I’d like to embark upon a journey with you. I plan to continue transforming my home to be as free of clutter as possible, full of peaceful and natural elements, and a true reflection of me and my family. I’ve been reading a few books with this in mind and I’d like to share them with you. I’m thinking we could each work on transforming our homes together.
If you’re game, beginning this month (with clutter), we will focus on one “home”ish theme a month. One month will be bringing in or rearranging photographs, artwork, and objects that reflect you; another will involve adding color or texture; perhaps another will have to do with focusing on our senses to enjoy our rooms more. You get the idea. I think if we are conscious about it, we’ll start to relax more into our spaces.
I haven’t worked out all the topics or the schedule yet, but I think we should just dive in. If you have suggestions of topics or how we can be accountable to each other, I’m all ears. For now, let’s keep it simple. I’ll share a little about the topic and leave the rest to you. Feel free to come back to this post all month to let us know your progress. Who wants to play???
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“The old must be released so that the new can enter.” ~Kali
Ah, clutter. I know that “less stuff = less stress,” but some things just seem to accumulate. When you think of beginning to clear your clutter, do you feel like my cat in that photo above? Like just thinking of it all is too much and you don’t want to even begin?
Maybe we can give ourselves some breathing space. I think there are positive qualities of each of us that inadvertently drive us toward accumulating extra things. Maybe we have a love of learning, so special-interest magazines or books pile up. Perhaps we love to get things done, a fine trait, but we have many unfinished projects throughout our homes and closets. Or are we sentimental, holding on to something because of its meaning when perhaps a photo of it would be enough? Maybe we’re creative, so we have way too many oodles of yummy craft supplies. Or we like to help people, so we keep things in case they’re ever needed. You get the idea. The goal would be to keep the positive qualities and tidy up the clutter.
I have an invitation for you.
Let’s each focus one one or two things this month that we can easily get done. Maybe you want to organize your remotes so they aren’t scattered around the media room. Does your kid’s closet or stuffed animal collection need pruning? Want to get your closet streamlined and organized? Ask yourself if you use it, love it, or need it. Whatever you choose, let us know how it turns out.
Here are some resources from around the web to guide you toward some new ideas:
A 7-step Plan to Organize the House on Power of Moms (OMG did you see her fridge?) I like how she has a day scheduled to tackle particular rooms.
34 Ingenious Ways to Declutter Your Entire Life on BuzzFeed. There are lots of ways velcro can help keep things contained.
50 Ways to Use a Basket on Unclutterer. Simply containing like items makes a huge difference.
Better Homes & Gardens will send you a weekly storage newsletter if you sign up here and you can also see a storage tip each day in January here.
This looks like a good book: 5 Days to a Clutter-Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space
I am learning that if we put a few things away every day, the mess is manageable. My other key takeaway: get rid of things that make you feel bad. Surround yourself with photos and objects that bring good memories to mind. Keeping a bad purchase around doesn’t make it better. Life is too short!
For myself, it’s definitely an ongoing battle. Mail accumulates on the kitchen counter, even after I made “bills” and “coupons” bins that I use (it’s those darn magazines!). And my daughter is quite prolific in producing paper scraps everywhere.
After reading Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life
Be sure to share in the comments how you decide to conquer clutter this month!
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~ Lao Tzu
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Your doing great on getting organized. I am in the processs also. Got really nice bins for all the hats and mittens…and got rid of quite a few pairs. During the year I plan to start culling photo’s.
Your blog always has such good tips on it. Thanks Naomi.
So glad you’re playing along too! I was thinking of working on our entryways next month and you’re already ahead!
I’m in! I guess this means I need to restart my blog which has been neglected since baby number 2 over a year and half ago–well I am being generous, more like over two years since I got pregnant with Ruthie:) I have so many areas of the house that need attention and I don’t know where to begin! I like the link to the Power of Moms (yes, her fridge is enviable). I think that makes it doable. I will try to stay accountable and keep you posted. By the way, love dropping in every once in a while, you are so inspiring!
