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The Kitchen Table

Week 8 - 15 in 15 in 15

11 years ago

I am so glad I am commited to this because I could easily stop right now. I am going to try to get to a closet upstairs today. This is a very busy week and if I don't get it done today it probably won't get done. It will be hot but I won't melt. lol

How many are still onboard? Please help me stick with this.

Featured Answer

satine_gw

11 years ago

I somehow missed the beginning of this "challenge" and Im sorry I did. I guess the premise is to rid yourself of 15 items each week for 15 weeks. I like that idea and even though I am so far behind I think I'll join you. Wish me luck and I'll do the same to you.

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Comments (8)

marcia_m
11 years ago
I'm still with you. Yesterday I emptied the contents of 3 doors of my TV cabinet--lots of papers, never used folders, notebooks, pens, etc. (OK, some of the stuff I need to go through is still sitting on a chair!) I'll donate some of the supplies and give some to a school age boy who might be able to use them. I have 2 more doors and 4 drawers to go that have been used as convenient places to store stuff--plus a pull out that has old VCR tapes in it!
Marcia
grammaj_gw
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm still with you too and I may not even be done in 15 weeks!!!!!! This past week I worked on a big container of papers/pictures from my grandmother's past. Got rid of a lot of papers and kept the pictures so far. Also, gave away a few more pieces of clothing. Another area I worked on is our freezer and pantry which I will continue with this week. Not sure if it is fair to count tossing outdated food but.....................

Still need to decide on an area/areas for this week. I do tend to skip around. Thank you for keeping this going.
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I started in the kitchen because I knew I wouldn't have much sentimental attachment to that stuff! Pantry cabinet before and after. Discarded a bunch of out of date products and discovered we have 8 cans of baked beans! The whole top shelf is now empty. I also went through the cabinet above the pantry where I have cookbooks and misc. stuff stored. Threw away a lot of recipes clipped from magazines that I never used and discovered a box of powdered banana daquari mix from 1994. And I cleaned out the drawer under the oven and trashed or donated items from it. Now it is nearly empty. Here is my car loaded with stuff that is good enough to donate. I guess I forgot to pack my discarded cookbooks. Marcia
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I'm still here. I emptied two drawers in my TV cabinet yesterday but haven't yet parted ways with everything in them. I had a box with unused HS graduation announcements from my son who graduated almost 20 years ago. Not sure what I'm going to work on this week. I should get into my bins of fabric. I enjoy making quilts, and I have fabric that isn't cotton that I should get rid of. Also, small pieces of batting saved from other projects that I'll probably never use. Our newspaper had an article yesterday about Marie Kondo's book and method of decluttering. Interesting take on why we have so much stuff. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-fam-0616-deciphering-declutter-20150609-story.html#page=1 Those of us whose parents grew up in the depression might have an insight about why we never throw anything out. (It cost $$ and we might need it someday.) Marcia
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Week 10 is done. We are going out of town so needed to get this done early. We are taking a box of jelly jars for our son's girlfriend, she makes all kinds of different jellies. Also a box filled with assorted things is in the car to drop off at Goodwill. I still have a bunch to declutter but each thing gone helps out. It didn't take me very long to find 15 items, just needed to get to it. Good luck to the rest of you.
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Comments (9)
I don't comment because I am not living up to the promise I made myself to declutter on a continual basis - but I do read each of your posts as I need all the incentive I can get. I feel like such a loser when it comes to this area of my life. I know it's just "stuff" and of no consequence to anyone but me; however, this stuff has taken on a life of its own and what it signifies to me - my mother - now gone four years and my grandmother, gone 25 years (her things I inherited once Mom passed). If they weren't connected to these things it would be so much easier to let it all go. I never dreamed at this stage of my life I would be faced with these decisions because outside of some boxed up hobbies that have gone by the wayside, I use pretty much whatever I have in my home (husband's garage is another story). Anyway, bravo to all who have turned the corner and are making great headway. I'm not giving up on myself, I'll get there eventually, just not on the timeline I would have liked. To anyone who may eventually be facing this same situation may I suggest that while your parents are alive and you are aware of the things you will inherit, write down all the items you know you don't want and where you can take them to be sold, donated, etc., BEFORE you actually receive them because once they are in your home the guilt kicks in and it's a tougher hill to climb. I received excellent advice on this subject from several of you already so it's on me to do the right thing. As I reread this I think maybe I need some counseling if at this same time next year I am still dealing with this situation.
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jkayd_il5
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes satine. 15 items per week in 15 weeks in 2015. You can still join in. It's easy to come up with more than 15 things a week so you can easily catch up. You can donate, throw away, give away or sell, just 15 items gone from your house.

Because today and Thursday are my only free days this week I finished early. I went to a closet upstairs and now have 15+ items to donate. Next week I will get my husband to move a large boxed Christmas tree and can get more from the same closet.

I am so happy my sons won't have to fool with my junk.
satine_gw
11 years ago
Ok, great. I'll join in and in fact I have a box with some things to donate sitting in the foyer by my front door. I'll add more items and drop them off on Thursday.
marcia_m
11 years ago
I know I won't be done in 15 weeks, but this challenge keeps me to my promise to do some decluttering every week.
jkayd_il5
Original Author
11 years ago
Marcia, I don't think I will be done in 15 weeks either but I'm going to try hard to get my house as decluttered as I can. It just feels so good.

I was reading something yesterday and it said that several sources suggested that hoarding is more than just having. It's having without using. Hoarding means withholding what we don't even use from others who may need or treasure it.
darrah
11 years ago
Just sending lots of encouragement. I fell off the wagon about a month ago and haven't gotten back on since, I'm sorry to say. I wish I had the committment many of you seem to have. I think this is harder than spring cleaning for sure.

For those of you who have just started, don't feel bad, I'll be right there with you starting in again next week. It's going to be an uphill battle all the way but I know it's doable if I can get out of my own way and just stick with it.

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