2011 Destashing Thread

[labdogs42]

I'm exhausted but got TONS done in the past 2 days!!

I have 2 boxes of dishes that are going to Goodwill...plus 2 large boxes of children's clothing and toys and 1 box of Christmas stuff.

I have a box of stuff to sell to the used children's clothing store.

I have a box of toys to give to my neice.

I have 2 boxes that are going to my sister (she is having twins).

Plus 2 giant trash bags got thrown away!!!

I have a little organizing blog that I started last year, and I am determined to do more posting this year

http://organizingsimply.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

Nice job! And, thanks for the blog link -- I didn't read it all yet, but it looks great!

 

[Cindy B]

We did a lot this past month.

Back in November we got rid of a sofa/love seat that was just too ratty. We replaced it with a clean lines sectional which takes up less room.

My son dumped a whole 12 bin organizer away. He's 16 and some of the stuff in there was from 1st or 2nd grade. That was two full trash bags

He purged most of his wardrobe (6 foot 2 and still growing!) He had shirts from 5th grade in his drawers..he's in 10th grade! - all went to goodwill

Daughter cleaned out her room. She had three bags of clothes -teenage girl, what can I say- that went to good will

We had a microwave and a cart- went to goodwill

3 old PC's and 3 old monitors- good will (no worries, we took care of the data on it)

Old Christmas decorations- goodwill

Just last night for NY's we purged paperwork on the desktop.

We still have a basement mess. My DH is somwhat reluctant to throw anything away, but he is getting better. I did see a box of 8 1/2, 10 1/2 inch floppy disks as well as some 3 1/2 inch disks get pitched.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Happy New Year!!!

I'm in!

I have a bag to donate already by the door. I'm determined to make more progress this year.

 

[emilymad]

Count me in! I did really well the last 6 months getting my closet and linen closet cleaned out. It feels so much better. Now I have a basement, my office/craft room, and 2 spare rooms to do. All of these areas are the dumping grounds of my house. Stuff has to go!

Is there a good place to donate scrapbooking supplies? I don't really scrapbook anymore so I just want to keep my favorite stuff.

 

[minniebeth]

http://organizingsimply.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

bridget, nice blog! I love to see the way others organize and always look for new tips!

emilymad, about donating scrapbook supplies, do you know a Girl Scout troop or anyone in one that you can donate the supplies to? I am a GS leader to a
3rd grade and an 8th grade troop and we do a lot of scrapbooking. I know other troops do too. Or maybe a preschool/elementary school teacher?
I'm sure they would appreciate any of the things you have to pass on!

I'm leaving for WDW soon, and don't plan to destash/organize until I get back, but I did get rid of some old backpacks/tote bags trying to find my DD's Tinkerbell packpack for the trip!

 

[mafibisha]

I'm happy to donate stuff, but could kind of use the extra $ selling stuff could bring in.

So...basically, my indecision is cluttering my house!

OMG this is meeee tooooo.

I DO donate tons of stuff, but keep some to garage sale, but the last garage sale was a disaster (bad timing, weather ect) So I donated lots of that too, but there's always so much more that materializes.

And so I too, keep some, donate lots, but have major indecision about too much of it!

 

[OceanAnnie]

OMG this is meeee tooooo.

I DO donate tons of stuff, but keep some to garage sale, but the last garage sale was a disaster (bad timing, weather ect) So I donated lots of that too, but there's always so much more that materializes.

And so I too, keep some, donate lots, but have major indecision about too much of it!

It's me too.

I do donate a lot of stuff. And I have certain things I like to put into consignment. Consignment doesn't really yield much, but it's good for some mad money.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

This week was productive here.

I took 2 loads of unused stuff to the goodwill. mostly clothing and toys but some house stuff too. there were about 6 bags and 3 boxes in each load. That was just from my room and my girls 2 rooms

We reorganized and switched our livingroom around so we're able to fit in our new sectional when it comes sometime in the next 2 weeks. In switching I moved a bunch of things out that didn't belong and reorganized my shelves to hold all my disney figures etc.

We're relaxing for now but I plan to get the front entry and kitched decluttered this weekend then back to work which means I'll have to do the basement in stages but hopefully to be rid of the clutter by February and then onto the redecoration!!!

Happy new year!

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Love this thread!

I really can't stand clutter, so the idea of de-stashing really appeals to me. With two little boys who are constantly outgrowing toys an clothes it is an on-going battle.

Within the past few weeks I have donated several large bags of toys to the Goodwill (to make room for the new Christmas toys) and I also cleaned out my closet of clothes that I no longer wear.

This weekend my goal is to get 2 cabinets and the "junk" drawer in the kitchen cleaned out.

 

[3girlsfun]

I'm joining in. The biggest thing I would like to clean out is the basement. It is a nightmare! I also need to figure out what to do with pictures and such.

I have been thinking about doing this room by room, but, is there a better system? I have heard of the flygirl thing, but never really looked into it. Anyone used it and had success?

