No More Furniture

on June 20, 2010
in All Posts

I’m currently blogging on my subwoofer.  We’re slowly selling off all of our furniture.  In fact, we might be losing our couch at 2:30!

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We’re in serious packing mode.  Although we don’t move until next Sunday, we want to be CALM and RELAXED next week.  We’re trying to get most of it done today and tomorrow!

 

My office is in shambles!

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(That giant naked doll on the table is an acupuncture model, if you’re wondering!)

 

One tidbit I read on Young House Love (an awesome blog, by the way) is that you don’t have to keep all your memorabilia… you can take pictures of your stuff, especially things that take up a bunch of space.  And then you save the picture!

 

Picture of my dried wedding flowers + arbor decorations:

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I could throw them away without feeling overly guilty after taking that picture!

 

Mid-packing GREEN MONSTER!

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The tasty mix contained:

 

  • 1 cup rice milk
  • 2 cups raw spinach
  • 1 banana
  • 1.5 tablespoons Vega Shake and Go

 

And lunch:

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BEER is required for packing!  This is a fact.  I had a pint of Shock Top, a Belgian White that I’ve been enjoying a lot lately.

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Eats included a Morningstar Black Bean burger with arugula, sundried tomato, and mustard.

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Plus broccoli and melon:

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On the packing/hoarding note, I’ve been doing a lot of research on how to pare down my junk and organize my life.  The best rule I’ve heard so far is to get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a year.  I’m also trying to get rid of multiples of the same thing – for example, I kept old agendas from college, so I tossed 3 and kept 1. 

 

Are you organized?  Or do you tend to keep everything?  Any excellent tips for cleaning up messes and organizing your life?

{ 63 comments }

 

  • claire June 20, 2010, 2:43 pm

    I am super tidy in the bathroom and kitchen since those are two places I can’t stand a mess. However, my room can get messy with lots of clothes but since I am moving into a new place this week with my boy, I will have to clean up my act. One thing we do to get rid of a mess is hang everything. We work in wardrobe so we rolling industrial clothing racks in our room…it is like a store in there!

    I wish I had more tips for you but I tend to keep way too many things like magazines and notebooks!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs June 20, 2010, 2:43 pm

    I’m a total hoarder..I keep everything! But I’m trying so hard to overcome it, cos I love the whole minimalist thing 😛
    Clothes wise, I always stick by the ‘haven’t used in a year = throw’ rule, it’s soo useful 😛
    Good luck with it all!

  • Danielle June 20, 2010, 2:44 pm

    I love the idea to take pictures of things and then get rid of them guilt-free! What a great idea!

    I’m locationally organized, if that’s possible. I teach middle school science and the topics that I’ve covered over the years have changed but I don’t want to get rid of any of the material so I organize them by subject area in different binders. I go through the binders each year, checking to see what I have and what I want to throw away. Sometimes a lesson may be outdated so I can take a look at it, see if I can fix it up and if I can’t it gets tossed.

    At home I’m more of a pack rat. I think it comes from not having a clear organizational system in place. We have a two bedroom condo and the second bedroom is a guest room/office but we’ve never put much effort into the office part since we bought our laptop and tend to spend more time with it in the living room than the “office”. One day the office/guest room will also need to be a nursery so maybe when that happens I’ll get better with organization. Or maybe it’s just a job that I can tackle this summer!

    • Danielle June 20, 2010, 2:47 pm

      P.S. What do you do with your camera when you’re not using it? I go back and forth between keeping it out (and probably shouldn’t!) and putting it back in the case and away with the other coats/purses in the house. Logically I know it should go with all of the other stuff but I find it irritating to have to go across the room rather than just grab it when I need it from the dining room table. Maybe I’m just being silly 🙂

      • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 3:27 pm

        since i use my camera so often (like, 15 times a day) i just keep it out on my counter. however, i know kath (who is uber organized) has a drawer in her kitchen for her camera when she’s not using it.

