Another thing that moved me in regards to de-cluttering my house is that when you have lots of clutter and it is not organized it can feel a lot like having extra weight on your body.  It is both very unhealthy and can add stress to your life.  In addition I saw that our house was beginning to look a lot like my inlaws house which has lots more clutter to it then ours.  I saw that if we continue on our current ways we would soon be like them.  I hate the feeling I get when I visit there and I was beginning to get that same feeling at my house.  Plus every time I needed to find something important it was lost among our clutter and I would waste lots of time trying to find it.  The writing was on the wall if I am too become very successfull in all areas of my life, which I want to be, I needed to dig in and begin the process of uncluttering my house.  I have devoted a lot of time to this and the results have been worth it.  I am so glad to have begun this process and want to see it to the end.  The next part of the house to be on the de-clutter list is the basement and the garage.  My next action item is to build shelves in the garage which will house some of the clutter in the basement.  The result of this will be some room in the basement to build a nice multifunction work bench which is a much needed item for me and all of my projects that I want to do.  This used to be a dream that I thought would never come true.  Now I know that this dream is achievable with small steps taken each and every day. 

I am going to be writing about this process throughout my thread alot.  Also so that it can make it easier on me I am going to keep my entries shorter each day, so it will be easier to write and read.  Since I have been gone so long I have lots of neat cool stuff to write about.  I will pick one thought each day and keep it short.  That I came up with last night as part of my homework to re-plug, keep my entries short and visit more often.  That will make it easier for me to journal here and participate in others threads as well.  have fun reading and let me know what you think

Scooby

I was in Costco today and saw a book called Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?

I didn’t get a chance to look at it too closely but here is a link to read a excerpt.  It looks interesting.

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200802/tows_past_20080207_b1.jhtml

Thanks for the recommendation on this book, based on that review from Oprah.com it seems like my thoughts are right on target with that this author is saying about clutter.  I will have to get my hands on this one and get a read on this one. 

Scooby

scoobydoo - 03 March 2008 03:04 PM

Another thing that moved me in regards to de-cluttering my house is that when you have lots of clutter and it is not organized it can feel a lot like having extra weight on your body.  It is both very unhealthy and can add stress to your life.........................Scooby

That is so true Scooby.  I know I have a lot of issues with clutter as well as weight.

I wonder if one causes the other or if one is a symptom of the other?

Hey Scooby!  I’m glad to see you’re back. 

I’ve got lots of clutter in my house too and feel that it’s just as difficult to get rid of as the extra fat around my middle.  There has to be something to this.  I’ve heard of that book and the title is hilarious.  I’ll have to check it out.  I like that you are approaching it in the same way you handled the exercise, “take a step, repeat”.  That is the only way to tackle that kind of project.  You’re inspiring me to get rid of my extra stuff.  I know that it would make me feel so much better. 

Last month I gutted my bedroom to make room for all new furniture.  I removed all of the old stuff.  The new furniture has clean lines and simple handles on the dressers.  My new comforter and curtains are a simple pattern and a calming color.  Before I would avoid my room, only going in there to sleep but now I love it.  I feel so calm and happy in there.  I have been telling myself that I want to do the same thing to the whole house but haven’t because it’s such a big job that it overwhelms me.  I’m going to copy your strategy and do a little each day.  Thanks!!

Welcome back, Scooby! Way to go with the decluttering! I have a few areas of my house that could use that treatment.

Are you a fan of Dave Ramsey? I’ve been listening to him a lot lately and it has made a huge impact on our finances. He has a podcast out, too.

Bree

I have heard of Dave Ramsey and he is on my list of books to read next.  I didn’t know he had a podcast, once I get my replacement itrip for my ipod I will have to check that out.  I have been very book hungry lately and have been reading books left and right.  I am so hungry to learn more and I just on fire in that area to learn more knowledge.  Thanks Bree I will have to check that out.  Mb some great questions about clutter and which one causes which, frankly I just don’t know on that one.  All I know is I have clutter and this is the year to get it under control.  With Scott’s help in taking small steps and breaking this down I know I will be successful in this area this year.  I can’t wait to have the picture of my house in my dreams come true.  Applying Scott’s logic in that area has been oh so helpful. (Many thanks Scott, I owe you one for this help).  Sweatea you can and will declutter your house, just break it down into the smallest steps possible and do just a little each day.  The success you have in one room of your house will soon spill over into the other areas as well.  For me I need to get control of this so that I can be the boss of me and begin to get the rest of my life in order.  The overall result of this for me is being able to have useable space that I can be proud of.  I will start sharing some pics soon of my results.

Scooby

Oh Scoob. I know exactly what you are going through. I’m in the same boat except that I have 2 houses to de-clutter and organize. I swear all this junk is what has been causing me to be so sick this winter. I have also approached this battle with “do a little bit every day.” It does work. It may take longer but it will get done. Looking at this task in this way creates more room in other areas of your life that also need focus such as: family, job and exercise. I have a couple books I had read last year in regards to decluttering your life and also living voluntary simplicity. I’ll have to look at the titles and get back to you with them as I have winter brain rot and can’t remember sh*t. Good luck with all this and please don’t give up being a moderator. You’re positive energy is needed here and if you disappear every once in awhile, it’s okay. We all have lives and can’t be glued to our computers 24-7. You’re doing great so stay that way! Have a great day.

I love to read, too! I checked the books out from my library, and we’ve decided to buy the Financial Peace University one so we have a reference all the time. We’ve been able to come from the brink of bankruptcy to having no credit card debt, paid off Hubby’s student loans, and the truck. All we have left is my student loans, the car, and the house. It is an amazing feeling, and it was actually extremely easy to follow.

And you know how much I’m looking forward to those pics of all your hard work!

Bree

Scoob, I finally got those titles for you:

Voluntary Simplicity - Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich. by Duane Elgin
This is a paperback and easy read. There’s a lot of great info in there. The actual act of living in voluntary simplicity is a process. I have a long way to go to reach this goal.
http://www.amazon.com/Voluntary-Simplicity-Revised-Outwardly-Inwardly/dp/0688121195/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s;=books&qid;=1205326368&sr;=1-1
The review at Amazon.com is pretty long but right on. If you click the link above you can read it.

Clutter’s Last Stand: It’s Time to De-Junk Your Life! (Paperback) by Don Aslett
Here is a humorous look at how to de-clutter your life. Again, this is a very easy read.
http://www.amazon.com/Clutters-Last-Stand-Time-Junk/dp/0898791375
Here’s a review:
“The book people say belongs on the shelf right beside the Bible, the book they read over and over, and give to their friends CLUTTER S LAST STAND, 2nd edition. This is the bold,unique volume that first put the finger on one of the major causes of depression and inefficiency in modern life junk and clutter! With good reason CLUTTER S LAST STAND, 2nd editon, has been called the book that convinces you to declutter. With a nonstop sense of humor and hundreds of hilarious illustrations, it lays out the case for dejunking, dramatically demonstrating how clutter invades and affects every area of our homes and lives. “

Hope these help you as you continue to de-clutter and simplify.

Hey Scoob!  I hope you’re doing well.  I’ve missed seeing you around here.  I just wanted you to know that you inspired me to start going through my house and start clearing things out.  I’m on vacation this week so I’ve gotten a great start on getting this place sorted out.  It really does make me feel better to get rid of the old clutter that has been weighing me down.  Thanks.

Take care.

Haven’t heard from you in a while, Scoob… are you posting in another spot?  Hope all is well, have a great weekend.