So, here is my one item for July 1:
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| July 1 Decluttering |
This sewing machine stopped working properly several years ago. Something is wrong with the bobbin. I kept it thinking I will get it repaired, but I never did. Even after I bought a new sewing machine to replace it, I never got around to getting rid of it. I guess I felt it was wasteful. No doubt all it needs is a simple repair and it would work fine. But I'm afraid the cost of a repair would be almost as much as a new machine (this machine cost $99 plus tax; my new machine cost $89 plus tax; they are both very basic versions, but good enough for the type of sewing I do).
Two items for July 2:
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| July 2 Decluttering |
Two painted wooden boxes. They were gifts received several years ago and I've tried to find uses for them ever since. I used to store stationery in them, at one time. But they've sat empty on a shelf for at least the past couple of years, if not more. Time to let them go, I think.
This method of decluttering reminds me of the song The 12 Days of Christmas! All together now:
On the first day of July, Bless did declutter,
a sewing machine with a broken bobbin.
On the second day of July, Bless did declutter,
two painted boxes (and a sewing machine with a broken bobbin).
LOL. Additional verses to follow!
I've spent a rather relaxed day, today, watching TV, going on-line, cutting more strips of fabric for my rag rug, etc. I did do a load of dishes and tidied the kitchen (shined the sink, wiped the stove top, cleaned the counters, etc.) Spoke on the phone with a cousin and an aunt who called. Later in the evening, two of my cousins and an aunt visited me. I also exchanged emails with a friend.
Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed day
- A tidy kitchen
- Phone calls and visits from family
- Exchanging emails with a friend
- Cooler temperatures
How was your Saturday? Anyone else wants to join me in decluttering in July?
What a great idea for decluttering. I don't think I even one 500 items but I wouldn't mind throwing out some of my other halfs belongings - he's a bit of a hoarder. It sounds like you had a lovely relaxing day. I've got a bit of shopping to do this afternoon then hopefully a walk and a good tidy of the house. X
ReplyDeleteI tend to be a bit of a hoarder, myself, so I definitely have more than 500 items to get rid of! I've had my reasons for keeping them, but I am ready to let them go now.
DeleteI hope you had a good Sunday and accomplished all what you wanted to do. Have a wonderful week.
I did 3 a day in May plus 4on Sundays and bank holidays. That was 100. Only managed about 80 in June. Hope you can do better!
ReplyDeleteAngela, I am afraid I'll find 500 items without any problem! I've got too many shelves and drawers stuffed with things!
DeleteOh Wow Bless, I'm seriously impressed with this next challenge and what a fun way to do a declutter. I don't mind joining in the song for the first part of the month but might pass when you get towards the end haha. Glad to hear everything was good regarding the bone density scan etc. Hope you've had a lovely weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. I thought of trying something a little different. It's OK if you don't join in the song all the time, but hope you'll join in the finale!
DeleteI'm glad it's getting cooler for you. Those boxes are lovely and I understand why you would want to keep them, but it's sort of liberating to set them free to new, good homes. I am impressed! x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lyssa. The boxes were painted by a family member, but I have other items painted by her. There's only so much room for sentimentality.
DeleteThat's a lot of stuff! I need to declutter definitely. I have way too much stuff at my parents and nowhere for it to really go. My sister in law has a yard sale every year and she says I can set up with her, so maybe I'll get some of it out.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of stuff, isn't it? Sigh.
DeleteA yard sale is a very good idea. One of my cousins and I used to have yard sales, several years ago. Yard sales help you get rid of some stuff and make a little money at the same time. And that's always nice, isn't it?
I've been inspired by your June decluttering to try my own hand at getting rid of ten items a day. The problem for me is not finding the stuff to get rid of -- plenty of that here -- but agreeing to let it go. I struggle with that.
ReplyDeleteLaura, that is a problem for me, too! There are things that, intellectually, I know should go, but, emotionally, I am not ready to let go. I pick them up, take them off the shelf, and put them back. A lot of what I am getting rid of now are items I couldn't let go of before.
DeleteSometimes, it helps to ask why you are keeping it. For me, it might be because I am trying to be frugal (I spent good money to buy it; I might be able to reuse it one day and save money by not having to buy a new item) or because it has a sentimental value to me.
What I have found it, once I do decide to let it go, I am fine with the decision. I haven't regretted it.
I hope some of your focus in July will be on nutrition, exercise, and getting adequate sleep as steps to getting back to health
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely. All three areas are proving to be rather challenging, but I shall continue to make improvements. :) At least I am not eating sweets as much, because they don't taste so good anymore!
Delete500 items is an ambitious goal but I have a feeling that you will be successful in reaching it, Bless.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a lovely Sunday!
I am afraid that I won't have any trouble reaching my goal, Nathalie. I have an abundance of stuff! Hope you have a fine day, tomorrow.
DeleteYou're doing great on decluttering! And I can so relate to keeping the nonworking sewing machine for so long. Wishing you a really nice Fourth!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn. I grew up in a time and place where things were repaired and reused, but it didn't cost a lot to repair them. Time to change my thinking, I guess. Hope you have a lovely Fourth, as well.
DeleteLoved your jingle..tooo cute.
ReplyDeleteI am with you.. I am trying to declutter each day.
Have a great day..
I have been busy today, preparing for the kids to come tomorrow.. Have a great day.
Thanks, Judy. I'm sure you did a lot to prepare for tomorrow. Hope you are able to have a relaxed day tomorrow, though. Hope you have a lovely day.
DeleteI am not commenting as often as I should to let you know how much of a wonderful inspiration you are to all, dear Bless. This decluttering challenge sounds really fun - fun to follow but hard to do. You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with decluttering not because of the amount of objects I own, but because of the amount of papers. I found that my inability to keep up with organization has so much to do with decisions and anxiety.
I can't tackle big projects and the baby steps technique has shown its limitations with me lately as all small projects I set myself up for have ended up because I could not keep up with them (I have been able to keep up with only one or two out of the seven or eight that were in mind).
I am always so happy to read what you are doing!
Always lovely to hear from you!
DeleteI, too, struggle with papers. I tend to keep everything, but don't always process them as soon as they come in (unless they are bills) and then, I don't file as soon as I process them. As a result, things accumulate in piles all over the place!
Really don't know what to say, except keep at it. What helps me is selecting one stack of papers to work on - go through, toss what I feel can be tossed, and file what is left. Then, pick another stack to work on.
The 15 minutes rule seem to work well, too - telling myself I will take 15 minutes to go through the papers and then, just do it. Knowing I can stop after 15 minutes help.
Hope to hear from you again before too long. :)
I hope someone else will find the sewing machine useful, by fixing the problem. I have a Bernina that is over 50 years old, it is very basic like yours and more than adequate over the years. I made two ball gowns with it in my younger days! At the moment it probably could use a "tune-up" as the stitching is not perfect, but I don't use it much except for quick repairs.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll just keep on with random decluttering. It's all I can do to remember what the date is, without finding an equivalent number of items to toss!
Bushlady
The random decluttering should be just fine, Bushlady. :)
DeleteI've been wondering whether I should donate the machine with a note attached, describing what's wrong with it, or just toss it. I guess I'll call the charity I am planning to donate to, and ask if they accept items that need repairs.