More Than Resolutions: Declutter
Join us all month for More Than Resolutions!
If you’ve been an Organizing Your Way reader for very long, you know how I feel about stuff. I define stuff as things you don’t need that waste time, space and energy.
Let me clarify that I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with owning things in general. We have hundreds of children’s books, and it’s a collection I hope to continue to grow and one day pass on to my children and grandchildren. We have CDs, DVDs, electronics, bins and bins full of craft supplies and enough toys to open a daycare.
But we only keep the things that we consider valuable, have space for and actually use, and I regularly declutter as part of my cleaning routines.
If you’ve declared 2010 the year that you’re going to declutter, where do you even begin? Let’s look at some simple steps to make your goal a reality:
1. Set a concrete, achievable goal.
Amy at The Finer Things in Life has set a goal to get rid of 730 items this year (an average of two a day). As she says, that number will certainly stretch her, but goals should stretch us. Maybe your goal is to give away a box full of stuff every month or to clear off all of the flat surfaces in your home and keep them that way. Maybe it’s to sell, give or throw away one thing every time you bring something new into your home. Maybe you want to take an even more drastic approach and limit yourself to owning 100 things.
Your goal doesn’t have to be the same as anybody else’s. The important part here is not what your goal is; it’s that you set an actual goal, one that you can measure and evaluate throughout the year.
2. Focus on today.
Maybe decluttering comes easy for you and you’re excited about taking your minimalist approach to the next level this year. But if it doesn’t and the thought of decluttering is a little bit terrifying, the key is to get started today. Don’t worry about decluttering for the whole year or how many things you’re going to get rid of when it’s all said and done. Focus on today and use one of these Decluttering 101 methods to take that first step.
It’s also important that you don’t wait until you have time to declutter your whole house — or even your whole kitchen — to get started. When you get to the bottom of this post, pick a drawer or cabinet anywhere in your house and clean it out. Sell, give or throw away any items that are broken, don’t get used or just take up space. Waiting for the perfect time to declutter often means it won’t get done at all, but you can easily clean out a drawer or cabinet while dinner’s in the oven or while straightening as part of your evening routine. Every little bit counts!
3. Have someone hold you accountable.
Whether you partner with a friend who also wants to declutter in 2010, create a family goal sheet so that your whole family can participate in decluttering or post on your blog like Amy did, it’s always easier to achieve a goal when you tell other people about it and ask for their help in staying on track.
4. Expect setbacks.
There are 365 days in a year, and chances are you’ll have days when you don’t feel like decluttering, when you cling to your stuff a little more tightly or when you go on a shopping binge and bring more stuff that you don’t really need into your home. Think about the setbacks and how you’ll handle them now so that you’ll have a plan when they happen.
I’m not talking about expecting failure or giving up before you get started, but all goals have setbacks from time to time, and one problem with resolutions is we allow our perfectionist tendencies to discourage us if we get even slightly off track. Prepare for these setbacks ahead of time so that you can push through them and continue working towards your goal rather than coming to a standstill because you haven’t achieved it perfectly.
Is decluttering one of your resolutions in 2010? Share your concrete, achievable, measurable goal with us in the comments!
The 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010 series is sponsored by Get Organized Wizard. Find ready-made action plans, organizers and checklists for more than 200 projects in the Life & Goal Organizer.
Hi & Happy 2010 Everyone!!! I seriously need to declutter things that have memories attached to them. My kids school & artwork, my deceased parents things, old jeans i just know I will get into again.. Another area of clutter is MAIL!!! OMG how can anyone keep up with all the mail??? bills to pay organize & file away. Another year so Its time to shred & throw out the old paid bills to make room for new. Junk mail and catalogs I have no desire to buy from & the daily newspaper that I dont read but hubby refuses to stop getting delivered.. add 2 kids 2 cats and a puppy and I cant even keep up with cooking & cleaning, let alone starting a new project. It seems that if I concentrate on one room, the rest of the house falls apart.. I cant keep up, I need a cleaning service… I really think I am going to splurge and get s service to come. I will have to clean off & box up all the clutter so the service can clean the bones of the house… but it will be a start.. Best of luck to everyone & thanks for letting me vent… lol 8:>
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[...] http://www.organizingyourway.net/resolutions/31-days-of-organizing-for-a-better-2010-declutter [...]
