100 Day Cleanout

[MrsPinecone]

A friend of mine has decided that she's got too much stuff. Shocker. Most of us do!

She's doing something she is calling the 100 day cleanout. Every day she clears out one item or batch of items and sends it to the garage to await pickup by Vietnam Vets or Easter Seals or takes it to Goodwill.

It's a little bit more manageable than the 2011 items in 2011 was. I admit that I started out well and tanked around March.

Her days are not necessarily consecutive, but there will be a total of 100 and on those days she MUST get rid of stuff.

Examples are:

- As she decorated for Christmas, she sorted things out of the boxes that were broken or didn't go with her current themes.

- She found herself using the same kitchen gadgets over and over. Why have 7 spatulas when you only use 3 of them regularly? Out the remaining 4 went.

- She had an entire drawer full of note pads and post it notes. She kept the most useful ones that didn't have medical ads or whatever on them and donated the rest.

I've been following along with her here and there and it's truly liberating.

[TiggerToo]

Awesome idea...I actually get stressed looking at our house sometimes. Not to mention you do the same thing with clothes too...Ever notice you wear the same clothes every week? You just wash and rewear the following week, yet you have TONS of clothes in your drawers/closets...

I may have to do this too!!!

[cody82414]

I am in

[$Saving!]

Cue the Twilight Zone music

Hubby and I got serious about a month ago and did some serious clearing out of our bedroom closet and two cedar chests!

Felt so good we're on a mission to keep doing this over time, whittling down the excess one closet/room at a time.

It's a great idea, and I think the 100 days is a good realistic goal that most people can meet without feeling like they've overwhelmed with the task!

[tacatcon]

I'm in serious need of a cleanout (but can I call it something else lol)! I finally gave up on trying to sort through the clothes the kids never wore or outgrew to figure out what was going to goodwill and what I could try to sell and just started donating it all. I just don't have the time to spend on it and I'm sick of looking at it.

Papers are what drive me nuts. All the cute little pictures and things dd brings home from school, her daddy wants to save every one. I'm ok with (gasp!) throwing some out!! He is going to be a hoarder soon. But I guess if I can get some of the other things simplified and cleaned out, the papers won't be soooo bad to handle (I hope).

[nanshaw2001]

I'm in....clutter so stresses me! Just subscribed!

[MIRBENSON]

Papers are what drive me nuts. All the cute little pictures and things dd brings home from school, her daddy wants to save every one. I'm ok with (gasp!) throwing some out!! He is going to be a hoarder soon. But I guess if I can get some of the other things simplified and cleaned out, the papers won't be soooo bad to handle (I hope).

Take pictures of her with them and then throw them out. That way you have the memory without the paper.

[jrj]

Sounds great, but I'd lose track if I didn't do 100 consecutive days. Start after the new year?

[ptracey]

Sounds great, but I'd lose track if I didn't do 100 consecutive days. Start after the new year?

I agree JRJ- I would have to keep it on a calendar so I could keep track- It's a great idea. Maybe posting when you get rid of something will keep others motivated as well.

[mom2lucas]

The last few weeks have been major cleanout around here. I try to do it before Christmas every year because the kids get so many toys. Some things are hitting the trash, some things I have sold, and some things I've given away. It feels good.