t really address much stuff, but I cleaned the corner and set up two clean empty shelves in their new home.
next time I can put some stuff on the shelves so I can clean some floor space to take stuff off the next shelf...
new total 12:55
Half an hour spent burning duplicate photos from photo album project, packing other photos to send to family members, burned a prep course I purchased but never used for an exam I did not take. Threw out a weird jar of wood putty that showed up on the dryer and half box of ice cream cones the kids left since we don't need to eat them.
New total 1 hour
Chicken lady
8-4-19, 7:29pm
2 hrs and 45 minutes. Corner is set up, but shelves are still partly empty. Found a little more to discard today. Two more shelves to clear before I can set up the long shelves on the wall. It’s getting kind of log jammish because I don’t want to just put things back at random. I need to get the long shelves up because I know what goes on at least part of them, and then I will have more room to sort and group the other stuff and decide what to keep and where to keep it.
new total 15:40
Ah, so great to see so many joining in and to see so much progress!
I am cautiously optimistic that I'm on the road to recovery now and I did 30 minutes today. New total: 3.
The books are worth less than 10% probably of what they were worth. Problem is that there was no catalog, so a junk book can be In a box with a $100 book. Also, the market has completely changed, so it’s hard to say.
I’m going to have one last sale, and donate or auction the rest. What I get, I get. What doesn’t sell gets donated. I’m done.
Chicken lady
8-5-19, 8:57pm
NewGig, thebooks sound frustrating.
ejchase, i’m Glad you are feeling better.
i did 1/2 hour today - sorted out art supplies. Put half the paints in a donate box and the other half in a bin in the basement.
16:10
An hour here! New total: 4.
Thanks to all of you for keeping me inspired through your fine examples!
Chicken lady, the books ARE frustrating. I've been doing this so long I am throughly SICK of it for one thing. For another, although my Mom was a bookseller (and Dad a book collector, how they met), the internet completely destroyed our long-term plans re the books. It used to be that you could augment your income by selling books. I know of people who set up their porch as a bookstore and made a few $100 every now and then, for years. That model does not work now. Our other idea was that we'd sell the shop. That won't work now either. So, instead of income, it just became a drain and major pain.
But we had $1000s into it when I closed the store in 2005 and I'm really stubborn, so I kept trying this or that. But I've had it now.
But we had $1000s into it when I closed the store in 2005 and I'm really stubborn, so I kept trying this or that. But I've had it now. I've no idea where you live. Portland OR has a store named Powells https://www.powells.com/
They buy used books. Might be worth some investigating. Some $ is better than no $.
iris lilies
8-6-19, 7:01pm
I am starting to downsize most of my book collection. I have identified a few that I think are worth a little bit of money, and when I say a little bit of money I mean $10-$30. Those I donate to the local collectible bookstore. I don’t ask for any money I just take them there.
I check Alibris for anything I think might be worth a little something something. If there are copies listed under $10 I don’t bother with it to the bookstore, I will donate these to a general books sale or maybe pitch them in the dumpster, I’m not sure which.
My important book collection is children’s illustrated books and I have a smallish but nice collection from the golden age of children’s illustration, 1880 to 1920. I also have volumes from the 1970s through about 2009. That is when I stopped collecting. I’m using Marie Kondo as a guide and if when I pick it up it doesn’t spark joy, it’s going to the bookstore.
For book buyers the Internet was a godsend. I started buying collectible books back in the day when they were sold thru vendor catalogs. I looked forward to catalogs Arriving in the mail and I used to pour over them. Then I remember when the Internet came into being, well before it was graphical, And I remember reading stock lists and want lists via a web crawler.
One of the coolest small world coincidences back in those days was when someone wanted a specific music book. It was Out if Print. There were only about 100 people on this collectible book exchange list from across the world, but I happened to know the author of that book because he lives in my neighborhood. He’s a well respected writer of academic works about music. So I gave the searcher his address so she could write to him because probably he has a few copies around.
If you are truly dumping them, please dump them to the library system.
iris lilies
8-6-19, 9:59pm
If you are truly dumping them, please dump them to the library system.
Uh, my library system, a large urban library, does not accept donations.It isnt cost effective for them to take in thousands of other people’s stuff.
There are smaller charity booksale around here, I just have to decide if I want to drive these books around in my car. It is not an attractive thought.
Having been intimately aquainted with disposal of books for decades,
I can assure you that hundreds of thousands are “recycled” i.e. dumped regularly.
Teacher Terry
8-6-19, 10:16pm
A thrift store wanted ours and picked them up since we had 40 boxes and other things.
Uh, my library system, a large urban library, does not accept donations.It isnt cost effective for them to take in thousands of other people’s stuff.
There are smaller charity booksale around here, I just have to decide if I want to drive these books around in my car. It is not an attractive thought.
Having been intimately aquainted with disposal of books for decades,
I can assure you that hundreds of thousands are “recycled” i.e. dumped regularly.
Near big cities, that sounds reasonable. In a rural state, there's not enough money for a constant supply of books. They will spread them around to small community libraries.
