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...

Just got this tip from 'Slow your home blog' :

"Ask yourself one simple question when choosing whether to keep something: ?If I lost it by mistake, would I really care ? or even be glad?? (Cassie T)"

I've followed your good example MM and listed one DCs winter coat for sale. I'm hoping the other DC's has another year's use in it.

Today has been a lovely day. I've been outside most of it. Twin group first thing, where one of the other mum's gave me some clothes for dtd. Next week is the shwap at group so I will take some of the dc's outgrown clothes to get rid of.

When we got home I took advantage of it not raining as it should have done and set about tidying the garden. Two shrubs completely removed, two more cut back and weeds decluttered.

This evening's mission is to continue with the dc's book shelf while they spend some quality time with Dh.

Car has quite a bit of stuff to go to storage for booting. Am slightly concerned I may end up with more stuff than car space. However I've spotted a Thursday morning carboot near me so shall pop along tomorrow and see what it's like. But considering taking some of the smaller stuff there and the big stuff to a different one where I know the other regular booters will pounce on it.

clear

Thanks boffinmum will check it out.

Today was a general cleaning day rather than a clearing day. Don't feel like I've achieved anything.

I need a good tip run tomorrow, put me back on track :o

I had an exam today and am doing nothing. But decuttering will happen tomorrow.

Big declutter next week - two items of furniture going to a happy friend. Result!

Does clearing that big pile of ironing count??! That's what I did today as dd was not allowed back into nursery so I stayed home with her. Did a food shop. Also cleared a bin bag of stuff that was under my bed so pretty happy with that.

Tomorrow the 'charity bag' goes to school as school collects it and the charity comes and collects it off them and pays them something. I'm really looking forward to getting some floor space back! Then next weekend is car boot. Can't wait either.

I had a non-minimalist friend over today and decluttered a filing cabinet to her with promise that she'll have the other one as soon as DH clears it out. Result. I also got some pictures hung up, which isn't really decluttering, but clears space on the floor. I am loving how the space is coming together now.

Anything which clears space is helpful - ironing, putting up pictures. As long as its not just moving it from one pile to another.

Sold my JoJo's blanket on the local FB page last night and it's being picked up this afternoon, so that's an item easily decluttered from my home. Feeling quite pleased with myself

Morning everyone

I've been feeling a bit low the last couple of days and I haven't had any time to get stuff done. It is hard work with our new baby as well as the boys.

So this morning I decided to do 20:10. Had a quick scan through the children's bookshelves and pulled out a few volumes that have never been read and won't be. Also had a tidy up and found some old papers to chuck. Then felt inspired to have a quick look on one of our bookshelves and have another 20 or so of my books to donate and have recycled almost all of the maps / travel guides.

Something that helped me this morning is the knowledge gained from watching 'the hoarder next door' and reading one of the blogs...

Yes, there is a small chance that you might have to re-buy this

But really, if you do decide to go to Florence again, you'll want a new travel guide anyway. One with up to date street maps and referring to the currency that place uses now!

And in the meanwhile you won't have to store it for 20 years.

x post, MM! Well done. Must look into local FB selling myself....

Lime it sounds like you achieved so much in your 20:10! That's brilliant!

About FB selling pages, in the past I haven't been able to sell, I just needed the stuff out and fast otherwise I would never have achieved anything but now I feel that it is a useful tool to keep our minimalist lifestyle if that makes sense? If my DC has grown out of a pretty piece of clothing I may as well stick it straight on FB page and if it doesn't sell send it to the charity shop. I wasn't sure whether to mention the FB page on here really because I have found the thought of possibly selling stuff as a barrier to the decluttering process...IMHO space is more worthy than a couple of quid but I'm quite a way along the minimalist path so I feel I have a bit of breathing space to get rid of stuff in this way. Does that make any sort of sense!

MM, yes, what you say about selling stuff does make sense. I have four bags (from my bag declutter a week or two ago!) that I need to get rid of. I think they probably have some value but since it takes me so long to get round to anything I don't really have time to list them.

Maybe I need to send them to charity instead.

Lime I would get rid to charity, I still remember them I had a wardrobe full of baby stuff which I meant to eBay and of course never did, it eventually went too charity but only after sitting there for at least three years

Thank you Boffin I just downloaded Austerity Housekeeping onto my Kindle (where it will gather no dust!)

Off to charity shop shortly. We're taking clothes, books, CDs and random games. I'll sort some more books later (I'm on a mission to reduce bookage).

I've also been in touch with someone starting my course next term, and she's said she'll buy some of my books from this year :)

And I bought a desk thingy a few years ago with the intention of doing it up - it's actually falling to bits and cluttering up my front room. So, this weekend, hubby and I are going to clobber it to bits with a lump hammer. Excellent!

Becool

Hi there declutterers, hope you don't mind me leaping in to what seems to be a very successful self-help thread, but I posted on another thread a few weeks ago to say I was trying to set up a decluttering business and would welcome some willing "guinea pigs" living within an hour of Watford who would allow me to come and help them declutter free of charge. I have had a really good response and have already been to 4 Mumsnetters, with a few more to go, but I don't want to lose momentum so thought I would repeat the offer here. If you are interested in a few hours decluttering help for free and live reasonably close to Watford, please PM me. This is a genuine offer - I promise I won't be changing my mind and trying to charge you/turn this post into a free advert - and I can provide references from happy MN guinea pigs if you want.

Hi MN216
This is a great self help thread. Thank you for being up front about your business and desire for guinea pigs.

< one of the few times I ever regret living ooop North!>

Thanks educatingarti (great name BTW)

MN216 have pm'd you.

Hi building No PM has arrived as yet....

Kittens are a useful tool for encouraging me not to clog up corners of rooms with stuff. Corners where they can hide from our view are a lovely place for kittens to relieve themselves!

Have tried again