Mini-Declutter - Mon Jan 25 - Sun Jan 31, 2016
 

onebyone, hope you don't mind if I get us started!

Not much progress, but I did manage to keep up. And, I scheduled extra time this week to work on these things and similar items. I'd like to end January feeling much more caught up.

Mail stack. Current state: empty. Goal: empty.
Progress: kept up

Tickler. Current state: today. Goal: today.
Progress: caught up

In Box. Current state: one pill bottle to remind me to refill the prescription. Goal: empty.
Progress: kept up

Email. Current state: 721 total, 180 unread. Goal: empty.
Progress: 3 fewer total, 9 fewer unread

Checkbook. Current state: new statement arrived. Goal: balanced as soon as statement arrives.
Progress: scheduled a day to balance the checkbook

Credit cards. Current state: months behind. Goal: checked as soon as statements arrive.
Progress: scheduled a day to work on this

Finances: Up to date and all reconciled.

Credit Cards: Paid and reconciled.

Bookcase: One closest to Washer still needs a complete revamp and opportunity to organize photo albums. This week's project.

Sandy

I did not get to the "memory box" stack but did clear out other items and have the back of my car filled with bags, older printer for goodwill. DH is dropping off a fair amount of donations we've assembled for the local humane society. I can't drop off as I will want to take something home.

Tonight I'll try to get to that memory box project if time, but might have that be for mid-week. Remembering to drop Goodwill will be a plus.

May I join in?

Micro-declutter goal: Find another place for the extra coffee pot that takes up precious space in my office - perhaps Goodwill.

Half the kitchen table cleared and also managed to clean out my refrigerator of some "lab" projects that had been developing for some time :o. Also managed to finish up my pantry organizing (for now). I've slowly been moving flour, sugar, and other baking goods from their packaging to more efficient and space saving canisters. A few items still need to be transferred but I don't have canisters for them yet. I'm pleased with the results and thankful that Google and Pinterest exist from which to steal worthy ideas ;)

It will be a busy work week for me so my goal is to get the other half of the table cleared. I've set a reward of fresh cut flowers for it but only after it's cleared and not a moment before!

Back to business
 

Hello
Thanks gardenerjoy for starting the week for us. And good work in your decluttering. I see maintenance status in a few areas.

Hello to everyone back at it again.

I've been sick the past few days but after a miraculous healing nap this morning I've turned the corner. I think tomorrow I may be able to get back to the studio and make some progress.

I need some end goals for my studio space which I will aim for week by week until I make it happen.

END GOALS FOR STUDIO
1) clear table surface completely
2) gather like materials together
3) store like materials together
4) store loose artwork in tubes or bags or portfolios
5) move items to be stored out of studio and into storage space
6) clear desk top
7) clean coffee maker
8) remove flooring and wash it
9) replace flooring
10) install mini chandelier as visual reward for cleaning and setting up studio for the new year

I'll be back tomorrow with what I think I can accomplish in the next 24hrs.

My projects this week are fill out a lengthy application for a work credential and get cleaning in prep for some company we're having next weekend, the house is pretty dirty!

I did it! I put it in a backpack and routed my walk past Goodwill. And there it sits for some proud new owner.

Thanks, guys.

Even though I am somewhat over-committed to challenges this month, I would like to join this one.

Starting off easy with a goal of clearing the dresser tops in the bedroom. A collection of papers and Things To Remove From The House is resting there.

At least I feel I'm making forward/continued progress here if not in weight loss. I went by Goodwill too, and dropped off a good sized load, and surprised DH who, I think, thought I'd forget.

Dishes were done and table set back up nicely after dinner - kitchen IS much nicer with completely cleared off counters (except for the items with permanent status - toaster, tea canister, fruit bowl, etc.) ... that remains my target for every night. Funny how it was done in my house growing up with my mom never once thinking about it - it was just how she kept the home.

Mail stack. Current state: full of yesterday's mail that I fetched a few minutes ago. Goal: empty.