  • Amy @ Amy Starts To Run June 20, 2010, 2:46 pm

    Packing is hard! I’m sure you know that, but man is it hard! I usually use the rule of “If I haven’t seen it in 6 months and didn’t even know it was there…” as a starting point to throwing things our or donating them. It doesn’t help that I’m a sentimental gal and hate throwing things out.

  • Amanda @ Vegacious June 20, 2010, 2:47 pm

    I follow the rule of if I haven’t used it or worn it in the last year (sometimes even 6 months), it’s GONE! We just moved, and I can’t believe how much stuff we accumulated after 3 short years of being married. AND….we moved from an 1800 square foot home to a small 800 square feet apartment: Talk about change! Luckily, it’s been great and smooth sailing. I actually like the smaller space – less time to clean, no space for things to clutter, and it has made me think about what we REALLY need….good thoughts to ponder. 🙂

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter June 20, 2010, 2:53 pm

    I throw out so much! People don’t understand why I throw out so much, but its because I don’t need it, I haven’t used it, and I never find myself wishing I didn’t throw it away. It keeps my life so much more decluttered and peaceful.

    • Chelsey June 20, 2010, 11:12 pm

      i agree with you Michelle – I throw away so much. I have rarely gotten angry at myself for throwing something away, but I cannot stand clutter! If I dont need it or can buy another, I’m tossing it!

  • Emily June 20, 2010, 2:55 pm

    I was told to “keep the love, not the stuff” and that’s worked well for me over the years. I’ve moved a lot, so try hard not to acquire too much, but last time we were in the one place for four years and we figured we were going to stay, but… we didn’t, so I packed like crazy and have continued to tease things out continuously to get rid of even though we already moved. I hate piles of stuff, and have become highly attracted to the idea of having only a few suitcases worth of personal effects, so I can pick up and move whenever the urge strikes. Not there yet, but it’s a goal that makes me smile 🙂
    Good luck with your packing!

  • Wei-Wei June 20, 2010, 2:56 pm

    I’m having trouble with real estate space… on my computer! I’m doing a backup, and I finally realised just how much crap I have on my computer. I think it’s time to do some spring cleaning of my hard drive! 🙁

    Wei-Wei

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople June 20, 2010, 2:57 pm

    My husband is a total pack rat, whereas I love a clean space so I tend to get rid of things.

    I LOVE the idea of taking a picture of the item in order to not feel guilty about getting rid of it. I’m going to have share that.

  • suki June 20, 2010, 2:58 pm

    i’ve learned to let go as i now have less space than before. well, technically more space, but it’s better not to have so much stuff to move anyway. 😉

  • Katie @ Two Lives, One Lifestyle June 20, 2010, 3:00 pm

    That is a REALLY good idea. I love to save everything.. all my pictures and little notes from high school are buried away in boxes at my parents house (my mom says my stuff can stay until I have my own house). I’ve moved 4 times (going on 5) in the past 2 years though and it’s really helped me pare down my stuff. Still, each time I move I’m constantly thing “WTF why did I save this??” I cannot imagine moving after living somewhere for like 20 years!

  • Helen June 20, 2010, 3:02 pm

    Im a bit of both! I keep things that have sentimental value to me but throw away things that don’t really easily. I threw away a lot of my school books from my exam years which I kind of regret now. I hope net week is relaxing for you, I bet you are so excited!

  • Mary June 20, 2010, 3:13 pm

    I like to think that I am pretty organized. I tried to get rid of a bunch of things when I moved but my Boyfriend ended up taking a bunch of my things to his apartment (which I hope he gets rid of when we move in together next year) but I definitely got rid of all of my furnature minus my bed, papasan and desk/dresser. It made everything that much easier when it came time to move… and lighter!

