This year I'm going to give you a different view outside one of my windows each month. This month it is from the room where my desk and computer reside. It is the former bedroom of my youngest son who moved out about four years ago after graduating from college. There are two windows. This one is the one I'm looking out of right now as I type. . . .
Because my house is shaped like half of an octagon this bedroom's two windows have slightly different views because of the angle in the room. This second window is slightly to my right at about a 45-degree angle on a different wall. This is the other view from my chair. . . .
These windows look out onto the woods we had cleared a couple years ago. From the first window I can see the sun rise over the cliffs behind the cabin I shared a picture of in my Out and About post in December about the Dulcimer potluck.
The reason I'm starting with this room is because this is where I've spent the majority of my time it seems since the beginning of the year bringing my photo albums up-to-date. It's also where I'm about to start my decluttering project. My desk drawers and computer files! I haven't started any of my other projects--learn to draw, play the dulcimer or learning how to use my camera properly. God is working on me on the Joy-filled goal. It seems I have to be tested first to see where I am so I can see how far I've come by the end of the year.
So, my question to you is this. Are you working on a decluttering project in your life? If so, where did you start? What is your process....is it room by room, or are you doing all the closets first, then all the drawers, etc.? Are you decluttering in others ways like cutting back on activities like too many meetings or computer time or TV watching?
Finishing my photo albums was actually part of decluttering my desk. And now that I've finished 2014's projects I feel I can move on to my other projects. I'm going to set aside a particular day a week to devote to each of my projects. I think this is the only way I'm going to spend the necessary time I need to learn them.
What about you? Do you have a particular method for making sure you accomplish what you set out to do?
Here is an article on decluttering that I found inspiring. At the end of that article are more links to other articles if you want to keep reading.
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Take Joy!
How lucky you are Cathy to have a window where you see the sun rise. Our front windows face the east---we live in a subdivision and my neighbor's home obstructs the first degrees of sunrise. It looks like there are paths outside your office window. Is this where the faeries and gnomes reside?
ReplyDeleteWe have been decluttering for years now. It is an ongoing project since my husband retired. We are getting more ruthless with our process. Amvets pick up in our neighborhood at least once a month and we aim to send at least 4 or 5 bags to them each month. Goodwill is a place we take things also. I cleaned out the guestroom drawers recently and couldn't believe the stuff I'd saved. Our rooms are clutterless--but the closets and drawers are what we are focusing on. I heard someone say recently if you have something that someone could use it is selfish not to share it--such as clothing etc. It made an impact on my giving. I'll check out your link soon to get some info to help this process continue. ♥
A few years ago the only way I was able to get rid of most of what I'd stored in my attic over the 28 years I'd been putting stuff up there was to have a yard sale so I could actually see people taking things they could use. I made over $400 which I promptly gave to a woman's shelter so I felt great on three different levels--clean and organized attic, the stuff found good homes, and I helped an important charity. Plus, I got to socialize with neighbors and other like-minded (yardsale) people. ☺ Now it's my drawers and closets, too, that need decluttering the most--and storage shelves in the basement. I've been pretty good about not using the attic to keep things I no longer use. I'm even starting to clear out all the baby stuff I've saved now that I finally have a grandchild.
DeleteHello Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI seem to de clutter al the time with living in a small cottage with little storage space. I do have a bag ready for the charity shop in our nearest town though after going through the wardrobe. I do list on the internet too & sell pieces we no longer need, mind you all that does is give me some money to buy another piece for the cottage.
Another lovely post.
Fondly Michelle
Michelle, there's nothing like moving to help one declutter, right? My problem is I haven't moved in 34 years. Plus, I have a full attic and basement in which to collect things. I'm sure living in a smaller cottage helps keep you pared down. I think out with the old, in with the new is a good way to be all around if the old no longer serves you.
DeleteI was going to reply last night, but then I thought "no" as I was on my way to bed {time difference} and definitely did not want thoughts of decluttering cluttering up my brain as I try to drift off ~~~ lol.
ReplyDeleteI am decluttering, but it is a very hard thing to do when no one else in the house wants to declutter. I do not have a set plan, some days it just happens, I look at something, a corner, a cupboard, or a shelf and know it has to be sorted and much got rid of. I don't have any particular method, but I do have bags from the Red Cross that I fill up and they will come collect them when I call.
