2013 Declutter & Organize Thread[{locked}]

[sheilaincali]

DH cleaned out the mechanical/storage room !!!!! yeah Progress. Plus the fridge shelves I ordered last week came in yesterday so we were able to start getting the fridge back together. With no door shelves all the ketchup and salad dressing bottles were talking up valuable real estate on the main fridge shelves. We out last night and bought some shelve pad/liner things so the main shelves can get an update and look better.

DH and DS hauled all the paint to the garage and opened it up so it would dry out. Apparently with latex paint you just need to dry it out and then you can throw it away like regular trash. That's what our garbage company said but if someone knows something different let me know. So DH's jeep is parked in the driveway until the paint can be thrown out.

Hoping that this weekend DH will finish the gaming table he has been building for nearly a month now and that we can get the closet in the library organized and the pantry updated.

Only big project left will be the garage and that's all on DH.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Got some more toys in the donate pile. It is getting easier to weed thru them. My son definitely has favorites and generally ignores the rest. Also went thru more kitchen items to be gotten rid of. Would like to go thru the cups/glasses cupboard. We have waaaay too many for 2 adults and one small child. We are also getting rid of a cat this weekend, does that count? We are giving him to DH's grandparents. They lost there dog to old age a few months ago and are wanting a pet. Gavin (the cat) has been acting out since we had the baby, and it got even worse once Roggie learned to walk. He has chewed thru so many cords to replace them it has cost us a lot of $. He has also been pooping not in the box. I'm going to miss him but I just can't give him the attention he deserves anymore. Oliver (other cat) has adjusted better. And all of us in a 2 bedroom apartment is overwhelming to say the least.

Going to get the stuff to salvation army or rescue mission this weeked. That is the goal.

[Deleted]

Wow so many new posters! Welcome!

I was very productive yesterday: I did three loads of laundry, vacuumed the entire downstairs, and spent a long time putting odds and ends away in the kitchen (they had accumulated over the holidays).

Tonight I sent out my eight spreadsheets of marks for first semester. (Hint hint, Norway! I STILL have one set of essays to mark, I have been putting them off for weeks! I will do them tomorrow morning. DS1 has been home for two weeks but he left today for 10 days. (He's a humanitarian aid worker who is rarely home, so I didn't want to work while he was here.)

ETA: Working on K, it will take a while.

[teachermom]

This looks like a very motivating thread! I have been on quite a roll over break until last night. Ran out of steam and decided I was going to watch some HGTV for about 45 min until I needed to go get kids. Don't think I saw 5 min....fell asleep!! Guess I was just tired!

So far this year, I have:
Cleaned out my son's room and dresser
Painted his room
Painted the hallway
Painted the trim, doors, molding and ceiling in the hallway
Cleaned out refrigerator/freezer
Cleaned out food cupboard


On my short list:
Put in new smoke detectors (10 year battery, instead of disposables)
Clean out son's closet
Clean out linen closet
Clean out coat closet
Clean out last year's bill copies and shred
Organize tax info
Clean off desk
Clean out office and closet
Clean out my dresser and closet
Paint molding, trim and doors in living room
Paint front door and back door
Organize tools

That is all I can think of right now but I know there is more!!

Teachermom

[constanz22]

Still dealing with chronic clutter and disorganization. It's a constant battle for me and have yet to find any "system" that works for me. Part of the issue is that I just have SO much to do, that I'm overwhelmed so I don't do any of it. Another issue is that I am so physically and emotionally exhausted when I get home from work every day that if I can muster the energy to nuke a plate of food, I'm doing good. So, NOTHING gets done during the week. On the weekend I usually do a general pick up, dishes, vacuum, and laundry, but never have the time or energy to tackle any of the bigger projects that need to be dealt with. I'm doing a declutter challenge on another site to get rid of 2013 things in 2013. I could get rid of ten times that and not make a dent. I'm going to try to not buy ANYTHING other than necessary groceries this month, so, at least no extra crap is coming in. I had been doing really great last year selling extra stuff on Facebook and at a consignment shop. I really need to get in the groove doing that again. I'm not really a list maker, but I may try making a list of even 1-2 "extra" things on the weekend to try and tackle. I've done the 15 minute timer thing before, but I'm just not consistent with it, especially when I come home exhausted, like every dang day...I may try to do 5 minutes, cuz, something is better than nothing and more often than not, it would probably turn into a longer declutter session once I got started.

