I think that basket has been there for almost 2 years now. Filling up only more and more. I can't even remember last time I actually looked for something in there. I'm pretty sure that if I just tossed it all, I wouldn't miss a thing of what's in there... When we occasionally have friends over for dinner I just simply move the basket into another room out of sight. And then it stands there for a few months, until we move it back into the kitchen again...
I can handle a morning when the alarm didn't go off or being alone juggling it all when Jay is working abroad. I can handle sickness, school work, birthdays, the family agenda and endless house chores. I can handle most things. But the clutter hidden behind doors, lids, in baskets and boxes... It really gets to me. This is the worst stress I live with, because it is constant. I would say my home has a clutter level of 8 or 9 on a scale from 1 to 10 right now. Still I do NOTHING about it. It is overwhelming. I don't know where to start...
I dream of a decluttered and well organized home. A home where there is a place for everything. A functional home that is easy to navigate, clean and store things in... Where there are no clutter and no digging around to find tape... I could swear I saw the tape in here somewhere or maybe it was up in someone's room, or in that other drawer... it should be in the office of course, or the kitchen maybe... ohhh... it's at the toilet behind the tooth paste and floss... Of course!
So to feel better, to be less stressed, I want to get organized. I need to tackle this. If I can take my home clutter level below 5 in 2017, oh what a dream come true that would be. I feel motivated. I think I've reached the bottom... I am ready to do this. Yes I am. I just have to figure out how I'm going to get there. Maybe I'll start with a list for ONE room and then take 15 minutes every day to tackle ONE thing on that list... That should help me move forward right? And if I tell myself I have the whole year of 2017 to deal with this, I should be able to succeed, right? Any advice, encouragement and well needed kind push in the right direction is welcome. Lets do this!
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
I hate clutter as well. And yet I have that same basket in the kitchen! I find if I start doing a little bit I tend to carry on and do a bit more than I was going to. Little by little is the trick I think. I do so love a neat and tidy cupboard, instead of one where I have to shove everything in and slam the door quickly before it all falls out. Wishing you a year of tidiness and no clutter! CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've ever heard of FlyLady, but I have been following her for several years and it has helped me declutter. When I look back at photos of when my children were small, there is all this "stuff" filling the photos. It's embarrassing! My photos since FlyLady are so different.
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteYes I have heard of Fly Lady and I think I tried out her approach as well. It obviously didn't work out for me as I'm still in the clutter world. Ha ha ha. But she had some really good pointers for sure. I should look into her plan again. Thanks.
Xxx
Flylady has some really good tips. I'm not motivated enough to follow her to a tee either because, well, I'm just too lazy most of the time! LOL
DeleteA great book that I read was Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. I'm not big into Feng Shui but I found this book really helped me see how the clutter and unfinished stuff was affecting me - one part speaks of a thing like say a squeaky door that irritates you every time you open/close it, but you do nothing about it, so you continue to have that constant irritation. It makes you see it from the perspective of getting it done right now might take a bit of effort but itll definitely cut out a lot of stress.
She has good tips on the actual "how to" of decluttering aswell which just helps you get out of that stuck "Where do I even Start" mindset.
