Decluttering in 2017- A carrier bag a day

[Snap8TheCat]

I read about this method in 2015 and gave it a try last year, it was mostly sucessful and I kept a track of what I had got rid of on my phone. It was interesting to look back at the end of the year to realise I missed none of it!

I'd like to do it all again for 2017, perhaps even more committed this year!

I like lots of the other decluttering methods such as KonMarie or Flylady and do incorporate many of their rules but I also know that getting rid of a carrier bag a day is easier for me to fit in to my life.

I'm a childminder working 4 days a week 8-6pm and have 3 dc of my own, 13,10 and 6. Dh is a shift worker so our lives are busy and the house can get out of control quickly with the mindees and my job.

I'm looking for anyone to join me, anyone who likes the idea of decluttering but always feels they fail as they don't have the time. This is literally one carrier bag a day, either a large item like a toy or a quick sort out of a kitchen drawer whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Just trying to stay on top of the flow of stuff that constantly enters our home.

January 1st and I have got rid of two plants on my kitchen that we're dying. I was desperately trying to keep them alive but realise I'm crap and that and they depress me every time I see them.

Anyone else?

[Maverickismywingman]

Good idea

[Snap8TheCat]

Thank you! 👍

[MillyDLA]

A charity bag came through our door yesterday. Determined to fill it and put it back out! May even add a second if my enthusiasm is sustained.

[Chottie]

Yes please! I would love to join you. A bag a day sounds manageable. I've sorted out the 'junk' drawer in the kitchen and recycled the Christmas cards.

DCs have grown and flown, but we still seem to have a lot of stuff.

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

I'm in. Got to make space for second baby. Today I've thrown out a balloon giraffe that's been kicking around since October. I'd delayed throwing it out before now because I was frankly impressed at it's staying power!

[Chottie]

I've just added 'a bag a day' to my BuJo :)

[Snap8TheCat]

Excellent, welcome!

I love those charity bags through the door, minimal effort in my part always helps the process. I keep a permanent bag in the corner of my bedroom for clothes I notice need chucking. Even the kids are trained to put things they no longer like or fit in to it.

[Vinorosso74]

I did this late 2015 and it made a difference. Did some bigger clear outs of understair cupboards last year but wardrobes, kitchen drawers and the like need sorting again.
So, yes I'm in. I think when DP 'tidies' he just puts things in a drawer....

[Laska5772]

I like this idea! (I chucked out a plant this morning and now as first foray into this I will now bin some old shoes that have been on the shoe rack fro at least two years)

[dementedma]

Got a bag of clothes in the car ready for Charity shop.
Am taking the tree down tomorrow and will throw out all the unused baubles still in the bottom of the box which didn't make it onto the tree.

[Laska5772]

3 pairs of shoes off the rack chucked, and 2 more in charity bag thats going later this week ! And I even just went out in the rain to the bin to do it!! . ( awards self an effin medal )

eyes up tomorrows potential chuck outs

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Demented I'm going to chuck all our unused tree decorations too. We haven't used them in at least three years!

[Snap8TheCat]

Oooo lots of you joining, excellent!

I've also decided to give myself an extra challenge, I will only 'count' something as decluttered once I have actually got rid of it. Too often have I bagged something up and left it on the landing or by the front door with all intentions of getting rid it just sits there for another few weeks cluttering up my house and I have wrongly and prematurely congratulated myself on decluttering in. So that will happen no more. Once it is at the charity shop, tip or wherever then I will pay myself on the back and not before.

Added to today's bag is all the. Helstmas rubbish and recycling from all the toys. Packaging discarded in to recycling bin and toys put away in bedrooms. Decs are all down (yesterday) and put away. Downstairs is actually looking very tidy right now.

[Snap8TheCat]

Awful typos! So sorry!

[CamdenTownie]

Me please!

Today we've had a good sort through old paperwork and the drawers of doom, old documents ect have all been burned, well over a carrier bag full.

Tomorrow I aim to overhaul dd2's wardrobe as I've noticed that she's out growing lots of her clothes.

If I can get going with this before I'm back to work next week, hopefully I can make it a habit

[Vinorosso74]

I know what you mean about having stuff bagged up but it still sitting there. I'm guilty of that one.
Once DD and DP are back at school/work I'll get on. We already have a few small bits for a trip to the dump so will make it more worthwhile.
Cleared a few bits out a kitchen drawer while DD's tea was cooking, not really a bag full but it was a start.

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Eating the Christmas chocolates so I can recycle the packaging counts, right?

[Bogburglar75]

I need to try this. Really want to have a less cluttered home so that I can more easily keep it clean. Also escaping the spectre of my gran who was a dedicated hoarder and had a whole room in a large London semi which was impossible to get into, never mind actually use.

[anothermalteserplease]

I'm in for this too. I did a huge declutter last year but the paperwork, toys, outgrown clothes etc just seems to be taking over again.

[lbsjob87]

I'm in too!
Just sick of being surrounded by "stuff".

I got rid of the remaining Christmas packaging today (took all the toys that have not yet been played with out of their boxes).

Plus we cleared a junk corner to put in a storage cupboard - in doing so, I cleared off a bookshelf I hadn't been able to get to, due to the junk in the way. Filled a bag for life with unwanted books, put it in the car, will take to charity shop when they reopen on Tuesday.
(Confession - found an unused 2012 calendar - that corner hasn't been used in a while.....)

Will perhaps tackle toddler son's drawers tomorrow, see what's too small.

Ooh, feel fired up now! Great thread!

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Been to the dump with the tree, old clothes to rag, broken clothes airer and garden waste. Feeling good!

[Laska5772]

I have just chucked out the equivalent of a large carrier bag of unused toiletries and other random stuff which has been boughtover the las couple of years and never used more than once . All cleared out from the bathroom shelves and basket .. Yay!

[Laska5772]

oh and we have all the deccies down (a few things were thrown away but we didnt have much )

[Snap8TheCat]

Excellent progress, thanks for sharing.

Today's bag for me was some rubbish from dd's room. Whilst she put some clothes away I went through a couple of drawers and a toy box. She's happy her teeny tiny room looks a bit clearer.

Happy filling bags everyone!

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Is anyone else struggling to get their partner on board? I've got him to agree to at least throw out one thing every time he brings something new into the house.