What am I supposed to do with all these baskets? I donated some. Dozens still linger in my basement. Much like the CD racks, if you don’t have stuff, what good are storage staples like baskets, shelves and containers?
Purge your cleaning supplies!
I just rounded up a house’s worth of cleaning supplies. At least 35 different products here! Overwhelming. Is this volume normal? It’s nuts! I bet my grandma would’ve had just 3 products, (and a much cleaner house).
I discarded 1/3 of this mess, and you can too! Here’s how…
First, round up all your cleaning supplies. Scour your house for all items in this category (thank you Marie Kondo). I rounded up supplies from the bathroom, the laundry room and a hall closet.
Next, group all your cleaning supplies by subcategory (gloves, sponges, soap, oven cleaner…etc). This is to help you better understand what you have. Now, you can make informed choices about what to let go of.
Then, get some focus, pare down and purge! I used this cleaning mag to focus my needs (remember, minimizing is all about working to disassociate need from want). Don’t have a mag? You could search online for a good list of basics. You could also sit, and visualize your cleaning rituals then list out all the products you use.
Lastly, put it all back. Be proud! Enjoy the thrill of being able to find things. Enjoy being able to grab (one handed) what you need. Enjoy having nothing topple over!
See, cleaning is really all about strategizing so you don’t have to actually clean or pick up so much.
Ta da! Everything I kept, put back. 
I did end up buying some baskets. 
These fit the space well and I can slide them out easily. I also use binder clips and clothes pins to hang items, such as the rubber gloves.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if this helps you out. Post any comments/questions below.
Tossing Basement Junk (Legally)
Sometimes we let garbage live in our homes, because we don’t know what else to do with it.
Today our Department of Public Works hosted Oil and Latex Paint collection. This was hugely motivating! I discovered nine containers of old old paint. NINE! It was just hiding out in the basement. Luckily I’m somewhat organized, and although the basement is a bit of a disaster, like items have been grouped together (that’s a good starter tip).
This is the type of thing so many of us hang onto because we don’t know what to do with it. If you have things like this, find your town website. Look up the DPW (Department of Public Works) or similar. Find days with special waste-removal events (toxic waste, computer monitors, recycling, large trash items). Mark the days on your calendar. Block off time at least 1 week before to ensure that you’re prioritizing any time required for pre-work. (This morning I almost missed my drop off window because I didn’t give myself a comfy-cushion of time). Follow through with whatever process is needed. You’ll learn a little bit more about the workings of your town, and you’ll get rid of junk!
Best of luck, everyone!
Lisa
Unclutter Mail, Part 2
Grabbed a handful of papers from the “I’ll get to that at some point” pile by the front door Left: 29 pieces in today’s unclutter pile.
Weeded out the junk. Felt manipulated by some charity freebies (a calendar, some Christmas cards). Really don’t like this, or how it makes me feel. I put those things in my goods-to-donate pile. Not good to have this vibe living in ones home. It’s out!
Poured a cup of coffee (Barrington Roasting, really been enjoying their beans)
Sorted through the important stuff. Paid two bills! A great reinforcer to the necessity of clearing the clutter.
I couldn’t tackle as big a pile as I set out. I finally decided this was ok since my objective is to address the paper clutter. As long as I make progress and do at least five pieces/day. This is what I’ll commit to. I’ve exceed that.
I got rid of 22 pieces of mail today!!!
Thanks for your support. See you tomorrow!
The home stretch! (and it’s paved in paper)
The most positive thing I can do for myself (today and for the rest of the month) is to purge the paper. After 24 consecutive days of uncluttering (kitchen things, linens, trinkets, clothes, etc) it is now the paper that is causing me the most mental unrest.
Let’s tackle this!
To ensure follow through, I started off simple. I went to our mail caddy (upper left). I did a quick sort of mine vs. husband’s. I found a great coupon (upper right). I felt a little sad for having missed this, but reminded myself that staying away from stores when I just don’t feel the need to shop, saves me more money than any coupon ever could.
I got rid of 13 pieces of mail today!!!
Yup, proud.
Thanks for your support. See you tomorrow!
Lisa
Day 24—It’s expired
I must have known these meds were in the cabinet. Today is the fourth time (give or take) that I’ve de-stuffed from our big medicine cabinet. Did it take three previous purges to even be able to notice this batch? Seeing with the brain is the name of the minimizing game. It’s all expired. What will I find if I open the cupboard tomorrow?
