Operation C.R.A.P. Continues...

Well, I managed to get two bags of clothes and other miscellaneous stuff out of the house yesterday. All of it went to the thrift store, including a bridesmaid dress I had been hanging onto since 2002. I don't know why I kept it for so long--did I honestly think I'd wear it again? It didn't even fit properly when I wore it in my friends' wedding, because I only got the hem and the spaghetti straps shortened, and couldn't afford the more complicated procedure of having the bodice fitted.

Anyway. I figure chronicling my decluttering will help me stick to it. If I just do a little everyday, I'll eventually see some results. The hard part is just doing a little everyday, and not getting burned out by doing too much at once or by stopping the whole business in despair that progress isn't evident.

I also managed to organize all the wedding and honeymoon photos, which I hope to scrapbook someday. At least now they are being safely stored in a pretty archival-quality photo box, instead of in a plastic bin in the basement. BTW--any photos you have should be stored in an archival quality photo album, scrapbook, or photo box. Those paper or plastic sleeves that the film developers give you your pictures in are not photo-safe. Those old magnetic albums are also not photo-safe. The glues, chemicals, and organic materials in non-archival storage devices can eventually discolor or otherwise destroy your pictures. Most reputable film stores and scrapbooking places sell archival-quality storage devices. Just look for the words "archival" or "photo safe" on the packaging. They may also say "lignin and acid-free." Be wary of photo albums and boxes that don't have one of these labels, especially if they are bought at a discount store.


One of the organizing books I checked out from the library had good advice concerning dealing with your stuff:

Step #1 - Decide what you want to get rid of. (See questions in my previous post for how to decide.) Get rid of it, and don't look back!

Step #2 - Inventory everything you own. This is very important, as you can't maintain control over things you don't know you have. It's time-consuming, but you can make the process easier by sorting items into categories first (kitchenware, clothing, etc.). One person in the book said, "Now that I've gone through [this] process, I realize that it really was the first step to taking control of my possessions rather than having my possessions control me. I was able to make better decisions about what I wanted to keep and what I was ready to get rid of." In case of some disaster, such as a fire or tornado, you'll have a better idea of what items need to be replaced. Keep the list in a safety deposit box at your bank. Photograph or video tape expensive or rare items, and keep those in the safety deposit box, too. This will make it easier to clear up disputes with your insurance company, should they arise.

Step #3 - Take stock of your home's storage. Make a note of existing storage, and what places could be modified for additional storage, if need be.*

Step #4 - Identify your clutter patterns. Now that you've pared down to things you love and use, what areas of your home still tend to accumulate clutter? For me, it's the coffee table, dining room table, and the work table in the office. Random bits of mail, notebooks, and projects-in-progress clutter up these areas and create a visual distraction that keeps me from effectively working on anything.

Step #5 - Identify the times/moods when you're more likely to contribute to clutter. For me, it's when I'm tired, think I'm too busy to clean up after myself, or right after coming home from work or school. Things just get dumped in their usual "clutter spots." Retrain yourself to put things away in their proper place.*

Step #6 - Don't buy more stuff you don't really need. This one is tough for some of us, because we view shopping as a leisurely past time. A good rule to follow is, if you buy something new, you must get rid of something you already own, and it's best if the item is like-for-like. For instance, if you buy a new pillow, get rid of the old dumpy one. If you buy new sneakers, get rid of the old frayed ones. When you spot something you think you want to buy, ask yourself first if there's anything you currently own that you'd be willing to give up in exchange for bringing the new item into your life. Famed American artist Georgia O'Keefe followed this rule of thumb, and so even in her old age she wasn't burdened with lots of stuff to maintain or that someone else would have to deal with when she passed away.**

That's pretty much the gist of what every good organizing book covers. I may go into more detail later on, or maybe not. I've been home sick with a cold these past three days, and once I get better, I'll have a lot of catching up to do on my school work, especially as I'm nearing the end of another quarter.

*A place for everything and everything in its place. Once you've assessed what you're going to keep, you need to see what items still need a designated place. For instance, we've never had a good place to keep the cell phone charger, kitty toys, and over-sized school projects. There's also not a convenient place to keep our shoes, which we take off by the door. Those are just some areas in which we need to assess our storage needs and buy/create/designate a more permanent place to keep them, so they're not always floating around, contributing to the visual clutter. Having a designated spot for everything also makes it easier to put things away, because you don't have to keep deciding over and over again where certain things should go. You don't have to think about it; you just put it where you know it belongs. I had a hard time with this concept for the longest time, because spending money on stuff to store my stuff in seemed kind of ridiculous. It wasn't until I observed my more organized clients/friends' houses and lives did I understand that having effective, attractive storage solutions saved them time, kept them organized and focused, and contributed to a feeling of calm and order in their homes and lives.

**This rule may not apply when you're just starting out or starting over. For instance, if you move from an apartment to a house, you may find you need a lawn mower or set of tools that you had no need for before. If you're having a baby you'll need baby furniture and clothes, etc. If you're adopting a puppy, you'll need a doggy bed, leash, chew toys...you get the idea. Just remember, if you want to bring something new into your life, you still have to make space for it, both physically and emotionally!