2020 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[Sharon]

I got a few things done today. 

The last of the Christmas dishes put away

Finished cleaning the fridge of old food

Hand washed the things that don't go in the dishwasher, even dried them and put them away rather than leaving them to dry on the counter

Did a little bit of filing

Returned Mom's high chair and booster seat to her house (Borrowed them for Christmas (2 babies and 2 toddlers))

[ners]

Started cleaning out my cupboards.  Found 94 items that need to be pitched.
2/3 was stuff DF had purchased.  
He is currently relining the shelves and then we are going to attempt to put things back more orderly.

[Wisconsin Beth]

My sisters came over and spent 3+ hours working with my kids on their rooms.  I was working on the basement. 

My older sister took a bunch of toys to hand down to her daughter's god-daughter.  Also to give my SIL back the Little Tykes house with some of the pieces for it.  The rest are in the basement, I even know where now. 

My younger sister took a big bag of clothes to Goodwill for me. 

I have a decent pile of stuff to go to school for the K4 and K5 classrooms.  Plus what they don't want is going to Goodwill.  I'm hoping to deal with that tomorrow as I think the office is open.  

A lot of stuff got tossed too - 2 trash bags. 

We want to get the basement usable again instead of piled high with stuff. 

So I guess I'm in this year.  

[tcu2003]

I’m in, again. We made some family goals yesterday for the year, and one of time was to declutter at least 500 items (mine was 1000, but 7yo DS was aghast at that number). It’ll probably be bumped up as we still have a ton of outgrown kids’ clothes and toys that need to find new homes.

And on that note, we met friends at the rec center indoor pool today, and I gave them 65 too small clothing items from DS that their son will be able to wear. I’ve got a couple of bags of stuff for a coworker that DD has outgrown so I need to get that stuff together and try to take it in next week when he’s back from vacation.

My mom is planning to retire this year (by end of January, actually - though she won’t set a concrete date so it won’t surprise me if it’s February), and will likely sell her house and move up here (and in with us) by 2021, so I also feel pressure to continue to purge and make sure there is space for her. And knowing I will likely have to help her declutter her house. I’m not mentally prepped for that, so I can only imagine that she isn’t either.

[finnime]

This year I will, I must, declutter for good the house. We're thinking of selling in spring of 2021, and to do that Stuff has got to go. Plus I need to organize and in a lot of cases dispose of paper Stuff. Where to start will be the biggest question. No room is clutter-free.

Since last year when with the help of you all I organized my kitchen it's been much improved. Still need to declutter it, too, but it's no longer an impossible pile.

[nidena]

Looks like my bestie is off for a week.  We may be tackling a few projects here so I'll count anything decluttered in her house, where I'm living, as a "done". 

[tcu2003]

If anyone wants to follow along on the Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge, I will post them. He posts a new video daily on his FB site.

#31Days2GetOrganized2020

m.facebook.com/PeterWalsh/

Day 1 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Happy New Year! Is 2020 the year that you will get more organized? I hope so! Come join us on the #31Days2GetOrganized2020 challenges. Walk around your house and see where it is that clutter has built up - kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, whatever it is, make a list of those, and a mental note of the type of clutter that you see being your biggest stumbling block to being organized and clutter free. #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

[3catslady]

I'll join.  I need to get down to a smaller amount so I will have only a small amount to move, if and when that time comes.  I figure if I toss 7 items a day, I have tossed 2562 pieces by the end of the year.

1/1/20  7 plastic bottles to recycling.


Good so far. 

[busymom]

Hi Kids!  Well, we took down our Christmas tree, and it's out with the trash.  It's a good thing that I wasn't planning to do a count this year, because do you count a Christmas tree as one item, or, since our tree came apart into 7 pieces, do you count it as 7?  

[azucena]

I'll join this year. I have 4 things that I want to get done before Christmas break ends Sun night.

1. Hang up photos - we've lived in this house 2 yrs, it's time!

2. Put away Christmas.

3. Sell items online.

4. Caulk bathroom shower.

[dogmom]

I'm in.

Hi.  Wishing everyone a great new year!    Last year, I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, and although the year is early....