I too dream of streamline, clutter free, place for everything and everything in its place kind of home, but I'm a leave it till later, set it at your backside kinda girl so I'm not sure how realistic this dream is! LOL
I have a stairs basket that does the same but I empty it three times a year. My 2017 pledge is to not buy any more craft products and that is feeling quite inspiring right now. My advice is to do one whole room if you can find the time in one go because it will feel really successful. 15 mins might not make a big enough impression for you and everyone in your house to realise what you are trying to achieve. Do one room and then keep that one room decluttered for two weeks to show everyone. Have two weeks off while you enjoy that one room. Also Labelling is key so that everyone can put things away otherwise only you will know the secret code to where everything is and then it will remain your problem which is a weighty issue for your mind. Good Luck! I will call in and see your progress!! Jo x
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this post. I have boxes in my bedroom that haven't been unpacked properly since we moved in nineteen years ago! Three children later and yet more boxes have since been added. I'm surrounded by "stuff". This makes it difficult to keep everywhere tidy and clean (the black mould in every room doesn't help). I too would love to get organised. I wish you all the luck in the world.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I'm feeling SO much better now, knowing you have boxes of unpacked stuff standing around since 19 years. We have lived in our house for 9 years now and I still haven't added roof lights to every room yet. Or curtains... This might be a Mission Impossible, but I'm going to do it. Now it is official. I can't let myself or you down. I better get to work then, right. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteXxx
Oh I hear you, a post which could so be written about my house are you sure it's not about me?. I spend so much time looking for random things I swear I just saw... maybe I should look for my tape in the toilet�� we have 3 very young kids 2, 4 and 5 yrs old and i feel often I want to be able to breath. I read a lot of good stories about the book by Marie kondo (life changing magic of tidying up) and I decided to give it a go, as an ebook cause I really cannot have one more book hanging around. I love it, don't agree to everything but the bringing all similar items into one room and start from there really was an eye opener and it's been 2 weeks and I'm still going motivationally strong :) goodluck you can do this!!
ReplyDeleteHubby and I decided to tidy up the the huge mess in the m that was a mix of crafting things shoes Christmas decorations etc . Hubby had been complaining about this for ages . When we actually came to do the tidying it turns out that we did not see eye to eye about what was use full and what was not . We did have a clear out and I was firm that the empty shoe box would come in use full . Good luck with the tidying I think I have done enough for another 12 months .
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the club, dear Annette !
ReplyDeleteThere is a very handy Japanese book, taht I'm using right now (we're all in the same wagon, aren't we? :) and I'm very happy with it : simple, clear, encouraging, well organized, with a good strategy plan.
The name is :
"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever" by Marie KONDO (available on Amazon).
I'm sure you'll succeed in your plan !
Heartfully,
NADINE
Your post really resonates with me as I have the same level of clutter in my house. I have crap collection areas and I have started small, dealing with these. It's slow work, but it helps that my partner works with me on this. Just sorting one small bit of clutter made me feel so much better. Little and often is the way to go, it's not so overwhelming then. I'd start with your basket Annette, good luck.
ReplyDeleteOh my this post really resonates with me. I've been feeling down for a while and know that the clutter is draining my energy. It's what causes the most arguments in our house. My husband is a hoarder and to be fare I do keep things well after their usefulness. I've now had enough and at the start of Jan took 10 large bags to the charity shop and still there is more. In the loft I found two brand new coats of my husbands that were exactly the same and had never been worn. I need to get this sorted, if only I could find the energy.
ReplyDeleteExactly. The clutter suffocates us. I can't think, I can't plan, I can't do... I need it to be clean and nice to be able to move forward and be productive. What a big stress release it must have been to get rid of all those bags you brought to charity. Sounds like heaven. Pure detox. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing your story.
DeleteXxx
I really think you should read Marie Kondo's book "The Life changing magic of tidying up". It's really magic even for a horder like me. I'm not finished yet but the change in thinking from what to throw away to what you love and want to keep is really interesting and effective. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteTo deal with clutter - I've been doing the Konmari method (you don't have to buy the book - there is so much information online including youtube videos by Marie Kondo herself!)
ReplyDeleteWe thought we were moving house in 2014 - so I was FORCED to deal with all of the 'stuff'! I have been decluttering ever since! In 2014 we were taking van-fulls of 'stuff' (and some trailers filled with furniture) Now, I'm down to random boxes and trash bags.
Yes... begin in either an area at a time or a room at a time. But I promise you Annette - once you begin, you will have a difficult time stopping! It feels SO GOOD to be rid of all of the stuff! (I have anxiety and I never realized that too much stuff was a 'trigger' for me!)
PS... since we just finished Christmas, I have my deccies down to ONE shelf in my hutch, ONE tote and the tree in a bag that I just purchased at an 'odds & ends' store for super cheap!
Hi
DeleteI really have to look into this Marie Kondo... Sounds like a magic ferry. I wonder if she could pass by my house and make it all shiny and bright with a whip of her wand. :)
I'm on it. One little step at the time. Enjoying the "throwing", "donating", "keeping" part so far. And I truly think you are right wit the anxiety, mess does effect the balance in our souls. At least in mine. I always feel better when things are tidy and nice. Not perfect, but tidy and nice.