Additional 1.5 hours spent purging dried herbs, removing old seeds from pods and labeling in new envelopes for storage, burned old financial ledgers.
New total 2.5 hr
Saturday I spent a couple hours decluttering and reorganizing our tools and the shelves in the laundry room. Stuff had just been tossed up there over the years - things like leftover bits from putting furniture together, etc. Found a bucket with sidewalk chalk. Had to be 12 years old, if not older.
Chicken lady
8-7-19, 9:37pm
30 minutes.
16:40
Going through files, sending some things to kids that are theirs, burning old medical bills, reorganizing files.
2.5 hours plus prior total of 2.5
5 out of/20 total
Chicken lady
8-8-19, 7:04pm
Another hour - 17:40
Done: 3 hours in the photos, found 16 total to contribute, from several different occasions. Mailed to cousin this afternoon.
Files: 20 min. Just wasn’t in the mood, moved on to the photos.
total - 3 hr 20 min
Teacher Terry
8-8-19, 9:35pm
Congrats to everyone making good progress!
Yes, congrats everyone!
I did an hour last night. New total: 5.
2.5 more hours-- bought mailer and actually mailed kids' files to them, burned some old teaching files, old employment files, old newspapers and garden debris from buggy zucchini.
7/5/20 hours
Chicken lady
8-9-19, 7:00pm
Another hour - I am now ready to set up the long board shelves on the side wall. Dh says it will take several hours of restacking wood to get the boards I want out of the pile.
18:40
Spent another hour and a half going through files, consolidating, and burning.
9/ 20 hours
My schedule slipped so much as to be nonexistant. Yesterday I had a lunch date and then did our weekly farm & market bit. Left at 10:30, got back at 6. Of course, yesterday was the day the submissions opened for the next book. So I started with 40 stories to read today, it was 70 or so the last time I counted.
I got them read, but did I do any cleaning? Not other than the gotta stuff: laundry, dishes, etc. I lost 2 whole days, sigh. Have to report on the stories tomorrow, that will take an hour or 3. Then i suppose I get to work on the house all weekend and try and catch up. Or, I can just pitch it?
I don't know. I'm supposed to do 5 areas a day, 15 minutes or more on each, up to 2 hours total. And 1 hour of other cleaning. I have got an hour in, because I counted the freezer cooking I did today, between stories.
Two hours today. Still kind of scratching the surface, but I'm still doing it. New total: 7.
Chicken lady
8-10-19, 5:35pm
I appreciate the encouragement of having this thread.
dh and I worked a long time on the studio barn today. I don’t know how long, but definitely more than 4 hours. I am going to claim 4 because part of the time I was helping him with his stuff.
new total: 20:40 past the halfway mark!
Chicken lady
8-10-19, 5:38pm
Oh, I wanted to say to NewGig - I think you are trying to schedule too much. List your areas and try to be intentional about them, but set yourself a minimum, like 15 minutes on one of the areas no matter what every day. Then if you have the time and energy, you can go longer or tackle another area. If there is an area you never seem to get to, you might want to ask yourself why.
Chicken lady
8-10-19, 8:12pm
Went back out for another hour and 50 minutes. Worked on carrying things down from the loft and putting them mostly on my shelves. The loft used to be a guest room, and then we moved the large bed into one of the kids’ okd toons and I buried the loft in inventory and packing materials. There is still a 3’x6’ table covered in inventory, but all the other pottery related stuff is out. There is still room on the shelves, but I don’t know if it’s enough.
i also washed the grubby metal stairs.
22:30
Chicken Lady, it sounds like you are getting a lot done!
I did four hours today. Earlier in this thread, I think I said when I started these batches of 40 hours three years ago, I probably had about 30 boxes of clutter in my house and now have about 6 left. But walking around the house this week, I realize I must have started with more like 40 boxes of clutter, and I'm actually down to 12-15. It's embarrassing to admit, but I think those are the actual numbers.
While I've mostly been making progress, there's one area where I have backslid. When I started decluttering, almost all of the boxes were in the upstairs hallway, my bedroom, and the guest room. I think there are about 7-8 boxes still upstairs, but in the meantime, 6 boxes of clutter have accumulated downstairs, and they are stacked in a corner of my dining room. I intended to tackle them as part of my 40 hours last winter but ended up prioritizing other things. But tonight, after doing some other decluttering, I started on them and got 2 of the 6 boxes completely cleaned out. I'm so excited to finally be facing them.
Also, somebody had sent me a beautiful gift basket of goodies in the spring, and I'd emptied it but didn't know what to do with the remaining basket, which I didn't really have a use for. I posted a picture of it though on the neighborhood Moms Facebook group, and a mom came and took it to use it for a container for a baby shower gift. So nice to send something off to be re-used!
Ah, I feel like I'm really getting going now! So happy. New total: 11.
I periodically check this thread to see how things are progressing. Very impressive to see what you set as goals and then accomplish. So often, we postpone jobs until we have a day to get something done but you are proving that simply setting shorter periods and taking note of the time, a lot can be done in increments. Inspiring!
