uncluttering one day and one thing at a time

The other day, I cleaned out a drawer and threw out some things. I found a velvet draw string bag, took a picture and offered it on FB, to remember--wait--Spouse said something about liking the idea of all cloth gift bags instead of the paper ones we use and reuse to the death of the paper. Took that offer down right away and added this bag to our gift wrapping stash. (I have previously given away the specific bags for baby showers and such, occasions we don't often attend. I'd rather give a box of diapers than clothes or a toy. Throw a bow on the diaper box and sign the card and move on.)

Decluttering is about finding what we have and getting rid of what we don't use. I'm glad I realized we could use that bag before someone claimed it.

(Weeks ago, Spouse found a CD opener that I was thrilled to have because I've been looking for one. It's now with the rest of the stereo things. I saw them in the store for a dollar last week. Mine was paid for years ago!)

Speaking of claiming, I am slowly finding a few things to offer on FB to friends, but I need to be careful. I have only 8 padded envelopes left! What a great feeling, that I have a manageable shipping stash and people are using what I don't need.

Tomorrow, I'll ship 2 packages, drop a few things off at a second hand store, and give some more handmedowns to a friend. I plan to put 2 foodstuffs in a blessing box, 2 things we'll never use but are perfectly good and still factory sealed.

Does anyone do any special efforts prior to the gift giving holidays? I try to get the kids to give away a few things they don't play with. One child understands I give away things they don't use or wear, the other is too young to notice. I hope to give away a few toys before more toys come into the house. We avoid going overboard with gifts in December, birthdays, and other gift giving holidays, but it's still a good idea to pass other toys along so we have room to play.

Decluttering is a hard and long process.

What do you do for a quick win, a boost?

Clean off the fridge, notes and expired coupons? Deal with the junk drawer? Clear off the kitchen counter?

I like to gather and return library books. We usually have 10 or so and even just returning these picture books can open up space to put the rest of the picture books away, off the floor and a bit more organized.