Just one thing per day...

[elphie]

That's the challenge I've laid out for my family.

I really want to declutter this house and have a yard sale in early spring. The problem is that ds and I both have ADHD and have a difficult time focusing on the task at hand although we both find it generally easy to let go of stuff... Dh and dd are super focused when it comes to cleaning and organizing but both are packrats who can't imagine why on earth I don't see the value of their "treasures". I needed a solution that would make the decluttering process painless for everyone's strengths and shortcomings so...

Each of us has to find one thing every day to add to the yard sale. Just one. This way those of us who hate the idea of the task can do it in just a couple of minutes and those who hate the idea of giving up stuff can let go slowly.

We start today so by the end of the month we will have 52 items added to the stack. By the end of March 176 items and by the first weekend of May when we plan to have the sale we will have 296 items in addition to the large pile we have from when we spent one horrific weekend cleaning up the basement. (That weekend is one major reason for this plan, I CAN NOT go through that again... ugh.)

When the yard sale is over we'll see where we are with the clutter situation... I may do this again and have another sale mid-summer if I think we need to get rid of more. Less clutter = less time cleaning + more time enjoying the things we really value. Don't get me wrong the house is not super messy but I'm just ready for living more simply and I think this is a really good start.

[Debbie-cat]

I think that is a great idea Hope. I will join but can't until it warms up a little and then I will do 5 per day. The reason is because all the things I want to put in the garage sale are in the farmhouse and storage shed and they have no heat and it is a little tooo cold out there yet.

I think it is a great idea as there is nothing worse than spending days getting things priced and ready for the sale. I will be checking back in when I get started!

[homesteadmamma]

I think that is very doable. Great job working in baby steps. Can't wait to hear how your yard sale goes.

[ladykemma2]

if you have ADD like I do, i don't think i could do that sustained effort. i would rather take a trip to the donation center on the way to work each day. just get rid of it. let it be someone else's problem.

from piling it up to getting it sold in a yard sale, it would never get done. too many steps too many days. for me it would be a really bad idea. The ADD or hoarding would kick in. Or i would lose focus.

[elphie]

I know what you mean ladykemma but I have learned to manage my ADHD pretty well by breaking big goals down into more doable, bite size pieces instead of one overwhelming project; KWIM?

Debbie- so glad you're on board!

[Spirit Deer]

Why not take it a step further and put the prices on each item as you put it in a box each day? That would cut the work down considerably when it comes time to set it all out for the sale.

We've also reached the point where we have to just get rid of it. We don't have room to store it all for a sale and no good place to have a sale, so that means we'd have to haul it all somewhere else, along with all the tables and stuff to set up a sale. Not worth all the hours it takes and the aggravation.

[Michelle]

This is a great idea, Hope. I'm sure your yard sale will be very successful

[Debbie-cat]

I am definitely going to price as I go through things. We have an advantage though....the one little house up front is empty and we are going to set up the sale in there. That way we don't have to worry about the weather and I can put things on tables as I go along. DH's idea, I think it is a great one!

[Spirit Deer]

Excellent, Debbie!

The last sale we had, we had to haul everything 25 miles, set it all up outside in a driveway, and then a half hour into the sale, the sky opened up and it poured rain all day long. Every time we think about having another one, the memory of that disaster kills the urge!

[elphie]

ooohh, I'm definately going to do pricing as I go... great idea!

[Debbie-cat]

Excellent, Debbie!

The last sale we had, we had to haul everything 25 miles, set it all up outside in a driveway, and then a half hour into the sale, the sky opened up and it poured rain all day long. Every time we think about having another one, the memory of that disaster kills the urge!

That is what sucks about garage sales. This is why I was so happy when DH suggested the little house. I will be able to take my time as it warms up and when I am ready ... BAM... the sale opens!! I have soooo much stuff to sell so I am sure the little house will be packed!

[AmyBoz]

Sounds like a fabulous idea!!!

[elphie]

When dh got home from work and I shared my idea with him his not-so-inner packrat rebelled... He started talking about building his own closet in the basement to hold all of his stuff. I talked him down though and explained that he didn't have to give me an entire stack of t-shirts he's had since highschool... just one for now.

We have a nice little pile of four items... a video game and a baby doll that the kids haven't played with in ages, a t-shirt, and a holiday bowl that has been collecting dust for several Christmases now.

[elphie]

Debbie- I just had a thought... really something I remember hearing someone else say they did when they had lots of space for a sale. You should display the clothes in outfits like the do in stores... complete with accessories (purses, shoes, jewelry, etc.) so people see it come together into something they just have to have... not everything of course but a few choice things, and since it is in a house it will have a boutique feel to it... just an idea.

btw I am soooo jealous that you have that space.

[Debbie-cat]

Well Hope at least you have four items. Do the rest when hubby isn't home...hee, hee. He won't even miss the items I bet!