I read this comment today by a mother named Julia and thought she said it so well:
“Having alot of things–whether it’s furniture or knick-knacks or things you think you might need but never end up using–can make [home maintenaince] an overwhelming, or seemingly overwhelming, task. Clutter or crowded spaces can make even a clean house seem not so clean. When the clutter is gone, cleaning is easier and the house actually looks clean when I’m done…A neat space is much more inviting than a clean, yet cluttered, place.”
So true! When I am regularly decluttering, housecleaning is so much easier and my home is a more refreshing and restful place to be. Clutter only builds tension in my home and takes so much more time to maintain. Join me in simplifying for the sake of our families, our envirorment, and in order to use our time wisely. As homemakers, let’s not waste our energy on excess clutter-it’s just not worth it! Be aggressive! Don’t hold on to anything you don’t need and think carefully and wisely before each new purchase or addition.
I am encouraged today with this wonderful tip!
I was recently watching a video on small space decorating and the woman said something that stuck with me. Well, two things actually. It went something like this “think about it like this: if you were about to die, what thing would you want to hold in your arms? Most people immediately realize there is not a thing but a person. From that I would extend to a room. What would you like in the room you are going to die in” As in, the box of old papers you’ve been meaning to sort for the last five years? The beautiful statue your mother brought back from her honeymoon? Decorate each room as if you were going to die in it. Beautiful, functional, clean, and simple.
ugh! but i wish it wasn’t so hard to do…..;)
Sounds silly, but I sometimes felt guilty about dropping off my questionably useful stuff at Goodwill. I started shopping there, and feel that I’ve “completed the cycle,”, so to speak.
Agree with the posts on clutter but sometimes (often) have a hard time parting with my things. To make it easier on me I have a donation box for AmVets always in process. That way anything I put in the box stays in the house for about a month until the next pick-up. Very seldom have I taken something out of the box during that month and the giving away seems to be much easier on me. As for the DH he has no problem giving things away but it is usually something of mine!
So true! Today I finally “bit the bullet” and gave away the excesses in my cupboard #1. It was such a freeing moment which can occur only when we let go of the stuff that has bound us in its slavery for so long. I am hoping to reduce even more *stuff* from my house as I am back to my home keeping mode.
Awesome quote and so very true. Decluttering seems to be ongoing at our house, but I figure that we’ll get there at some point and progress is being made!
I agree completely! Now, how do you get your husband to let go of things? My husband has hundreds of old, dusty books and they are taking over our basement! He says he doesn’t have much stuff to get rid of, I completely disagree. I can always do more de-cluttering myself, and I am. My dh just hates to get rid of anything.
HELP!
My best recommendation would be to pray about it. Take your desire before the Lord and you will be amazed to see how He can graciously change your husband’s heart. Secondly, don’t nag him. It will not bring about any good fruit. Lead by your example of not holding on to things too tightly and see what happens.
We are in the process of waiting on the arrival of our third precious gift from God and a few months ago I began the process of ridding our home of extra stuff. I have been sick with this sweet baby, so I feel discouraged to be half way through the process and only making small steps. But I know that we are headed in the right direction. I also love finding a new home for our things, it is so much fun to pass on things to others in need, when God has blessed us so richly! Thank you for this encouraging post, it gives me much needed incentive to keep persevering!
My fiance and I just went through our three spare rooms and threw away / recycled / donated everything we could. I have pack-rat tendencies (I might need that for something some day…) so I had to be ruthless and we are down to one little file box of junk. It is so liberating. We regained so much space! If I do end up missing any of the things we tossed and have to go out and buy something, the money will be worth it not have had it taking up space all this time!
Lindsay,
Thank you so much for sharing this! My husband and I were both raised to be frugal, but sometimes I think that habit can lead to hoarding more things than we actually need, “because we might need it someday.” I definitely believe in reusing and recycling, but there comes a time when it’s time to pass extra stuff on to someone else who has need of it right now – not at some hypothetical future point! You’ve inspired me to clean out our closet and start setting things aside for donation to Goodwill. I read your blog faithfully and feel so encouraged by your thoughts – thanks!!
We are going on vacation in September~ I am going through our home and riding it of the clutter~ I want to have a fresh~ simple~ comfortable home~ Not that my house is terrible or anything it just is time to take care of business~
Have a fantabulous day~
Lindsay,
I am constantly battling the clutter in my home. Are there regular daily / weekly de-cluttering tasks you perform in your home that keep it from getting out of control? Share, sister!
As I described in my post on Tips for Maintaining a Simple Home, I do twice a year de-cluttering events in my home, first at the beginning of a new year where I go through each room of the house and re-organize, and second in preparation for a garage sale in the summer. On a daily basis during my pickup the house routine and during my weekly housecleaning routine, I am regularly evaluating as I pick up and put things away if it does deserve a place in my home. It is a regular question going through my mind: do we really need this item or is it just taking up space? I have an ongoing trash bag or box in the garage that contains goodwill items, consignment store items, and The Giving Closet donations (a Christian ministry serving the homeless in my city). If it does not need to be in my home, I remove it to one of these boxes. Overall, the best strategy for keeping out excess clutter for me is making sure I use this same question (does this really deserve a place in my home?) before making any purchases or accepting any hand me downs. Hope that helps!
As a veteran of the USMC I often donate to AmVets (short for American Veterans), the wonderful thing about them is that they come to your house and pick up your donations. Once you get on their mailing list they send you cards in the mail letting you know what dates they will be picking things up on your specific street. If you will have things to donate, you call them up and they let you know around what time they’ll be there. Wonderful way to donate for the harried SAHM and/or lazy donator. Both of which I happen to be.
Next week is my monthly decluttering of our bedroom, this is the room where clutter seems to get thrown. I’m taking a garbage bag into the breach and gathering my donations. I joke with my husband that if I’m not back in two hours, to send reinforcements!
I guess that that was a long way of saying that I one hundred percent agree.
Dear Lindsay,
I visit your blog often and could not agree more with this post! We have several organizations in our area who offer to come reguarlly and pick up clothing and household items that we would like to donate. I would recommend that others find similar ways to pass on things they are not using to those in need. It’s so easy, too. The organizations call us about every few months and all I have to do is collect the items and place them outside. It’s a great way to declutter and help others. Thank you for your encouragement. I am contemplating leaving my high-stress job to become a homemaker and mother and your blog has been such a blessing. Take Care. Erin
Erin,
Sometimes being a homemaker and mother, and having a one-income family is hard; there are sacrifices we make. But I, personally, have never regretted my decision. It is blessing beyond measure. As you consider it, I pray God will guide you & your family, and provide all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!
I agree with this for sure. Something I struggle with are birthday gifts from friends. I don’t need more stuff. I opted out of sharing Christmas gifts last year and was happy with my choice although it was a little hard to explain to friends. But I hate the idea of people spending money on stuff that I don’t need (or want!). I’ll buy friends a gift certificate or take them out to lunch.