https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:58:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-842357 Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:46:38 +0000 Elly 842357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know I've taken a long time to get back to this thread, but I appreciate each and every reply and I've been thinking about the project an all your advice! I've had yet another computer failure (this is my third integrated mouse failure on this laptop), so I haven't been around much.</p> <p>Laurinda-- Thank you for the advice. I can definitely adapt it to my issues. I am not much of a shopper, so aside from clothing, beauty products, office supplies, and books almost everything that is hanging around are gifts . . . but I can still use the "would I buy this/admire it" logic! I need to get better at tossing gifts that have no use value to me, but aren't really fab either. </p> <p>Astrid-- I think it is awesome you are also on a purging kick! I had previously seen your thread, but I wasn't sure how I was relating to minimalism so I didn't participate. Looking back, I can more clearly see that my desire to purge to eliminate hassle with moving is its own form of going minimal : ) </p> <p>My biggest issues are purging sentimental and potentially useful items. Useful things include imperfect or slightly damaged things that still function, but aren't beautiful because then I would/might have to replace them and I guilt trip over it. I also have a hard time getting rid of things that I do use, but have a stockpile of. I know I will eventually use all of the office supplies I have if I keep them accesible and remember not to buy more, but in the meantime I am storing a box of them (these are mostly leftovers from my two trips through college, and things from my mom who gifts paper and pens and sticky notes in crazy amounts). I also tend to horde art supplies for the same reason. </p> <p>I too have a hard time getting rid of books! I never thought I would miss some of my introductory undergrad texts in my field since I was pretty much unenthused about the classes, so I sold them. When I got back into school in a related field and started working, there were several times I wished I'd saved them for reference to help clarify dates/timelines/technical info and definitions that related in some way to a current project. </p> <p>I also have a really hard time getting rid of gifts. I'm staying with my mom right now, and it is very very hard to toss all the clutter she has bought me over the years while she is around. She is a little bit of a hoarder, and she has instilled a sense of guilt in me over the years. Plus, she really really likes to go through my garbage or donations and pull things out, which usually end up impeding our family space or end up back in my space. </p> <p>As far as a plan goes, I would really like to be finished with the stuff I have immediate access to by the end of march-- that is the soonest that I could have a completely finalized contract for work. I'd like to have all of the space I am living in, and the easily accessible boxes (those from my recent apartment) gone through by then. That will mean the stuff I actually need to move will be all sorted and in use or neatly packed. I want everything else (including childhood boxes) done by the first of june. My grandmother who has been ill passed in December and we are also dealing with all of her belongings, distributing keepsakes and useful items throughout the family, and hope to be ready to sell the non-special things that no one can use in June as my town has an annual city-wide garage sale. I am having a hard time getting started, I just need to start! Maybe I also need to make some smaller goals for along the way.</p> <p>Krista, Ali, and Raisin-- thank you! I really think you are all speaking to a similar method. I never thought that fly lady was that useful for me, since I keep a very neat house and have no kids at home and could never get past shining my sink. However, now that I've wrote this whole post, I get it! Maybe Flylady's timer method is a way to get me started. Walking around with a box and plopping down any items I can immediately purge is a good way to start, as well as picking a small chunk of time each day to work on a certain area. </p> <p>Mander-- I can totally relate to the negative feelings associated with some things, and not wanting to deal with those boxes. After being out of a bad relationship for nearly two years, about a year ago I finally had the ability to go through some of the boxes of things I'd moved from that household (and not used) when I left it. I threw out a lot of keepsakes and photos from those years, because instead of happy memories they mostly reminded me of him treating me badly. It is much much better now that they aren't around, and I've found that the remainder of things from that time now can shine through and make my smile. I haven't even started on the one box of stuff left from undergrad though . . . ugh. </p> <p>I have problems with the potentially useful stuff too. I have at least a box full of office supplies that are perfectly good that I will use someday-- I just have way more than I can use now, but I feel like I can't give them up. Same with art supplies. I also have a hard time with things that are damaged, but still useful, like a kitchen spoon or spatula with a nick in it, or a comforter than has a small blemish or stain (especially if I would have to buy a new one). </p> <p>Caro-- I appreciate the idea of gathering like items together, and purging easy things and then going back for multiple passes. I wish I had a bit more space to work, but I definitely think I should use this method when I go through keepsakes and things from my childhood. I really need to get all of that stuff out and together so I can see what I have. I think once I see some of the really special things and the sheer amount I will be inspired to purge more and get it down to a really reasonable level. I think I am going to use the criteria of 1) memories attached 2) shape something is in/display possibilities 3) keeping things for future children. I am a little torn on the 3rd criteria, especially since I am not sure I want to have kids. Still, the childhood things I have from my mom were some of my most treasured. I also have quite a bit of paper-type keepsake stuff with memories, but I'm not sure those things are worth keeping in the long run. I originally thought I would scrapbook with them, but other than gifts for other people, I never scrapbooked, and I am worried about things holding up in the long run and actually damaging memories by scrapbooking, since I've gotten involved in archival work. </p> <p>Susie-- thank you so much for the link to the UnClutterer--- honestly I found it very affirming. I also love the gift guides, since my mother has hoarding tendencies and I love love love to recieve highly functional gifts, and try to give people things they are going to use. </p> <p>I definitely need to use the one in, one out method for clothes. I have a hard time purging clothes. I went through a couple years in college and right after than I never had money to replace basics that were worn out, let alone buy new occasional clothes or replace things that were in good shape but didn't work. Even though I am still low on wardrobe items, I think I've finally built myself back up to a level where I could purge without too much anxiety--- I think this would increase my happiness quotient and certainly help with space. </p> <p>I do have one problem right now that has me stalled on frequently used clutter on my surfaces, so I think I will start another thread soon and ask how people store and organize/pare down their beauty products. </p> <p>THANK YOU LADIES!!!!!!!!