  • Camille June 20, 2010, 3:29 pm

    I am an organization freak. Everything has to be in its place all the time! My boyfriend and I are moving in August and I guarantee I will be packed a month ahead of time 🙂

  • Lisa June 20, 2010, 3:35 pm

    I’m very organized. I hate having clutter. The only “clutter” thing I have are books. And tons of them! Which are a pain to move. 😉

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) June 20, 2010, 3:35 pm

    I definitely need to come back and read everyone’s advice later. We are moving to a new place and I have crap from elementary school still stashed…including CLOTHES AHHHHH!! I like the photograph idea. Just photograph memorabilia and move on.

  • Kaz June 20, 2010, 3:40 pm

    That’s a clever tip, taking a picture of sentimental collectibles!

    Good luck packing! I admire how driven you are. I always wait until the last minute to do things. 😀

  • Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) June 20, 2010, 3:42 pm

    i’m a minimalist, as my friends and parents call me. my room is usually pretty empty looking. i don’t keep stuff, i’m known for that.
    i usually go through everything in my room once a month and put things in plastic trash bags either to donate or trash. my rule is to never ever second guess yourself. if you think you might not need something, you probably don’t 🙂

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) June 20, 2010, 3:57 pm

    That’s a great tip about taking a photo of something you don’t want to get rid of. My husband pretty much enforces us not to be packrats. We’d never be able to have a garage sale, because he consistently gets rid of things we don’t need!

  • Lee June 20, 2010, 4:03 pm

    I’m not organized, but I’m not a pack rat either. My finance, on the other hand, has clothes that he keeps “for sentimental reasons” that date back to the late 90s. I’ll have to tell him to take a picture. He actually reads Young House Love, so maybe he will take their advice.

  • Emily June 20, 2010, 4:13 pm

    I wish I was organized! My mom is, it didn’t rub off on me. Good luck on your move! Moving is so stressful, and I definitely ate dinner on the floor for like 3 months, but it’s so great to be somewhere new and all the fun that comes with a new place, new house (clean house!), new restaurants to try, new people to meet 🙂

  • Amelia June 20, 2010, 4:18 pm

    I love organizing (I asked for an organization book for my birthday when I was a teenager). However, I’m also a HUGE pack rat. I keep everything. Every once in a while, when I’m feeling not as sentimental, I have to purge a bunch of stuff that I’ve been keeping just for the small memories attached. I do like the idea of taking a picture of something rather than keeping the physical thing.
    That said, I’m big on storage containers. If everything has a place and there’s a limited amount of space, things can’t pile up quite as much.

  • Nicole June 20, 2010, 4:23 pm

    I have a major issue with getting rid of things too, but Dennis hates clutter so every year I do the whole “If I haven’t worn it in a year get rid of it” thing. It pains me though bc every time, never fails, about three months or so later I’m searching high and low for whatever it was that I threw away and become bitter with myself for doing so. *sigh*
    I really need help with keeping our mail organized. Our dining room table has become our mail room and it pisses us both off. What do you do with your mail?

    • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 4:27 pm

      I immediately sort it and then I put bills in a folder on my desk called “RECENT/TO DO” and I pay them from there. 🙂

  • Jen June 20, 2010, 4:23 pm

    Taking pictures of memorabilia is a great idea! I always struggle with how to deal with those items that were important but just aren’t something that you’d have use for very often or ever. Young House Love is full of great ideas!

  • Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ June 20, 2010, 4:40 pm

    I keep important memorabilia but anything else can go. I don’t get too attached.

  • Kelly June 20, 2010, 4:44 pm

    I’ve been sorting through all my memorabilia, too. I have been SCANNING all my old print photos, cards, letters, etc. I am then shredding the ones taht aren’t that important to me. I’m keeping cards and letters marking big milestones or that mean something to me, but the little “happy birthdays” or “thank yous” I’m tossing the physical, but still keeping the memory. I’m also taking photos of keepsakes, and if they aren’t that high on my important list, then I’m donating or tossing them, too. This is also a bonus because if there is ever a fire, all I have to do is try to grab my hard drive and know that not all would be lost. Good luck with packing and the move!

    • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 5:28 pm

      you are awesome. this is SUCHHHH a good idea.

      • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness June 21, 2010, 9:17 am

        What a great idea! I have, like, hundreds of concert ticket stubs and this sounds like the perfect way to preserve them but purge them. Same for notes from high school, cards, etc.

  • kirsten June 20, 2010, 4:50 pm

    I’m moving this week too! Good luck with your move!! 🙂

  • Dee June 20, 2010, 5:00 pm

    I’m a hoarder too. What a great idea to take pictures of the stuff you would like to keep as memories!

    I’ll have to use that method to de-clutter my life.

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner June 20, 2010, 5:08 pm

    I never keep anything, and sometimes I do regret it! Good luck with the move!!

  • sarah June 20, 2010, 5:25 pm

    I am definitely organized and not a pack rat at all. I also use the don’t keep anything you haven’t worn in a year. I try to remind myself that stuff is just stuff and that the pictures are important. For example, the only “stuff” I have from our wedding are pictures and a framed wedding invitation. For me, pictures are worth a lot more than things. My husband is such a pack rat and still has clothes and things from high school (we’re 28). So it’s been a work in progress trying to get him to get rid of things.

  • Amy June 20, 2010, 5:25 pm

    I’ve been working on not hoarding so much stuff too. I find reasons to keep anything! I’ve actually utilized a book about how to get organized. One great idea was about books. I tend to keep a lot of books even if I don’t read them again. Although I still keep my childhood favorites, I got rid of a lot of other books. The tip was to get an index card organizer with the A-Z tabs. I write down the author’s name and the title of the book so if I ever want to read it again, I can check it out at the library. Another thing I do, is the whole if I didn’t use it or wear it in a year, I toss it. Clearly I won’t miss it. Most recently, pics have gone into photo boxes to cut down on the space that albums take. I also recycled all the plastic cd cases. I put the little booklets that come with them in a small plastic storage thing I got at target. The cd’s go in a big zippered cd holder. It saves SO much space!

    • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 5:29 pm

      A GENIUS IDEA about the library. This would definitely help me let go of some books.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is June 20, 2010, 5:30 pm

    I love Shock Top. I just had quite my share at the beach.

  • Emily Eats and Exercises June 20, 2010, 5:32 pm

    Great job packing in advance! My ex boyfriend was a super hoarder and over our many years together we just had so much STUFF. When I recently moved out I got rid of SO much and I feel so much better. Life is more organized, clean, and I feel on top of my responsibilities. I’m trying to maintain a level of cleanliness where I could be ready for company with about 15 minutes prep time. (ie not perfect, but not such a mess.) Before I wouldn’t have people over because we had no time to clean! It’s much easier for me to stay organized having pared down so much.

  • Kelly June 20, 2010, 5:38 pm

    I tend to accumulate a lot of stuff but moving always helps me to pair down to essentials and things I actually use. If you’re a beer lover, you should definitely go to the Charlotte Oktoberfest. I’ve been the past two years and it’s so much fun!

  • Ellen Collis June 20, 2010, 5:39 pm

    My life tends to be a HOT MESS most of the time, so no, sorry no tips to share. But wow, I am so impressed how efficient you’re being with the packing. Good job 🙂

    http://www.firednfabulous.com/

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) June 20, 2010, 5:49 pm

    Best of luck for the move! Having just moved lately I know how tiring it can be!!!!

  • Shannon, Tropical Eats June 20, 2010, 5:56 pm

    hahaah lovin the beer. i used to hate it a few years ago, but now im obsessed with any and all kinds.

    im a hardcore messmaker so i probably have no tips 🙁 it is fun to get rid of stuff though and start fresh!

  • Jen June 20, 2010, 6:15 pm

    Dinner looks delish! If you like Belgium Whites, then you should try Hoegaarden…it’s my favorite of the Belgium Whites!