Xxx
After a nice walk I just made me a cup,hm a mug of coffee and then it was easy to classify the paper at the desk in the entrence hall and now it´s time for some rest and that´s mean I´ll do some sewing.
ReplyDeleteLove, Louise D
I don't know that I can help with the clutter. We just move every couple of years and there is nothing more motivating than that. Maybe you can pretend you are getting ready to move. I just want to say the ceiling beams in the photo are amazing. What a beautiful room!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me to de-clutter...I need a reminder every day, it seems! Before Xmas I decided I needed a new red tablecloth for the dining table...two weeks later I made the same decision. When I tidied up the laundry room I discovered that I had indeed bought a tablecloth - TWICE!! I was horrified at how my brain had become cluttered too!!! Here's to a successful de-cluttering, let's remind each other as often as possible. We'll have a DAL= De-clutter-along! If only I didn't love baskets so much...�� hilsen Rigmor
ReplyDeleteDAL! A very good idea indeed. I'm in.
DeleteI am on a de-clutter craze right now. I read that you should get rid of 27 things for 9 days. Of course I read this after taking two huge trunk full of items to the GoodWill store. Anyway, you can throw them our, recycle or donate. It is amazing what that makes you do. I have been though drawers and closets. I have been through knitting books and yarn. I have to admit I am well over 27 things a day and frankly can't wait to do more. But the crazy thing is you can't tell in my house that all this is moving out....that means I have way to much stuff!
ReplyDeletePersonally I would tackle the basket as that's the one you write most about ....it can't be that hard to be ruthless and fast, make it into a game by setting a timer on your phone and set out three piles, one to keep, throw and giveaway (or back to the owner.)
ReplyDeleteYou will feel instantly better as you have take action and not put off the thing staring at you in the kitchen each day.
We all need this. You post your journey and we'll do it together. It more fun with a friend!
ReplyDeleteWe all need this. You post your journey and we'll do it together. It more fun with a friend!
ReplyDeleteHallo! I've just spent half the afternoon clearing out baskets that must have been twins of yours... I also feel stressed by the clutter. Here's two small suggestions. First, ask your children to help you for ten minutes each in a relay, one after the other ( my kids are under ten so that's as long as they can manage but you could make it longer - but not much longer). Helpers give you bursts of energy, stop you feeling like it's only your job, and can make quick decisions about stuff that is theirs.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, read Marie Kondo's book about tidying ( as mentioned above!) . Some of it seems silly to me but the idea that stuff should "spark joy" is worthwhile, as is saying thank you to stuff that has been good but you no longer need/use. Makes it much easier to get rid of. I am slowly working my way through the house... Good luck to us both and here's to a time a clutter basket!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI understand your stress levels, truly though I still thought your photograph of your room looked lovely. I recently read the book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying" by Marie Kondo. This is a great book, and even though I didn't follow everything, I took on lots of tips and ideas which helped me to feel a little more organised.
best of luck, Melissa @crochetco_
A local group of friends of mine are using The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo as a way to not just try to organize better, but to have less to need to organize. I'm an aspiring minimalist - a difficult task with a husband and 6 home schooled children. But, I'm making the move. I actually De-stashed almost all of my yarn last week! (gasp, I know, breath) Deciding if something brings me joy or not as a criteria to keep, and going category by category rather than room by room is a new way of thinking of things and it's helping.
