My decluttering goal in October is to declutter 10 items a day for a total of 310 items. So, how is it going? I'm a little behind, but, here's an update for the first five days.
Day 1: 10 books.
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| Day 1: 10 Books |
Day 2: 1 catalog of quilt patterns, a miscellaneous collection of craft supplies (ribbons, feathers, lace, Easter eggs, artificial flowers, small pom poms, a crayon, and the zippered bag in which they had been stored. The majority of the items were tossed.
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| Day 2: One Catalog and Miscellaneous Craft Supplies |
Day 3: 8 books, 1 skirt, 1 blouse. I have now gone through all my patchwork/quilting books and decluttered all but three, which I am keeping for now.
The skirt (floral, long, lined, with tiered chiffon flounces) was something my cousins gave me when they were decluttering their mother's closet a few years ago. I loved it, but, it was too snug and I didn't want to undo the fitted waist and zipper to alter it. But, I kept it, hoping that one day, I'd lose some weight and it would fit. Well, I lost a bit of weight, and, I was able to fit into the skirt last winter. But, by this summer, I had lost a little more weight and now, the skirt is a bit loose! The waist slips down a bit, the long skirt gets too long, and I run the risk of tripping on it! I don't want to cut and shorten the skirt, so, I'm donating it.
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| Day 3: 8 Books, 1 Skirt, 1 Blouse |
Day 4: Kitchen Items - 1 copper sauté pan, 2 copper saucepans and lids, 1 metal trivet, 6 spoons/utensils.
The trivet is something I purchased for $0.25 from a thrift store when I was a student in Wisconsin because I loved that saying ("The hurrier I go the behinder I get"). But, it is time to pass it along.
The copper cookware was something I collected in the 1980s. I never used them for cooking, just for displaying. I still have the colander, kettle, and the big pan. I use the kettle to hold some of my cooking utensils, the colander to hold fruit, and plan to use the big pan as a planter.
The cooking utensils were given by neighbor S, when she was sorting through her kitchen. I accepted them thinking I will use them, but, haven't used these items and it's time to let them go.
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| Day 4: Kitchen Items |
Day 5: 3 Books, 3 VHS tapes, 4 pairs of glass bangles from Sri Lanka. The bangles are the last of the 10 or 12 pairs that I bought on my first trip back to Sri Lanka in 1979. The majority of them broke over the years. The red pair still fits, but the others are too small to fit over my hands, now.
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| Day 5: Books, VHS Tapes, and Bangles |
I am making progress and I am starting to see it. It is a bit slow going and I find myself needing to take some breaks as I ask myself questions like, "Am I really going to re-read it? Am I really going to make those projects? Can I find directions for similar projects online?" etc. For the most part, I am still focusing on reducing the visual clutter, but, I look through drawers and cabinets, too, especially when I'm looking to make up the numbers!
If you are decluttering this month, how are you doing?
You are doing well Bless, better than I would do for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I still have much to sort through and declutter, but, I'm taking my time doing so because I want to be very sure that I am doing the right thing. Some of the items I am decluttering now can't be replaced. So, I must be really sure that I am making the right decisions.
DeleteInterested to see Sense&Sensibility on the pile of videos. Much of that was filmed around Salisbury, using Mompesson House, a lovely property beside the Cathedral. When we visited, they had an exhibition of the superb costumes worn in the film. I'm afraid that I still haven't watched the film (i do like Emma Thompson acting,but more than I like Jane Austen's writing!)
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting to know. I have a book with all the novels Jane Austen wrote. It'll probably be decluttered, later this month!
DeleteI wrote a comment but it's got lost
ReplyDeleteHi Angela; your comment didn't get lost! It's posted right above!
DeleteSomeone else will be happy to get the things you are decluttering. I know it is hard work. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. I do hope that someone else will enjoy the decluttered items. I know that the books and videos, etc., have given me hours of enjoyment.
DeleteOh Bless, you are doing so well with decluttering already this month. I am inspired and now I am home, I shall have to get started again. It's time for some more things to go! I have been deleting more e-mails while waiting in the airports.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. Glad to hear that you are home, again. Well done on the digital decluttering! :)
DeleteI'm decluttering the kitchen this month. Sorted out the most sets of cutlery (9) we will need if all the family visited with grandchildren, and the rest is off to a charity shop. Think you call it a thrift store in US. Also several cooking utensils, 3 whisks, plastic spoons etc. We have so much from when we had a touring caravan which we sold as we now live on the coast.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog.
Sally from Devon UK.
Hello Sally from Devon. Glad to hear from you and thank you. You're doing great with the kitchen decluttering! Those kitchen utensils seem to multiply if given half the chance, don't they? Hope you post updates on how the decluttering is going. Looking forward to hearing from you, again.
DeleteYou're going to end up with an empty house!. I remember enjoying Boorstin's The Discoverers. When I moved here I got rid of many books, thinking I could always get them through the library if I wanted to reread them. So far I've not wanted to!
ReplyDeleteI've a long way to go before the house will be emptied! But, I am starting to see a few empty spaces opening up! I think we rarely re-read our books. There are too many newer books to read!
DeleteWhat a lot of progress! Can we put in requests? I'd like the kitchen utensils and the book of famous poems, please. You can drop them over when you come berry picking!
ReplyDeleteElla
Thank you, Ella. I will wrap up the utensils and the book and put them aside for you. :)
DeleteI have not started decluttering yet for the month, but you inspired me to tackle at least some of my laundry room today. I have things in there I will never need or use again.
ReplyDeleteNo rush, Anne, but, it's great that you started. :)
DeleteIt's surprising just how much we can accumulate over time. And yes, I think we've all been guilty of accepting items we think we'll use, then never do. It's good to acknowledge this and pass them on. Xx
ReplyDeleteWe do accumulate a lot of things, don't we? I still have a lot of things to declutter. I'll get there, eventually, I guess.
DeleteI'm in the process decluttering 55 items today, which will bring m to a total of 127. I've fallen behind, but since I do lots of items at once it helps when other things get in the way. Congrats on your progress!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great! That's a lot of items to declutter in one day! I'm a bit behind, myself, but, it doesn't matter. Even a few items decluttered is progress! Thank you. :)
DeleteSuch progress! Good for you. I loved reading how you are making progress and you are starting to see it. That makes me happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing the photos you include of what you are getting rid of.
Someone will be VERY happy to find those copper pots in a thrift store.
Thank you, Debra. Yes, I'm making some progress. I decided that I needed to concentrate on areas that I can see, rather than hidden spaces. Glad you are enjoying seeing what I am decluttering. I do hope that someone will enjoy using the copper pots. :)
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