2012 Destashing Thread

[Mouse7116]

I really want to get organized and decluttered... really can't stand living in a mess anymore.

I feel the same way. I just wish that my motivation would stay with me more. I just get too overwhelmed sometimes.

We had a yard sale with friends and cleared about $100 so I'm please that more stuff went to good homes. She'll have one more before yard sale season is over so I need to get my but in gear and start get more stuff pulled and tagged. Once the season is over I'll be sending it to Goodwill (at least I keep telling myself that. I know for sure that it won't be coming back into the house, but I'm wavering on if I should hang onto it for next year's garage sales....it has been nice to have some extra $$ without having to do a ton of work for it! )

 

[thebeesknees]

Went through the kids' dress-up boxes yesterday and pared it from 3 overflowing boxes with a big pile on the floor to 3 boxes with everything fitting inside. Passed along the too-small things to my sister's kids and the rest went in the trash. The big kids are at sleep-away camp next week and I gave them this week as a warning that they will clean their rooms or I will do it while they are gone - that means I decide what goes and what stays. Also, we are planning to switch the 2 boys' rooms while older DS is away, and I will not be moving junk. DD is so sentimental she keeps every little scrap of paper and I am tired of seeing trash in her room when I go in there! I've organized her doll clothes/accessories for her umpteen times, but it still ends up all over the floor, so I warned her if it is still there on Monday and she is gone, out it goes. We will start on the desks in the office when they get back so they can start off the school year at least somewhat tidy. I have also started trying to tidy up my sewing room. I had it really nice earlier this year and it has deteriorated rapidly since then. I need to set a good example for my kids.

 

[ski_mom]

We are gettin gnew carpet throughout most of the house this Friday and next Monday and Tuesday. I'm hoping to get rid of a lot of stuff since we are going to have to move everything to one side of the house and then the other. We started clearing the office out last night and there is just so much stuff in there that we'll never use again. I just need to take the time to sort and toss!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I fell off the wagon and lost my motivation! I have 2 weeks left of vacation and I would like to get more stuff done. I told dh I wanted to clean out my bakeware cabinet. I found some bakeware tray dividers I want to organize my bakeware pans. We looked on line and they have simple ones but dh wants to make one. It will look nice but who knows how long it will take him to get on it.

If I can get dh to paint our bedroom then he will have to also do the closet, which will force us to declutter our closet...keeping fingers crossed

I use to feel overwhelmed trying to declutter/walking into my spare room . Now I can walk in and feel good.

I'm hoping the 1st of the month CL buyers will start buying again.

Well I guess if I can get my bakeware stuff organized and get rid of the bakeware I dont need then I'll be done for now until my next vacation.

So send me some decluttering motivation-lol!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I really want to get organized and decluttered... really can't stand living in a mess anymore.

ME TOO! I think it's the heat. It's been so stinkin' hot outside that I'm staying in more and the mess is starting to get to me.

I need a fairy god mother, that's what I need. Or a huge load of motivation!

or maybe just a margarita!

 

[beaucoup]

Holding decluttered items until the "next" yard sale is not worth it. Just box it all up & drop it off somewhere or have them come pick it all up.

Just getting it out of the house will be so worth it. Worth more than having to look at it for more months, and the few dollars you MIGHT make at yardsale & then end up donating it anyway.

Just let it be free. Let YOURSELF free!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

ME TOO! I think it's the heat. It's been so stinkin' hot outside that I'm staying in more and the mess is starting to get to me.

I need a fairy god mother, that's what I need. Or a huge load of motivation!

or maybe just a margarita!

Same here. I have actually considered hiring a professional organizer, but I hate to spend the money. I just know having someone here would keep me on task.

I did a big clean up in my bedroom yesterday. Still nowhere near done, and hubby has yet to pick up his side, so the room only got half vacuumed but at least my side is closer to the door, and his mess is sort of hidden by the bed.

At least now if anyone needs to use my master bathroom while the other one is under construction, I won't cringe at the thought of taking them up there....

 

[dreamin_disney]

Same here. I have actually considered hiring a professional organizer, but I hate to spend the money. I just know having someone here would keep me on task.

I did a big clean up in my bedroom yesterday. Still nowhere near done, and hubby has yet to pick up his side, so the room only got half vacuumed but at least my side is closer to the door, and his mess is sort of hidden by the bed.