I am horribly, horrendously attached to things. I do, however, draw the line at keeping broken things regardless of who gave them to me. To me broken things = broken energy so out they go. My worst trait is that I see a use for everything and end up hoarding things I will never use but convince myself I will need them ~ I mean, they are begging us to stop sending things to landfill, yes? lol
To help in the battle, before I buy anything these days I ask myself if it is a 'need' or a 'want' and if it is 'need' then I have to further justify it but if it is 'want' then I don't buy. Also, before I buy anything I 'need' I pick at least two things that will go to the charity shop to make room, a different kind of "two for one" that helps the battle of the clutter! ~~~Deb in Wales
Deb, that is exactly why I'm up so early.....I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep because I was decluttering my desk last night and am eager to get back to it. I found some things I've been looking for. Who knows what else I'll find. I like your twist on two for one. I'm always looking for bargains like that. ☺ My problem this year in particular has been I've been going to yard sales like mad looking for baby equipment and clothes for my granddaughter. How can I pass up all the other bargains I see? Some really have been things we've needed, but most are little things for a dollar or less that "I might need" or just like. One reason I use to keep things was for when my boys left home. I stored all sorts of furniture, bedding, towels, etc. in the attic for when they got their first place. They've all left home now and two are married, but I haven't been able to get out of that "someone I know might need this" mindset. So I have that issue to deal with as I pare now--changing my thinking! I have to "declutter" my mind first of old ways of being. I know what you're up against having someone else in the house not of the same mindset. In my daughter-in-law's case it was ME. We helped them move year before last, and I was aghast at what they were throwing away and asked if I could have a lot of the things in their giveaway/throwaway pile. Needless to say, I was not being helpful and realized it was time for me to leave.
DeleteSigh, I too got up early with things to do on my mind. My decluttering has been "piecemeal" over the past years to my disappointment. But I tend to keep a bag around for stuff as I find it to get rid of, etc. regularly. My biggest decision right now is whether or not to get rid of my wedding china. :-) Happy decluttering. You have such nice window views.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though we are all purging "stuff" this year! I believe I mentioned I was reading the Magic of Tidying Up, the Japanese art of de-cluttering. Her methods and system is interesting, but to me, the idea of holding each object in your hands and asking, "does this bring me joy?" Is what will work for me. Now if I can just get Jim on board! Jim and his family are hoarders extraordinaire. I know for a fact there are 3 boxes of hunting clothes, some new with the tags still on, in the barn. Jim hasn't hunted since the 80's! We will see how the "joy " theory works. We are going to tackle the storage room in the barn first! Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteChris Wells. From Texas
I do wish you luck, and hope some of it will rub off on me. Sometimes it takes me two times going through a drawer to really clear it out. After the first time I can see the possibilities and am more motivated to make it even better. Have you asked Jim why he hangs on to those clothes? If he can come up with a reason, hearing himself say it might help him realize it's not a good enough reason and let you get rid of them.
DeleteYes, Cathy, I've been decluttering too, ever since I retired in August 2013, I've never been what you'd call a packrat - and since I've lived in apartments, there hasn't been space enough to collect too awful much. But I was still surprised at how much I had accumulated over the years. I basically tried to tackle one drawer or cupboard or closet section at a time - and my goal was to send as little to the landfill as possible. I asked the following questions. Did I like this? Did I use it? Or could I use it now because I had the time? Did I wear it? I thought about adding it to my brother and SIL's annual garage sale, but then I would have had to look at a lot of boxes for almost a year [yuk]. So I ended up donating quite a bit to Goodwill that others could still get some use of it. Plus a big stack of worn linens and clothes not worthy of "Goodwilling" to an organization in Rochester that accepts textile donations [similar to those "kidney car" type programs]. The organization sells worn cloth [by the ton apparently] to the paper industry where it's used in making high-quality paper [even our paper money]. The next time you're in an office supply store, look at a box of quality paper [the higher the cotton content, the better and more long-lasting the paper]. I also recycled a lot that couldn't be donated. But the best donations I ever made were my 12-year old Cavalier [to the Vietnam Vets Association in 1997] and my 14-year old Saturn [to the Humane Society in 2011]. I can't remember what the Cavalier was worth but my nephew [age 16 at the time] had bet me that the Saturn, with its VERY leaky sunroof and 150K miles on it, would garner only about $100. But it ended up bringing in $800! A painless way to donate a nice chunk and still have the car be useful in some way. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteJanet, I love the idea of recycling, which is one reason I save stuff. I think I might find another use for it later. I've been working on my desk all day. It's going veeery.... sloooowly.....
