Declutter with me?

**Ashley01** · 06-01-2011, 09:04 AM

I have been saying forever I want to really declutter and organize my apartment and life. I'm tired of tripping over toys, boxes, dirty dishes, clothes, art stuff etc. I started working with the kids to put the toys back where they got them and dishes in the sick. But how do you really inforce this on 2 1/2 year olds and under. I have the time to get stuff done just no motivation or ambition. But enough is enough I'm tired of living like this. I started today by going through my living room went through all my paper cleaned off the back of the couch, the coffee table, dds art table, the toy shelf/corner. It looks better but can still use some work. I'm finding it hard though to not just clean clutter in one area and move it to another. Who's in? Who wants to declutter there home and life with me.

**NicJean** · 06-01-2011, 09:44 AM

Happy to get hopefully motivated! I've got a small-ish house. Unfortunately, it's packed, and I don't like not being able to find things. I'm great at organizing for others, but when it comes to my stuff - I'm not sure exactly what happens. At this moment, my recycling is overflowing onto the dining room floor, a stack of DVD's are blocking DH's office window from being opened, the floor space in my office/craft room is tiny (kinda hazardous to go racing in there) and speaking of my office, there was a twin bed somewhere in there - under the piles of quilts, wedding doodads, craft stuff and scrapbooking supplies, the mud room is filled (and it even has one wall of cabinets?!?! my DH can't find his favorite hat, I'm running out of underthings 'cause I have not 'felt like' getting laundry done, and, oh yeah, the pile of clean clothes is growing from the giant basket on the floor towards the ceiling in my closet. I feel as though I go to work to escape the chaos - which should really be reversed! I'd love a calming, rejuvinating, and welcoming home.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-01-2011, 09:53 AM

Okay

I'm working in the laundry room today - I call it the laundry room but it is one whole side of the basement - that's where I've been shoving stuff since we moved in. The rest of the house is okay, I just need to sort through all this extra stuff that has never found a home.

**SandNOceanGirl** · 06-01-2011, 11:01 AM

For only two people in the house... things sure can get cluttered up quick. I need to declutter the office. There is stuff everywhere. Only have a small path to get to the computer. I am usually motivated but this one room has always been difficult for me to organize. So I am in on getting motivated to declutter the office!!

**shoiji** · 06-01-2011, 11:08 AM

Just got done taking a cart full of stuff to the dumpster. I found a large empty coffee can that I must have thought would be good to save. Ended up throwing it out since it was still empty and I forgot I had it. Was difficult to let go of some things but I really do not miss them now. Have a ways to go still.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-01-2011, 11:11 AM

It's a never ending battle here. I find it helps to have the trash cans (one in every room) and a recycle and a donate bin readily available. It's too easy to say "this should be donated" and just shove it aside. Our recycle bin is right by the door, so junk mail never makes it past that point.

As for the kitchen, ours is too small to let things accumulate for more than a day. At that point there is no room to cook, and at 48 hours there is no clean silverware.

I think 2 1/2 is a good age to start teaching kids to clean up after themselves. They are not set into bad habits yet and still eager to please mommy. Have them clean up with you. You pick up papers and laundry, they pick up toys (and have a toy box available to put things into.)

**frugal is fun** · 06-01-2011, 11:27 AM

I'll join in on this...I want to "declutter" my closet and my drawers. I have stuff in their I haven't worn in years and never will.

Its "neat" but its full and I don't like looking at it.

And I want to organize my "desk"...Its very small but I know I could get something inexpensive from IKEA to help keep it organized. I know I have a pair of glasses in there somewhere that I just can't find!

**frugal is fun** · 06-01-2011, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

I think 2 1/2 is a good age to start teaching kids to clean up after themselves. They are not set into bad habits yet and still eager to please mommy. Have them clean up with you. You pick up papers and laundry, they pick up toys (and have a toy box available to put things into.)

I agree with this...have a big box for the big toys and I use colored buckets for the small toys. Just some place for the toys to be kept, not necessarily neatly.

I have a laundry basket on the floor in my sons room near the door and he makes a game of it and throws his clothes across the room every night. Most of them make it in.

**Ashley01** · 06-01-2011, 11:41 AM

Thanks for joining me! I got my laundry all folded so I will put it away and do dds room and start my room tonight. My main problems right now are there huge piles of boxes in my dining room I need burnt but it's to windy to do so. Hopefully by the weekend!

**pollypurebred39** · 06-01-2011, 11:54 AM

I'm in, both feet. I've been working on this, I've gotten rid of just about everything that's not useful, but now I'm pretty much left with the I want everything stage, but I just don't have the room. I need to get some shelves and things to organize and then just get ruthless.

However, I am talking about the things that are out in the open. I still need to get under beds, in 2 closets that are not for clothing, the attic & the basement. I'm sure I'll find lots of useless why am I keeping this items.

Clutter just makes me feel crazy in the head, I like a home that is serene, and right now it's sure not serene with all this clutter. I've got to let it go.

**craftypam** · 06-01-2011, 12:39 PM

Right there with you Polly; need to declutter badly and have been working on it ever so slowly. I need to step it up!!! I feel the same way; why am I keeping all this stuff. I'm always afraid as soon as I dump something; I'll need it,

**MrsOptimistic** · 06-01-2011, 07:40 PM

I'm in!

I've been slowly decluttering over the last few weeks. I'm loving the progress but I think it's time to tackle the ultimate challenge.... the garage. It's been "organized cluttered" at times but now it's just kind of exploded all over. There's just SO MUCH STUFF!

**Libby** · 06-01-2011, 08:34 PM

There is also this thread for those that wish to declutter/purge: Fling 2011 Things in 2011 Challenge

I need to get on the ball with purging as well - I used to count my items but have long since started purging in spurts and lost track.

There are a few other similar threads under the HOME & FAMILY forum then click on CHALLENGES to see more.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-01-2011, 11:14 PM

I took this challenge seriously today. I spent 4 hours throwing away junk mail, sales papers, and general paper work clutter. Finished filling the china cabinet, had the dishes all over my dining room table. Hung two pictures that were cluttering a open shelf. Emptied the curio of the nativity pieces (and put on the just emptied dining room table) to be packed in their tote to be taken to the attic. Yes, Christmas the last of it, how embarrassing.