Happy Monday To You

Toddler’s Creed

If I want it, it’s mine.

If I give it to you and change my
mind later, it’s mine.

If I can take it away from you,
it’s mine.

If I had it a little while ago,
it’s mine.

If it’s mine, it will never belong to
anyone else, no matter what.

If we are building something together,
all the pieces are mine.

If it looks just like mine,
it is mine.

~Author Unknown 

Day Five

The things I am going to write in this post apply to me, and you may not share the same feelings or convictions about possessions. 

When my possessions make me tired.

When my possessions get in the way of me helping others.

When my possessions and the care of them fills all my time.

When my possessions or stuff makes me feel crabby because it's never where it belongs etc....

Then I have TOO MUCH STUFF.

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"  Hebrews 12:1b


My greatest desire is to serve the Lord and be ready to do what He asks.  I've noticed that possessions can hinder my ability to serve.  I guess you would say that is my underlying motivation for decluttering.

 You might ask why not just not accumulate the "stuff" in the first place.  We tend to accumulate from other sources besides ourselves.  Family and friends give us gifts or items they no longer need, and somehow the "stuff" just grows. 

Some of the things are possessions we have had for years, and simply outgrown our need or desire for them. 

I feel more ready to give of my time and energy when I do some decluttering.  This past week is just one of many such sessions.

Now I'd like to hear from you.  What is your motivation for getting rid of stuff or decluttering?

Day Four

I think I'm starting to feel clutter fatigue. 

 Today I collected more craft books, a few toys, some pajamas that I never wear, and a few other assorted things.

I thought rather deeply about the reasons why I am decluttering.

It goes deeper than just wanting a tidy home.

And desiring less things in my life.

I think it has to do with a heart issue--for me at least.

I'll share more about that tomorrow on my last clutter collecting day.

My husband tried to put something in the back of our van today, and several things fell out.  He looked at me without a word and rolled his eyes. :)

Day Three

My search for clutter took me to a difficult place today--the bookshelf.  I LOVE to read, and I LOVE books, and thus it is painful for me to get rid of books--even books that I don't like.  Isn't that silly?

  For some inexplicable reason I value books almost higher than any other possession in my home, and I can easily become overrun with the written word.

I mostly hit the children's bookshelf, but I also purged some of my books.  I tried to especially target the books that are an enjoyable light read, but have no real value.  Many of these books I buy second-hand, and so there is no great monetary value.

I also hit my medicine cabinets, and my laundry cupboard.  I found some wax for wood floors--our current home has only carpet and linoleum.

I found a can of air freshener--we can't use this because of allergies in our home.

I found some cradle cap conditioner--it was badly outdated, and currently no one has cradle cap.

I found some craft books for cross stitch--much as it pains me to admit it I don't have the patience for counted cross stitch.

Once again I easily met my goal for ten or more things.  The back of my van is filling up fast.

What did you declutter today?

Day Two

Today's decluttering was a little more difficult.

  Mostly because a certain two year old was a little difficult, and I had trouble finding time to find clutter. 

 In spite of the distractions I still easily garnered over ten things from my home.

  The question that keeps coming to my mind is why do I keep some of these things? 

I added a poll to the top right hand corner of my blog just to make this week a little more interesting. 

 Please vote--it will make the drudgery of going thru stuff a little lighter.

I'll post more pictures of "stuff that won't be cluttlering my house anymore" tomorrow.

Day One

The first day went well. My decluttering quest for ten items only took about ten minutes.

  Actually I have more than ten items in this somewhat harried looking pile.

 I probably won't itemize my pile every day, but since this is the first day--here goes.

I have.......

3 window blinds

1 shower curtain rod

2 CD holders

1 wall plaque in a language I can't read (don't ask)

1 plant hanger

2 over the shower organizers

4 books

1 stack of old paper dolls

and a partridge in a pear tree (not really)
 
Not bad for just a few minutes of work.  Surprisingly enough it was a painless process.  Almost all of these items came from the same closet--which is now much tidier. 

So, what did you get rid of today?

A New Week A Fresh Challenge

I love this time of year, but one of the down sides to autumn is the neglect my house suffers during canning season.  When I am preoccupied with jar washing and peach peeling I tend to ignore the overall appearance of my closets and cupboards. 

So I am going to challenge myself this week, and anyone who wants to join me is welcome.

In one week I am going to get rid of/donate 50 items.  I will try to post pictures of some of the many things that will no longer be cluttering my home.

 I've warned my children that I am on a mission, and they are currently pondering what junk toys they are willing to part with.  As added incentive I have reminded them that they have birthdays and Christmas coming--so they need to make room for the new loot gifts they may receive.

To accomplish this goal I will need to have ten items per day to reach 50 by Friday.

Come along with me on this adventure to clutter-free living!