2013 Destash- this is the year!

[butterflygirl3]

Haven't been logging in my progress, but doing pretty good I love that American Kidney Fund calls me every couple of weeks, cause it keeps me motivated to get a couple bagful of items together that we don't need. Love the fact that I don't have to take it somewhere to get rid of it. They come to
me
So far I have cleaned out my drawers and closets of any clothes I don't wear anymore. They came last week and I gave away about six bags of clothes, old curtains and shoes that don't fit. I got rid of an old steam cleaner that doesn't work (kept telling myself I was gonna fix it; it broke almost five years ago...) Some toys my kids don't play with anymore and little odds and ends. I have already filled three more trash bags full since they picked up the last load!!!! Its just crazy to me to realize how much extra "stuff" we really do have even STILL after decluttering...

 

[treeface]

Unpacked a couple of boxes this week from storage, took almost all of it to the animal shelter for their barn sale with those proceeds going to the animals. Wanted yo do more, but also wanted to enjoy some of DS's spring break so split time evenly. The donations filled the trunk of my car and I already have another bag started.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I cleaned out the back yard shed today. I started it at 11:30am this morning and finished at 3:30pm.

The shed is cleaned, shelves installed and everything is organized. I have so much garbage that it all won't fit in the garbage can so I'll have to spread it out over a few weeks so I leave room for the normal household garbage.
I also have alot of plastic that I'll put out in the recycling.

I had no idea there was so much just trash in that shed. but now I'm exhausted and trying to get up the energy to take a shower.

But it's a major thing done.

 

[delmar411]

I cleaned out the back yard shed today. I started it at 11:30am this morning and finished at 3:30pm.

The shed is cleaned, shelves installed and everything is organized. I have so much garbage that it all won't fit in the garbage can so I'll have to spread it out over a few weeks so I leave room for the normal household garbage.
I also have alot of plastic that I'll put out in the recycling.

I had no idea there was so much just trash in that shed. but now I'm exhausted and trying to get up the energy to take a shower.

But it's a major thing done.

Great job! I bet it feels great to have that done!

 

[carebee21]

We haven't been doing much decluttering the past couple weeks, so it feels a bit strange to get back into the swing of it. DH's dad came to stay with us for Easter, so now that he's gone, I'm focusing on emptying out the spare bedroom. I have the bed and dresser listed on Craigslist, and DH is taking the extra TV to a friend. Once I get that room empty, I'm going to start moving some of the boxes we've already packed into that room, so I can keep everything organized. I'm also putting together a bag with the rest of our extra linens and towels to take to the vet's office and donate when my dog has her appt. next week.

Other than that, I'm just trying to look at each space again with fresh eyes, and get rid of as much as we can. We were supposed to have a garage sale this weekend, but the 10 day forecast showed it may be windy and rainy, so we pushed it off until next weekend. But of course, it's nice and sunny out today Oh well.

DH has 6 1/2 weeks until he moves, and DS and I have about 10 weeks until we go, so right now I'm just making a final push to keep decluttering anything and everything we don't use, before we have to start boxing everything up.

 

[StephMK]

Anyway, does anyone have good moving tips? While we don't enjoy the moving process, we think it's time (been here for nearly 11 years). My in-laws offered to sell us their house--it's in a better school district (10th best in the state), is bigger than ours with 4 bedrooms, has less taxes than we do, and my husband's commute will go down to just over one mile vs. the current 25 minutes. So, we think it's a go, provided we can get everything ready to be moved by the start of the new school year.

So, other than decluttering and fixing any minor issues, what else should you do when selling a house?

Wow, those sound like great incentives to move! When we moved, we rented a storage unit to hold our extra stuff and boxes of things we knew we wouldn't need before the move. Then took down all personal pics and cleaned EVERYTHING. Cabinets, inside of fridge, door jambs, bath vanities - basically anything someone might see or open when looking.

I bought new towels & mats and those were only set out when we left the house or knew there'd be a showing. I kept them in nearby drawers & could have everything staged in 5 min if we had to rush out. Staged the kitchen table too when I could. We kept dirty dishes to an absolute minimum by running DW often and kept it empty so I could throw any dishes in there last minute.

Could the cats move in w/your inlaws early? DH is highly allergic and that would be an issue for us.

Good luck! Moving is such a pain but worth it in the end.

 

[QVCshopper]

Wow, those sound like great incentives to move! When we moved, we rented a storage unit to hold our extra stuff and boxes of things we knew we wouldn't need before the move. Then took down all personal pics and cleaned EVERYTHING. Cabinets, inside of fridge, door jambs, bath vanities - basically anything someone might see or open when looking.

