Category Archives: Uncluttering

Can I, or should I, unclutter the sentimental items?

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary

As I continue on my quest to unclutter my house and my life, I’m finding it easier and easier to give things away, even expensive items, to someone who will use and enjoy them more than I do. But I’m having much more difficulty with the sentimental items.

But I simply do not have room for everything. And I do not want my home to be in any way museum-like. (Um, considering the mess, there’s no need to worry!) Clear and open space in my home makes me feel calmer and more relaxed. I’d like to have more relaxed feelings and less Stuff.

So what do I do with these lovely, sentimental items? Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness Project, Uncluttering | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Four kitchen items I never knew I wanted

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary

I’ve been spending some time trying to clear out stuff from my house. The other day we went through all the spices, and (believe it or not) I actually threw some out. (Sorry I don’t have a “before” picture. I didn’t think of taking a photo until the process was already well underway.) I know I will not use coriander, or savory, or fennel. I’ve had those spices for many years and have never used them. It’s hard for me to throw away things that I think are “perfectly good.” But I’m tired of having so much Stuff, and I’ve decided that if it can’t be reasonably given away or sold, I would rather throw it out than keep it. It’s not that I want to fill up the landfill, but I also don’t want to fill my house with Stuff I won’t use.

As much as I’m working towards getting rid of Stuff, I am not a complete minimalist. There are many things that I’m keeping, in fact, that might seem surprising. Like the things on this list, for example.

Four kitchen items I never knew I wanted: Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Uncluttering | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Trade offs

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk?” –Albert Einstein My house is a mess. Seriously, it’s a total mess at the moment. There are boxes all over, clean laundry … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Happiness Project, Observations, Uncluttering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend Happiness

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary

The whole point of this blog is to focus on things that make me happy, that move me, or make me smile. I hope you find that it helps you to smile, too!

Usually when I write about things that make me happy, I tend to focus on the people I love. Which is wonderful. The people I love do, indeed, make me happy. But today, I’m going to write about a few things that are not specifically related to friends or family.

These are some things that made me smile this weekend, all on my own […] Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Happiness Project, Observations, Uncluttering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Uncluttering, very slowly

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary

Lately I’ve been feeling somewhat overwhelmed by Stuff. You know, all those things that seem to accumulate in the house. Items that sit around requiring organization and taking up space. All that Stuff.

I’d like to get rid of some of my Stuff. I’m not anywhere near the level of hoarding, but I still have waaaaay more Stuff than I need. Clear and open space in my home makes me feel calmer and more relaxed. I’d like to have more relaxed feelings and less Stuff.

With the iterative nature of decluttering in mind, I decided to take a stroll around the main living area of my house to see if there was anything else that suddenly seemed unnecessary. A quick look around (the space is not very big, after all!) and I immediately found 10 objects that I can definitely do without… Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness Project, Observations, Uncluttering | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments