2022 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[startsmart]

Welcome to the 2022 Declutter thread!

If you are ready to simplify, get more organized, clear the clutter and track bigger projects in your life then you're in the right place. Members track everything from gift buying, grading assignments, phone calls, laundry, bills to pay and keeping papers organized.

Jump in at any time to share what you need to get done, encourage each other and track your wins.

How does this work?

Post your goals - lists and pictures are welcome and "progress pics" are always fun!
Share questions when you have them and support and encourage each other.
Please don't post simply to lecture, mock or stir things up.


Basics for the thread:

1. Be encouraging to one another

2. Updates as often as you wish

3. You don't need to respond to other posters but it is a great way to participate and support each other

4. Feel free to track anything to stay motivated however there are dedicated threads for losing weight, saving money on groceries and eliminating debt so check those out if you want more in depth discussions.

5. Remember when giving advice that we rarely know the whole story and this is not a place of judgment. Try not to take offense when others make suggestions to you and use the private message feature if you'd like something to remain private. You may always edit or delete a post but doing so will not remove quotes from other posters.

Set a Goal

Some posters will be attempting to downsize a specific number of items, it's not required or even necessary, do what works for you. You can also set a goal like "have a peaceful office space" or "keep the kitchen table clear" if that's more realistic for you.

Moderators: Please keep the 2021 thread live through Jan 3rd

[laterbloomer]

1. Paint inside my bedroom closets and armour.
2. Wash living room rug.
3. Paint downstairs bathroom.
4. Get on demand water heater then finish laundry room.
5. Do garden and yard this spring.
6. VPL flooring for upstairs.
7. Laminate flooring for GW's room

[startsmart]

After the past 2 years of uncertainty, I can only take on a month of goals at a time. I do track some business and personal goals in my bullet journal so this will just be some household stuff.

January 2022
- lay down all new plywood floor in laundry room
- mix and pour self leveling floor *if weather allows*
- finish painting master bath ceiling
- move at least 8 wheelbarrows of dirt to raised beds

It’s supposed to snow on Saturday so I’m not hopeful about the dirt project getting done but if we can sneak in a few mild days then I want to get that done.

I have no idea the weather requirements for self leveling cement but I have the bag in my garage so I’ll find out. The plywood is about 50% done so I just need to do all the horribly fiddly cuts around the sink, bathroom and weird cut outs.

[Malarky]

Goals for 2022:

Cull the 4 boxes of papers that came out of the file cabinet that I've been ignoring.

Go through the kitchen again and donate items that I haven't used for at least a year. With just DH and I to cook for I don't need all the stuff I have.

Lose the last 12 pounds to meet my goal by the middle of February.

And the same New Year's Resolution I've had for about 10 years:  Don't say everything you think.
I'm pretty blunt in RL and I need a filter.

[nikiz628]

Goals for 2022: 

Keep on keepin' on in regards to keeping clutter down/organization in place 
FINALLY get the basement and garage under control
Declutter about 40 lbs off my body
Prioritize myself and my needs. My mantra for 2022 is: "Put on your own oxygen mask first". I've really failed in this dept in 2021, and it snowballs in to so many aspects of my life (decluttering/cleaning included) 

[seriousthistime]

My goal for January will be to tame the paperwork monster. 

I'll be returning home to more than a month's worth of mail. Add to that the mail that accumulated during my November trip of 10 days, and stacks of shredding and filing that accumulated during my 6-month trip earlier this year. 

The paperwork is stacked up in a few places in my house, not counting what is being held by the post office. The good part of this is that it's not just dealing with paperwork, but also improving those areas of the house where the paperwork is living right now. 

Looking forward to being more active here in 2022. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

[empress of self-improvement]

Dec 30, 2021 14:39:51 GMT -5 startsmart said:

After the past 2 years of uncertainty, I can only take on a month of goals at a time. I do track some business and personal goals in my bullet journal so this will just be some household stuff.

January 2022
- lay down all new plywood floor in laundry room
- mix and pour self leveling floor *if weather allows*
- finish painting master bath ceiling
- move at least 8 wheelbarrows of dirt to raised beds

It’s supposed to snow on Saturday so I’m not hopeful about the dirt project getting done but if we can sneak in a few mild days then I want to get that done.

I have no idea the weather requirements for self leveling cement but I have the bag in my garage so I’ll find out. The plywood is about 50% done so I just need to do all the horribly fiddly cuts around the sink, bathroom and weird cut outs.

Where are you using the self-leveling floor cement? I want to do it in my basement but not sure how feasible it would be. I want to fix it up a bit as I get more involved with the cat rescue. I have one section that looks like a pet store, then I have my laundry area, then the workshop area then the nothing area. There used to be walls but every single one was moldy when we moved in so I ripped them all out. Now it's all open but want to cordon them off somehow.