At least now if anyone needs to use my master bathroom while the other one is under construction, I won't cringe at the thought of taking them up there....

Just do a lil at a time. I felt the same way but my spare room is finally good. I talked to my dh about painting our bedroom this weekend. He said ok but the look on his face knows he has to clean up his big mess that on his side of the closet. I told him i'd put all his stuff in boxes for him -lol! He declined the offer and said he's do it himself-lol! I have 3 boxes ready for his stuff. I'm about to get ready and start cleaning out my side of the closet in a bit.
The plan is to paint room and closet. Redo our closet and add a longer hanging rod, take out one of the dual cabinets. Above the cabinets and clothes hanger I want dh to put one large board for storge containers. He has sports stuff he has saved and put away. Let me tell you there are many pieces of clothing that will be decluttered. I kjnow I have a few that nolonger fit me from 10-14 years ago and same with dh-lol! I have about 15-20 pairs of pants that I have stacked that nolonger fit and I've saved for one day if i ever loose weight. Well I'm done those will be GONE!

My allergies/asthma is one of the reason for decluttering and another is to just feel free and clear. Now if I only had a starbucks caramel macchiato I'd be done even faster-lol!

BTW- the decluttering I did in my spare room took some time because I'd get so overwhelmed. Somedays i'd walk in and out cause I couldnt stand it. Other days I'd do 10-15 mins and towards the end a couple of hours. Turning on the radio and listening to some good music also helped-lol!

UPDATE: I just pulled out 33 pairs of pants that I nolonger fit into from the last 10 years. Plus I already have 8 posted on craigs list. I also have about 5 pairs of new pants that I found that I bought within the last 6-8 months. I also found 2 brand new webkins, a few tops and a few sports clothes i found if i ever had another baby, I cleared out my cabinet shelves and just need to store the stuff I'm keeping and pile the stuff I'm getting rid of. I now have to look at what I have hanging. I also have a pile i took off my shelve of my winter pj which are old t-shirts, sweats, shorts. I really need to get rid of it all and buy a new few nice pj's(clearance rack)

Dh was getting ready this morning for work and I went in and started on my closet. He looked a lil worried and knows how serious I am. I offered to pack up his stuff and he said no thank you....... I bet he's scared hahahaha!

Christine- reading your post motivated me so THANK YOU-lol!~

BTW-Which the shelves so packed with stuff I can't believe how much dust still ende dup on the shelve. I made sure to wear my face mask so my allergies dont go crazy.

I'm heading back to work Hope to get this done in an hour

Update #2Everything is out of my side of the closet. Whoo hoo! I tossed out 2 old purses, 4 pairs of shoes, a grocery bag of old pj tops and a grocery bag of trash.
I also will be posting some tops, dressy clothes on CL.

The $$ made from our clothes posted on CL will got to buy something for our room. We need some new scones type candle holders instead of pictures for the walls, new window blinds or blankets.

Now i'm off to clean the rest of the room.

Happy decluttering everyone

 

[ChrisinNJ]

UPDATE: I just pulled out 33 pairs of pants that I nolonger fit into from the last 10 years. Plus I already have 8 posted on craigs list. I also have about 5 pairs of new pants that I found that I bought within the last 6-8 months. I also found 2 brand new webkins, a few tops and a few sports clothes i found if i ever had another baby, I cleared out my cabinet shelves and just need to store the stuff I'm keeping and pile the stuff I'm getting rid of. I now have to look at what I have hanging. I also have a pile i took off my shelve of my winter pj which are old t-shirts, sweats, shorts. I really need to get rid of it all and buy a new few nice pj's(clearance rack)

Dh was getting ready this morning for work and I went in and started on my closet. He looked a lil worried and knows how serious I am. I offered to pack up his stuff and he said no thank you....... I bet he's scared hahahaha!

Christine- reading your post motivated me so THANK YOU-lol!~

BTW-Which the shelves so packed with stuff I can't believe how much dust still ende dup on the shelve. I made sure to wear my face mask so my allergies dont go crazy.

I'm heading back to work Hope to get this done in an hour

Update #2Everything is out of my side of the closet. Whoo hoo! I tossed out 2 old purses, 4 pairs of shoes, a grocery bag of old pj tops and a grocery bag of trash.
I also will be posting some tops, dressy clothes on CL.