What I got rid of today
- Expired prescription #1
- Expired prescription #2
- Expired antacid tablets, box #1
- Expired antacid tablets, box #2
- Expired mouthwash
- Expired antacid controller, pills
- Expired Slippery Elm supplement
- Expired Robitussin
The good news is, all this went unused and lurked around because we generally feel well (and almost never go through our med cabinet).
Goodbye unwanted stuff!
Day 23—Paper clutter
Today is day 23 of my November Pact to Purge. Today is also the first day I’ve even touched, or addressed paper. I hate it! Can you relate? I hide it. I typically glance at it, shrug, think I should probably hang on to it, then shove it in a drawer. Last night, right before bed, I emptied (the smallest) drawer I tend to shove stuff into. I left the clutter on the dining table.
The next morning, it was there waiting for me.
Over breakfast, I sorted through this small pile. I focused on my original commitment—just five things. I knew this was simple enough. I used it to motivate me.
Here they are! The five things I got rid of today. Plus, why I hung on to them, and how I’m getting rid of them.
- Feline dental kit. Uh…how is this paper clutter? Yes, yes, good question. I guess I can only respond with a “see! This is exactly how messed up my paper clutter is!” ;) … moving on … I kept this for a while since I thought we’d maybe give this a try. Then I decided not to put our sweet 12-year-old kitty through this. Since it is still sealed, I threw it in our donate pile.
- Feline dental cleanser. (same reason and discard method as above)
- Empty peripheral containers. I find I always hang on to these just in case I need to return. These two things are well beyond that timeframe, therefore tossed in the recycle bin.
- Gift bag. I hung on to as a “what if…” but it’s probably been in that drawer for over a year. It’s still useful, therefore added to our donation pile.
- Pile of papers! All the papers went one of three ways (recycle, shred, or file). I recycle things like assembly instructions for a coat rack I put together almost two years ago. I shred anything that has my personal info on it (like packing slip from an old delivery). I file anything I want to keep (like the owner’s manual for our dishwasher).
I’m so glad I did this today! Papers are always on the back of my mind. Also, for me, starting off small is the key. If I went any more ambitious with the size of my pile, I’m pretty sure I would’ve just watched TV instead. Now, I feel so good that I think I’m ready to tackle a second—mini—pile!
Until tomorrow . . .
Lisa
Day 22—Consignment Shop
It went pretty well at the consignment shop this morning. They took seven things plus a ton of jewelry.
November 10 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Two sweaters
- Two scarves
- One jeans
- One shoes
- One belt
- A ton of my mom’s jewelry (not shown). She’s minimizing too!
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
5 Things Gone—Nov 21
November 21 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Shower cap (Never knew I had this! Too bad, I ended up buying a few as a result. They’re handy for containing shoes in your suitcase. I already have enough for that, so goodbye to this one)
- Sponge holder thingy (Broken. Saving because it could be fixed. But will I? I don’t need to, I have other dish sponges. It’s clutter)
- Soap dish
- Soap dish
- Soap dish
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
Day 20—Even more personal care clutter!
Nothing wrong with this batch. It’s all just stuff I have too much of. I want less of this! Less stuff evolves into more thinking space. That’s the catch 22. The more you’re able to say “this could be useful if …” The more you will actually never use that thing. This is because there’s too much of it. It’s either overwhelming (so you just spend your time Netflix watching), or you have too many things to manage so you never remember you were saving it when (and if) the moment actually pops up! That’s the catch. You actually have to get rid of it to need it. At least this has been my experience. And that’s ok. I’m ok with this because I’ve made peace with this. It is a necessary part of the balance to the clutter situation.
5 things are
• John Masters sea mist (highly recommend travel staple
• Shampoo
• Face mist
• Makeup sponges
• Contact lens case
5 Things Gone—Practice Art
Not all art is sacred. Not all artists are born with talent, either. Therefore, practice art! Today’s purged stuff dates back to 1992-1998. I can’t say my newer art is light years ahead, but at least I know it’s time to let go of these very important (to my development) practice pieces.
5 pieces of practice art gone today!
- Practice painting, lady
- Practice painting, fruit/still life
- Practice painting, dream scene
- Practice pad #1
- Practice pad #2 (Referencing my definition that a “thing” is a decision (every decision to toss equals one thing) this pad might count as 30 decisions (the number of sketches I flipped through, and decided to discard).
Have a nice day, everyone! I’ll see you tomorrow for day #20 of my November Pact to Purge
How Many Dishtowels Do You Need?
