CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED
I rose very early this morning and completed the emptying of the cupboard under the stairs, carrying some items into the library, and littering the kitchen surfaces with others. Take no notice of the clock. The photograph was taken a bit later.
Jackie and I then began the process outlined yesterday by
I’m a good declutterer, and willing to travel if you provide the airfare
Suggest you start with the age-old trick . . . have I used this in the last year?
Then you could move on to – if I hold on to this, will I know where I put it if I ever do need it?
The four-box method is also useful. One for must keep, one for throw, one for thrift shop, one for not sure. Repeat the process with the fourth box until there is nothing left. Then go back to the first box and re-assess your choices.
You could also create a box for items to sell if you like eBay or such sites. Or have a collection of something that will sell at auctions (eg my brother’s Dinky Toys)
If you keep “special things” because of sentimental or other reasons, make sure you use them and don’t keep them for those special occasions that never roll around.
If something is beautiful but serves no purpose, and you decide to keep it because you get pleasure from seeing it, make sure you DO have it somewhere you can see it, and not packed away in a box.
And its helpful to designate a small area at a time to work on. The old, “break the overall project into small achievable goals” strategy.
Good luck.
ps – I’ll understand if you prefer the ironing
Soon we had piles in the library and the beginnings of the most organised under the stairs cupboard ever.
Some objects, like these iron chicken doorstops bought for our Minstead flat, are destined to spend the rest of their lives as garden features.
By this evening Jackie had her kitchen back, and was able, on the hobs, to produce her tasty beef stew, boiled potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. She drank Hoegaarden, and I drank Wolf’s Leap merlot 2016. As I pulled out my dining chair, I narrowly avoiding sitting on a meat carving board destined for Oxfam that had been left thereon. Since it contained spikes that was probably just as well.
Impressive decluttering. But oh my, that kitchen looks stunning!
Thanks very much, Sandra
WOW! I wish I had the tenacity needed to declutter we have inherited so much stuff! Ugh. It’s sometimes hard to tell what’s what!!
I love your kitchen, so bright and cheery!
Blessings~
Many thanks, Robbye
You’re very welcome!
Blessings~
Good job guys!
Many thanks, Val
Some nasty wounds missed by a hairs breadth there!. 🙂
🙂 Many thanks, Widders
Such a beautiful kitchen. You’ll get many hours of joyous cooking done in this modern space.
Many thanks, Carol
Derrick, I can personally relate to the decluttering. Have fond memories of doing just that in our former Dallas home.
Thanks a lot, Gary
Well done! My last house was ten times bigger than my current home so I had to do a lot of letting go. That was almost 20 years ago so perhaps I should think about sorting again – just thinking…
🙂 Thanks very much, Mary
I’m a big decluttering fan and tend to do it annually – it keeps the house clean and tidy, allows the air to move and takes a huge weight off! And, you know, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure…… or woman’s of course 🙂 The kitchen looks so very nice – I bet it’s a complete joy to work in!
Very many thanks, Pauline. I hope you are not missing your friends too much
It was a delightful time and we have pictures – I can’t be sad, it was such a treat!!
🙂
Lucky the meat carving board didn’t get you. I’m in the process of decluttering. It’s a slow process for me.
The pressure was on. We’re having a full house today. Thanks a lot, Peggy
Enjoy! Your efforts and monies are now ready for your enjoyment.
Thanks very much, Pamela
That would have made a pointed end to a productive day.
Sharp comment, Roland. Many thanks
What a beautiful kitchen! Must be wonderful for Jackie. Sounds like the decluttering is a great success.
At the moment it is. We still have to get rid of the stuff 🙂 Many thanks, Laurie
You’ve inspired me to get moving with my own decluttering 🙂
🙂 Sorry about that, Rosaliene! Thanks very much
Hey! I could use this!
I thought of you all the time, Leslie. 🙂 Thanks a lot
Ack! I’m glad you missed that meat carving board, Derrick! I love to declutter and donate. The kitchen looks so beautiful and my Derek agrees!
Many thanks to you both, Jill.
I love how your kitchen turned out. It’s so lovely
Many thanks, Arlene
Better to have piles in the library methinks.
How painful, Brian. Thanks for that
I try to avoid piles as far as possible. ?
and why wouldn’t you?
Good post!
It almost inspired me to clean out my hall closet.
Then, thank god, I came to my senses.
(:
I wish I had, Claire Marie. 🙂 Thanks very much
That is one very fine kitchen!!! I know you will enjoy it. I would for sure!!! 🙂 <3
Thanks very much, Natalie
You’re most welcome my friend???
A new kitchen is a great incentive to have a clear out. Stocking our new cupboards last week we came across a jar of something with a best before date of 2004 which means it had moved house with us twice in 2011 and 2017. It won’t be moving house with us again!
It’ll probably lead the way, Andrew. 🙂 Many thanks
You could launch an inter-galactic enterprise from that kitchen! As for the failed effort to occupy the meat carving table, it is a manifestation of the illicit desire to hoard the impossible. You have been warned…
🙂 I’ll take that to heart when we finally get rid of stuff. Thanks very much, Uma
?
Uma, you are brilliant, I always look forward to your comments!
That’s a delicious compliment, Jackie!
You are an impressive declutterer, Derrick. I do need to do this here, but somehow I never get to it. 🙂 I’m glad you didn’t impale yourself.
The kitchen looks stunning!
Many thanks, Merril 🙂
Don’t you sometimes wonder why you bought that thing in the first place?
Thanks very much, Ronnie. Certainly do 🙂
This is inspiring me to clean up my daughter’s room now that she has left for University. Glad you avoided the spikes of the meat carving board!
Thanks very much, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
I have a wicked case of kitchen envy.
🙂 Many thanks, Susanne
The kitchen looks so bright and roomy well done ? I also enjoyed your purging tips you and your readers may enjoy a similar post on kitchen declutter
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/2016/04/10/painful-kitchen-drawer-clean-out/
Thanks a lot, msw. Great drawer story
Wow! What a difference!
Thanks very much, Cathi
So glad my comments were of help, and that you avoided a close shave. Next stop, the thrift shop.
Thanks again, Gwen
Your kitchen is lovely and oh so cheery! And yes to decluttering, but what a pain.
Many thanks, Cheryl. It just showed us what is long overdue
The kitchen looks lovely, Derrick and Jackie!
Decluttering is something I need to do here too. 🙂
I am following Gwendoline now.
Many thanks, Lavinia. Gwen is very good value
Thank you. I appreciate that and hope some of my posts are of interest.
They will be
Both bloggers gave amazing hints! This was such a lovely way to get going. The four boxes method and have we used it lately were both a combination of practical and realistic purging strategies. . .
My own choices hingeon mainly, “Will the kids ever use it?” and
“Will they appreciate the history?”
Thank goodness, you didn’t sit on the spikes! Yikes! ?
Many thanks, Robin
Beautiful kitchen ?. And I’m impressed by your decluttering strategies.
Many thanks, Helen
I had to search back through the posts to see how the kitchen turned out!!! It’s lovely. I hope the culinary queen is happy!
She certainly is Lisa. Many thanks