I am constantly re-organizing and decluttering (including today!) Thanks for the encouragement to set a goal and follow through!!
Tracey´s last blog ..Financial Goals for 2010
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I have no problem decluttering or organizing until it comes to the paper work. I just don’t like to file, so I create stacks. My goal is to create a system that works and it needs to be done by January 31. forget the whole year we are moving in 4 weeks!
I have purged decluttered and finished so many projects in the last few months and it feels so good! moving is a great modivator to declutter, expecially in this market to make your house presentable. Who knows what my plans will be after we move, that all depends on how much work the new house has for us. I’ll have to have a new set of goals then.
Bekki´s last blog ..Good-bye 2009
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[...] 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010: Declutter | Organizing Your Way January 1st, 2010 [...]
Thanks for including me, Mandi! Looking forward to the whole series.
Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Decluttering: More than a Resolution
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You’re right, Bekki — moving is such a great time for decluttering, as long as you stay ahead of the game!
Paperwork seems to be a big issue for a lot of people, and I think it’s kind of like laundry…you just have to commit to doing it regularly and then it eventually becomes second nature.
Happy New Year!
~Mandi
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Thanks for doing this as I sorely need to declutter and organize my whole house. When we moved here 9 years ago, everything was just dumped where-ever and things never found their “place”. I’m starting today by decluttering the Christmas decorations as I’m putting them away. I am going to try to declutter one thing a day.
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You sound like me, Tracey — I probably go through every area of my home 3-4 times a year because I can’t stand clutter. This year, I’d like to accomplish more lasting changes so that it doesn’t need to be redone so often. I’m always surprised by the things that I kept during the previous round that now seem totally useless!
Happy New Year!
~Mandi
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I would love a cleaning service too, Candysue! One of the best things I ever did was start calling and stopping the billions of catalogs that show up in the mail; we get so much less mail now! For the rest, I simply stick it in a folder as soon as I open it and then once a week I pay bills. I keep what I need to keep, throw away most of the rest and file everything right away. It’s not a perfect system, but it has cut down on some of our mail clutter!
Happy New Year!
~Mandi
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Great goal, Chris!! I’d love to hear how it goes throughout the year!
Happy New Year!
~Mandi
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I started the morning cleaning out my home managment binder and all of our mail hot spots. Then I emplemented a new mail system and bill system. I am determined to pay off all our credit cards and random debts this year, and we will not be able to do that if I can’t stay on top of the mail!
I am moving in February, so it is important to get rid of all the “stuff” before I pack our important belongings. I am commited to throw/give away 1 box or bag every weekday for the next 2 weeks. This will help me so much.
Happy New Year.
Dolli-Mama
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:26 pm
What a great, measurable goal, Dolli-Mama! (By the way, I keep saying that to myself over and over and it makes me giggle every time…Dolli-Mama…)
Can’t wait to hear how you do over the next two weeks!
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I’m starting in our bedroom and working my way around to each room. Just doing a little bit everyday. Slow and steady wins the race. I like the idea of only keeping what I use. If I have not used it then it’s getting thrown out or donated.
Rana´s last blog ..Winter Walk!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I like that, Rana…Slow and steady wins the race. It’s so true for almost every goal in life!
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I’ve been looking forward to this series!! Thank you, for bringing it to us.
I decided today that I am going to “wear my closet”. I will try not to repeat an outfit until it’s all been worn. If there are things I just DO NOT want to wear, then out they go! Like most people, I wear 20% of my clothes, 80% of the time. I’m going to try this with my kids, too.
One of my resolutions is to mindfully and prayerfully consider each purchase I make so I’m not bringing more stuff into the house that we truly don’t need. If it’s not going to enhance my life, it’s not coming into my house!