How many do you think you have? How many do you want?
If I hadn’t been minimizing, my guess would be around 20. Because I actually laundered (finally) and folded every single dishtowel in my house. I now know I have (had) 33! That’s a little excessive, wouldn’t you say? Even worse, this suggests some big pile-up potential in the laundry room.
My new goal is to never let laundry pile up. I thought about this and how I could only minimally alter my habits to get this to be easy. This brought me to ask “How many dishtowels do I actually need?”
Every Saturday I’d like to routinely do 1 load of clothes and 1 load of household. The household would consist of something like; 1 set of queen sheets, 3 additional pillow cases, 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2-5 washcloths, 1-2 dishtowels, 1-2 dish rags.
The good, I edited my kitchen down to 12 towels (7 towels, 5 rags) to support this new method. Here’s how it looks!
The bad, I know I need to get that number down further. However, it seems that trying to manage a balance of festive (those bottom two are ready for the Christmas season) with “ok to get dirty” is getting in my way.
This is exactly the benefit of committing to getting rid of only 5 items/day. It allows you to get momentum without going too far and feeling overwhelmed.
Regarding the dishtowels, and what they symbolize for me, I’m working on detangling like and want. I’m working on appreciating a thing in the moment and not bringing it home because it made me smile for a few bucks.
All that and I was only able to get 1 towel out of the house! The remaining 20 are shoved in a plastic bag in the back of my closet.
Here’s what I was able to get rid of today
- Sunny-side dishtowel (because folding it to look right was more complicated than I’d like)
- Duvet cover
- Pillowcases that match the Duvet cover (note: separate decision equals separate item. I thought about keeping these, at first. Feeling great about letting them go!)
- Flannel pillowcases
- Queen top sheet (fitted fell apart years ago)
Day 16—More Square Footage!
I’m not a scientist, but I did enjoy Jr. High physics class. It’s the first time I heard “matter is neither created nor destroyed”. It feels that way at home now. All the time I’ve invested in removing excessive things from my home, is coming back to me. For more than two weeks, I’ve been going through daily clutter purges. I did not lose, or waste, that time at all. It just shifted. Removing stuff means you’re removing choices. Fewer choices means fewer decisions. I’m talking about trivial choices and decisions. Ones that don’t matter one bit. For example, should I moisturize with coconut oil today or sesame? Who cares!!! right? This is exactly the type of choice that brings a false sense of freedom. I removed it, therefore I have more freedom. I have more time. I have more square footage in my house! Look at these piles I dropped off at Salvation Army yesterday (batch one above, batch two below). Does it seem like an insignificant volume? It is the size of a small hall closet. I just increased the size of my living space and removed brain tax. Ahhh! Hello Sunday!
Since yesterday, I have said . . .
- Goodbye Marimekko paper placematts that I forgot I had
- Goodbye THREE decks of cards. Because the two decks my husband added weren’t enough . . .
- Goodbye six bath and body products that I never liked using (Moroccan hair oil scent goes from lovely to OMG WTF really really fast)
- Goodbye umpteenth med item that expired in 2010
- Goodbye unneeded tablecloth that I always idealized for being classic white, but ultimately was also too fearful to use
Here they are, forever in photography…and thankfully no longer in my home.
Hats off! (then out the door). Today’s purge, hall closet.
It’s Saturday! Naturally I do bigger purges on days I have off. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. I thought it might be useful to document my process.
Step 1 (it’s a two parter)—Find a space you care about (that is also driving you a little crazy), like a closet shelf (with an avalanche issue). Then, clear it out! (There it is. My clear shelf.)
Step 2—Dump the stuff on a work surface (such as your dining table).
Step 3—Sort. Sun hats, mittens, gloves, baseball hats . . . etc. A lot of “what ifs” here clogging up my valuable space.
Note: a “what if” applies to anything you rarely use but keep it just in case “what if a group of friends stop by and want to go for a walk and it’s cold out and none of them have hats! I better keep all these hats just incase that happens.” That’s not gonna happen. Don’t keep the hats for that reason.
Step 4—Inventory. Use this to help you identify your excess items. Make decisions like “I will keep 10 hats” (or more, or less. This is a personal choice). Pick your favorites. Take the rest to Salvation Army.
I’d like to emphasize how valuable it is to confront yourself with the question of “how many _____do I need?”. This type of question gets you focused on you and your home (not the actual things cluttering it up). What you don’t want to do is emotionally connect with every hat you evaluate (“oh this would look so cute if I ever find that green plaid coat…”) This is the most challenging part of decluttering (or any change of meaning in your life), you have to change your thought process.
