I have finally decluttered my clothes. I have been working on them for a while, clearing out/donating bits here and there, but I had a big mental block on the bulk of them.
But now I have finally decided that a small capsule wardrobe of things that fit now and are in style is the way to go.
So most of stuff that is out of date, wrong colour, wrong fit, has gone.
I have bought some more things that I needed and need to buy a few more but it will be only stuff that is right and will be worn.
I could probably get all my clothes into half the wardrobe (closet in US) space I had crammed full before.
One lesson I have learned in my decluttering journey is that sometimes things have to wait for their time to come, and it is better do let things go as I can than freeze into inaction because I can't tackle something like the clothes mountain or deal with everything at once.
I've also been gently decluttering the kitchen cupboards using this method. Not having a big clear out but feeling able to get rid of dishes here and there. I have got rid of quite a lot this way.
I also sorted out another mountain of unused dress patterns and fabrics, but sorting is as far as it goes at the moment. They will go in their own time.
I did manage to get rid of a large quantity of scraps and leftovers that were too small to make something with but too large to throw away. Surely I could make some use of them I thought. Well I haven't for umpty ump years, decades in some cases. So they went.
(edited for typos)
Greenhill, it sounds like you are doing a tremendous job.
I really like how you are letting things go, a little here and there. For me, it works so much better than having "the big clean-out." Less stress, less second thoughts/regrets when I do it that way. I think there is also less danger of re-acquiring things you were able to let go this way.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
I'm shopping today. I have a gift card. I am reminding myself that I can use it for NEEDED items, not clutter. Will post later.
Wish me luck.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
WOW! ITEM OF THE WEEK! Solar Hula Girl. Hips move by solar power. HURRY WHILE QUANTITIES LAST!
I'm safe here!
(That just struck me as really funny. The poster should read: ITEM OF THE WEEK: Pure Clutter and Trash.)
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Well, I'm proud to say I made it out of Dollar Tree without the solar dancing hula girl.
However, I DID buy two dog collars and two matching leashes. I needed the two collars, but what in the devil I need the leashes for is beyond me! I already have leashes, we live on the back side of nowhere and turn the dogs loose to run. Walking a dog on leash is a rare occurrence (other than for training purposes.) I blew that one!
This is typical of what I do, though. If I start buying collars, I will want to buy one of each size and color and style, along with the matching leash.
It's a sickness.
I also bought, unplanned, pruning scissors. I have some, somewhere, but it may be winter before I find them, and I definitely need them now.
I bought pure Kosher salt for my aquarium - and kitchen use. (I'm not out, but my current can is getting low.)
So the salt was optional, an impulse buy, but somewhat justifiable.
I justify it all by saying it was only $1 each.
Two more stores to go!
Last Edit: Apr 30, 2012 19:27:05 GMT -5 by dayeanu
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Ok. I made it out of the other two stores with nothing but the items on my list.
I bought the entire bill of groceries in less time than it took me to pick out the 2 dog collars . . . and leashes.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Well, I'm proud to say I made it out of Dollar Tree without the solar dancing hula girl.
However, I DID buy two dog collars and two matching leashes. I needed the two collars,
Have you got new dogs to go in those collars - I don't remember hearing about them!
Oh, what? I haven't complained about DD's dogs yet? Grrr.
She has outside dogs. However, I usually end up being the one to take care of them. I top spot them, worm them, treat ailments and so forth. Currently, one is being bullied at feeding time, so I am catching him twice a day to feed separately. He occasionally gets a little rowdy with the horses, too, and I put him up to calm down so the horses don't hurt him.
These dogs are not accustomed to being handled a lot, not overly friendly, not well-socialized, don't have great manners. Nor do they have collars. I just thought they'd be easier to manage if they had collars.
So see, I really didn't need the matching leashes at all! It's not anything to do with needing them. It's some sort of strange shopping compulsion/addiction.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Jeeze Daye - how many more responsibilities that are rightly someone else's are you going to tell us about?????
You are amazing!!!! - May be you could use the leashes on the people in your life in someway.......
Um, maybe you're on to something there. Maybe it wasn't a "strange shopping compulsion/addiction." Maybe it was the universe trying to send ms a message!
Well, what else can I do? I feel sorry for the animals. It's not their fault. SOMEONE needs to take care of them. Me NOT doing it, doesn't cause anyone else to do it. It just causes the animals to suffer.
This is a recurrig theme in my life - having all the work and responsibility and expense, without having any authority or "say-so" over the matters involved. . .
But back to shopping issues . . .
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Should I admit that my physical therapy is right across the street from GOODWILL.... I have to pass a THRIFT STORE -- THREE TIMES A WEEK. Of course I stop. So far I truly haven't bought things we didn't need... but it's so tempting.... and there are SUCH GOOD BUYS. ARUGGGGGHHHHHH! Yesterday I bought 2 Schwinn bicycle helmets. The 9 year old has just learned to ride her bike and the helmets are a legal requirement plus she loses things OFTEN so those were a necessity. I also got her a few tank tops because that's all she wants to wear in the summer. However, I did buy a few pairs of REALLY CUTE shoes that fit well and were in new condition. OOPS. In the past few weeks I have tried to confine myself to purchasing clothes for my granddaughter. My DD shares my love for beautiful children's clothing but she's a "born neat" person and she uses them and then sells them. I don't know how 2 out of 3 of my kids grew up to be exceedingly neat. They didn't learn from me. The other is a bit of a slob... not a hoarder.
Di, so far, it sounds like you are doing great with Goodwill! What a temptation!!!
I think with two out of three of your children BO (born organized), it makes a really good case for genetics or brain injury.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
My main problem is that I am a total nit-picky perfectionist. I feel the need to DO IT RIGHT... to CLEAN ALL THE THINGS.. or do nothing at all. DS and DD got that gene but in a reasonable form. I got the "do nothing at all" part down pat. It's a balance I struggle with... DO SOMETHING even if it isn't perfect.
BTW I just got a photo of my youngest granddaughter (age 2) wearing one of my "finds". She looks absolutely adorable in it. It's a full skirted floral dress and she's wearing it with matching socks and hairbow and white buckle shoes and her "pretty jewelry". She looks so sweet. I'm so glad I bought it.
My main problem is that I am a total nit-picky perfectionist. I feel the need to DO IT RIGHT... to CLEAN ALL THE THINGS.. or do nothing at all. DS and DD got that gene but in a reasonable form. I got the "do nothing at all" part down pat. It's a balance I struggle with... DO SOMETHING even if it isn't perfect.
I do the perfectionist thing, too! That's probably why I want to buy matching sets of everything.
In her latest video, Dr. Steketee says that perfectionism is a common feature of hoarding; along with ADHD-like symptoms.
I don't know if that means that Hoarders have ADHD, or if they have something similar to it.
G-d has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
