I've finally made some progress decluttering, but it took me years to figure out how to do it. The problem was me. I was hanging on to things for sentimental reasons, or what if I need it someday reasons. Not anymore. If an item isn't bringing me joy or being useful right this very minute out it goes. I've been working on the cloths as I put away the laundry. The things that just sit there and don't get worn or aren't my size right now get put into a bag and walked directly to my truck. The same with "things." I was keeping things because I hung on to them for so long. Some of the things were adorable, yet they sat in a storage box. I don't want storage boxes taking up my room anymore. I donate them to the salvation army. I have to admit, sometimes when I'm dropping off, I take a walk through and pick up a few things for me, but the new things are things I want in my life right now and I have a use for. Don't be afraid to let things go. Start with the things you have been storing or haven't used for a long time. The very fact that you haven't put your hands on them is proof that you don't need them. Just my opinion, but having garage sales prolongs this process. I think it's easier to fill the truck and drop them off.

Yikes I'm in the same boat as you are. I've been cleaning all week this week. As soon as DS wakes up he messes everything up again. Its a never ending problem but thank godness DH helps out with the kitchen and the living room.

Allgirls, I have a question for you.

Are you bringing more "stuff" in replacing all the other "stuff" you are de-cluttering? Are you still shopping for things you don't need? You might want to examine that aspect of downsizing. About a year and a half ago when I started my MAJOR de-cluttering, I was still shopping and bringing just as much crap in as I was sending out. Luckily, I only did it for a month or so before I realized what was going on and stopped it.

If that isn't part of your problem, I agree with the other posters who wrote to pick a small area and just go to it. It could be a room, an area of the house, a dresser or closet, or even just one drawer.

Don't get discouraged! It feels so good to get rid of the junk!

I use the Flylady system too...sort of! I read her book and website about 3 years ago and over time, I have created all of my own routines and ways of doing things. But she was definitely the "boost" I needed to figure out a plan for myself. Like you, I was really mad because it seemed like all my friends could take their kids to the pool every day in the summer and I always wondered when they did any housework (but of course, they had immaculate homes!). Now, I do a little housework (actually cleaning) for a few minutes each morning and a little decluttering in the afternoon, and the house stays in decent-enough shape for unexpected visitors. We're having a party next weekend, and I will definitely spend a couple of hours on Saturday getting things company-ready for 25 people, but that is waaayyy better than a few years ago when it would take me 6 hours or more!

One piece of advice I have is to get the kids involved!! I don't know how old yours are, but really starting at 3 or 4 they can do some chores that actually help you out. I have a 10yo, a 9yo and a 1yo - all boys. The older two have a morning routine checklist that (for the summer) includes one chore a day. This summer, I am teaching them to vacuum so on Thursdays they each have 2 rooms to vacuum (I rotate which rooms each week). I'm also teaching them how to fold laundry (Fridays) and continuing some chores they have been doing for a year or two, such as cleaning the sinks/toilets (Tuesdsays), dusting a few rooms (Wednesdays) and organizing their own play areas (Mondays).

Mine started dusting when they were about 5 - they LOVE feather dusters and the long-handled swiffer duster. The bonus was that I realized it was too difficult for them to dust if there were lots of knick-knacks on the shelves, so I got rid of those and I like the look of my living spaces SOOO much better now! They started learning how to clean the bathrooms at around 6 or 7. They have put away their own folded laundry since they were about 5 or 6. They empty the dishwasher, set the table, clear the table and put their own dishes in the dishwasher.

If yours are too young for any of that, then the best thing is to think of creative ways to occupy them while YOU are doing a half-hour of work in the morning and a half-hour of work in the afternoon. Starting at around 2, I would give mine a stepstool and a few water toys and fill the kitchen sink with bubbly water and let them stand there and play while I cleaned out the refrigerator and wiped down the kitchen, etc. I cleaned the bathrooms while they were taking a bath. I dusted while they were strapped into their high chairs for morning/afternoon snack time.

Hope that helps.

I know completing one room at a time shows immediate satisfaction. For me it works better if I go through all rooms and start with things that are garbage (broken, stained, papers, etc) Once all the trash items are cleared out I can then start seeing what I have left and the de-trashing leaves space for the remaining clutter to be organized into the room it belongs. Also, don't be discouraged if it gets better before it gets worse. Sometimes when you start the "tearing out" things can look worse until you get it all sorted out. You will find the more sorting you do the more what was once a precious gem will begin to look like garbage! For me anyway, because once you get fed up with sorting, throwing more away will seem like a muuuuuuch better idea.

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Kristy

Put on some upbeat music for a bit of distraction, find a box for goodwill stuff, a bag for trash and a laundry basket for things that need to find a home somewhere in the house. Pick a spot, take a deep breath, and dig in. That's the only way I can get going when I start to get overwhelmed.

I DO NOT recommend any outside help for decluttering... That opens up the opportunity for all sorts of guilt trips 'but I gave you that' 'but that's been in the family' 'but you might be able to use that sometime down the line'. I will declutter with DH but then again he's pretty much on board with it.

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:love:

i can so relate to feeling overwhelmed with clutter. I live in a very old house with no closets, no counter space and not much storage. it is so very hard to stay organized. My dh is a packrat and no matter how much clutter I get rid of, he will refill the space with something else. I am constantly trying to de-clutter and organize but feel I am fighting an losing battle. I am planning on a yard sale in a week or two and I bet it is all my stuff that goes into the sale and none of his. My kids have been told that anything of theirs that sells in the sale they can keep the money from and that is certainly motivating them. We are just stuffed to the brim in this house. It is hard to stay motivated when I am the only one who seems to care and then I spend all my time working while everyone else is out playing and having fun. I need to find a balance. It also does not help that I am a home daycare provider and need to keep things fairly neat as I have children here every day. I will be watching these posts for ideas and suggestions!

Cleaning isn't a problem or having the kids help clean, which they all do.

Actually bringing in outside help was better for me. I had to dedicate the time to declutter. The kids wil be in VBS next week and I plan on tackling alot then. So far I have gotten rid of alot already.

Spoodler, I think I was bringing in more stuff at first. Then when I started seeing the clutter accummulate, I stopped. I haven't purchased any clothes for the kids in at least 3 months.

I think part of decluttering, for me anyways, depends on how I'm feeling. If I'm feeling low then it takes a bigger emotional toll. I have started to garden when I feel low/overwhelmed and when I am feeling good I declutter. So far it's been working. My gardens are looking good and stuff is leaving the house.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls