Last night I went through the hall closet (linen closet) I've used as locking storage for many years and pulled things out to make room for my linens.  I filled the top shelf with a down comforter, a down throw, a blanket, two duvet covers, a set of sheets, pillow cases, curtains, and towels.  I'm not so sure if I like these things there, but am going to try it out.  At least it gets these things out of my bedroom!

In the process of looking through this closet, I threw out two rods that have been in this closet for at least 10 years!  They weren't mine, but obviously they weren't missed either.  They are those old, heavy, hanging things (not sure what they are called) that are used in old houses as weights inside the window frame to bring the windows up and pull them down.  Who knows why they were there.  Some more paper clutter was tossed as well as some pictures from a boyfriend from 1993ish.

In the closet was a picture frame that will be donated.

Now, besides my work last night, on my way out the door this morning I stopped and took a picture of what you see as you walk out of the house.  This is it:

What we have here is clutter that belongs to my mom, and most of it has been here either going on one summer or two, not sure.  We have a lamp and rug (new additions to the clutter), oranges and jicama (obviously not two years old), a suitcase on top of some wrapped up armoir things, possibly tables, a picture frame, black trash bags full of who knows what, and I think that thing on the left is either a dresser or a chest, I see a drawer to a small filing cabinet and a desk that was just given to her.  Oh, wait, do you see the flower pot?

I hate doing this (posting this picture),  but it may help people understand what I don't want to become and what I live in that is infuriating and embarrassing.  Do I ever invite people over?  NO!  NEVER!

What do you think of when you see this?

What would you think of the person who lives in a house with this on the walkway to the front door?

Sadly, this is what I live in, and even worse, it is what my mom has done to herself.  She doesn't see it or feel the need to do anything about it.  If there is an empty space, it gets filled with something else.  It hurts me that she does this.

I don't want to end up this way.

Decluttered a little

I feel so good tonight having made a bit of progress today.  While working or just going about my business over the last few days, I've been creating a small list of things that I know I don't need and should get rid of one way or another.

The list was put together on one sheet of paper and when I was home today, I attacked it plus some!  In total, I was able to pack a paper bag, and two tub things with dots which are actually in this picture here that I had over a year ago!  I'm debating on whether or not I should keep the tubs until I'm done decluttering, because they make great totes.  I took a picture of what I was donating, but the list of items is as follows:

Repurposed:

• Extending shelf tray (gave to mom for use in kitchen)

To be donated:

• Battle of the Sexes board game (played once - not a fun game)
• Two hand towels in good condition
• Webcam - does anyone use these anymore?
• Mustard yellow hand-me-down sweater (that I never should have accepted!)
• Down pillow (I had 2 brand new ones, gave my mom one in exchange for one of hers that she didn't like, with the condition that I could donate the one she was giving up.)  The other pillow will go to my guy.  He likes these pillows which didn't work out for me.  This decision was tough, I wanted both of them to get the pillows.
• Handmade bracelets and necklace.
• 3 pairs of Cole Haan shoes, 2 prs Merrell shoes and 1 pr Teva sandals.

Giving away one of my nice leather checkbook covers to someone I know desperately needs one.

Here is the picture of most of what is off to be donated The middle one is full of shoes!:

I'll also try listing some items on eBay and taking a few to a consignment shop.

Pretty good if you ask me!

2004?

Today I had a bit of time and was able to toss a few things.  First off, I threw out approximately 15 file folders that I may have been able to use, but didn't want to hold on to them until I "have time" to redo my filing system.  Out they went, along with some rebate form copies dated 2004!

I came across a t-shirt I decorated when I was 12 years old with my best friend.  For some reason, over the last couple decades I felt there was some reason I wanted this.  Why not, I made it, right?  Well, the shirt serves me no purpose, whatsoever.  I meant to get a picture of it to post here, but got sidetracked and forgot.  If I can remember tomorrow, I'll take it out of my trash and get a picture of it.  Yes, it will go right back in the trash!!

