I was hoping moving to a new house meant we could turn over a new leaf. I was hoping we could be organized, live clutter free, and be able to keep it cleaner. I'm wondering if it's even possible.
Hubby has realized we have significantly less ready-to-go built in storage than we have in our current house. We have plenty of space to build storage, it just isn't there yet, which at least in the short term, means more chaos. The bins of seasonal items and holiday decor we have moved over have nowhere to live, as of yet, and are starting to pile up. Hubby and I are both kind of down about it. We have moved so much, but we still have so much more to move!
The moving process has really shed a lot of light on the fact that we just simply own too much stuff. Too much. I have no idea how it happened. I feel like I am constantly donating, freecycling, selling or giving things away. But it just isn't enough. We still just own too much stuff.
And considering we are terrible organizers and terrible housekeepers, we'd probably be better off if we owned less. Much much much much much less. Sometimes, I feel so overwhelmed that I just want to throw everything away. Some days, I put every toy I step on into the recycling bin. It's so frustrating.
I am hoping to turn over a new leaf of organization with the new house, but I am wondering if that is just wishful thinking. Really, all I want is a simple, clean, functional house where everything has a place to live. No clutter. No junk drawers.
It's already an uphill mountain. I went out of town for a couple of days and my MIL decided to pack for me. (I was planning to sort as I packed.) So, I know that two boxes of things I had designated for the thrift store are now somewhere at the new house. I know it's an innocent mistake, but it felt like a big blow. Our lives are so busy, I don't want to have to count on sorting later. With two toddlers, there is no such thing as free time!
It just feels impossible, short of throwing everything away. But that doesn't seem like a real solution. I don't feel like I am a big buyer of stuff, but I must be. I'm the one who brings most things home because I do most of the shopping. Clearly, I must be more mindful of what I'm bringing home.
But what is the solution for the mountains of stuff we already own????
Clutter is bringing me down.
April 11th, 2011 at 03:18 am
April 11th, 2011 at 03:26 am 1302488771
Good luck! I'll cheer you on.
April 11th, 2011 at 03:33 am 1302489201
It is a good idea to be aware of what you are bringing in, too. Good of you to notice that could be the problem.
I'll cheer you on, too!!
April 11th, 2011 at 03:42 am 1302489766
And, a lot of stuff ends up on the counter, or on higher up surfaces because we have had to move it out of kid's reach because we don't want them to have it. There is only so much you can put on top of the fridge to keep the kids from getting it. And, now that the kids have figured out how to get around the drawer locks, it's become a real problem.
April 11th, 2011 at 04:14 am 1302491644
Also, its an issue for both you and your husband - if you try not to being stuff in but he does ... stuff gets in.
April 11th, 2011 at 04:28 am 1302492521
April 11th, 2011 at 03:05 pm 1302530754
The other, less drastic option I thought of is you could have a rule that for every item you bring into the house, two must go. Consumables you know you'll use in the next week, such as fruit, don't count, but nonperishables that will be around indefinitely do count. Count the items you bring in and make sure you put twice as many in a charity box or the recycling bin or trash.
April 11th, 2011 at 04:19 pm 1302535166
I agree with Ceejay - going forward institute a rule that for every one item that comes into your house, 2 have to leave. I think ccfree's comments are good too - 15 minutes a day.
I don't really identify with your issues with the kids. Put more dangerous things in higher cabinets. Less dangerous things in lower cabinets. It doesn't have to be very high (top of fridge) to be out of their reach. I may have several cabinets designated for things the kids shouldn't get a hold of. Just something to keep in mind as you find new homes for everything in your new house. Also, none of this will matter in a couple of years' time. I can't remember the last time I gave a thought to babyproofing anything. We keep chemicals hidden away, but that is about it any more.
I personally started a major de-clutter of my house when I had my first baby (that nesting hit me hard). I'd say I wasn't really "finished" until 2010. & even then, things are not "perfect." But every year since 2003 I have felt lighter and freer as I purged. Don't get caught up in the perfection, and know that it will take time.
April 11th, 2011 at 04:53 pm 1302537229
It's just starting over from scratch.. in a house with less storage. I know it's going to be dicey for a while, and I know that in my immediate future I won't have any extra time and energy to spare.
Although, my first thought is to sort as I unpack as well, And give everything the once over before it goes into a cabinet.
April 11th, 2011 at 05:34 pm 1302539652
April 11th, 2011 at 09:30 pm 1302553809
April 11th, 2011 at 10:18 pm 1302556724
April 11th, 2011 at 10:25 pm 1302557156
Or if I really am having a hard time with it, I'll stream "Hoarders" while I'm grading or ironing. It grosses me out so much that I fill bags full of stuff within an hour.
I do think it's a constant battle. Constant. Good luck!
April 11th, 2011 at 11:48 pm 1302562123
Yeah, creditcardfree. That's a challenge. I know how we live in this house. I'm not sure yet what the challenges will be in the next.
Anyway, you have inspired me. I'm putting a few more Goodwill boxes in the car right now.