So... this week is an odd little hodgepodge of things leaving. Putting the autumn decorations away (which were few), clearing the last of MIL's things from their spot in the living room, and sorting (a bit) through a closet and the pantry, I was able to see my way to removing an odd assortment of items from our home.
It was so freeing to finally reclaim the last corner of the living room from the last bits of things I'd brought home from MIL's and hadn't quite decided what to do with. Several of us bloggers have talked about decluttering in layers. I didn't realize what a weight this layer has been.
You know... I feel like I've reclaimed my living room several times over the last 6 months, but the truth is things keep migrating back there. I think because it's near the front door and putting things in a pile in a corner of the living room is my way of saying "it needs to go". But too often things just sit there. And collect.
I think I may need another staging area for stuff needing to leave the house. Or, perhaps better yet, I think I'm going to start taking things directly out to my car once they start "stacking up". Of course, that's what the decluttering "experts" say to do. I just have a stubborn, "gotta learn it for myself" streak that's a mile long. To go along with this new way of doing things, I may take more individual pictures, as opposed to collecting stuff together for several days before taking a group shot. I can put my collage skills to work again. Figuring this out as I go...
So what do we have here... Plastic containers I finally admit I really don't like using. Cereal stays fresher left in its inner bag (rolled down well and fastened shut) than it does in these plastic cereal containers. I almost never think to put pasta in the pasta holders (probably because we don't eat much pasta anymore). The gloves have a hole in them, the boots don't fit anyone (did I take a picture of these another time? They seem familiar.) Anyway, son that they used to fit said to give them away. A vintage manual hair trimmer (not valuable, but someone might like it for its vintage appeal - maybe). More googly eyes and a little crafty hanger thingie. A head set that doesn't fit any of our current electronics. A couple of potholders that came free in the mail (in MIL's name, no less) and are so useless they should probably just be thrown away. And lastly... I think I count 11 hangers there. I wonder if I kept a running tally of hangers leaving the house if I'd be shocked at the number? We have a lot of hangers...
And that's it for this week!
Making Space: 90 things gone
Wow, 90 things gone! Good work!💖
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI definitely endorse the idea of getting things out of the house. I don't have a garage so there's no temptation there. I put them straight in the car. I did get caught this year though with lockdown. Ended up driving a loaded car for months until I was able to donate again. But, yes, once you've decided on the destination, load it up.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great with the decluttering. Bit by bit is less disruptive than taking a whole room apart.
Thank you, Liz.
DeleteI never liked those plastic containers for cereal. They were the kiss of death for cereal. If I poured the cereal in there it would NEVER be eaten, but if I left in the box it would be all gone. Go figure. I use them for other storage things or got rid of them as well. I use one to keep chocolate chips, coconut (stuff to bake with).
ReplyDeleteActually, it was harder for me to convince hubs than it was for me to be convinced. I've refused to put my favorite cereals in them for a while now, and before I took this picture, hubs held out the last plastic cereal box we owned and said, "Do you want to go ahead and get rid of this finally?" Yippee!
DeleteIf you have managed to sort through your MIL items in 6 months, I am impressed. I am going on 3 years and am still finding stuff I accumulated from my mom. Ninety items is impressive. I am looking forward to a couple of "slow" weeks next month, so I can once again shift through unnecessary items. Have a blessed Thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteWell, I've sorted through what was mine to sort through. DH and his two siblings, have things to sort through. After a lot of hard work and taking care of the "business" of selling MIL's house and "settling her affairs" he's finally settled in to sorting through a lifetime of pictures. He's really enjoying doing that now and I'm so glad for it.
DeleteYou're doing well with your making space. So far I've managed to come up with a few things each week but I haven't had time (inclination, maybe?) to search out more. I inherited the urge to clean/clear in January from my mother so I expect I'll do better then. Once I haul out the Christmas 'stuff' I know I'll find a bunch more that I can clear out because every year I am going more and more minimalist with decorations. This year will be an added incentive because we won't be seeing anyone.
ReplyDeleteWell, it will be fun to watch what you clear in the new year. If you do. There is no pressure. Re Christmas stuff. I'm so torn over skipping decorating at all, and pulling it all out and sorting through it. I just don't know what I'm feeling up to in that regard at the moment. I don't think I'll be making a decision about that this week, anyway.
DeleteI know exactly how you feel. I have given it some thought as well and finally have decided that we need to decorate - if only to maintain some semblance of normalcy in the crazy times we're living in. Normally I wouldn't decorate until at least the end of the second week of Dec. but I'm actually thinking of even doing it this weekend. Of course there will be some downsizing involved!
DeleteGood for you! I'm also spending time on decluttering and organizing. I've found that putting baskets in problem areas help, things look more tidy and seem more manageable.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Wow! 90. I really does add up fast.
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