2024 Organize & Declutter

[NastyWoman]

The big box of Xmas decorations - including the cookie jar - is off to a new home. I also got rid of some other odds and ends through FB so some progress is made.

Happy birthday startsmart   

[empress of self-improvement]

Oct 14, 2024 18:23:59 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

hmm....there's one in the greater Boston area, but I've never been. I remember you're somewhat familiar with this area, it's Canton/Randolph/Stoughton, I'm just not exactly sure where the town lines are. maybe I'll take a road trip up after I'm done with work next month. thanks!

It's in Stoughton, RIGHT next to the Avon line. You drive by the big fancy Jordan's Furniture to get there . Funny you should mention it though because I was thinking of going on Wednesday. Ikea, not Jordan's. I'm on vacation this week and so far all I've done was sleep off all the shots I got on Sunday. (Flu, Covid and shingles) I love to sleep but even I'm getting tired of it!

[debthaven]

Happy birthday startsmart !

[Sharon]

Oct 14, 2024 17:31:20 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

hi, friends. have a products question for y'all. with very limited cabinet space, I try to keep to one flavor of reusable container for leftovers/freezables in whatever size. I've been looking to add to my stash of Ziploc's 'twist and go' containers in both 16 and 32oz. well, I googled them today after not seeing them anywhere in a long time... and they have been discontinued. 🤬 so I'm looking for something similar in size and quality, and I'll be putting the Ziploc ones in the donation bin as I use up what's in the freezer. I just don't have the space for multiple slightly off-sized stacks. TIA!!

I discovered Ball Freezer Jars this year and really like them.  They are plastic with a very good sealing lid.  This is what I'm using to replace my Ziploc twist and go containers.

link  That is a ridiculous price for them and have been buying them much cheaper in the grocery stores, but that is an example of the product.

[Sharon]

I have done something radical for me, lol.  I have a house cleaner coming in for 2 hours later this morning.  Her main focus will be my floors.  I know it won't last long but hopefully they will be nice for a couple of days.

[Iggy aka IG]

Happy belated birthday, startsmart !

chiver78 , I utilize a variety of containers, depending on what the need is.  I moved away from plastic containers so leftovers from home can easily be microwaved here at the office instead of first transferring food onto a paper plate.  (I've been using smaller sized Pyrex with lids that I already had.)  I have a set of 24-piece glass food containers with lids "Saved for Later" in my Walmart ap (I've been putting it off and spending the money on food due to rising costs).  I also just invested in a set of silicone reusable bags via Amazon.  Each of the three sizes have a pretty floral design.  I do still have a set of plastic container with lids received as a Christmas present several years ago.  Understandably, DH prefers plastic as he is often out in the field, and breakable glass would be illogical.

Regarding cupboard organization, I once read square containers are preferred, as they utilize space more efficiently vs. round. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Fall is finally here.  Though we are expecting 80 degrees today, rain is heading this way later this week, with snow in the higher elevations.  Time to push to get things accomplished beforehand.

This morning:
Exercised
Took out the trash

Later:
Pick up RX
USPS
Drop off our ballots
Liquor store
Pick up grocery order
Address the mound of dishes
Fluff and fold Sunday's towels
Exercise

[moneysquirrel]

startsmart -- Happy Birthday!

[chiver78]

yup, I hear you on the specific purposes. the majority of my containers are big rectangular 64oz bricks, I use these to freeze cooked proteins for the pups, and occasionally for random bulky leftovers. the screw cap canisters are used for stocks and sauces in the freezer, or cut up fruits/veggies. none of the plastics see the microwave. I'd actually prefer plastic bc of the abuse I'm gonna put the things through over their usable lives. it's cheaper. 🤷‍♀️

thanks for the links/suggestions. I'll take a look at all of them.

[jerseygirl]

Put summer casual tops and bottoms in dresser drawer
Put casual fall winter tops bottoms on shelf in closet
I have too many clothes especially t shirts

[chiver78]

Oct 15, 2024 12:50:17 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

startsmart -- Happy Birthday!

yes, this! happy birthday!

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 15, 2024 14:36:05 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Put summer casual tops and bottoms in dresser drawer
Put casual fall winter tops bottoms on shelf in closet
I have too many clothes especially t shirts

  And thank you for the time to rotate shirts reminder. 

[ners]

Happy Birthday startsmart

[TheOtherMe]

Hoping debthaven did well with her surgery today.  

[seriousthistime]

Oct 16, 2024 17:32:52 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Hoping debthaven did well with her surgery today.  

Let us know how you're doing, debthaven.

[debthaven]

Surgery fine but I’m really struggling with pain and mobility so more another day

Thank you

[TheOtherMe]

[seriousthistime]

Pain and mobility will improve very soon, debthaven!

Good to hear from you. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Hugs from afar, debthaven.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 15, 2024 9:36:55 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Fall is finally here.  Though we are expecting 80 degrees today, rain is heading this way later this week, with snow in the higher elevations.  Time to push to get things accomplished beforehand.

This morning:
Exercised
Took out the trash

Later:
Pick up RX
USPS
Drop off our ballots
Liquor store
Pick up grocery order
Address the mound of dishes
Fluff and fold Sunday's towels
Exercise

I accomplished all of the above, though the dishes seem endless....

[Ava]

I should rejoin this thread. Sigh.
I'm a disorganized mess and everything seems so difficult.
Honestly, I don't even know where to start. I definitely need help.
I've talked to my therapist about this, but we haven't made much progress.

To give you an idea, I'm talking about home cleaning and organization, meals, self-care such as skin care, time management, etc.

Seems like after work, taking care of the cats, and a few social engagements all my energy is gone.

I know there are some things I need to do, such as organizing my purse, organizing my bedroom, cleaning the car inside and out. But I don't have a plan, and I struggle with everything.

My mother has been spending the summers with me for close to 16 years. Every time she comes my world changes. Once she leaves, I have to scramble to reinvent the wheel. She takes over cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry. But then she leaves, and I have to organize everything again. For starters, it's not my strong point. It takes me forever to adjust to a new routine. Besides that, it gets more and more difficult as I get older.

I think I also have a problem with idealizing how organized and put together my life, my home, my car, my exercise routine should be.

Today I'm going back to the pool after more than a month. The last time I went to the pool was September 7th, the day before my mother went back home.

To be fair, I had a bad cold after she left, and it lasted for weeks. 

Anyway, any help, guidance, pointers, welcome.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Ava , my strategy is to have a morning list, afternoon list, and evening list. Then I have a list for each day of the week. I assign chores to each day of the week. 
For example: 
Monday--"manicure Monday" which is really just making sure my nails are filed, clean, etc., not actual painting of the nails. 
Wednesday--clean garbage disposal and wipe down every inch of the kitchen counters
Saturday--clean toilets
Sunday--clean out purse and work bag

I'm very routine oriented because otherwise I get distracted and compeltely forget about things that seem like they should be automatic. 

[seriousthistime]

Ava, I find the worst part in any organization or major cleaning is getting started. I dread that.

I usually pick a small task and set a timer for 15 minutes.  Sometimes when I get into it, the timer goes off and I continue with the task.  Other times I stop and acknowledge my small accomplishment. 

My garage is the next big organization project.  Ugh. 

But!  I cleaned out a guest bedroom closet that had mostly linens and throw pillows.  I'm posting most of them on Buy Nothing today. I also have a small elevated pet bed that I hope someone takes. I need to look around and see if there's anything else I can post. 

I also need to take some of my clothes to the consignment shop.  Most of the pieces are Eileen Fisher clothes, more business casual than the super-casual styles I wear now. 

[debthaven]

Hey friends I'm home! I'm so happy to be home. I'm in a lot of pain and not very mobile, but I'll get there. They kept me an extra day because my operation was on Wed evening and it was too late for PT. The first night I had a shared room, but then happily a single room opened up.

Ava I think you should start by setting modest, achievable goals. For example:
- Prepare X meals/week. Try to "cook once, eat twice". When you cook, make large quantities and freeze some for later.
- Aim to exercise 3 or 4 times a week. 
- Set yourself one day of the weekend for tasks (car cleaning or bedroom organizing), and keep the other day for rest/fun. 
- Try to do one small task the days you WFH (like organizing your purse).

Since you got a significant raise with the new job, maybe outsource something? Maybe the car cleaning? Or get a cleaner once/month?

These are just suggestions of course. 

ETA: Happy belated birthday TheOtherMe !

[seriousthistime]

On organizing purses, I have a friend who switches between purses pretty frequently.  She groups her purse items into various small collections (lip gloss, chapstick, hand sanitizer together, for example) and puts the collections into appropriate Ziploc bags.  Then she moves the four or five Ziplocs into the new purse.  Much easier than having to organize a lot of small items into a new purse. Even if you don't switch purses, this helps to keep things organized. 

I find purse organization challenging.  If it's one big space, things fall to the bottom and require me to dig around. If there are multiple spaces, I have to look through them all to find what I need. 

[debthaven]

PS I haven't yet told my boss (I'm waiting till Monday), but the surgeon put me on only remote work until the end of Nov. So I will need to be replaced for my last three classes.

I go back for another X-ray and to see the surgeon at the end of Nov.

Ava similar to seriousthistime 's suggestion, I use a black nylon purse organizer that makes it easy to switch bags.

[TheOtherMe]

I am happy you got moved to a single room debthaven.   I abhor sharing, especially when I don't feel well.

I'm also happy the surgery itself is behind you.  Now it's time to heal and do the PT.

[jerseygirl]

Yay you’re home debthaven! Hoping you recover quickly now
Ziplock bags are a great idea for purse!

[finnime]

So glad all went well and you're home, debthaven. And taking the last 3 classes off is a good thing.

[wvugurl26]

When I'm really behind, I find it helps to remember I didn't get to that state overnight and I likely won't get out of it overnight either. I second just starting by doing something. If things aren't more important than others, just start with one.

Developing habits takes time and I'm never successful if I'm trying to do it all at once. I need to get some things ingrained so they become more automatic and take less thought before I add more.