Good bye 2010, you were an especially challenging year.
Welcome 2011.
Happy new year unclutterers and others around the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId95N2teUc&feature=player_embedded#!
Overall Rating: votes
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Posted 1 year ago #
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happy new year to you too! My best wishes for this year for everybody.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Happy 2011 to all - lets hope for a less cluttered year
Posted 1 year ago # -
was thinking about what I have taken away/internalized from this site in 2010. I think number 1 is that it is better to get rid of things than to try to organize them.
Number 2: that once the money is spent, it is spent. Get over the fact that money was paid, and deal with the clutter itself.
Number 3: Next would be that I am allowed to get rid of things I don't want or use. I am allowed. It's my stuff. Then, it is not my stuff anymore;) Just because others are more sentimental does not mean I have to keep oh, whatever. I loved getting rid of my yearbook:)
and number 4--simply--getting rid of a lot of mugs and glassware means that we avoid the million cups on the counter issue. They just magically disappeared one day and DH has not noticed. Now, all the cups/glasses we have fit in the dishwasher and the cupboard.
Happy new beginnings to all, and, what have you taken away from the past year?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Happy new year to everyone! :o)
The past few weeks were so busy that I haven't had proper time to sit down, mull over the last year and try to think about resolutions for the new year yet, but I have already set aside some time next Sunday for that :o) Looking at what you wrote, djk, well certainly 1 and 3 have certainly been hammered into my brain by now, too, LOL.
Posted 1 year ago # -
trillie: welcome back! Glad to hear from you!
I have enjoyed my 6 months or so of uncluttering. Made new friends, lost the extra weight of excess items in my home, excess attachment to things.
Posted 1 year ago # -
2010 was a monumentally crappy year for me! I am SO glad to see it leave and welcome in 2011 with open arms!!
I have read here for probably a year or so. Just starting contributing since 1/1/11. I made Unclutter my resolution.
2011 will be the year of the Uncluttered!! :D
Posted 1 year ago # -
djk, that was an inspiring post. I got rid of my yearbook too. It felt GREAT!
Posted 1 year ago # -
something I'm realizing and am trying to get others to realize is: Why save all the stuff if you never get it out and look at it? Why keep stuff boxed up and stored in your basement if you never use it? By all means if you're going to get out your mementos and look at them monthly, go ahead and keep them, same with dishes, crystal, china etc.
Use it or lose it,baby!Posted 1 year ago # -
agreed, irishbell!
right now I am torn over a few small items--I love household/decor things--but I actually didn't know I had these. But they are CUTE. Hmmm.
another thing I have learned this past year is that just when I reach equilibrium I discover there are more and more things that crop up. Several pass-throughs are necessary, and then I am willing to get rid of more and more things. Tolerance level is changing!
Flurries of activity followed by periods of just plodding along are exactly the right pace for me.
Posted 1 year ago # -
high five irishbell!
i am right on board with having absolutely nothing in deep storage....and no stuff just for the sake of it.my stuff has to fit into a category:
1. i am using it right now, every day
2. i am using it in an emergency (generator, spare gas bottles, fuel cans, some canned food)
3. i am using it when the weather changesPosted 1 year ago # -
@djk, great post!
2010 was the most difficult year in my 44 years, but I've learnt a lot.
- I'm no longer keeping things because that's what I've always done in the past (old diaries, journals, photos, letters, yes - and yearbooks!)
- The fewer things I (and the family own), the easier I can breathe.
- Light and space are very important to me (I used to love the cluttered look).
- I don't have to own every book I love, and I don't have to keep every book I USED to love.
- The children are no less happy because they have fewer toys, games, clothes and books than a lot of their peers (OK, they probably have MORE books!)
- That things are not at all important to me. I do not regret getting rid of anything in 2010.Posted 1 year ago # -
after 5 days of organizing and uncluttering, I have to admit there are some things I have to put in the basement storage area, no two ways about it.
categories:things i'm saving for daughters, and things I use probably monthly- but don't have room for upstairs.
1. items I am saving for my daughters: a few items of china/crystal for each girl.their baby books.
items for their children-blankies, dolls/toys/books- a few for each.
items when my daughter from seattle visits about 3-4 times a year that are too expensive to buy each visit- portacrib, high chair,car seat, toys.
