View Full Version : August Purge
Globe for a torchiere floor lamp- too small for current lamp
Small jewelry box- no more jewelry
Pair of cargo work pants- ripped
Tshirt- decal was coming off
Turtleneck shirt- not flattering
Sweatshirt- too small
Coffee maker manual- no longer needed
Dry onion soup mix- no longer needed
Spice tiered tray and some spices- not needed
Cordless phone receiver- no longer works
Old car insurance bills- no longer needed
Two vacuum attachments- never use them
Ten small cat toys- cats prefer larger toys
Two pairs of mens dress pants- too small for husband
Old tax files from over 7 years ago. Old medical bills. Some old house files. Doing 10 minutes in barn a day and 10 minutes in attic.
Also trying to get rid of one book a day and one piece of clothing until it feels more manageable.
Reorganized hall storage under eaves storage cabinets and it feels great. I had built it up in my mind and it wasn't nearly as bad in there as I thought. Now need to go through what is left and see if I can get rid of a third, maybe.
A light shade, a ceiling fan.
Want to work on sheets and blankets next.
Nice Tybee, sounds like you are accomplishing a lot and being very intentional about it. I probably need to go through my books again, but that might have to wait until the colder weather.
Nice Tybee, sounds like you are accomplishing a lot and being very intentional about it. I probably need to go through my books again, but that might have to wait until the colder weather.
I think I might be too intentional. So many strong negative feelings are coming up, and I don't feel like I can handle them right now. Which is probably why stuff got shoved in boxes in the first place--as they say, delayed decisions.
What do you all do with the negative feelings?
I cleaned out under my bed. Had some old boxes and such. The only thing left under there is a big suitcase.
iris lilies
8-5-24, 10:32am
Canvas type bags. Got rid of 4. Gave them to someone who loves bags.
Wow, good work!
I was amazed I got so much.
I think I might be too intentional. So many strong negative feelings are coming up, and I don't feel like I can handle them right now. Which is probably why stuff got shoved in boxes in the first place--as they say, delayed decisions.
What do you all do with the negative feelings?
I'm sorry that I don't have any advice, because I don't particularly have negative feelings related to decluttering, at least not my own. Sister and I are doing some light decluttering at Mom's with the knowledge that we will have to deal with everything in that house sooner or later, so might as well declutter items now that are no longer relevant to her life. That does evoke a bit of sorrow for Mom's decline for sure, and I also can't help but reflect on the fact that I worked to help Mom declutter so many times over the years, and it was so difficult to pry anything away from her. It is almost startling to realize that we can now get rid of almost anything. My whole strategy related to "Mom sorrow" has been to pretty much stay on task and do what needs to be done, rather than spending too much time contemplating how much the whole situation sucks.
I'm sorry that I don't have any advice, because I don't particularly have negative feelings related to decluttering, at least not my own. Sister and I are doing some light decluttering at Mom's with the knowledge that we will have to deal with everything in that house sooner or later, so might as well declutter items now that are no longer relevant to her life. That does evoke a bit of sorrow for Mom's decline for sure, and I also can't help but reflect on the fact that I worked to help Mom declutter so many times over the years, and it was so difficult to pry anything away from her. It is almost startling to realize that we can now get rid of almost anything. My whole strategy related to "Mom sorrow" has been to pretty much stay on task and do what needs to be done, rather than spending too much time contemplating how much the whole situation sucks.
Yes to staying on task! I put some things in the attic when Mom and Dad died and I am now starting to be able to take them out and move them along. I moved along a ton of things at the time of their deaths, but these were the can't bear to give them away sorts of things. Some I can get rid of now, some are back in the attic. But it's a lot less now; their financial papers are down from 4 boxes to half a box now. Maybe someday I will be able to get rid of all of it.
But sorrow over my own bad financial decisions, things like that--harder to deal with. Missed career opportunities. A lot of it is triggering, I guess.
Small declutter today...
Two small storage bins
Two charging cords
A box of latex gloves
Bag of cat treats
happystuff
8-9-24, 10:17am
This is both a question and a purge - Boxes.
And by boxes, I mean appliance boxes. I bought a new rice cooker 2-3 weeks ago. Now, I always hold onto the box until I've used an appliance at least once and decide whether it is actually going to stay or be returned. The rice cooker has stayed... and so has the box. LOL. I will be putting it into recycle today, but it got me thinking about how many boxes there are around the house - empty boxes! Laptop boxes, moden/router boxes, cell phone boxes, other small appliance/stuff boxes, etc.
