February
11
Taming the Junk
We tend to keep a minimal amount of stuff in our home for a variety of reasons but mostly because we find clutter stressful. During deadlines or periods of high demand for our time, however, the piles start breeding. It stresses Bill and me out. It doesn’t help that our daughter is a pack-rat by nature. I like Fly Lady’s strategy of “start with the kitchen sink.” She advises that if you do nothing else, keep the kitchen sink clean. I also love her idea to set a timer and see how many things you can sort into throw away/give away/recycle in 30 minutes. She also advises to focus on one room at a time. So be advised living room. Today is your day!
yes. it's my real name. 
Oh I am so bad at this! A pack rat by nature too, so Sophie is in very good company. I have been trying to figure out how to get better at letting all the stuff go…..ideas?
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Yes! Think about how much easier life would be without all of that stuff taking up so much room in your head and life. Put a bunch of stuff that you don’t think you really need in a box and write the date 6 months from now with Throw Away on 8/11/15. If you want anything from that box in the next 6 months, get it out. If not, throw the whole thing away. Don’t even look at it. Think also about what you’d replace if you lost all of your belongings. Most of that stuff is just a burden. I promise you it would be a relief if most of it just disappeared.
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I couldn’t agree more! Small bursts work great (10 minute ones here help the kids get involved in picking up clutter and it makes a big big difference!). And I also agree that when the house is falling apart, if I clean the kitchen sink, it saves my sanity and somehow makes the house 50%better! It’s nice to remember that it’s normal to struggle staying on top of things.
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