You may have noticed that I have not written as much this month. Part of this is due to the holidays, spending time with family, but mostly because of the massive purge. It is almost complete. Yay!
You may also remember that I have a small problem with collecting clutter. As a preventative measure, because it is all too possible that it will bloom into full blown hoarding as I get older, (as in my Dad’s age–the age of stubbornly getting mad when your daughters throw crap away) I have been focusing on halting this habit in its tracks.
This is not a resolution because my “resolutions” ALWAYS fail! The following are three actions that I am sticking to in order to tame the clutter.
Each day I will throw away something that is utterly useless and unused or shouldn’t be used. This week I have thrown away sippy cups, outgrown toddler utensils, plastic plates and jars and containers that used to hold packaged food. Scandalous–I know. Think of all the crafts that I could have done but never did with all those cans and jars!
If it takes under two minutes to put it away in it’s proper place, then do it now. I have caught myself walking over something in the living room a few times before I realize that bringing it into the bedroom where it belongs would only take 30 seconds. This is a hard habit for me to pick up since I am usually walking to or from somewhere with a purpose. Clutter easily multiplies. The pillow on the floor may not be more important that whatever I am doing right now but leaving it there just adds to the list of things I have to get done. Better to take care of it now and not have to worry about it later.
Don’t buy any “organizational items/tools/containers” until after the purging and sorting process is complete. I have never followed this tip before. I normally buy a bunch of bins, bags, baskets and then start sorting. And what I normally end up with is, a bunch of different bins etc filled with items while others are half empty. I never buy the correct amount so I end up with bins and containers that add to the clutter! It does seem more logical to know how many bins I need and in what sizes before I buy them–I guess.
I didn’t realize how much the clutter was weighing on me until last month when I decided to become a SAHM. I am tired of hearing my son say “but I don’t know where it goes” when I tell him to put his toy away. He has a point and I know the chaos gives him anxiety. The goal is for us all to know where things go.
We have about 30 lawn bags filled with the victims of our purging eagerly awaiting the donation truck or the garbage truck. The next step will be to come up with an organization/storage scheme, especially for the toys. I will be combing the Pinterest boards looking for the answer. Wish me luck!
If you have a toy storage system that works, feel free to link it in the comments. I need all the help I can get!
Shop Amazon – New Year, New You Toy Store Solutions and Accessories
Mama Mary says
Oh how I needed to read this right now. I am not quite at hoarder status, but my home is filled with clutter. I have started binging and purging and taking some of the steps you mention about and I find them so helpful.
Herchel says
It’s so hard to keep clutter under control! I NEVER want to reach hoarder status so it’s a never ending battle :p
Ellen Morris Prewitt says
I love your clutter monster, and I love the idea of giving something away each day. I tend to “store” things away and forget I even have them. Obviously, I don’t need them, so I’m going to give this idea a try. Stopping by from SITS Girls.
Mrs.AOK says
Oh dear… I’m going through some extreme organization-thing now. I’ve been setting aside things for purging/donating like crazy… However, I thought I had already done that before we moved here! Turns out we packed a lot of crap!
It also, turns out my kiddos have more shoes than I think *I’ve* ever had in my life! I just bought them a shoe carousel for the coat closet.
Thanks for sharing your helpful tips via Mommy Monday!
XOXO
p.s I also fall victim to saving things I think I may use to craft…. ><
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries says
I’m a self-professed clutter bug! Its the beginning of the year and fitting to get clutter under control. Great tips, so glad you shared!
Thanks for linking up at Gingham & Roses!
Hope to see you back next week!
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries
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Emily says
Great tips! I am happy I saw this post. I also have been guilty of buying those cute organizers before I have even purged or known exactly what I needed! The problem is that they make them so cute now with all the paisley and polka dot designs. Gahhh!! Stopping by from Gingham & Roses Link Up. Hope you have an awesome weekend!!
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Adrian says
Here is one of my favorite posts regarding children and clutter. I hope it helps your situation. Very impressed with the progress you are making on your clutter situation. http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2013/06/clutterbugs-how-does-clutter-affect.html
Adrian recently posted…Clutterbugs: Time to Undecorate?
