- This topic has 22 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by
Nana.
-
Posts
-
chaosqueen
YEAH! Declutter party! I think sometimes when I make a detailed plan for a project it is just to avoid acutally doing it! I will join you. The room of doom is screaming my name!
Drowning91
So I only managed a small area yesterday. Got some housework and lunch to do now and then im plowing down!
Im going full in today, my room of doom will look better come this evening!
How are you getting on CQ?
I skipped the room of doom and worked on my bedroom instead, I got an area cleared and vacuumed that has been getting worse and worse since the start of December. Might not be what I set out to do. Result none the less. Far from what I want it to be but hey. Better is better than perfect…right?
kaizen
How are you getting on, Drowning91?
I only know 3 of clutterbug’s questions:
Have I used this in the last 12 months? [maybe longer for many things during covid]
Do I LOVE this?
Would I buy this again?
What are the other ones you’re using?I like lots about her approach — especially her positive energy. Her categories helped me understand a place where I get myself in a mess quite often: I both like things somewhat ‘visually minimalist’ (relatively, for a hoarder — but ‘hotel room emptiness’ makes me more relaxed than ‘cozy clutter’) AND at the same time, my mind wants things VISIBLE. I understand more now that I can get closer to that by having things like the pantry cupboard in my kitchen: Closed doors & it’s tidy & minimalist-ish; open doors & I can see everything & quickly find anything I’m looking for.
Nana
If you have something to do which is just too hard, then do something else that is like it, but easier.
It might seem as though you are ducking out of what you should be doing – but no, you are in training. No one starts any huge endeavour without doing some training, and even athletes at the peak of their abilities alternate the types of training they do.
If you have a room of doom, find something easier, achievable. Make a start on whatever is easiest, because the trick is not the achievement, it is the starting. The more often you start, the easier it is to get started.
Once you are seeing results elsewhere, then step up to the big one. Just for a few seconds at first – go in and pick up something to add to the things from the easy option. That really is a success, you have started. Next day you can go in and do a bit more, and before long you’ll think – I’ll go straight for the big one today – and that means that one day it won’t be a problem any more, because the next trick after starting is not stopping.Brilliant, Nana! Going up on my bathroom mirror.
The things we KNOW but need to remember again & again.[T]he trick is not the achievement, it is the starting.
[T]he next trick after starting is not stopping.Oddsocks
Just to say great posts!
Sharing how difficult it all is, and wise ideas
I’ve recently realised just how often I think ‘yes needs decluttering, but not just now….!’ Its always on my mind- its a relief when I am doing something where decluttering not an option (in the bath, out shopping….). Its been a drain on my energy over the years.
I know they say that getting more space just means a hoarder filling it, but I do think if I had a bit more space it wouldnt be as cluttered. And could be more organised. Of course it boils down to having to cope with the space you have in your home, whatever its size is. My sister and her partner have an organised house but its a large house with 9 big rooms (plus bathrooms). But I cant afford to move somewhere bigger. Need to be grateful for the space I do have in comparison with a lot of people.
(By the way, I had to go through *9* verification pictures to log in! I understand why its there, but that is a bit much!)
Oh, and I thought 5 was a lot. I guess I just don’t know what a traffic light looks like! You keep saying you might do better with more room. I am curious. How much room do you have? From personal experience I can say more room makes it easier to keep stuff…at leasst for me.
I really shouldnt complain. I am very lucky that I have a 2 bedroom flat, and only me. And it was built in 1900, not a modern house with tiny rooms. My living room is quite small- it would probably have been where servants lived! But its fine. I cant afford to get anything bigger- I just need to reduce stuff!
I think the thing about my sister’s home is it has loads and loads of stuff but can still be organised?
By the way, I have been thinking of refugees arriving here with nothing. I cant imagine what that must be like!
Was it Flylady who said:”you can’t organize clutter”
I can only speak for myself. I simply have too much. I have things I don’t need, things I don’t use, things I can’t find. I have things that don’t fit, things that don’t match. I am getting really tired of it. I have let go of A LOT the last few months. I still have too much. The good news? I don’t think I miss anyting I let go. Just the opposite. I actually found things that I now use. Not a lot, lets be honest. Most of it simply went, or is now stored in a way that I can use it when the time comes (seasonal stuff).
What seems to work best for me this moment is to not take active time to declutter, but as I clean up, cook or do what ever at home part with things that cross my path and I realize I don’t need them. Or when folding the laundry realize I hate that shirt…
So ive had a really rough first half of the year but finally in the mental headspace to try and sort this all out. Im going to start easy by just clearing the room today as it only needs a tidy but itll get me started.
Then tomorrow im up early and going for it on the room of doom!!
Hope youre all okay
Thanks for the wise advice in previous posts!
I’d just add about worrying about where things are? There’s the boring but true advice that ‘a place for everything, and everything is in its place’. I do that with some important things like keys and passport.
Otherwise, I need to do a lot more, but there is also the option of making a list of where things are? You do need to know where the list is tho! I have one in my kitchen, using the only clear space- fridge door, held by magnets. Upstairs hasnt been doing so well- what a shame there isnt a vertical space! I need to decide where to keep it. It has helped a lot to have a list of where things are in the stack of boxes and bags. I also put a sticker on the box/bag saying what it has.
Thinking it can be difficult to realise how much there is, and the reaction of other people,I cant get over the angry senior fire officer when they came as I requested a fire safety visit. I’ve not had someone being angry close to me before (maybe I’m lucky?!) I do realise that it puts them in risk, as they have to go into burning buildings.
(took me over 5 minutes to do all the verification photos- is that just me? )
This time: no photos, last time, I think 5 tries before it let me in. Seriously. NO! I get verifying that I am not a robot, but considering that there is basically NOTHING ever going on here these days taking 5 min to log in is not ideal. I do remember me and usually just keep the tab open… then I don’t have to log on every time
So i havent made much progress up until yesterday….i cleared behind the door and a decent pathway to my bed! Im so proud and riding high that im now tackling the mountain/wall of a mixture of clothes and junk. Im doing it in tiers to make it easier. Spending a few hours on the top tier then really getting into it this afternoon with the next tier, it will definitely take longer than a few hours so will ensure I continue it tomorrow. I can actually see my curtains again now which is a lovely feeling. I keep day dreaming about what it will be like when im finished. It may not be perfect but its progress! I cant explain how happy i feel with what ive done so far. Beauty of this is, i still have black bin liners in this “wall” full of things to get rid of! Feeling very determined today to make more progress!!
How is everyone getting on?
AWESOME! How are things going? I am still on the road. rooting for you!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.