My house is full of stuff (junk,clutter etc.) I read someplace that if you throw away a set number of things away everyday, getting started won't be so overwelming??? Think I should start with my junk drawer? Maybe my undie collection?? Clothes I haven't warn in years, I'm tired already but will throw away 17 things before I go to bed. Wish me luck.. Sue

Wishing you luck, Sue!

Wish you luck as well. That is an interesting theory but a good one I think.

Martha

It is sure to work, and before long you will be clutter free. I do something similar. I set my timer for 20 minutes this morning to just throw out stuff from my closet. I figure I can do anything for 20 minutes - even things I hate to do. Well, lo and behold, I kept at it after the timer went off, and an hour later my closet is awesomely organized. YAY.

17 wouldn't get me started - especially in the clothing department. I need to go through the cotton knit shirts and see what needs to go to rags (I cut them up for husband to use in the shop). He's got a pile of grimy yellowed holey t-shirts that need sorted through.

I've got a few nicer things that need to go to the resale shop...

I've been ever so slowly, dunning out "stuff". My problem was finding a "missing" piece knowing I should hold on to it just incase the next drawer or shelf completes an item or collection.
Reusable items are and will be donated to local charities.
I'm half tempted to sell on ebay

For me, it is 50 percent of any drawer or closet space, that is permanently removed (tossed or donated) and sometimes sold on Craigs List.

It is one of those things where you say to yourself, "If I needed to run from this area, and never look back, what would I find worthy of keeping, if I could only keep half of it?"
Amazingly I find more than 50 percent unworthy, or was only keeping "just in case", which never seems to occur anyway.

And it can be such a joyous feeling to open a cabinet, drawer or closet and have ROOM to spare.

A Feng Shui rule I learned many years ago, "Clearing out the old/unused stuff, leaves room for the Universe to bring you something even better"

quote:

Originally posted by conrad:
A Feng Shui rule I learned many years ago, "Clearing out the old/unused stuff, leaves room for the Universe to bring you something even better"

I love that idea!

Well I did. I cleaned out the condiments in the fridge door! Tossed a jar of pickles dated 2007.. Oh my found the knob for my little crock pot in the junk drawer and got rid of lots of things. Had to take the weekend off my 14 year old GD wanted to have her birthday party here! They pitched a tent and went swimming Lake Huron is cold! They all ended up in the basement! LOL Sue

I didn't throw anything away, but I did a run through my closet. There are three big bags to go to Goodwill and my friend took several outfits home with her!!!

You'd never know I touched it to look at the closet, though.

quote:

Originally posted by tessa89:
I've been ever so slowly, dunning out "stuff". My problem was finding a "missing" piece knowing I should hold on to it just incase the next drawer or shelf completes an item or collection.
Reusable items are and will be donated to local charities.
I'm half tempted to sell on ebay

KWYM Tessa...I knew where Mother's favorite teacup was, but for yearssssss I could not find the matching saucer (thought I prob threw it out by mistake after our last move!), but after five years, I actually found it!!!!!!!! I was so happy for sentimental reasons

If only my spouse believed in feng shui...

You can pick your own number- whatever works.
I did it several years ago (and probably need to do it again now) in my closet. It was so nice to have room to move the hangers and not have everything jammed in there. I also used the rule "anything that goes into the bag stays in the bag" - no second guessing.

Sue- I'd like to hear an update on your 17 items a day effort!

I did this once too, raced myself for 10 minutes in my closet to see how much I could get cleaned out..I was so pleased i kept at it another 20, and got it all done!
Yo can do a lot in 10 serious minutes!

I need to sort shoes. I've got three pairs of sandals in the floor of the closet because the racks (yes plural) are full. The other day DH asked me if I knew how many pairs of shoes I had.
I said yes - I see them every day.
Well how many pairs?
The number is not important as long as I'm not hiding them.