Clutter anyone?

[MarySA]

Today I got rid of about

20 books (to charity)

I bought two.

My goal is 50 books to go over the next month.

I meant to say I've a real problem with clutter and stuff generally and never have enough storage in the house. So that's where I'm starting to try and improve things.

Mary - well done! That's a great start.

I'm itching to sort out my loft, but sod's law it's too bloody hot to go up there. I want to get everything sorted out into what to keep and what to sell or donate to charity. If I had the sort of partner (I don't drive) who was keen on boot fairs, I'd be at one like a shot.

I have loads of books too, and no bookcase! Imagine that. Most of those are boxed up in the loft as well. Grr.

Thanks educatingarti. I need a bit of encouragement!!

My loft is just beyond anything haven't been up myself for about 7 years. DH goes up from time to time to look for things but we need a proper loft ladder and the opening made wider. But I don't blame you for not wanting to do the loft in this heat.

Oh, good for you. I really need to follow suit. What prompted the decluttering?

We downsized recently to enable us to buy our first home and we had to be really ruthless when it came to "stuff".

We had a rule with books and DVDs that if it wasn't a classic and we didn't think we would read/watch it again then it had to go. We now have a one in, one out policy as we do not have the space. Before we buy anything we try to think whether we actually need it and simply not having space has curbed our spending as well.

Freecycle is great and we did lots and lots and lots of trips to charity shops.

Well done for starting btw, decluttering can seem like an overwhelming task.

Well done for making a start. I understand that is the best way forwards - concentrate on one type of object, or just one cupboard and then just one room.
Was watching 'The Hoarder Next Door' last week, and the psychologist (? I think he was?) got the woman to start with just 10 mins of picking up paper and putting it in the bin, each day. Just 10 mins! . wouldn't work in my house as with 4 others working against me, the house would be filling up a lot faster than I was emptying it. The theory is good though.

What prompted my decluttering? I've been reading through the threads on Flylady and cleaning but have come to the conclusion that nothing will get much better while I have this much stuff with nowhere to put it. So I am concentrating on books for now. I love the hoarder next door.