I resolve to

take out a bag of extras each day before leaving the house to spend my day OUT.

I am a clutterer, a hoarder... Yet I am comfortable giving things away, selling them, donating them, etc.

What has happened over the years that with my 13 hour work days NO housework was done... Now, skedaddling out of the house and spending the day in the library at my computer... no housework is being done... Do you see a pattern here?

I HATE housework.

So... things pile up. Sometimes what comes into the house is clearly garbage; sometimes I put something aside ... and it becomes garbage eventually. The items in the second category are what I am trying to clear out.

So... I resolve... to go through the apartment and either pick up or pull out papers and other items I've been ignoring for a LONG while and THROW THEM OUT! I know it takes a while to establish a habit... but I just started a few days ago... it's not at habit level yet.

Comments: 17

ChrisJerri S. Oct 8, 2009, 1:35pm UTC

Very good resolution! I'm slowly but surely doing that. I need to work on my closet (very small by most standards) - still it needs to be cleaned very badly.

reply to this comment

Tessa D. Oct 8, 2009, 1:41pm UTC

I've come to a conclusion: this mess didn't happen in a day, and it won't be cleaned up in a day.
Keep working on it, a little at a time, and I will, too.
~~~

reply to this comment

Sarah (I want points) Oct 8, 2009, 2:12pm UTC

We have a huge pile right now that needs to go to Goodwill. We just can't seem to get around to it.

reply to this comment

Gessy D. Oct 8, 2009, 3:06pm UTC

This is a good resolution. I was having the same problem with clutter. A gather member encouraged me to do it little by little. I am done with the living room and bathroom. But my bedroom and closets need a lot of help still. I need to throw or give away a lot of things in my closets that have no business being there.

reply to this comment

DesertDarlene L. Oct 8, 2009, 3:26pm UTC

I hate housework, too, that's why I do the FLYlady stuff. All I do is 15 minutes of decluttering a day, if possible, and throw out at least 27 pieces of paper. I think I've unloaded a couple hundred pounds of stuff. I have a lot of other stuff that I have to take to be recycled, but haven't had a day to do that because they tend to only take that stuff on certain days.

Also, FLYlady gives me a daily task that usually takes 15 minutes or less and helps get me in the habit of getting a clean house. A clean house is a less stressing house.

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Oct 8, 2009, 3:35pm UTC

I wonder... if I throw out ONE magazine, does that count as 27+ pieces of paper???
I agree, the less clutter, the less stress.
It amazes me how MANY people have this problem... I always found the shame in it partially from thinking I was the only one who "lived this way"

DesertDarlene L. Oct 8, 2009, 9:47pm UTC

I count a magazine as one paper. But, today, I decided to start destroying my diary that I kept in high school because it was so stupid. I think I threw out 54 pieces of paper today.

reply to this comment

Darlene B. Oct 8, 2009, 4:42pm UTC

In the Spirit of Clutter, let go more and keep less.
Here's to creating a life with much less clutter. You can do it!

reply to this comment

Frances Ayers Oct 8, 2009, 5:35pm UTC

I know what It is like not to be able to throw anything away.I am also a hoarder,and although I have thrown out a lot of things,I would never part with my books!

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Oct 9, 2009, 2:13pm UTC

I find I do NOT want to keep most books - I'll never re-read them.
So, onto the exchange sites they go... and off to find new readers.
I love doing this!!

reply to this comment

Steph-in-NE ..... Oct 8, 2009, 10:46pm UTC

i agree I hate it too and I am home all day,,
sometimes I get the urge, when I cant take it anymore then my hubby jokes with me and ask if I am pregnant

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Dec 4, 2009, 11:40pm UTC

there is that desire to "nest" when pregnant!

reply to this comment

Kim Simpson Oct 8, 2009, 11:17pm UTC

Yay Leslie . . . great plan. I finally moved old magazines to garage for donations to Friends of Library. Next step is sorting them and dropping them off in batches. There is hope to get this done! ;)

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Oct 9, 2009, 2:16pm UTC

i've found that when i work for the district attorney - lots of waiting around until I am needed - I can read through five or more magazines! I rip out what I don't need and keep what I would like to look at again.
I hope they call me to work more frequently so I can clear out YEARS of Smithsonian magazines!

reply to this comment

Frank Luke Oct 9, 2009, 1:21pm UTC

Do you all know this smart technique? Get three big boxes that you'll be able to handle and can handle what you have to get rid of. One of them you designate Save, one to Donate, and one to Junk. Actually you only need two boxes, the Save one you can save work just storing the stuff right away. When the boxes get filled up, you take care of it. Keep doing it till you've handled the clutter. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Oct 9, 2009, 2:21pm UTC

great idea if (1) I had help; (2) I had space to put large boxes; (3) I had strength to MOVE large boxes
I have donation bags that are being filled constantly. I run across something I no longer want or need - into the BAG it goes.
I find doing this work in SMALL bits is all I can actually handle. It'll take longer, but I can maintain the task rather than HUGE amounts - I'll do THAT one time and NEVER do it AGAIN!

reply to this comment

Frank Luke Oct 10, 2009, 12:16pm UTC

I mentionesd boxes but do you have room for some trash bags you label? Ar you only putting up another roadblock to clearing your **** out? I hope not. The objective is to simplify your life and living quarters. You'll be glad when you do succeed in doing that!

reply to this comment

I resolve to

Comments: 17

Join the Conversation