I bought new towels & mats and those were only set out when we left the house or knew there'd be a showing. I kept them in nearby drawers & could have everything staged in 5 min if we had to rush out. Staged the kitchen table too when I could. We kept dirty dishes to an absolute minimum by running DW often and kept it empty so I could throw any dishes in there last minute.

Could the cats move in w/your inlaws early? DH is highly allergic and that would be an issue for us.

Good luck! Moving is such a pain but worth it in the end.

Thank you, those are great ideas! I would never have thought about the towels. I just bought a ton of magic erasers to clean all of the nook and crannies; my oven is cleaner than its ever been. We might use one of my in-laws empty rooms like a storage locker, but i have also looked into renting. I'll have to see about the kitties, but maybe yes.

The good news is a house on my street sold in 3 days with multiple offers. I'm hoping to meet with their realtor next week. Thank you for the tips!

 

[Scrap4me]

Well, I have done it! I made one last trip to Goodwill this morning and dropped of the last box of destashed stuff..This has taken me almost 3 years!

But I refuse to be done! I begin my deep clean for Spring this week and I am going to go through everything again. It will be so much easier since there is less...but I am now going to use the "If I haven't used it in 30 days---out it GOES!"

Now that so much is gone, I have been able to focus on keeping a home that is always ready for a visit! Only took me 23 years of marriage....and I can now get back to my passion of photography and scrapbooking. I built some great ledge shelves for my walls to start displaying my photos--even the hubby loves them!

Everyone keep up the great work and it can and will happen! Of course you may have to wait until the kids all turn 18 and you finally have the husband trained--but it is an accomplishment that can be very satisfying! Just do not reward yourself with a shopping spree! Instead--grab a cup of your favorite drink and just walk from room to room and take it all in!

Isn't it great! Remember--baby steps---we all start with baby steps....

 

[ilovepete]

Can I join you guys? I've been doing this since the new year, but I didn't know about this thread. I was doing a get rid of 2013 things in 2013 challenge. So far I have gotten 1497 things out of my house! I can't believe we had that much to get rid of, especially when everything fit just fine before. There weren't piles of things everywhere, the stuff all fit nice and neat where it belonged but I have no idea how! The even crazier thing is, even though I have gotten rid of so many things, I can't tell a difference at all in the house! It still seems the same as always. I think I may have to get really ruthless with it to be able to tell a huge difference. I feel like I have been, but maybe not a enough. Or maybe it is just because everything was put away before so now it still is, there is just less there, but you couldn't see it before and still can't so it doesn't look like a huge difference. Either way, I am much happier with less!

 

[Scrap4me]

Can I join you guys? I've been doing this since the new year, but I didn't know about this thread. I was doing a get rid of 2013 things in 2013 challenge. So far I have gotten 1497 things out of my house! I can't believe we had that much to get rid of, especially when everything fit just fine before. There weren't piles of things everywhere, the stuff all fit nice and neat where it belonged but I have no idea how! The even crazier thing is, even though I have gotten rid of so many things, I can't tell a difference at all in the house! It still seems the same as always. I think I may have to get really ruthless with it to be able to tell a huge difference. I feel like I have been, but maybe not a enough. Or maybe it is just because everything was put away before so now it still is, there is just less there, but you couldn't see it before and still can't so it doesn't look like a huge difference. Either way, I am much happier with less!

But,you are making progress! That is what matters...you will begin to see space where you once saw stuff, and when you do ---it will be a great feeling...But remember one thing, do not view that space as space to fill--view it as space that gives you room to breathe!

As your journey continues, and you purge more and more, the spaces will begin to open up all around you...something as simple as opening the utensil drawer and noticing that your spoons and forks and knives can move will bring a great euphoria of excitement.....keep that feeling alive and strive for more!

You did not collect all of that "stuff" overnight--don't expect to get rid of it overnight--it will take time!

Good Luck

 

[StephMK]

The good news is a house on my street sold in 3 days with multiple offers. I'm hoping to meet with their realtor next week. Thank you for the tips!

Wow, that's awesome! The worst part is having to keep it showing clean all the time so hopefully you won't have to worry about that very long!

Well, I have done it! I made one last trip to Goodwill this morning and dropped of the last box of destashed stuff..This has taken me almost 3 years!

But I refuse to be done! I begin my deep clean for Spring this week and I am going to go through everything again. It will be so much easier since there is less...but I am now going to use the "If I haven't used it in 30 days---out it GOES!"

Now that so much is gone, I have been able to focus on keeping a home that is always ready for a visit! Only took me 23 years of marriage....and I can now get back to my passion of photography and scrapbooking. I built some great ledge shelves for my walls to start displaying my photos--even the hubby loves them!

Everyone keep up the great work and it can and will happen! Of course you may have to wait until the kids all turn 18 and you finally have the husband trained--but it is an accomplishment that can be very satisfying! Just do not reward yourself with a shopping spree! Instead--grab a cup of your favorite drink and just walk from room to room and take it all in!

