I have a reminder on my calendar on the first of every month to “Give something away.” I’m usually good at actually doing this but it’s normally never more than a bag of clothes or toys.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the “cleanies” like never before.
It started with my quest to organize and eliminate some of the kids’ toys. We have allocated a section of the living room as the kids’ toy area (they don’t have their own rooms).
A few months ago we all agreed that there were too many toys in this area. The kids’ solution was to move some of the toys into the room downstairs that I had been using as an office and yoga room. I hadn’t been using the room lately so I agreed. And the toys exploded down there.
I was suddenly very saddened about losing “my space.”
A couple months went by and I decided that I wanted to move my yoga practice out of the living room and back into my yoga room. I also wanted to clean up the toys everywhere in the house.
I picked a weekend day and started the project. In the living room, I dumped out each plastic storage box containing toys and went through the contents. Each item went into the trash or recycle bin if it was completely broken or it was reunited with the rest of the set it went to so the kids would actually play with it again or it went in a storage box of similar items (horses, trains, dinosaurs, dolls, art supplies, etc.).
When the kids arrived home (this project is next to impossible if the kids are there with you), they were all excited to re-discover “new” toys in the old ones they had forgotten about.
By the end of the day, I had only gotten through most of the boxes in the living room and had not yet touched the boxes in my yoga room. My back was sore and I was tired.
I knew I didn’t want to spend another entire day or more going through the other boxes so I made a plan.
My plan was to use baby steps to tackle the rest of the toys.
Taking Baby Steps
Each morning I would practice yoga in my yoga room (I shoved the boxes back far enough to make a little space). Immediately after my yoga practice and before the kids woke up, I would tackle one box and no more. I wouldn’t let myself feel guilty for not doing more.
Every day one more box disappeared. Every day I felt a little better. Every day I created a little more space in my room and my life.
Once I was done with the toys, I realized that I had created a new habit. I found myself looking at my husband’s and my closet. In two mornings I had it cleaned out. Then it was a downstairs closet. And another one. And another one.
I had built up momentum and was maintaining that great feeling of getting rid of stuff I no longer need.
I found myself picking up things that I had picked up a dozen times before when cleaning out. All those times I put it back saying to myself that it’s still in great shape and maybe, just maybe, I’ll use it again some day.
Those days never come.
This time I picked up these items and shook my head at how many times I had put it away, only to be touched the next time I “cleaned out.”
This time I asked myself, “Do I really need this right now? Can I realistically see myself using this in the near future, given the lifestyle choices I’m consciously making right now?”
And the Purge began.
I’m finding it easier and easier to let go of things. Like the wedding gown from my first marriage 20 years ago that ended 13 years ago. Like an electric foot massager that I’ve held on to for 15 years to remind me to take care of myself (while the massager sits hidden in a closet). Like old ski clothes that are in perfect shape (my last time skiing was in 2002).
I’m purging things that I thought I would sell on ebay or Craigslist to make a few bucks but never find the time to actually sell. I just want all the stuff out of the house, and I don’t care how it goes.
Every morning after my yoga practice I tackle some new corner of the house. The kitchen is next.
The Results of Baby Steps Are Powerful
If you have a hard time motivating yourself to de-clutter and clean out, thinking it has to be a big project, think small. Think one box, cabinet or drawer at a time. Do a little every day and make a habit of it. Start to see your stuff differently.
Now I keep a box or trash bag in each room so I can put things in that box or bag as I see them. This way, I don’t even have to tackle a whole drawer or closet at a time. I’m handling one item at a time and I’ve made it easy to put it in my “give away” box or bag. When the box or bag is full, I bring it to Goodwill.
I feel a little lighter every day. I’m creating space in my life for something new and awesome and I’m excited about discovering what that is.
Now I don’t think I can give up my new habit. There will always be more to clean out. It’s a never-ending project and I’m OK with that. Now it’s a process, not a project.
If you need some motivation to keep you from filling all those spaces you just cleaned out, watch The Story of Stuff which shows the real life cycle of all the stuff we buy and get rid of. It’s an eye-opener!
What ideas or habits do you have to de-cluttering and getting rid of all that stuff?
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I felt exactly the same about things I was planning to sell – in the end my time and the plan to reduce was greater and of more importance than selling things to get a bit of cash back. Also, it felt good to donate those things that were worth more 🙂 Baby steps is definitely the way – a little here and there adds up to such a lot over time.
That’s great that you’re taking those baby steps. Baby steps are the only way to make lasting change in my book. Thanks for sharing this Rose!
Thanks, Paige, Good Idea putting clothes out and in the way. They would then be right in my face, annoying me and I would have to do something about them!!
Great, will do that. You are always full of wonderful ideas!
Thanks,
Ginny
Hi Paige,
Seems that we are on the same page with “stuff.” Thanks for your great tips and ideas of how to just get rid of it!
Yes, getting rid of “stuff.” My girlfriend and I made a pact two weeks ago that we would call each other every Friday and have to report to each other what we have accomplished.
Seemed we were talking one day about all our “stuff” and knew we should get rid of it but just couldn’t get motivated. So we motivate each other with having to “report” to each other weekly. We decided that even if we did just one-half hour a day we would be accomplishing much more than our doing nothing and just thinking about it.
It is so totally amazing the amount of “stuff” one can accumulate. The hardest part is when you say, “I will lose weight and fit into that” and it is still there next year and you still don’t fit into it! So grab a friend and get motivated. It works.
Ginny,
Having an accountability partner is a GREAT idea! And, yes, taking 30 minutes each day would make a big impact very quickly. Getting rid of reasons to procrastinate is key.
Maybe, as motivation to release the weight, have those pieces of clothing out where you can see them every day (like hanging from the closet door) instead of buried in your closet only to be seen next time there’s a cleaning session.
Keep up the great work!