  • RhodeyGirl June 20, 2010, 6:22 pm

    That tip is so awesome! I am going to start doing that with memorabilia I don’t want to keep! Thanks for sharing that!

  • ActiveEggplant June 20, 2010, 6:39 pm

    I take a picture of any race shirt I don’t plan on wearing again. Many give out nice tech shirts now, but those that give away plain t-shirts get snapped then donated. (I will save some from the most memorable races though – Peachtree for instance – that’s a “collector’s item” when it comes to race shirts so I’ve kept all of those). This has helped keep my drawers much cleaner!

  • Evan Thomas June 20, 2010, 6:50 pm

    I keep everything, but in an organized way?

  • Marissa June 20, 2010, 7:01 pm

    I’m a hoarder, and then suddenly I’ll just get fed up with all the stuff and go on a purge and throw away EVERYTHING! Hahah. Well, not really. I still have all my old stuffed animals and Breyer horses from when I was a kid… those have sentimental value! I can’t do the whole “take a photo and throw it out” thing… I’ll look at the photo, and then I’ll get so upset because I don’t have it anymore! Hahah.

  • julia June 20, 2010, 7:42 pm

    I’m not organized, per se, but I hate having “stuff”, so I throw aanything and everything away that I don’t use on a frequent basis. I like knowing that almost everything I own fits into my car 🙂 I move a lot too, so it makes life easier. Good luck on your move! I’m doing a big move too, in august

  • Katie @ peacbeme June 20, 2010, 9:23 pm

    I ALWAYS drink beer when I’m moving! Moving is so stressful to me and there’s nothing like a cold beer to take the edge off (I always seem to be moving in the summer so its refreshing too)!

  • Miranda @ MirandasJeans June 20, 2010, 10:33 pm

    I love to binge! I have been a big subscriber of take a picture of it and store it away in a box instead of keeping multiple large boxes of bulky junk you will never look at, use or wear again. I firmly believe if you haven’t worn clothing in 12 months, that it’s time for that item to be donated to someone who will wear it. I hate junk. Junk-Be-Gone!

  • Anne @ the doctor takes a wife June 20, 2010, 10:35 pm

    I’m a big scrapbooker and hoarder, and REALLY into keepsakes–I love your tip about taking pictures instead of saving the real thing!! I think I’m going to implement this on our next big purge before we move again.

  • Kelly June 21, 2010, 12:44 am

    I think that taking photos of important items instead of keeping them is a great idea! However…make sure to BACK UP your computer files and keep them on one (if not more) external hard drives. If your computer got stolen or if it ever crashed to an un-recoverable point, it would be such a bummer to lose all your meaningful photos.

  • Rebecca June 21, 2010, 1:07 am

    I keep everything! It’s really bad. I actually just set a deadline for myself to clean out my closet by June 30.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) June 21, 2010, 1:10 am

    I tend to keep everything … I am slowly starting to get better with the help (nagging) of my husband 🙂

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) June 21, 2010, 7:20 am

    I try to be organized… but really, I keep EVERYTHING so it’s hard to be organized, haha!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) June 21, 2010, 8:04 am

    throw it out. a cluttered house=a clutter mind…do I need to show you episodes of hoarders? 🙂 BTW that first pic of you is so pretty…I’M SERIOUS.

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:21 am

      thank you 🙂

  • Heather June 21, 2010, 8:39 am

    I love that blog, they have such good ideas. I tend to be sentimental but am working on it!

  • Michelle June 21, 2010, 9:21 am

    I am a magazine/catalog hoarder! I saw on a design blog a tip to start an inspiration binder… so I did that. I tear pages out of all my Pottery Barn catalogs, Traditional Home magazines, etc and organize them in the binder by room. That way when we move, I’ll be ready to decorate!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) June 21, 2010, 3:17 pm

    I grew up in a family where they kept everything and always felt claustrophobic. So I tend to get rid of stuff. But I love the idea of taking pictures so I don’t keep even the stuff I like but don’t need. It would be great to have memories.

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