Declutter #46 - Use What You Have!

There's nothing momentous about this past week's declutter. I was getting ready for Christmas. One of the things I did was sew a couple of capes for twin five-year-olds. Wanting to make a pattern, I grabbed a large sheet of paper that my grandson and I had used for a drawing sheet several times. (It is large - almost 2'x3'.)

I've saved many of my grandson's drawings, but this was a wonderful piece for making a pattern. I also used up some synthetic fabrics that I had gotten for free. The capes are a bit wonky, but the recipients seemed to enjoy them. (I only used the pattern minimally and did a little free styling.)

 

 

While putting some dishes away, I found two coffee mugs in the back of the cabinet. As much as I love my coffee (and cocoa and other hot beverages), I have TOO MANY mugs! Since these two have been out of circulation for a while, I am just going to donate them and free up a little space in the cupboard.

It's not much, but it's something. I did get into my sewing room a fair amount last week! I'm excited to start my 2024 blogging about that! (The two little superhero capes, binding for the black and neon quilt, a fabric bag, some repair work . . . )

I need to do a lot more decluttering, but I feel as though this exercise of blogging about it has motivated me to be more in the mode of using what I have, get rid of excess, and don't buy things I don't truly need.

Declutter #45 - papers

 No photo this time. I was looking for my files on book making (books to read, not odds on betting). I helped a friend with a desktop publishing project and wanted to locate my files. They were in a box of random stuff to sort. As I put two files away into my filing cabinet, I followed my rule of removing two. 

I took out a file called "Louie" that had old gift ideas in it. It was kind of funny! I read them aloud to Louie. The other file was for "Simpson Homeless Shelter" with info on hosting a meal. I haven't done that for over a decade and the shelter has been torn down now . . . pretty sure if I do that type of volunteer opportunity again in the future, I'll be able to find the info online.

As I was digging through the box to find my "book making" and "publishing" files, I found some old church bulletins. I take notes during sermons and sometimes go back and reread them, looking up the Scriptures. Well, I don't lack for opportunities to read God's Word and I don't need more stuff in my life. A bunch of the bulletins went into the recycle bin. 

It's not much, but it is forward progress.

Declutter #44 - socks and grasping straws

Okay, this is not a very exciting declutter. And it's more of a "get rid of stuff" entry than true decluttering. But here goes for last week:

 

Louie gave me these fun socks for Christmas (or birthday) a few years ago. I love them! They say "I love you more than coffee . . . but not always before coffee." (Though it's not true that I love him only *after* my coffee . . . I love him always! ). But they're worn out. The holes in the heels are NOT going to get darned. Into the garbage they went! I have other cute socks, but I really liked my coffee socks!

I also got rid of some Christmas stockings that my sister-in-law had given me. I laundered them last year then shared them at church. A bunch of people decorated and filled some of them. They will be delivered to The Well in New Prague tomorrow for the teens who go there. Any leftover stockings will go to my donation bag.

 

I also did a "candle hack" that makes me happy. Use what you have! Don't buy stuff if you don't have to. Make do with what's on hand.

Declutter #43 - Better Than Nothing . . . and a State of Mind

So I got rid of very little this past week. I went looking for a pin for a project and found this stuff in my drawer:

I'm still sorting through it to keep a few items, but the beads went to a friend at church who makes them into bracelets. The McDonalds employee pins will find a new home. A few cute things will make it into Christmas stockings.

What struck me this week is how my attitude toward stuff has shifted. I'm so much more comfortable with getting rid of stuff! I've never been much of a shopping-focused person, but more than ever I'm trying to be creative in making do with what I already have.

I'm also excited that a lot of stuff I've already blogged about is getting loaded up to drop off at Hands of Friendship this week! Out of my basement . . . woohoo! I like to celebrate successes.

This will continue to be a work in progress, but I'm not spending much time just going through closets, drawers, etc. Sometimes there are just other things that are far more important!