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[eurydice72]

I had two...I wouldn't call them resolutions, but points of action I was going to take for the new year. One was a weekly clearout, something I read about last year that I never got around to doing where in an attempt to declutter your lives, you do it in manageable doses. You get rid of 7 items a week - 7 books, 7 CD's, 7 items of clothing, etc

Comments

[teragramm]

Fixing up my house and getting rid of clutter are two things on my "to do" list this year too. I have already started the clean up clutter phase and gave 3 boxes to charity. If there is no place in your area to donate things why don't you try freecycle? There should be a branch in your area. Chech them out:
http://www.freecycle.org/

Freecycle doesn't work for everything you have to get rid of but it could work for some of the things. Let me know if it works for you.

[eurydice72]

I need to look into that. Someone else on my flist talked about that months ago, and I'd totally forgotten. Thank you!

[teragramm]

There is also Paperback swap http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php to get rid of book and trade them in for more. They don't always have all titles but I use it when there is a series I want to try but don't want to lay out my money. It is a good way to recycle.

[eurydice72]

Believe it or not, I'm not overloaded on books. We did a massive clearout when we moved back to the US in '04. But I'm going to bookmark that anyway, for when it gets too crazy again.

[annie_bee]

What about freecycle? We have one here, I'd be shocked if you all don't. It's great...I arrange with someone who wants my crap to pick it up. I just leave it on the doorstep. Also, many charities will pick stuff up from you, too, if you give them a call.

Good luck with your resolutions. I need to clean out this place, too. I'm just thrilled I'm ready for the new academic year tomorrow. :)

[eurydice72]

teragramm suggested that, and I checked - we do have one in our area. I'm going to start using it next weekend, once I have a better handle on how things are organized.

[slaymesoftly]

Allotting a specific amount of time to work on something (as opposed to "I'm going to finish this today!") I've found works really well for me. I block out a time slot - 30 min/45/ 1 hour - whatever I think I can spare without neglecting something else; and then I work on the project for that amount of time only. Not only do I get a lot more done, I'm frequently surprised to find that the job has been finished before the time is up. Turns out that things I'd been putting off because they looked tedious and/or time consuming, often aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. And, if they are it doesn't matter because I'm allowed to stop before I get sick of them. Just started this system several months ago and when I remember to use it, it works great.

Don't know what to tell you about the co-worker who sleeps all day, though...LOL

[eurydice72]

That kind of scheduling only works for me on the weekends, unfortunately. During the week, there are too many other factors that can completely throw me off, like how Craig can get derailed at work at the last minute and then not come in the door until after the kids are in bed, etc. I get a lot of other stuff done during the week around the rest of my life at least. Just not the big stuff or constructional things.

[missus_grace]

You're killing me with these early morning rises, and I'm just reading about them. Hope all goes back to normal soon.

Craig sounds a bit like my hubby - he's currently napping, which is okay because the boys are napping, too, and he did wait until my baking was done. However, the dishes are dirty and I thought I'd do my computer time instead of vacuuming or cleaning the kitchen. I'll wait until he and the boys are awake and he can watch them while I work!

I like your de-cluttering idea. I think we'll try it.

[eurydice72]

I think Pepper wants things back to normal soon, too, lol.

The decluttering idea worked wonders for the people who stuck to it last year. Considering how much stuff we have, and how I really need to get rid of most of it - sometimes I really hate what a consumable society we are - I'm going to do everything I can to stick with it. 7 items a weeks isn't nearly as daunting. :)