[laterbloomer]

Well it's a good start to 2022. One closet is painted, just waiting for it to dry so I can put everything back in. I also cleaned up underneath the Kitchen sink. Everything came out, scrubbed down all the shelves, purged old cleaners and things we won't use and put everything back in well organized. I'm feeling very productive. 🙂

[Lizard Queen]

I think I mentioned in the OT thread my decluttering goals, but I'll get more specific here:

2022 items out

Finish remodeling projects that are in various stages of completion

Paint and new carpet in living room

Maybe I should work on establishing more of a cleaning routine than the haphazard approach I've been using.


I am getting much better at unpacking after trips, so there's one plus. My and kids stuff is mostly all put away/in laundry. DH is out looking to add to our clutter/shopping. (He's not the main problem, but he does contribute a bit, regardless of what he thinks.)

[startsmart]

Empress - I think it’s quick-rete? I’ll have to check the bag when I get back out to the garage and I’ll let you know!

The cold front arrived with snow, freezing rain, wind and 0° temps so I am staying indoors and cooking today. I’d like to get some painting done but it would require taking off my cozy sweatsuit and putting on paint clothes so maybe not today.

[Opti]

Primary goals are to file or recycle paper docs and to do the annual audit of clothing. 
Plus continue my quest to right size my stuff into where I have available to put it.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I ended up on this person’s mailing list.
Her emails are nice enough, but I don’t know enough about her and her work to recommend her. However, here’s an opportunity that may be of interest to one of you.

nourishingminimalism.com/

[nidena]

My goal for 2022: Finish my office/library.

I would make this a more quickly done project but when it take 18+ weeks for furniture and each piece costs me a few thousand $, I just can't order everything all at once.  lol.

The desk will arrive by May but it will be paid off by February.  In March, I'll order the chair and a half that I plan on putting in here.

It will be like the one that I ordered in August for the front room but in different colors/materials.

The one I ordered in August will be here by Valentine's Day which mean if I order one in March, it will be here by Halloween.

I will also be ordering a lateral file and that will take 18-20 weeks to arrive so I'll need to order that by June.  

[TheOtherMe]

My goal is simple:  keep working with the organizer.  I've learned that's the only way I will get this done.

[chiver78]

my general goal for 2022 is to have more stuff leave my house than come in. I got a lot done in 2021, but there still a lot more to go.

New Years Day is off to a fantastic start. I gifted three large items plus some small picture frames through the local Buy Nothing group. I may be receiving a Boston Rocker tomorrow via the same group, but that's to match the one I already have from my Nana. I'm not counting that lol...

I opened two of the opaque crates in the basement today and found things I could pitch, things I could list, and consumables like plastic silverware and rolls of foil/parchment/etc that must have been the open ones in my kitchen in the last house. those two crates condensed into one after gifting those items and pulling out consumables. its going to stay in my car for the week, in case I get more takers for the remaining stuff. if nothing, I'll stop at Savers next Friday when I am up that way. that crate is not coming back in the house unless empty! I have beach towels to pack away, as I don't live close enough to the beach here to leave them out in a bucket. maybe again in the future some time... 🤷‍♀️

[moneysquirrel]

I'm in again.  No major goals other than continuing to eliminate what I can and to organize what I am keeping.  I want to stay on top of things and to remain in the zone so that I can continue to make progress.  

startsmart -- Thanks for starting the thread.  
debthaven -- So glad to see you back.  Sorry about the illness and hope all are improving.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I have a house plan for 2022 as opposed to a goal: 
Sell our current home and move to a new home. 
I'll focus my posts for this year here on the packing and unpacking portion of that process. 

[startsmart]

We had a day of freezing rain and then snow here with maybe an inch sticking on the ground. I have not done much outside except when I had to carry the stubborn dog out to do his business.

I have been sewing the fabric I bought on Black Friday because I have another order coming in a few weeks (gift card from xmas). Working on the king quilt and making progress on it slowly. 

I am food prepping this weekend and cleaning the kitchen. Actually, cleaning the whole house this week because I have friends coming over on Friday and using that as inspiration to tidy everything up. 

[Opti]

Jan 1, 2022 18:33:08 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

my general goal for 2022 is to have more stuff leave my house than come in. I got a lot done in 2021, but there still a lot more to go.

New Years Day is off to a fantastic start. I gifted three large items plus some small picture frames through the local Buy Nothing group. I may be receiving a Boston Rocker tomorrow via the same group, but that's to match the one I already have from my Nana. I'm not counting that lol...

I opened two of the opaque crates in the basement today and found things I could pitch, things I could list, and consumables like plastic silverware and rolls of foil/parchment/etc that must have been the open ones in my kitchen in the last house. those two crates condensed into one after gifting those items and pulling out consumables. its going to stay in my car for the week, in case I get more takers for the remaining stuff. if nothing, I'll stop at Savers next Friday when I am up that way. that crate is not coming back in the house unless empty! I have beach towels to pack away, as I don't live close enough to the beach here to leave them out in a bucket. maybe again in the future some time... 🤷‍♀️

That is a great general goal. 

[finnime]

Mine is the same goal as Knee Deep in Water Chloe's: sell house, move to new house in another state eventually. WIP.

