“The reason that clutter builds up is because there is more work than one person can handle.” OMG. This is my life. I have no idea which thing I am on that list of seven, but I know this is me. There is not enough time or energy for me to deal with everything, so the stuff that's important to me gets done, and the rest... ehh. And then it becomes overwhelming, and I know this is the cycle, but that's what happens over and over again anyway.
My favorite discovery in recent years is the textile recycling near me. A local school district used to offer it as a fundraiser, and now it's done by someone else, but I have always felt, like you, that it would be awful to throw away ratty fabrics that might be able to be turned into something else. I love that there's now another way to do it--I hadn't heard of For Days before--so I will keep that in mind, too.
I hear ya, Nancy. Decluttering is SO overwhelming. The textile recycling center sounds great. Wish there were more of these local resources to help us sustainably pare down.
The city of Paris has 2 programs that are really useful for helping citizens get rid of stuff. For large things that are too f*ed up to donate to charity, you can call to have them taken away (the city gives you a number to tape on the stuff and of course a date/time when it’ll be picked up.) The other cool thing is the Trimobile which is a mobile recycling center where you can drop off smaller items like toasters, knick-knacks, fabric, lighbulbs, batteries etc. The trimobile pops up in different neighborhoods on different days to make it convenient (and I actually put the dates in my Google calendar so I don’t forget!)
How cool! We desperately need a Trimobile here. There’s a bag of Brita filters that’s been rolling around in our trunk for ages because we can’t find a place to recycle them. Whole Foods used to take them, but not since Amazon took over. ⬅️ Jerks. You and TA have always been good about streamlining and keeping clutter to a minimum while still having attractive and meaningful knick knacks on display. I want to be like you guys! Miss you! ❤️❤️
Hi, Clare! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment here. Seems like everyone I've talked to is suffering from at least one of the clutter blocks. I think it's inevitable if you've been alive for a while. :) Tracy's book is great and very helpful. Keep me posted on your decluttering journey. xo
This is so, so good, Hilary. I hope you kept at least one of the mustaches, but I am clearly a bad influence. I haven't read the book, but I think I might be a #4 -- a friend and I like to joke that when we see an object or piece of clothing we really want (really important stuff, like a decorative cheese board or a sweater) that having just this ONE MORE OBJECT will solve all our problems. I also can't believe I'd never thought about how gendered the discourse around clutter is. At the same time, I relate to you in having a partner who does a lot of chores (and man, am I grateful!)
Thanks for the kind words and commiseration, Emily! I’m pretty sure I still have at least one mustache left for an emergency costume change. 😀 Has living in a foreign land freed you from clutter? I occasionally fantasize about selling everything and starting fresh somewhere else, but at this rate, with the amount of stuff I have, it’ll take a while. #4 is my favorite of the clutter blocks because it seems to be the stuff of dreamers and I think we all need to dream. And yes, big props to partners who help with (or do all) the chores. I’m very grateful too.
I did buy less stuff, because I figured I'd have to lug it all back to the U.S. eventually, which I did. We will see if it lasts, now that I'm here, or whether I will swing hard in the opposite direction haha.
Great post! I don't know how you do it! We just remodeled our kitchen so major decluttering but recently my in laws house was sold and my husband, who tends to be a hoarder, has yet to sort through the stuff he rescued from their house now residing in our lower level. One step forward, one step back. Oh well....
❤️ I was very impressed with your kitchen purge and I sympathize with Bruce. It’s so hard to let go. It truly is Sisyphean to declutter. We hired Tracy to help us declutter our storage area under the house. It was so sleek and Zen in there. A few months later it was filled to the rafters with all of Jared’s mom’s stuff after she moved into a smaller place. 🤷🏻♀️
Hilary from across the knick knacks and everyhing else I've got piled up, I feel seen! I spent the weekend crying over having to give away an old couch. It's been in storage and I finally had to admit I have no room for it. The real story is my dear dad, now passed, bought it for me and his love and generosity combined with the sweetest naps I've ever taken, made this breakup really hard to do. I think it was equal parts #1 & #2. Thank you for helping us to sort out the stuff in our lives and the stuff of life!
Aww. I feel for you, Aizita. 💔 It’s so hard to part with possessions that remind us of our loved ones, especially a parent. I’m certain that the memories you have of that couch and your dad will never fade. I’ve realized that this decluttering/downsizing thing is ongoing process that takes time and we have to be gentle with ourselves. Sending a big hug to you.
