We're finally moved in and mostly settled in our new place. But the anti-hoarding fun has just started!
Behold, the leaning towers of crap:
Don't forget the spare overstuffed queen-size mattress we squeezed into a 1-bedroom apartment in addition to our normal bed.
The financial toll of my habit of hanging on to everything was almost $1000. It cost over $900 to move my junk three blocks away. Three blocks. $1000.
I've moved nine times in the last ten years and knowing that the next move always was coming soon helped get me through the emotional issues I have when I throw stuff out. But we bought this place so we're here for at least five years (hopefully longer!) The constant fear of having to pack and move on little notice is gone.
How do I motivate myself to stay decluttered now?
only ONE box/drawer/backpack at a time EVERY day till all that stuff is gone. and meanwhile try changing your shopping/acquiring habits...I can only imagine how it's difficult for you, but don't despair and don't quit!
ReplyDeleteit'll be rewarding, I promise :)
Hi again yliharma! It's really starting to sink in how much I need to change my acquiring habits. Any suggestions?
DeleteI've noticed that now when I'm about to buy something or even to get something for free (e.g promotional stuff) a thought comes immediately to my mind "I will have to handle this thing, find a place for it, take care of it...do I really really NEED it?" and very often the answer is "Oh God nooooo I don't want it: later on I'll have to declutter it!!" XD
DeleteSo when you're about to acquire something try asking this kind of questions to yourself: you might be amazed by how powerful they are!
Also the rule "1 item in equals 1 item out" by Frugal Down Under is great: no more hundreds of socks, if a buy a pair, I declutter a pair of old ones :P
"You'll have to declutter it later on." Great point! I think I might write that inside my wallet in permanent marker!
Delete1 item in equals 1 item out. Plus the usual decluttering. it's working for me at present as I try to get rid of stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think I should get a tattoo of that one :o)
DeleteYou WILL DO IT!!! It's just baby steps until it becomes second nature. And to be honest, if someone had told me I would eventually get past baby steps and it would be MY second nature, I would never have believed them - so I'm living proof!
ReplyDeletewww.simplyonpurpose.blogspot.com
diane, thank you for commenting! I always love hearing from people who've been successful. My parents weren't role models, but it's so inspiring to find other bloggers like you who can teach me the things my folks couldn't!
DeleteI had a 5x10 storage unit in Washington state for just over 3 yrs while I lived in e Midwest. When I came back, I brought a 6x10 trailer. Once combined, I saw just how much I had and even though my current place could have held it all with a little creative organizing, I've spent the past 6 mos working on thinning things out. The best advice I can give is, focus on one thing at a time. Choose a bag or a box and sort through it.keep in mind what you want your lovely new home to look like and keep only those things that fit that vision. When it start to get too overwhelming, take a breather. This doesn't have to be done all at once. Just keep chipping away and you'll get there, I promise. :-)
ReplyDeleteHm....that vision idea sounds wonderful...and like a future blog post! Thank you for the idea! It's not something I've thought about, but clearly should.
DeleteHonestly the best advice I would give is to go to 365lessthings site (I think you've been there already & that's how I found you). There's all kinds of advice but the main idea is to do one thing a day (or the equivalent, say seven things on the weekend if you work) and if something gives you a problem, move on to something that you're sure you don't want. Eventually you'll come back to the problem things but your declutter "muscles" will be better developed. I found this site to be extremely helpful to me as I examined the reasons (different reasons for different objects) for holding onto things. I'm still in progress, but feel much more confident about being able to make decisions now.
ReplyDeleteSorry for such a long comment :)
Keep a box or Black trash bag in your garage. Commit to adding 10 things to it each week. On a Saturday afternoon drop it off a the local thrift store. Sometimes you will do way more than 10 items, but try to meet the minimum of 10 items. Similar concept to 365 but for me 10 works well.
ReplyDelete10 items at a time...little victories...I like it! I may have a month where I set that small goal for myself and stop focusing on the 365 items. The huge pile 'o crap was super intimidating. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI've found that by budgeting my money, and setting myself a goal to save a certain amount each month, I am less inclined to acquire stuff I don't need- I think the dual thoughts of 'this will take up space' and 'this will mean I can't save money' stop me! I have also read suggestions to work out how many hours you'd need to work to buy the thing, and thus see if it is really worth your effort :)
ReplyDelete