When I walk into my crowded junque/fiber/guest room I feel completely overwhelmed and a craving for space seeps into my soul. The only way to find open space is to dig through the mess, decide which items to keep, which to toss, and step by step, build my different space.
Where to start, how to start on this desired path is difficult, but this is the direction I must go. Decisions must be made as to whether something is a treasure or an albatross. The rule is to donate or dump and every day something will leave this room, small or large, something will go. (For instance, why do I still have that old iMac and 50% of the books?)
I’m starting in the closets, sorting through binders of old patterns, piles of discarded projects and detritus of the last 10-30 years. In the end, my hope is for a few empty shelves, a room with open space, no clutter, a new peaceful space to spin, knit, work, read and enjoy (and maybe even sit).
I'll keep you posted.
Good luck, Margene. I, too, have started purging. Why do I keep things I no longer wear or use? Beats me, and they are beating me too! Peg
Posted by: Peg | October 28, 2010 at 11:35 AM
heh heh
Posted by: travelita | October 28, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Good luck in your endeavors!
Cleaning out spaces like this has become a bit of a passion of mine over the last few years. My acupuncturist once called me on it, asking what I was doing to myself by holding on to the junk and baaggage in my life. Since then I have discovered that I really love to go through the process....even if it is a bit of a slog at times!
You will feel SOoooo much better when it's done!
Posted by: Kristin | October 28, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Oh calm down. You can still the carpet. ;^)
xo
Posted by: Cookie | October 28, 2010 at 02:30 PM
Ok...I've caught the fever too! But what to throw out first???
I want progress pics too...!
Posted by: Anna | October 28, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Ah, I am so happy to see an actual picture of a room that looks just like my own yarn/guest room. I've been feeling so guilty because lately there isn't even a space to walk. Thanks for the support!
Posted by: Deidre | October 28, 2010 at 03:10 PM
My son's family just moved back to the area & seeing all the 'stuff' they have makes me want to start sorting/arranging/tosing my stuff! Yarn & books are my down falls.
Posted by: Cathy | October 28, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Oh, I am so THERE! I have a little craft nook in my basement. It becomes a storage nook. I have a guest room. It becomes a storage nook. Now I have empty kid-bedrooms. They become storage nooks, too. I have work to do. . . Can't wait to see how your re-org turn out!
Posted by: Kym | October 28, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Here's something scary - your room looks 100 times better than mine! You pretty much can't see the floor. I just can't even figure out where to start *sigh*
Posted by: Kristi aka FiberFool | October 28, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Thanks for sharing. You always think you are the only one with a room like that. It is nice to know I am not alone. Good luck with the re-org. Be sure to post pictures when the room is done.
Posted by: Donna | October 28, 2010 at 08:45 PM
Love this post and love the comments. Everybody seems to have the same problem. We have been cleaning out our daughter's bedroom this week (autumn holiday). Years and years of toys and generally 'stuff' has collected and lots had to go to make room to live now instead of in the past. Wish you a lot of courage and am looking forward to seeing the results.
Posted by: Marijke | October 29, 2010 at 12:09 AM
I saw your photo and wondered how you managed to get a photo of my studio/junk/fiber room! I started a major cleanup-remodel about 2 weeks ago as I am trying to make room for a new weaving loom. Must be something in the air...
Posted by: Lynn | October 29, 2010 at 08:02 AM
Yes, be ruthless! you'll feel so much better at the end.
Posted by: StephCat | October 29, 2010 at 09:09 AM
Yay! Your plan sounds sensible and doable. I have to make this an ongoing effort, or it is just too much for me. I am amazed and confused by the way I can make great progress in that room, and within less than 72 hours know one would know I had done any work.
xo
Posted by: Sarah | October 29, 2010 at 10:27 AM
I re-organized the stash a couple weekends ago, which also entailed some weeding and organization of the laundry/craft room. Still working on the details, but whew! I feel so much lighter already! Good luck on your endeavor. btw, I follow that "get rid of something EVERY DAY" rule, too -- such a good idea.
Posted by: kmkat | October 29, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Man! Do I hate getting started on a project like that. But once I get going, I start feeling SO good. And the outcome is spectacular!! The secret to getting ahead is getting started. Good for you! Happy weekend.
Posted by: jill | October 29, 2010 at 12:30 PM
just remember that when you start to clean out the closets and the drawers, it often looks much worse before it gets better.
good job grrl friend!
Posted by: Teyani | October 29, 2010 at 10:52 PM
I'm doing this too, all over the house. It feels SO good. Becomes its own reward. You start with the easy stuff, and the hard stuff becomes easier as you get momentum. I will watch with interest!
Posted by: Laurie | October 31, 2010 at 04:43 AM
I am glad I came to this post later, as I loved all the comments. As you know, decluttering is one of my never-quite-successful hobbies. I get one space cleared out, and lots of things donated or dumped, but then find another has filled up, or gotten messy again. Keep it up, and that's really a great idea about store credit for your books. The ones I don't want are going to the guild library or raffle, but that way you could guitlessly get new ones!
Posted by: burrobird | October 31, 2010 at 08:51 PM