apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Oooh! I have a question for the masses. This was sort of touched on in the electro-bed thread, but what sort of add-ons can you comfortably add on to a tempurpedic-type bed? Will a featherbed "work" comfortably with memory foam? I like the support of my mattress, but I'd also like something gushy to sink into. Will I still get that heat-activated conforming-to-the-body support with a nice gushy featherbed topper?

Hmm, I personally find the tempurpedic-type bed comfortable enough. I do have a down comforter on my bed though, and so if I want to feel the "something gushy to sink into" I just wrap myself in that.

But in general, I think you'd be cancelling out the purpose of that type of support system mattress

Not to change the subject (well, perhaps), but I am in the home stretch of a major apartment de-clutter, and have found this last patch to be the toughest. It is the most thankless, tedious, and frustrating part. (I have made mots of my "fun" choices, changes and purchases already). How are others motivating themselves past the final hurdles in major projects, renovations, or clean ups?
(ps-- I thought long threads were a good thing...)

oops-- "most" not "mots"

What are you decluttering? Everything? Old papers? Boxes of nick nacks?
I've been going through stuff, and I keep reminding myself, I forgot I even had this, so I won't miss it, so chuck it.

MrRoman--

All of the above. I form odd but strong attachments to things (could really relate to the coffee pot guy from another thread), HATE waste of any kind and the idea of landfills, and have almost gone through all the stuff that is candidate for Housing Works or EBay.

Part of the problem is also the whole "it gets worse before/as it gets better" problem of tackling major projects in a studio... to REALLY attack a closet (pre-transformation into a built-in office), it means cr@p goes all over the place while I sort. It feels like one step forward means two steps back. MGR, I know we've talked about this, but some professional words of wisdom/encouragement would be welcome here?!

The other thing compounding it? I am also in the same stages of an inter-office move at work. Overload! Overload!

I know I can get it done. I'm just whining.

There's always the Flylady method--don't take out any more than you can deal with in 15 minutes.

patrick, I really feel for your situation as I have a similar problem. After my mother died last year and I cleaned out her house, I ran out of time before it needed to be sold and had several large boxes of family photos and various stuff shipped out to my NY studio apartment. Some of it is worth keeping and much simply that needs to be sorted, organized or tossed. Nearly all of it is still stacked in the middle of my apartment along with my own clutter untouched. It feels overwhelming and I face the added dilemma at work of sorting, inventorying and warehousing several years of product samples for my boss which he stacked in my office. When I get home I'm weary and 15 minutes just doesn't seem to make a dent. Yes, overload and I don't have a solution for you. Yeah, I'm whining too.

I hate the "worse before it's better" syndrome. One thing that helps me is to have someone really focused and tough to come and help me. Partly to force me to make a decision if I'm quavering but also because if they've specifically come to declutter then you really can't say, "let's just watch TV".

jimkk--
I can't even begin to imagine this type of project when even more emotionally charged as the situation you describe with your family belongings.

I do FULLY subscribe to the 15-minute-a-day routine, but primarily for maintenance, not real corrective action. I've actually upped my mentally-allotted time to 30 minutes a day, for mostly maintenance and a little new stuff. But, for example, the last and final step in my kitchen literally means pulling everything out of every cabinet. Oy.

Shows like Clean Sweep and Clean House kind of give motivation.

other patrick - i find having someone over who isn't attached to my stuff really helps me. it's someone to tell the "story" to when you come across something that has one attached to it, someone who will quickly say "chuck it" when you are on the verge of spending 20 minutes musing, and finally, someone to keep you on track. it makes it more fun and productive if you've got the right person. cold yucky sundays are the best days for me. good luck!

seema--
so when can you come over?! ;)

MRoman, I was obsessed for a while watching Clean Sweep and Mission Organization (where I first encountered Maxwell & this website) however I spent more time watching than doing! I found them inspiring and distressing at the same time. Also the timeframe to accomplish the task on TV is deceptive and there is a whole crew there.

Yeah, having someone else to lend moral support would probably be helpful.

sue,

i would do some more research about the tempurpedic bed...when i got mine i remember reading in many sources that you are not supposed to cover the bed with anything, except sheets. i think it may interfere with what it is supposed to do.

i can completely relate though. i find that my "foam" mattress is kind of like drinking water. you know it's good for you, but sometimes it can be really, really boring. having nice soft sheets and lots of pillows seems to make it a bit more interesting.

Maybe you should just put on Clean Sweep in the background and only watch the beginning and the end -- once that first commercial break comes on, you have to get to work! Most of the show is formula. If you feel like you'll really miss something, tape it just in case...

Maybe jimkk and patrick [the other one] should be clutter buddies. Even if you don't declutter together, you could be moral support...

oh no, other patrick, not me! i am the QUEEN of idling time away. that's why i need someone else!

Patrick--I agree with the clutter buddy idea. It's always easier to deal with other peoples' problems than my own. Why don't you swap odious tasks with someone? Pal holds your hand while you do the last bit of decluttering--which is so painful and valiant it should really have another name--and you do his taxes, and then you treat each other to a wonderful dinner somewhere.

