Declutter and Simplifying Update

It is certainly a bit of a process to declutter and simplify. I can quite honestly say I have been slowly accumulating things since we returned from Japan in 2000. In fact, we brought a little clutter back with us!

Here are some things I have done so far

1. Japan clutter and other travel clutter- We came home with lovely trinkets including kimonos and knick knacks. I have only kept my favorite 2 kimonos and a few hankies (very popular in Japan and I can certainly put to use). I donated travel gifts I never use or display.
2. Books- I have quite ruthlessly gotten rid of any book I am quite sure I will not read again. Some are boxed for a charity. And some are bagged to see if I can resell them.
3. Caia's art- My daughter is not even 3 and I have accumulated so much art. So for each year I will allocate one folder. I will have to get even more ruthless over the years.
4. Sports equipment- I have donated old snowboard boots, tennis balls, and my rollerblade equipment. I simplified my ski outfit and got rid of a jacket.
5. Electronics- I took all cds, most dvds, computer hardware, and cables to Free Geek to recycle. I was careful to tape manuals and cords to functioning equipment. Note: we have digitized our music and most movies.
6. Papers- I recycled tons of magazine tear outs and irrelevant old notes. I cancelled my newspaper subscription and now use the ipad. I stopped buying all but my favorite magazines- Sunset, Living etc, and Bazaar (subscription).
7. Clothing- I have gone through all clothing in storage and in the closet and donated or turned into rags all clothes that did not fit well, were damaged and not repairable, were stained and not repairable, were out of fashion and I no longer wear.
8. Kitchen- I stored china from my grandparents I don't use regularly but are sentimental. I stored extra cutlery and a few items I am not ready to get rid of. I donated tons of items I don't use. I thoroughly cleaned the dishwasher (by unscrewing the components to clean the filter) and the back coils of the fridge. I got rid of expired sauces etc and any items we just don't eat. I moved bulks into jars and stopped buying highly packaged goods. I recycled and donated most plastic storage containers and replaced with existing jars and jars from a thrift shop.
9. Cleaning products- I stopped buying various cleaning products. But did buy oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide, a few essential oils. I gave a few non-environmental cleaners to my mom (so she can use up). I am slowly using up bought environmental cleaners and replacing with home made ones. I choose paper containers for laundry and dishwasher powders since many bloggers have yet to be satisfied with home made.
10. Waste- I never double bag garbage (ie bread bag goes into garbage bag). I always reuse any plastic bag for diapers or other necessary garbage (we still don't have full food compost collection here so sometimes have wet food waste). I am trying out soy and almond milk recipes. I make home made macaroni and cheese etc. I buy bulk.
11. Toiletries- I started to use all natural shampoo and only shampoo every two days. I use cornstarch as dry shampoo. I only buy MAC makeup which has a recycling program. I stored all makeup I don't use regularly. I am working on finishing all creams and trying not to buy any (but will need to buy sensitive face cream soon).

Some things I can still do:

1. Japan and travel clutter- I need to seriously revisit and decide what I truly want to keep.
2. Books- I need to convince Kevin to be a little more ruthless. And I need to do one more cull and get rid of books that I can easily get from my mom's or from the library. I will keep my favorites. And there are quite a few.
3. Caia's art. Choose my favorite to frame and decorate the craft area (planned project for the unfinished basement). Planned for Fall.
4. Sports equipment- Sell my snowboard, sell my skis (but keep bindings) and upgrade, donate my slightly bent poles and replace. Planned for early Fall ski swap.
5. Electronics- Kevin panicked and snagged a binder of cds. I will need to get these next time. We have an old titanium mac to strip and get rid of. We have an iMac to strip and repurpose as a psuedo TV. We have a failed hard drive to return to a manufacturer. I need to recycle the DVR and home phones that don't work. I need to return the home phone box and just use mobile phones. I need to freecycle the old tv and dvd player.
6. Papers- I need to go through old paperwork and shred, I need to scan relevant documents, I need to organize work documents. I need to cull all but my favorite stored magazines (Dwell, Sunset and Domino). I need to go paperless with all bills. I need to re-request the local free newspaper not be delivered. I need to get on no junk mail lists. I need to cancel my Canadian Family magazine subscription at the year end.
7. Clothing- I need to sell my fancy shoes I never wear. I need to get winter pants and coats dry cleaned and store with cedar. I need to finish washing winter sweaters and store with cedar.
8. Kitchen- I need to replace chipped day to day plates and bowls. I need to replace all of Caia's plastics. I need to fix the stove top espresso maker.
9. Cleaning products- I need to track down stainless steel spray bottles. I need to finish off purchased products and start making my own (should take a while). I need to replace broken swiffer and get rid of remaining sheets.
10. Waste- Caia is still not potty trained (and is very allergic to her own urine so cannot use cloth) but I am trying!! I have yet to resolve nondairy drinks (allergic) but do recycle. The city still does not collect all food waste. I need to start making bread and cut out bread bags or buy direct from bakery (but avoiding wheat makes it difficult- I have a wheat insensitivity).
11. Toiletries- I need to figure out which items I never use and find a way to get rid of them by giving away or recycling.
12. Photos- this is linked to Japan. I need to scan all predigital photos, get rid of duplicates and bad ones, and maybe make a few little albums.
13. I need to tackle the garage.

What's the general philosophy here? Baby steps. If you have a family and a job it will not happen over night, likely not even over a month. So just do it step by step and keep moving in the same direction. In the meantime limit what new stuff you bring in!