 

[Minnie Lor]

I'm in. DH already started by getting rid of an old, OLD computer, monitor, keyboard, etc. He also recycled all the boxes from electronics, etc. and a bunch of outdated computer books.

I went thru wrapping paper and tissue. Plan on going thru my Christmas decorations this week while putting away. There is so much stuff that I don't bother getting out anymore.

We've been getting rid of clothes and coats. I have so much more to do in that department. I'm not hard on clothes so everything is in excellent condition which makes it so hard to part with. I need someone to come over and tell me to get rid of it. I've lost weight in 2010 and have a hard time seeing what really fits.

 

[bridget]

I'm joining in. The biggest thing I would like to clean out is the basement. It is a nightmare! I also need to figure out what to do with pictures and such.

I have been thinking about doing this room by room, but, is there a better system? I have heard of the flygirl thing, but never really looked into it. Anyone used it and had success?

I think room by room makes it more managable. Flylady has good stuff!
I'm a big fan of donating things

 

[Julia M]

Still decluttering through the weekend. Friends were over last night and one specifically commented how nice my kitchen looked-yeah! (my two other friends are born organized, but this friend is like me and recognizes these little steps!!!)

My parents are over to watch the games, but I am still decluttering-I am almost finished with my kitchen drawers. My mom asked me to go to Michael's, but I turned her down to keep working. I think she's irritated, because we usually shop during the games, but I don't care, I really want to get more done today. I go back to work Monday.

Julia

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I am totally in!

I have been lazy this weekend and I keep telling myself I need to get everything organized and start get rid of the things we don't need. One of my goals this year is to be more organized. Maybe this thread will help me out.

We have a three bedroom home with only a kitchen and familyroom. My familyroom is the playroom. It drives me crazy. So after the new toys from Santa came I want to go through the old ones and get rid of what my DD3 doesn't play with. I am either going to sell, donate or save for DD4months.

The garage and basement are also on my list! We will be having a garage sale this spring! Can't wait till the snow is gone so we can clean out most of this clutter!!

 

[mickeyschickie]

Well, thanks for the inspiration...I'm exhausted now...I cleaned out the mudroom/laundry room that I haven't touched since we moved into the farmhouse in May. It looks great now and feels great! moving to the next two rooms that include my craft room...not looking forward to this!

 

[Kayakmom]

I'm joining in. The biggest thing I would like to clean out is the basement. It is a nightmare! I also need to figure out what to do with pictures and such.

I have been thinking about doing this room by room, but, is there a better system? I have heard of the flygirl thing, but never really looked into it. Anyone used it and had success?

I learned about Flylady about 9 years ago and she helped me a lot. I don't get the emails these days but I know the basic plan and I follow it. When I feel off track, I make a list for the day with sections for To Do, To Call, To Go, To Buy, and What's for dinner? Included on my list are simple things like 15 min. kitchen, 15 min. living room, etc. It helps me to get things done and realize that I'm accomplishing things. It's nice to be able to check things off of a list. I don't do it all the time now but I do it when I feel I need it. It certainly wouldn't hurt me to do it every day. I get a lot more accompished with the list than without.

I once decluttered my entire basement in 8 - 15 minute sessions per Friday. You can get A LOT done when racing against the clock for 15 minutes. I think it took me about 3 or 4 weeks, or a total of about 6-8 hours. Not bad to declutter an entire basement, imo.

 

[mrsklamc]

I didn't like that flylady was geared toward those who don't work full time. It could certainly be modified for those that do, but for me it was just as easy to make my own from scratch rather than modify someone else's.

 

[charming23]

Even though I was not feeling well today, I managed to go through a few of the Christmas decoration boxes and sort out stuff for charity that we no longer use.

 

[Ava]

This year I am decluttering all the miscellaneous stuff I've been hanging onto because I've been meaning to sell it. I am avoiding eBay if at all possible, even if it means I get less $ for the items. I hate eBay, it's a PITA. That's why all this stuff is still in my house. If the only market for an item is eBay, and the item sells for more than $20, it gets 2 chances to sell on there. If it doesn't sell after 1 relist, it's getting donated. These are the rules as I've decided them just now.

We did do one good thing so far. DD came home with way too much stuff from her grandparents after Christmas so we sorted through all of her toys and are getting rid of 2 bags of "baby" toys that she will never even notice are gone. Including two really loud annoying singing/talking toys that I hate - woohoo! (Why do all the baby/toddler toys have 2 volumes - loud and louder? So annoying.)

 

[angierae]

Destashed the bathroom today. Emptied out both drawers in the vanity, got rid of a ton of stuff, neatened it up. Then I went through the medicine cabinet and between all that was able to get a lot of random stuff off the top of the vanity so not only are the hidden areas cleaner, there's less stuff OUT which makes me happy.

(I kept my Mickey soaps, though!)