How long do you hold onto such a box?
This is both a question and a purge - Boxes.
And by boxes, I mean appliance boxes. I bought a new rice cooker 2-3 weeks ago. Now, I always hold onto the box until I've used an appliance at least once and decide whether it is actually going to stay or be returned. The rice cooker has stayed... and so has the box. LOL. I will be putting it into recycle today, but it got me thinking about how many boxes there are around the house - empty boxes! Laptop boxes, moden/router boxes, cell phone boxes, other small appliance/stuff boxes, etc.
How long do you hold onto such a box?
I throw boxes out immediately. Take whatever is inside out of the box, break down the box, and stick it in the outside trash can.
This is both a question and a purge - Boxes.
And by boxes, I mean appliance boxes. I bought a new rice cooker 2-3 weeks ago. Now, I always hold onto the box until I've used an appliance at least once and decide whether it is actually going to stay or be returned. The rice cooker has stayed... and so has the box. LOL. I will be putting it into recycle today, but it got me thinking about how many boxes there are around the house - empty boxes! Laptop boxes, moden/router boxes, cell phone boxes, other small appliance/stuff boxes, etc.
How long do you hold onto such a box?
It varies. If I think we will be moving in the next year, I throw them in the attic or barn. If I don't think we will, I persuade DH to get rid of them--he is the one who wants to hold onto them but I am getting him to come around to my way of thinking on it which is to get rid of them asap.
iris lilies
8-9-24, 8:08pm
Yes to staying on task! I put some things in the attic when Mom and Dad died and I am now starting to be able to take them out and move them along. I moved along a ton of things at the time of their deaths, but these were the can't bear to give them away sorts of things. Some I can get rid of now, some are back in the attic. But it's a lot less now; their financial papers are down from 4 boxes to half a box now. Maybe someday I will be able to get rid of all of it.
But sorrow over my own bad financial decisions, things like that--harder to deal with. Missed career opportunities. A lot of it is triggering, I guess.
that is huge progress with your parents’ financial papers!
iris lilies
8-9-24, 8:09pm
This is both a question and a purge - Boxes.
And by boxes, I mean appliance boxes. I bought a new rice cooker 2-3 weeks ago. Now, I always hold onto the box until I've used an appliance at least once and decide whether it is actually going to stay or be returned. The rice cooker has stayed... and so has the box. LOL. I will be putting it into recycle today, but it got me thinking about how many boxes there are around the house - empty boxes! Laptop boxes, moden/router boxes, cell phone boxes, other small appliance/stuff boxes, etc.
How long do you hold onto such a box?
ummm… I cannot remember. Do you have cats? One must always consider the little furry creatures we live with and keeping the correct number of boxes around for them.
happystuff
8-10-24, 9:00am
ummm… I cannot remember. Do you have cats? One must always consider the little furry creatures we live with and keeping the correct number of boxes around for them.
Yes, we have one. And the cat has more boxes that she needs!!! LOL. Got tired of seeing "too many" in the living room and broke down all but two. That should be plenty for the spoiled child. LOL
littlebittybobby
8-10-24, 12:00pm
Yes, we have one. And the cat has more boxes that she needs!!! LOL. Got tired of seeing "too many" in the living room and broke down all but two. That should be plenty for the spoiled child. LOL okay----the key word here is "needs". see---cats are like summa my case studies on this board and elsewhere(such as the one who treats insanity for a living, but is on vacation about half the time), and by that I mean that having a pett catt means not only meeting their needs, but doing your very best to satisfy all of their wants. IOW, you've gotta have multiple boxes for cats to explore, since they are VERY curious and inquisitive creatures. See? Plus, if they should vomit in one of their boxes, they expect to have other boxes to explore and occupy. So yeah---don't get too ambitious when disposing of stuff. Are you expecting a big pat-on-the-back at church from the other neatniks who mow twice a week? Maybe you can compensate by vacuuming more often, which is beneficial for catts. Just do it when they are out of the room. Hope that helpps you some. Thankk mee.
Today, I will be getting rid of a small soft pet carrier. Too small for even my small female. Ordered a bigger one like I got for her brother. If both work out for their appointment next week, I will get rid of the two hard ones that I have been using. That will clear up space on my closet shelf.