Danielle says
Thanks for the tips! We can all use quick tips that are simple and straight forward. I especially love the point that if it takes minutes to put it in its place, then just do it. You are spot on!
Coming over via SITSSharefest…
-Danielle
@DanielleASB
ChatterOutLoud.com
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Herchel says
Thanks for stopping in Danielle! I plan to write down the tips and hang them up around the house to keep myself in check!
Jhanis says
hmmmm you mean I have to throw away the 1 year old plastic bags stashed in the drawer? Or my son’s pre-school books? LOL
I definitely need to do this. I have thrown away/donated a lot of stuff when we moved to this apartment summer last year and I cannot believe the amount of stuff accumulating again! Great tips Herchel!
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Herchel says
Thanks jhanis! About those bags, exactly how many do you have? If you have a closetful (like me) you have two choices; 1) use them instead of bubble wrap or packing peanuts and send a small item and about three hundred bags in a box to someone (like my mother in law did to me!) or 2) throw most of them out (like my husband did with mine lol)
Rabia @TheLiebers says
It seems so simple, but to me this is pure genius!! I have a collection of flattened empty cereal boxes that I started saving for some unknown reason! ARGH! I’ve been trying to declutter and give stuff away too. I will keep this tips in mind.
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Herchel says
My cereal boxes were being saved so I could make “magazine holders” for organizing. They ended up being rather flimsy!
Tamara says
I often see something in its WRONG place and I ignore it and just think I’ll pick it up later, or Cassidy will. And we both do it 20 times and it never gets picked up.
Today I actually took ten minutes to de-clutter the kitchen and it felt fantastic!
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Herchel says
I am hoping that the little “de-clutter sessions” make the task less distasteful for me. It was really overwhelming at first but I just keep telling myself that it will get easier over time…as long as I stay out of Target’s dollar spot.
Herchel recently posted…3 Tips to Control Clutter
Karen @TheMissingNiche says
I cannot tell you how lazy I am. It’s 5 steps from the living room to the kids room then 2 more steps to their closet. I prefer to throw stuff on a shelf in the living room or put it on the first bureau I see when I enter their room, rather than walk the extra few steps and put it where it belongs. By Saturday, I have a boatload of crap to sort. I’ve got to be better! One thing I am good at is throwing things away! I’ve got that tip down!
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Herchel says
I am lazy, easily distracted (Squirrel!), and hate to throw things away! That is changing though. I am just so lazy that I am afraid of having to bust my butt again like I did these last few weeks so am trying a preemptive strike.
Herchel recently posted…3 Tips to Control Clutter
AwesomelyOZ says
My biggest mess is documents/mail – I have an overflow that goes back 5 years and need to get rid of STAT. I think i need to invest in the Neat Desk since that would be helpful for me.. but its’ not cheap so Ill think about it. Other than that – I’m pretty good – I agree you have to eliminate things before they become an issue and clean as you go daily.. pick up when you get the chance for when you get stricken with the “lazy bug” it won’t get too bad 😉 Have a great one Herchel! -Iva
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Herchel says
Hi Iva! I don’t have quite that much mail to go through but I do have a huge stack waiting for me. I want to get to the point where I don’t have to clean for a week before someone comes to visit!
Herchel recently posted…3 Tips to Control Clutter
Michelle says
This is a big one for me this year. I have let my house go unchecked as far as clutter goes, for far too long. No more! I have a guest post coming up on this top, from a professional organizer!
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Herchel says
Yay! I can’t wait to read it. It’s been a work in progress. I may succeed this time (I’ve worked on this before lol) because I don’t feel any remorse for the things I’ve already purged.
Kim says
Oh, this is a downfall for me too! I have managed to keep some of it under control because we used to move often (like 6 times in 10 years) but we have been settled into this house for nearly 8 years now, and my, how the stuff does multiply!
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Herchel says
It does. I just have so much stuff and most of it is just taking up space.
Crystal says
A place for everythig and everything in it
Crystal says
it’s place! (whoops)