We have moved 3 times (state to state) in 3 years, so my clutter has been under control. Still, it multiplies VERY quickly!!
One more thing…I noticed that very few of my Christmas decorations added to my enjoyment of the holiday. So I want to be more mindful about decorating…keep it simple next year.
Happy 2010!
Jill Foley´s last blog ..#118 – A Great Year
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Jill, I love that goal for your clothing!! When I pulled my non-maternity clothes out this time, I hung all the hangers backwards. When I wear something, I turn it around the right way when I hang it back up. I’m amazed by the number of clothes still hanging the wrong way. They’re decent clothes, and in theory I like them, but they’re either uncomfortable or make me feel frumpy, so I never choose them!
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I so need help with paper! I am good with mail and the regular monthly bills but all that OTHER stuff (medical, school, etc.) piles around so fast. And what do you do with general daily pickup? I feel like I am the only who does it sometimes and then I even give up! Your daily entries will be a welcome shot of envigoration and inspiration – thanks!
Lisa´s last blog ..$5/5 Healthy Choice Frozen Meals!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Lisa, I know what you mean about the daily pickup. My husband is a huge help around the house, but he definitely doesn’t put the same priority on daily cleanup that I do.
I do feel much better when it’s done, so I try to do it before I go to bed every night or else I regret it in the morning!
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So glad to join the 31 Days of Organizing. (In fact, my husband is working on cleaning out his closet now!)
I’m committed to two things:
1) the “one in, one out” rule. One thing comes in, one thing must go out.
2) not buying any new clothes, but instead work on wearing what I have in new and different ways.
Happy New Year!
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists´s last blog ..Goals for the New Year (not a list of resolutions, because I suck at resolutions)
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Great goals, Meredith! I’m in the process of updating my wardrobe right now because I’ve realized that I’ve bought cheap clothes in the past that don’t fit right and aren’t versatile and I want to upgrade as I’m able and ultimately keep less but know that I love and value what I do have!
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This year my office has got to start being functional. It is a dumping ground right now and there is always a bin full of papers. I am going to spend 15 minutes on that bin every day until it is empty. Then I need to decide on a system to keep the clutter away.
Barbie´s last blog ..Happy New Year
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
15 minutes a day is a great place to start, Barbie! Paper seems to be a recurring theme on here!
Can’t wait to hear how it goes…be sure to come back and update us!
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I love this Mandi! I am starting with my kitchen and refrigerator first thing in the morning! After that, I am going to go through all my old magazines and papers and purge all unnecessary (even if unread) ones! Following this, I am going to cancel all my magazine subscriptions except Sports Illustrated and Self and cancel all mail order catalogs. I will check in with you after this and develop my next goals!!!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I did the unsubscribe thing last year, Shannon. I used to love magazines, but I just don’t have the time to keep up with them, so I am sticking with my three favorites too!
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About 30 minutes before I found this post in my Google Reader, I wrote down “decluttering” as one of my goals for 2010. This post just gave me the tools I need to really accomplish that. I decluttered a lot in 2009, but I had a really good reason – relocating (out of state). Now that I am settled, I really need to keep it up.
Carla´s last blog ..Its the end!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Oh, good, Carla — I’m glad it was timely for you! Can’t wait to hear your progress!
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I have already started in my granddaughters room today. Completely cleaning out every bin, drawer and cubby. Wouldn’t it be neat if we had a little ticker that counted all our donations throughout the year, like those weight loss ones?? Any clue where to find them? I will definitely go back now and count everything in the donation boxes I am getting rid of. Donating toys to pre- school and books to elementary school. Plus a ton of other stuff.
Go me! Thanks so much for the inspiration.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
That would be fun, Cheryl — being able to see your progress is always so much more motivating! I’m impressed that you’ve gotten through so much already — can’t wait to hear about your continued progress!!
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Love your site and the 31 days. I am great at making lists of things to do…its my follow through that stinks.