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-824304 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:59:36 +0000 Susie 824304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've never been much of a saver but last summer I got interested in minimalism. I'm certainly not extreme but I do feel better without clutter and with more clear surfaces.<br /> I started in one room then moved on to the next. Rather than trying to organize stuff, I focused on reducing it. </p> <p>You have to think about how many of a particular item you really need and get rid of the excess. How many sheets, towels, pots and pans, drinking glasses, utensils, picture frames, paper clips etc etc do you need? Determine that number, keep the best and toss or pass on the extras. </p> <p>You need to be careful to not let stuff grow to fill the space you have! It's ok to have empty shelves or drawers. </p> <p>The concept of one in/one out works as well for household items as it does for clothes. If you get a new set of sheets, purge an older set.</p> <p>There's a lot of good info- and a forum! - at <a href="http://unclutterer.com/" rel="nofollow">http://unclutterer.com/</a></p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-824127 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:20:57 +0000 Caro in Oz 824127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd start with the easy stuff - the broken or unused things then move through to the harder stuff.<br /> Gather all the similar things together - if you can see 25 vases it is easier to let some of them go.<br /> I think doing the de-cluttering in "sweeps" works well. Each time you come back to a group of items it gets easier to let go of the things you don't need. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-824075 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:50:35 +0000 Mander 824075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been doing this very slowly over the last couple of years. Somehow it seems that there is an incubation period necessary before I can let go of certain things. For instance, just this morning I decided to go through three boxes of notes and drafts related to my PhD thesis -- I shoved them all in a box when I finished and haven't been able to bring myself to look at them again because of all of the negative feelings associated with them, but I was able to be much more objective after a bit of time and distance. </p> <p>The same thing has been true with other more mundane stuff, even kitchen utensils. For me the big problem is letting go of things that might be "useful", even if I have not in fact used it for a long time. It is only recently that I have been able to take on board the idea that saving things but not using them is in fact a form of wastefulness, because they could be used by someone else who has a more immediate need for them, or they could be recycled, rather than sitting in my house taking up space.</p> <p>Clearing out the closet and letting go of clothes has so far proven to be the biggest challenge, though. I am still suffering from the tendency to impulse buy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822920 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:10:51 +0000 Krista 822920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll put in a second vote for Flylady!! A very useful site.</p> <p>Apartment Therapy also has some good ideas for purging, etc. - <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822719 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:33:41 +0000 Anonymous 822719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Flylady is great for that:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flylady.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flylady.net/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822693 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:04:37 +0000 Raisin 822693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been at it a long time, and I am happy to say my house is finally getting down to what I'd like it to be. I tend to just keep going over and over things, room by room. Each time I find new items I may not have considered purging before. I have become somewhat ruthless I think. Really, really consider how much you use any particular item and if you love it. Like Laurinda said, is it useful or beautiful and would you buy it again? There is SO much I would not buy again. But we learn from our mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822687 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:57:01 +0000 Astrid 822687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm decluttering right at the moment too! See also my thread here <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/home-decor-and-steps-towards-minimalism" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....minimalism</a>. </p> <p>Not sure what is especially helpful to me when it comes to decluttering, but it's already getting obvious that I have a harder time letting go of some things than others. Right at the moment my kitchen is a mess - two piles of stuff, one going to the bin and one going to the cellar. But - I have to sort through the cellar first to create some space. I think most of the things down there can go though. Maybe I will have time for that this weekend. I already decluttered a lot of my knick knacks which was surprisingly easy. I have only one box of stuff left that's sentimental, besides the stuff I'm keeping because it is useful. I already binned tons of old magazines, but I think I won't be able to size down on my books much. I also realised just an hour ago that I'm just not able to part with my stuffed animals - the boxes on my armoire will be staying there. </p> <p>Do you have a plan where you want to start? A time frame when you want to be finished? I don't really have a plan, I'm just working on it when I have time to spare and I've been at it for a week now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822662 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:29:36 +0000 Laurinda 822662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Asking</p> <p>1) Is it useful, or beautiful?</p> <p>2) Would I buy it again?</p> <p>help me. </p> <p>“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” ― William Morris</p> <p>ETA: I am no pro at purging, I tend to be very good at seeing beauty in things :*) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaningpurgingorganizing-goals#post-822638 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:01:14 +0000 Elly 822638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi ladies!</p> <p>One of my goals for 2013 (preferably during the first part of the year!) is to sort through all of my things and downsize significantly. During the last 6 years I've lived in 12 places and moved 13 or 14 times. I've had things stored here and there. For the first time in a few years everything is in the same house (although it is stored about 10 different places right now). Needless to say, I'm not even 100% sure what I have and I am sick of moving and storing things. </p> <p>Right now I have a couple applications in for permanent positions in around the region, and am currently working as an assistant to a global contractor, and am considering going back to graduate school. </p> <p>Basically, I will likely be moving or traveling and I would really like to eliminate things so I don't have to move them or asking family or my SO to store things for me. </p> <p>Any tips for purging? </p> <p>Anyone else interested in reducing clutter or what they are storing? If there are enough of us we could maybe make it a challenge!</p> <p>I'd like to keep someone abreast with my progress to keep me motivated-- </p>