http://unclutterer.com/discuss/forum/challenges The community for people interested in home and office organizing. en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:03:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://unclutterer.com/discuss/search.php http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/goals-february-2012#post-44642 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:28:42 +0000 Ella 44642@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Here's a new thread to sketch out our plans and goals for February. </p> <p>As I head into the home stretch on my closet project for January, I'm also starting to do some advance mental prep for February's project: Paper!</p> <p>I had a feeling that my closet project would lead me to the next goal, and so indeed it has. Today I discovered that the last two bags cluttering up the closet floor contain not clothes as I thought, but paperpaperpaper galore. So even though I wanted to work on my kitchen for February's goal, it's clear that I really must deal head-on with the great paper pile-up instead. Not just those two bags, but also two more under the bed, plus two file cabinet drawers that need going through, plus two dresser drawers crammed with sentimental papers, and so on and on...</p> <p>But I'm very encouraged by the progress I've made on my closet, doing it daily in baby steps, ATAD and FATAD. So I'll approach my paper in the same way, not with an all-out blitz but day-by-day steadily through February. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fatad-february-2012#post-46065 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:06:32 +0000 ninakk 46065@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Welcome to fixing in February! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/why-do-people-have-junk-rooms-in-their-homes#post-30994 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:43:26 +0000 momwalker1966 30994@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Yes I was ask this by a 5year old yesterday? Leave it to a child to put me on a thinking spree. I tried to explain that I try to keep the house kind of neat and so that's where all my extra stuff goes. She comes back with "wouldn't it be better as something else?" and "why, do people have so much junk that they don't need?" I think I am going to hire her! So, do you think I have limited these so called "junk" drawers or rooms from reaching much better useful spaces by just calling them that? Do you that have more experience on working on your homes and spaces still call them junk rooms/drawers? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/resisting-clutter-successes#post-46298 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:03:07 +0000 smallLife 46298@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>This is similar to the What Was I Thinking Thread, but of times when we successfully resisted buying/accumulating/possessing something we didn't need. Budget is tight these days and it helps to be reminded of how much I saved by NOT buying something.</p> <p>I know the restriction mentality eventually leads to caving (you only have so much will power), but I figure it can't hurt!</p> <p>Today I resisted buying some athletic knee-pads and loose sweatpants. They would have been useful, but aren't necessary and can wait until my belt isn't tied so tight. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/goals-january-2012#post-41995 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:50:37 +0000 ninakk 41995@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>2012 is bright and shiny, full of possibilities, so let's roll up the sleeves and have some fun! Share however much you desire, it will all be read, and follow up when and how you want. Make your own rules, it is your journey! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/unless-x-has-been-used-y-times-by-z-it-is-out#post-42516 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:51:55 +0000 ninakk 42516@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Unless my bread machine has been used twice in January, I'm selling it.</p> <p>Unless the little pile of articles that I have selected to read this month have indeed been reacted on properly by 31 January, I'm recycling them.</p> <p>You've been challenged! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/decluttering-a-tiny-flat-advice-needed#post-43938 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:09:02 +0000 chaotickaren 43938@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Help me, I'm drowning in clutter!</p> <p>London house prices being what they are, I live in a very small rented studio flat, which is rammed to the gills with my two passions - books and vintage clothes. I'm not the world's tidiest person and I often work long and tiring hours and don't want to tidy up when I get in, so the clutter and mess just builds up. All my storage space is full of stuff, as are all the surfaces - chairs, edges of bookshelves, dresser, you name it, it is piled high with things.</p> <p>I look around and I don't even know where to begin! How does one declutter a place like this? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/travelling-with-a-small-bag#post-43453 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:56:15 +0000 Hansi 43453@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I've been on vacation for 2 weeks now and I packed my things in 9 minutes and went out the door to create a test to see how I can approach travelling, planning and packing. </p> <p>This is what I brought:<br /> 1 cabin bag<br /> 1 Passport, wallet with drivers licence and VISA.<br /> 1 USB stick with laptop and charger.<br /> 2 t shirts<br /> 2 jeans (one neutral and one pair black)<br /> 1 pair of shoes<br /> 1 knitted shirt<br /> 1 jacket<br /> 1 belt<br /> 1 small plastic bag of toiletries<br /> 1 mobile phone and charger<br /> 1 ukulele<br /> 1 pair of wool socks</p> <p>That's all</p> <p>The uke I can live without but I want some fun where I travel. The passport I forgot so I had to go back.</p> <p>In the whole I have been on the road 2 weeks and i'm going for a third aswell,</p> <p>One thing I missed is one more shirt and a razor.<br /> Else it's great, öiving on free wifi spots and no plans. I'm travelling by car but only to one location then i've been travelling by bus, train and more.</p> <p>Any questions? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/clutter-free-course#post-42809 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:22:12 +0000 Swede 42809@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>Is anyone signing up for the clutter free course? <a href="http://clutterfreecourse.com/clutterfat/" rel="nofollow">http://clutterfreecourse.com/clutterfat/</a></p> <p>A friend of mine has signed up but I'm not sure a daily email would help me or just feel like I was falling behind all the time. :P And I don't think a quick fix like this would work long term... Would love to hear if anyone else is signing up? Do you guys think something like this would work? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/monthly-goals-2012-the-planning-phase#post-39816 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:42:44 +0000 Netleigh 39816@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I thought I'd start recording plans about goals prior to the start of the year then I can pick up the one that feels best come January!<br /> I've already identified that I thin I'll spend a month focusing on<br /> 1. Paper management, I have filing systems and paper handling set up but I fail to maintain them on a regular basis. I need a kick start month to get it all in order then a weekly paperwork night for the rest of the year may be the way forwards.<br /> 2. Fantasy self removal - she who knits and sews a lot.<br /> 3. Sorting out the family photo burden.<br /> 4. Fantasy self removal - she who has lotsof art supplies that haven't been used in years.</p> <p>That's enough of a list to start of with, doubtless I'll be inspired by whatever you all come up with and I don't want to cast my goals in stone.<br /> The concepts of ATAD, OIOO and planning my social events will go on in the background but are not goals in themselves. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/the-pantry-clean-up-game#post-9459 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:18:52 +0000 needtocleanhouse 9459@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Per rules of the game set by Anita in her first post:</p> <p>5. Tweak these rules any way you see fit. If you wish, use this thread to track your progress, share ideas, recipes, or stories, and keep each other motivated.</p> <p>Feel free to start a new thread for recipes only if you like to post your speedy recipes there instead. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/clutterers-annonymous#post-40602 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:53:58 +0000 Chrispowers 40602@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>They have groups in many citys </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/no-spend-period#post-27082 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:20:48 +0000 Mimi 27082@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>the commitment-topic inspired me to change some habits. so i decided to spend no money except for the basics: food, rent, insurances and unexpected emergencies (and a gift for my cousins wedding who gets married in june) for 5 weeks. i am curious what happens. i got to know that this is a strategy called "no-spend-month" and also, that there are some people on this forum who have already done it, for a month or even half a year. wow! bandicoot (and even her husband) is/are also onboard! yay!<br /> is there anybody of you who also did this, not (only) to save money but e.g. to make a special statement or to make habits visible? or can´t you even imagine to stop shopping for a month? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/drawer-organizers#post-38777 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:31:42 +0000 JIY 38777@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Looking for ideas or sources to reorganize my kitchen drawers. They are a mess. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/give-it-up#post-30637 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:41:00 +0000 Ella 30637@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>In June, I successfully gave up chips for the month (potato, corn, and all other chippy-like snacks such as popcorn, pretzels, etc.). In mid-July, I succumbed to my craving and devoured two bags of tortilla chips with no self-control whatsoever. I'm back on the wagon now.</p> <p>Then, by way of the 365lessthings blog, I read about this book by Mary Carlomagno, "Give It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less." The author chose 12 things to give up, each for a one-month trial period. I got the book from the library and gave it a quick skim, looking for something that might fit for me. I scanned down the chapter titles and was pleasantly surprised that I've already given up most of those items or activities (shopping, newspaper, dining out, television). But one thing jumped out at me... cursing. In the past couple of years, I've become very lazy and mindless about my use of foul language, and now, when I come to think of it, it makes me feel coarse and common. I might be considered pretty mild by some people's standards, but still.</p> <p>So I'm thinking that August would be as good a time as any to set that challenge for myself... to declutter my mouth. </p> <p>The author included a penalty jar, adding $1 to her jar for each infraction. She also selected a good cause (in her case, UNICEF) to receive the money at the end of the month.</p> <p>But I think what would really work for me the best would be to select a BAD cause, something completely repugnant, to act as a further deterrent to cursing. Hmmm, what shall it be? I could, for example, designate my money to be handed over to the most wretched derelict I find lying on the street. I'll need to give this more thought. Any ideas, anyone?</p> <p>Does anybody else have a one-month challenge for themselves? Apologies if we already have a thread going on this topic, but I couldn't find it. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/my-ongoing-decluttering-efforts#post-31490 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:40:55 +0000 liannelavoie 31490@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I'm not much of a shopper (except for books; I will acknowledge that weakness). So I often wonder why it is that no matter how much I declutter, it doesn't seem to make a difference. I can't count the number of times I've gone through all my clothing, being as picky as I can, yet before long I can't close my drawers again, even though I generally only buy clothes once a year.</p> <p>Four months ago I moved out of my parents' house, into an apartment with my boyfriend (who was also coming from his parents'). I knew I had a lot of stuff and that it would be hard to pack, so I decluttered like I'd never decluttered before, and other than the 16 large boxes of books (I know, I know), it seemed like I did a pretty good job. But now, I'm in a 2 bedroom apartment with only one other person, and there's stuff everywhere. It doesn't seem possible. However, the last few days I've been working through another large scale decluttering, with some success, I think. So, I started this thread so I could keep track of what I've decluttered. Eventually my home should feel decluttered, right?