zozee

Woohoo! Look at that! Organized and colorful and purged. You've done so well and I applaud you. Isn't it a wonderful feeling??

Sandrea

Oh how I wish I could do that to my stash, but I just have so much, I am tired just thinking about how and where to start. Yours looks so beautiful. I sure admire your spunk.....wish I knew where to start.

zozee

Not sure wha t to tell you other than what helped (helps) me when overwhelmed with stuff to purge (not just fabric excess). But let's use fabric stash since it's the topic.

1 . Set the timer for 15 minutes. Much more than you think can be done in just 15. Plus, you have a stopping point if you're not wanting to continue .

2. Choose a drawer, a bin, a shelf to purge. Just one. Not a closet, a dresser, a room. Keep it bite size mentally.

3. Rate your fabric. I decided to give each piece a number rating from 1-10. Fast. Not overthinking it. I only kept it if it was an 8,9, or 10. I know when I'm honest with myself that if I don't like it enough to give it an 8, I won't use it. I just won't. "Someday" means "never".

4. Take your giveaway bag to your car, and drop it off to wherever you can donate it quickly. Let others take over the decision of where to donate it. You can give away stuff on this board ot hold contests, or offer it for sale, but that takes time. If you want to see real headway immediately, just get it out of the house.

5. Don't be manipulated by guilt--yours or anyone else's. Think of the end goal: only having to store, handle, use, and admire what brings you joy.

Having said that, I need to set my timer now do the next thing.

ccthomas

Looks very organized.

Sandrea

Thanks zozee for those tips on how to conquer the overwhelming feeling "where to start" Your ideas gave me some encouragement. Good ideas. I tend to look at the whole picture and then give up before I can get started. I liked the idea of setting a timer for 15 or 20 min. I think I could handle that. The only thing that scares me is the part of rating a number and purging the lower numbers because even though I may never use some of the fabrics, I have the feeling that if I want to try something new and not use real good fabrics, I can do a sample with the fabrics I'm not too fond of anymore, just to try something new in case I mess up. What do I do about that? I have trouble parting with things. I tell myself I love all of them, so I don't have the courage to part with things I purchased because I liked them. Oh my zozee. Is there any hope for me????

Mariposa

You're coming slong great!!

jmoore

I bet it does feel good to have it organized...now when you go to start your next project, it will be at your fingertips.

redstilettos

zozee has really good ideas on how to tackle *anything!*.

I used to tell my kids when overwhelmed with a new large school project: How do you eat an elephant? ONE bite at a time.

Breaking things into small pieces and then working on that instead of the whole elephant is better mentally.

Now if I could only look at weight loss the same way! LOL

QuiltnNan

a huge project... true. you're doing great

Wanabee Quiltin

Looks great and what is funny, I have some of that fabric that is laying in a heap on your table before putting it away.