2.christmas things- I have 5 bins. ornaments, platters/dishes, wreaths, stockings, tree skirt, larger seasonal decorations. Everything I kept this time around I absolsutely love and used it all this year. some things are just awkward to pack and need lots of room so it seems like I have more than I really do.
a few other holiday themed items- halloween, easter etc.
3.items for large gatherings that I really enjoy having: huge stockpot, roasters, butter melting dish things,lobster/crab accessories, serving pieces,vases, candles etc. Also too expensive to buy for each get together.
4.a few pieces of hubbys family antiques that I could part with but he won't, but no big deal.
5. 3 sets of luggage2 tubs I didn't even want to get into this time round:
1. kids papers & art projects.
2.cards and letters from kids and hubby. One of them i read from #4 daughter after her pet bird died: "little bill you were the nicest bird. i'm sorry you had to die. I will visit you every day of your dead life. good bye little bill" lolol. after i read that one I said, nope- not ready to go thru this bin yet! it will stay for the time being. (the only 2 boxes I don't look at/use regularly, so I didn't follow my use it or lose it in this case-I can live with 2 boxes of memories for the time being).
I always think I have nothing to get rid of, but once again- I was wrong.
so i guess my problem is that I have to just accept the fact there is "stuff" I have to store and be at peace with it. since I have plenty of storage space it isn't a problem, but... once in awhile I get to looking at it and it bugs me.... like I said, my problem. could be worse.Posted 1 year ago # -
I hope this year will be a better year for uncluttering. After all, I did get rid of a lot of stuff last year. Just not enough! I'm still hopeful to sell my MIL's remaining items. I tried so hard and raised so little for her last year! Her savings are starting to dwindle, and we will have to sell this house. We have been living here and paying the mortgage. What will happen to us when the house sells, I don't know. We can't afford much, and we have many cats. I'm sure the fear of what will come has had me somewhat paralyzed. My husband doesn't make enough money to afford decent living space. My part time job is too part time, and there are almost no jobs in this town of 1200. I actually fear this year! :(
Posted 1 year ago # -
Claycat, gosh I sincerely hope your situation improves in 2011.
You are right though, fear can put you at a standstill, unable to accomplish much. It sounds like you have been busy with your helping your MIL, having the sales and craigslisting and such- so you have been trying to improve things and what more can you ask of yourself anyway? Is it at all possible to get another part time job? How far away is the next available job market- too far to make it worthwhile traveling? Anyway, best to you in 2011. :)Posted 1 year ago # -
@claycat....if MIL sells, where will she go?
i assume she is no spring chicken? is she looking at a retirement home or similar?
if you guys are paying the mortgage and looking after MIL, then why not just keep on with that arrangement?
it seems easier (to me) than the upheaval and mad costs of a double move.
and everyone benefits.
of course, i am probably missing some vital point!Posted 1 year ago # -
Yikes Claycat. I can relate to being paralized by fear too :{
Good luck.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks, nice people!
When my husband and I went walking this afternoon, I told him we needed come up with some kind of plan. He said that is what is keeping him up at night. I was wondering if we needed some kind of life counseling. He said we just needed to figure it out. But, we haven't been able to do so, and it's been a year and a half.
Bandicoot, my MIL already lives in assisted living. After falling several times and hurting her head on this concrete floor, she just couldn't stay here anymore. We were living in the other house before, and we moved in here to deal with her things and fix up the house. However the fear of the unknown is keeping us from moving forward.
Irishbell, this is a not a very good area for employment. We used to drive to Austin to work, but with the gasoline prices, I could not afford to do that by myself. Besides, we only have one decent car. My age, 61, is a problem, too.
Needtocleanhouse, I'm sorry you have experienced that, too. I only recently figured out that was what my problem was. I was moving along pretty well until a few months ago. Then I was not accomplishing much at all!
You all are so sweet! I appreciate the nice comments and help! :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Claycat, my heart goes out to you. I have no good advice, just hugs.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks, lazycow!
Today, my boss contacted me about a little extra work, so that helps! :)
Posted 1 year ago #
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