Out with the old and in with - NOTHING! Further adventures in minimalism.

[MrsPennyapple]

Following on from the Minimalist Journey and Minimalist Quiche threads. The journey continues...

I'll be doing the French equivalent of a car boot sale in early June. Its actually a street sale so you have to put your wares on display and then remove your car before they close the roads to traffic about 7am. Luckily there is a pitch near SIL's PIL's house and I can drop my stuff off the day before.

I already have four large boxes reserved for this. We are lucky to have a basement so I can do this without tripping over the boxes all the time.

I have been to these street sales before (when kids were toddlers and we were looking for toys) and I know of people who bring out the same stuff that doesn't sell year on year. So I'm only keeping stuff that I think I would be prepared to buy in a different time in my life e.g. perfectly good bag that no one uses because there is a children's character on it and we are all too grown up now. Anything that doesn't sell is going to the charity shop straight away.

miemohrs and anyone else struggling with emotions, I believe something I read about not keeping anything that revives painful feelings as it prevents you fully letting go of those feelings. The idea is that if you keep something which you are not using or looking at daily, it's because it reminds you of a happy time and not of the the life you dreamed of but didn't end up having. So when you revisit the box, only happy memories are associated with it. I am yet to fully put this into practice on all the bits from the past I'm keeping but it has worked on what I have tackled. Obviously if you are still raw from a loss, even a photo of a really happy time with that person is going to bring you sad feelings but I know from experience that you've accepted the loss, the good time memories can be 99% happy memories with just a slight tinge of regret that there wasn't time for more of them.

Thanks for those tips re selling. I just missed the NCT sale round here. It's a really good sale. I used to organise it but it used to take up so much of my time even as a seller let alone an organiser so I don't know if I can be bothered. May try car boot if and when my friend does it again just to see what's it like. Otherwise I'm happy to just let them go to charity shop. If its good enough people will buy and the shop will benefit from the money it makes. All for a good cause and all that.

Found a puzzle from the kids that's just been retrieved. Few pieces missing. Guess where it's destined to be!!? Loving this.

somme that is a really useful insight re keeping things with memories.

I'm still resisting an almost overwhelming urge to BUY STUFF. I don't want or need anything & I know this is a reaction to the changes I've been making. The shopping demon inside me is not taking this lightly.

Anyone else experiencing an internal attempted coup/mutiny?

oh yes!! I have this internal fight with me whenever I get near shops. Was just at sainsburys to pick up a prescription for my dd and had to definitely get some feminine supplies, so fair enough. Walked past the clothes and shoes and had to put things down. I don't need another pair of linen trousers!! But it was very tempting. Saw some sale stuff for kids and was very tempted (boys trousers down to £6 and some dress up Goldilocks thing for my dd half priced too). Was very tempting as I thought, yes surely the boy needs another pair of trousers and the girl needs to dress up at parties... but walked very slowly away and just thought that having something like an extra £12 in my purse was better than frittering it away.

Perhaps it's a case of putting down on a shopping list things you really need and have two lists, an urgent and a good to have list. And if you walk past a sale and it has them things on sale, then you can have them. Otherwise, walk away?

So, if say the kids really need school shoes then fair enough go get them. If say they look like they'll need a new pair soon, then keep an eye out for sales??

argh - it's so difficult! :)

I'd like to join in too! I'm a bit of a hoarder, but we've moved and now MIL lives with us and she is even worse . We have two lots of most things - e.g. her ancient food processor and stick blender, my shiny new Prospero, tea towels, serveware etc. I've sneaked out some old tea towels and bath towels so that they can actually fit in the drawer now but there is still too much of everything!

I am also a hoarder of fabric and knitting yarn and DH has hundreds of books he won't get rid of. DS has turned into a hoarder of Thomas the tank engine trains and Disney Cars characters. Help!

welcome SilverSixpence

I understand completely takeaway.

I think the next step for me is to perhaps move to cash spending only for a while and leave all cards etc at home (though I know card details off by heart so will still have to restrain myself re www spending). Give myself £X to spend on everything for the week, and if it runs out so be it.

I'd also like to try NSD's but that would mean making my lunch which would mean getting REALLY organised.

