Anyone want to join me in a minimalist journey?

[lucysnowe]

I've been reading a load of minimalist mum blogs and have been brainwashed inspired . We are undergoing some building work at the mo and the amount of stuff everywhere is absolutely doing me head in. Once it is finished I want to have a ginormous sort and throw out. We are getting a tumble dryer and I plan to start culling clothes, sheets, towels etc, with the aim of getting ALL washing done each week and not have massive full up bins cluttering up the place. Next: toys, ornaments, and random bits of paper. Anyone fancy doing the same for the New Year?

[bluecarrot]

And glad you are better Harriet!

[HellonHeels]

Sending good health vibes (clutter free) to all poorly people. Hello to new posters and lurkers!

I'm delighted to report that I had my first proper trip to the library last night. Collected my two book club books that I'd requested from the stacks and got a few travel books to plan my summer holiday. These two things bring about most of my book purchases, I am a bit crazy for travel guides and have always bought book club books until now.

Not only minimising but also saving money - I calculate I'm £25 better off already :-) Am also wondering if the library might like some of my travel guides, got quite a few current and almost unused ones for various places I haven't been to

[harrietspy]

I wonder if we've had the same thing, blue. I'm still on plain toast and hot water...

Upthread someone was asking if anyone regretted anything they'd got rid of.
Not so far. At the moment I don't have the money to replace things if I make a mistake, so if there's anything I'm really not sure about, I pack it away or put it in a box. If I find I genuinely have need of it, it stays. I am keeping ds1's old clothes for ds2, but trying to be sensible about what I hang on to.

silentmammoth I lost my smart phone a while back and have been using a non-smart phone (simple phone?) since. I can get web access on it at a push - very slow and clunky, but when my contract's up, I'm going to switch to a simpler phone without web access if I can. I loved my iPhone but I was addicted to it. I salute the people who can use their smart phone as a tool and not be in its thrall. I wasn't that strong! Now there is more space in my head, more space in my day...

Hellonheels, most impressed with your library-dealings. My only problem with the library is that I forget to take books back on time and end up accruing huge fines. I think I need to build library visits into my week to solve the problem...

[bluecarrot]

Can you renew your loans online?

[harrietspy]

yes, but I never remember that either! (Really need to get on top of this!)

[bluecarrot]

My library lets you lend ebooks and audiobooks virtually. That's great as they just expire on your PC abc you don't need to remember :)

Can you set a reminder on your phone? Or on your computer?

My librarian was talking to me about me applying for an upcoming post. I joked I'd have no excuse for late fees then and she and other lady laughed- they are always getting fines!

I live 2 mins walk ( literally) from the library, I really shouldn't ever be late returning!

[lucysnowe]

Hi guys!

This thread has run away with me somewhat, feel free someone to start a new one :)

I have finished my decluttering now or more less (umm, except for the attic and the shed, but eh). DH is on board but he does have a habit of getting a storage box, putting two tiny things in it, and saying he's tidied. :)

I have a big amazon voucher, am really tempted to get the Kindle out and buy some ebooks! Am not a big Kindle fan TBH but it may keep me properly away from the tablet which can only be a good thing.

[educatingarti]

"finished my decluttering now or more less "
I don't think I'll ever finish!

Still doing little bits rather than tackling the large amount of random rubbish behind cupboard doors larger areas.

so far my hall cupboard, desk drawers, bedside table drawers and a couple of my kitchen cupboards have been done, plus got rid of a few books. Loads more to do!

[educatingarti]

I hope no one minds. I've started a new thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/good_housekeeping/1666467-The-minimalist-quiche to replace this one which will be full up soon.

[SilentMammoth]

Thunk, yes I'm reading simplicity parenting at the moment. It does seem more aimed at people leading a different short of lifestyle, very much city dwellers. We moved to back end of beyond four years ago and have never looked back. We also live in very, umm, alternative area, where we are in the minority for having a (single, old fashioned non flat screen) television.

I do feel incredibly grateful for urge chance to bring the dc up like this, which I think would be harder if we lived in a town.

[pixiestix]

@ our accidental minimalist quiche.

The new thread title has to have Harriets "gorgeous and nourishing" mantra in it somewhere

I did a 27 fling boogie on my jewellery and make up today, a la Flylady, and was feeling really pleased with myself until I packed it all up again and it took up the exact amount of space it did before. There must be more to cull.

[pixiestix]

Oops, too slow. Missed heaps of messages

[pixiestix]

Mammoth that sounds heavenly to me. I grew up in the back end of beyond (think faaaaar south west) and have been wishing myself back there for my whole adult life. Sadly no jobs down that way, yet house prices through the roof.

[IWipeArses]

Pixie, if you've had make-up longer than 12months, it needs binning. Especially mascara. Stick with that and you'll think extra hard about buying any more in the future knowing it'll get binned.

Haven't caught up, but decluttering progressing well. Decided to keep a chest of drawers that I wanted rid of as it allowed us to spread our clothes out and also left room to put more stuff away in drawers and on shelves rather than being out all the time. We have plenty of room in our bedroom, so it's no problem.

[harrietspy]

Feeling conflicted. Do I stay on this thread till it's full (in a slightly obsessive finishing-it-off sort of way) or switch to the new one now? Either way, I have to stay with you. We are visiting the Garage of Doom at the weekend and I will need Resolve While Taking Firm Action. Stomach churning at the thought...

[bluecarrot]

I'm swapping after this MSG. And pretending I didn't say I'd make an inventory of the kitchen ;) only getting round to it now!

[NotQuitePerfect]

Thank you so much SilentMammoth, QueenofWhatever,bluecarrot, HarrietSpy and everyone else who had a think about whether they had ever regretted throwing anything away.

It's good to know that the general consensus is 'almost never!'

Occasionally I've looked at old pics, seen what I'm wearing & thought oh why did I get rid if that? It's only a passing moment tho. And usually it's just the younger 'me' I want back, not the actual garment!

Moving to new thread now - see you all over there?

[SilentMammoth]

Is this one full? Like harriet I'm a bit anxious about not leaving this once neatly folded up!!

[CurrerBell]

This thread has been brilliant - thank you all so much! I haven't posted much but have followed avidly, and it has inspired me to make some big changes (mostly to my mindset).

I haven't regretted anything I've let go off at all - even the CDs, which were a hard decision at the time. See you all on the new thread!

[educatingarti]

Mammoth - If you lust leave the thread alone it will slowly disintegrate into the depths of farthest-flung cyberspace to become digital dust in the birthing of a new minimalist universe.

Or something like that!

See you on the new thread!

[educatingarti]

Doh! just - not lust of course!!

[BoffinMum]

Thinking of you Harriet. We have a garage of doom as well.

[BoffinMum]

Emerging from the Loft of Doom to announce that Austerity Housekeeping eBook will be free again on Amazon tomorrow, if anyone wants a copy.

[educatingarti]

Hi Boffinmum
Just to let you know that we have a new thread here as this one has nearly reached its limit!

I bought your book off Amazon today btw. Only just started reading!