DeleteI hear you. When I dust my bookcases it takes at least two days because I get distracted by the books and sit and read ALL DAY. Now I've learned to get comfortable for that job - I make myself a pot of coffee, put out my thick chenille socks and sit on the floor in front of each case with my microfiber cloth. And try to plan the job for sunny days so I can plop down in the sun and read. LOL.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janet. Maybe that's why I rarely dust my bookcases! I know I'd not get anything else done. I read a tip last week--that you should move your books to the edge of the shelf so you only have to dust the tops of the shorter books. I will eventually get to my books, but I'm saving that for last. I'm sure between my husband and me we must have over 1,000 books. (Many of mine are thin paperback children's books.)
DeleteYou have lovely views from your window. I think I'll always be working on decluttering my life. But, my, oh, my, I have gotten better just by buying less and reusing items. I recycled pretty much everything.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Morning Musings, Lisa! I think people with many interests will always have clutter to deal with. ☺ It's just a matter of getting it all organized. My problem is I get it organized which allows me to take on more, then get behind in my "filing system" and suddenly am overwhelmed again. I'm determined this year to keep pace with my own creativity! Once I get a system going, my plan is to stick to it.....we'll see...
DeleteThat view must make it a little bit easier to get your decluttering tasks completed. It's very peaceful and lovely! We did such a huge downsize/declutter before we moved here in 2013 that most things are still under control. But I can see how "stuff" is slowly creeping back into our lives, and need to make a point of staying on top of it. And, of course, there's all the "stuff" that isn't visible that needs dealing with, like sorting through pictures on the computer, getting rid of old files, etc.
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals for this year was to try and learn to draw, and I have made some baby steps. But I haven't worked on it every day like the program suggests.
Kristie, that's what I'm starting with--the computer files and my desk files. I clip articles/recipes and stuff them in a folder and never look at them again! I just threw out some medical articles from 1990! I can say, though, since I got my computer I don't clip as much--but you should see my bookmarks in Safari......I need to take the time to read things before I bookmark them to make sure I really want to keep it for future reference and then file it in such a way that I can find it again. That's my new goal.
DeleteI also have the goal to learn to draw this year. I'm setting aside Thursdays for that day and am using the DVD I just got called The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady to get me in the right frame of mind. I also have a little How To drawing book based on her 1906 book of the same name. The DVD has 12 monthly episodes based on that book.
That's a good idea seeing a view each month from a different window! Good luck with the decluttering! We have been constantly decluttering for a number of years, it was good when we moved to get rid of even more stuff! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteMy problem is I do it in "fits and starts" as they say. For me it's more "fits" than "starts" however. ☺ I just rearranged my computer today so I'm looking out that firstwindow from my right rather than my left and opened the view a little more. I feel like I've got a fresh start! I think my desk decluttering will move along a little faster now.
DeleteCathy, love those curtains. Question of the day:how to UN-Clutter. Firstly, you really have to want to do it, so prepare mentally, knowing it could be a huge job. Make an enormous pot of tea or a huge cup of delicious java. One large trash can and one big box for throwing miscellaneous doo dads into. If I am cleaning a drawer, for example, I just dump everything out onto the floor and slowly sift through everything, tossing this in the trash, carefully placing that back into the drawer and putting undecideds in the box. It's amazing how much junk we accumulate that ends up in the trash can. I'll never forget cleaning my studio last year, it took me days and days, but I had a plan and stuck to it, and to this day, I know where everything is in that room. It just feels good to unclutter. As far as decluttering my life, I don't need to do that, it is a simple life I live.
DeleteJeri, those are a fitted sheet that match the comforter on the bed! I even left the fitted corner at the bottom on each panel so that it looks gathered on the outside edge. ☺ The valance is the velvet bedskirt--leftover from the extra I cut off because it was for a king-size bed (mine is queen size). I draped it over the rod and gathered a section using a rubber band to make a rosette on one end. I also added a rose garland on top of that. I finished decluttering my desk and files, and boy does it feel great! I was able to throw out a lot of paper and even found some things of interest I'd forgotten about--some stories I'd written and an article on highly sensitive people that makes us OK--not freaks. I just need to come at life from a different perspective than I have been (after all these years!). I'm eager to try it.
DeleteSometimes sheets make even better curtains! And quilts, I have just discovered, make great couch covers. Clever indeed, the pattern is very English looking, i love it. So, you too, are a very sensitive person? I understand that completely.
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