I took some time this morning for paper decluttering.  I still have much to go, but, one "bin" that I kept throwing receipts in, is cleaned out.  (It was a BIG bin)    Valid items are in date order.  Everything else is in shred or recycle.   Since the weather is halfway decent, maybe a bonfire tonight?

Always feels good to declutter items on your mind.  So, also got finances (budget) in line, balanced checking account.

Onward and upward. 

I do have some maintenance items to get through yet.

Good luck everyone.

[Malarky]

I'm in again. I've decluttered thousands of items over the years of joining these threads and still have more crap to go.  The threads make me feel accountable.

Christmas dismantling is happening today. I kept it pretty simple this year.  I've almost got it organized for DH to take back to the basement.  

I'm starting off the year by getting a few important things out of the way early.  Next week I have dentist, mammogram and physical therapy all scheduled.  I'm off crutches but walk with a pronounced limp.  Gotta get rid of that!

I reduced my work schedule to three days a week.  Plantar fasciitis isn't healing and I've been trying to my Saturday shift forever.  I need to take advantage of the extra home time to really get my house in order.  Living room and dining room are in pretty good shape but the kitchen and bath need to be emptied again and only necessary items returned.  The bedrooms don't bear speaking about at this juncture.  Too many clothes, not enough closet space and two young ladies who will eventually move out and take all their crap with them.  My bedroom isn't looking much better.  

I'm working on a realistic home schedule to make the most of the time I have available.  I tend to fritter it away and don't get a lot accomplished.  Job changes and boyfriends blew the cleaning schedule I made for the girls apart.  Nearly any given task can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less...I just need to do them.  And I need to work in down time so I'm not on my feet for too long at a stretch.  Plus a schedule where I actually make it to the gym.  It's amazing how many excuses I have for not getting there.  

Happy New Year to all and I wish you success in you organizing and decluttering journey.

[startsmart]

Today I have a follow up meeting for selling the house so I’m trying to get things cleaned up. Already packed 3 more boxes and photographed the stuff I need to sell this month. The new carbon monoxide detector that was required for the house sale is installed too.

Biggest to do is still the bathroom floor but the end is in sight! Maybe 8-10 partial tiles to go.

I am also almost done with a set of 3 canvases I’ve been working on and recovering my little pop up tables.

Now that the garbage has been collected I’ll have space to cut back the last rose bush in the backyard and then I’ll update my list.

While I don’t have a numeric goal this year I most want to sell the house and buy a new one, hopefully by summer.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge

#31Days2GetOrganized2020

m.facebook.com/PeterWalsh/

Day 1 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Walk around your house and see where it is that clutter has built up - kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, whatever it is, make a list of those, and a mental note of the type of clutter that you see being your biggest stumbling block to being organized and clutter free.

Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Do you know what "Memory Clutter" is? It’s clutter we don’t want to get rid of because we’re worried we will lose the memory of we get rid of the thing. Walk around your house and make list of the memory clutter so you have a sense of how much memory clutter you have. #31Days2GetOrganized2020 #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

[debthaven]

Happy New Year friends, and welcome (back)! tcu2003 thank you for posting the PW posts here!

Malarky is the new schedule long-term, or just until you're back on your feet?

finnime are you moving elsewhere?

I went back to work today. I also have 3h of editing for one of the professors I teach. I should finish that tomorrow. 

DS1 + DGS leave on Sat.

This weekend

- call RE agent(s)/Fri

- call painter/Fri

- edit P's last 3 pages/Fri

- bottle bank (DH)/Fri

- bank/Fri

- wash DS1's/DGS's bedding + put them away/Sat
- take high chair and crib to the basement (DGS has outgrown the crib)/Sat

- put away Christmas

- order DGS's bicycle

I'm still on a (slightly) reduced schedule next week (2.5 days instead of 3.5 or 4).

The tenant in the Wonky Studio is leaving at the end of Jan. We need to fix it up and hopefully sell it. DH says he'll deal with that since he works from home.

 

[Wisconsin Beth]

And I just dumped a bag of clothes on the unsuspecting parent who came to pick up J from a playdate at our house with my son C.  Bwah hahahaha. 

Tomorrow will include a trip to school to stuff off there.  I need to sort out the rest of the dino magnets. 

[TheOtherMe]

debthaven  I hope you have enjoyed your time with DS1 and DGS.  I know you have and I know you will miss them.