Tickler. Current state: today. Goal: today.
Progress: caught up

In Box. Current state: empty. Goal: empty.
Progress: ordered prescriptions to pick up today

Email. Current state: 720 total, 175 unread. Goal: empty.
Progress: 1 fewer total, 5 fewer unread

Checkbook. Current state: new statement arrived. Goal: balanced as soon as statement arrives.
Progress: pending

Credit cards. Current state: months behind. Goal: checked as soon as statements arrive.
Progress: pending

Spoke too soon
 

Another day to spend with a sore throat. Did not go out to studio.

Happy to read of everyone's progress and of our growing group.

A little does go a long way.

onebyone, I hope you are feeling much better today!

I continue my daily process and have not gotten to posting. Last week in Glenwood I took my 2 boxes to thrift. They had been sitting in my office for awhile. I also grabbed my trash can full of office paper and dropped it off at recycle while running another errand. I'm headed back there today and it will be nice to have less clutter in my office.

It's been a harried week and while I kept up with laundry/dishes and kitchen counters clean....paperwork and other stuff started to build up. I didn't feel like doing any of it last night after work so I just went to bed early and got up early. I've been sorting/filing/purging/paying for about 2 hours now. I'm caught up and my space in my office feels so much better.

Clothes are in the dryer. Important since I need my work clothes to be clean and ready to go when I return.

I'm heading down to enjoy a cup of coffee and attack clutter that has built up on the dining room table.

I could have headed over to Glenwood yesterday after work but it is really more important to me these days to get my home back in order. I really notice the difference when I walk back in the front door after a trip over. It's either, yuk, or a happy feeling depending on the effort I have put in. I like that. It's my choice.

Onward and Upward!

Mon...worked on the wrong pile :(

Lexxiss - I know exactly what you mean walking into a clean home. For me, I say "yuck" or "yay"! And I have been having many more "yays" so that's good.

I seem interested and able in posting one goal, meeting it, and moving on here. I'm going to carry that forward onto the other thread. Just for one day at a time. My "no dinner roll goal" was so minor, and with everyone in front of me taking one, my thought was, no one here knows I said I wasn't going to take one, just take one. Disordered! But didn't. So will set the intent/follow through.

Kitchen was cleaned up completely after dinner that I used a LOT of bowls/dishes and wanted to throw it all in the dishwasher, but then realized, uh, I don't want to EMPTY the dw ... so did them by hand and dried/put them away. End result is clean kitchen, but tonight I will empty the dw as I cook dinner. Why the resistance to that? I despise emptying it and don't know why. My mom and I were the dishwashers growing up, so it's not a chore I hated as a kid. Tonight I will be thankful for everything I take out of there and reset my thinking. I AM fortunate to have it (it's a couple of decades old but works and I don't want DH to replace - he wants to. Nothing new seems to last for me) and am fortunate to have the dishes to put in it.

Goals for today - two oddball things: handle checking/savings account in Florida that needs attention (will be assessed fee for not using it unless I do something with it) and call ConAgra in response to a letter requesting I call, following a letter I wrote them.

SeeMyFeet - Welcome! I am with you on the dresser stuff ... that's an on-going challenge for me, even if it's just an odd sock that lands there. I put a pretty box on mine a few years ago to corral the oddball stuff like hand cream, lotion, whatever, so it's still handy but not in plain view. But then I added a cute coin bank, framed photo, etc. I'm a dresser magnet!

SeeMyFeet: LOL at working on the wrong pile. BTDT. Can you consider that creative procrastination?

I'm at a messy stage right now. Doing more paperwork is generating more paperwork. Reminding myself that this will get better if I persist. Now is not the time to give up on the process.

