spring cleaning

[Miranda]

Just finished a couple books lately. One of which was this book about cleaning up your excess junk. Good topic for spring cleaning.

"Clutter Busting" by Brooks Palmer. http://clutterbusting.com/Home.html

Wow, turned out to be way more than what I thought. Probably one of the best books I've ever read. The crux of the book is that all external clutter in your life stems from internal clutter. Really good.

Kids are home on spring break this week. Think I'm ready to system purge:cool:. Oh... but the ground in dirt in my suv is going to the detail shop... it's beyound laymen help:o lol.

[marni]

years ago a very wise older woman and weaving and handspinning mentor started telling me to ""burn the dogs" at least once a year. In this context a "dog" is a handweaving or handspinning project which is not going anywhere, is occupying space on the loom, bobbins on the spinning wheel, room on the spindle shaft and is drawing psychic energy from you. The idea is to undo it, take it off, rip it out and get rid of them.

I have extended that to become my spring cleaning ritual. I go through the house and try to get rid of at least 10% of the stuff, by giving it to charity, the library, another spinner, a beginning biker, the food pantry etc.

It gives you a tremendous feeling of lightness and freedom. Sometimes, at least as far as fiber goes, I do it several times a year.

[Miranda]

years ago a very wise older woman and weaving and handspinning mentor started telling me to ""burn the dogs" at least once a year. In this context a "dog" is a handweaving or handspinning project which is not going anywhere, is occupying space on the loom, bobbins on the spinning wheel, room on the spindle shaft and is drawing psychic energy from you. The idea is to undo it, take it off, rip it out and get rid of them.

I have extended that to become my spring cleaning ritual. I go through the house and try to get rid of at least 10% of the stuff, by giving it to charity, the library, another spinner, a beginning biker, the food pantry etc.

It gives you a tremendous feeling of lightness and freedom. Sometimes, at least as far as fiber goes, I do it several times a year.

That is an excellent analogy! You can actually hire the author to help clutter bust your home. When he goes to someone's home he assumes about 75% of the items they own are no longer of current use to them. I think once you get to a point that you have order, oncce a year of purging out is great maintenance. Before I read this book, I actually started the process. So true, it does feel absolutly freeing!:)

[Catrin]

I did this when I moved in October - though it wasn't intentional. I just hate moving and got rid of a lot of stuff that I hadn't used in a long time so I wouldn't have to move it. I've noted that it is much easier to keep THIS apartment in order :o :D

[Miranda]

I did this when I moved in October - though it wasn't intentional. I just hate moving and got rid of a lot of stuff that I hadn't used in a long time so I wouldn't have to move it. I've noted that it is much easier to keep THIS apartment in order :o :D

Ha... YES... when you have less stuff, it's less to clean and keep up with too:).

[Jolt]

I did this when I moved in October - though it wasn't intentional. I just hate moving and got rid of a lot of stuff that I hadn't used in a long time so I wouldn't have to move it. I've noted that it is much easier to keep THIS apartment in order :o :D

That's what I'm working on right now--will be moving soon and am trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff I haven't used so I don't have to move it. And I am hoping to have an easier time keeping clutter from building up in the new place...

[malkin]

We're planning a move too, but over the weekend we decided to keep a bunch of the 'get rid of' items and have a grand garage sale/ party to meet the neighbors when we get there.

I'm sure it won't seem like such a grand idea when we have to CARRY all those boxes of stuff we don't want.

[ASammy1]

We are currently in the process of moving (3rd one in just over a year :eek:) and I have purged so much "stuff." It feels so good to just get rid of the clutter.

Last year I discovered Fly Lady (flylady.net) and it has truly changed my life.

[emily_in_nc]

Last year I discovered Fly Lady (flylady.net) and it has truly changed my life.

I have an online friend who does that, but it's so perky it kinda rubs me the wrong way.

[Miranda]

I went to the Fly Lady web site and watched her for a few minutes. Wow, that IS perky lol. I think anything that helps you unlock the tools you already possess is a good thing ultimately.

Going thru my own clutter, the thing that blows my mind now after the fact is, what was I thinking at the time? How did I ever get this much stuff? Gheez, lol.

Even going to the store and looking at the shelves at how many choices we have of the same item is almost disturbing lol. Yikes, how many do we really need? But, that's marketing though:rolleyes:.