[finnime]

We've carved out a plan to move to Massachusetts in early spring 2021. Lots to do before then to make it possible, chiefly preparing this house for sale. I really want to live close to my siblings and it's time.

[empress of self-improvement]

Jan 2, 2020 17:47:02 GMT -5 finnime said:

We've carved out a plan to move to Massachusetts in early spring 2021. Lots to do before then to make it possible, chiefly preparing this house for sale. I really want to live close to my siblings and it's time. 
Bah. Make them move to you. I can't wait to get the hell out of Mass. Unfortunately, I don't know how long I'll have to suffer here.What part, btw?

[finnime]

Jan 2, 2020 18:05:41 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Jan 2, 2020 17:47:02 GMT -5 finnime said:

Bah. Make them move to you. I can't wait to get the hell out of Mass. Unfortunately, I don't know how long I'll have to suffer here.What part, btw?

Well, we've fallen for Fairhaven, near New Bedford and just at the start of what begins to be the Cape. Really nice community with an incredible library, plus a harbor, restaurants, etc.

My sibs are in Foxborough, Medway, Arlington and Dunstable. We tend to congregate in Foxborough. Have nephews in Quincy and Somerset, too.

[ners]

One bag of shredding.

[Sharon]

I may start adding the things I do at Mom's house because that is where most of my work is happening.  Tonight I got her Christmas tree taken apart and the box down from the shelf where my brother had stored it.  I left her to figure out how to make it fit back in the box.  If she doesn't get it done by Saturday I will do it then.  I also got the living room chairs moved back to where they belong.  They are heavy and Mom can't move them now.

[CCL]

Well, I almost bought several items at TJMaxx today. Lucky for me the checkout line was really long. I wasn't about to wait thru all of that, so I left without buying anything, instead. At least I didn't add any more to my clutter.

[nikiz628]

Of course I am in again! This year, I won't be setting a goal to match the year. I haven't even come close the past two years setting 2,018 and 2,019 items as a goal, so I know I won't this year. 

So for 2020, my goal is 1,000 items. 

We are always way too busy in the spring for "spring cleaning", so I do all of that deep deep cleaning and organizing now. I need to get my to do lists together and then I will post them. 

[debthaven]

This weekend
- call RE agent(s)/Fri
- call painter/Fri
- finish + send P's file/Fri
- bottle bank (DH)/Fri

- order DGS's bicycle/Fri
- wash DS1's/DGS's bedding + put them away/Sat

- take high chair and crib to the basement (DGS has outgrown the crib)/Sat
- put away Christmas

Sharon I think it's a good idea to track those items because you do a lot for your mom.

[Saving4Norway]

This year I'd like to focus on my stash of craft projects. I think I should probably begin with figuring out how much of how many different kids of projects I have, then set some baby step goals to start making some progress.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge



#31Days2GetOrganized2020



m.facebook.com/PeterWalsh/



Day 1 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Walk around your house and see where it is that clutter has built up - kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, whatever it is, make a list of those, and a mental note of the type of clutter that you see being your biggest stumbling block to being organized and clutter free.



Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Do you know what "Memory Clutter" is? It’s clutter we don’t want to get rid of because we’re worried we will lose the memory of we get rid of the thing. Walk around your house and make list of the memory clutter so you have a sense of how much memory clutter you have. #31Days2GetOrganized2020 #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

Day 3 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: It's great to hold onto items that evoke strong positive memories - UNLESS there's so much of it that it's crowding out you living your best life today. Understanding ZONES and LIMITS is key. #31Days2GetOrganized #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

This is the day 3 recap from the video: Focus on memory clutter.  You should have an idea of memory clutter in your home and what you would like to deal with it. Look at where you are going to store the memory clutter items and how much space you have to store the items, whether that is kids' photos or memorabilia or things you have inherited. Look at and designate an area or zone for storage, and how much space you have to store the items in that area/zone. Now you need to start whittling down the items to not just good but great items that bring great memories and great joy.


I'm going to throw out that so far, I don't love the 31 days challenge this year.  I'm feeling uninspired and unmotivated, which bums me out because usually I like his challenges, and they're simple enough that I can fit them in, or do 2 on a one day if I miss a day.

