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Decluttering Certification

Organizing Solutions Aren’t the (Actual) Solution – Decluttering My Scarves and Belts

September 26, 2017 By Dana White | 7 Comments

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A big part of my problem, pre-deslobification process, was not understanding how organizing solutions worked.

Because they didn’t work.

At least they didn’t work for me. And they definitely didn’t work AT ALL like they did in the pictures on the package.

I now know why.

I wasn’t accepting that any organizing solution, no matter how nifty or cool or perfect, was a container.

Because I didn’t know what a container’s job was. 

But once I understood that containers are limits and that serving as limits is their most important function (especially for people like me who don’t notice limits), I was able to use them.

Not that they never get wonky again and need decluttering again.

They do.

Like this towel wall-hanging thingy. It worked great for towels in our old house. But in this house, I put it in my closet and started using it for belts and scarves. It works great for those, too.

But over time, other things ended up on it (since that’s how I roll), and it needed to be decluttered.

Again.

I had my trash bag ready, but I didn’t use it. My Donate Box filled up quickly. Understanding that this space was the limit to how many scarves and belts I could keep naturally revealed which scarves don’t deserve towel-rack-turned-scarf-and-belt-organizer space.

I accepted that the pretty blue one is pretty but I’d never worn it in the two years I’ve had it.

The wool hat (yes, a hat ended up there) was too itchy to deserve space.

Other things left, too, with pretty much no emotional trauma.

And when I came to something that did cause internal angst, I kept it. Because once I’d purged the things that were obvious, there was space for it. It wouldn’t win out over something I use all the time, but it gets to stay because it fits in the container.

Watch the video! I walk and talk through the process.

 

 

--Nony

Related Posts:

Read Newer Post 140 Folding Laundry (And Why It Feels So Hard) Podcast
Read Older Post 139 Taking Advantage of Decluttering Opportunities Podcast

Filed Under: decluttering, organization, vlogs | 7 Comments

Comments

  1. Penelope says

    September 27, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Oh dear! Now you are making me re-think a couple of “solutions” in my closet. I’m pretty sure I need a hook for my purse in there (so I can find it–ever) and now I’m wondering if a belt hook makes sense too. Hmmm.

    Reply
  2. Tracie @ SomewhatAwry.com says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:29 am

    Yes! I have managed to convince my daughter (who absolutely comes by it naturally from her Mama) that her dresser drawers are containers. Once she – ahem – we finally got this concept, it’s like a miracle has happened. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts!!

    Reply
  3. Susan McVicker says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Thank you! I’ve been working on the container thingy with children’s books. I need my bookshelves reserved for SCHOOL BOOKS. The children’s books are more for Little Visitors now.
    Those kids like to sit on two comfy chairs that overlook part of my yard. Over the past two weeks I was able to find wicker baskets that slide right under these chairs.

    Before I got the second basket (today) I went through the first box and got rid of ‘not-so-special’ books.

    So now, not only do I have two containers of the right size, I always created a cozy reading corner for the Little Visitors.

    Thank for the guidance! I really need it right now, since I inherited a bunch of things from my mother’s collections. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Audrey says

    October 12, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks for the detailed “thinking” that explains the way a container works. I guess it would be obvious to some people (but not to me!) that a container is a limiting device. It pre-defines how much you can have of something. This is going to help me look at containers in a new way.

    Reply
  5. The Challenge Book says

    October 22, 2017 at 3:12 am

    I’ve never thought about storing things in that way. I always adjust the containers to the stuff that I’ve got. More stuff, bigger containers. Thank you for that new concept. Maybe if I try limit myself, my decluttering will be more effective too 🙂

    Reply
  6. Judi says

    August 21, 2019 at 10:34 pm

    Lived the container concept video…I have way too much stuff…and moving after 40! Years had been difficult!!🤪
    I’m decluttering one box one day at a time. I know I’m keeping too much for my new home but maybe I can get it right on the 2nd If 3rd round!🤗

    Reply
  7. Lisa H. says

    January 13, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    Thank you for this video! Your container concept was a revelation to me when I first read it several months ago. Now if I can just put it into practice! Seeing you declutter this way, without creating a bigger mess, is so encouraging.

    Reply

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A Slob Comes Clean is the completely honest (and never-ending) story of my deslobification process. As I find ways to keep my home under control, I share the truth about cleaning and organization methods that actually work for a real-life slob. And I'm funny.

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