I value simplicity, so I keep my home decluttered.
I like living with only what I love, need and actually use.
Fiona of the blog How to be Chic challenged herself to get rid of 100 Things over seven weeks or so before Christmas. She invited her readers to join her. Since I am already fairly decluttered and even though I’m very optimistic, I was doubtful that I could hit 100. Nonetheless, I kept trying and posting my little list of items as a blog comment each week. At Christmas, I hit 80.
Over the last two days, inspired by the energy of the new year for a fresh start, I spontaneously decided to push myself and finish the challenge. I actually decluttered 20 more items. I did it! …100 things… If I can do this, anyone can.
I would love to move during 2015. So goal-oriented, I always want to feel like I’m working towards achieving a goal. Right now, I’m saving money. During December and January, however, that’s incredibly slow-going since I do not earn as much commission in the winter and can hardly afford pasta this week. Things have been really picking up at work since Saturday and I am confident that I will be back on track with my Move Fund soon. So, this decluttering is something I can do to prepare in the meantime. Now, I certainly don’t have to move as much. I won’t be wasting energy carrying stuff that is unnecessary.
I copied and pasted each “100 Things Update” from my comments on Fiona’s blog below:
November 16, 2014:
1. blue jeans that are too big
2. black trousers that are too big
3. purple scarf with silver sequins and thread
4. blue scarf with silver sequins and thread*
5. blue scarf*
6. green scarf*
7. turquoise scarf*
8. red crystal drop earrings
*I prefer warm colors over cool, so I rarely wear them.
2. black trousers that are too big
3. purple scarf with silver sequins and thread
4. blue scarf with silver sequins and thread*
5. blue scarf*
6. green scarf*
7. turquoise scarf*
8. red crystal drop earrings
*I prefer warm colors over cool, so I rarely wear them.
November 22, 2014:
9. June/July edition of a magazine that I purchased on a trip and have read
10. half-used tube of a facial mask since I have a new favorite and simply couldn’t go back
11. white vase with small opening I rarely use
12. turquoise vinyl tablecloth with white quatrefoil print, still in plastic with $2.99 price tag
13-15. three white camisoles that are worn out and recently replaced
16. dark pink long-sleeve t-shirt weight hoodie. I primarily incorporate exercise into my daily life rather than working out in a gym, so I do not often wear work-out clothes. Also a snug fit, so cute but I never felt really comfortable.
10. half-used tube of a facial mask since I have a new favorite and simply couldn’t go back
11. white vase with small opening I rarely use
12. turquoise vinyl tablecloth with white quatrefoil print, still in plastic with $2.99 price tag
13-15. three white camisoles that are worn out and recently replaced
16. dark pink long-sleeve t-shirt weight hoodie. I primarily incorporate exercise into my daily life rather than working out in a gym, so I do not often wear work-out clothes. Also a snug fit, so cute but I never felt really comfortable.
November 28, 2014:
17. Nokia bar phone I purchased while studying abroad almost a decade ago. My current smartphone and service function internationally.
18. inflatable travel hanger
19. black polyester passport/travel wallet with velcro closure
20. empty CoverGirl powder compact with mirror that I saved among my travel items
21. Santa and snowflake-themed box
22. empty cookie tin saved from last year
23. sealed original Chapstick that was part of a larger gift from Christmas 2013
24. Venus refillable razor handle because I am buying the much cheaper store-brand disposable razors now which work well enough that I will not go back.
18. inflatable travel hanger
19. black polyester passport/travel wallet with velcro closure
20. empty CoverGirl powder compact with mirror that I saved among my travel items
21. Santa and snowflake-themed box
22. empty cookie tin saved from last year
23. sealed original Chapstick that was part of a larger gift from Christmas 2013
24. Venus refillable razor handle because I am buying the much cheaper store-brand disposable razors now which work well enough that I will not go back.
December 1, 2014:
25. Glade plug-in
26. red kiddie star sunglasses
27. LL Bean travel alarm clock with broken cover/stand
28. luggage tag that was a gift
29. empty photo album that was a gift
30. pair of kitchen curtains that was a gift. I only used the valance and rod.
31. pair of silver earrings
32. dying azalea plant
December 6, 2014:
33-51. 18 knives and 1 fork that sit in a drawer unused; all hand-me-downs
52-55. 4 bed pillows that I just replaced. It’s advised to replace them every few years and it was time, as one even had a ripped seam. One in, one out. I have storage space for a couple for company, but decided against it.
52-55. 4 bed pillows that I just replaced. It’s advised to replace them every few years and it was time, as one even had a ripped seam. One in, one out. I have storage space for a couple for company, but decided against it.
December 16, 2014:
56. a light lavender scarf that I gave to my mother. It will go with her new charcoal gray winter coat well. I prefer more vibrant colors over pastel ones anyway. I now have ten scarves tied neatly onto two five-spot hangers.
57-59. three pairs white ankle socks past their prime
57-59. three pairs white ankle socks past their prime
December 20, 2015:
60. a pink shirt that has a faint stain I have been unable to get out. It’s simply no longer nice enough to wear.
61-62. two pairs of earrings I don’t wear much anymore. One has needed an easy repair for awhile now.
63. a pair of pajama pants that were a gift
December 29, 2014:
64-65. two giant novelty wine glasses that were a gift this Christmas
66. light up outdoor reindeer that was a gift a few Christmases ago
67. Santa door draft blocker that was a gift a few Christmases ago
68. mostly used old roll of Christmas gift wrap. It’s time for a new pattern next year.
69. half used notepad
70. and matching pen
71-72. two SD cards with little storage capacity. I do not even own a digital camera at the moment. Each likely came with a camera over the years.
73. 3-tier bleacher-style stand. I bought it for the three rectangular plates which I kept. I only donated the stand I have never used.
74-77. four bras of the wrong size
78-80. three small drawstring bags I kept in my jewelry armoire that I never used even though I enjoy traveling.
66. light up outdoor reindeer that was a gift a few Christmases ago
67. Santa door draft blocker that was a gift a few Christmases ago
68. mostly used old roll of Christmas gift wrap. It’s time for a new pattern next year.
69. half used notepad
70. and matching pen
71-72. two SD cards with little storage capacity. I do not even own a digital camera at the moment. Each likely came with a camera over the years.
73. 3-tier bleacher-style stand. I bought it for the three rectangular plates which I kept. I only donated the stand I have never used.
74-77. four bras of the wrong size
78-80. three small drawstring bags I kept in my jewelry armoire that I never used even though I enjoy traveling.
Here’s my list from January 20, 2015:
81. martini glass, an even number of them look better on my bar
82-83. two pillowcases
84. patterned pillow sham*
85. patterned twin fitted sheet*
86. patterned twin flat sheet*
87. pink bath towel*
88. pink hand towel*
89. coat that was a gift
90-91. two old plastic cutting boards
92. knife
93. Christmas gift craft project leftovers
94. mostly used roll of old wrapping paper
95. cooler with speakers, never used gift from Christmas 2013
96. Rick Steves’ Venice guidebook from 2011
97. mini OPI bottle of purple nail lacquer that was part of a Christmas gift set
98. seven pieces of steel wool. I kept four from the opened package.
99. nine take-out menus
100. three mail order catalogues
*See image below.
Merci, Fiona for inspiring me to declutter. I feel lighter.
I am having a staycation next week so will see if I can get rid of 100 items! We are not remotely decluttered so it should be relatively easy. Decluttering prior to moving will definitely make the move easier.
Good luck!