Brother sent two boxes of family memorabilia yesterday. Spent two hours sorting and labeling, burned stuff, removed diplomas from old mildewy frames. Stuff now sorted by person and era.
11/20 hours
Chicken lady
8-11-19, 9:05am
Ejchase, do not be embarrassed! You have identified the problem, and you are making progress.
at one point, I had hundreds of random boxes. That is not an expression, that is an estimate. I never took a count, but I know there were over 200, perhaps 300 or more. A “random box” is a box into which you have tossed the contents of your surfaces in order to appear to be neat and organized or to attempt to use a space for it’s intended function. My dd2’s birth certificate was lost unopened for 7 years, and because of the circumstances of her birth, dh filled out the forms and didn’t think about spelling, so that I actually did not know the legal spelling of my daughter’s name. Until she was 7.
when I put things away on my new shelf yesterday, I discovered that I have exactly the maximum number of full scrap clay buckets that can be neatly stored in the allowable space in my studio. Plus 24. So a long term goal for me this year is to make things and use the clay up at a net rate of two buckets a month.
45 minutes. Finished de-studioing the loft.
23:15
Chicken lady
8-11-19, 8:03pm
Another 45 minutes clearing off a shelf, moving it, sweeping, and mopping. A different already wiped down shelf will go there tomorrow when the floor is dry.
24.
24 hours. One entire day.
I did 3.5 hours yesterday. I have now emptied all the boxes that were in the corner of the dining room but also filled up two other boxes of stuff that needs to be filed/put away upstairs, so that job is not completely done.
I did get rid of a ton of paper though - have filled up the recycling bin outside. I'm remembering how Trash Day becomes a really big deal whenever I'm doing these 40 hours because the clutter doesn't really feel gone until the cans are emptied.
Thinking too about how to prevent the accumulation of more boxes of clutter. I have gone paperless on most of my bills but not all and on some bank accounts but not all, and I think I need to go paperless on everything.
I thought I was doing a better job of recycling junk mail immediately after opening the mail box, but there was so-o-o much stupid junk mail in those boxes of clutter. Argh.
New total: 14.5.
iris lilies
8-12-19, 2:24pm
We are starting to clean out one of our small houses because we are placing it on the market to sell. DH brought out sacks of artificial greenery that I had forgotten were stored there. I took a photograph and put it up on craigslist for free stuff – no takers. So it’s unfortunate, but is going to go into the landfill dumpster.
If there are no takers for my free craigslist listing that means there is 0 market for it. There was a time I thought that I would put my house on the Christmas house tour and use all of that stuff that I have accumulated over 30 years, but we did the house tour last June So it is unlikely will do it two years from now, but if I were to do it again I would use fresh greenery.
Fresh greens are my new thing because I don’t have to store them.
Teacher Terry
8-12-19, 2:32pm
No one wants fake plants anymore. They are a pain as you have to clean them on a regular basis. One good thing about being retired is that I have plenty of time for decluttering and cleaning.
If I were decorating a house--for holidays or otherwise--I might be all over fake greenery/plants. I have no inclination toward growing anything--except older...
rosarugosa
8-12-19, 5:30pm
My MIL loves red geraniums, so I got her a basket of decent looking faux geraniums for her room as the nursing home. She loves them, and is delighted they continue to do so well, and is perpetually surprised every time I tell her they aren't real. So I guess even fake flowers have their place in the world. :)
My MIL loves red geraniums, so I got her a basket of decent looking faux geraniums for her room as the nursing home. She loves them, and is delighted they continue to do so well, and is perpetually surprised every time I tell her they aren't real. So I guess even fake flowers have their place in the world. :)
This made me smile.
I completed 30 more minutes today. New total: 15.
This made me smile.
Me too. That's some loving care right there.
Chicken lady
8-14-19, 5:32am
Ejchase, you are doing well! Keep at it!
we once took my great grandmother an Easter basket in the nursing home. She loved it, but she was upset because she couldn’t crack the eggs. We had to explain that they were made of plastic and show her how to open them. When the treats fell out, she said “well isn’t that something! i’ve never seen such a thing!” She was delighted, and wanted to show all the staff and ask if they had ever seen such a thing.
i spent another 20 minutes on the studio yesterday. Got another shelf in place. I’m slowing down because I have a lot of school prep to get done.
24:20
2 hours sorting through old teaching materials, cleaning stuff in shed (found airbed, cleaned out storage tub, put airbed in it), getting rid of some old seeds. Burned an online statistics course I took--that felt really good.
13/20
Chicken lady
8-15-19, 8:07am
We are racking up a lot of hours!
tybee, I am curious about why you are burning some of this stuff.
i did 45 minutes on shelves yesterday and another 15 this morning.
25:20
i only have to average 45 minutes a day to make my goal!
rosarugosa
8-15-19, 8:37am
I was wondering if Tybee is burning with fire or burning as in "burning a disc."
