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Housekeeping

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Original poster

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

995 replies

MrsPennyapple · 12/04/2013 21:34

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

OP posts:
clearsommespace · 14/05/2013 12:59

It's definitely the children because the 10 minute tidy up is more like 40 on a Sunday night. It's not that they don't put their stuff away, but more that I might stop what I'm doing because of them. Eg go upstairs to put away item A but leave it out upstairs because a child needs help with a too tight lid downstairs and then get involved in a game or see something else that needs doing and forget I was halfway through putting away item A.

MinimalistMommi · 14/05/2013 13:11

clear I'm always getting so distracted and I definitely forget what I was previously doing.

Also, I think I'm someone who has no problem leaving stuff out for a couple of days before eventually putting it away, which is mad because I love clear surfaces. I really have some stuff to work on! I'm also scatter, so paperwork won't be in one place, it will be scattered throughout the downstairs.

Also I need to work on my children picking up, they rarely do!

BeCool · 14/05/2013 14:21

My flat still gets VERY untidy.
It is totally the children in particular DD2 - who is 2 - and who works in a world of mess and chaos. If I don't get the place ship shape every evening (like last night for example where everything went tits up) then the next day is a double disaster.

Today I am itching to get home and restore order and calm to the flat, whereas in my previous life I just would have blocked it all out.

educatingarti · 14/05/2013 14:41

My flat is usually only tidy for about 15 minutes before my mum visits Grin
I live on my own Blush

Even when you live on your own there is always a mug floating around somewhere that hasn't made it to the dishwasher and some paperwork that is lying somewhere for a Very Important Reason that after a few days I really can't remember

Living is messy!

BeCool · 14/05/2013 14:43

But it is much easier to sort it out now I am applying 'minimalist-ish principles'.

Even if DD2 has done her worst, once they are both in bed I can restore order relatively easily and quickly.

Sunnywithshowers · 14/05/2013 15:39

I wish I was a minimalist! Despite all the recent shedding of belongings this house is still full of stuff, and gets untidy despite there only being two of us and an elderly mog.

I'll blame the cat :) if only he'd reload the dishwasher...

BeCool · 14/05/2013 15:44

I wish I was a minimalist too - but I guess it's all relative!

educatingarti · 14/05/2013 15:50

I need to shed more stuff and get organised!

buildingmycorestrength · 14/05/2013 15:53

One thing I really struggle with is the idea of being minimalist in my expectations of what I can actually achieve. Does that make sense?

So I used to have lots of hobbies which required some equipment. I might take these up again, and am not going to get rid of the equipment. I don't think.

But I have decided not to buy any more equipment for potential hobbies.

clearsommespace · 14/05/2013 16:39

That makes total sense buildingmycorestrength. There's a fine balance to find about being realistic about what you can achieve and having aspirations.

clearsommespace · 14/05/2013 16:44

I suppose it also depends why you aren't doing the hobbies. If you aren't embroidering because you're always reading a book that's more interesting once the kids are in bed, then you probably aren't going to embroider. If you aren't playing your tuba because either you are at work or have toddlers running around or you're doing quiet activities because of sleeping kids, then you may take up your instrument once your kids don't go to bed so early.

MinimalistMommi · 14/05/2013 17:25

Glad it just not me, I need to start working on daily 'habits' it think Blush
I also want to declutter some more stuff, I really want to only have essentials around as I do believe my house would be really chaotic if I hadn't done the decluttering I have already done. I don't actually think it would be possible for us to be living in our small house actually with the stuff we sued to own.

buildingmycorestrength · 14/05/2013 18:17

I am considering whether to downsize and at the moment it would not be possible. I just feel so swamped by the stuff, even though there is sort of room for it in our current house.

Sunnywithshowers · 14/05/2013 18:54

Isn't there a phrase about keeping nothing in your home that is neither beautiful nor useful?

For me it's about thinking about what I have and prioritising - what will I use and what is of value to me. I write, so a certain amount of books are important to me, as well as old notebooks and so on. But I need to get a grip on my paperwork habit and keeping shoes and clothes of yesteryear.