ReplyDeleteHousehold organization skills seem to have eluded me, too. We just have so many hobbies, and so many projects going at once. It's a fun mess, I tell myself. So I am going to go through and read everyone's comments, and hope that maybe some of the tips will help me with my clutter, too. I do feel better that someone I admire in blogland admits to clutter :)
ReplyDeleteI like to follow the 52 week challenge over at Home Storage Solutions 101. She has a calendar with 15 minute cleanups daily to help get your whole house in order. There are areas that I don't have, like a garage, so I just use those days to work on extra messy areas that need more than 15 minutes. It really helps it not be too overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteMy closet makes me insane, but I just currently cannot do anything about it because we're temporarily staying with my parents (though, for a very long time) and there is no more storage space available. And I want to finally donate all clothes that "I'm going to wear that again when I lose weight". Perhaps, this concerns all the objects in the house. And I learnt to throw away things, things that cannot be mended or have no practical or sentimental value. However, I managed to more or less organise the craft corner (clutter level 3 due to current and finished projects, wips and unfrogged stuff) with transparent IKEA boxes: big ones for the yarn and a medium one for the accessories. Thus, I'd recommend start the decluttering with the most pleasant clutter (then, you'll have at least one place to relieve the stress in) :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried many many methods, and I agree with several of the others Marie Kondo is worth a look. Her book is more a spiritual take on life and clutter and how she too has tried all and many times to overcome "clutter". I tried her method with my daughter and she found it to be the method that makes the most sense. It's a great read and I still have it by my bedside to read when I start to feel overwhelmed with any type of clutter, real and in my head stuff. Good luck with what ever path you take, all the mistakes and attempts will bring to the place you need to be.
ReplyDeleteYes, Annette, you can do this! I agree with the others, start with one room and take it in stages. I find it hard to keep it up for more than an hour at a time. But I tell you, the feeling you get from a clean and well ordered cupboard will really give you such a great feeling, you'll just want more!
ReplyDeleteI started this process again last year but I don't feel like I ever finished. I need to though, let's keep each other going!
S x
Just one name Marie Kondo !
ReplyDeleteEveryone talks about her... I think I have to buy the book...
DeleteXxx
Olá Annette, recomendo o método da Marie Kondo. Espreite o blog dela, e porque não comprar o livro? - https://konmari.com/
ReplyDeleteUm beijo desde Portugal
Oh, Annette, I'm with you in the boat :-D
ReplyDeleteI've learnt not to have any container on my kitchen counter, not even a fruit bowl, because within a week it will contain all kinds of everything! I'm such a hoarder (might be from moving around around so much as child) plus procrastinator plus pile-maker of note!
Marie Kondo makes for very interesting reading, most likely of totally on the other side of the thinking-preference profile that I am, but provide helpful hints. The clothes part is brutal but easy, and is also simple to maintain.
I totally resent when people go on about it being a simple disciplined decision not to live this, because it typically comes from an opposite brain profile. It's about the way you brain is wired, and it is not simple, it is not easy, and the simple thinker cannot understand it.
That said - good luck. it is a continuous battle here! And my poor husband is such a minimalist, he would love one of those soulless, bare, white interiors (he actually furnished his city apartment like that ;-D
Okay. Of to finalise (yeah right) the magazine sorting...
Ps, adding to my previous comment - when built our current house, I added a walk-in store room in the middle. Amongst others, there are two permant containers: one for items than can be donated to the SPCA shop, one for clothing and books that can go to Community Services, who usually supply the night shelter and families whose homes burnt down (common in informal settlement). Having a permanent system like this in place makes it very easy to dispose of unused items, grown-out clothing etc.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you have described my life and house perfectly! Instead of baskets, we have drawers, boxes and plastic bags, but essentially, it's the same. Here's to decluttering this year, little by little, we can do this!
ReplyDeleteYes! Lets do this together!
DeleteXxx
My mother always say: when you don't touch the stuff in over a year, do you really need it? Then give it away to someone else.
ReplyDeleteIt took me to move home to be uncluttered!! We lived in our old house for 15 years and raised 3 kids in it. The loft was full, baby clothes, cots, car seats, every birthday card, baby clothes, videos, books etc etc. We threw SO MUCH OUT! Now I know where everything is and I routinely go through all the drawers and cupboards to keep on top of the clutter. But, you're not moving, so as you said, take a room at a time and go through it bit by bit. Take lots of photos so you can look back and see what a difference you have made to each room. And post them on here so we can see :-)
ReplyDeleteay!!me pasa lo mismo,nunca termino de ordenar,mi esposo,2 perras,2 gatas y el arte en mi vida,cuestaordenar la casas,mi sueño,una casa ordenada!mi realidad lo que se puede!
ReplyDelete