So great to hear from you here, Miriam! Take your time… You’ve got your hands full.
My first area that needs to be organized in our dining room. I am partway there with it and really just finding homes for the few remaining things so that “everything has its place”. I will post a photo on my FB page of the completed “altar” if anyone wants to see it! (I think that I am the only Amy Putkonen on FB – imagine that!) lol…
Amy Putkonen recently posted…My First Assignment
I did end up cleaning out my dining room that weekend, but it is messy again! Help! I need another update post for support!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…OLW 2014: January Update
Well, I bet it’s not that bad. Or, if it’s like our dining room, one little project can just take over and then it takes a massive energy rush to clear it out again. Ours is an area of the house that you really have to look at so if it’s cluttered, it matters to me. I know you’ll get there one step at a time.
I am so in!
In fact, I was going to tell you that I chose Soul Space (a book I learned about from your blog) as one of my THREE non-I Ching books to read this year. I also chose Unstuff Your Life so you see where I am going with this! This is perfect. What a fun idea, Naomi. Like Susan, I will try and read some of the links you’ve posted. Your posts are always so great with so many resources to check out! I love it!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…My First Assignment
I’m in! Will you come over to my house and help me arrange frames and hang photos? 🙂
I’d love to!! You don’t have any clutter though. 😉
Oh, I am SO in!
I’ll have to read those links when I have some time. Meanwhile my first declutter project is packing the Christmas stuff up to the attic (which sounds like way more work than it is because we did decorating lite this year and everything is already down and waiting to be put away)
But my BIG project will be my closet. OMG, yes! You have inspired me. And my computer desktop. And my iphoto files. And…and…and….
One thing at a time.
I hope it’s ok to post links on here. I wrote a blog post last year about decluttering my studio, complete with before photos that look like something from Hoarders. It’s enough to inspire the must dug-in clutterer. http://www.oolalatheartylife.com/6886/pinch-me/
Susan recently posted…Try Try Again
I so love your post! Is your comfy corner still a breathing space for you or have you piled stuff onto the chair? Lol. I had my space all nice and then, well, I guess more projects arose and more supplies and now it’s a mess again.
The closet project is surprisingly simple. I systematically went through the hanging items, tossing them if they were too small or too big or too 1980. There wasn’t much left!
Looking forward to hearing about your progress, Susan!
Ummm…there has been a slight regression since those ‘after’ pics but it’s nowhere near the ‘before’. The comfy chair is still clutter free but the footstool has a wee pile 🙂
Susan recently posted…Try Try Again
🙂
Ha! Susan – I thought you were doing Naomi’s challenge when you tackled your dining room! Good job!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…OLW 2014: January Update
I love the idea of working on this together. My big objective this year is to declutter by selling all of the things we have sorted out as no longer needed, but that have some value. Not only would selling them declutter, but it would also provide some extra income to upgrade a few things. Count me in!
Linda Watson recently posted…Slow and Steady is a Weaver’s Pace
I’ve done that recently, Linda. When we moved into our home two years ago, I filled the garage with things we didn’t need or want. There was hardly room to walk in there. Slowly I either sold it on local forums, donated it, or put it on Freecycle for someone to take who would use it. Now I have an empty garage!
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Sounds like an awesome idea! I’m game! Madi’s closet really needs going through. Thanks so much for the links. I’ll keep you informed 🙂
Cool, Stacie! Happy to provide the spark of inspiration. 🙂
With my new home and being in the process of moving, this is so helpful. I love the links you shared!! Thank you 🙂
Michele Bergh recently posted…My Big Win for 2013
I’m so glad, Michele! No rush on unpacking (even though I was in a rush!)… take your time and make it truly yours.
I love this idea! De-cluttering is something I have been aiming to do this month, and reading your post just reinforces that. I will check out the links you shared and get busy!
Deborah recently posted…Photo Heart Connection for December 2013
I’m glad you’re on board, Deb!