Two more small items are currently in my possession, but won't be tomorrow.  A stuffed animal I won in the claw game, and a Hot Wheels toy car.  These will be given away, and I know they'll be enjoyed.  I also got rid of two hair clips and some costume jewelry.

The progress isn't much, but at some point I would have to make a decision on these items so was glad to get something out of the way!

It's SO hard to get rid of things that are new or hardly used no matter what they cost.  For example, I tossed a travel size Secret deodorant that cost maybe $1.50, but I really disliked how it made me smell. I've used Secret for a long time, but this was the invisible solid and scented, it was all I could find.  The entire day I just kept getting whiffs of it, and I didn't like it at all.  So, in the trash it went.

Next, I tossed two Aveeno face lotions.  One had expired, but I've never been too concerned with these dates.  The other still had some time, but I thought it was a bit too thick for the summer and I think it made me break out last time I used it.   These lotions weren't cheap, but I had to realize that they would just sit there indefinitely and I would probably look at them every day and be unhappy doing so.  

I feel better after getting rid of this clutter.  

Two things out...

Those winter shoes are OUT!  Yes!  It has been at least two years since I used them.  I also got rid of a perfectly good silver picture frame and I just don't like.  Surely someone will.

It seems like the more I see the inside of other people's houses, the more I know what a house should look like.  Sounds bad, but it's true.  I can't think of a time when I had true structure, and it's difficult (but not impossible) to change things once you've lived a certain way for so many years.  When I was really young, I think things were pretty decently organized in the house, but it got worse as I grew older.  It all fell apart.

It's been so long since I've posted that I really can't remember what I've said, so forgive me if this is a repost of sorts.

If you were to see the inside of my mom's kitchen right now, you would probably find, on the counters, food, junk mail, cooking utensils spread out, cut up fruit or some ready to eat thing, a rarely lit candle, at least one vegetable she's trying to grow in a tupperware of water, dried seeds from tomatoes, peppers or whatever floats her boat, a book, mascara, lotion, maybe a toothbrush, nail file, a towel that you wonder if it's clean, Kleenex, matches...  Yes, it's true.  There is so much stuff scattered on the counters, that it's hard to do anything, because when you try to do something, you have to move the stuff around and there isn't a clear space to put it!  Every space is covered.  Few things have "homes."  She claims she needs a larger house...I think, no, I know, she needs less stuff.

I am afraid of ending up this way...I WON'T  END UP THIS WAY.  It's honestly a miserable way to live.

I actually can't tell you how many things the house has "eaten."  It could almost be in your face, and you wouldn't even know it because there is so much stuff that it all gets camouflaged.  So sad.

Anyhow, I've seen the way people keep their houses, and I have watched YouTube videos so have a pretty good idea of how things "should" be...well, if you want to be sane.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm a born organized person (because I love order!), but just one that has WAY too many belongings to keep straight.  Is this possible?

Tired of STUFF running my life.

*What can I get rid of?  I will donate one pair of shoes I've kept for the winter...but haven't actually used them for about two years.  They will go in the bag that has been ready to go to the donation center for about a month or so; it's currently cluttering my floor.

Ugh, I'm horrible at blogging!

Clutter.  I hate it!  I didn't succeed in 2011 at becoming clutter free, but I've been working on it since.  I guess not just furious enough.  If I were anyone else, like my boyfriend, it would have been done in a weekend.

It's just so difficult to get rid of things that have sentimental value.  Not to mention the items that cost a lot.

Yes, I've been getting better, but it's just not enough.  I know you can't organize clutter, but we all need a place to put things, which means organization.  I like things in their place.  I hate having to look for things.  What a time waster!

I don't know where I'm going with this post, I just needed to post something.  One of my mini goals right now is to keep my car clutter free.  It's a mini goal, but it all starts with baby steps, right?