</p> <p>This past weekend:<br /> -Somewhere around 23 shirts. These were pretty easy, since they were ones I wasn't really wearing. My two tshirt drawers can open and close easily now!<br /> -7 pairs of pants. OMG this was hard. They were all pants I like. And they all fit me. I wore all of them at least occasionally. But I realised that I had to use tougher standards since my pants drawer couldn't close, and I was keeping some pants permanently on the floor since they wouldn't fit. Now the drawer closes. There's no room for even one more pair of pants, but it closes. Yes!<br /> -1 hoody. Admittedly, I just got a new hoody, so these balance each other out.<br /> -30something books. A huge accomplishment for a bibiophile for me. I got myself down to 990 books, and plan to stay permanently under 1000. I accomplished this mainly through donating the Dover classics I used to collect which are in the public domain, and hence are free on my boyfriend's Kobo. I'm also trying to be more honest with myself about which books I really will reread, and getting rid of books that I won't, even if I did like them.</p> <p>Also, I've been getting Jonathon (the boyfriend) to declutter as well, and he got rid of 65 books! He's much stronger than I am in that way.</p> <p>For the first time since moving in, our bedroom is clean (no more piles of clothes or anything), and all my books are on shelves. I didn't even have to pack any of them away! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/junk-in-the-trunk#post-18823 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 11:55:42 +0000 Parsifal 18823@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Since I've been posting all over these forums this morning, I thought I would go out on a limb and post my own decluttering challenge. I expect to move to another state sometime in the next six months. It would be wonderful to have a mover relocate all my furniture, but I would like to be able to move my personal possessions on my own. Specifically, I want to be able to fit everything I need including clothing into my trunk and the back seat of my car. I'll post back here from time to time with an update on how I think I'm going to use this very limited space. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/procedures-routines-habits-systems#post-30536 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:53:23 +0000 JuliaJayne 30536@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Many of us, in other conversations, have mentioned systems we've adopted for keeping clutter and chaos at bay. It might be helpful to have these Procedures, routines, habits, systems (prhs) all in one place for those of us who still have those persistent areas of unruliness or for those who are just starting to gain control of their stuff. All of us are as individual as are our living spaces, so even if our solutions don't always work for everyone, they could help light a spark. </p> <p>One of the best things I did was to find a solution for all the office-type stuff, which I gave a lot of thought to before buying anything. I though I had often drooled over photos of office shelving filled with colorful storage containers to hold things, and other decorative pieces, I know it would end up being a mess. Not just because of me, but I knew my husband wouldn't want to touch anything if it was too fussy. I do prefer things to be behind doors, though, so open shelves wouldn't have been ideal in any way. So I came up with the idea of getting pre-built unfinished kitchen cabinets from the home improvement store. I collected everything that needed to live in cabinets and drawers and chose the units to store everything easily. I still pat myself on the back on occasion for how well it works for us. After it was finished, the only problems was where to put the bills. I eventually found an organizer that had just enough slots for bills, envelopes, pens and one spot that holds things of value like stamps and gift cards. My husband still comments on how much he likes it and how easy it is to find things. When the mail comes into the home, we immediately sort the mail. Everything is opened right away. The envelopes and any excess goes into the bag for shredding along with junk mail. The bills go in their spot, and anything that has to be kept, like insurance policies gets filed. Anything, other than bills, that needs to be acted on or upcoming events, goes on the magnetic board in the kitchen because we like being able to see those things. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/special-quick-fix-mission#post-8766 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:44:24 +0000 Lounger 8766@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Last Friday many, many long years of studying came to an end but there's no way I can relax and begin the rest of my life while surrounded by the debris of the past few weeks. </p> <p>My course involved lots of sketching, modelmaking, experimenting and general mess-making. I've also accumulated a substantial pile of potential materials and I daresay several duplicates of tools and stationery. The decluttering part will come later. For now I just need to tidy up enough to do a general clean, chuck / recycle the easy stuff and get the rest of it into one place so that I can sort it properly another time.</p> <p>My intention to do this last night didn't come to much, hence my commitment here. </p> <p>My mission for tonight is: </p> <p>1. Clear the floor within half and hour so that I can hoover before it gets too late.<br /> 2. Put all clean washing away and put a load of washing on.<br /> 3. Chuck / recycle the easy stuff<br /> 4. Collect all useable materials, stationery and tools together.<br /> 5. Hoping I'll come across a gift voucher that I want to use this weekend.<br /> 5. Bubble bath, good book and bed by 11.30pm. </p> <p>It's now 7.30ish in the UK, so I'd better get on with it! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/clearing-a-space-for-change-the-weight-of-objects#post-30543 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:35:48 +0000 JuliaJayne 30543@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p><a href="http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/16822.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/16822.html</a></p> <p>A short and to-the-point article about getting rid of clutter. </p>