[catsareme]

I'm in and my main goal is the same as moneysquirrel's:  eliminate what I can and organize what I am keeping.  I need to tackle and control the paper monster.  I have a bunch of old pictures that need to be sorted, labelled and in some cases pitched.  I'm trying to look at my belongings through the eyes of my adult children and purge the "junk".

[Sharon]

My goal for this year is to get my new house organized in a way that makes sense.  While I am mostly unpacked I still have troubles finding things because where they are doesn't make sense.

I also want to meet with a designer and get a plan for the things this house needs and hopefully get started on the process.  It is a toss up right now whether I want to start with a whole new kitchen or get 2 of the bathrooms redone. 

[azucena]

Finished fall yard clean-up and tidied up the garage which will make getting in/out if the cars much easier all winter. DH also put the snow blower closer to the door.

Dd9 and I fixed the loose toilet paper holders in all 3 bathrooms. I really just supervised as she has helped me use wall anchors several times before. I told her that she can fix them herself next time. Embarrassing that the one in our master has been broken for at least 3 months.

Need to shower and finish putting away the clothes totes. I sorted them a couple months ago when I decided to stop keeping much above size 16 and above as I realized that's when dd13 got picky about style and fit. No sense holding a bunch of stuff for 4-5 yrs waiting for petite dd9 to grow into them only to dislike them anyway. Gave a bunch to my sister for my two nieces who are both size 12-14. Also went thru my massive stock of school uniforms and donated a bunch to the school rack. I know dd9 won't wear pants or shirts and I also know that we only need 7 days worth bc we have a solid laundry routine. 3 large garbage bags left and several totes were freed up. Now I need to finish labeling and put them back in storage. Why does the last step always take so long?

Need to go thru furnace room and retidy it after it got tossed getting to Christmas items. Also want to put up shelves in the closet that we use for outdoor games and sports equipment. These 3 things will be Jan goals.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We packed up -- to move as opposed to just store in our garage--the remainder of the Christmas decorations today. 
That makes ten boxes packed. 
Two days ago, I took down curtain rods in our primary bathroom that should have been taken down at least three if not five years ago. They've gone in the trash. 
I'll be taking a stack of books to work tomorrow. There's a bit of a book exchange that takes place in the staff room. 
These are books that I've read and am not going to read again, so I don't want to move them. 
This week, for moving, I need to 
--pack up the remainder of the books
--pack up DD#2's closet (she refused to do it during Winter Break. I'll probably toss most of it. She's had her opportunity.)
--email the realtor that we're using to sell our house. We've not made contact with her yet, so she doesn't actually know she's selling it. 

---

Moving progress
15 items gone
10 boxes packed
1 of at least 2 rooms painted

[laterbloomer]

So both closets are painted, my christmas decorations are packed up and my living room rug is washed. My 8 by 10 rug really did fit in my washing machine! It's Ruggables for me forevermore. 😁

[startsmart]

I had a moment yesterday when I said to myself that I really could do my twice daily meditation and workout and read books and sew and meal prep and clean the house if only I didn't have to work   

I'm sure my process will slow down on Tuesday when client work begins again but it's nice to make it happen over the weekend. I slept in today and really appreciated the extra rest. 

My primary goal today is to make a realistic to do list before my friends visit Friday. I started with the "deep clean and organize everything perfectly" list but now I need to reset. I also have to remember that I am filming again on Tuesday so I need prep time and filming time and not to make that cleaning time. 

[Sharon]

I got a few more boxes unpacked today and worked some more on the sewing room. While unpacking I found a few small things to toss.  In addition I did a few Saturday chores that didn't get done yesterday, such as change the sheets on the bed and clean the bathrooms.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 2, 2022 17:27:08 GMT -5 startsmart said:

I had a moment yesterday when I said to myself that I really could do my twice daily meditation and workout and read books and sew and meal prep and clean the house if only I didn't have to work   

I'm sure my process will slow down on Tuesday when client work begins again but it's nice to make it happen over the weekend. I slept in today and really appreciated the extra rest. 

My primary goal today is to make a realistic to do list before my friends visit Friday. I started with the "deep clean and organize everything perfectly" list but now I need to reset. I also have to remember that I am filming again on Tuesday so I need prep time and filming time and not to make that cleaning time. 

Seriously. Working part time but getting my full time paycheck would be living my best life. 

[TheOtherMe]

So the package for Niece-in-law that was clothes for the Toddler is to be returned.  She doesn't want to pay the shipping on clothes that he will have outgrown by the time they got there.

[nikiz628]

2022 is off to a great start, organization wise. I have already finished my desk/office nook. 2021 docs have been shredded, everything is neat and organized on the desktop and shelves. I also got the laundry/bath finished today. All the shelves were wiped down and organized, I threw out all the old bath toys because neither kid takes baths anymore, I deep cleaned the toilet. All I need to finish in there is the floors. And then I will run a vinegar cycle through the front loader like I do every other month- give the seals a good wipe down and clean the catch drain. I will also run my lint lizard through the dryer vent to catch lingering lint. Then I can mark that room off my spring cleaning (but in January because spring time is just too dang busy for us) list!