[redwagon]

1. Organize closet in nursery.
2. Clean bathroom
3. Dust
4. Put away laundry
5. Return stuff to Kohls to get it out of my house
6. Deal with baby shower thank you cards (ie likely recycle them)
7. Organize coupons
8. Put away Christmas stuff (sadface)
9. Put stuff in attic (DH has to do this)
10. Health insurance claims
11. Finally deal with filing
12. Pantry inventory (this is more long-term)
13. Meal plan for next week
14. Reorganize top shelf of glasses cabinet
15. Put up paintings in our room

Did the health insurance claims, which involved lots of scanning and trying to figure out what the invoices actually were billing for. I hate doing it, which is why I put it off, which probably just makes it worse. We're putting away Christmas stuff tomorrow, which will hopefully also lead to putting stuff in the attic.

[startsmart]

Mom is here so we finally did Christmas And now I'm showing her how to make Indian food! I'll be updating the last items on my list this weekend and starting a new one on Monday.

Getting so excited about this upcoming trip!

[Waffle]

This weekend's shortlist:
3 load of laundry
Make sure everything that is listed in my Ebay store is where it is supposed to be!
Get rid of all of the junk on top of the desk in the master bedroom.
Organize all of the non-listed jewelry in my Ebay room.

I eventually want to clean out the entire desk and get it out of the bedroom, but that probably won't be this weekend.

Years ago, I read somewhere that there are housecleaners and housekeepers. I'm a housecleaner who aspires to be a housekeeper. As best as I can remember the definitions, the cleaners let things pile up and then have to spend lots of time cleaning and decluttering, the keepers never let things pile up in the first place so everything is easier to maintain.

[teachermom]

Waffle.....I think that is so true! I am a housecleaner and soooooooo desperately want to be a housekeeper!!!

Teachermom

[startsmart]

waffle I think I'm slowly becoming a housekeeper! Here's a few of the tactics that help me:

1. Wash Your Bowl - I got this from Zen Habits. All I do is remember that once I've eaten or drunk, wash the bowl. Wash the cup. Usually rinse or just load the dishwasher.
2. Sort Laundry - I try to sort clean laundry into clothes that hang - clothes that fold - towels. Makes it easier to put things away in spurts.
3. Unpack immediately - whenever I do buy something or get back from a trip I put things away. I just tell myself it's balancing out time in the car with more time moving.

[Saving4Norway]

Hey DH! Welcome back - I hope you had a great time with the whole family home for the holidays!! You have most certainly earned yourself a K and I will send it soon, but, I still have 30 minutes to recharge and it's already 1 hour past my bedtime. So tomorrow, I promise.

My wonderful DH has a really bad upper respiratory infection. The poor guy is just miserable. I got a hot bath started for him a little while ago now I'm going to go tuck the both of us in for the night.

See y'all tomorrow!

P.S. Start - I did! I did! And I'll finish it all up this weekend.

[Deleted]

Thank you Norway! I got you for your five items.

[redruby]

Sometime back I read where a very successful person gave credit to getting things done by a list. I can't remember who, but this is how I have made it work for me. This is not just any list, it is called my 6 list. Start out by making a list of 6 things you need to get done today. No more-no less. Work on those items. At the end of the day if anything is left it starts tomorrows list and stays until it is done. This works for me because if I don't have a list I tend to wander. I know what I want to get done but I end up in the middle of a project and think of something else i want to do and only end up with half of my original plan done. I have this list on my ipad but I might make a 6 list for here on organizing and decluttering.

clothes
start a grocery list for Tuesday
balance checkbook and come up with a total for savers thread
SAND cabinet in bathroom (I have 70s blue bathroom and I am going to try and make it look updated because I don't have money for a new tub, toliet or sink)
move old coffee table to shop
sweep carport

[constanz22]

Jan 5, 2013 8:39:33 GMT -5 redruby said:

Sometime back I read where a very successful person gave credit to getting things done by a list. I can't remember who, but this is how I have made it work for me. This is not just any list, it is called my 6 list. Start out by making a list of 6 things you need to get done today. No more-no less. Work on those items. At the end of the day if anything is left it starts tomorrows list and stays until it is done. This works for me because if I don't have a list I tend to wander. I know what I want to get done but I end up in the middle of a project and think of something else i want to do and only end up with half of my original plan done. I have this list on my ipad but I might make a 6 list for here on organizing and decluttering.

clothes
start a grocery list for Tuesday
balance checkbook and come up with a total for savers thread
SAND cabinet in bathroom (I have 70s blue bathroom and I am going to try and make it look updated because I don't have money for a new tub, toliet or sink)
move old coffee table to shop
sweep carport

That's a great idea! Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try it! Maybe I will pull out one of my spiral notebooks from the stockpile and leave it in a central location for my list. It would be nice to have a smaller one that could travel with me, but, I've tried that before and once it enters the black hole of my purse, it is never seen again...lol

I did just hang up a blank sheet of paper inside one of my kitchen cabinets to track the amount of stuff I get rid of for my 2013 in 2013 challenge.

