I give. you give too.

If you've been reading me for a while, you'll know that I've been working my ass off to declutter and simplify my home environment for years. No, that's not hyperbole. I've mentioned it every New Year's Day for the past 3 years.

Throughout our wild goose chase ongoing journey toward minimalism, we've tried to be environmentally and socially conscious, not so wasteful, more giving. Since 2007...
  • the Goodwill truck's been to our house 4 times to pick up no less than 20 boxes and bags of donations in total.
  • Roomie and Lam have delivered 5 large boxes of toys the kids decided to donate to the Children's Hospital.
  • we've donated various clothes and kid furniture, including our beloved playpen, to a woman's shelter.
  • I've bagged up and boxed up outgrown kids' clothes to pass on to village friends with younger kids than my own.
Decluttering has become an excellent way for us to teach our children kindness, consideration, and giving to others.

Like all long-term projects, there are periods of productivity and periods of "I'd rather stuff stinky cheese up my nose than declutter". Believe it or not, I took this picture after a rather productive afternoon...

Yes, it's been MUCH worse than that. "Forest of Boxes" worse.

Oh, but it does get better...


Looks good, eh? Yeah, but that's not the end of it. Because that's just one end of the room. The other end of my livingroom looks like this hot mess...


And it's at this point that I stalled. I was ready to head out and buy some blue cheese for nose stuffing. Very bad news, indeed, as it's been over a year since I've done any clearing in this room. (Yes, there are hot messes in other rooms of my house.)

Now, I'm ready to finish this room once and for all, thanks to AndreAnna. She's given us until April 1st to purge and donate as much of our crap as we can for her 1st Annual Blogger's Spring Giving. This may just be the kick in the pants I need to finally get this room DONE.*

On April 1st, I will post a picture of my livingroom sans clutter. And I'll also share with you the places I've donated to.

I throw down the gauntlet and challenge you to do the same. I know, short notice, but any amount of clearing and donating can benefit at least one person. Your trash could be someone else's treasure!

Are you with me? Just head over to AndreAnna's place, get the details, and join us!

* - Or at least, to the point where I just need to change the area rug and curtains.

6 comments:

  1. wow I love the bookcases next to the couch!! looks very magazine ready ;)
    You're doing a great job! I know without my hubby, my house would never get organized...such a big task!

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  2. I'm also in the process of decluttering so that if I move again in the next year I don't have nearly this much shit. However, I'm having a garage sale with all the stuff I'm getting rid of, and then I'll donate the rest. I'm too much of a capitalist to give it ALL away.

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  3. I am in the midst of a big decluttering. I actually decluttered quite a bit when I got separated but there's still boxes of crap I just haven't touched in AGES. I keep reminding myself that if I haven't used it (or in some cases SEEN it) in over a year - I probably don't actually need it.

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  4. How...? How do we end up with so much stuff?? I'm with you on the decluttering. All those things in the basement has to be sorted through. *shudder*

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  5. I'm so glad so many people are getting into this! Thanks for helping spread the word and it looks awesome!!

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  6. OK, seriously, I hadn't plan on doing it that soon, but I'm decluttering like a mad woman!!

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