Gee I'd love a couple of days off work to declutter. The half sorted living room with its piles of crap is really starting to bug me! And I'd like to feed my toddler inside a balloon (to reduce spread of mess - cereal everywhere). It that permissible :)

You can satisfy that shopping urge by buying something in a bigger size for your DCs. Eg if DS has enough trousers that fit but if there are some nice one or some on offer, you can buy a size up. Mine have just started getting particular about what they wear so I can't do that now but that's ok because I don't have those urges any more. I'd rather pull up weeds than face the shops.

I am going to have to go shopping today. We need secateurs. We have shrubs in our garden and our last secateurs broke beyond repair.

I very rarely go to the shops apart from the few I see in my lunch hour enroute to buy lunch. And its a limited selection. WWW shopping has been an issue (I'm very good at it) but it's under control now.

It's not even that I'm buying stuff - I'm not really. It's just I am currently OBSESSED with thinking about buying stuff. And looking online (I work on pc all day). It's def a subconscious backlash against the changes I'm making. I need to ride it out, let the changes settle, change these old old old habits. I've unsubscribed from all shopping emails etc.

It's DD2's birthday next week - I'll focus on designing a cake for her instead - might distract me. No need to buy anything as I have a box of stuff to use at home.

BeCool are you on Pinterest? There is lots to do and make on there, particularly for kids, rather than things to buy. I found a great idea for DS1s cake last year - made it myself and lots of compliments.

Morning all and welcome to the newcomers!
Takeaway - I'm only just decluttering very slowly too because of work and traumas with the NHS not looking after Dad properly my Dad's recent illness.

I'm working on decluttering just one thing a day. Yesterday it was an old notebook that I'd been recording my spending in but hadn't used in over a year (recycling) and the day before it was a pair of boots (charity). I have a similar newer pair and despite determining I'd still get some more wear out of the older pair, I always wear the newer ones as they are more comfy so I've decided the old ones can go. Paper work is my nemesis. I also keep an awful lot of stuff for potential craft projects, but then I do actually end up using quite a bit of it eventually so I kind of justify that!!

Dilemma of the day - do I keep a really pretty engraved glass vinegar bottle that was my grandmother's but that I don't use and don't really have a place to display?

In news about Dad- he is home now thankfully (with a further nightmare on Tuesday when he was still in hospital because they decided not to try giving him his Parkinsons meds all day because he hadn't opened his mouth when they'd tried to give him his first lot in the morning! They didn't let my Mum know this and had stopped my mum or Dad's carer coming in to feed him of give him his meds because if he choked they'd "be liable". Mum and his carer can always get him to take his meds, even if it takes a bit of time!) He has an appointment for his MRI scan on Monday!!

oh yes I LOVE Pinterest! We do make lots of crap lovely stuff together. I have put off decluttering the 'making stuff' box of delights just yet. This weekend ........... Actually we have only scratched the surface of it for a year now, so it will be OK. I just want to get all stickers, glitter, paints, toilet rolls, paper, stones, shells etc etc etc to a one box limit. I'm not going to be toooo mean about it.

Thing is both DD's are out of the house all week and do loads of crafts and stuff in school & playgroups. Most Saturdays we go out on adventures. And on Sundays they are with their Dad. So we have all this make & do stuff and very little time to actually use it. So it can be stripped back.

DD1 keeps banging on about making paper pulp - oh the horror!!!!

and Craftgawker!

Well I've got 3 bags for the charity shop tomorrow. DH managed to clear a bag of his clothes - progress! I keep thinking I'm nearly there, I have no idea how I'm still managing to find so many things to go.

On the purchasing front we have had lots coming in as we're renovating the house. However it is starting to slow down quite a bit and I've tried to be very intentional about what I'm bringing in and ensuring other things are being repurposed or sent out. I have lots of little jobs to do now - like organising art supplies for the kids, so I know I'll be purchasing some organisational items like trays and jars, etc. I've also been purchasing clothes as part of my attempt to create a capsule wardrobe. Most of it has been sent back though as it doesn't fit / I don't love it. I think I'm going to have to go upmarket a bit and invest some decent money over time. I've also been sucked in by my first visits over to the Style and Beauty board and bought some cosmetics. This is not a problem area for me as I have literally 1 small bag of make-up and 1 face cream. I'm reaching a certain age though and think I could do with a bit more to, ahem, make the most of what I've got.

S&B is a minefield / treasure trove to be avoided by me for the time being.