[Waffle]

2013 items - that's an aggressive goal. I know I have too much stuff, but I'm not sure I've got that much to get rid of - unless I decided to move to a smaller place, then I probably would have to get rid of that much stuff.

[Saving4Norway]

Redruby - I, too, am useless without a list - exactly like you described. I think the 6 a day plan is outstanding!! Just for some clarification... the 6 items can be either short term (1 day) or long term (several day project)?

I like that idea a lot. I might give that a go this weekend and see how it works for me. Let's see, what do I need to do today?

Put tabs on Harley and truck - It's below freezing so I'm not sure if it needs to be above freezing to stick them on
Pay utility bill - Having a hard time locating my checkbook
Finish clearing off junk table - it took me forever but I'm proud of the fact that I actually put things where they really belong, not just move piles from the junk table to another place
Pick up clothes off bathroom floor
Eat cookies - you know how you start tackling your list with one easy thing to get you on a roll? ;D
Drink wine

[startsmart]

Having a good time with mom - very productive trip! We made indian food (Mom's never had it before!) and then pioneer woman cinnamon rolls. The kitchen smells sooo good! And we've been cleaning as we go so the dishwasher is running and the counters are clean.

[Apple]

I had my son go through all his video games--first day he didn't do it. Second day (in the morning) he said "I don't have any I want to get rid of" so I said "oh, so you still play the Scooby Doo game?" So, he finally did it, came down and said "I need a big box, I'm getting rid of about 2/3 of them" So, he filled the box--65 games

Most of them were games he bought used and were several years old (and lots were bought with his own money). Some were for PS1 (I think they're now on PS3?). Most were for PS2, a few xbox, and several xbox 360s. So, he separated them into boxes by game system and we took them down to the local game store. He was hoping for $200, but was offered $150. He decided he was happy with that since the guy took all of them at once (some he'll sell for just a dollar or two). Now he has another $50 in his savings account, and can do as he wishes with the other $100.

Anyway, that cleared up enough space that all his games once again fit nicely on the shelf stand we have for them.

[Deleted]

I did NOT mark those last essays today! ARGH! I ended up having to take DS3 to the doctor for an infected toe, and there went the morning.

We just hosted our EIGHTH lunch / dinner in nine weekends (ie EVERY weekend since early Nov, apart from Xmas weekend). Plus, everything is cleaned up and put away! The guests left at 2:30 am, so I'm guessing they enjoyed the evening!

I have given Karma to everybody who posted before my first post on this thread, either for posting with a plan, or for decluttering. I will catch up on the rest tomorrow (hopefully between marking those last papers!)

For new posters, I've always been quite organized, but in 2012 I went on a decluttering rampage and went through EVERYTHING except my nemesis, the storage room in the basement. Me and the four kids and the pantry share one half of the storage space, DH has the other half. I do my half of the basement every other year, so next time is late 2013. However, I've learned that the more space I clear out, the more DH's stuff spreads.

So apart from that room in the basement, the house is still in good shape. Other issue, we have a LOT of books. It's the same story with books as the basement storage shelves. I've learned that if I free space up on the bookshelves, DH just occupies it, and I flat out refuse to let that happen.

ETA: Just Constanz left, first thing tomorrow. And a second K to Norway for finishing her junk table!

Constanz, I agree with Waffle, that's a REALLY ambitious goal. Did your mom ever make it to your house to help you out with the decluttering and going through your family's stuff?

[Deleted]

A trip down memory lane

I was curious as to when I started on the old thread. It was May 2011. Then I disappeared till Aug 2011, ironically, the day before DH's bike accident that put him into the hospital for nearly 5 weeks and rocked our world. I don't yet know when I came back "for good" but I'm guessing it was in Nov or Dec of 2011, so basically, a year ago.

I was amazed to see how many posters started on that new thread that started two years ago. TONS, many more than now! I didn't count but I'm guessing 25 or 30?! But most of them disappeared, and now some of them are here again for a fresh start!

