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...

Clear I am a natural bag minimalist too - I'm too lazy busy to be switching around bags all the time, so only have one on the go. I've just bought a smaller one which I can get kid essentials in and a wallet and lippy - which is enough for me. I'll use it until I get bored or it wears out and then buy a new one. I do keep a small black clutch and some low heeled strappy shoes for formal events, which are increasingly rare. I hasten to add that I am horribly unfashionable though and don't have outfits which require bags and shoes to a achieve a 'look'. My lack of a 'look' is something I have plans to address with a capsule wardrobe should I ever muster up the energy to shop properly.

I got rid of two carrier bags of tights and random old underwear - can you believe it? I have plans for the rest of the house...

Minimalists made me chuck my fridge magnets.

Congrats sunny :) I have 3 bras for everyday, 2 more, and all the same pants. Mr Goo is underwhelmed by this development

Nagoo I'm so torn about the fridge magnets. They have been off the fridge for a month and it looks so lovely.

But where am I going to put all that stuff? Now the heating is off I guess I can put the alphabet phonics on a radiator, but what about photos? and school notices? and shopping lists?

If I was into bumper stickers (I'm not) I'd like one that says "Minimalists made me chuck my fridge magnets"

Yes I believe it Sunny - now time to get stuck in and apply that same philosophy little by little, bit by bit the the rest of your home.

Becool - we have a magnetic blackboard and use the fronts of cupboards with blutack. Not ideal but until I get round to making my massive notice board it's better than having them tucked away in a pile!

I have a lot of handbags but tend to stick to the same one every single day. I love it. I have thinned out my bags lately but have three everyday bags (i.e Oversized navy that I use regularly too). I have about ten clutch bags for weddings, Christmas parties etc.. I used to have more. I keep them in a two drawer wicker shelf unit in wardrobe in the spare room. I do use them all at least once a year so I probably won't throw them out.

Shoes - three pairs of black heels for work(very similar). Two high heeled pairs - weekend. One red pair of trainers, one gym pair. Three pairs of slippers unworn (presents).
About six pairs of flip flops and two pairs of wedges for summer.
I also have another eight pairs of shoes I never ever put on. They are good though.

On top of this I have a variety of heels for going out - emerald green, red, nude, black.
I keep my shoes in an underbed storage box with lid - one in own room that I wear regularly and one in spare room for summer/occasions.

If the phonics thing gets used then keep it on the fridge...I'm sure that there is a caveat for things that actually function

DD2 is missing the musical phonics and the "LMNOP" is her fav song ATM! Think I will get cleaning all the A-Z magnets tonight so they can go back on the fridge.

I do have one of those magnets clips - well several actually. I think like everything I need to apply use/need/love principles and that will get me through.

Becool
Would something like this work for all you school notices and shopping lists? here
You should deffo reinstate the musical phonics if dd is loving it - Educational toys are so not clutter and denying a dc an enjoyed educational experience is minimalism gone mad!! even if they do stuff up the clean sleek lines in the kitchen! but then I'm a tutor and a natural non-minimalist so I would say that!

Reading your comments, I've discovered I am a natural minimalist in the area of handbags. (Yay! at least 1 thing!!) I have one bag that I use all the time. It is leather and a type of mini rucksack design. I love it because it is the right size for stuff I need day to day, without being enormous, and a nice sleek pear shape. It is brown which goes with most stuff I have and I still use it even if it doesn't really go and I've used it for years. It works well for me because it leaves my hands totally free for all the bags/crates of teaching stuff I'm often taking out with me! The leather is now quite worn and scuffed and has an inkstain in one corner that I couldn't totally get out but I hope this makes me look bohemian and interesting - not just scruffy!

I do have a couple of formal bags for wedding type events and one other leather bag I haven't had the heart to get rid of because the leather is so lovely and soft - I keep thinking I'll find some kind of household use for it!

Because if this thread and Simplicity Parenting I'm considering not asking my friend to return the leapfrog activity table that my mum spent her hard earned money on for the current minihobnob. Floor space and airspace I want to preserve!

Right I am going to keep up with posting in order to keep on track.
I am glad to say I don't have any fridge magnets! One less thing to declutter!

I've done the following:

• I found another small stash of my tops that got moved to make way for maternity clothes and never were returned. Half are going to charity
• DS decided he doesn't need to keep all the back issues of his footie magazine and recycled them - his choice.
• I found a collection of seashells from a beach walk and put them amonst the stones in the garden
• Best of all, I sorted through all our coats hats and scarves. Started with 3 bags full and now down to just one. I must NOT buy more next winter.

Problem - I was given another huge bag of second hand clothes for DD and need to sort through them. Can't say no as it is a kind offer and she will need clothes!

Preciousring, yes to "if haven't worn for a year then get rid for handbags and shoes" although I would break this rule for one pair of shoes which goes with a party dress because I don't go to dress up events very much.

I'm keeping the fridge magnets :) at least until we get our new kitchen.

My (hoarder) DH has started talking about getting rid of 200 old magazines from his hoard :) He's being inspired by this thread, albeit second hand...

No decluttering for me today, must get on with revision (exam on Weds), will come back in a few days. Onwards and... emptier?

I'm still struggling with getting on with things ( more or less anything tbh) however I am implementing the 20:10 method this evening. OK - I've had my 10 mins browsing already but will be back in another 20!

OK - finally my "suitcase" dilemma!

I have a variety of different travel holdalls and cases

Smallish red wheeled suitcase - takes about 5+ days worth of stuff
Holdall (really good quality) weekend size
Holdall (really good quality) - larger 5+ days of stuff
gym bag - rectangular holdall to fit in gym locker - has 3 compartments.

Now to add to the dilemma- I did a fairly large (for me) stationery order from Staples this week and got a free gift - a small suitcase on wheels (smaller than my red one but not tiny) and a laptop case.

The laptop case has gone straight in the chazzer bag because it is too small for my laptop. This is actually a shame because my current laptop bag has seen better days and is repaired with electrical tape!

I feel as though the remaining section is more than I need but don't know what to get rid of! The wheeled cases are great for easy packing of things and if I'm travelling by train or whatever but the holdalls are tough and rugged and useful in other circs (eg camping) and I love my gym bag cos I think the design is so great even though I don't do any swimming or go to the gym at present!

I don't have a MIL to borrow from so can't just get rid of them all!

WWYD?

section - should be selection of course!

Arti - that's really not that many cases and you can think of places where one is more user friendly than another. Could you fold the holdalls so they fit in the case? I'd be inclined to keep them for a year and note which ones you use most then get rid of those which haven't been used at all if you still felt they were clutter.

We have several bags of varying sizes but they're either used to store clothes for the dc to grow into or are put into one bag until we need them.