I'm so proud of myself (and I feel so pathethic)!

[swd12422]

I'm on Day One of decluttering and getting the house neat. I promised myself that no matter how I feel, today I'm going to straighten up the non-bedroom/bathroom areas of the house so it's at least neat when DH comes home. This means the living room, dining room, kitchen eating area (the rest of the kitchen will have to wait since I'll be cooking dinner anyway), and play room/family room.

It took me less than an hour! I couldn't believe how easy and quick it was, and feel awful that it's taken me so long to do it.

On top of that, I took a big bag of new toys for DS that has been sitting in the kitchen for weeks (he only knows about one of the new toys, so I'm waiting to introduce the rest at some other point) and emptied it. The toys went into the toy/book closet and I was left with a huge empty bag. I thought about whether I should toss it or put it in the closet to be reused, b/c I hate tossing plastic bags but it's too big to use for much... Except for filling with old toys from the same cabinet to be donated! (This is how bad I am at decluttering -- this is a HUGE epiphany for me!)

So now there's a big bag of old/ignored toys waiting to go out the door AND my house is (mostly) neat. Yee-ha!

[MommyDOK]

that is awesome.!!! I'm impressed. I want to do that and then just pick up 5 things per day in my basement or somewhere like that.

[zoebird]

that's awesome work!

i find that when i "just do it"--it takes a lot less time than i think it will.

good for you!

[Katie T]

Hurray for you that is awesome! I love the feeling of a clean house!!

[ErikaLeigh]

Wtg!!

[LCBMAX]

ok ok I'll go try it instead of lurking here...

[dkenagy]

I'm new to the decluttering thing, too.... I've felt like I've been too busy with these small children for these past 7 years to clean my house... now I feel like I've been kidding no one but myself!!
I joined the 2010 in 2010 challenge here a little less than a month ago and, as of today, I'm up to 1832/2010!!! I can't believe how easy it's really been to just let go of all this junk! It even gives me a thrill to hear that sweet old lady at the Goodwill exclaim, "holy smokes!" every time I open up the back door of my van at the drop off area! :P
I am even enjoying my "me" time much more now... sounds silly, maybe, but I can sit on the couch after I put the kids in the bed and crochet and watch something on the Food network without junk calling me from all corners of the house, making me feel guilty for not dealing with it!!

[swd12422]

LCBMAX, I can't tell you how many times I've needed to post exactly that, but didn't write it, and didn't do it! That's why I feel so silly having done this one hour of work. What was I waiting for???

So the front of my house is still actually presentable, and now I need to get the rest done. I know I still have lots to declutter, but if it can be contained behind closet (not closed, CLOSET) doors, I'll be happy.