In last Sunday’s Scaredy Cat Challenge post (read it here) I said I would (please excuse the pun) fling myself head first into decluttering. Monday to Friday – 15 minutes a day – the Flylady and the Flylady timer by my side… How did I get on?
Basement, Cupboard
Can you imagine the anguish that a travel iron caused? A travel iron that has been used about, um, 5 times. But it was a 21st birthday present…aaaagh, that makes it 21 years old! Complete with a British plug (so it needs an adaptor, unless you’re spending your holidays in sunny Blackpool). I think what made it so hard to say ‘goodbye’ to this treasure was the dinky little water jug that came with it…
But out it went [sigh…] together with old vases, kitchen utensils and crockery 😉
Basement, Clothes in storage
This actually went really well. I hadn’t got round to decluttering (or my 6minute NEWO strength train) during the day and was feeling sooooo tired in the evening. But I set my trusty timer for 5 minutes and thought, “Okay, okay! 5 minutes and I’ll stop!” Ended up doing 15 minutes and my NEWO! Talk about a clear conscience?! 🙂 I’ve really been missing the feeling that I got when I first started with the Flylady and humungous amounts of junk were flying out the door. So can you imagine how I felt when, in just that one session, I managed to fill a huge bag with kids things that don’t fit/seasonal clothes etc. I ‘heart’ the power of 15 minutes!
Living Room, Chest
This big, ole chest of drawers belonged to DH’s dad’s family and is great for storage but needs careful policing if it’s not to turn into a veritable hot spot of clutter.
Two 15 minute sessions = two drawers. One filled with linen tablecloths, the other with paper serviettes and candles. Vital ingredients in Danish ‘cozy-ness’.
I decided to move the seasonal serviettes (Easter, Christmas etc) ones down to the basement 😉
During the course of the week I also managed to zap another couple of hotspots (filing, paperwork) and do Flylady Kelly’s dailymissions (flinging bathroom junk like old makeup and medicines). So, although it didn’t feel like much at the time, I can see now that I write it down here on virtual paper that it all adds up. Funny that! 😉
Overall? Things have been easier to find. The place feels cleaner. I’ve been less tempted to buy more junk – ha! So next week I’m going to do the same again. And I promise not to focus on the scales but the other subtle changes that decluttering brings. Want to join in this time around? Or do you have another Scaredy Cat Challenge of your own? Well come on down and join in…add your blog with the MckLinky below. We’re here to hold hands and cheer each other on! (You might want to make some cheerleader baton-thingies?)
Have a super Sunday! 🙂
You`ve been very clever 🙂
Good work on the decluttering – I always imagined you would have nothing left to declutter! I need to get back into it, though it's funny how a normal room rescue gets a 27 fling boogie attached to it… I cheat though and count the number of cornflakes / coco pops I am scraping from the high chair and carpet…! Will try to do some proper 27 Fling Boogies this week, God Willing! I cleaned my fridge tonight though so the week will be off to a sparkling good start hehe! :o)
Hi Helen, hi Asfora!
Thanks for stopping by (again)!
Did you see the Flylady is doing a virtual trip around the globe (for the Moving in May habit)? Maybe she will come and visit us in Germany/Scandinavia? 😉 I'm going to try and put something together for that declutter challenge…
You did a good job! I giggled when I saw the napkin and candle drawer because that is how I stored mine. My holiday/seasonal napkins are now stored with my holiday/seasonal decor box instead of all together.
Moving in May is my favorite time. At least Flylady won't be grounded due to ash when she does her whirlwind tour!