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Do You Feel The Urge To Purge?

February 23, 2015 by SimplyBeingMum

“When I purge, I get an endorphin rush. I feel a huge weight is lifted from me. As I remove stuff I no longer have to worry about maintaining it, finding a place to keep it or think about updating it. For every new thing I bring into my home I shed another. It’s liberating.” Chris Wray.

Regular readers to my blog will know that decluttering, and reducing the amount of stuff I own is a key aspect of my life. As a recovering sentimental hoarder (with still a long way to go) discarding and not acquiring is key.

My journey toward a family life simply done started in February 2009… 6 years ago really?

IMG_3379

 Find out how it all started here.

I was looking for a little Monday motivation this morning, and it came. While time-wasting on Facebook – sorry I mean doing some research! I stumbled across a link to Chris Wray’s article.

Monday’s are typically the day that it’s all about home organisation and decluttering. Both at the blog and in my IRL (in-real-life) home. The last few weeks it’s fallen by the wayside, as I haven’t been very mobile. But reading Chris’ article, and then popping across to his blog, has kickstarted my urge to purge once more.

To remind me, and you, of a few of the techniques I’ve used over the last few years to tackle the clutter they’re listed below:

Looking for a quick fix – just 20 minutes is all it takes. I frequently play “Declutter 20 things in 20 minutes”.

IMG_2015

More gradual approaches, but a good daily habit, is to fill a bag a day to keep the clutter at bay.

Or just take it a drawer at a time.

And don’t forget, it’s all about committing to discarding. There’s nothing worse than declutterers indecision!

I’m still looking for motivation! Do you have a decluttering tip to share?

Click here to read Chris’ article over at The Telegraph

Click here to head over to Chris’ blog

And I could not sign off today without quoting Oliver Sacks’

“I feel a sudden clear focus and perspective. There is no time for anything inessential. I must focus on myself, my work and my friends.”

Read the full essay here. Looking for focus and motivation this Monday? This may just do it.

Filed Under: Decluttering, Home, Inspiration, Organisation Tagged: Chris Wray, clearing the clutter, Clutter, Decluttering, minimalism, motivation, reducing stuff, simple family life, urge to purge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Apple says

    February 23, 2015 at 10:33 am

    Urge to purge? YES!!!
    No clients til 12:00, the weather is crisp, the sun is out, all my windows are wide open, I am cleaning the house and already got a good few books and kitchen items to donate. 🙂

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

      Way to go! I’m still struggling a little bit with my hip so it doesn’t look as though my efforts will be as energetic as yours!

      Reply
      • Apple says

        February 23, 2015 at 11:30 am

        You seem to be getting your enthusiasm and energy back though; that’s half the battle!

        Reply
  2. Apple says

    February 23, 2015 at 10:33 am

    Urge to purge? YES!!!
    No clients til 12:00, the weather is crisp, the sun is out, all my windows are wide open, I am cleaning the house and already got a good few books and kitchen items to donate. 🙂

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

      Way to go! I’m still struggling a little bit with my hip so it doesn’t look as though my efforts will be as energetic as yours!

      Reply
      • Apple says

        February 23, 2015 at 11:30 am

        You seem to be getting your enthusiasm and energy back though; that’s half the battle!

        Reply
  3. moderatemum says

    February 23, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    There’s nothing more ulifting than getting rid of junk! I just have to curb my tendancy to replace it with new stuff 🙂

    Reply
  4. moderatemum says

    February 23, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    There’s nothing more ulifting than getting rid of junk! I just have to curb my tendancy to replace it with new stuff 🙂

    Reply
  5. John Coleman says

    February 23, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    My wife and I are moving from 2200 sq. ft. to 1000. We’ll be purging, all right. The thought is liberating. Peace and best, John

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 23, 2015 at 1:55 pm

      Good luck with the move!

      Reply
  6. John Coleman says

    February 23, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    My wife and I are moving from 2200 sq. ft. to 1000. We’ll be purging, all right. The thought is liberating. Peace and best, John

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 23, 2015 at 1:55 pm

      Good luck with the move!

      Reply
  7. Jo H. says

    February 23, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    The tip that’s helping me the most right now is if you have been picking away at getting rid of stuff but now you still have a pile of things – eg., books, knick-knacks, clothing – and you don’t know how to let go of any more of them, then look at it from the opposite perspective – instead of saying “what can I let go?” say “which things are at the top of the list to KEEP?” which things make your day better? which things make you feel good? Then keep those, and let the rest go.

    Also, I keep trying to remember that the clutter didn’t happen overnight, and the decluttering won’t, either.

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Love the reverse psychology!

      Reply
  8. Jo H. says

    February 23, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    The tip that’s helping me the most right now is if you have been picking away at getting rid of stuff but now you still have a pile of things – eg., books, knick-knacks, clothing – and you don’t know how to let go of any more of them, then look at it from the opposite perspective – instead of saying “what can I let go?” say “which things are at the top of the list to KEEP?” which things make your day better? which things make you feel good? Then keep those, and let the rest go.

    Also, I keep trying to remember that the clutter didn’t happen overnight, and the decluttering won’t, either.

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Love the reverse psychology!

      Reply
  9. Chris Wray says

    February 23, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Thank you so much for the mention and your kind words. Its extremely gratifying to be the source of motivation and the route to minimalism for others. – Chris

    Reply
  10. Chris Wray says

    February 23, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Thank you so much for the mention and your kind words. Its extremely gratifying to be the source of motivation and the route to minimalism for others. – Chris

    Reply
  11. SeeChange Organizing says

    February 24, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Love that Chris Wray quote! Keep up the good work!

    -Lauren 🙂
    http://www.SeeChangeOrganizing.com

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Lauren

      Reply
  12. SeeChange Organizing says

    February 24, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Love that Chris Wray quote! Keep up the good work!

    -Lauren 🙂
    http://www.SeeChangeOrganizing.com

    Reply
    • Simply Being Mum says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Lauren

      Reply

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