Mail stack. Current state: empty. Goal: empty.
Progress: caught up

Tickler. Current state: today. Goal: today.
Progress: kept up

In Box. Current state: a couple of items generated by yesterday's activities. Goal: empty.
Progress: a bit behind

Email. Current state: 750 total, 189 unread. Goal: empty.
Progress: backwards! 30 more total, 14 more unread

Checkbook. Current state: new statement arrived. Goal: balanced as soon as statement arrives.
Progress: pending

Credit cards. Current state: months behind. Goal: checked as soon as statements arrive.
Progress: pending

Tackled the two goals yesterday but one still needs add'l steps -- the bank account. That will be handled today. After dinner last night, I left the dishes while DH and I spent a bit of time together and then he hit the sack with a 4 a.m. alarm ... I wanted to kick back and read by the fire, but thought how nice it is to wake to a completely cleaned kitchen and got in there and knocked that out in 20 minutes. Credit for that.

Mail stack. Current state: empty. Goal: empty.
Progress: keptt up

Tickler. Current state: one day behind. Goal: today.
Progress: none

In Box. Current state: two bills, a tax form, a reminder to re-charge my FitBit. Goal: empty.
Progress: a bit behind

Email. Current state: 703 total, 173 unread. Goal: empty.
Progress: 47 fewer total, 16 fewer unread

Checkbook. Current state: new statement arrived. Goal: balanced as soon as statement arrives.
Progress: pending

Credit cards. Current state: months behind. Goal: checked as soon as statements arrive.
Progress: pending

@nationalparker: I concur; there is something very satisfying about done dishes and an empty sink. Regardless what I say I will get done on any given day, I'm consistent with having the dishes washed and put away and my bed made. #smallvictories :lol:

@Lexxiss: :yes: and :yes: again. Coming home to an orderly home lowers my blood pressure immediately (or it seems that way). This is one of my goals as well.

This week is not going as planned. I have a big report due by the end of the weekend so have been leaving for work early and coming home late. No new goals until I complete the ones I set earlier in the week.

CurvyNotLumpy - You know, I agree on the made bed, but when I'm rushing in the morning, that's what I let slide more often than not. I feel "better" when I am closing up in the morning to a cleaner house, so your note will be my impetus to get it made when I can. When DH is still in bed, it'll slide unless he tackles it, but that's a good goal. And I grew up doing it every single day, no exceptions, so I wonder why I've let it slide the past couple of years. Food for thought.

Never know
 

Hi

Made it to my studio today. I woke up this morning thinking I needed to empty out the drawers of my desk and use them better. So I did that and got completely stumped about what to do next. I contacted my friend who offered to help me organize and we're meeting in the morning. I just can't figure these things out and I'd like to find real solutions.

While at the studio I talked to one of the guys in there who moved a giant shelf with my stuff on it and we worked it out so he has access to the section my stuff is now in that doesn't serve me or him. I'm actually gaining storage space which is awesome and it will be ready for use tomorrow afternoon. Plus if I need a second shelf I have to only ask for it. Great news for me. It's probably all I need to clear everything up there.

Yay.

More tomorrow.

Onward forward.
 

I'm at the studio with my friend. Goal: assign places for my stuff.
Hope: I put things away
Wish: my space to be as open as it can be
Additional Wish: to wash my floor.

Back later.

I scheduled yesterday to make progress on these things, but stuff happened and progress didn't. Oh well. Saturday is usually a big catch-up day, but I have an all-morning meeting so that's not looking good either. Oh well, again. Reminding myself that this is a temporary setback, not failure. If I keep posting every day, I will get back to this and I'll reach my goals eventually.

Mail stack. Current state: yesterday's mail. Goal: empty.
Progress: none

Tickler. Current state: two days behind. Goal: today.
Progress: none

In Box. Current state: two bills, a tax form, a reminder to re-charge my FitBit. Goal: empty.
Progress: none

Email. Current state: 703 total, 184 unread. Goal: empty.
Progress: backwards! 14 more total, 11 more unread

Checkbook. Current state: new statement arrived. Goal: balanced as soon as statement arrives.
Progress: none

Credit cards. Current state: months behind. Goal: checked as soon as statements arrive.
Progress: none

Im going to sneak in here before the next week starts:)
Finally dusted off and sorted a bunch of CDs and tapes, yes tapes! Nice going down memory lane with some obnoxious little kid music that used to drive us crazy, now I kind of miss it!

