Welcome to the Laurel Plum Online Clutter Scavenger Hunt.
The clutter monster I want you to go after today is unfinished projects.
An unfinished project is anything you have started, left in various states of progress, but have not completed. Do not look to all of the things you’ve been meaning to do. Those do not count. Yet. Focus on things you have already begun.
If you can, gather them all in one location. If you can’t get them together, at least make a single list of all of them.
Once you’ve gotten them together or have your list, take a second look.
- How many do you really have to finish? Can you let some go for good?
- Would it be better to have someone else finish it even of you have to hire them?
- How many are you no longer interested in completing?
- Is there one or more you could finish right now?
- Can you sort them out by approximate time needed to complete, then begin with the quickest to build momentum?
- Is there one in particular you are dreading doing? If you just can’t get yourself to dive in right now, set a specific date and keep it. Can you imagine how amazing it will feel to accomplish it and put the burden behind you?!
Donate or get rid of any that you are ready to let go. Then get a game plan for the rest and knock all of these unfinished projects out. You don’t have to do them all in one sitting. Just make an earnest effort to consistently work on them until they are all done.
While you are working, give some thought to why the project wasn’t finished the first time around.
- Did you lose interest?
- Did you get burn out?
- Was it something you wanted for a particular holiday or event, but missed the deadline?
- Do you have a problem keeping too many irons in the fire?
If you can find some patterns, it will help more unfinished projects from piling up in the future.
Your Story
Just for fun, for each challenge let me know what is the weirdest thing you find. As always, I would love to hear when any challenge makes a difference for you big or small.
Before you start, grab a camera. Take before and after pictures. Keeping a pictorial journal for your decluttering accomplishments can be a big boost later on those days when you feel you are not making a difference.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve gotta say, I often read your Scavenger Hunt posts but don’t really participate, but this one hits close to home; I am notorious for starting projects and not finishing them! Curtains I started sewing for the living room 4 years ago, various knitting projects, costume projects, etc. I’ve got a baby on the way, so it’s probably about time to start taking a look at what needs to go and what needs to stay so I can reclaim some of my closet space and make room for the new future member of my household!
this is super useful. i tend to start projects, and then get distracted, so this is good motivation. thanks!
jaime´s last [type] ..Parenting Without Religion
I really need this Blog. I am horribly cluttered and desperate to get free from it. I have started an online baby store, so have even less time to work on decluttering. Thanks for your advise
Julie´s last [type] ..Busy Busy
Ok. I’ve read everyone’s comments and everyone seemsready to go. That’s good for sanity.
Me….. I just cleared out two 5′x3′ scrapbook cabinets that were “organized” with hear this…. 29 unfinished projects or projects to do. No more for me. That’s it. I’m at my witts end. All that money spent and nothing to show. I just added these to my calender/alarm in weekly increments. I will finish 2 “old” projects per week even if I’m working on something new. To limit excuses I’m clearing a “old” project table just to make sure. Thank you for this blog entry… I’m pumped. Now I must convice a buddy to do the same:)