With so much happening this year (and so much I want to make happen) I've been determined to kick 2012 off with a clean, organised, focussed start. From my blog reading it seems I'm not the only one - there's a lot of de-cluttering going on out there!
Here's what I've been up to:
First up, I spent an entire day cleaning up my appallingly over stuffed inbox. I deleted thousands of old emails and switched my interface from Yahoo to Mac Mail (everyone said I wouldn't be able to do it with a free Yahoo account, but it's working fine). I've set up a bunch of 'rules' so that all those pesky not-so-important emails are automatically filed, so I can deal with them when I have a bit of spare time. My Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter notifications automatically go into a 'Social Media' folder, and my blog subscriptions automatically go into a 'Blogs to Read' folder. All of which means I've been able to get my inbox under double figures for the first time in years, and I've kept it that way since the clean up too. Such a good feeling.
Next, after some not so gentle persuasion from my horrified husband, I finally tackled the mess that is my craft storage area. There's a tiny space tacked on to my office which is meant to be a drying room, but I've filled it with shelving and have been dumping all manner of things in there for the past two years.
Scary, huh?
It took two solid days of sorting and throwing out, but here's what it looks like now:
Ferdi helped clean up...
Lastly, I've set myself two simple rules to help de-clutter (and to avoid future clutter). If I purchase any new item of clothing I have to clear something out of my wardrobe and bin it, sell it, or give it away. And if I buy a new magazine, I have to get rid of two magazines from the giant Tower of Publications. Manageable goals which make the whole thing less overwhelming, and they'll make a big difference over time.
Are you getting organised in 2012? I'd love to hear how you're tackling it if you are!
Love your before and after photos!! I feel very inspired and am amazed at how organised your email is. We just got a new computer which is a Mac sc I am so going to copy your genius organising skills!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind Emma! It's well worth the time to set up Mail on your Mac, even just to give the impression of being organized (because really, I'm not!)
DeleteAMAZING! I did a lot of decluttering and organising before our move and it feels great to be travelling light. Although, there is always that tempation to buy something new and add to the collection!
ReplyDeleteCan you please come and organise my mail inbox too?
Ah yes, moving is the perfect decluttering motivator! Our various moves over the years has really helped me hone my collections of stuff, figure out what we really really like and not hang on to so much junk!
DeleteAnd yes, more than happy to come and organise your inbox - seems like a great excuse for a trip to Hong Kong ;)
I so need to declutter, but I have no energy. Plus, I'm so used to walking around the piles. What will happen when there's nothing there to trip over??
ReplyDeleteEm you are so inspiring - I have cleared a small space on the desk in my office, so proud of myself! Also I have followed the rule about if you buy a new item of clothing you throw one out, and while it doesn't decrease the clothing issue it does stop it getting worse.
ReplyDeleteP.S. and the new workspace loks very impressive
ReplyDeleteWell I am very impressed you are so organised I need to do that my work space has got out of hand again, Ferdi looks very cosy hee well I know what I have to do this weekend :)) x
ReplyDeleteMy mom is visiting me for the week and we were just having a discussion about organizing and how much she loves taking a mess and making it orderly. I have to admit I love it too! In the moment it is not a lot of fun and the desire to burn it all and run crosses my mind, but in the end it is so satisfying and gives me such a renewed sense of creativity. Your storage looks wonderfully tidy. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteRight there with ya. Doing the same thing. I was wondering where the dogs were. I actually was looking for them in the first pictures to be hiding in a bin somewhere, lol. Paper supply. Just posted on the PLovers page on what people do for storage. How do you store yours?
ReplyDeleteKudos on the emails. My inbox never looked so good.....feels great doesn't it?
Nice work. Your craft storage area looks amazing!! I bet you feel much more inspired now it's all organised. :)
ReplyDeleteI just tackle one space at a time and slowly chip away ... I'm currently sorting books and DVDs. I recently donated all my old magazines (and just tore out the articles I wanted to keep). :)
Oh, I love the "after" photo! It's just what I need after receiving boxes and boxes of marvelous supplies that are now just stacked in boxes and boxes. Thank you for the inspiration of what a terrible pile can become! :)
ReplyDelete