YES! I start cleaning up paper or craft supplies, make several piles on my bed, get tired, take a break, forget about it and go in there to go to bed and UGH, piles on my bed. It goes in one pile on the floor and doesn't get looked at again for a few days. Negative thoughts of doing it. My local thrift shop is small and only takes donations on Friday mornings between 10 and noon, so that's the day I plan donations, about 1 x a month. I really like the Minimal Mom's practice of putting some things in a "Time will tell" box, put a date on it, and put it in basement or garage-that's if you are really struggling with the decision to keep or not. You list what's in it on the box in case you need one of the items. Then, if you happen upon it a few months later and haven't thought of it or looked for items in it, take it right to the car for donation.
I too loved her side tracker commentary that is me totally every day during a project, I need to apply the box concept even when I'm not decluttering. I was sidetracked and then suddenly I realize I haven't finished the original project and it's an hour later on the side track 😖😖
I like your signs thank you for the free downloads always, you need a pretty sign for recycle too. I would probably use that over returns as I do my returns as I go in my daily life. I saw things that could have been recycled versus putting in trash. TIP: We are also fortunate to have a clothing recycle in our area too that I just found out about, I wish I would've known about this years ago.
I'm at the tail end of my move and I'm left with a lot of odds and ends. I literally did your system here and I cant believe how well it helped move things along for me. I dumped everything into a pile, set up my tubs/baskets (I already threw away the boxes), labeled and away I go. Now I have to find a place for the items in my "keep" box. 😆I also need to comb through your Get Organized 2024 and find new ways to organize my stuff. 😀
I would put those little pouches in donate. Schools always need things. Well, unless it's gross. I also TRIED the things I'm going to sell, lol, I dont have the patience for it. So I put everything along the side of my lawn, took a Pic of it, and posted it on FB. It was all gone by the end of the night. I was prepared to bring some stuff in (well, not into my house but garage, along one side). Thank goodness someone came by last second and took the rest. 😊 . I happened to be able to put it out a few days before christmas ( let me tell you, I am NOT in an area where this is normal. Winter has just been crazy. No white christmas this year, but the day after christmas, oh boy). People are looking for things at that time of year. Maybe they couldn't afford for whatever reason gifts, it helps everyone out. I did have many new things in there. I'm just tired of the clutter. So I am glad it can help someone else.
I love these tips Laura! I started my own cleaning and organizing business, and am about to take on another big organizing project so this is super helpful! Thank you!
10:24 when my kids were little, I could not leave the room I was cleaning bc I would be like SQUIRREL!!!! So I had small baskets designated for every room.
Thank you. We had a similar rule, if they did not clean up their room after the 3rd and stern request, I swept everything out into the hall and I decided what went back in, but I was not as charitable as Laura, I felt like if she really cherished to thing she wouldn't have left it on the floor.
You can try the “no mess decluttering method” from Dana K White and take it there now. It may seem less efficient when decluttering to take an item there when you recognize it does not belong in the space, however by taking a moment to think of where it needs to go and taking it there, your house is automatically better and you do not end up with the boxes to keep.
I think if your keep box gets to a certain level of stuff, like 1/3 of the box, take 10 minutes to empty that 1/3, then go back to decluttering. Or if you have half an hour to declutter, take 5 minutes of that time to empty the keep box. Also, what if you just give yourself an hour or two of downtime or end of the day when all you do is deal with your keep boxes. If they are very random piles, you can sort through them all with boxes labeled where the items would go. For instance, she had some stuff that would be going to the craft room, some items going to kids' rooms, some items going to the office. Sort all you keeps by where they go, then take the one box to that place.
Before you start another decluttering session, do a “put the keeps away” session. It may also help you with a later decluttering session when you see that you have several of the same item.
Your dress looks so nice on you.
I love this video! So funny how you know all the excuses we tell ourselves and show us what really works 😊 thank you!
YES! I start cleaning up paper or craft supplies, make several piles on my bed, get tired, take a break, forget about it and go in there to go to bed and UGH, piles on my bed. It goes in one pile on the floor and doesn't get looked at again for a few days. Negative thoughts of doing it. My local thrift shop is small and only takes donations on Friday mornings between 10 and noon, so that's the day I plan donations, about 1 x a month. I really like the Minimal Mom's practice of putting some things in a "Time will tell" box, put a date on it, and put it in basement or garage-that's if you are really struggling with the decision to keep or not. You list what's in it on the box in case you need one of the items. Then, if you happen upon it a few months later and haven't thought of it or looked for items in it, take it right to the car for donation.
