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A Farm of My Own:  New Years Resolutions?  |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 11:50:07 AM
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Wow, I am impressed with everyone's energy this new year in trying to accomplish some things at home that are driving you crazy! It sounds like the thrift stores are going to be overwhelmed with boxes of donations from coast to coast!! LOL!!! No, seriously, you are correct Cindy when you start looking at what you are keeping and ask the question, "What was I thinking anyway?" When I ask myself that question and get the answer"I don't know", I realize it is time for that item to be sent on to a new life.
You are so right Sara, we hold on to stuff that we had fond memories of but are kids don't care about keeping it at all. It is such a realization that I have been keeping stuff for both of my girls that they didn't even remember let alone care about. It is totally weird sometimes how that works out. With that thought, I think I might re-tackle some of those storage boxes this weekend in the closets. I could use the extra space more efficiently.
I have always admired the Shaker austerity look. Everything was useful and had a place. It makes it easy, I think, if you focus only on keeping what is useful and what you have room for. In our 21st Century living, I don't know anyone who really does that. I guess it also has to do with the general availability and cheapness of products as compared to the late 1700-1800s. The clean lines of the Shaker furniture and rooms feel very peaceful to me. I like that idea of simplicity. anyone else admire the Shaker look?
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7109 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7109 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 12:53:41 PM
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I'm with you Winnie. The Shaker's created peace in their surroundings and with their beautiful furniture. Though I have decluttered that doesn't mean I still don't have stuff. I'm a collector ~ it's just that in the last several years I have become a more selective collector and keeper of things.
At the beginning of each new season I walk through my house and really look at my stuff. I live with it everyday but I don't always see it. These questions help me to weed my collections. Have I fallen out of love with it? Does it work in how I decorate now? Do I really want to dust it one more time? You get the idea. Somethings I never tire of but others I thought I just had to have loses it shine and I am ready to let it go.
For me the beginning of each new season is the best time for me to declutter. In a way it helps me to look to the future rather than holding on to the past. I find that the New Year gets it started but if done during the year ~ a little at a time ~ it's easier to let go of what I have collected.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3957 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3957 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 3:59:48 PM
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I also need to de-clutter this year. I have the dining room table stacked with all kinds of stuff I will eventually use in paper crafting, book reviews I want to read a stack of Threads magazines I haven't read, some stationery products I haven't put away . . . you get the idea. DH threatened to throw it all away. I was surprised at how defensive I got. I have gotten rid of half the paper and am almost finished with the book reviews. After that is under control, I will tackle the boxes I have stored under the table. I have other places to de-clutter also.
My approach is to go to an area, remove 27 things and get them out of the house immediately. So my closet may be first. I will remove 27 pieces of clothing. I will come back to it periodically and remove 27 more. I will do this until there are only 27 pieces left. So this is my first goal for this year.
I have joined the Finish Your UFOs in 2016 thread. I have a list of UFOs on the thread that I want to finish. I am hoping to make a huge dent in my mending.
That's about it.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7109 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7109 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 4:11:24 PM
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Marie how did you come up with the #27?
One way I control my closet is when something new comes in something old goes out. Doesn't have to be the same type of item - even if it's an old pair of socks or something being stored on top shelf it counts. Over time it works.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7227 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7227 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 7:46:00 PM
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Thank you Alicia. I sure do try.
Marie, I am curious as well. How did you come up with 27?
Krista |
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Song Sparrow
True Blue Farmgirl
1010 Posts
Amy
Talleyville
Delaware
USA
1010 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 04:37:54 AM
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Shannon, just read your resolutions. Bless your heart and good luck, they sound wonderful! Sara I love your repurposing ideas for your scarves. I'm thinking along similar lines with my resolution this year to use what I have thoughtfully and imaginatively. Hopefully I'll spend less and have useful stuff instead of clutter and overstuffed storage. I have one large trunk for family memorabilia, so I can only keep what fits in there. That helps keep the sentimental keepsakes to a manageable amount. Well, it helps, anyway :)
Alicia, my mom and I had to reduce our book collections by a large margin when she moved in with me. Here's how we did it. For each book we asked these questions: 1. If I've read it, will I seriously ever read it or refer to it again? 2. If I haven't read it, is it something I will likely enjoy reading? It was amazing how many books those two little questions weeded out. For the books we kept, in most cases we donate them to the library after we've read them, so our collection continues to get smaller. Maybe something like this would work for you?
Happy Day!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 05:32:23 AM
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Maybe, Amy. I hold on to a lot I got from Library sales for homeschool with the boys in the future. It probably be easier just to borrow what I need from the library later. Our small library had a huge clean out a couple of years ago. Isabelle and I were heartbroken when we learned that what wasn't sold, and, towards the end, given away, would be loaded up for the dump!! :O So we brought home 200-300.
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 06:06:49 AM
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I have the same issue with books... We have eight bookshelves in. This house, completely loaded, with other books in boxes or stacks. I need to go through them again, I guess!
We too need to declutter and downsize. We did some before we moved, but I want to do it again beforewemove another time. Guess I should have added that to my goals. O.o
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3957 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3957 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 2:47:17 PM
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The number 27 comes from Marla Cilly, The Fly Lady. She has a website
http://flylady.net/
and has written books about de-cluttering. Her approach is a one step-at-a-time approach starting with her kitchen sink. The story is inspiring as she goes from a depressed woman living in a house of severe clutter to a happy woman with a happy family. I know that I change my behaviors best with a single behavior change at a time process so her lessons are good for me. She has many good tips for efficient cleaning and self care.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 3:37:32 PM
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I have heard good things about the fly lady!
Well, ladies, I finally DID IT! I took down my Christmas tree!n HAHA!!
And, in the world of more from scratch, I made soft pretzels tonight!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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A Farm of My Own: New Years Resolutions? |
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New Years Resolutions?