No disc, just a burn barrel.
2 more hours working on organizing and getting rid of old seeds. Reorganized files and got rid of 3/4 of the warranty info in the files and a lot of old farming files. Got rid of some more courses I taught then years ago, old notes, materials, and syllabi.
15/20
Chicken lady
8-15-19, 8:53am
I assumed it was a burn barrel, i’m just wondering - do you not have recycling?
Another hour today. New total: 16.
2 hours labeling and purging old seed packets and gardening materials..
17/20
I tackled the trunk of my car yesterday, though I brought a lot of the junk from it inside and haven't gone through all of it yet. Nevertheless, I spent 30 minutes clearing it out and then went to the car wash. It feels so good to be in a clean car.
I spent another 30 minutes clearing off the dining room table, recycling a lot of paper, filing other papers, etc.
One hour. New total: 17.
Chicken lady
8-18-19, 9:50am
Yay for a nice clean car!
tybee, you are going to be done early!
I put in half an hour this morning - decided where to keep the glazes and underglazes, gathered them all up into a much too big pile, and put the underglazes away.
25:50
Chicken lady
8-18-19, 5:58pm
An hour and a half sorting glazes, washing things, and adding water to dried out bottles - I have to get the glaze out to recycle them, so I may as well try to rehydrate it and use it. (Memo to self - when there is half an inch of thick glaze in the bottom of the jar - THAT is the moment to thin it out and pour it into another container!)
27:20
Chicken lady
8-19-19, 5:51pm
I put in another hour and 45 minutes today - straightening up, washing things, dissolving dried up glaze and transferring it into other bottles (consolidating each color into one bottle)
the glaze is going to be slow - if it is at all moist, it takes forever to dissolve, but if it is bone dry, it dissolves very quickly. So I have a bunch of jars with the lids off sitting in rows on the floor so the last, mostly dry, half inch of glaze can finish drying out.
i emptied seven containers today - out of ? I stopped counting at 53 when I realized I might reach 200. Some of them won’t get emptied though, they’ll be the combined bottle or jar.
new total: 29:05
Found another container of seeds we saved last year. One hour sorting through and getting them into smaller containers (removing them from seed heads, basically and relabeling.)
At least this is the last box, so all seeds will be incorporated into same place and same storage system.
18/20
Found another container of seeds we saved last year. One hour sorting through and getting them into smaller containers (removing them from seed heads, basically and relabeling.)
At least this is the last box, so all seeds will be incorporated into same place and same storage system.
18/20
Spent another 4 hours completing this project, incorporating seeds into master seed storage, using same system for storage have used for 20 years now.
Saved a few seeds today from an heirloom poppy I grew from seeds purchased from the historic site last year. This year, they didn't have any, so glad I am saving these.
I guess the mess will start all over again as we save from this year. Oh well. At least we are caught up.
22/20
rosarugosa
8-20-19, 6:48pm
Congratulations, Tybee!
Tybee, how do you store your seeds? I live in a zone that ranges -29 to 112 F. I've not saved seeds year to year because I always fear they won't produce. However, I would like to stop spending $25 on seed every year!
Once they are totally dry and out of the temporary container (we use paper lunch sacks or manilla envelopes) then I put them in small white stationary envelopes and then file them in cardboard photo boxes. Sometimes I will put those boxes in a large plastic container (over the winter, when I am not using anything) down in the basement where it stays cool.
I put the seeds I buy in the same type of photo boxes alphabetically by what they are. So all the boxes can stack and I can mix what I grew with what I bought if I want to. Usually they reside on shelving in the mudroom.
They used to carry the photo boxes at Rite Aid but now I can only get them at Michaels or some similar store.
Congrats Tybee and everybody else on your progress!
I am struggling a LOT with motivation to declutter this summer. But I sat down and looked back on all the threads I've started on these batches of 40 hours these last three years with all of you offering support and encouragement, and that really helped. It reminded me I always have trouble getting myself going but that I've really accomplished a lot.
So I got through two more hours, including finding some other moms to take a couple of items off my hands: a toddler toilet seat and a bag of karate equipment. So glad when these things don't have to go to the landfill!
New total: 19.
Chicken lady
8-24-19, 7:15pm
Good job ejchase!
i slowed down because i’ve Been prepping for classes and doing actual clay work in my studio, but I put another hour in on the glaze area.
30:05
I might make it....
mschrisgo2
8-24-19, 11:56pm
Spent 3 hours in my files on Thursday. I have almost 2 boxes worth that I can discard, and I’d be most comfortable if they were shredded. Well.. shredder is kaput. Checked on replacing it, Staples has a couple on sale... then I noticed that they have heavy duty shredders in their self serve “copies” area- $5 for 20 minutes. Hmmm... went back today with my paper and ran it through their shredder, cost me $5. The woman working the counter said one can run a few things through occasionally without paying for 20 minutes. Bingo! I’m not buying a new shredder! I use their mailing services, so I am there occasionally... will simply stuff a Manila envelope until the next time I go there. Dropped off the old shredder at the recycle place.