Also, if you’ve ever had a close relationship with someone who lived through The Depression (for me it’s my grandparents), this can make you feel ungrateful when you decide to let go of anything. You’ll need to work to get over this hurdle. Remind yourself that 2015 is a different time, with different challenges. Call upon others’ lessons who have also learned to let go, or embrace a life with less stuff. YouTube is full of tips. Here’s a video playlist of some of my minimalism favorites. On a few videos (may or may not be on the playlist) it was pointed out that just because you have it, doesn’t mean you’re using it. So many people in this world don’t have what they need. You hanging on to excess is preventing others from benefitting. This really spoke to me. I used this to motivate me. It really worked. Especially with the hats and winter approaching.
Step 5—Put all the keepers back. Woah. Lookin’ good!
What did I Get rid of today?
- Eight hats (3 baseball, 3 winter, 2 summer/sun). Not great, considering 29 was the start. Still good. No shame in baby steps.
- Three, and a half, mitten/glove pairs (trashed the poor loner “half”, donated the mittens that still looked good, trashed another . . . placed the remaining one with my crafting supplies for the wool (shrug). Ok, ok. That one doesn’t count as a purge (focus on the other ones).
- Desk clock (not shown). Super cute, but loud as a knife stabbing your eardrum (at consistent intervals). Horribly unpleasant.
- Bathing suits (not shown). Some trashed for being old, others donated for looking new.
- Tights/stockings (not shown). “Hosiery” as my nana may have said. Basically, they were old, never used, duplicates or just no good.
Enjoy your weekend! Will these leaves ever finish falling?
Until tomorrow . . .
Day 13, storage purge (essential vs. excess)
Yesterday I came across Thrive With Less. The documentary, by a group of college students, who give themselves challenges to live with less (for example fewer clothes, less driving, no eating out). During their clearing process one gal used the criteria essential vs. excess. Just two criteria to think about when discarding. Just hearing it feels simple and reassuring. I feel calmer imagining my goal as living in a home with more essential, less excessive.
Excessive is one way to describe my basement storage area of kitchen things. Though, before hearing these terms, I might have described the contents as essential. It is practical in that it holds what feels essential, but only for special occasions (serving platters, cake stand, enormous stock pot). I guess that doesn’t sound very essential.
Today my five items come from this storage closet, but this time (unlike cow creamer) I really am getting them out of the house. I never use these things. It is still challenging to let go. I’m hopeful (fairly confident even) that once they all leave the house, I will feel relief and freedom.
Today’s items I’m getting rid of (Nov 13)
- Popcorn popper—I’ve hung on to this for so long because it’s really cool! It works great, I bought it for cheap. However, I never use it. I try not to use the microwave. I need to cut this.
- Muffin baking dish—Again, super cool clay baker. I used it once two years ago (I’ve had it for 10). I used it because I was trying to prove to myself why I needed to keep it.
- Jelly glass—Such a great shape! Plus it was free. We have far too many glasses. Goodbye.
- Silicone ice/cube or baking trays—used once. Had high hopes for these. But, found the whole process really awkward.
- Oven mitt—This is another wonderful reason to decide to minimize. It forces you to assess your stuff. This thing was hanging on a hook near the stove. I can’t remember the last time I used it. Look at it! The tip is all gross and deteriorated. I can’t donate this. I’m trashing it. I was hanging on to garbage and I didn’t even know it!
I’m realizing that writing here and confronting myself (and my thought process) really helps me to see things with more clarity. I’m feeling better about letting go of these things already!
What’s this all about? November pact to purge
I rest my case (Ughhh! Not for 18 more days.)
Today marks day 12 of my November pact to minimize. Basically it sucks! And, it is amazing. But, it really does pretty much suck and I can’t wait to push through this. To date I’ve gotten rid of 430+ items (just this month).
Every day I feel free and accomplished and motivated. Then I get home and suddenly I’m grumpy. The second I decide I’m going to cop out I miraculously get hit with a eureka moment and find something else I’m willing to get rid of. Then I feel guilty and doubtful. Then I remind myself I don’t need 20 blankets or 30 pillowcases. I move forth with my choice to liberate and I feel free. I feel like I’m in control and my newly edited house of things is here to serve me. That’s when the jaw drop happens. At this moment I realize most of what I’ve been struggling with is the feeling of obligation. Getting rid of things doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate things. It took me a while to grasp that. What I’m feeling is that I do greatly appreciate things. I’m just not putting things on a pedestal. Me, my husband, our cat, our friends. Me having a space to get arty. Us having room to get comfy and relax together. It’s pretty cool to be here.
