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June 4, 2008 at 8:49 pm #587122
nkraftMemberI am moving next month and am overwhelmed with ’empty nest syndrome’ and all that comes with raising two kids for 20 years….! I NEED HELP getting organized!
Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?
Thank you!
“Drowning in Clutter”
June 4, 2008 at 8:57 pm #626472
SueParticipantI’m the clutter queen so I can’t personally help, but one of the WSB sponsors, Clutter Caddy, might be able to: https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=7314
June 4, 2008 at 9:34 pm #626473
nkraftMemberThank you so much! Has anyone actually used the Clutter Caddy? Any reviews?
June 4, 2008 at 9:47 pm #626474
KatMemberYes! Pamela from Clutter Caddy is GREAT! I was literally drowning in clutter from years of accumulation — my last movers even threatened never to come back!
In a short period of time, Pamela helped me find my way out so now I can use all of the rooms in my apartment, I can have guests over without embarassment, and eventually I will be able to move again without worrying about moving all of that stuff. It’s wonderful! Do give her a call!
June 4, 2008 at 9:48 pm #626475
karenParticipantStart each room with three bags or boxes. One for garbage, one for recycle and one for Goodwill. Quickly go through the room and pick up all the things that fall into those catagories. You will be amazed at how satisfying just doing that will be and it will give you the will to keep going!
After that, I usually go to the “projects”, am I really going to learn cross stitch? That blouse that needs a button has needed it for three years, do I really want twelve rolls of contact paper?
Also, only keep what you really love. I had knick knacks everywhere. Turns out, I really didn’t like a lot of them. I had kept them because they were a gift or I’d liked them at one time but had outgrown them. Same for clothes, books, dishes, music, whatever. Yeah, I know – but you might want it later. True, you might but realistically – probably not.
As you fill the bags – remove them from the house so you won’t be tempted to go through them again. You’ll get a lot accomplished this way.
Now, if I could only follow my own advice!
June 4, 2008 at 9:52 pm #626476
GinaParticipantThis company http://www.eliminatechaos.com/ is working with a friend of mine. Their rates are about $100 an hour.
I like to use the “Clean Sweep” method, myself.
If I’m not using it now, pass it along. Have a designated box for keepsakes that are of no use, but you can’t bring yourself to toss.
One item in the house, one item out to charity.
Everything you are keeping for someone else–time to give it back to them.
June 4, 2008 at 11:54 pm #626477
nkraftMemberThanks, everyone! I will start this weekend and will call Clutter Caddy as well. For sure, I am going to need help with this mess! I wonder if I can get the kids to come back and get their stuff? ha-ha!
June 5, 2008 at 1:33 am #626478
amydunnParticipantHaha! Good luck with the de-cluttering…that is always a tedious job!
June 5, 2008 at 2:21 am #626479
ellenaterMemberThree other tips:
1) Have a trusted friend there to help push you along
2) Have a box for things you can’t part with but know you should get rid of. Put the box away for a few weeks and then try to name what’s in there. You get to keep what you can name.
3) Remember that you kept the stuff for reasons, probably emotional and that you will feel sad but that you are clearing space for new things in your life.
Good luck!!!
June 5, 2008 at 2:39 am #626480
seattlesueMemberMoral support is the best. It is nice to have an objective opinion on things. One of best quotes I have ever heard on one of those organization shows is, “People aren’t things”. Don’t hang onto something just because it was a gift. Something that took me a long time to learn…
June 5, 2008 at 3:52 am #626481
amydunnParticipantGood advice Sue, it is always best to have another perspective and someone who isn’t attached to the goods. I had to do the same thing for my mom jsut recently, it’s hard but refreshing to let go.
June 5, 2008 at 5:13 am #626482
SueParticipantOne thing that helped me once – I had a bunch of stuff I was holding onto because it was sentimental. I then read that you could take photos of those things and they take up less space than the actual item. That was a perfect suggestion for most of the items – I had the photo and the memories, but didn’t have to have the actual item anymore. Of course my home is still a clutter nightmare, but perhaps a bit less so than it was. :)
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