Sunday 4 January 2015

It was the night before work


And all through the house, everyone was stirring, but thankfully - no mouse. 

It's universal, right? 

On the eve of  your holidays being done and dusted, there's an anxiety about the year ahead. 

Who wouldn't love to run off to Majorca and spend their days swimming laps at their leisure, keeping up to date with best-selling books, and with the only problem in life being a tan line. 

GAH! 

I have had such beautiful, long, lazy weeks at home since Christmas. Nothing too decadent. Instead I've been making piles of stuff around the house:

- charity
- hand-me-downs
- garbage
- tidy away
- craft drawer

It might not look like it, but I have spent many hours sorting through stuff. Trying not to be sentimental. I've been ruthless with artworks, but kids clothes and books is what I find difficult. I am attached to my children's old clothes and books. 


It's ridiculous I know. I try and just keep a couple of bits, but it's hard. I don't know how to do better. 

Anyway, hi ho, hi ho, back to work I go - tomorrow, so game over with my tidy town. But in the meantime, if you've got any ruthless, low-down, dirty tactics I can apply to my downsizing attempt at decluttering - I am all ears (and my husband will thank you!).

How can I do better? 

9 comments:

Toni Brockliss said...

I love my bits and bobs. My thingamejigs and my whatsits.....but I have been so inspired by the tiny house movement over the past year that I have slowly been changing the way I view my/our stuff.
There are so wonderful books and documentaries about it.....even joining a Pintrest board will start your interest in changing purchases and the way you live.
It's not about being ruthless (space bags for baby clothes, taking pictures of your things and making memory books, storing books on a kindle, capsule wardrobes.......) but it's about making you stop and think about buying something or doing things a better way.
I really like how the tiny house movement makes me think about the environment, appreciating living in the now, realising that memories are not in things or possessions but live in us and the people we love.
I have waffled to long.....but if it can make me (clothes loving, granny tea cup horder, former librarian with oodles of books) change then it must be pretty good.
xx

katiecrackernuts said...

A good clear out is good for the soul, the house, the people you live with - sure. But don't chuck anything you're not ready to. You will be ready to chuck it one day, and that will be the right day to send it on or out. Happy back to work for you. I'm back today too: on the train coming in right now.

Sonia@ LIfe Love and Hiccups said...

I am simply ruthless when it comes to clearing out... although I have to be in the right frame of mind... like seriously pissed of with being surrounded by too much crap :) God luck back at work hun and I hope this year ahead is the most awesome one yet for you xx

Lexi Kentmann said...

Thank you beautiful woman, you are ace. I am slowing decluttering, but taking it slowly. x

CB said...

Simple, yet effective!

Go through the pile and sort out what you want to keep, then go through the keep pile once or twice more and continue to cull it every time you go through it. That way you will only keep the essential items you are really attached to.

I just did it for my younger daughters clothes and went from a full box, to half a box. Much more manageable :)

Lexi Kentmann said...

How's your week going?


Kate, thanks for your kind, thoughtful, gentle words. I really, really appreciate them. And you. x

Lexi Kentmann said...

HI TONI!!! How are you girlfriend? I agree, but letting go of some of my stuff pains me. I know it's so ridiculous and I am really trying. It's not even that I am buying stuff, it's just - I have stuff!! I am a collector. GAH!!

Toni Brockliss said...

Lex I am craptastic at the mo. Kids have whooping cough (I thought immunisations covered all that), we saved all year for a holiday and had to come home early, I did a full shopping yesterday and my pin wasn't activated on my new card and I had to slink out, I have a pimple you can see from the space station and I dropped my car key down a grate in the carpark and had to fish it out with a stick. Flamin' heck this new year is ridiculous. But, I am taking photos and trying to keep smiling.
Honey....it's ok to love your stuff. Don't go crazy. Just small steps.
xx

Amanda @ Ellieboo said...

Its so bloody hard to do isn't it! Im staying at my parents house at the moment and they have asked me to go through the boxes and boxes of stuff that have been in their loft since I was a kid, and more importantly get rid of most of it. Aaaarghh too many memories but Ive decided to let go of at least 80% of it. I thought I might take photos of some of those childhood toys that bring back fond memories but just should not be kept any longer. So I can still look back but not actually have the object any longer. Its that or pay a fortune to ship to Australia...eeek