Isn't it great! Remember--baby steps---we all start with baby steps....

Congrats!!! LOL on the kids & trained hubby. I can definitely tell a difference from when I started on these challenges a few years ago. I still have some spots to go but overall it does feel much nicer.

Can I join you guys? I've been doing this since the new year, but I didn't know about this thread. I was doing a get rid of 2013 things in 2013 challenge. So far I have gotten 1497 things out of my house! I can't believe we had that much to get rid of, especially when everything fit just fine before. There weren't piles of things everywhere, the stuff all fit nice and neat where it belonged but I have no idea how! The even crazier thing is, even though I have gotten rid of so many things, I can't tell a difference at all in the house! It still seems the same as always. I think I may have to get really ruthless with it to be able to tell a huge difference. I feel like I have been, but maybe not a enough. Or maybe it is just because everything was put away before so now it still is, there is just less there, but you couldn't see it before and still can't so it doesn't look like a huge difference. Either way, I am much happier with less!

Of course! The more, the merrier. It sounds like you have made great progress. I think several of us have gone through areas multiple times until we pare them down to the essentials. Each time I go back, I find more things I can do without or am now ready to let go. It's a process!

DD13 & I went through her dresser & nightstand on Sunday. I have a full laundry basket full of clothes & a small pile of things that belong elsewhere in the house. Now we have to tackle her closet. That is going to a be a project I just have to do without planning for it or I'll avoid it!

We also found the screws for her dresser mirror so she's anxious for us to hang that for her. We left it off when she was younger but now she'd like it to use.

Just found out my BIL might be coming in 2 weeks so I have new incentive to tackle a few areas in the basement. Usually it's kids only down there so I don't make that a top priority.

 

[StephMK]

Posting to hold myself accountable! BIL is definitely coming so my deadline is ON. I always do better if there is a short time frame - 2 weeks from today. I already cleared a bag of stuff off the bed and started putting away a few things down there.

DS cleared out a bookshelf for me today. There is a book donation drive going on at school and he asked if he could take all of my Trixie Belden books. *sigh* How could I say no?

I really loved those books & my mom saved them for years. However, none of my kids have ever been interested in them and they are really just taking up shelf space. Now they'll go to kids and hopefully someone will enjoy them. It was pretty tough to let them go. We are going through more tonight so DD can take some too.

 

[mafibisha]

Well, I have done it! I made one last trip to Goodwill this morning and dropped of the last box of destashed stuff..This has taken me almost 3 years!

But I refuse to be done! I begin my deep clean for Spring this week and I am going to go through everything again. It will be so much easier since there is less...but I am now going to use the "If I haven't used it in 30 days---out it GOES!"

Now that so much is gone, I have been able to focus on keeping a home that is always ready for a visit! Only took me 23 years of marriage....and I can now get back to my passion of photography and scrapbooking. I built some great ledge shelves for my walls to start displaying my photos--even the hubby loves them!

Everyone keep up the great work and it can and will happen! Of course you may have to wait until the kids all turn 18 and you finally have the husband trained--but it is an accomplishment that can be very satisfying! Just do not reward yourself with a shopping spree! Instead--grab a cup of your favorite drink and just walk from room to room and take it all in!

Isn't it great! Remember--baby steps---we all start with baby steps....

Yay for you! You're my hero!!

I'm getting there and that's my goal; I want to walk through and just breathe. And then start paring down even more! It's addicting! And I love it!

 

[mafibisha]

Posting to hold myself accountable! BIL is definitely coming so my deadline is ON. I always do better if there is a short time frame - 2 weeks from today. I already cleared a bag of stuff off the bed and started putting away a few things down there.

DS cleared out a bookshelf for me today. There is a book donation drive going on at school and he asked if he could take all of my Trixie Belden books. *sigh* How could I say no?

I really loved those books & my mom saved them for years. However, none of my kids have ever been interested in them and they are really just taking up shelf space. Now they'll go to kids and hopefully someone will enjoy them. It was pretty tough to let them go. We are going through more tonight so DD can take some too.

That's how I've been, way too emotionally attached to stuff. I did pare down quite a bit, but have to admit I still have way too much. I'm trying to weed through everything, saving some, and tossing the rest. SO difficult to do so I applaud you!!!

(what happened to our applaud icon?)

 

[4 Ears]

While putting away the spare bed sheets DH and I went through luggage and stored clothing. We tossed a piece of luggage that had seen better days, a couple of shirts that shrunk while in storage and some pants that needed to be tossed last time. I can only get DH to toss so much at once...

What is out your door today?

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Still unpacking the house after the move. This house may be smaller than the government quarters, but it is sooo much easier to keep clean. Every other day another load goes to the local thrift store. I think they are getting to know the vehicles. They traded a couple of baby toys for toddler toys.

