25 Things You Can Declutter TODAY (without guilt or regret)

As many of you know, my One Word for this year is Simplify.  Part of my process for this year has been to begin simplifying what I own.  In other words - decluttering.  It has been a slow, off again - on again kind of a thing for me.  But over the past 7 and a half months there are a few things I have come to realize I can donate or dispose of easily and without guilt. 

On those days when you feel a little overwhelmed with where to begin or that you just can't face some deep cleaning type decluttering - having a list like this can help you keep making forward progress in some form.

1. Old Magazines:  If you haven't read them by now, you aren't going to.  Drop them in the recycling bin!
2. Old Cosmetics:  You're not wearing them for a reason.  And there's a good chance they've expired by now.  Toss 'em!
3. Unread Books:  If it's been sitting on your nightstand for months and months - you're likely never going to read it.  If you change your mind, you can check it out from the library. 
4. VHS and Audio Cassette Tapes:  You probably don't even have a way to play these anymore. 
5. Accessories for Cell Phones you  no longer use:  Cases, head sets, charging cords, etc.  If you don't use the phone - you don't need the extras for it.
6. Stretched out Hair Elastics, bent Bobby Pins and Broken Clips: If you're like me you have a whole bunch of these in a drawer or box somewhere.  Probably mixed in with all the ones that actually function.  I don't know what we're saving them for.  
7. Lids to Food Storage Containers that have no matching container:  I know... you think you'll find the match eventually.  Trust me - you won't
8. Like wise... Food Storage Containers with no matching lid.
9. Unused toiletries:  The ones you received as a gift and never use.  The cute little bottles you brought home from that hotel on your last vacation.  Samples.
10. Old Nail Polish:  Is it a color you never wear?  Thick?  Has it separated?  Toss it and treat yourself to a bottle of a cute new color!
11. Recipe Books You Never Use:  If you suddenly discover you wanted a certain recipe, you can probably find it online. 
12. Treats Your Pet Won't Eat:  Is someone else in the house going to eat it?
13. Any Expired Food in your Pantry, Cabinet, Fridge or Freezer:  Expired food?  'Nuf said...
14. Expired medications:  Just be sure you dispose of them correctly!!  Check out the FDA GUIDELINES
15. Paper or Plastic Bags:  What are you saving them for?  You're gonna get more...
16. Scraps of Wrapping Paper:  Do you ever really use all those little leftover pieces?
17. Socks with No Matches:  I'm marking this one "Note to Self".  I keep a mesh bag of mismatched socks thinking the partner will show up someday.  Probably time to give it up.
18. And while you're at it:  Any Socks with holes in them.  
19. Or - Tights with Runs
20. Video or Computer Games the kids have outgrown or you don't play anymore:  Lots of places have buy back programs where you can get some credit toward new ones!  Or give them to a friend with younger kids who will enjoy them. 
21. Old Prescription Eyeglasses:  Donate them!  Many eye glass providers have collection boxes, or contact your local Lions Club for information
22. Packets of Anything that came with a take out order:  ketchup, salt, soy sauce, etc...
23. Old Planners or Calendars:  Do you think you might need to know what you were doing on an exact day a year or more ago?  
24. Old Herbs and Spices:  That bottle of seasoning you bought for that one recipe that you made that one time?  It's gotta go.
25. Pens and Pens:  I am the worst for this!  I have a pretty serious pen addiction, and it would be embarrassing for both of us if I told you how many pens I have in my house right now.  (Whatever you're thinking - it's more than that)  Keep a few of your favorites and get rid of the rest.

Reducing Your Paper Towel Waste

Back in January, we made the switch from paper napkins to cloth.  This has gone well for the most part.  However we were still using paper towels.  And going through a lot of them.   While any little bit of progress to reduce waste is good progress - I couldn't help feeling that we could do more.

It was time to make the move to "un-paper towels".

I considered just buying some and did a lot of looking online.  (Just search "unpaper towels" on Etsy.  You'll find plenty of options if you want to purchase some yourself)   But being a cheap thrifty DIY type of gal, I decided to make my own.  Which meant it was time to hit up Pinterest for some inspiration.

After a lot of looking around.  And I mean A LOT...   I finally came across a tutorial by 104homestead.com which was a nice, simple, no-frills, and fast solution for creating your own unpaper towels.

I am very pleased with the results so far.  They clean up small spills well.  The grand kid has used them for wiping face and hands during snacks and lunches.  I have used them for drying my hands.  I've used them to set bread on while making sandwiches.  All the usual paper towel type jobs.

They live in a cute little wooden box on the counter next to the sink - right where the paper towel holder used to sit.  And the female offspring was thrilled to inherit my old paper towel holder, since she's been looking for one for her own kitchen.

The male offspring had expressed some concern about what we would use for cleaning windows and mirrors.  I resolved that buy picking up a pack of microfiber cloths just for this purpose.

Would you consider switching to cloth towels in place of paper towels?  Or have you already made the switch?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

To Read About My Switch to Cloth Napkins - click HERE

To Read the Tutorial I Followed  For Making My UnPaper Towels - click HERE 

Stuff For All The Stuff

They've been showing up in my email daily for the past week or two.  Emails letting me know that storage items are on sale.  Telling me about all the items being offered which will help me get my clutter under control.  Baskets and decorative boxes are half off! 

They're so tempting with their siren's song of getting my life organized and getting all my things under control once and for all.

Hold on just a sec.  Wait a minute...

Are they all telling me that I need to buy more STUFF in order to contain all the STUFF I already own?

Why - yes!  I think that's exactly what they are trying to convince me.  That because of all the things I have cluttering up my life and home - I need to buy MORE things!

Um...  Does this seem wrong to anyone else? 

My life is not going to become simplified by purchasing more things to put in my home in order to hold all the stuff that's already there.  The only solution to all the clutter in my life is to start eliminating it.  Not by adding to it!

Instead of adding to the clutter by getting a bunch of new items that are supposed to contain it, this week I am getting rid of some of the things cluttering up my home.

What is one area or room where you can get rid of some of the "stuff" cluttering up your home.

Saving Money and Reducing Waste

I never considered myself one of those people who would make the switch from paper to cloth napkins.  Cloth napkins were for special occasions and restaurants - not every day use.  Right?  Right! 

That is, until I recently started thinking about all the trash we dispose of over the course of a week.  And how much we spend on all those cloth napkins over the weeks, months, and years.  YIKES!  Suddenly, cloth napkins seemed not only doable - but quite reasonable. 

I found a good deal on some nice simple white napkins through Amazon.  Which will pay for themselves pretty quickly, considering the cost of paper napkins!

I keep a few folded in the napkin holder on the table, where I used to keep paper napkins.  And now some also live in a little wooden box on the kitchen counter where I can grab one instead of always reaching for the paper towels.

I put a special little basket under the sink for the used napkins - which I take to the laundry room every other day or so when I do a load of whites. 

So far it's working out perfectly! Despite the male offspring constantly informing at first that "this is just a bad idea". 

Now, I'm thinking about "unpaper towels"...

Quiet Time

We are surrounded by constant visual and audio clutter.
Crowds of people...
TV...
Cell phones...
Lap tops...
Tablets...
Social Media...
The voices inside our own heads...

All of this constant stimulation can drown out what we need to hear.  Our heart. Our dreams.  The voice of God.

We need quiet space.  Space to dream.  To be still.  To enjoy the quiet.

I am trying to spend at least 5 minutes each day to just listen.  To the sound of my breath.  My heart beat.  The voice of the Spirit inside me. 

I invite each of you to join me.  Declutter your mind.  And enjoy the silence.