Again, big big thank you for all your tips and encouragement! I followed more advice, and my best friend came over today to help me out. Without her, I wouldn't have been so "good" about letting go of a lot of clothes (and a couple of bags). Four, big bags of clothes and stuff that will be passed on to a family my family knows (pastor's family with 4 kids, and the wife's fighting breast cancer right now), so hopefully those will be much loved and used. See these bags?! (Water bottle is there to help get the scale of how large these bags are.)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9242/byebye.jpg
Bonus? Not only am I getting rid of a LOT of clothes, but large paper bags, too. ;)
Problem is, despite getting rid of a lot of clothes, all it did, was free up some drawers so that my other (more likely to wear) clothing can be placed there. I'm not seeing much actual difference in "clutter" level yet. I really have to figure out how to declutter more! This part does feel discouraging, I admit. Feeling like I've worked so hard, and let go of a lot of things, but not seeing the "benefit" yet.
Also, yesterday, I cleared everything off my bathroom counter and bathtub and did a super duper thorough cleansing.
@nellieb, you're right, I'm reluctant to "reclutter" my bathroom counter now, but I don't have much choice. I've been on a B&B no-buy for months, so I'm not too too worried as I know I'm being very good about using stuff up, and as stuff is used up, there will be less overall clutter.
@wintersmom, ha! Yes, fast food napkins rule. Luckily (unluckily?), those napkins are fully utilized in my household. I use 'em to clean up evidence of kitty upset tummies. :P "You'll have some good days, some bad, but don't let either slow or stop you." Too true! Yesterday, I was so ready to give up. And this AM? I really dreaded my friend coming over to help me "clean" yet more, but I plugged through it and feel so much better for having done so.
I totally forgot to take pics of my bathroom beforehand, so nothing to share there. But, my mom walked by and shouted out in pleased surprise. And Sandi, my best friend was beyond impressed with how clean and "organized" my room and bathroom look now.
I can't wait to keep on slowly slowly decluttering. Actually getting rid of "stuff" so that there are more open spaces. Yay!
Thank you so much for all of your help so far! :D
(And after the BF leaves, Sandi promised to help me purge through my shoe collection. *gulp* And I've inspired her! She says she's gonna go back to her apartment and try to clean and declutter, too.)