I really like this thread - keeping motivation levels high for declutter. I am in the middle of it too but I have a deadline. My father arrives for a visit next week so I have to be done by then. I find that this helps. Schedule a party and aim to finish by then so you can show off your now-streamlined apt! Also in the final stages when I am stuck I dump what's left (from the "keep" pile) to deal with in bins or boxes and arrange those to get some closure to the process. As time permits I deal with a box at a time. That way I am at the beginning of a new process dealing with fewer stuff rather than at the end of a major reorg project. Finally, major incentive - my already decluttered closets are *wonderful* to use. I love looking at them and using them and keeping them that way. I can't wait till the rest of my stuff is similarly organized. That keeps me going too.

Mary, funny you should say that. I record Clean Sweep on a regular basis and have it on in the background when I clean and/or declutter. I tune in when organizer Peter has to deal with a tough throw-out issue, and then when they do the reveal. It really helps! I get great tips for specific things on a regular basis. Today's tip, rolled up cardboard in boots to make them stand up in the closet, instead of those expensive boot forms.

This may sound much too simple to work, but it does work for me. When I needed to do a similar overhaul in my old studio apartment, I put on my running shoes and non-bulky clothing (to be spritely!) and cranked up the tunes and went to town. I tried to think of it as time for myself - meaning I took a Saturday to do this for me, and tried to look forward to that time where I wasn't running around doing things for other people.

*A note - I am one of the biggest procrastinators and devoted to laying around and reading magazines, so this really was a strategy that I had to work with...does not come naturally!

My problem is I am unorganized and don't know the right place to put things. For instance, where do you put extra extension cords and plugs? it's dumb to throw them out, right? I keep mind in a shobox in my desk. How about ski boots, hiking backpacks and tennis rackets? Does everyone fit all these things into their closet? seriously?
Okay and the biggie? What about gifts you don't like but that are possible re-gifts? my extended family loves giving me stuff and i can't ever figure out what to do with it while it sits around for a year until I can give it away.

MGR, I think we need an inspirational essay from you on this general topic, as we head into Spring Cleaning season...!

Fun stuff! Regarding the regifting - if you think you can regift within a couple of months, than keep it. Otherwise, give it to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the charity of your choice. Another thing to remember, if you have gotten a gift that you don't like or want, but you know someone who would, why not just give it to them? Does there have to be a special occasion? Just tell them that you got it but you really thought they would appreciate it more. I think getting that type of gift is more special than the dictated type (must give present on Valentine's Day or whatever).
As far as keeping other stuff - are you really going to use it? Do you still play tennis, etc? If it is something you don't do much, just borrow the equipment when necessary (lot's of places rent hiking/camping equipment for instance). It may be an added cost, but isn't it worth being able to enjoy your apartment more? If you do use the stuff a lot, and can't fit into your closet, get creative. Now everyone might not agree, but if you can't see under your bed or couch, those can be storage areas. Our couch is skirted, so we keep our dining table leaf under there and get it out when we need it. Nobody knows it's under there and it's not bothering anybody!
Just a note about closets, as we know from the closet competition, lots of us have messy closets and aren't using them to their full potential. Consider a shelving system with drawers in one of your closets if that is an option (if you don't have drawers for extension cords already, like in the kitchen junk drawer or a spare desk drawer). OK, I'm sure I haven't solved everything, but just some thoughts. Good luck!

I keep a few extension cords in with my tools -- I've weeded out all the old ones and given the others away at my building's freebie spot. I also have a separate box that holds computer cables that slides under the console that forms part of my desk. I second Michele on looking for places underneath things where no one will know the difference -- I also keep extra CD holders, plain paper and a organiser full of mailer envelopes under there, each in their own thin little box that fits under the legs of the cabinet...

As for gifts, I'm a little rude, but I either return them or regift right away... I never return anything with someone I don't know well, but my immediate family knows I have no storage space and finicky taste. I used to feel really rude about this, but I talked it over with my mother and sister, and they'd rather I returned something than let it go to waste... If you feel like you simply have too much stuff lying around waiting for the holidays, weed through it now rather than later and gather up the stuff that you won't regift.

I'm addicted to Mission Organization. I just love the clueless slobs who don't know how their places got that way. Although I've done a lot of shoveling out and reorganizing, if someone took photos of certain areas of my place, you would say the same about me. What's funny about the show is that you just see the end result of a mess that accumulates bit by bit and can become invisible to the owner, but not to the beholder. Each episode is cathartic in a vicarious way, so you feel like you've accomplished something when you haven't.

Mission Organization was an early addiction and my introduction to our gracious and talented AT host, Mister MGR! Still a favorite.

And, Margot, you are on to something with tunes-as-motivator. Sirius (via my Dish Network) has been key to recent progress! I toggle back and forth between The Beat and Broadway's Best, depending on the energy I need. And no visual distraction like TV...

Mision Organization. I have never heard of that, but will check it out. Thanks for the tip! Love this thread.

The most important organizing and decluttering tip I've ever been given--

Touch everything once. And only once.

Once you pick something up or take it out of a box make the final decision for its final destination right then and there. Do not put it in a pile for consideration later. Decide when it is in your hands, then do it.

It's an applicable concept for lots of over-whelming projects. I even use it at work every day, no more stacks of in limbo paperwork!

Good luck!