Throwing Stuff Out - Who's with me??

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Update: I've started my own blog about this. If anyone is interested in following it here is the link: http://clearupcheerup.wordpress.com/ 

I've been wanting to start a blog of my own, so now here's my chance. I will be writing about my experiences as I sort through my stuff (both physical and emotional), and what it means to me to chuck it. My first post is up. I hope you enjoy it!

 

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I've been desperately feeling the weight of my clutter lately, and have been searching for ways to freshen up my life.

 

So, in an effort to change things up I recently bought some new sofas, and threw out my older ones (my beloved Big Red and Little Red). I have a tendancy to get attached to physical belongings and often even name things I get attached to (my new car is named Roxy and I haven't even picked it up yet). Well, finally letting to of Big and Little Red felt good, like a wight had lifted. Looking around my apartment I realize my summer house guest is right, I have TOO MUCH Clutter! It's time to get busy.

 

I was passing by the local bookshop and felt compelled to stop in yesterday. There on the shelf, staring me down, was a book called "Throw Out Fifty Things" by Gail Blanke. I snapped it up, and read through the introduction and chapter one over a beer yesterady after work. I am fully hooked and inspired. She has a website: www.throwoutfiftythings.com where you can download worksheets and report your progress. I might even blog about this. Letting go of the old clutter, both physical and emotional, will open up your life to receive new and exciting things.

 

The Author's mantra is "If you want to grow, let it go".

 

So, does anyone want to grow with me? Let's throw stuff out together!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

That's the spirit! make some piles of things to donate, things to throw in the trash, and things to sell. Post the sellables on craigslist now, don't wait. If it doens't sell in two weeks, donate it! That's what I did with my sofas. Got so tired of waiting for a buyer I gave them to the student who works in my office. He loves them, and I'm glad they have a good home. Re-homing Big Red was almost as complicated for me as a doodle lol! (not that I would ever re-home a doodle)...

 

today I threw out a box of crap from my living room. I'm going to sell a few things too. It feels sooo good!

[Connie & Bocelli]

I'm in too!  After my divorce I had to sell the big house we lived in.  I had TWO garage sales and made about $1500 and also sold a bunch of furniture.  I moved into my townhouse 2 years ago and I swear to you - I need to have another garage sale!!!  I brought WAY too much stuff with me (thank God for my big garage) and now I'm ready to purge once again.  

I've actually been thinking about moving again.  I moved to this location based on wanting to be equidistant to my 3 kids.  I liked the townhouse but wasn't thrilled with the location.  35 minutes from work and all of my friends. So what happens???? One of them decides to move out of state 6 months after I moved here!!  Moral of the story...don't let your married kids dictate decisions you make in life.

The housing market is so crappy now and IF I do put this place up for sale, it may take a LONG time to sell but I'm THIS close to doing it!!

So let's get on the band wagon and start purging and de-cluttering our lives!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

moving is the best motivation to declutter. that way you don't have to bring all that stuff with you, and you feel less guilty about shopping for new stuff for your new place :o)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I love to declutter.. It is my favorite thing ever.. I save nothing.. which is not so good either because every once in a while an extra note pad or something would come in handy. I don't even bring my mail into the house except the stuff I have to keep, all ad's and stuff go right in the recycle. I don't keep anything.. I love it. 

 

Right now it is a little hard because my mom has some of her stuff here as she is living with me until her house is built so I am learning to breathe through a toaster being left out on the counter.. I need to learn to save some things and be okay with it.. I am on the opposite scale as you guys...I can't watch the show hoarders without breaking out into a sweat, seriously.

 

I will have fun watching you guys declutter.. I wish I was there to help.. I love to organize and clean things...

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

C'mon over, Jennifer! Me and the boyz could use the help!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

you would have a field day at my place!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

You go girl!  Or should I say "You Grow girl!"  Good luck! 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Love it!

[GBK]

This is great, I'm in, and heading to the website too :)

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I must get the book.  We are currently finding a care placement for my mom and I am looking at all the stuff in her house - lots of beautiful antiques and lots of 'stuff' and am overwhelmed at the thought of clearing it out.  Then I  look at my own home and am even more overwhelmed!  I don't even have the good stuff to weed out, just junk, junk, junk.  Going on-line now to check out the book!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'll be coming to you for advice when my parents are ready to give up their house. They're in their late 80's and have lived there for 65 years. Yikes. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Boy do I wish I lived closer ----- I'd come help you clear some of those antiques out of your Mom's house ..... oh no wait, I'm decluttering aren't I .... Oh well, I can always make room for antiques.