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09-22-2014, 01:03 PM | #1 |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)final update post 26
Okay so I just made this up. But I want to know if anyone will play with me. Here is how it works:
For the next 12 days including today, I am going to pick 12 categories of items that I will pare down to 12 things in each category. I am putting the rest of my items in that category in a sealed box. We then live without the items for 12 weeks and at the end we reevaluate what we want to keep and what we didn't actually miss. While nothing has to go permanently, this is an idea to help declutter without the commitment of permanence. 12 weeks ends on 12-15 in case anyone wants to know. This can be as easy or as hard as you like. Someone who is just starting decluttering can do something easier like limiting themselves to 12 pair of footwear, whereas perhaps a die-hard minimalist could limit themselves to 12 items of clothing (this will not be me). If anyone wants to play, please post what category you picked and what you decluttered. So today I pared down my kitchen utensils (which were driving me crazy! You should have seen my utensil drawer!) to 12 items (kitchen utensils defined by me as any implement that is designed to serve or measure food, but does not include knives or eating utensils). -a peeler -a set of measuring cups -a set of measuring spoons -2 bamboo spoons -1 plastic serving spoon -1 can opener -1 rubber spatula -1 pancake spatula -1 brownie spatula -1 pizza cutter -1 whisk You can make up whatever rules you want. For example I am counting a set of measuring cups as one item. Some ideas, some easy and some hard: 12 pair of footwear 12 shirts 12 pair of pants 12 board games 12 puzzles 12 kid art supplies 12 baking dishes 12 pots and pans 12 drinking glasses/cups/mugs 12 kitchen utensils 12 cleaning products 12 items of jewelry 12 baby toys 12 kinds of toys (sets like legos count as one) 12 board books 12 towels 12 pieces of furniture 12 yard toys 12 outfits per person It doesn't have to be stuff, either. To simplify your schedule you could pick: 12 outside-the-home commitments per week 12 entrees you will make for dinner 12 websites you will visit 12 people you can text or call (except in case of emergency or necessity) 12 places outside the home you will go to (church, library, bank, etc) Whatever- anything you want, your rules about what counts as an item. Will anyone play with me? ---------- Post added at 02:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ---------- I have now also pared my board books down to 12 Autumn by Gerda Mueller Summer (can't find it but I know it's out somewhere so I'm counting it) Blue Hat, Green Hat an Usborne farm book I am a Bunny Bunny's Noisy Book the Very Hungry Caterpillar Diggers and Dumpers Pajama Time I Howl, I Growl Forest Bright, Forest Night Now I can't remember the last one and so I can't go look.
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day Last edited by Aerynne; 12-14-2014 at 09:09 AM. |
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Aerynne For This Useful Post: | ArmsOfLove (09-25-2014), cro (11-09-2014), kiloyd (09-25-2014), Soliloquy (09-25-2014), tessiemae (10-26-2014) |
09-22-2014, 02:54 PM | #2 |
Rose Garden
I'm most definitely an INFJ. ;-)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 7,264
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
Oooh, sounds fun. I don't feel like I can do it right now, being in the middle of moving and all, but im grabbing some popcorn.
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The Following User Says Thank You to WaitPatientlyOnTheLord For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-22-2014) |
09-22-2014, 04:04 PM | #3 |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
That's fine, too. Cheer me on, then?
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day |
The Following User Says Thank You to Aerynne For This Useful Post: | WaitPatientlyOnTheLord (09-23-2014) |
09-23-2014, 03:11 AM | #4 |
Rose Trellis
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,025
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
This sounds like a neat idea! I should try it since it will motivate me to organize some things just to see how many I have, lol.
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Rachel, mom to ds (14) and dd (almost 12) and dd2 (3!) |
The Following User Says Thank You to Love_Is_Patient For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-23-2014) |
09-25-2014, 09:26 AM | #5 |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
I have now reduced my clothing down to 12 bottoms and 12 tops. I am choosing to count pajamas, but not underwear or outerwear, in the totals.
3 skirts (plum print, light blue print, black solid) 1 pair of capris (olive) 1 pair of shorts (khaki) 1 pair of black pants 1 pair of black yoga pants 2 pair of jeans 2 pajama bottoms, one light and one heavier 1 pair of thermal pants 2 polo shirts 5 t-shirts 1 long-sleeved t-shirt 2 dressy tops (one goes with each skirt) 1 lighter pajama top 1 sweater I am hoping to do this for my kids today as well, except Bunny because he still pees in his pants so I need lots of bottoms for him.
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day |
09-25-2014, 09:49 AM | #7 |
Seedling Rose
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 15
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
I'll play! But, I don't think I can do 12 days worth. Most of out stuff has already been pared down to 12 or fewer items. I'll do 3 days? 1 day for each kid's clothing.
