I have been decluttering ever since I moved out of my Mom’s house around thirty years ago.  I found out letting go of possessions was a thing about ten years later.  And I have been an aspiring minimalist since I first heard the word “minimalist” about ten years ago.  So why can’t I get through my whole house and be done with it?

I realize that I will not actually finish, as in never having to declutter my home again.  I expect to go through all of the rooms, annually perhaps, to remove those items we didn’t end up using much, or maybe things we are finally ready to let go of now that another year has passed.  What I am really asking is: why can’t I get through the whole house?

I know I am repeating areas previously finished again and again, getting sidetracked with other projects, watching lots of movies, taking care of my family and basically, living life. But is there a reason why I can’t seem to finish?  Is it not a priority?  Am I afraid to finish?  Am I procrastinating because it’s hard work?  What’s the deal?

Here is where I am currently perceiving myself to be with this project.

These areas are finished:

• The van
• the living room
• the dining room
• the master bedroom
• my clothing
• Bobby’s clothing
• Sarah’s clothing
• Sarah’s room
• the foyer
• the linen closet
• the master bathroom
• the upstairs bathroom
• the laundry room
• the kitchen
• the pantry
• the utility closet

These areas were finished (maybe last year), but need to be gone through again:

• the girls’ room
• Joseph’s room
• Joseph’s clothing
• Rachel’s clothing
• Hannah’s clothing
• Mary’s clothing
• the mudroom
• the extra closet
• my kitchen desk
• the schoolroom

These are the areas that have never been finished:

•  the basement
• the garage
• the sentimental items
• the digital items

These are areas I do not include in this project at all:

• the study
• the shed

Looking at this list sheds some light on why I haven’t finished yet. That’s a lot of areas!!!  Is it even possible to be a minimalist and be responsible for all of these areas?  I don’t know. But I do think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn’t take much time to go through the repeat areas. Then, there are only four main problem areas and sentimental is almost decluttered, so that leaves three that I think are doable with a little laser focus.  I can do this!