5 things I got rid of today, Nov 12
- Waffled and piped pillowcase
- Flannel pillowcase
- Home made pillowcase
- Quilted sham
- Pair of squiggle-flower Euro-shams
5 Things Gone—Nov 11
I’m excited about this one. Blankets.
November 11 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Blanket
- Blanket
- Blanket
- Blanket—It’s the right time of year. All these blankets were washed, neatly folded and stored. It’s been at least one year. I never touched any of them. They’ll do someone else far more good, than our linen closet.
- Tote bag—Came free with an online order. I have so many,
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
5 Things Gone—Nov 10
Time to purge some clothing.
November 10 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Plaid shirt—already I’m having doubts. I keep picturing myself on a 60 degree beautiful fall day, raking leaves while wearing this quintessential midweight-autumn-day fabric (cue the record-scratch) whauuuh!!! Sounds like a nice photo opp. I’m not doing this. I always grab the same crappy sweatshirt/t-shirt combo for this.
- White long sleeve T—I have three others. Here’s the first to set sail.
- Sparkly black shrug—I feel matronly in this. Everytime! Every single time.
- Fabric belt—high maintenance. Always cinching it shut. Always, always, always.
- Suspenders—These are from Sears. They don’t even get me close to feeling I live a life parallel to Janelle Monáe.
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
More Shiz Gone!!!!—Nov 9
November 9 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Toiletry bottles—last night I went around the house and collected all my travel bottles. 72! I had 72 toiletry bottles. Now I have 50. That is still too many, but tossing 22 is a big step forward.
- Wire tree—it’s cool! I wasn’t using it. I just kept moving it around and hanging different things off it. It kinda stressed me out.
- Misc bathroom stuff—plastic cups that came with the house (I’m not touching these. Why did they take me four years to trash?), hair brush (I have about six more to figure out), unopened blotting papers.
- Expired meds—more than one thing expired in 2007. We moved in 2010. Yup, that means I packed this junk.
- Big plastic wine glass—I thought was going to artfully display cute soaps in the bathroom . . . huh? I dunno. Anyhow, the cup is in the donations bag now, ready to move on.
Well, that’s today’s purging effort (looks like I knocked out 31 items). It is rewarding and pretty overwhelming at times. That’s why I began experimenting with the limit of 5 items/day…but what I’m discovering is that opening your eyes to clutter awareness is like exerting force on a huge boulder. It’s just not simple to stop or control.
Curious about what this is all about? Here’s my November pact to purge
5 (small piles of) Things Gone—Nov 8
Truly, 27 things gone! Basically a “thing” is a decision. That pile of pouches, each pouch was a bit of a decision. I collect these things. Not sure why, most the time they just sit in a drawer. I’ve never needed this many at once.
November 8 — Five (piles of things) things I got rid of today (and why)
- Toiletry bag and pouches—I have so many of these things! This is the pile of where I drew the line.
- Beauty supplies (brushes, headbands, sharpener)—all duplicates
- A glass—nothing wrong with it, other than the memories it triggers. Not bad memories, just odd. This is another Crate&Barrel thing I shouldn’t have bought. I used to work near the outlet, as I result I always did deal-focused retail therapy here. As a result I unintentionally conditioned myself to dislike Crate&Barrel as well as deals.
- Ear buds & cord holder—Is three sets of ‘buds enough? Hope so, that’s what I kept. The cord holder I was briefly excited about, but it didn’t work well (bulky and cord often popped loose)
- Trinkets and doodads (a silly cardboard sign, mini picture frame, magnets, lighter—the lighter was by far the most challenging choice to purge. I don’t remember why I have it. But, it has been with me a long time. It has a working traffic light design. Click it and all the lights blink! That was the why I was keeping it. But, I knew I needed to get rid of it because, as cute as it is, it kept hogging my attention in a way I did not value. As soon as I removed it from it’s home on my desk (placing it in the discard pile), it lost all it’s magic. This happens a lot. It might be the most powerful technique I’ve discovered yet.
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
5 Things Gone—Random Assortment of Containers
Plus, few more insights and actions behind the mindset of letting go.
