It started with the clutter. Seven rooms of way too much stuff that was quickly driving us crazy. We live in a condo, but for two people and a dog, it’s more than enough space. Or at least it would be, if it weren’t for all this stuff.

None of it is bad stuff. Well, some of it is, random bits and pieces collected over time, but most of it serves a purpose. Most of it still works. But much of it we just don’t use. We keep it for this elusive someday when we’re sure we’ll need it. But in the meantime this someday stuff has been piling up.

Last year we tried tackling the situation by getting rid of 10 things each a day. That lasted about a month, and while it lightened the load a little, it was just scratching the surface. Then, last month we reached our breaking point. It felt like we were cleaning every day and the house was still always a disaster.

It was a chance conversation in Plovers that gave us the idea… While we were Shopping Under The Stars for some content over on The Local Traveler, the owner told me how, when they made their last move, they packed everything into boxes. Well okay, that part is normal, but when they moved in they planned to only take something out of the box when they needed it. Like, actually needed it, right down to their plates and cutlery. They vowed to ditch what they didn’t use if it reached the six month mark and it was still in a box.

The idea is an interesting one. It gives you a chance at a blank slate in your house. A totally clean, empty house, with everything you need still within reach. By putting things out of sight (and allowing you time to appreciate the empty space) you also add a layer of difficulty in accessing it.  Which means you’re more likely to, say, make pancakes rather than dig out the waffle maker. But you’re also more likely to make the effort to start using the things you really love.

For instance, I have these serving bowls that were given to me from my grandmother. They hold a sentimental value to me, and I always really loved them as a serving set, but I almost never pull them out. Correction, I NEVER pulled them out. Knowing I needed to use ’em or lose ’em prompted me to, well, actually use them! They took priority over other serving dishes we owned that weren’t as delightful but were just always in reach. Those other serving dishes are now being sent to loving homes.

Packing things into boxes and committing to ditch can help prioritize some of the things we loved but now rarely use back into our lives. So that’s what we planned to do. Over Christmas we made a plan to empty every room of the house and pack it into boxes. It was a busy holiday. Both of us were basically off work (Drew literally, and me taking a planned hiatus from posts, tweets, and emails). We felt like we finally had the time together that we needed to tackle the house.

We started in the bedroom and made our way room by room, packing, donating, advertising on Kijiji. We borrowed packing boxes from our family and started sorting. After all the clutter frustration, past failed attempts, and, finally having time to just do it,  we had reached the point where we were just ready to make decisions.

I think a lot of it had to do with last year – with learning to eat on way less. Because we’ve kept many of our cheap eating practices intact, we knew what we were using in the kitchen most days. For us, the kitchen really was the key spot. Once we got rid of what we weren’t using and sorted the rest in there, it finally felt possible in other spaces. We did box some things in the “Keep for now” category. I emptied most of my closet and packed away the many, many items I flip and sigh my way through most days before opting once again for one of the six favourite things I seem to wear on rotation. I’m sure some of those items will end up back in my closet, but for now it’s saving time and a lot of frustration to have the stuff I probably won’t choose out of the way.

We were left with a few small boxes and bags of things we’ll maybe keep, and a whole pile of things that will go. Like, literally, a whole pile.

Because we’re also trying not to be wasteful this year, we’ll be working to find new homes for our stuff. Much of it is in great shape. We’ll sell, donate, and, if all else fails, recycle it. Check back next week for post-clutter complications.

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