101 things to tell yourself to put your house in order

[LBR]

I've been getting moved in, cleaning, repairing, gardening, and putting order here and there, in fits and spurts. I would like to get going on this more thoroughly and more consistently.

Anyone else need to get their domicile in better order?

1. It really would be all right to enjoy some space in my own house!
2. I'm not obliged to keep something just because I've moved it halfway around the world, twice.
3. I still love my mother (insert whomever here) even if I don't keep that letter, photo, sauce pan, or whatever.
4. Just because I paid good money for it doesn't mean I can't give it away.

[invisiblepiper]

Hi LBR!
5. Get a copy of Don Aslett's 'Freedom from Clutter' - (Brilliant)

[LBR]

InvisiblePiper, I just might check the interlibrary loan. I'm on the buy-no-new-things-for-a-year plan. It's great. It keeps me from buying books. It's such a relief. I really enjoy such annually-renewable projects.

Meanwhile, I've taken three huge bags to the dumpster (skip) today, made stacks of books to take to churches, the laundry-mat, sell to book shops, etc. Have got my smaller bedroom empty enough to have my sleeping mat in there, when I want to sleep on the floor. I sometimes miss that.

It's great to have more boxes unpacked, the items getting closer to their rightful places, and trash gone! Only a few boxes left to unpack.

[invisiblepiper]

If you cannot find it - I have a copywhich I know by heart! I don't know what it would cost to send to the States - but if not prohibitive you may have it - let me check.
This is actually a clever way for ME to get rid of stuff by sending it to you!!!!

[snapdragon]

6. Tell the kids to come and collect or dispose of the stuff they left here ten yeras ago
7. Tell OH to recycle the newspaper on a Daily Basis - not keep them for a week or more just because the crossword isn't finished
8. I Will get brave enough to make curtains out of that fabric that my lovely friend gave me
9. I will also make felt out of some of the fleece and make nice thick curtain lining
10. I Must freecycle the rugs currently rolled up in the corner of the room

[LBR]

InvisiblePiper, thanks for the offer. I've requested a copy through interlibrary loan. There ought to be a copy within their reach.

Snapdragon: can you post how to make the felt from fleece for curtain lining?

11. Tell myself, that space to walk, to find things, to look at, is worth pressing on!

[snapdragon]

.............Snapdragon: can you post how to make the felt from fleece for curtain lining? ..

Certainly soon as I crack it So far the plan is to use one of those grass sunbathing mats to wet felt it, I think I may need some Mongols with horses

[invisiblepiper]

InvisiblePiper, thanks for the offer. I've requested a copy through interlibrary loan.

Even better - one of the points made in the book is that you don't need to own books - cos libraries are so flexible1
Enjoy

[Annpan]

12. I have used this mantra, whenever I have had a big clearout
"Is it useful?, is it beautiful?, does it hold immense emotional significance?"

Also the 'emotional significance' box has got smaller and smaller over the years. We now have only a shoe box each. Soon mine shall be empty as it holds unfinished dolls-house furniture that my Dad made for me (he died when I was 4) - now I'll finish it for him, and pass it on to my daughter.

[LBR]

Annpan, I have the same three questions, worded slightly differently. If I wait long enough, the "out" pile gets much easier.

I'm glad you're finishing the dolls for your daughter. That's lovely.

[MuddyWitch]

Thought I re-open this thread as the New Year approaches & I remember writing these two motos on my calender back in 1978, promising to be tidier

Don't put it down, put it away

Never leave a room empty-handed, (there's always summat that needs to go where you're going, especially in our house!)

My OH has just added; It's not recycled if it just sits by the front door!!!

MW

[earthmotherwithin]

If you haven't used it in past 12 months, you don't need it now

[the.fee.fairy]

sell stuff on Ebay or similar. It gets quite addictive after a while when you actually start making some money!

I've got to get rid of some cr4p that's been lying around for years. I'm desperate to decorate and move my room round, but i can't until i've moved enough stuff to actuall turn round in it...

Maybe when i'm off work next i'll see what i can do!

[LBR]

Am still on the "one in, two out" policy. More space is appearing in the house. Yippee!

[invisiblepiper]

Yep - having a mega clear out myself this year! sadly that also includes the last teenager to leave home - not that we are 'clearing' her out!
Considering opening as a B&B.