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...

So I went shopping today. But I have also thrown stuff out. Added to the chazzer bag some shoes. But inspired by a friend who made ££ at boot sale I've inspired DS who's 5 to get rid of things (he is understanding value for money!) and he's packed off a bunch of DVDs and some books. In the midst of that I found some old baby sleeping bags which are still v good condition so have filled 2 small bags of stuff! I hear that there's a car boot soon so will try it the once and if it doesn't work I'll put them at the charity shop.

I'm thinking I can get rid of stair gates, high chair at the very least! Buggy even. Or old bike.

Welcome Lark

I agree about the inspiration - even though I'm not managing too much in the way of decluttering ATM! It keeps it on my radar so to speak!
I've done another 20 mins work and will do another 20 mins housework before bed!

Things are still quite messy but I feel a bit more in controll!

Lark - with regard to your baby stuff. I think if your sister wants it, she should store it and if not then just get rid of it! No need to feel guilty. It's not mean. If she wanted it she could speak up and say she would store it - if your DSis is saying you should feel free to get rid of it, then maybe it is her polite way of saying she doesn't want it! Think of it the other way around. Would you expect another family member in a small house to store baby stuff for you against some unspecified time when you may or may not need it?

If you wanted, maybe keep a few really lovely small baby things for your DSis - eg really lovely baby outfits you were given for your DCs, a particular toy that your DCs really enjoyed and got a lot of play value from. Not much though - just a few things!!

I'd just get rid of most of your baby stuff down the chazzer. I think they'd take most stuff except perhaps anything electrical (warmer?) and the actual bottles if they have been used. Could you list the bottle warmer and bottles for free on Gumtree just to get rid of them?

I can't help with the cash for clothes question - I'd guess some organisations are better than others.

Becool thanks
Sokmonsta does your name have anything to do with your enormous odd sock bag? And while we're on the subject, where do you all keep the sock bag when you aren't sorting washing.
Arti Sounds like you are getting on top of the things you have had to let slide. Are you using a timer?

I have cleared through my sewing basket. It, with it's entire contents, was a gift several years ago but I only turn up too long kids trousers and mend. So there is stuff in there that I haven't used (and don't know how to use ) which I'm sure DH's aunt, who sews for pleasure, will put to good use.

Right today I am sorting out some clothes and de cluttering the living room.

Arti my work / rest ratios are about 20:50, so I think you're doing brilliantly! If you need sleep, and can get it, then go for it! You've got a ,lot on just now, you need to recharge sometimes.

Alark welcome! I agree with Arti about getting rid of the baby things, especially the big stuff. It takes up so much space, and it sounds like you could get a fair bit of cash for some of it. For the smaller bits, I'd still ask at any hostels if you know of any, as they may be able to pass them on to someone needing them. Or, take them along to a mums & tots group and just ask if anyone wants them, I'm sure someone would take them off your hands. I really hate to throw away things that could be used, but sometimes it's hard to find ways to get them to the people that could use them.

Marking place - I love decluttering, it's my favourite! My husband says I'd be happiest living in a big, white, empty box... I moved into his place when we got married, and there's still plenty of scope for decluttering there, let me tell you! I am working on it, but 10 years' worth of bachelor stuff is quite a challenge. Luckily, he's amenable to the process.

With clothes, I try to charity shop anything that I haven't worn for a year. I always have a bag of charity shop bits tucked away somewhere, and add things as I come across them. My wardrobe is tiny at the moment (like, a metre wide), which keeps me focused. I put unseasonal clothes away in a suitcase - no room to have everything out.

So have taken something out of the freezer for dinner rather than going and buying something or a takeaway, I will run the damn thing down.

Just heading into my bedroom to take the clothes mountain, I may be sometime

That was good dh just came upstairs so I pulled everything out of his drawers and make him say yes or no to getting rid [gein]

Morning all. I am now on my second breakfast! Just call me Hobbit! Typically, today was one of very few days when I was able to actually have a really long lie in- so of course I woke at 6.00am! I decided though that if I had some weetabix and a cup of tea, I might be able to go back to sleep - which I did. Now of course I'm hungry again!

Today I need to do a batch cook of something (not sure what - I will compare recipes and the random ingredients I have in later!) I will also do some more 20 min housework sessions! They do really help me just get on with something- anything when I am feeling lazyoverwhelmed.

Thanks for asking after Dad,Lark . When I spoke to Mum last night she felt that although he goes up and down quite a lot each day, on average, every day is better than the last! He is also eating extremely well (he lost 2 1/2 stone while in hospital ) and managed to walk a little bit yesterday. He has a scan and his shunt adjusted tomorrow. He is still nowhere near as well as he was before his fall though!

somme , yes I am using a timer and just ignoring it when my 10 mins rest break is up !

Mrs P - thanks for the encouragement. I can be a bit hard on myself continually sometimes so it is good to be reminded that I'm doing well and that the situation with Dad is bound to have taken it out of me (and as I have fibromyalgia, there's not a lot to be taken out iyswim)!

Hello to puss and safestyle. Safestyle - do you need a map and compass for your clothes mountain, or is it more of an ice axe and oxygen job?

Well this thread has worked its inspirational wonders again. Last night I remembered I have some full length slips I've had for years and never wear. Tried them on and they don't fit me at all so straight in the chazzer bag!

OK - off to browse mn a bit more get dressed and do my first 20 mins of the day!

educatingarti defo a map and compass to ensure I find my way out.

Although I feel good for sorting dhs clothes out this of course was a mistake as it was all actually away, so instead of doing the stuff that's out I did that instead anywho have downsized his number of draws as a result do know have somewhere to keep my sewing stuff

SafeStyle - I'm sure getting rid of DH's clothes in order to have somewhere to keep your sewing stuff is exactly what minimalism is all about !

Well it is amazing what you can achieve in 20 minutes. Bedroom tidied and bed made, bathroom window ledge sorted and junk removed, kitchen tidied ( no point cleaning just before I'm going to cook!), a load of washing in the machine. I even ventured into my spare doom room - though admittedly I ventured out again pretty quickly!

Need to cook but don't want to so having a cup of tea and some minimalist inspiration first!

Trying to work out whether I can be bothered to put anything on ebay as it is a free listing weekend!

hello!

Just joining for encouragement in my decluttering really. Will try not to be intimidated by all your efforts...have very low energy reserves so may not post much.

Dumped 5 years worth of crappy pencil stubs and worn out pens and crayons today. Hurrah!

Yay to the pencil cull corestrength

I'm feeling pretty exhausted too and I have to go out in an hour and I need to have shower and sort out my music and it just isn't happening quite yet!!

Cleaned the house (the weekly clean). In the midst of that, decided to declutter underwear drawer and got rid of a couple of pants and one knackered nursing bra. Decided to wash some pillow cases (nursing ones) and will store them away for the boot sale. Am pretty determined to get rid and of course if things don't sell then its just a drive to the charity store to give away. Have stored some clothes away too.

Have also washed my old buggy that was in the garage and cleaned it all. Am feeling optimistic.

All paperwork in a small expanding file plus a file box. Gee that feels amazing. No more filing cabinet. I have stack of stuff to whiz through scanner at work tomorrow and then shred.

Toys and art supplies also all tidy in their new homes with a large bag of rubbish out the door.

3 large cushions and another bag of stuff for charity shop tomorrow.

There is one corner of living room with a box of homeless but wanted items. I've very nearly been over every object in the flat. Some areas still need second or third wave declutter but really I need the new furniture in place before some bits will have a proper home.

4 cook books going to chazza - hard to part with more. I feel like the cook in me might come back soon.

I have a large box of boxes of all sizes that won't go just yet. They all used to be full of stuff. They amuse me

Good work everyone. I love checking in here and catching up. I am not alone in this transformation.

Living room has doubled in size since I started.

Wow, paperwork is a bit of a nemesis for me and I know DH is very reluctant to minimise it. How have you managed Becool? I feel very afraid of getting rid of things like bank statements just in case. We have successfully used old statements for bank charges claims and tax claims in the past - I need to do more pondering on this to come to terms with shredding stuff.

I seem to recall in the original thread people using apps and things to keep on top of paper but I didn't pay much attention because we didn't have an iPad or a streamlined set up which would help. But now with iPad I might consider it again - can anyone remember or does anyone here use technology to help?

I have paperwork on all my cars going back about 10 years. I suspect I'll have to work on DHs emotional attachment to his, but I see no reason to keep old cars' stuff other than those nightmare scenarios you read about when folk get billed for parking offences from previously owned cars.
I have grand plans to go through our bills one day and work out if it really is cheaper in the long run to buy an older car outright and pay higher maintenance compared with a payment plan for a newer car...

...much like I have grand plans to put our wedding photos in an album 9 years on . I don't really see the point in albums because I don't think they'd be looked at but equally a photo envelope is equally useless. We have our choice photos on display. But I couldn't get rid of the rest. It's a 9 year old impasse.

HobNob paperwork filing/elimination happened in stages.

1. Went through all files in drawer - sorted into essential (birth certs, passports, doctors stuff, tax/work stuff, car, insurance, pension etc), keep (council tax, last bills, warranties, receipts etc), recycle and shred. (I just kept a few bank statements and shredded the rest - I do online banking anyway and have now switched to paperless statements). Most of my bills are now paperless too.
2. Put everything in a large box & tossed filing cabinet.
3. Looked at large box for a week.
4. Brought one of these expanding files from Muji. It is my goal to get most retained paperwork in there.
5. Looked at large box & empty Muji file for 2 more weeks.
6. Finally I am ready - I resort all paperwork into piles.

I got all the essential bits into expanding file, all the tabs are neatly labelled. It is kept on hall shelves so in case of emergency I can grab it on way out the door.
All the warranties, instructions and receipts are in a box file. It is fairly full but room for a few more receipts etc. Then I'll have to look at it again.
I have endless paperwork re my shared ownership flat. I didn't want to keep it all but unsure about throwing it away, so I am going to scan it all (high speed whizzy scanner at work) and then keep the PDF docs. having originals aren't essential. This might work for bank statements too? I'm also scanning old council tax bills & anything else I'm feeling nervous about.

I didn't get DC's red health books or school folder into the Muji file, but I have space in my Home Office too keep them there.

Someone help me to get on with something this morning!!!!

Please?!!!

re photos I used to have grand plans for all my travel photos too. Then years ago I realised it wasn't' going to happen and I put them all in as strict a date order as I could and filed them in albums like these but 4 pictures per page (I know I know I look like a complete Muji addict but I did these albums 10 years ago).

Great for 'standard' sized photos and it really works like a photo diary - even better the pictures just slide in so they come together super quickly and I love pulling random volumes down for a browse. Still they are very heavy & I have about 20 of them. I stopped making albums when I got a digital camera circa 2001. But I would like to do edited versions as it is nice to print some snaps out

Arti 20 minutes please my lovely.
NOW!

Morning lovelies.

Arti - how's your nightstand? Mine is currently clear, after spilling a glass of squash over a couple of books, an ipod and a pile of tissues/biscuit wrappers lesson learnt as my books are having to dry out.

Thanks BeCool !

I've done 30 mins of work plus a bit of tidying in kitchen. Now back to another 30 mins work before lunch!