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 understand totally Trazzletoes. I didn't have too much difficulty throwing tapes by people I'd lost touch with and boyfriends who dumped me but the ones by people I'm still in touch with were harder.

But you know, you don't need the actual tapes to remember that those people care about you. I suggested writing a list on the computer because then you'll have a record that doesn't take any space. If you ever feel a bit 'nobody loves me' you could always look at the list. But you'll probably find that you don't ever consult the list. I listed the vinyls I got rid of in case my kids ever ask me what I listened to when I was 17 and I can't remember!

Obviously if you want the music you can get it in a different format that you can listen to.

Mm. The stuff will stay in my car until the charity shop opens. Unfortunately as its a BH this is likely to be Tuesday. But if I unload it, I know I won't reload and this is what happened last time!

Today I took 3 boxes (Hoover box, pushchair box and regular sized box) to storage. Plus a few empty ones to arrange things in Sunday. Have already taken a load of carrier bags over to go with everything.

Oh, and all the left over temporary tattoos from the dc's party (worked out cheaper to buy 170 than the 80 I wanted), well one of the mum's said her boy was refusing to wash his tattoos off. So I said not to worry, I had some more he could have. And delivered the remainder to her this morning

I have to confess to falling off the wagon. I had to walk away when the desire to just bin everything got a leetle bit too strong. I'm also sapped of energy by trying to sell the house. I have ejected a few things though, XMas tea towel that I would never have bought and a couple of pictures that I realised I had because my mother had liked them, but I didn't like them. I suspect I have other Xmas bits that went with the tea towel but my back is too stiff to go rummaging for clutter. I shall find and eliminate them soon enough.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

I found a few bits to list on a local 'giving away' site tonight and after skim-reading the thread about whether or not to keep books (which I spotted some of you on!) I have been through a box of books which a few months ago I thought were definite keepers and I added more to my 'don't know/must reread or at least start rereading to decide' box beside my bed. (Good job it's a nice looking box with a lid.)

Adorabell, I have a framed print of my mother's that I haven't found a space on the wall for in 10 years. I guess that means I don't like it. But in all the homes she had, she always had this picture in the best place. I'm not ready to part with it yet. I need to set myself a deadline to hang it or get rid of it...

You have inspired me ladies. My first post in this topic but yesterday, 3 huge black sacks of my clothes went to the charity shop. I only kept what I have worn in the last year and things which I know fit and look nice. All the fashion disasters, bargains that I never wore, the things kindly given by friends but which just weren't 'me' .........all gone! Along with a big box of unwanted Christmas gifts, lamp shades, EBay mistakes.

The only down side is that on the way out of the charity shop I spied a chest of drawers which would be perfect for my youngest child's room. But if I buy it, it means I have to get rid of loads of unloved books and a tatty old bookcase so I guess I'm still decluttering after a fashion and gaining desperately needed storage

Today someone is meant to be collecting the pallets in front of our house - fingers crossed they turn up! It will enable me to clean it up out there and plan for a badly needed bike shed.

Sadly my mum being here isn't actually creating more child free time for me, so it is very slow going here. Lovely to have her around though.

Oh pictures! There's a box in my loft with pictures in. 2 I can safely get rid of as they are just Dali prints and I have no place in our home for them even though I adore his work. I do however have a massive book about him so I can settle for that.

I also have family photos that were taken when my eldest niece was about 3-4. They are very dated so I won't be displaying them. And it will be hurtful to family if I displayed the group portrait as my sister's ex husband is on it (they've all taken theirs down). Am planning on arranging another family shoot with all the dc and my husband on it sometime. Update it.

I think I shall take the photos out of the frames and put them in an album, then either use the frames elsewhere or get rid (probably the latter as they are dark wood and I favour light now).

But I'm stuck on one painting. My dad painted it for my 21st. But it's not been displayed since I left home. It would go beautifully in a bedroom or in the hall. But we are still waiting for a Xmas present from my parents of nearly 3 years ago now of a set of 4 paintings for the lounge along a specific theme. So until we get them I don't think I know where to put it.

Go cat! Sounds like a great start.

Sok 3 years! That's a long time to wait for a present! Are they still being painted?

In a quandary about the articles I posted on the 'give away' web site. I posted them at 10pm. At 7am the next morning I had requests for both of them from the same person.
What I am giving away is decorative wooden letters to make a kids first name + a single sport specific clothing article in a child's size.

It just seems a bit of a coincidence that someone with a child with my DCs first name also needs that sports item. Plus you can see how many requests this person has made and it's way higher than average.

So I suspect they collect this stuff and then sell it on ...

Clear, he hasn't started them yet

With regards to your quandary, if it like freegle where it doesn't necessarily have to be first come first served? A lot of people sign off with they'll take a reasonable period (usually 24-48 hours) from post going live to ensure everyone gets a chance to see it/ask. The site has had problems before with the same people taking loads as they've replied first. But they don't often post offered items.