DH and I are prepping for having dinner guests over in a week so this is making us clean up and sort this week, starting today. So that will be my new goal, I just have to break it down somehow. Clean the outside of all kitchen appliances is one mini goal i guess!
Everyone is doing great and this is such a great way to be motivated by reading others.
Thanks again onebyone for the idea of this mini goal loop, and hope you are finally feeling better!

No go
 

Hi

Quick update... I drove to my studio opened the door and.knew I couldn't do .much in there today. I did sit myself down and tried.to focus on one small part but I ended up leaving. I now know what's under the hollow of the desk. I've made a lot of progress in there this week. Very happy.

At home I moved more.boxes.and stuff in the dining room area and there's enough space for me do some painting on my canvases here tomorrow. That's a major thing too.

Pretty good for January.

I've been keeping focused on keeping things as clutter-free and tidy as possible. While I was in Glenwood I took an owl print from a calendar my sis had given me and shopped successfully for a frame. I got it finished but have not found a spot to hang it yet. Next week. Every small step moves me forward.

Yesterday after traveling I felt like doing nothing. I went through every "thing" I could do and did not find motivation. I did cut out a pattern for a sewing project before I went to bed.
This morning I feel better. I cleaned up the kitchen and laid out the fleece determining that the piece I have left over will not accommodate the pattern. I have a larger piece I will lay it out on after work.

I still haven't finished the company books. I will try for one more month today.

Credit for moving forward, however small.

I didn't tackle anything big yesterday, just maintenance. Today need to get caught up on last night's major rush out the door, resulting in dishes left. I chose that vs. rushing out the door still, and stopping for a sandwich at Arby's. Saved $10 or so and now just one more thing to tackle today. I look to the weekends as my time to get ahead, but it might just be my time to stay caught up and tackle small things on weeknights.

My ONE project, though, will be to get my tulip and daffodil bulbs IN THE GROUND that I completely forgot about this fall ... found the box with them in there after digging them up with plans to redo the front garden. That didn't get redone before autumn. SO ... I will just see if I can trench them in and if not, will get them in whatever pots I can to try to coax any blooms out of them. Love2Garden, don't tell me its impossible, let me keep that false hope :) Just kidding. I cannot believe that I totally forgot them all. Temp is 50 today, so I'm really hoping that i can tackle this. Clear out a box from the garage and actually maybe have some bloom. They used to be gorgeous but then shifted all over and then got a bit haphazard.

And January draws to a close
 

January Goals recap: things in this colour have happened!!!

END GOALS FOR STUDIO-ongoing until done
1) clear table surface completely
2) gather like materials together
3) store like materials together
4) store loose artwork in tubes or bags or portfolios
5) move items to be stored out of studio and into storage space
6) clear desk top
7) clean coffee maker
8) remove flooring and wash it
9) replace flooring
10) install mini chandelier as visual reward for cleaning and setting up studio for the new year

Well, not too bad for this month. I also did clearing up work in the apartment, much of which needs to be re-visited once more in February. Things that have changed in the apartment are:

1) dishes no longer piling up * I may not always have them all done all the time, but they are never more than 2 sinkfuls away from done. BIG improvement
2) counters clean *Yes! Most of the time and again minimal effort to get them clean
3) figured out better location for trash can and I use it more efficiently * this was a big deal. Done.
4)Original Box Mountain v.3 reduced to a pile of 6 large boxes on top of a bench in the dining room.*many boxes were recycled, many plastic bags were emptied and reclaimed
5) TV in bedroom now in use

I'm not going to list what hasn't happened in this post. I am just going to say YAY for what I did get done. Thanks to everyone who participated...

SUCCESS: Not only did that bookcase get thorough cleaning, but I now have space to put library books (U always have at least 3) and another space to put the book club books and journal.

No longer spending ages trying to find these books. Area actually has some space open!!! Can't believe how many booklets I had there, some with info so old I wouldn't trust them. Feels so good.

Sandy