I feel the first step before organizing, is decluttering. Why waste your time organizing things that you no longer need or want? That’s why I’m giving myself and all of you a little challenge. It really takes very little time and will make a significant difference when it’s time to organize. Choose a room, closet, drawer, or area and remove 13 things to give away, throw away, donate, move to where it really belongs, or a combination of all the above. If you’re feeling good about the area you just decluttered, move onto another area and do the same thing. Believe me, once you’re on a roll there will be no stopping you.
Why 13? I don’t know, because it’s more than 10 but less than 15. And I think 13 is easy to remember. Who doesn’t remember the number 13? Try not to count 13 pieces of paper (unless you’re cleaning out a file) or 13 paperclips. If you’re going to declutter, make it really count.
How about something like this (from my over the garage storage area) and only 10 miutes later:
Tupperware (that needs to be returned to my friend)- 1
Snowboots (that don’t fit any one in my family)- 4
Jacket (haven’t worn it in about 3 years, kept it 2 years too long)- 1
Trampoline Net parts (don’t ask)- 1
Beginner snowboard (we still have 3 more)- 1
Small outdoor tables (don’t want them or use them)- 2
Guitar stand (don’t need anymore)- 1
Beanies (have more than I can count still, but we do lose some at school)- 3
Golf Bag caddy (hubby prefers carts, hasn’t used it in 3 years)- 1
Life Jacket (too small for anyone in the family)- 1
I actually found 16 items instead of 13. Don’t stop at 13 if you can find more.
The tupperware is being returned tomorrow and the trampoline parts thrown away. Everything else is going in the yard sale corner of my basement. I haven’t had a yard sale in 20 years, but come the first warm day in Spring it’s happening.
Oh, and I found some cute snowboots that happen to fit me, that my daughter doesn’t want anymore. Bonus!
So, are you ready to start decluttering? Pick a spot, get started and link to We’re Organized Wednesday this week. I’d love to see what you’ve decluttered and organized lately.
Good point! I have already designated a few donation days for 2011. Happy blogging!
Love this idea. In fact, I was just decluttering the table in my kitchen. I’ll be checking back with you.
Thanks, Ellen
awesome! I did a declutter 365 things in 365 days challenge…I kept track of all the stuff we got rid of. Such oddball stuff! I actually did it and got rid of over 365 things. I swear, our house wasn’t very cluttered before; I don’t know where it came from! :-O
Well, I took 3 bags to the thrift store the other day. Didn’t take a picture of them. Can take pictures of the rooms I cleaned out, but without the before pictures it really doesn’t mean much LOL!!
Hi Leanne! Glad you’re feeling better! I read your sweet hubby’s post, too, and how nice of him to keep everyone up-to-date on how you were feeling. I do plan on decluttering before I start organizing. I have a craft closet that needs some attention this year and I’d like to go through our stored stuff in the basement. Even though we went through it about a year ago, I think it’s a good idea to go through it again. While I’m not so much organizing my Christmas stuff as I put it away in its bins, I am going through it and either getting rid of or donating those items I haven’t used in a few years. I’m trying to keep the mindset that I use when getting rid of clothes – if it hasn’t been used in two seasons, out it goes!
this is the only way to do it! this year I am on a major decluttering spree. no more things that were not used last year are staying in this house!
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this is a great challenge, I will definitely be doing it everywhere!