One of my goals for the upcoming year is to de-clutter the house. We have lived here for 8 years and over the years we have done a fine job of bringing things IN but not a great job of brining things OUT of the house. The result is that junk was starting to pile up.
The first job was the pantry. Actually, it's half of the linen closet but it's so large that we use half of it as a pantry. Things had gotten so bad in there that we had taken to stuffing boxes, bags, and jars in anywhere. The result was that I never could find a damn thing.
Things reached a crisis when I was unable to find lentils that I KNEW were in the pantry so I went out and bought more - only to find 7 bags of lentils whilst looking for the chicken stock that I couldn't find . . . so I went out and purchased stock only to find 8 cartons while looking for the olive oil . . . You get it.
This is the before shot:
This is the after shot - 4 large bags of garbage later. . . $ 100 spent on special containers for things to keep it neat and tidy. I discoverd more lentils, dried beans, and pasta than I knew was possible to own. Some things in the pantry had expired 4 years ago!!! Apparently I need to do this more often.
With it being garbage and recycling this morning I went a bit crazy yesterday. I had piles of magazines that I was saving to make a particular recipe one day. I rarely did it though since I get most of my recipe sonline. Out they went - more than 100 of them.
Poor Paul almost had a seizure carrying them all downstairs to put out to the curb.
Today I defrosted and cleaned out 2 freezers. Another garbage bag full.
Believe it or not but this is just a wee start . . .
Feels good though but now methinks it is time for a nap!
Bravo! I'm going to do the same. Inspiring. One drawer, one closet at a time...
Posted by: Barb Cabot | January 06, 2012 at 12:49 AM
I desperately need to follow in your de-cluttering footsteps. You have inspired me!
PS - Check your entry title.
Posted by: nancyhol | January 06, 2012 at 11:28 AM
That is a good start. Amazing how fast things build up!
Posted by: sandrac | January 07, 2012 at 04:05 AM
Thanks Nancy - all better now! :-)
I think de-cluttering would be a whole lot easier if I were to take a few months off of work. This is hard labour!
Posted by: JDeQ | January 07, 2012 at 05:50 AM
I want to do the cluttering but I am way too lazy to even start and Lord knows this place needs it! You are amazing!
Posted by: Eden | January 07, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Jerry, I started de-cluttering last year and do you know what? I'm not done! I started with under every sink, moved on to the pantry, and now I'm working on the closets. What a great feeling…..I hope to constantly de-clutter simply from the way that it helps me feel about my surroundings! I hope that you enjoy the process and results too.
Posted by: Roz | January 07, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Eden - you'll have all of the time in teh world soon. LOL
Roz - I could spend an entire year and still not be done as well!!! I haven't contemplated doing the basement. ARGH
Posted by: JDeQ | January 12, 2012 at 08:11 PM