If I do nothing else this year to get organized other then get through all my fabric, then I will have done alot.
As a stay at home wife, I seriously have no excuse. My time is my own. Have been writing down the time I spend on doing everything. By the weeks end I will have a good idea where I am wasting time.
Joining up to keep myself accountable.
Blessings,
Jilly
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Hey Jilly!
I love that you’re tracking your time. What a great way to really evaluate your priorities! I’d love to hear what you find about your greatest time wasters and other changes you make!
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My house is not disgusting, but it’s certainly cluttered! I can’t ever seem to keep the horizontal surfaces in my home clear of stuff. (And my sweet husband is the same way!) Thank you so much for your post! I’ve been trying to figure out where to start with the declutter, and I just love the idea of setting out to declutter all my horizontal surfaces, starting with my desk.
Thanks for the tips! I’m passing on your advice to my readers.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Thanks, Suzy — I’m glad it was helpful, and good for you for actually picking a place to start! Come back and let us know how it goes!!
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The Man Beast and I tackled our laundry room yesterday since he was off from work. Today, I went and got a few plastic totes and got rid of ALL of the cardboard boxes in my laundry room! We also bought shelving.
I know this sounds strange, but I feel a sense of peace and calm when I go into my laundry room to do laundry because everything is neat and organized.
I plan on tackling my closet next weekend (I’ve decided to only tackle projects when I have the extra money set aside to buy totes). My goal in this decluttering boxes is GETTING RID OF CARDBOARD BOXES. (They really are so ugly…)
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about — my laundry room tends to be a temporary holding area for stuff that needs a home, and when I take the time to clean it up, I always get a big smile on my face every time I walk in there. It might be silly, but it really does make a huge difference!
We did the transition from boxes to totes when we moved 2 years ago, and I love it still!
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[...] 2, 2010 at 11:09 pm (boys, homeschool, household, organization) I found a blog today that really caught my attention, Mandi talks about decluttering and setting realistic goals [...]
it’s worth mentioning…
Freecycle is my favorite way of de-cluttering to get rid of larger items that are harder to just throw away. You’d be surprised to find that someone else might want that broken easel, empty five gallon bucket, etc. Just about every city has a Freecycle group! (www.freecycle.org)
Missi´s last blog ..Best Laid Plans
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Candysue Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:09 pm
FreeCycle.com is FANTASTIC to give stuff away!! so is craigslist.com for your area. I always feel better if I know someone can reuse items. I have a difficult time throwing things to the curb when there are others who are in need.
I would ship old clothes/books/blankets/pots&pans etc at my expense to other countrys if I had an address of those who were in need.
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[...] Organizing Your Way is hosting 31 Days of Organizing this month and is offering up lots of ideas and tips for decluttering, setting attainable goals, creating new habits and more. [...]
Decluttering is an ongoing problem for me and moving didn’t help as much as it could since from deciding to move to actually moving was less than a month. Now I’m ten months from moving and I still have unpacked boxes. My sticking point seems to be the “It’s perfectly good so I’ll save it just in case” thoughts. Also, even once I’ve decided on what can go, it ends up hanging around my house forever in a ‘donate’ pile causing a different sort of clutter.
Paper has actually not been as much a problem for me the last few years – when I had a PO Box I made sure I recycled everything I didn’t need while at the PO; now I use the mailbox in my building but I find it works best if I pick up my mail in the morning on the way to work and sort and recycle in a few minutes there. If I let junk mail into my house it ends up in a messy pile or spread all over the floor when it tumbles.
My goals:
1 – With a nod to Amy, get 365 things out of my house
2 – One in, one out with the one out not counting towards the 365 [I want that to be a true elimination].
3 – Take some trash out daily and donations weekly.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Great goals, Robin. My husband looks at things the same way — “What if I need it later???” It’s hard to change that thinking when you’re just trying not to be wasteful!
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[...] 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010: Declutter [...]
[...] found this on Organizing Your Way it definitely speaks to me. I have a hard time letting things go. Things gather and collect and [...]