All this to say, just my two cents, but what makes this work is STAYING POWER. So, IMO, it's better to have modest or even small ambitions, and stay the course, than to promise you're going to declutter your entire house tomorrow or next weekend, and then totally burn out and give up. Better to start with just one closet, or one shelf, or one drawer.

I wish ALL of you the best of luck in whatever your goals are! We are here to help and support you, and give you Karma or permission to eat cookies or ice cream or chocolate or cheese, whatever works for you LOL!

[Deleted]

Apple, that's AWESOME!!!

[Apple]

Thanks

When he saw the receipt from his account he asked "how did all that money get in there?" I asked him "don't you remember what I do with all my change?" Apparently, he had forgot. When I spend cash, I don't spend any of the change (unless it is to "upgrade" from one form of change to another, like giving the cashier $1.02 on a $.97 purchase to get a nickle back instead of more pennies). I put all that change in about a hundred places throughout the house (hmmm... should probably work on that), then every now and then take it all to the bank and put it in his account. I've been doing that for over 10 years (tried to before, but the ex would usually take the money--not all the time, but often enough it didn't build a whole lot). I also reminded him about the money he put in there from the frames, soaps, etc he made and sold. He even decided to put some of it in a CD a few years ago. I swear, it's like they forget everything once the hormones hit!

[moosmommy]

Today want to get the hall closet cleaned out so I can store my vaccum and steam mop in there. Fingers crossed!

[Saving4Norway]

Today's List:
* Put tabs on bike and truck
* Do some desperation cleaning to find checkbook
* Pay utility bill
* Puppy proof next step - move shoes by back door (10 pairs!!)
* Watch Seahawks game @ 1:30
* Clean bathroom

[redruby]

S4N you list can be longer projects in you like but it helps if you break them down into steps, otherwise you tend to skip over them.

[jenpen]

Hey all. I've been lurking on this thread/topic for the past couple years for inspiration. You have helped in that way, but now I need some accountability, so I'd like to join in.

redruby, your 6/day list idea is awesome! I, too, have had trouble staying consistent with making or using lists; when I finally do make one, it usually ends up being about 6 pages! Talk about getting overwhelmed and discouraged. So, I'll start with these six items, which I hope to get done this evening:

1. Post 1st to-do list to the 2013 Declutter & Organize Thread
2. Sort through and re-organize Xmas decorations (currently piled up in my bedroom, since that's where the storage closet is)
3. Box up and put away Xmas tree
4. Dust upstairs
5. Vacuum upstairs
6. Clean master bathroom

[constanz22]

As usual, I feel like I only get the regular cleaning type stuff done, but, I guess that's better than nothing...this weekend I:
Ran the dishwasher
Did a couple loads of laundry
Put away a couple loads of laundry
Vacuumed the living room
Cleaned some crap out of my car
Got groceries
Made a loose meal plan
Picked up crap that gathered on the kitchen island all week
Picked up crap that accumulates at the top of the stairs all week
Changed bedding
Spent a few minutes putting away/organizing stockpile stuff

And it looks like I didn't do a thing. Nothing will get done all week. Next weekend's list will look exactly like this one....blah, just frustrated and overwhelmed....

[grits]

I took off week after next. I know, I know, I just had a vacation. I hope to get more clutter out of here. Plus, I would like to go to Houston, and see some things at the museums.

[startsmart]

How's everyone's projects going today? I have so many in the works just trying to get one finished today

The dogs are absolutely knackered, even after 10 hours sleeping last night. Having my mom and her dogs visit always knocks them out cold.

I've been working in the main bathroom and am almost done with one cabinet remodel (I'm going one at a time in there so there's not a ton of crap all over the house) and it looks so good! Need to reduce the number of cleaning supplies I have but that's all good. Will have pictures and a tutorial on my blog this coming week!

[jenpen]

Okay, I can't believe all that took only 2 hours.

1. Post 1st to-do list to the 2013 Declutter & Organize Thread
2. Sort through and re-organize Xmas decorations
3. Box up and put away Xmas tree
4. Dust upstairs
5. Vacuum upstairs
6. Clean master bathroom - except for scouring the tub, which I'll put on tomorrow's list

In completing those items, I discovered some other abandoned tasks from earlier today, so I also:
Folded and put away a load of towels/washclothes
Put new load in the dryer (still running -- will put away before bed)
Re-filled the coffee canister -- made and cleaned up the usual mess I make doing so
Washed the few dishes I'd left and cleaned off the counters

Now I'm going back to sit in front of the TV with a glass of wine and sew a button on a new sweater and reinforce the others before they fall off, too.