The $$ made from our clothes posted on CL will got to buy something for our room. We need some new scones type candle holders instead of pictures for the walls, new window blinds or blankets.

Now i'm off to clean the rest of the room.

Happy decluttering everyone

Wow!!! You got a ton of decluttering done today! You must feel

I am a bit behind today because the water was shut off half the day while they re-plumbed the new bathroom. I just started the dishwasher now, and I haven't done a single load of laundry. I did manage to clear off the coffee table and vacuum the first floor though, so the house looks a bit better.

I also spent some time helping my daughters make no sew fleece blankets this afternoon.

I went to Staples yesterday for sale items and when I went to put them away I realized I have to organize the storage cabinet in my office now too.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Check out flylady.net they are going done dirt of decluttering game or contest starting Friday.

 

[beaucoup]

Check out flylady.net they are going done dirt of decluttering game or contest starting Friday.

FlyLady (personally) drives me crazy. I take the principles & get off the site & FB page quick. I would rather follow other organizer blogs or FB pages who are less holier than thou.

Most of the other blogs & organizers all follow the same system anyway, since FlyLady isn't the one who originally came up with it anyway.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I'm so excited!!! I finally sold some items i had on CL since March. The reason is because these 2 listing took up space. One was a kids comforter and 3 deco pillows and two boxes/2 bags full of misc small items
(62-65 items) Made some cash and the clutter is gone. The boxes and bedding took up a lot of space.

sooooo dont give up if your craig listing. Yes, its easier to donate it all but if your willing to wait you can make some money since march I've made $409.00 and it came in handy Now I'm ready and motivaded for more-lol!

on another good note-----Dh is cleaning out his closet. Well he cheated a lil and left everything on his cbainets and shelves but just moved those to the dining area. Looks like we will actually get the closet and room painted this weekend

 

[mafibisha]

Reading thru this thread with some admiration for you all. Last year I was forced to declutter all my husbands stuff as well as much of my own as were my kids as my husband died suddenly from a stroke. Wrapped in this saddness was the news we would now be able to buy a house due to life insurance. But oh my the things we had to declutter. He had so much stuff that it made no sense to move, so while many widows can take their time to sort thru, I had to decide rather quickly. Some things I kept as the kids just would not hear of getting rid of as it was dads and they were not willing to part with it yet, as you can imagine so much clothes and other things just had to go.

Why I post this is all the good those items are doing between the charities and garage sales. Those items are now being bought by some that otherwise might not afford those items. I just want to tell you I am proud of all you are doing.

2011 was hard in so many ways for myself and my kids, and going thru all the things my husband had did not make it any easier as he was such a collector of things.

Now a little over a year later, there are more things to declutter as I finally just boxed up some stuff of his and it now sits in the garage waiting to go to charity, perhaps this thread has given me the push I need to start again. I will be calling the VVA for a pick up soon.

So very sorry for your loss. (((( HUGS ))) to you.
How wonderful though, that your donations are making such a difference in others' lives. Its also a great reminder and inspiration for me, and likely others, to pass on much of what we keep that isn't really necessary or needed, so that it can be a blessing to others. Thanks much, and God bless.

 

[cluvsdisney]

FlyLady (personally) drives me crazy. I take the principles & get off the site & FB page quick. I would rather follow other organizer blogs or FB pages who are less holier than thou.

Most of the other blogs & organizers all follow the same system anyway, since FlyLady isn't the one who originally came up with it anyway.

I agree. Her system is not revolutionary and all the emails are insane I just wanted to see if there were prizes...lol

 

[mrsklamc]

Reading thru this thread with some admiration for you all. Last year I was forced to declutter all my husbands stuff as well as much of my own as were my kids as my husband died suddenly from a stroke. .

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[StephMK]

Dismom55 - I'm so sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength & comfort.

We are back from vacation & I'm motivated to pitch stuff. My dad is a mini-hoarder and luckily contained to 2 rooms at this point. There is stuff piled chest high in the garage and little paths through the stuff. As another poster stated, that's stuff just sitting that could be used by someone. My mom can't convince him to clear it out. He's one of those - it's functional & we might have a use for it -thinkers.

Anyway, that just makes me want to come home and throw stuff out! I don't have any piles but we do have stuff I don't need anymore. Plus we are finally planning to move next year and I need to start getting the house ready to sell! Very excited & have been wanting to move for a long time.