“The reason that clutter builds up is because there is more work than one person can handle.” OMG. This is my life. I have no idea which thing I am on that list of seven, but I know this is me. There is not enough time or energy for me to deal with everything, so the stuff that's important to me gets done, and the rest... ehh. And then it becomes overwhelming, and I know this is the cycle, but that's what happens over and over again anyway.
My favorite discovery in recent years is the textile recycling near me. A local school district used to offer it as a fundraiser, and now it's done by someone else, but I have always felt, like you, that it would be awful to throw away ratty fabrics that might be able to be turned into something else. I love that there's now another way to do it--I hadn't heard of For Days before--so I will keep that in mind, too.
I hear ya, Nancy. Decluttering is SO overwhelming. The textile recycling center sounds great. Wish there were more of these local resources to help us sustainably pare down.
Clutter Block #2 and #4 here 🙋
The city of Paris has 2 programs that are really useful for helping citizens get rid of stuff. For large things that are too f*ed up to donate to charity, you can call to have them taken away (the city gives you a number to tape on the stuff and of course a date/time when it’ll be picked up.) The other cool thing is the Trimobile which is a mobile recycling center where you can drop off smaller items like toasters, knick-knacks, fabric, lighbulbs, batteries etc. The trimobile pops up in different neighborhoods on different days to make it convenient (and I actually put the dates in my Google calendar so I don’t forget!)
How cool! We desperately need a Trimobile here. There’s a bag of Brita filters that’s been rolling around in our trunk for ages because we can’t find a place to recycle them. Whole Foods used to take them, but not since Amazon took over. ⬅️ Jerks. You and TA have always been good about streamlining and keeping clutter to a minimum while still having attractive and meaningful knick knacks on display. I want to be like you guys! Miss you! ❤️❤️
I loved this post! I will check out the book and the Instagram follow. All the clutter blocks resonated with me, so…I have work to do! Keep writing!
Hi, Clare! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment here. Seems like everyone I've talked to is suffering from at least one of the clutter blocks. I think it's inevitable if you've been alive for a while. :) Tracy's book is great and very helpful. Keep me posted on your decluttering journey. xo
This is so, so good, Hilary. I hope you kept at least one of the mustaches, but I am clearly a bad influence. I haven't read the book, but I think I might be a #4 -- a friend and I like to joke that when we see an object or piece of clothing we really want (really important stuff, like a decorative cheese board or a sweater) that having just this ONE MORE OBJECT will solve all our problems. I also can't believe I'd never thought about how gendered the discourse around clutter is. At the same time, I relate to you in having a partner who does a lot of chores (and man, am I grateful!)
Thanks for the kind words and commiseration, Emily! I’m pretty sure I still have at least one mustache left for an emergency costume change. 😀 Has living in a foreign land freed you from clutter? I occasionally fantasize about selling everything and starting fresh somewhere else, but at this rate, with the amount of stuff I have, it’ll take a while. #4 is my favorite of the clutter blocks because it seems to be the stuff of dreamers and I think we all need to dream. And yes, big props to partners who help with (or do all) the chores. I’m very grateful too.
I did buy less stuff, because I figured I'd have to lug it all back to the U.S. eventually, which I did. We will see if it lasts, now that I'm here, or whether I will swing hard in the opposite direction haha.
I guess I didn't mention the garage...
Great post! I don't know how you do it! We just remodeled our kitchen so major decluttering but recently my in laws house was sold and my husband, who tends to be a hoarder, has yet to sort through the stuff he rescued from their house now residing in our lower level. One step forward, one step back. Oh well....
❤️ I was very impressed with your kitchen purge and I sympathize with Bruce. It’s so hard to let go. It truly is Sisyphean to declutter. We hired Tracy to help us declutter our storage area under the house. It was so sleek and Zen in there. A few months later it was filled to the rafters with all of Jared’s mom’s stuff after she moved into a smaller place. 🤷🏻♀️
Hilary from across the knick knacks and everyhing else I've got piled up, I feel seen! I spent the weekend crying over having to give away an old couch. It's been in storage and I finally had to admit I have no room for it. The real story is my dear dad, now passed, bought it for me and his love and generosity combined with the sweetest naps I've ever taken, made this breakup really hard to do. I think it was equal parts #1 & #2. Thank you for helping us to sort out the stuff in our lives and the stuff of life!
Aww. I feel for you, Aizita. 💔 It’s so hard to part with possessions that remind us of our loved ones, especially a parent. I’m certain that the memories you have of that couch and your dad will never fade. I’ve realized that this decluttering/downsizing thing is ongoing process that takes time and we have to be gentle with ourselves. Sending a big hug to you.
Ps. I still have a box of my dad’s stuff that I have dealt with and he died in 2006!