I'm a huge sidetracker so yes i can relate and this box idea is amazing I'm going to try it today
It's a difficult habit to break, for sure! Yay! Let me know how it goes!
I too loved her side tracker commentary that is me totally every day during a project, I need to apply the box concept even when I'm not decluttering. I was sidetracked and then suddenly I realize I haven't finished the original project and it's an hour later on the side track 😖😖
Thank you for the free printable. I appreciate your generosity to your subscribers.
I like your signs thank you for the free downloads always, you need a pretty sign for recycle too. I would probably use that over returns as I do my returns as I go in my daily life. I saw things that could have been recycled versus putting in trash. TIP: We are also fortunate to have a clothing recycle in our area too that I just found out about, I wish I would've known about this years ago.
I'm at the tail end of my move and I'm left with a lot of odds and ends. I literally did your system here and I cant believe how well it helped move things along for me. I dumped everything into a pile, set up my tubs/baskets (I already threw away the boxes), labeled and away I go. Now I have to find a place for the items in my "keep" box. 😆I also need to comb through your Get Organized 2024 and find new ways to organize my stuff. 😀
I would put those little pouches in donate. Schools always need things. Well, unless it's gross.
I also TRIED the things I'm going to sell, lol, I dont have the patience for it. So I put everything along the side of my lawn, took a Pic of it, and posted it on FB. It was all gone by the end of the night. I was prepared to bring some stuff in (well, not into my house but garage, along one side). Thank goodness someone came by last second and took the rest. 😊 . I happened to be able to put it out a few days before christmas ( let me tell you, I am NOT in an area where this is normal. Winter has just been crazy. No white christmas this year, but the day after christmas, oh boy). People are looking for things at that time of year. Maybe they couldn't afford for whatever reason gifts, it helps everyone out. I did have many new things in there. I'm just tired of the clutter. So I am glad it can help someone else.
Love your energy! Thank you for the tips!
Your logic seems true to life!
Thank you super super helpful
I would also line those boxes with a bag, so when I fill, i can pick up the bag and head straight to my car with donations and trashcan with trash.
Hi Laura - I love a paper planner. I am very very very excited to purchase your 2025 planner on Friday. 😊
Love love love this video! Thanks so much!
I love these tips Laura! I started my own cleaning and organizing business, and am about to take on another big organizing project so this is super helpful! Thank you!
Love the box idea- can relate to the kid coming over and going hey ! I want that
You know me so well...lol lol I've had a donate bag sitting here, it's been here a long time, taking then to goodwill tomorrow
Woohoo! You got this! 👏
Great video as always.
This is what I did with my professional organizer. My piles were shred, keep, recycle, trash, donate
Thank you, sweet girl!!💙
10:24 when my kids were little, I could not leave the room I was cleaning bc I would be like SQUIRREL!!!! So I had small baskets designated for every room.
Thank you. We had a similar rule, if they did not clean up their room after the 3rd and stern request, I swept everything out into the hall and I decided what went back in, but I was not as charitable as Laura, I felt like if she really cherished to thing she wouldn't have left it on the floor.
My problem is that I end up with several keep boxes that then never get cleared out! How do I keep the motivation going to put everything away?
You can try the “no mess decluttering method” from Dana K White and take it there now. It may seem less efficient when decluttering to take an item there when you recognize it does not belong in the space, however by taking a moment to think of where it needs to go and taking it there, your house is automatically better and you do not end up with the boxes to keep.
I think if your keep box gets to a certain level of stuff, like 1/3 of the box, take 10 minutes to empty that 1/3, then go back to decluttering. Or if you have half an hour to declutter, take 5 minutes of that time to empty the keep box.
Also, what if you just give yourself an hour or two of downtime or end of the day when all you do is deal with your keep boxes. If they are very random piles, you can sort through them all with boxes labeled where the items would go. For instance, she had some stuff that would be going to the craft room, some items going to kids' rooms, some items going to the office. Sort all you keeps by where they go, then take the one box to that place.
@@allsubstancegreat idea!
Before you start another decluttering session, do a “put the keeps away” session. It may also help you with a later decluttering session when you see that you have several of the same item.
I am used to rural life so not going to donate places that are 40 miles away until I have a full load is big.