Both tasks completed, in a total of 7 hours. Yay!! (I don’t have anything left that would take 40 hours.)
Congrats, mschrisgo!
I won't make my goal this week - I am leaving town for three days tomorrow - but I did do another 30 minutes last Friday morning. New total: 19.5.
Chicken lady
8-26-19, 5:24am
Wow mschrisgo2!
i can’t Imagine not having a project that would take 40 hours. Maybe some day.
ejchase, you have still done a lot.
i put in another half hour yesterday.
30:35
Chicken lady
8-27-19, 12:06pm
50 minutes in the glaze area.
so much dried up, dried on glaze - never again!
31:25
(I don’t have anything left that would take 40 hours.)
Me either. Our entire home contents would be packed in 40 hours.
Teacher Terry
8-27-19, 10:45pm
Me too Gard.
30 more minutes yesterday. New total: 20.
Chicken lady
9-4-19, 6:32am
So, I did not finish the 40 hours. I did do some more, but mixed in with other stuff and didn’t try to keep track of the time. It’s still much better than it was.
I was out of town last week and have just done baby steps this week, but I feel confident that all of them together add up to 30 minutes at least.
Even though I didn't complete my 40 hours by August 26th as hoped, I'm going to keep going on it.
Chicken Lady, I'm glad things look better. Every bit of progress matters in my book.
New total: 20.5.
Hi All - I'm in the midst of some heavy family stuff right now - my brother-in-law has entered hospice. It's all happened very quickly.
So I may eke out some time on this goal here and there in the next few days, but I also might disappear for a while more, and that's one reason why.
I just wanted to let you all know because I've really appreciated all your support.
rosarugosa
9-16-19, 9:27am
I'm sorry to hear about your BIL, EJ. Thanks for the update and take care.
Hi All - I got back to it with just an hour yesterday, but it felt good. New total: 21.
Teacher Terry
9-29-19, 12:43pm
Enjoy, so sorry to hear about your BIL. My focus has been on the yard as the fruit and leaves constantly fall. It’s a daily task. I do keep a box in my closet that I put things to donate once the box is full.
iris lilies
9-29-19, 1:41pm
Our blender was acting up and I was thrilled when DH declared it unfixable! He had taken it apart and there were five pieces to it. Do I get to count 5 items gone? I’m happy because I have an immersion blender and I have been using for soups and it works perfectly and takes up half the space. No, it takes up 1/3 of the space yay!
Well, after having our house in disarray for several weeks (months), I finally got my craft area moved from downstairs to a room upstairs that will also be a guest room. It had been in the family room downstairs, but we had to have it all redone this summer (French drains, sump pump, new walls, flooring,etc). Since then it was boxed up so we could get the craft/guest room painted. I got the new curtains up this weekend and everything unpacked, organized and put away. I did put a few items in the donate pile. I have a quilt I want to hang on one wall and need to steam the wrinkles out of the curtains yet.
iris lilies
9-30-19, 4:42pm
I am constantly congested and figured it was time to dust and clean upstairs bedeooms.Dust, cat hair, dust, dog hair, and dust. Made good progress today which included throwing away a large grocery bag of stuff.The More stuff that lies around to get dusty, the more problematic it is to clean around here.
Teacher Terry
9-30-19, 4:51pm
I have definitely found that the less stuff there is the healthier I feel with my allergies. I intend to deep clean my bedroom and walk in closet soon. I did this in February and it helped. Things like pulling the furniture out and washing curtains.
oakandbee
10-2-19, 10:42am
I'm new to the forum, and I'm excited to join this thread. I'll be moving out of the country in 3 months, so I need to declutter almost all of my belongings. I find myself feeling overwhelmed when I look at everything, so I'm hoping breaking down the decluttering into timed increments will help.
Today I decluttered for 15 minutes and found it surprisingly difficult to quickly find items to declutter. I blame my supermarket sweep style of decluttering. Next time I think I'll focus on one area, decide what I'm going to go through and then start the timer. In any case, I did get rid of items today so progress has been made!
I'm new to the forum, and I'm excited to join this thread. I'll be moving out of the country in 3 months, so I need to declutter almost all of my belongings. I find myself feeling overwhelmed when I look at everything, so I'm hoping breaking down the decluttering into timed increments will help.
Today I decluttered for 15 minutes and found it surprisingly difficult to quickly find items to declutter. I blame my supermarket sweep style of decluttering. Next time I think I'll focus on one area, decide what I'm going to go through and then start the timer. In any case, I did get rid of items today so progress has been made!
Since you are leaving the country, you can get double duty out of this time. Consider: 1)...pack as you go. If you really want to keep something, put it in a box. When the box is full, review it all again and get rid of anything that now doesn't resonate with you. 2. If the item in your hand doesn't resonate, 2) decide if it is trash or thrift store material. 3) place directly in the garbage bin or 4) place directly in the trunk of your car for thrift store delivery.
