Definitely Slackerjo, if we just tell ourselves I'll have a go for 5 minutes or for 15 minutes, it gives us the motivation to get started and releases our expectation of a perfect result or getting everything done. And often once we start we do keep going as it's not as bad as we thought! Good point about applying the 15 minutes to kids. I'll try that next time with my son and his dreaded room cleaning :)

I had a look at the quilt on your blog, it's going to be lovely! I find that writing, or telling someone, about a planned project definitely encourages me to keep going with it.

Great idea to apply at work. I tried it yesterday at work (rather than thinking I'd get through 'everything'!). It actually took me most of the day to get through my three things, but I felt very satisfied by the end of the day.

Hi Slackerjo, I remember that you have most of your possessions on display. What an innovative way to make sure that ALL your possessions, even those that would traditionally be in storage, are appreciated! I'm so pleased your possessions are not sad :) The orange container is fab isn't it. I found it in an op shop and bought it as orange is my son's favourite colour. I love the retro look of it.

Hi Sarah, the leaf dish was made by my hubby's grandmother so it's extra special. I think being ruthless with decorative elements is really important. It makes the ones you keep even more special and also makes them more 'visible'.

Thank you for your really lovely comments Slackerjo! I think it's a great idea to take the kids skiing. Last winter I took them tobogganing and there was certainly very little fear involved on their part! There was also a rather amusing incident soon after we got out of the car, where Master 8 stumbled on the snow. He just happened to be holding his toboggan in front of him and just happened to be at the top of a long slope (although nowhere near the toboggan area). He tripped and then started running trying to right himself, fell onto his toboggan and took off down the hill. Even he had a good laugh at that one. But I digress! What on earth is zombing? Is it the same as zorbing?

I'm glad you found it a helpful process. What I love is that there's no judgement about the number as that depends on so many factors, but it's the process itself that's so enlightening. I really like how you're re-evaluating your older clothes and how they make you feel. I've found myself doing this too since my count.

Ha, I had to look zorbing up and it looks like crazy fun! Have a great weekend in Queensland. I can't wait to read your 12 in 2 update if you get a chance to go zorbing :)

Thanks Karen, it was definitely worth putting all the effort in to making it happen!

And here's a link to Mama Fearse, of The Fearse Family blog's, stocktake: http://thefearsefamily.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/a-clothes-shock-take-arg/comment-page-1/#comment-325

Agreed PlanningQueen, and I find the smaller the step, the better. I often end up tackling several small steps together, but it's getting over the first hurdle that's the key and it's so much easier when it's small and achievable! Thanks for your comment.

Glad it was helpful Sarah. It sounds like you either have a challenging, adventurous job, or one ahead of you!

Working Mom, that's a great perspective to have on life, I love it! And I agree, that sense of relief and discovery that it wasn't so bad after all is great. I remember my mum encouraging me to make phone calls when I was a teenager - which I hated - but the sense of confidence afterward was empowering and made it easier each time.

Thank you Fiona, I really appreciate your kindness.

Slackerjo, that's so true, being courageous brings with it a greater chance of failure, but it also leads to much greater satisfaction with life - and a greater legacy.

I also received this lovely comment from Tash @ blog.littleladybird.com via email. Thank you Tash. A great read, thank you! I am glad I read your post today. I often struggle with thinking too much about the past or the future. I have never heard anyone talk about visualising life in the way described in your post and so I thought it was great way to think about things. Really helpful :)

Thank you Sarah for your kind words. This mindset is something I've been pondering for quite a while, especially when I've been struggling with things, and then one day after a yoga session it all just gelled and it has really made a difference to my thinking.

Thanks for your lovely comment Debbie! Drop back in and let us know when you add up your other totals. The hanger trick is a great idea. Things like this and counting up our clothes are a good way of telling us exactly how things are rather than how we think they are. I'd have a few clothes that would fail the hanger trick for a year and I am hoping I can reduce my clothing count by the time I do this inventory again in 12 months time.