My husband won't get rid of as much stuff, however we're talking about what he values (rather than is keeping without thinking) and how we can make the best of it.

For example, he and I have some ornaments that have sentimental value - can we display them where we can see them?

BeCool · 14/05/2013 20:55

Yes you can keep them Grin. Keep what you need, use and love!

Original poster
MrsPennyapple · 14/05/2013 21:52

Hello everyone. I've been off the thread (and the internet generally) for a while due to getting married and all the last-minute preparation involved. (I made my own cake and only finished icing it two days before the wedding.)

So we now have a number of wedding presents to find homes for, including a breadmaker, food mixer, and yoghurt maker. I'm hoping and intending that these will be used frequently and therefore will earn their space on the worktop.

Had a bit of a breakthrough with DH (formerly DP! :) ). We were given some M&S vouchers and decided to buy new dinner plates etc, as we were previously using the remains of a matching set, plus an assortment of mismatched bits and pieces. I got all the old stuff out of the cupboards to take to the recycling centre at the amenity site. He asked if it was worth keeping, and I said it was pointless buying all new matching things if you were just going to carry on using the mismatched stuff. However, it was his from before we met, so I told him that he could box it up if he felt we should keep it. He said "no, it's only going to be sitting around isn't it? Blimey, your ruthless attitude must be rubbing off on me!" Result!

Other than that, I've started a new chazzer bag, but not done much else decluttery. Now that life is returning to something like normal I hope to get back on track with it.

And welcome back Harriet!

OP posts:
MyPreciousRing · 14/05/2013 22:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

clearsommespace · 15/05/2013 08:19

Congratulations MrsPennyApple!

MM My children are still at primary and the school keeps their reports. We get one once a term which we have to sign and return. I'm not sure if we get the whole lot in one file when they finish primary. We'll see in July.

I still have mine from junior level because there are some funny comments on them but it's only about 12 pieces of A4 so they hardly take any space.

Trazzletoes · 15/05/2013 09:14

Hello! Please can I join in? I'm also over on the FlyLady thread but need help with de-cluttering! I'm the DD of a hoarder so it hasn't started well!!!

MinimalistMommi · 15/05/2013 09:36

MyPrecious please tell me your secrets!
Do you have children? And if so how many?
I would love to have my home 'show standard' 90 % of the time!

LimeLeaffLizard · 15/05/2013 09:49

Just checking in for some inspiration as I hope to get some decluttering done today whilst DS3 is at nursery.

MyPrecious thanks... that is a good post. Not sure we'll ever get there in my household but at least I know it is possible!

MM my kids are still at Primary school so I'm keeping their reports for now.

Congratulations MrsPennyApple! Well done on persuading DH to chuck the old crockery!

Welcome Trazzle!

MinimalistMommi · 15/05/2013 10:07

lime and clear thanks, I will keep reports while they are in primary school.

BeCool · 15/05/2013 10:29

DD1 has just started reception but I will keep all school reports. I still have my ones and LOVE reading them from time to time. You could always scan them and keep digitally?

educatingarti · 15/05/2013 10:48

Morning all! Welcome Trazzletoes and welcome back Mrs P. I'm not doing much but am slowly de-cluttering 1 item at a time. I'm not sure that I'll reach my target of 365 decluttered items (net) by the end of the year, but we'll see. I'll be camping for the first time in 8 year this summer. It will be a chance to review all my camping stuff and see if there's stuff I don't need, but OTOH, I may find more things I want to buy!

I would keep Primay School reports btw and would hate to think my Mum had just got rid of mine! If they are generally positive how about putting them in a binder and letting DCs have them as a "book" on their bookcase that htey can read whenever they want to!

Trazzletoes · 15/05/2013 11:03

I still have all my school reports and look forward to sitting down and looking at them with the DCs one day Grin but as I said, my DM is a hoarder so no doubt my school uniforms are still lurking somewhere, you know, just in case... Grin