It is easiest to choose 1 space and focus: I believe in starting with the bedroom-a space that needs to support rest and rejuvination. Does it feel overwhelming? If yes, choose a single drawer or a single storage item: nightstand, dresser, armoire, closet.
Since you have a deadline, it's important that you find a method that works for you and keeps you motivated!
iris lilies
10-2-19, 12:17pm
I have definitely found that the less stuff there is the healthier I feel with my allergies. I intend to deep clean my bedroom and walk in closet soon. I did this in February and it helped. Things like pulling the furniture out and washing curtains.
My bedroom had curtain like fabric at the windows. While that would be easy to wash, I didn’t wash it because it was just long links of cheap fabric that. I pitched it all.
Downstairs I have windows dressed with vintage silk sarees that are very tightly woven. The pet hair doesn’t seem to stick to that tightly woven smooth fabric.
Recently I had been daydreaming about having actual curtains, lined drapes, in our Herman house But the more I think about it the more I think it’s just more places to gather pet dander/ dust and until we stop having pets – which will be never – might as well keep the windows clear of fabric dust catchers
Teacher Terry
10-2-19, 1:14pm
Since our big guy died we no longer have pet hair. The Maltese have hair and not fur. It’s nice not having to deal with that.
rosarugosa
10-2-19, 3:49pm
I'm new to the forum, and I'm excited to join this thread. I'll be moving out of the country in 3 months, so I need to declutter almost all of my belongings. I find myself feeling overwhelmed when I look at everything, so I'm hoping breaking down the decluttering into timed increments will help.
Today I decluttered for 15 minutes and found it surprisingly difficult to quickly find items to declutter. I blame my supermarket sweep style of decluttering. Next time I think I'll focus on one area, decide what I'm going to go through and then start the timer. In any case, I did get rid of items today so progress has been made!
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your challenging project! I look forward to hearing of your progress!
Welcome oakandbee!
I eked out an other 30 minutes last Sunday: new total 21.5.
Hope to do a bit more this weekend.
I'm new to the forum, and I'm excited to join this thread. I'll be moving out of the country in 3 months, so I need to declutter almost all of my belongings. I find myself feeling overwhelmed when I look at everything, so I'm hoping breaking down the decluttering into timed increments will help.
Today I decluttered for 15 minutes and found it surprisingly difficult to quickly find items to declutter. I blame my supermarket sweep style of decluttering. Next time I think I'll focus on one area, decide what I'm going to go through and then start the timer. In any case, I did get rid of items today so progress has been made!
Welcome, oakandbee! I decluttered two tons of stuff this fall, but my motivation was getting rid of stuff to downsize from 2100 sq ft to 700 sq ft. It's not easy. I've tried decluttering in the past, but in my experience, when you have NO CHOICE, all of a sudden decisions become easier. Take advantage of all the "soft decluttering" there is--meaning, giving stuff away to Goodwill, Vietnam Vets, whatever. Then Freecycle. I know that I felt so much better about getting rid of stuff if I knew someone else was going to enjoy it. The worst was when we ran out of time, we had a dumpster in the driveway for a week, and we had no choice. I had local pickers coming by every day to get what they could--and I was happy about that, too. If they could make money, great. Better than landing in a landfill. It is NOT EASY to downsize. But, at the end of the day, it's just stuff.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I'm so glad I found such an awesome community. You motivated me to take the big bag and box of items to Goodwill today. I also had a major (for me) victory of finding a benefit quilting group at a local quilting shop that took my partially completed quilt squares and fabric. I had been holding onto that project for six years, hoping I'd finish it and feeling guilty about not doing so. Feels really great to be free of it and think that someone else might finish it and give it to someone special.
@catherine Congratulations on downsizing and decluttering so much! That sounds like it was a lot of work. I'm going to take your great advice and soft declutter while I still have time and mental space to put things on Freecycle and bring them to Goodwill.
@Gardnr Thanks for the idea to pack as I go and then review what I packed later. It's saving me a lot of time getting me past items that I had been getting stuck on.
Oakandbee: I love that you found a quilting group to take your quilt squares and fabric. I know how unfinished projects laying around the house can weigh on us. That must feel good.
I did another hour yesterday. New total: 22.5.
oakandbee
10-17-19, 9:56am
Nice job, ejchase!
Teacher Terry
10-17-19, 5:07pm
We have a big walk in closet that was originally a small bedroom. DH always manages over time to make it messy. So he is gone and I organized it and cleaned it. I threw a bunch of stuff away. I also found our big dogs life jackets and they are expensive so will put it up for sale. He didn’t know where he put it but I found it in the garage. I am washing it because it’s dirty. The big dog could swim but that way he could follow my son around a small lake and we didn’t have to worry as he got old.
flowerseverywhere
10-19-19, 7:15am
Cleaned out my crafting closet. As a 40+ year quilter I had so many quilting projects planned I could never finish them in my lifetime. I bought two big bags of fabric to a quilter who heads a charity group. I put a big pile of patterns and books on the free table at my quilt guild. Gave some stuff to a retreat committee. Everyone was thrilled and I really cleaned out my closets. I have a shot at actually completing what I have left in my lifetime.
oakandbee
10-23-19, 9:56am
Well done, Teacher Terry and flowerseverywhere!
I switched out our seasonal clothes and filled half a bagful for donation. I was able to consolidate all of our clothes into one dresser and put my dresser on Freecycle. Hooray! I keep focusing on getting rid of pieces of furniture since that means I have to deal with everything they contain.
flowerseverywhere
10-27-19, 3:19pm
DH and I finished the closets completely emptied one closet. Consolidated, gave away, threw away the contents. My closet is completely organized and not cluttered. DH going through his and doing great.
Next up, the books everywhere. I volunteer in the library used book rooms each week and I cannot resist when fabulous books go for fifty cents to a dollar. I already cleaned all my quilting and crafting books out, except for a select few. I have a very complicated Dear Jane quilt underway that has almost 6,000 pieces and if I just work on that I might finish it by summer. I have two other big projects started as well that I will only finish by the end of 2021 if I am persistent. I love that I can see any fabric or projects, everything is sorted in clear bins. It is like a weight coming off your shoulders and brings me much peace. The empty closet will now hold o gauge trains, puzzles and games neatly stored instead of jammed in every nook and cranny. We use the games a lot.
Teacher Terry
10-27-19, 4:07pm
Flowers, you have accomplished a lot.
flowerseverywhere
10-28-19, 7:24am
Flowers, you have accomplished a lot.
it is so freeing to be organized and not have to open a closet and feel overwhelmed. I want to pass things on to others who may need or want them and not leave a big mess for my kids. I also do tai chi, yoga and meditation which has a tremendous positive influence on my health, well being and serenity.
So impressive, flowerseverywhere!
I have been really scattered and stressed and finally realized part of it had to do with the shape of my house. Did 30 minutes tonight, which wasn't much, but I'm a little sick, and it's what I could manage. And it feels really good. New total: 23 hours.
I am now including my office at work in these 40 hours because the clutter there is as big a source of shame and stress as my clutter at home.
I tackled my desk at work today and cleared and dusted 3/4 of it. I'd love to keep going on it, but I have other high-priority projects to take care of.
In any case, I feel ten times better working at my desk now. It took just an hour. New total: 24.
I did 3 majors (for me) this morning. 1&2: In my quilting studio I have 2 corkboards. I went through everything pinned and got rid of all the quilt ideas/photos/notes that don't appeal to me or already know now. I rearranged what I'm keeping and now I can see it all. 3. I brought home a box of all my 'stuff' from my office when I retired July 26. I've gone through it and given what I truly want to keep, a new home so I can enjoy those things. The empty box is now upside down on a high shelf in the garage for when we need a smallish box-it's a great quality box. I have a steamer that has not been used for 10+ years and I found a taker for it. A young newlywed who had one on her gift registry and didn't get one. It is leaving tomorrow.
It really doesn't sound like much but I tell ya, it feels lighter in there and I LOVE that!:cool:
Time spent: MAYBE 20 minutes?
Besides last week's cardboard and Styrofoam roundup, my relative has expressed an interest in art supplies, so I'll be able to unload a box of extras to them, while continuing to fill bags of household items for an upcoming donation run.
Gardnr, congrats on big changes in 20 minutes! I totally get how great that can feel.
JaneV, it sounds like you are getting a lot of stuff out of the house!
Did another 30 minutes at home this morning. New total: 24.5.
Another hour today: 25.5. Putt putting along.
Another hour today. New total: 26.5.
30 more minutes today. New total: 27.
Teacher Terry
11-27-19, 1:00pm
Took our old luggage to the thrift store. One suitcase was huge and we didn’t want to deal with it anymore. The others were carryons and we have newer ones that we prefer. On our month Europe trip we each will have one small carryon and one medium one to check.
rosarugosa
12-4-19, 6:15pm
I want to say that this chunk of time approach is working well for me in my never-ending quest for a neater cellar. "Clean the cellar" is way too daunting, but "spend 30 minutes in the cellar and see what can be accomplished in that time" is very do-able. I'm not tracking the overall time but I'm definitely making progress and I think the approach has a lot to do with it.
I have made no progress whatsoever, but Rosa, your post is inspiring me to try the 30 minutes int he cellar, especially since DH is on vacation now and I have told him he has to help. We could do 30 minutes in cellar and 30 minutes in garage and 30 in one other room and we could get this place whipped into shape. But it has to be limited in time. Maybe 20, 20, and 20.
I want to say that this chunk of time approach is working well for me in my never-ending quest for a neater cellar. "Clean the cellar" is way too daunting, but "spend 30 minutes in the cellar and see what can be accomplished in that time" is very do-able. I'm not tracking the overall time but I'm definitely making progress and I think the approach has a lot to do with it.
Yeah, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say the timer method has changed my life. Many, many nights when I just can't face the mess, I say to myself, "Just do 15 minutes," and it gets me going.
