So, hello all! Happy 2026. How did we get here? Wow! I am a Gen Xer, and remember 1999 being a cool New Year because of Prince. I digress. Hope you all have had a good start. My start has … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Decluttering
So, I had a mouse in our house and now I am all Martha Stewart or something…
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So, we had our dreaded yearly mouse. And I got really sick around the same time with asthma and a virus. So I went on this cleaning mission. Or journey or better yet quest. I can’t tell you how completely … Continue reading
So, I think the best way that I can explain decluttering is like a craving…
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So, I am not sure if you are the ‘keep everything’ type or if you are like me, someone who desires to have order in their live or a stringent minimalist. I would love to be the last one, but … Continue reading
So, I have mentioned my obsession for decluttering…
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I am not sure if I have truly gone into detail about how much pleasure I derive from clearing things out. I have mentioned it, but probably not the why behind it. I constantly have a grocery bag hanging on … Continue reading
So, wow. 2016. Most productive year ever…
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Wow. I can’t believe it is just now 11 days into the year and I have gotten so much done!
I even went into the dreaded 8 containers of baby clothes I can’t let go of and I got rid of around 25 pieces! And, I went into a bin with baby books and toys and got rid of another 10 books. So, that is a feat in itself! I have another set of garbage bags filled with finds for a happy Goodwill hunter.
My daughter’s desk has thrown up onto her floor and we have uncovered some awesome treasures worth keeping. We have also created a drawer in the kitchen with “prizes” in it. Jewelry, lip gloss, bracelets, American Girl non-fiction books and other things that are great items, but she will never use will be given away at her Valentine’s sleepover party we are hosting. Every time a game, or dance off, or relay race or challenge is won someone will win one of these things. When the 6 little girls home, they will have bags designed with hearts filled with treasures for them and my daughter’s desk and the landfill will be spared!
I cleaned and cleared out my closet to the best of my ability so that I can actually go in there now and have a seat and read the Bible. My closet isn’t huge, but it has a bookshelf and cd storage shelves and an organizer for all of our crafts and school supplies, so it is sizable. But it is more long than wide. So, it is big enough at the end to put a chair in or stool for me to sit in there and pray. A little nook if you will. I stole the idea from the movie the War Room. I cleared one of the walls off that had small purses hanging on hooks and put them on a shelf and have a list of desires or declarations for my life. Next step will be putting up notes with scripture, maybe pictures, wishes, hopes, prayers, dreams, thoughts.
It gives me real joy to have a true little nook for me. I think that this organized and dedicated space will open up the desire and time to spend time with God because it feels special and it is intentionally set up just for that. I plan on finishing up cleaning up some of the nooks an crannies so that it is a space that I can feel unencumbered and unbothered. Cluttered spaces make it hard for me to concentrate.
So, another week gone by and though I only worked out 4 times instead of 6 because I am still sick, I feel like I am renewed in other ways. I am supposed to start a fitness challenge today with a friend on the left coast, but I have an appointment for my asthma today, so I will have to see if I get a breathing treatment or what will happen. But, at least I can rest tonight with a clean and tidy home (for the most part) and a fresh outlook on my life and circumstances.
Good night/good morning. Depends on where you are and your perspective!
simply~
Dee
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So, an update on the mad cleaning…
I stayed up until 4 after typing about how I was a paper hound and guess what? I am proud 2 say that 2 desk trashcans full later, I got rid of a lot!!! I also cleaned off my French memo board above my desk and I took down all of the flyers and programs and ticket stubs. We have all of that craziness in one huge ziplock bag. I recycled countless cards and doo dads and even got out a cute unused photo album for babies to put in my friend’s welcome baby basket. So, I am stoked!!!
The big challenge for the weekend is the 6 vac bags/plastic containers of baby clothes. I hope I can at least eliminate one of them. I took a garbage bag of books and mugs and vases, etc to Goodwill today. I also now have a bag filled with dresses and outwear of my daughter’s that I am giving away tomorrow if my friend doesn’t get back to me by then. So, I feel so so accomplished!!!!!!!!
We are going to start collecting items for 2 huge scrapbooks and that will eliminate paper trail too as I go through some photo boxes and realize what is not important and what is. My daughter is so creative, so I can’t wait to see how the photos turn out. We started taking things off of her French memo board too, so it will have to be an expandable scrapbook for sure.
This is off of the subject, but I am on day 4 of my #21dayfix workouts again and I am finally stopping my cough. I feel the pieces of my life fitting together and my vision is clear. Now on to personal finance:) I know that many people are pumped at the beginning of a new year, but this is the first time that I have ever felt so motivated to really and truly make a change for the better. I don’t think there is any turning back for me at this point. Hope your day/year/week is going well for you!
simply~
Dee
Cover photo courtesy of thoughtsonwhite@wordpress
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So,purging material things is quite tiring.
Project get rid of things we don’t need/use/use/want 2016 is underway. My daughter got rid of around 50 books. So did I. I have also gotten rid of the stray shirt, pj item, old Wii game, decoration, knick-knack and thing-a-ma-bob. It feels quite cathartic, but it is overwhelming to see how much we have, though I am constantly getting rid of things.
I feel like we as Americans just have so much stuff. If some major thing were to go down and I would have to leave here in 30 minutes time, I would only grab my daughter, cat, photos, journals and baby items I have kept. So, why the need for all of the other?
I started right after Christmas and have continued nearly every single day. That is called being blessed when one can get rid of hundreds of items and their home still not be bare. I want this to be the year of lean. Lean closets, lean waist, and lean spending. I am bored with dust bunny covered items just because.
My biggest problem is papers at this point. Ticket stubs I want to keep as memories, programs, fliers, doo-dads from events, postcards, the whole nine. I think February will be about memories that aren’t the normal material things. It will be good for smiles, laughs and cries, and though I may not get rid of a lot of it, it will make more for the next series of events and memories.
Here’s hoping that you are doing or going to do in 2016, the things that are healing for you and close to your heart. I started a one sentence a day 5 year journal on the 1st. I am looking forward to making that a part of my daily routine along with writing, exercising and praying. Blessings to you all!
simply~
Dee
Simply Dee in D.C. 