Where to begin?!

[GerardNoWay]

Just that really.

My house is out of control and despite my attempts to declutter I just can't seem to get on top of it.

I desperately want a home I can be proud of, a home that I can feel comfortable in and not constantly be itching to get out of it!

We have made some steps but with DD1 it feels like laundry/dishes/toys pile up and we have no space for them in our tiny 2 bed terraced with absolutely no fucking storage space.

I am stuck with the house for the foreseeable as we are in negative equity and doesn't look like we will break even any time soon, plus need to save for a deposit.

Soooo, help me please someone! Can I ask you to share your ideas on organisation/decluttering?

Thanks!

[Dreamingoutloud7]

What helped me was to pick a project and focus on that, start small and often.
Yesterday I did the bookcase and got rid of 6 bags of books for charity.
I do my wardrobe and chest of drawers roughly every 2/3 months and it's amazing how much stuff I get rid of each time.
Today if I have time I'm going to tackle the airing cupboard (currently cannot open it without towels flying at me!
I've realised how little we actually need so no longer feel bad chucking stuff, the clothes I have are clothes that I wear regularly, and when I go through the airing cupboard I'll probably find that we own about 15 towels, for 2 people that's just not necessary.

Don't get me wrong I'm no where near a minimilist! I just keep the things I love and get rid of what I don't, I mean why keep stuff around that I don't like?

It will take a few goes if your anything like me, first time you clear something you'll still be conservative, then when you go back in a few months time you'll realise how little you've used between clear outs and feel a lot easier chucking more.
But definitely start small so you don't get overwhelmed and give up, I've found that it becomes quite addictive once you start to see a difference!

[pithivier]

Konmari declutter checklist If you start with that and pick one category that is currently giving you grief you will see a difference straight away. I don't think starting with "I have no where to put stuff" will help you. Instead try to start with "there is no where to put this, do I need it" If the answer is yes, then put it in a box. If you can aim to discard 6 things each day, you will start to make space for the things you need to keep.

[chipsandpeas]

be ruthless
if you havent worn it in 6 months and its not seasonal clothing get rid
books get rid as well unless you know you will reread them
same with the likes of toys (dont know how old your DD is)
dvds, i sold all of mine after realising i never watched them same with cds i was keeping a hold of them despite not having a cd player and would never listen to them on the laptop or thru dvd player and most of my music is downloaded now anyway
tackle 1 room at a time
dont hoard stuff (im bad for hoarding candles and toiletries) use up what you have before buying more
look at what storage space you have and try to maximise it using say the clear plastic boxes in a cupboard on shelfs
we all probably have areas that we put all the stuff we cant find a real home for so give that a clear out

[GerardNoWay]

Thank you!

I have emptied out two toy boxes full of toys into a bag for the charity shop, and found a place for 90% of her a Christmas gifts.

Trying to tackle our living and dining area which is open plan first of all.

I have read the Art of Tidying or whatever it's called. But was put off by having to go and collect everything from each category and sort it. DD is 1 so not really at the age where she can play unsupervised so I'm confined to each room unless I cart her from room to room.

Starting to feel a lot better already just not seeing a living room full of toys and rubbish! Will persevere !