[emily_in_nc]

Even going to the store and looking at the shelves at how many choices we have of the same item is almost disturbing lol. Yikes, how many do we really need? But, that's marketing though:rolleyes:.

ITA. This is one thing I'm actually looking forward to when we move to Belize -- less choice. Yes, it will be occasionally frustrating that certain things simply aren't available there, or are much more expensive in the US; but it's gotten to the point here that there is just SO MUCH available to be purchased that I get overloaded and just shut down sometimes. I can't even deal with malls anymore at all. Complete sensory overload. I'm convinced that's why I do most of my shopping online.

Sometimes less really is more.

[ASammy1]

I have an online friend who does that, but it's so perky it kinda rubs me the wrong way.

Ha! You're so right about that, but I was desperate for some order. I only get the emails now and that keeps me on track ;)

[Irulan]

I have an online friend who does that, but it's so perky it kinda rubs me the wrong way.

eh take what you like and leave rest.
I did the 30 day baby steps program, and some reminders, and left the rest. I learned some really great new habit about decluttering and daily cleaning rituals that changed my life (cleaner and more organized)

[marni]

Of course the fact that we have been married 36 years and moved 14 times, 6 of them international and or overseas so we were pretty streamlined when we arrived here five years ago, but it does take eternal vigilence and frequent "dog burning".

[emily_in_nc]

...but it does take eternal vigilence and frequent "dog burning".

:eek: :confused: :eek:

[marni]

burning the dogs is an (I think) scandanavian expression for burning bits and pieces of useless detritus- originally used in reference to weaving and fiber work, but also part of my yearly spring cleaning, clearing the house, cleanising operations.

[malkin]

I'm just wandering around here and humming..

Buy! Buy says the junk in the shop window
Why? Why says the junk in the yard...

[celticgarden]

years ago a very wise older woman and weaving and handspinning mentor started telling me to ""burn the dogs" at least once a year. In this context a "dog" is a handweaving or handspinning project which is not going anywhere, is occupying space on the loom, bobbins on the spinning wheel, room on the spindle shaft and is drawing psychic energy from you. The idea is to undo it, take it off, rip it out and get rid of them.

I have extended that to become my spring cleaning ritual. I go through the house and try to get rid of at least 10% of the stuff, by giving it to charity, the library, another spinner, a beginning biker, the food pantry etc.

It gives you a tremendous feeling of lightness and freedom. Sometimes, at least as far as fiber goes, I do it several times a year.

Ahhh, same for knitting although it's "destash" or RIP WIPs.

Feng Shui subscribes to the concept of accumulating stuff = blocking energy, to the detriment of your health, wealth and happiness! I read a fun little book called "Move your stuff Change your life" and have to agree that decluttering is a way to free up feelings.

I have only recently started to act on this though. Something about Spring can bring on a fit of getting sh*t done. Cleaned out a ton of stuff from the basement last weekend and donated much to Goodwill. Cleaned out the garden shed, a closet. I think it has to do with the kids being older and that in and of itself is a joy.

As for fiber, well, when the economy was good I accumulated a lifetime (so it seems) supply of yarn. Think I'll keep that :-) And the back issues of Organic Gardening mag (from the McGrath years).

happy decluttering.

[Miranda]

ITA. This is one thing I'm actually looking forward to when we move to Belize -- less choice. Yes, it will be occasionally frustrating that certain things simply aren't available there, or are much more expensive in the US; but it's gotten to the point here that there is just SO MUCH available to be purchased that I get overloaded and just shut down sometimes. I can't even deal with malls anymore at all. Complete sensory overload. I'm convinced that's why I do most of my shopping online.

Sometimes less really is more.

YES!...
Omg, that is so true. I acutally find comfort in looking at my one certain kind of Terry bike shorts I wear for teaching class. I have 5 pairs of the exact same thing lined up in a row in my closet. Outta clean bike shorts, time to do laundry. That's pretty much the only thinking they require. I rarely go to the mall; it makes my head wanna blow up lol:o.

[Miranda]

I'm just wandering around here and humming..

Buy! Buy says the junk in the shop window
Why? Why says the junk in the yard...

Ha, ha... I hear ya... that's one of the things the author talks about in his book. Now I can't quite look at stuff in the store the same. Actually, I've kinda stopped going so much. If I would just eat less while I'm at home, vs being out shopping, I'd have it made lol:rolleyes:.