I have made no progress whatsoever, but Rosa, your post is inspiring me to try the 30 minutes int he cellar, especially since DH is on vacation now and I have told him he has to help. We could do 30 minutes in cellar and 30 minutes in garage and 30 in one other room and we could get this place whipped into shape. But it has to be limited in time. Maybe 20, 20, and 20.
My ex and I used to use the timer methods after we had a dinner party. We'd look at the mess in the kitchen and say, "Okay, let's do 15 minutes and leave the rest for the morning," but it's amazing what two people can do in 15 minutes. Many things about our relationship didn't work, but that did!
30 minutes on Friday and 30 minutes tonight. New total: 28.
rosarugosa
12-9-19, 6:51am
EJ: You are living proof that those small increments of time can amount to something significant!
I spent about an hour in the cellar on Sat cleaning out the wine rack and surrounding area. Dumped out several bottles of wine, which felt like a crime, but it was stuff we don't like or had gone bad or both and there was no value in keeping it. There was also a lot of dust and remnants of mouse activity - little piles of sunflower seed shells and droppings, yuck. This small space looks so much cleaner and tidier that it makes me happy when I walk by and look at it. :)
Husband has agreed to 20/20/20 schedule but was not enthusiastic. My back went out yesterday, so we haven't started yet.
But maybe today we can figure out a way to begin. And use the timer, thanks ejchase, great idea.
iris lilies
12-9-19, 12:44pm
EJ: You are living proof that those small increments of time can amount to something significant!
I spent about an hour in the cellar on Sat cleaning out the wine rack and surrounding area. Dumped out several bottles of wine, which felt like a crime, but it was stuff we don't like or had gone bad or both and there was no value in keeping it. There was also a lot of dust and remnants of mouse activity - little piles of sunflower seed shells and droppings, yuck. This small space looks so much cleaner and tidier that it makes me happy when I walk by and look at it. :)
It is important to keep your wine and alcohol collection current and useful, so no shame in dumping the stuff that you won’t use.
Did another hour. New total: 29.
Also, the handyman came this week and took care of a bunch of little things: installed a new outdoor light and installed a water filter in the kitchen sink. Next week he'll come back and put up a new mailbox. Feels so good to have things getting done.
30 more minutes on Tuesday. New total: 29.5.
1 more hour last Tuesday which I forgot to record. New total: 30.5.
Two more hours yesterday. New total: 32.5.
ejchase, good for you for keeping at it, ever little bit helps!
Thanks, mschrisgo2!
Only 30 more minutes today, but I did also spend some time figuring out what size drawer organizers I needed to declutter some very messy drawers I have and ordering them. Very satisfying!
New total: 33.
One more hour today. New total: 34.
Teacher Terry
1-10-20, 4:01pm
I went through the pantry and boxed up some items my husband bought at the grocery store but has never eaten. Taking them to the soup kitchen today.
Congrats, Teacher Terry on tackling the pantry!
My daughter and I spent two hours going through her clothes and found about 35 things to toss or give away.
I had thought we would do other organizing in her room today, but just that much was exhausting! She was a trooper about it, too, so I didn't want to push it too far. :)
I cannot BELIEVE how many clothes she has. She definitely won't need any more leggings or shirts for at least a year.
New total: 36.
Teacher Terry
1-12-20, 7:28pm
That’s great EJ. You are making steady progress.
30 more minutes today, cleaning out an incredibly messy drawer, putting in drawer organizers, weeding out a ton of stuff. Another baby step, but extremely satisfying.
New total: 36.5.
mschrisgo2
1-17-20, 11:14pm
Nice!
2.5 more hours today. New total: 38.
mschrisgo2
1-23-20, 8:23pm
ejchase, you’re almost to your goal! You can do it!
Last two hours on this 40 today! Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement. They really do mean a lot.
Teacher Terry
1-28-20, 12:50am
I took all the books in my bookcase except for 10 to the thrift store.
rosarugosa
1-28-20, 6:51am
Congratulations, EJ!
TT: Wow, are those all the physical books you own now?
Congratulations, EJ!
TT: Wow, are those all the physical books you own now?
Wow indeed. I don't think I can do this. I have a lot of books on things like house repair and farming and knitting--like a big reference library. I can always find a project to work on or an answer to a question. Do you get your information from the Internet, then? What if you want to reread something for pleasure--I do that, too. That's all my fiction (I teach literature). So how would that work, I wonder, to get rid of the novels that are really dear to me and opened my mind to new insights and experiences?
It sounds great but I can't see how I would do this.
rosarugosa
1-28-20, 10:13am
Tybee: Same here. I have my little reference library (although I certainly use the internet as a reference tool). I also have books that are "old friends," and I can't quite let go of those.
Teacher Terry
1-28-20, 12:34pm
Yes those are all of my physical books. I don’t read books twice. I can use the internet if I need information. I don’t buy physical books anymore but read them on my phone. Before we moved we got rid of 40 boxes of books. My husband probably has 100 in his office.
I started deleting old text messages.
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