I am a bit of a clutterbug. Ok, more than just a bit. But I'm not a hoarder. Not like an A&E Hoarder. I can see my floors most of the time--although the same can't be said for my kitchen counters. I have actually had people over to my house for a dinner party, and I am capable of getting the house clean enough for houseguests with adequate notice, preferably 2-3 weeks.
Over the years, I have probably read two dozen books on cleaning and decluttering, most of them from the library, but occasionally I buy one if it has a splashy cover. In fact, my favorite book on conquering clutter, It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh, is missing right now, probably because it is under a pile of clutter somewhere. Or elves have stolen it. They seem to steal a lot of stuff around here.
Borrowing from Peter Walsh, my clutter takes on many forms. Lazy clutter, like the two catalogs that are on my coffee table right now that I have no intention of ordering from. And the drinking glass from last night that is on top of them. Sentimental clutter, like my great-grandmother's drop-leaf table that is too big for my space and has water marks all over the top. Project clutter like my Bedazzler and associated gemstones, my chenille yarn for all those scarves that I have been meaning to knit for gifts, the box of frames that I have been meaning to spray paint gold and turn into beautiful wall art.
Then there is "I might need this some day" clutter like the empty 3-ring binders that I used in graduate school. At least I had enough sense to throw their contents away during shredder day at my bank last year. Inherited clutter, where family members have discarded their rejects and Aunt Mary's art project on me and I was too nice to say thanks but no thanks and so I get to become keeper of the heirloom.
In reality, I need to get this under control. I have too much stuff. I think that this epiphany occurred since I started working from home last year. Before, when I had my regular office job, I was too tired to think about doing anything about it after I got home, and I just wanted to spend time with my family. Cleaning? Forget about it! But now that I am staring at this stuff all the time, the walls feel like they are closing in on me. I mean, do I really need 28 rocks/whisky glasses ? (yes, you read that right, 28!!) I had to look up what these glasses were even called. It's not like this is Madmen and we host 2 cocktail parties a week. They look like this:
Some of them are leaded crystal, or have fancy etchings on them. We got almost all of them as wedding presents. Apparently the people who came to our wedding thought we were alcoholics.
So, during this Year of Less (YOL), I am going to keep a tally of everything that comes into and goes out of my house. By the end of the year, I hope that more has gone out than come in, a whole lot more. But, I am going to set some ground rules about it so it doesn't get too crazy.
Things that will not count towards my tally:
Food and Cleaning products that can be used up
This includes groceries, take out, etc.---but if for some stupid reason I keep the takeout container, I will count it.
Health and Beauty products that can be used up
I will not count things like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc., but if I buy a new hairbrush or curling iron, I will count that.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I mentioned up above that the catalogs are clutter, but you will just have to take my word for it that I am getting better at tossing them out. I am not going to list every piece of mail I get or throw out because it is boring and less is more, especially when it comes to blogs.
Things that will count:
Anything not listed above.
I reserve the right to change the rules, but as of right now, these are the rules.
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