Before we left town, I cleared out about 1/2 of my kitchen cabinets & need to do the other ones. DS's closet & room look great but both DD's need to clear their closets. I cleared my closet in the spring but I want to go through it again and be more ruthless. I'm losing weight and don't plan to keep the bigger stuff.

We will be going to a more expensive area and getting a smaller place. I really envision paring down and just keeping the well loved items. We are planning to sell most of our furniture before we go. I can't wait to get this project underway!

Anyone have any plans for the weekend? I hope to go through DD12's closet w/her and go through at least 3 totes in the basement. Oh, and get the kids to sort through their dress up boxes for any favs before I donate the rest. Next week, I hope to keep pitching and start painting rooms.

 

[beaucoup]

Wedding gown from 24 yrs ago is in my car & ready to go next time I'm in the area of donation place.

No children. 23 year old niece will never want it. Its so 1980's with lace sleeves & lace up to the neck. I listed it in my Craigslist yard sale ad last year. No bites, and I even had people purchase unsold items after yard sale they had seen listed in ad, so I know detailed listing works.

Maybe someone can do something with all that fabric.

Asked DH & he is completely fine with me letting it go. Have no other use for it & the box is taking up a lot of space in our condo.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Dismom55 - I'm so sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength & comfort.

We are back from vacation & I'm motivated to pitch stuff. My dad is a mini-hoarder and luckily contained to 2 rooms at this point. There is stuff piled chest high in the garage and little paths through the stuff. As another poster stated, that's stuff just sitting that could be used by someone. My mom can't convince him to clear it out. He's one of those - it's functional & we might have a use for it -thinkers.

Anyway, that just makes me want to come home and throw stuff out! I don't have any piles but we do have stuff I don't need anymore. Plus we are finally planning to move next year and I need to start getting the house ready to sell! Very excited & have been wanting to move for a long time.

Before we left town, I cleared out about 1/2 of my kitchen cabinets & need to do the other ones. DS's closet & room look great but both DD's need to clear their closets. I cleared my closet in the spring but I want to go through it again and be more ruthless. I'm losing weight and don't plan to keep the bigger stuff.

We will be going to a more expensive area and getting a smaller place. I really envision paring down and just keeping the well loved items. We are planning to sell most of our furniture before we go. I can't wait to get this project underway!

Anyone have any plans for the weekend? I hope to go through DD12's closet w/her and go through at least 3 totes in the basement. Oh, and get the kids to sort through their dress up boxes for any favs before I donate the rest. Next week, I hope to keep pitching and start painting rooms.

We took everything out of our bedroom except for the bed. Saturday will be painting day. I told dh that he needs to go thorugh his tuff before bringinnig it all back into the room. When he took out his closet cabinet organizers he left All his stuff on it..he cheated-lol!

My alleries/asthma are bad so i can't smell the paint or help like i did last time unless i wear a mask but my nose is sensetive from all the dust that was under the furniture. I walked in and got a wiff of it. Luckily dh vaccumed. I dont like having heavy bedroom furniture becausei cant move it.

In a couple of days when paint smell goes away I plan on clearning out underneath the bed. I have no idea what under there but Dh had a bunch of junk under it and I'm sure there more dust and dirt!

I still need to work on my bakeware cabinet, maybe this weekend. I'm about ready to go buy the bakeware slot holder instead of waiting for dh to make one. I otld him its probably going to be cheaper and faster.

I'm also thinking of hitting the den entertainment cabinets.

DD's room is finally being kept up so i'm happy with her. She has one top shelve that has a bunch of games so i want to go through those and put those under our livingroom tv cabinet.

the only thing left after everthing i mentioned is the garage and shed.

 

[delmar411]

well the kids go back to school on tuesday so this morning was the time to sort through uniforms.

I'm heading out to old navy in a bit to finish getting the uniforms but I'm taking away:

21 boy polos
5 girl polos
5 girl khakis
8 boy khakis

ODS already has 5 new khakis and YDD has 5 new polos, so now to get YDS 5 new polos and khakis, and YDD 5 new khakis and ODS 5 new polos.

So I'm taking away 39 pieces and bringing back 20. Still a gain on my side!

 

[mrsklamc]

Tuesday!!! Argh. I hate how short summers are getting.