Not only is it Friday, it is one full week since I’ve been doing this daily. It feels amazing! This is the first time I’ve documented my purges. I was afraid to do this. I had thought it would get in the way of my momentum. I also thought that seeing what I removed (forever living in a photo) would make me yearn for what was no longer mine. Exactly the opposite. I look at all these photos and think “What is wrong with me? This is junk! What took me so long to let these things go?”. Combined with this purge, I’m actively addressing why did I have X item to begin with. Why did I acquire this bowl? Most of the time my answer is emotional justification. Emotionally, I just had to have it. In order to feel like I was being responsible I’d justify that need/reaction with “oh, I can use it to cover up ugly plant pots. This will look so much nicer!”. Really, really eye opening to confront myself this way.
Combined with this purging of physical things I’ve also been purging of email subscriptions. I documented those too. I unsubscribed from over 50 retail-based emails. Shocking! My perception was that it would be something like ten and that 10-15 was a lot! I had more than 50 (Crate&Barrel, CB2, Banana Republic, Artifact Uprising, Walgreens, Joss & Main, Everlane, it goes on and on and on). I’m a visual designer in the digital space. There is a ton of value in seeing what other big corporations (and smaller ones) are doing to influence their audiences. And many of them are really good at this! Most of these emails would have me considering buying something that I otherwise would have never thought of. It is shocking how the power of suggestion, combined with a deal, can get some of us to change our thoughts. Therefore, I deleted. I had more than 35,000 unread emails. The majority were advertisements.
November 7 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Canning jar—too many.
- Big bowl—wasn’t using. Had for 10 years. Every time I see it I think “that’s the item I was too chicken to get rid of”. I kept “what if’ing” That’s no way to live! It’s gone.
- Assortment of baggies—I seem to mindlessly hoard these with other travel things. I don’t need so many. I don’t want to too many “what if” things hanging around.
- Memo-note holder—wasn’t using.
- Small jar—Way too many of these! I have a 1 gallon zip-loc full of toiletry containers. Maybe I’ll address that tomorrow…maybe.
What’s this all about? Check out my November pact to purge
Day 4—The Insidious Weight of Itty Bitty Trinkets
Today was tough. It took a while to decide. I was not expecting this. It goes to show the power of the exercise. Look at these things. Nothing special. Would you want this junk? It’s obviously junk. It was also a mildly draining decision-making process to let it go.
November 4 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Toothpicks (after cleaning this weekend I revealed three other full containers of toothpicks, Whu? What is it with me and toothpicks.)
- A dried out marker (I lost one of the caps. It was no longer an easy marker, I paid a couple bucks for it. I was in denial. I finally decided to let it go)
- Kitchen magnet set (Cute, but I wasn’t using)
- A piece of wine foil with an embossed sheep (Sigh. This is exactly why I ned to purge. Would you believe this was today’s most challenging decision? There’s no special meaning behind it, I just liked it. It really did nothing for me other than have me say “oh cute! cool wine branding”)
- A space-helmet key chain (I think this was schwag. It’s fun. I had it on a Fisher Price gal for a while. She looked cute, then I got over it. Goodbye space hat)
Here’s my November pact to purge
5 Things Gone—Tiny Kitchen Things
November 3 — Five things I got rid of today (and why)
- Cow creamer (because although I love her, I’ve only used her 3x in 10 years)*
- Expired Plantain-infused Olive Oil (completely forgot about it. part of a fundraiser-auction set. It’s been in my fridge for two years!)
- Old bottle of anchovies #1
- Old bottle of anchovies #2
- Pincer thingy (For test tubes. My father made me one of those spice racks! It’s great. But, this piece just isn’t needed)
*Sometimes we want to get rid of something but it is so hard to do! We have fear of regret. To help with this, I just started using a fixed amount of storage space in my basement. Cow creamer is there. The rules are, if she needs to come back, something else has to go. I want to get rid of things, but I also want to satisfy my need for loving new things to look at in my space. So, I came up with the swap-out storage area as a test. We shall see!
Minimizing Project—30 Days of Consecutive Clutter Removal
With a name like Shiz I Bought Today, is it any wonder this lifestyle needed a shift? I have too much stuff. See garage picks below (I had help from an awesome Boston-based home organizer, Morganized). It was just what I needed to take the ball and run.
I’ll get into the feelings about that process (and how I came to terms with my relationship with stuff) at some future time.
For now I’d like to kick off my November project, getting rid of, at least, five things every day for the entire month of November.
Care to join me?
ShizIBoughtToday 