[chiver78]

I've got HUGE decluttering goals for 2020, as I downsize from a house back into an apartment. I also want to unload a lot of general "stuff" that I have moved from place to place and never unpacked. because I don't know exactly what I have, this is incredibly tough to quantify....so I likely won't. 

I'm off to an excellent start - I got about 2/3 of my basement back yesterday when the roommate moved out. he had a 4k-sq ft house worth of shit packed in like Tetris tiles, and that side is now completely empty! today, I am working on sweeping it all out and starting to spread out my own basement shelving into that space. I can then inventory what is there, and split out the stuff that I want to sell. anything to donate can either just go, or get set aside until I take a road trip up to the charity locations recommended by YMAM that take kitchen items, for instance. 

[azucena]

Jan 3, 2020 13:42:30 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge



#31Days2GetOrganized2020



m.facebook.com/PeterWalsh/



Day 1 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Walk around your house and see where it is that clutter has built up - kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, whatever it is, make a list of those, and a mental note of the type of clutter that you see being your biggest stumbling block to being organized and clutter free.



Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Do you know what "Memory Clutter" is? It’s clutter we don’t want to get rid of because we’re worried we will lose the memory of we get rid of the thing. Walk around your house and make list of the memory clutter so you have a sense of how much memory clutter you have. #31Days2GetOrganized2020 #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

Day 3 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: It's great to hold onto items that evoke strong positive memories - UNLESS there's so much of it that it's crowding out you living your best life today. Understanding ZONES and LIMITS is key. #31Days2GetOrganized #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

This is the day 3 recap from the video: Focus on memory clutter.  You should have an idea of memory clutter in your home and what you would like to deal with it. Look at where you are going to store the memory clutter items and how much space you have to store the items, whether that is kids' photos or memorabilia or things you have inherited. Look at and designate an area or zone for storage, and how much space you have to store the items in that area/zone. Now you need to start whittling down the items to not just good but great items that bring great memories and great joy.


I'm going to throw out that so far, I don't love the 31 days challenge this year.  I'm feeling uninspired and unmotivated, which bums me out because usually I like his challenges, and they're simple enough that I can fit them in, or do 2 on a one day if I miss a day.

I agree.  They seem way more touchy feely than the action plans he used to give.  Maybe you could go back and redo last years from the beg of last year's thread?

[Chocolate Lover]

Jan 3, 2020 14:24:07 GMT -5 azucena said:

Jan 3, 2020 13:42:30 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge



#31Days2GetOrganized2020



m.facebook.com/PeterWalsh/



Day 1 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Walk around your house and see where it is that clutter has built up - kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, whatever it is, make a list of those, and a mental note of the type of clutter that you see being your biggest stumbling block to being organized and clutter free.



Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: Do you know what "Memory Clutter" is? It’s clutter we don’t want to get rid of because we’re worried we will lose the memory of we get rid of the thing. Walk around your house and make list of the memory clutter so you have a sense of how much memory clutter you have. #31Days2GetOrganized2020 #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

Day 3 of #31Days2GetOrganized2020: It's great to hold onto items that evoke strong positive memories - UNLESS there's so much of it that it's crowding out you living your best life today. Understanding ZONES and LIMITS is key. #31Days2GetOrganized #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo

This is the day 3 recap from the video: Focus on memory clutter.  You should have an idea of memory clutter in your home and what you would like to deal with it. Look at where you are going to store the memory clutter items and how much space you have to store the items, whether that is kids' photos or memorabilia or things you have inherited. Look at and designate an area or zone for storage, and how much space you have to store the items in that area/zone. Now you need to start whittling down the items to not just good but great items that bring great memories and great joy.


I'm going to throw out that so far, I don't love the 31 days challenge this year.  I'm feeling uninspired and unmotivated, which bums me out because usually I like his challenges, and they're simple enough that I can fit them in, or do 2 on a one day if I miss a day.

I agree.  They seem way more touchy feely than the action plans he used to give.  Maybe you could go back and redo last years from the beg of last year's thread?

My sisters are following Emily Ley on Facebook and she is doing something similar with a daily challenge. I couldn't care less, it's still at the rah rah stage. Gather up trash! Um, I don't let it sit that long, paper or no, so no thanks. If it gets to something I want to do, I might.