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The Following User Says Thank You to KSM For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-25-2014) |
09-25-2014, 11:09 AM | #8 | |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
Quote:
I did our bath towels, so now I'm up to four categories. What do you guys think I should do next (after my kids' clothes) and why? I'm considering: board games puzzles (because I have puzzles for four kids of different ages, including the wood ones for babies, this could be a challenge. Or maybe I already have 12 or fewer) kids' art supplies (a set of crayons would count as one item, though) office supplies (12 types of office supplies- scissors, stapler, pens, etc) toys (I'm probably almost there with toys anyway) but I'm also open to suggestions I'm loving cooking in my kitchen now with fewer utensils! And I'm excited about my new wardrobe! I've always tried to be a minimalist. But I've never limited myself to an arbitrary number before, and I've never done massive scale temporary decluttering before (it's always been permanent). I must say I'm liking this!
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day |
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The Following User Says Thank You to Aerynne For This Useful Post: | WaitPatientlyOnTheLord (09-26-2014) |
09-25-2014, 06:41 PM | #9 |
Seedling Rose
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 15
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
I'll try to get pictures tomorrow after my kids are up and going. I've never thought of myself as minimalist before, just economical. Lol. Or I may be taking this the wrong way and not thinking the same as you? I'll give some examples:
Bath towels - family of 5, 2 towels each + 2 for guests = 12 Sheets - 3 sets for master bed, 2 twin sets for ds1, 4 crib/toddler sets for ds2&3, 1 set for guest futon. = 10 sets of sheets My clothes -10 shirts - 9 skirts, 2 pants, 1 shorts -12 dresses (maybe counting skirts and dresses is cheating?) -6 pair shoes. Kids toys - 3 little people sets - play kitchen - indoor basketball goal with balls - ball pit with slide - Mr. potato head - 1 small box of blocks - 1 small box of cars - 2-3 talking book type toys - there is a box of toys they never played with that I had just put away... - I don't know how many clothes my kids have, but it is way too many! 1 & 3 to wore the same size for 6-8 months. Now that 3yo finally grew, 1yo has enough for 2. Art supplies - 1 pencil box full of each • markers • pencils • crayons • sharpies - 3 sets paint (1 for each boy) - 2 pair scissors - glue - glitter - 1 folder full of stickers We do have hundreds of books though. I love books and am always collecting more. Definitely not minimalist there. |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to KSM For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-25-2014), WaitPatientlyOnTheLord (09-26-2014) |
09-25-2014, 07:44 PM | #10 |
Rose Garden
Why climb a mountain? Because it's there!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Selkirk Mountains
Posts: 52,860
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
I'll play but I have to think first. I have a downsized wardrobe already, very few shoes, etc. My kids need to downsize, though. |
The Following User Says Thank You to Soliloquy For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-25-2014) |
09-25-2014, 08:15 PM | #11 |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
KSM, I don't think anything is cheating. You can make the right categories for however much of something you want. It's just a matter of how much of a minimalist you want to be. Like I said, a category could be "pairs of shoes" if you're not much of a minimalist or it could be "items of clothing" if you're a die-hard.
All my kids' clothes are done. They were pretty happy to do it. I think the fact that I declutter constantly, both for myself and with my kids (their rooms) helps them realize that it really is helping them. My dd even said she had wanted to declutter her clothes again but needed my help (I'm not sure why she didn't ask, but she didn't). My kitchen is so much easier to keep clean. Tonight I had time to play with play dough with my kids because cleaning the kitchen was faster. And I know the clothes thing is going to help so much! Now I have to decide what is next. Soliloquy, I'd start with whatever is bugging you the most. My utensils were driving me insane which is why I started with those.
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day |
09-26-2014, 06:04 AM | #12 |
Rose Garden
I'm most definitely an INFJ. ;-)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 7,264
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
So, I always feel like I cant declutter my kitchen items (utensils, pots and small appliances) because I cook so much from scratch that I really use them all. But it sounds like you were using all yours too, Erin (since you were cleaning them.) Do you find it makes food prep more of a hassle not to have all your items?
Last edited by WaitPatientlyOnTheLord; 09-26-2014 at 06:21 AM. |
09-26-2014, 06:19 AM | #13 |
Rose Garden
Butterfly on my face :)
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 6,955
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
Neat idea! Considering jumping in...
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Wife with 5 DC Former Chemist |
The Following User Says Thank You to mommychem For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-26-2014) |
09-26-2014, 06:39 AM | #14 | |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,356
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
Quote:
I'm thinking when I get my kitchen utensils back (because I will want some things back when the 12 weeks is over) of limiting myself to twelve more things, or 24 total. I was thinking of it like when I go to a hotel with a kitchen (which we always try to do when we go to a hotel) and it's just stocked with basic utensils, and it really works fine for cooking basic food, which is what I usually cook anyway.
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Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day Last edited by Aerynne; 09-26-2014 at 06:42 AM. |
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The Following User Says Thank You to Aerynne For This Useful Post: | WaitPatientlyOnTheLord (09-26-2014) |
09-26-2014, 06:53 AM | #15 |
Rose Garden
I'm most definitely an INFJ. ;-)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 7,264
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Re: 12-12-12 project (minimalism/decluttering related)
I was just over in the capsule wardrobe thread and thinking I might combine these ideas....I like the idea of just putting it away for long enough to test it out without getting rid of it permanently....
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The Following User Says Thank You to WaitPatientlyOnTheLord For This Useful Post: | Aerynne (09-26-2014) |
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