Hello :)

Bill bailey was awesome :) Metallica horns as an encore :)

Today I gathered allmy old glasses to donate at the optician. And packaged up an old phone for charity (freepost, stuck in Jiffy bag, gone!) also all my cookery books are going to my mum, and I have buried the Man united annual 2009 in the bottom of the recycling bin so I never have to read it again. DS will miss it, but I refuse to teach him about out of date football just because he is obsessed with non-fiction. And i sewed up a teddy so they can keep playing with it. I feel good :)

Hello all! I was recommended to join this thread a few weeks back as I need to sort my house out.

Since Monday I have had 8 black sacks of clothes to go to the charity shop, most were baby clothes that I had tried to sell, but to gain a fiver possibly didn't seem worthwhile.

We also took a load of books and I've sorted out half of my kitchen cupboards and worktops.

I always say I'll stay on top of things, but I never do. This time, with a lot less tat, I will be successful.

I've just posted a couple of items on freecycle, and thought of another couple of things that could go. We also have a double bed for sale which is hopefully being collected tonight. Once that is gone we can get properly started on the work that needs doing in the spare room, as it will soon become DD's bedroom.

I'm sure I have some old glasses around, will find out where I can donate them around here.

Boots and specsavers both take them, I read on the innernet.

Specsavers definitely take glasses, that's where mine went.

Ning - love your nn :)

I always say ill stay on too of things. Once I get there!

oooh - I seem to have started a "donate your glasses" trend !
Well it's about all I've done usefully! My local independent optician collects glasses too so even if you aren't neara Boots or Specsavers, you could try ringing your local optician as they might take them.

This is not quite true. Today I have been to the drs for blood test and B12 injection, done a tinsy bit of gardening at church. Stayed for way too long at church coffee morning eating too much cake and cuddling babies. (Disclaimer - the babies were not drinking the coffee - or eating the cake). Then I've come home and slept, then had some lunch then done about 5 minutes worth some work! I have a hair appointment to go out to in 30 mins and a list as long as your arm of things I need to do by tomorrow! Now I'm feeling sick ( probably result of too much cake when I've not got a gallbladder! - my own fault )

This is not quite true - refers to not having done anything useful though it is very nearly true!

Another bag of clothes gone and two big bags of books. Loads more books to recycle tomorrow. I'm surprised how good it feels. DS's little box room looks lovely with his new (second hand) chest of drawers which match his bed perfectly and everything cleaned and sorted into its proper place.

Thank you for the inspiration from this thread

A handy Bags2School collection today

Sadly the pallet collection did not take place. So annoying. I'll put it up on a couple more freecycle pages and book in a collection from the council if no interest. Dh keeps saying he'll break them down so we can fit them in the car, but I'll be an older woman before that happens and I just want them gone!

On a positive note mum and I did get a load of random stuff the previous owners left to the tip. I still have old tiles, etc to clean out of the sheds, but it is slowly all going out. Dismal progress on library, but nevermind.

It's really annoying when people say they want stuff and then don't collect wendy
OK - back from hairdressers and feeling a bit more positive. Did anyone see the hoarders programme on BBC1 last night? While I was in the hairdressers, I was thinking about that bit where the guy was talking to the psychologist and feeling upset with himself for not being more motivated aout working to clear stuff. The psychologist pointed out that everyone finds it even harder to be motivated if they are having a go at themselves about what they haven't managed to do.

Well I'm constantly feeling frustrated with myself for not doing more and wasting oodles of time on MN so I've decided to try an experiment. I'm going to pretend to myself I'm really pleased with the 5 mins of activity I have actually done! I'll let you know what happens - so far I'm ot sure I'm getting on with more but I am feeling more positive! I have cleared rubbish out of the car though so that's a start!

This thread is so great. Yesterday I cleared under the sink and cleaned it. Plenty of room in there now for my saucepans. The old pan and oven dishes cupboard will now house only the le creuset I got for crimbo and all my other dishes will be in the charity bag. Nice and sparse and tidy. I love this thread.

Hello all, have been away for a few days so no sorting. But DH is going away for the weekend so I'm planning to tackle some grim areas in his absence.

Arti, I saw that last night and it resonated with me too, I hope it works for you, it sounds a great technique!

For the first time in a long time, my eldest has just gone to bed and my evening routine is complete and it feels great. I'm itching to do more but I know I should take some time out to relax as it's been non stop for me today, but I will have to sort my house insurance out so I shall do that between Mumsnetting.

I've sorted through my dried herbs and spices and got rid of 50% most of them had been untouched for years. My baking cupboard is finally taking shape.

I have been reading this thread and it's so motivational, everyone is doing so well.