HELP! I don't even know where to start!

**Daisygirl** · 01-05-2008, 12:57 PM

We have begun to attack the CHAOS ZONE that is our basement storage area and laundry room. IT IS HORRIBLE!

There are boxes of Lord knows what stacked haphazardly all over the area. Chloe and I built some shelves, which are gleaming and empty on the edge of the CHAOS ZONE.

Most of these boxes have just been moved from place to place over the past 4 years, which of course means we do not need this stuff. We plan to make a yard-sale pile - the mother of all yard sales is planned for the summer. We need to sort the hand me down clothes by size for Rachel. We need to sort the holiday decor. We need to pull out the photos, but I am stuck - I just look at this mess and cringe!

Where do I start?!?!? Any suggestions?

**inneedofhope** · 01-05-2008, 01:07 PM

I would spread it out over a few days and do a set # of boxes per day, depending on the size of the boxes. grab some bags or baskets to sort between keep, toss, and sell. The keepers can be put away right away. The tossers, take out to the trash, and the sellers tag so when your ready to have that sale you won't be tagging for days! If there are specific people you will be giving items to, such as clothing, bring down some bags with their names on, too.
Good luck!

**YankeeMom** · 01-05-2008, 01:08 PM

I like to break it up into categories. Do all the holiday stuff, then do all the sorting through clothes, etc.

Or you could set a goal, empty/sort through 5 boxes per day. When you've done those boxes you're done for the day. It helps to make it feel more manageable.

**coltsmama** · 01-05-2008, 01:19 PM

One box at a time! LOL Grab a couple of boxes and get started. Once you get started you will fly through. The longer i think about a dreaded task the worse it seem to get. Good luck!

**KJayEsq** · 01-05-2008, 01:59 PM

Overwhelming I know. I'm in the same boat with my spare room and garage

. Take a deep breath, put on some music you like, and either sort by "type of stuff" or decide on a set number of boxes and do one at a time.

Don't get overwhelmed - you CAN get it done.

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-05-2008, 02:59 PM

I agree, do a few boxes per day and separate them by categories... clothes, electronics, crafts, shoes, etc...

Sure hope your yard sale is a blast this summer

**Daisygirl** · 01-05-2008, 03:32 PM

I like the idea of a few boxes a day - that seems more deal-able then doing the whole enchilada.

The yard sale is for our Disneyworld spending money. I thought it would motivate the kids to get rid of some of their crap, knowing they got to spend that money on t-shirts and mouse ears and stuff (yep, more crap, lol)

I got the containers for the various places this stuff is going - next I am going to clear an area in there to put the containers so we can work - thanks ladies - we will keep you posted.

**dolphin** · 01-05-2008, 03:44 PM

Ughh, I've been there only it was our garages!

Your first mission is to clear up some working area. I found that was my best strategy for cleaning it up. Music in your working area helps too so take a radio down there. Wear gloves if you think you might run into spiders, I did.

I'd say do the clothes first but mostly because you may find things that younger dd can wear now and she may outgrow by summer. Get the best use out of it.

Good luck!

**shortcake** · 01-05-2008, 03:53 PM

I am totally with you. We have started cleaning our basement also. I never let company down there it is too horrible. I was overwhelmed also. I did the laundry room first and now I am working on the bath room. Next is the large horrible 20' x 36' family/total mess of a place. My goal is one box at a time also. In the past I would try to do it all at once and would expect to get it done in one weekend. Well needless to say that plan failed. With one box at a time and no stress on when it has to be finished I think I will suceed. I am planning on selling stuff on Ebay and having a garage sale. We are only allowed twice a year on specific dates in my town, so I have to inquire not to miss it. My goal is to be done by end of March cause I have other more important places to declutter also. Once we are done cleaning the basement we want to put down laminate flooring, paint the walls and do the ceilling. We will be so happy once it is done. I keep a mental image of what it will look like to keep myself motivated.

Don't give up! One box at a time, don't stress over it, it's not worth it.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-05-2008, 04:12 PM

One more hint. Try to handle the items in the box your sorting only once. If its going to some put it in a bag and take that bag to the car. If its going into the yard sale box price it now. Save yourself the work later. If its going to the trash take it to the can. It may seem like more work now but it beats putting the item on the side, then carrying upstairs to the kitchen , then carrying it out to the car later. Not to mention by putting something off there is a bigger chance it won't get done and will get forgotten.

Laurie in Bradenton

**EmilyD** · 01-05-2008, 04:28 PM

I usually use several boxes or trash bags. I start to the right of the main entrance door and work through one box at a time. Sort into the boxes (I mark mine ... keepers (or clothes .. sizes etc), garage sale (mark with prices or wait until done .. you still have to handle them to put them out and anything that distracts me gets me in trouble) , salvation army, and trash.

I fill a box, then move it to where it needs to go .. going up and down the stairs and back and forth to different places would wear me out and or sidetrack me.

I also tend to do it for a set # of boxes at a time or a set amount of minutes so it doesn't get overwhelming.

Good luck on your project!

**AmyBoz** · 01-05-2008, 04:57 PM

My advice is a compilation of the advice that has already been given.

As Missy said, clear your work zone first. Then, tackle one box at a time. My guess is that once you get started, you'll feel successful and want to keep going.

Then, as inneedofhope said, get three baskets, cans, boxes, whatever a designate them keep, toss, and sell. When toss is full, take it out and toss it immediately. Then, keep going.

Once done, take all the keep items and categorize them and put them on those shelves in their categories. Label the shelves as well so everything has a place.