But it’s a new year and that means new goals and new adventures. I have deemed this year as the Year of Decluttering. I have reached my limit of Crap I Don’t Need Anymore and so I’ve begun to really downsize. My first order of business was to actually declutter the Christmas tubs. We have fifteen or something absurd like that. I ditched everything that was broken or not in use for the last five years. The only thing I really kept was the kid’s artwork over the years.
I told the husband I wanted to go through the pantry and get rid of stuff that was expired and donate the stuff that wasn’t that we were never going to use. He handled that quite nicely and we did purge a lot of stuff.
I intend to go through every room and closet in the house systematically to remove things I don’t want or need anymore. I’ll donate some things and toss others. But I’m sick of the house being in a constant state of clutter. It will likely take all year for me to get it done but I think I will be much happier when I do.
I’m also going to “declutter” my finances. I had been doing so good on the Dave Ramsey Snowball plan paying off my credit card debt (Google it if you don’t know what that is). I was down to one card with a balance and then these last two years I just sort of blew it. So I’m back on my spending diet. I kind of think of it as a diet. ;) I put the cards I wanted to keep in an envelope and gave them to my husband to hide. The others I cut up that I know I’m never going to use again. Why am I hanging on to these old accounts? I have no idea. I’m currently researching the best way to pay down debt with zero interest – either a consolidation loan with a lower interest rate or a balance transfer with a zero interest rate. In the meantime, I’ve managed to pay off one credit card and have another small balance I’ll have decimated by the end of the month. It’s slow progress, but I know it will be well worth it when I get all of them to a zero balance.
So that’s what I’m doing in 2016. It’s more of a goal than a resolution.
What are your goals for the new year?
8 comments:
#1 goal..no more heart attacks! LOL! I have thought my word for this year is "rebuild"...but de-clutter would work over here, too! I need to get back on the 'Flylady wagon" and try to get more organized. Having these 4 kids thrown on me 2 1/2 years ago has thrown me into a tail spin. I keep thinking that once the kids are settled...or once the kids go back to school...and once the kids (insert excuse)...
If you haven't heard of Flylady, she might be able to help. I have been following her for about 13 years, but somehow, I fell off the wagon and just need to start back in today. I have never followed it to a T but she helped me de-clutter and get organized once...I can do it again! Check out www.flylady.net if you need help getting organized and de-cluttered! She was a God-send to me when my sister first introduced me to her. People who are 'born organized' can't imagine the struggle a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive) like myself goes through.
Happy 2016, Michelle!
I did some declutter. I through out all the old Christmas tree lights as we bought LED this year. Hard to let go. I had lots of memories of when I bought them. I also went through tablecloths and let go. Didn't have issues with those. Then I put all back into the cabinet very nicely. I cleaned the fridge before the holidays. Seems like there is always something to fix around here. Life with old house.
That was the first thing on my mind when the New Year arrived! I started with Christmas decorations while putting everything away - out when the old, tattered, broken, etc! I had a box full, even after giving my daughter a box full. After all the Christmas was put away, I listed what I intend to declutter this year - my closet for one. I'm glad I'm not alone. Thanks.
We do this each year. We love the decluttering. It does help us feel better and we also do sell a bunch of things at the resale shop across the street. Since we loved them, maybe someone else will. :)
I so need to declutter. When we moved, we did a huge purge and now things seem to be creeping back in. I don't need this much junk. I swear I'm going to get rid of it, and then it gets set aside and the piles grow ever bigger. I need to take some time this year and go through the entire house. I just don't know when I'll get the time, but I'll make it somehow. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great inspiration Michelle! I have been cleaning out the closets and other hiding places. My big accomplishment in 2015 was ripping the majority of our CDs and turning in the CDs to the Movie Trading Company. That was a pretty penny! I even cleaned out my book room. On to the next closet!!
Good luck with your decluttering!
Yes! A year and a half ago, we had a surprise job offer, had to move to a different state and downsize in half in a 3-week window, which made us purge ruthlessly. Randomly, about 2 months before, I had had it with all the crap and had slowly started to go through stuff, tossing or donating anything that I didn't love.
Now I'm ready to get rid of the stuff we haven't used in the last 18 months. I started today by shredding the box of to-be-shredded junk mail and old documents. 3 kitchen sized garbage bags later, that corner of the closet looks MUCH better. even though it was just one small corner, the energy feels lighter in here. And, I probably feel lighter for taking care of it.
Be More With Less website is fantastic. She does a 33 item wardrobe capsule that you can join in and post your pictures, (if you wish.) The book the Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is pretty damn skippy, too. Her method is called Kon-Mari, and basically you go through everything and that that does not spark joy, goes. That way every single thing in your home you absolutely love.
Thanks to Karilyn for the Movie Trading Co hint!
Excellent post, Michelle! I, too, have begun decluttering. I can't stand it any longer. My husband is the one who wants to keep everything for "just in case". I may have to hide what I want to trash, then put it out on trash day. Teehee.
I'm noting all of the hints given by other commenters, so thanks, ladies!
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