This evening DS18 decided to finish clearing out the items in the garage. He said "Attention, if it is loose, you better come get it or I am throwing it out!" Once everyone looked through the pile, that's where it went. He swept and pulled two vehicles into the garage. He has put some items in the van to go to the storage unit.

So now we have DD15 room to finish painting and then she will be able to complete her 4 boxes. Some toys and books to put up into DS2 room. I am going to put some in tubs in the garage and then trade them out every couple of months as most of his toys are 3-6y. And finally the craft room which is part of the master bedroom.

I don't know why, but suddenly it is so much easier to just get rid of the stuff.

Keep up the great work, everyone. Enjoying the progress. Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[DisNerd12]

How fun to find this thread! I have been really trying to work at this in the last month-DH and I live in a 1BR apt and boy does stuff get SQUEEZED in. I am always taking stuff out and DH likes to bring stuff in bless his heart. SO- as an incentive to release some of the "stuff" that we definitely don't need around here we will be having a yard sale to save $ for a Disney trip!!!

So far-

I've been through DH's clothes and have permission to resell some items he barely wore/doesn't wear

I'm finally parting with a few pieces from HS (yikes) that will never fit me the same again.

I'm getting rid of quite a few paper books I've been holding onto (1/2 price deals, inherited books) as I have a NOOK E-reader. Don't get me wrong I still love the feel of a book but I think the classics will do.

Slowly but surely filling up those boxes! Can't wait for a "freer" feeling!

 

[ilovepete]

Of course! The more, the merrier. It sounds like you have made great progress. I think several of us have gone through areas multiple times until we pare them down to the essentials. Each time I go back, I find more things I can do without or am now ready to let go. It's a process!

But,you are making progress! That is what matters...you will begin to see space where you once saw stuff, and when you do ---it will be a great feeling...But remember one thing, do not view that space as space to fill--view it as space that gives you room to breathe!

As your journey continues, and you purge more and more, the spaces will begin to open up all around you...something as simple as opening the utensil drawer and noticing that your spoons and forks and knives can move will bring a great euphoria of excitement.....keep that feeling alive and strive for more!

You did not collect all of that "stuff" overnight--don't expect to get rid of it overnight--it will take time!

Good Luck

Thank you both, very encouraging! I am still going strong. I have bulked up the goodwill pile quite a bit over the last few days and also sold a few things. It feels so good to get things out and see my # go up at the same time! The more I get rid of, the easier it is!

 

[carebee21]

Congrats to you all for your amazing accomplishments. Everyone is doing great!!!

I feel like I'm in a rut. I'm just not motivated to do any packing or decluttering. Plus, I'm getting down to the stuff where I really need to think hard about whether to keep it or let it go. So it is getting harder here

I did manage to walk through the house yesterday and collect a large black bag of garbage for garbage pick-up today. I tossed a few of the dog and cat toys that they had no interest in, a couple of DSs stuffed animals, a few pairs of flip flops that were pretty worn or yucky and other small odds and ends that I found in each room that I knew we didn't need.

I wanted to put together a bag of our excess towels and linens to take to our vet when my dog had her appt yesterday, but I didn't have time to do it before her appointment. I have to go back for the cat's immunizations in a couple weeks, so my goal is to put together that bag this weekend, so then it will be all ready for that appointment. Once I do that, my linen and towel closets will both be completely decluttered.

I also feel like a broken record with DH and his garage sale. We had a few things come up this week that we were not planning on, so we didn't have time to get ready for a garage sale this weekend. So once again, we're pushing it back a week. But luckily, this is the last time it can be pushed back. After that we have my birthday, him being out of town for work, mother's day and then the last weekend before he makes the move, which will be filled with tons of packing for him. So if it doesn't happen the 20th and 21st, there's no way it can happen and all that stuff will be donated (which honestly is what I'm secretly hoping . I hate garage sales and it seems like so much work for so little in return; but DH disagrees with me...)

Anyhow, hopefully I can pick up some motivation and get a lot done Sunday! Hope everyone else has a productive weekend and keep up the good work!

 

[QVCshopper]

I took an entire big car load full of kids stuff to a consignment sale today. Pretty sure everything we would take back will sell. It was so much stuff, plus I hope to make some money.

We also met with a realtor who told us what to change for putting the house on the market. She sad we need to declutter more, which was a little discouraging since I've already gotten rid of so much stuff. What we have left we basically need. But there is still a lot on the surfaces, so we have to clean those off. We don't have an attic or much built in storage, so our closets are pretty full. We have just outgrown the house. Anyway, she wants us to be on the market in two weeks. Yikes! I hope we can do this with three kids... I'm going to start by packing up winter stuff and go from there.