In general I am not a clutter hoarder. I weed the clothes I no longer wear out my closet every couple of months. I take books to the used book store constantly. I love to get rid of stuff I no longer need. However, I do have a clutter Achilles' heel – craft supplies and DIY projects.
And this scary, scary room is the biggest clutter problem of all – my craft/work room. Which is supposed to be becoming the baby’s room in a few months.
Yeah, it is a disaster. Because even though I am great at not holding onto mounds clothes or papers that I no longer need, I can’t seem to let go of little scraps of ribbon and random clock parts that I just know I could make into something amazing – someday.
So I turned to a favorite quote to help guide my decluttering.
I love this quote and feel like it is a great way to measure what things belong in your home. But I have realized it just doesn’t always work for a DIYer. I started cleaning out my craft supplies and unfinished projects, determined to keep only those things that are useful or beautiful. But I quickly found that I was getting nowhere fast.
The problem is I have piles and piles of stuff that I am sure I can make beautiful. And there are so many things I know I can repurpose to be useful. Which leaves me with just what I started with – piles and piles of stuff.
So I made my own list of criteria to help me declutter.
Decluttering general stuff
- Do I use this? How often?
- Do I love this?
- Would I miss it if it were gone?
- Have I used this in the last six months?
- Do I have something specific in mind to use it for?
- Do I enjoy using this type of craft material?
- Do I have more than I need?
- How long have I had this?
- Do I have a great idea for it?
- Will I be using/finishing it in the next six months?
- How much time/work is it realistically going to take to finish?
- Someone else can really make something great with this stuff. (Unlike me who has had it waiting on a shelf for a year).
- I have to get rid of stuff – I need the space.
Anyone else have a problem with hoarding projects and supplies? How do you deal with it?
I am linking this post at Serenity Now.
4 comments:
I totally relate! I also clean my closet, books and office space regularly but my crafting stuff has a life of it's own. Lol. Good luck finishing up there so your room can become something fabulous for a precious little one!
Just so you know, you have just described me! Clothes, stuff around the house - not a problem. In fact friends often call on me to help declutter, yet I have a secret. I cannot get rid of 'projects' and craft stuff - it is serious. We can hardly get into our cellar as it is overloaded with furniture waiting for me to transform it! You are not alone.
Yup...me too! It's good to know that there are other crafters/artists who struggle with this. If I didn't buy another crafting item for the rest of my life, I still wouldn't be able to use all of what I have! I love the joy of collecting fun art stuff almost as much as creating with them. Thank you for the inspiration - I'm going to use your list, and hope it will help me.
I wonder if there are any 12-step programs for this :)
Just wanted to stop by and say hello. I may not comment but I enjoy your posts. Stay Cool!
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