[HLS] WK 22-24 Declutter

Week 22: Declutter your Stuff

Week 23: Declutter your Wardrobe

Week 24: Clutter Prevention

[Source]

I’m the queen of decluttering, and I blame everyone else in my house for the clutter.  Oh except for my desk that is all me!

I’m a minimalist. 

I’m obsessed with systems.

Things require a purpose, a need.

When Deb started focusing on Clutter around the home I had to laugh.  I’m always onto it, always doing the ‘declutter’. 

I just take so bloody long to do it.

I sort an area – aka toys.  I determine what needs to be binned, what can be passed on and what I’d like to eBay.

The thing with eBay is this; I think it’s great to recoup some of our money by reselling.  However if there are already 50 million of the same item listed, unless it’s almost free, it’s really not worth the hassle.

Last August I embarked on a sell 100 things challenge.  I set it myself, following the lead of Kylie Ofiu who is selling 1000 things.  I knew that would be a little too ambitious for me.

I wanted to complete this task before the year was out.  I sold 32 items in the first month, and then life got in the way and it dwindled.  But despite the fact that I didn’t meet my deadline I’m determined to meet the goal of ‘sell 100 things’.

I’m getting there.  I’ve sold 16 more items since then worth another $200+.  And as I previously mentioned I’m getting rid of the baby stuff, regardless of whether the little man has outgrown them or not.  He is not interested, following the lead of his older siblings, so I’m decluttering and moving forward and it feels great!

I’m also getting great joy out of the passing of goods onto friends that are expecting.  A good balance between recouping money and paying it forward is called ‘karma’.

Then of course there is the whole declutter your wardrobe business.  Again something that is always happening at my place.  I’ve been through all the kids gear and just dealt with it.  You know, just be ruthless, sensible but ruthless, if you can.  E.g. Zander does not need 20+ pairs of shorts next summer, a combination of hand me downs from his brother and other family and friends. 

Ridiculous

It’s the only word to describe that situation.  I passed on half.  It was the only sensible thing to do.  There are kids who will need shorts and we will still have an abundance, and then ...... keeping in tune with the declutter business; I’ll even be able to close his draws.  Win-Win.

And then there is me.

I’ve got jeans I don’t wear because they’ve dated and I feel daggy.  My husband would tell you there is nothing wrong with them and I should suck it up.

But there is something to be said for feeling good.

I’ve recently purchased some new jeans (on sale) and as they go in, those daggy things need to come out.

When it’s all said and done, I’m doing an OK job riding our home of clutter.

Like laundry and meals it’s a chore that keeps going round full circle.

Moving forward it’s all about keeping it that way.

Do we need it?

Do we want it?

Is there a better alternative?

Often asking these three questions tells me what I need to know.

How’s your home looking?  Are you minimalist or a hoarder?  Perhaps just somewhere in between like me!

If you can’t do it alone, why not check out Deb’s 52 weeks to simplify your life.

Cheers

Mandy