A Hard Bargain: More of Your Most Difficult Organizing Challenges - The Clutter Fairy Weekly #181

Some categories of decluttering and organizing are harder than others. But if we focus on the sources of the difficulty, we gain fresh insight that will help us face our worst problem areas. In episode #181 of The Clutter Fairy Weekly, Gayle Goddard, professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas, explores more factors that make organizing projects and tasks difficult and suggests strategies to help you face those challenges. (This episode expands on our discussion from the August 29, 2023, show.)

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Discussion of the last Weekly Tittle
09:52 Main topic: A Hard Bargain: More of Your Most Difficult Organizing Challenges
55:43 Next episode’s topic
57:10 Weekly Tittle
58:27 Closing announcements

The Clutter Fairy Weekly is a live webcast and podcast designed to help you clear your clutter and make space in your home and your life for more of what you love. We meet Tuesdays at noon (U.S. Central Time) to answer your decluttering questions and to share organizing tools and techniques, success stories and “ah-hah!” moments, seasonal suggestions, and timeless tips.

[aikofujita]

Growing up watching movies of where there was beautiful dinnerware, and even in our everyday lives to give to newlyweds, I hoped for china. After 10 yrs of marriage, I could finally buy a set (not common in Japan at that time). After using them only once or twice a year for 25 yrs (always ended up using paper ware), my local church held a wedding and reception and asked for dinnerware. When they tried to return them, I got the bright idea to donate them along with the linen napkins! Win, win🏆

[SimplyBeautiful]

Because we were so poor for the first 6 years of our marriage and then had multiple children after that, the fancy dinnerware wasn’t part of our startup, it was my fantasy. Then, decades later, I finally was finally able to purchase it and was ready to live my dream! However, life changed dramatically on a dime and I have to downsize to 450 sq. feet for myself and my husband. Letting go of what took me decades to acquire has been the hardest thing for me. Even in my tiny home I keep trying to fulfill that fantasy by buying more elegant dinnerware that I will never use.
If I’m honest, none of our family or friends even like those types of dinners in our homes. Those are special occasions for eating in a posh restaurant. Just writing this down has opened my eyes and mind to this reality. So liberating!!

[DianaRehfield]

Just heard the end of this episode about having issues letting go of craft items that represent possibilities. I found a really satisfying solution for a lot of the quilting materials I am no longer using. There is a private Facebook group for my street. I posted that I had fabric panels to give away and I found a woman who lives three houses down, who I did not know, who makes quilts and she was thrilled to receive those panels and some other quilting materials. So I got rid of a bunch of stuff to a good home and met a fellow crafter who lives three houses down!

[lauriecampbell]

Something that helps me to donate items is to ask myself, "Can someone else get use out of this now?"

[marie-lynn]

👋🙂🇦🇺💖Thanks for your wonderful channel.

[kaykren]

I agree with the comment about "forgiving yourself" if you don't get it all done. Celebrate the small victories. I only eliminated 2 boxes over Labor Day Weekend because I ended up having to deal with a dead car battery. Two boxes is better than none but I'm back at this weekend and listening to this before I get started is inspiring. I appreciate Gayle's comment about being the end of the line and by not doing it themselves, my family members gave me permission to make the decisions. That's exactly what I am going to do! Thanks!

[TheDriftwoodlover]

Not a crafter so wonder if next week will help me. I always clean or declutter while listening so I’ll tune in. Maybe even get the tittle done. 😉

[ros]

Just cleared housemate's six foot desk (asking him about each thing including one paperclip) so he now has room for both this split kepboard and one-piece keyboard and other stuff

[catherinepatterson]

Earlier in the year I did a major declutter. I was inspired by books I'd read and YouTube videos I'd watched on the topic. I gave it all to the charity shop. I couldn't believe some of the things I gave away. Lucky the people who bought those things. But as the months are rolling by I'm finding that clutter is slowly seeping back into my place, especially books (which has impacted my savings). I am very angry at myself for buying more books I don't really need. Why am I gathering more things? It's ridiculous what I am doing. I even have my eye on a couple of pre-owned books I want to buy with my next pay. It's like I have to have those books, no matter what I or anyone else says. This need is very strong. Do you have any tips or suggestions about how to stay decluttered? I'm good at decluttering, it's the staying disciplined and decluttered that's the tricky part. Thank you : )

[marie-lynn]

I threw away 3 mugs of mine that had chips or had lost their handles last week.

[suredeydo]

If you guys made Clutter Fairy t-shirts, it would be perfect for someone like me to wear because wherever I go I seem to leave clutter in my wake 😂🤣

[jeannebowes]

Grateful house was organized and clean when my Covid hit a few weeks ago. when well . Enough, I. Have clothing to drop off. son left me with snacks I can eat while he is away in Denver

[geneveiveharper]

I don't know, I think previous generations might just as well be looking on and feeling sorry for us not having homes that are stable enough to care for antiques and historical items from the family.

[suzangrant]

Some of the excess nuts, seeds and grains could be put out for wildlife.

[Sheryl]

By the way, my post was about disorganization in our backyard, so it fits with the program.

[ros]

Large sets of china - My mother and her two brothers all had matching china, each with 8 place settings, so for Passover and Thanksgiving, collectively there was always enough for the 16 or more people who came. Or for a big buffet party whoever was hosting could retrieve some china for the others.

[sharpcanines]

The squirrels or crows or seagulls will eat those rancid fruits and nuts. Go to the park and have fun!