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Posted By: Lauren_D'Silva Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/08/06 04:46 PM
I've just posted an article on clearing clutter. I wasn't always as clued up about clutter though & used to have plenty. Even now keeping paperwork under control challenges me!

You can read the article here: Clear Your Clutter!

So...what do you hoard? Can anyone beat a workshop attendee of mine that kept a shroud she had sewn for her Mother years before- even though she'd gone out & bought a nice new nightie for laying out her mum in <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I'm hoping she may have let that one go by now!
Posted By: trishh Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/08/06 08:26 PM
Great article Lauren! My grandfather (a Presby minister) had a study that was literally stacks and stacks of books and papers and a path inbetween to the desk. I know where I get it from then! Paper is my worst enemy. I hate to file probably because I haven't developed a really good system. I resort to the throw out method.
Your point of how the expression on your friends' faces made a big impression re: how it made you see your space differently is common for a lot of us I expect. We can live in our own disorder with a degree of blindness, but we see it alright when we look through someone else's eyes. It goes beyond clutter too: Everytime we have big company, I realize I can't stand the kitchen, the bath needs repainting, the towels and sheets are old and we need new ones for guests...and on it goes!
Posted By: DarlingPoor Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/08/06 08:28 PM
I confess. I am a clutterhound. I can't stand clutter though. I prefer minimalism.

My biggest vice is paper. Bills, college records, scholarship papers, career papers, records of everything. They need to be kept! And books. I have soo many books and I weed all the time and donate to the library. And yet, still our bookshelves overfloweth.

Last is clothes. I am a huge clothes hound. I still have stuff I um...wore in high school. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Samten Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/08/06 09:39 PM
I'm happy to get rid of everything, except my books, I'm rather attached to them. I have considered getting rid of a few of my reference books to clear up some space, but I do not want to drag them up the stairs.
Posted By: Lauren_D'Silva Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/09/06 04:31 PM
Quote:
Your point of how the expression on your friends' faces made a big impression re: how it made you see your space differently is common for a lot of us I expect. We can live in our own disorder with a degree of blindness, but we see it alright when we look through someone else's eyes. It goes beyond clutter too: Everytime we have big company, I realize I can't stand the kitchen, the bath needs repainting, the towels and sheets are old and we need new ones for guests...and on it goes!

I've found the best thing for me is to invite people around at least once a week- it gives me a kick up the rear end to clear up! Mind you do remember that your friends come to see you, not your house. I have friends with truly cluttered & untidy living spaces- it doesn't make me value them any the less - I do get the itch to help them declutter all the time though & have to sit on my hands!

Paper really is infuriating isn't it? There seems to be no end to the stuff. I do have a filing system but I tend to blast the build-up every few months rather than keep right up to date like seriously organised people. I have got a book that says us creative types are just like this <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm as for your clothes Darling...I think I need to come over & sort you out! Really though check what fits & looks good, then take a deep breath & chuck the rest. If you have sentimental issues then save a couple of key well loved pieces. I still have my old bike jacket, a pair of patent stiletto boots & a black velvet basque- I'm not about to wear them again but it does make me grin to remember what fun I had dressing up <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Samten you are a paragon of virtue <img src="/images/graemlins/angel.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Lynn_B Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/09/06 04:38 PM
I'm highly organized! Everything in my office is in neat little stacks--all over the desk, the floor, on top of cabinets.

But, I know where everything is.

Heh.
Posted By: Wendy Tall One Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/10/06 03:40 AM
hmm...I personally hoard books at home and clothing but I work retail so its an occupational hazard. At work however I think its more lack of ambition to file things than it is hoarding.
Whats more fun is goiing through ALL of my belongings at the moment seeing as I am moving to South Carolina in a month and I know I wont need my sweater collection there. Howeever, All my friends and family are highly excited about how exponentially their wardrobes are building haha.
Posted By: firefly Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/11/06 02:41 AM
Do not get rid of all your sweaters! There will be some nights where a wool sweater will be much appreciated. Many times I have attended star gazes in my snow skiing apparel (thermals, scarfs, gloves) because it has been below freezing. Welcome To The South! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" /> Sometimes I drive through on my way to NC to visit family. <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: babyquacker Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/11/06 09:20 PM
All of you sound like such nice people. You seem like you are pretty normal to me. I think the problem we have is that we just don't have enough space in our homes. We need a few extra rooms so we can be "pilots" like Lynne. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Pile it here and pile it there (giggle)

I say I am organized too, that I know what is in every pile I have and where everything is. But really I don't even know half of what I even have. I am so afraid to get rid of my stuff, my "good junk", because I know the minute that I do, I'll need it for something. I love to do crafts, art projects, school projects and all kinds of things with the kids and grandkids and have all kinds of stuff to use, colored paper, markers, poster board, stencils, stickers, glues, scissors, folders, boxes, rulers, frames, etc.

This might be a good place to stop. I haven't even started on scrapbooking, photography, books or teaching materials. I need an assistant just to get uncluttered. Doesn't it make you tired just thinking about it all? Wendy, I did start with all the clothes and that's no fun, either!

Trish
Quote:
I've found the best thing for me is to invite people around at least once a week- it gives me a kick up the rear end to clear up!


We do that, too!

We'll throw a party or get-together for our friends so we have to clean up the house! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And we try to do this at least once a season.

Mail and magazines are my biggest enemies. I'm never sure when to get rid of stuff, it seems like I always need something after I throw it away. And my kitchen is the stopping point for everything. Drives my husband nuts! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Wendy Tall One Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 03:12 AM
Oh trust me, I don't plan upon giving away ALL my sweaters...Im hell bent on packing my crimson wool peacoat in the cedar chest as well. It just fits so beatifully and is such an amazing color...even if it is a shade too big for me now. Either way, When visiting my bf in VA, it was 55 out and I wore a tank...he thought I should be wearing a light jacket or something, I told him that in NH 55 was considered summer. haha, course I also got to cuddle with him anyways =]

But I DO have to go through all my clothes anyways seeing as in the last 18 mos Ive gone from nearly a 22 to a 16..dont ask how I did it because I wasn't trying... probably less 'grazing' (snacking) around the house.

I read somewhere the other day that piles of papers are "little monuments to procrastination". I thought it was cute.
Posted By: babyquacker Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 06:20 AM
hmmm..."little monuments of procrastination" - a perfect name for all the unfinished paperwork I have sitting around. My son had 2 car accidents in the last 10 months and I am sorting insurance payments and doctor bills to try to get it all finished. That is one more example of how life can quickly become cluttered. The overwhelming chore is enough to make one procrastinate.

Hey, congratulations on the weight loss, Wendy!

Trish
Posted By: trishh Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 01:39 PM
We came to the conclusion yesterday after antiquing for a few hours that while we kick ourselves for getting rid of all of that stuff that now sells for big bucks, we would have had to rent a warehouse to store it in for all the years it took for it to come back in fashion! I am sure that would have eaten up all of the future profits right there!
Posted By: DarlingPoor Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 03:43 PM
Quote:
I have got a book that says us creative types are just like this


Oh good! I'm in good company. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As for my clothes, I hadn't realized I had so many until we moved last time. My husband can't even use the master bedroom closet. LOL! He uses the other room. And he bought me a nice dresser but I've filled that too. In the garage I have storage bins full of more clothes. Yes, I guess it is sentimentality. I even have my college graduation robe, my prom dresses, and more. I did donate one old blouse recently. I do it slowly, very slowly. <img src="/images/graemlins/queen.gif" alt="" /> Eventually I'll join year 2006.
Posted By: Lauren_D'Silva Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 10:12 PM
Quote:
I read somewhere the other day that piles of papers are "little monuments to procrastination". I thought it was cute.

Some of your comments are so spot on & entertaining - they are going right into my workshop!

You know that "I keep it ten years & the day after I throw it out I need it" experience? That is a classic thing to happen- you actually create these experiences when you have inner conflict going on about letting go. However ask yourself if it was really worth living with that object lying around for ten years waiting for the moment of use? Was it really that priceless? Would it really have been that difficult to nip down to the shops & pick up something similar...usually not (I know I'm going to get bombarded with the exceptions now <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)
Posted By: Lauren_D'Silva Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/12/06 10:22 PM
Quote:
As for my clothes, I hadn't realized I had so many until we moved last time. My husband can't even use the master bedroom closet. LOL! He uses the other room. And he bought me a nice dresser but I've filled that too. In the garage I have storage bins full of more clothes. Yes, I guess it is sentimentality. I even have my college graduation robe, my prom dresses, and more. I did donate one old blouse recently. I do it slowly, very slowly.

Wow...that is a lot Darling. What if you have a 'try it all on day'? Invite a friend for honest opinion & to take away the things you discard so they can't sneak back in the closet- even better if she is a similar size- cos then she might like to have some of your less successful outfits if they suit her as 'payment'. Have a bottle of wine & some music & treat it as a bit of fun. Do it with the 'current' wardrobe (it is going to be a while before the sentimental stuff gets dealt with I feel!) Anything that you don't feel comfortable or attractive in goes- no matter how much you paid, how designer it is, or how new it is. You end up with a wardrobe full of clothes you really like wearing that make you feel so good & that are easy to find because they aren't all crammed in!

An idea for the sentimental things that you can no longer wear...take a photo of the garments for posterity, then make patchwork out of them so you have an heirloom quilt that has lots of happy memories attached to it. I know that idea has probably given you palpitations at the very thought...
I saw a wonderful quilt one time made up of old college T-shirts - it was on HGTV or TLC or something like that.

The woman had made it for her husband when he finished his doctorate's degree.

Not only did it look really cool, but i'm sure it was super soft - being made out of Tshirts!
Posted By: Wendy Tall One Re: Confessions of clutterholics... - 06/15/06 08:28 PM
I saw something like that at the local fair here a few years ago...it was a girl scout project and it won a few ribbons for originality and the like. It was beautiful and I thought a great way to commerate something of importance/sentimentality with out keeping a gigantic drawer of unworn tee shirts.
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