Went through the three drawer rolling cart I use for desk storage. Touched stationary I don’t like and no longer use. Put aside highlighters and sticky notes to take to work. Got rid of some kitchen storage containers I haven’t used in forever.
Three drawer filing cabinet
Sheer curtains
I have cleaned out the box I keep in my closet that has the various medical devices I've saved over all the years of my various wrist and elbow surgeries. I have amassed quite the collection of wrist braces, thumb braces, elbow cushion thingies, and cheap arm slings they give you after a surgery. I am only keeping one wrist brace for each arm and one sling. The rest were barely used, so I am going to put them in our town's Free Box. It feels mentally good as I continue to recover from my latest surgery; I am so ready to move on from all this!
Other Free Box stuff: ziplock baggies of various sample sizes of shampoo, conditioner, a small tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush from my annual dental visit, a packet of two anti-septic bottles of soap from my recent hosial stay, a gallon size bag of nine cool little squat glass jars that would be good for some kind of crafts, a package of silicone ear plugs I bought to use at the hospital but then totally got stuck in my hair (!), hospital scrub pants that don't fit anymore that I used for gardening in and one canning jar.
I also finally used up a bottle of conditioner and the tail end of a bottle of body wash in my shower today. The plastic went into my recycling bin. And I also finally used the last of my large jar of curl cream and got rid of the empty as well.
Can you tell that by now I am pretty bored as I recover from surgery? At least this gave me a sense of accomplishment. I'd like to walk down to drop the stuff off at the Free Box down the road but am still in the stage of having to have the spouse with me - our roads are very slidy gravel and the driveway is a bit hilly, plus I need him to carry the bag of stuff. I'm getting a little annoyed at my temporary loss of indendence...
Two pet carriers- I ended up getting soft carriers and they worked out well so the two hard ones aren't needed
A scarf- Had to be honest with myself that I'm just not a scarf person
A bowling pin- Oldest got it from a birthday party probably 15 years ago and it's just stayed in a closet since. He probably doesn't even remember he has it
A fiber optic Christmas tree- Elderly lady from church swore that one of my sons used to help her set it up and asked if she ever moved if he could have it. I asked the son and neither was true. It's not something I would use
iris lilies
8-25-24, 9:32am
Two pet carriers- I ended up getting soft carriers and they worked out well so the two hard ones aren't needed
A scarf- Had to be honest with myself that I'm just not a scarf person
A bowling pin- Oldest got it from a birthday party probably 15 years ago and it's just stayed in a closet since. He probably doesn't even remember he has it
A fiber optic Christmas tree- Elderly lady from church swore that one of my sons used to help her set it up and asked if she ever moved if he could have it. I asked the son and neither was true. It's not something I would use
In my mind I like scarves, but in reality they are too fussy so I never wear them.
I, too, always think that scarves make an outfit, but can't stand wearing one!
iris lilies
8-25-24, 12:11pm
I, too, always think that scarves make an outfit, but can't stand wearing one!
Those women who are always “put together” often wear scarves. I admire the looks.
rosarugosa
8-26-24, 6:26am
I did scarves for awhile in my corporate life. In fact I still have a few beautiful silk scarves I must bring myself to part with soon, because I know I'll never wear them again in this, the LL Bean Vista Camp Pants stage of my life, lol.
I do like the kinds of scarves that are intended to keep your neck warm in the winter, and I have some nice ones that I intend to keep.
In my mind I like scarves, but in reality they are too fussy so I never wear them.
Exactly! I always feel like I'm "dressing up" when I wear them. I've pretty much gotten rid of all of mine except for a Gucci scarf that DHh won in a silent auction. I figure I might be able to sell it for a couple of bucks someday.
I've never been a "put together " woman...teaching it wasn't vital, my comfort level is more important now, at 75...I have no illusions left about style. Clean and comfortable is the main part of my fashion sense
Tossed a worn out bath mat. Got a new one to replace it and I no longer keep "just in case" items any more.
happystuff
8-26-24, 5:49pm
Tossed a worn out bath mat. Got a new one to replace it and I no longer keep "just in case" items any more.
Oh!!!! I am another one who always seemed to need/want "just in case" duplicate items!!! This is something that I have been working on a lot. For example - my watch died and I needed a new battery. Went to three stores before finally just going to look at Walmart. They had TWO packs of the kind I needed left. Yay me - I only bought one! LOL.
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