That must be really tough to deal with, Miemohrs. Lending things out is a good idea, you might find that after it's been out of the house for a while, and you haven't been seeing it around, it's easier to say goodbye to. And if your friend will deal with rehoming the stuff, that's less for you to do.

Yes, decluttering raises all sorts of issues you thought you'd dealt with, as well as some things you didn't even know were issues. Just do things when you can. If you don't feel ready to part with something, leave it and revisit it later. I think I can safely say that most of us have come across items and kept them, only to change our minds and get rid a few weeks later.

I had a rummage in my craft cupboard yesterday and identified a few bits to sell, and a few to throw away. I've been saving some containers, with the intention of cutting a slot in the lid and then decoupage-ing them, to make pretty money boxes. Well, I haven't got around to it yet, and my energy levels are not great at the moment, being 25 wks pg, and having a 21mo toddler running around, so by the time I can actually get any craft done (usually about 9pm) I just haven't got the capacity to get creative. That's not going to change in the next year or so, so I threw them away.

All my decluttering seems to be inside cupboards and hidden areas, so the house looks no different!

Sounds like you've found a really sensible way of dealing with it mie (may I call you that, I keep having to scroll up to check spellings otherwise )

Welsome SilverSixpence
Arti, so glad your father is home. My Bible group meets every Friday morning, so let me know if you would like anything specific prayed for again.
somewhereelse I soooo want to come to your street sale, sounds great!

I must check out Pinterest, reading everyone's comments.

Well today was a bit of a wash out decluttering wise; I treated myself after being sequestered in deepedst Shires for last five weeks owing to emCS, I walked 2 miles to village and caught bus to Nearest Big Town. Ooh the excitement of an HSBC! The glamour of a Post Office! The thrill of picking up overdue coat from dry cleaners! I did enjoy meeting a friend for lunch though, and will assuage my conscience by making a dining room shelf immaculate. Little and often!

Mammoth I think the further prayers are that Dad would continue to improve, Mum will be able to relax more, the Community OT will be in touch very soon and provide the aids they promised including special mattress to prevent bedsores, that Dad's medication will be reviewed soon by somebody sensible as I have a feeling it isn't quite right for him ( was changed drastically while he was in hospital), that arrangement for his scan and shunt adjustment will go smoothly.

I do so appreciate your prayers!

I'm glad you enjoyed "nearestbigtown" and you are recovering from cs. The shelf looks wonderful!!

You can come as long as you have a stand and don't buy up other people's clutter

People do actually channel hop for the big street sale in Lille (braderie de Lille) in September, both to buy and sell.

Help, haven't located anything to get rid off today other than dandelions from the lawn. I have however found a new address that takes donations in my town.

I braved the hypermarket and got the secateurs and a cat litter tray. We will be offering a good home to two kittens soon. So now I have to admit that I have half a bag of cat litter in storage since we last had a cat (more than 8 years ago!).

Hi everyone. In London so no chance to declutter and then to my mum's but hoping to make more of a start next week. Think my next focus will be kitchen stuff. Did someone say they had a useful link for that?

Also I have a dreadful cupboard to do which has coats and crap and wrapping paper and light bulbs etc.. Eugh. I am staying at my SIL and her house is beautiful and clutter free. She has 3DSs but buys carefully for them, everything good quality, lasts, stylish, beautiful. I am green with envy

somme I bet you thought you'd use it someday!

We did! We alway intended getting another cat but I couldn't face it when the children were tiny. It felt like I had enough on my hands training them to not to climb on the kitchen worktop etc

Would you believe it, I just went into the basement to sort out gardening stuff (does anyone know if out of date flower seeds can grow?) and found our old litter tray . One of us must have it would be perfect for storing little pots, sometime in the last 8 years. On the very day I bought a new one! I could have spent the money on luxury ice-cream instead.

Let that be a lesson to you all!

Ah Cristiane, I was! How is your 3 year old? As threenagery as mine?!

I took down half of the shelves today, much to dd's dismay. But the space looks better. The remaining shelves are fuller, but hopefully, there are fewer places to misplace things. I finally came to terms with getting rid of a clock that I won a prize for making at school that DH has been on at me to bin for ages. I took a memorial photo and stupidly shared it on fb. There was a backlash from my family and school friends, so I think it stays for now

Or if it means that much to your family, let them have it!