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[educatingarti]

This is the new minimalist/decluttering thread! I hope everyone likes the minimal title!

That is amazing becool! Very inspiring! :)

Hello, can I join in, please? I really need to declutter lots of my house but it just seems like such a monumental task that I'm struggling to find the motivation to even start. Although today I cleared out the huge pile of letters, DS's drawings, leaflets and magazines that had accumulated on the worktop next to the microwave, so that's a start I guess. My house isn't hideously awful but there's a lot of crap clutter hidden in cupboards, drawers etc. that needs sorting out.

Is there an actual definition of minimalism, or is it just a case of decluttering until you're happy?

BeCool fantastic! Very impressed and a tad envious!! Would love to hear more about how you managed it and any tips or advice you have!
Had an ok day today, not done as much as I'd have liked but made a dent in it at least. Another bag for the charity shop and a bag for the bin. Hoping to do a car booty soon so going to be ruthless sorting out lots of stuff to flog.
Tomorrow's a new day!

Hi soft kitty! I'm new here too, and not long into my minimalist journey! To me it's getting rid of clutter and an easier, less stressful life by not having stuff we don't need in the way and being able to find things easily with a place for everything. I'm not into the 'white room, two chairs and not much else' sort of minimalism, more the 'only having things around us that are beautiful or useful'. I'm getting there but a way to go yet!

Hey softkitty

harrietthespy used to be the best at offering inspiring definitions but I think we have lost her again to RL. To me, minimalism is definitely not about having everything white and stainless steel and not having any possessions.

I have been getting rid of things which I know I don't use or have too many of e.g. books which I have already read and haven't re-read in years, 20+ box files of uni notes, old computer consoles and games which were nostalgic but I never set up and actually played, clothes that I used to love but didn't wear often etc.

The aim is to have a lighter life with only stuff which brings a real, positive benefit to me in the house - either because it is beautiful or because it actively makes my life easier/better.

So far I have gotten rid of about 7 or 8 carloads and sold another load on eBay. I struggle slightly as my DH is more of a "keep it in case it is useful" person and finds it very hard to get rid of things.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

oh and magazines! Yes to de-cluttering the magazines! I threw out loads that had been carefully kept for ages and didn't regret it at all.

Yes Artemisia, I find myself fighting against that 'it might be useful' urge. If it would be difficult or expensive to replace then I consider keeping it, but if not, it's using up time and space, both of which cost money in this day and age.

One technique I use when deciding whether to get rid of things is to consider if after a burglary/fire etc. were to happen - would I buy another one?

We decluttered the toys the other evening, but it's only been moved to the garage for now. Going to rotate them, see what they actually miss.

Artemis I'm the same with uni notes, journals, essays and books. Haven't looked at them since before graduating but somehow can't seem to get round to letting them go! Did get rid of and recycle a gigantic pile of house magazines (Good Housekeeping/Beautiful Homes etc - the irony!!)

IWipe I'm going to use your great burglary/fire question techique.
Can you please explain the toy rotation thing to me? Thanks!

At the minute the Little People toys are in the garage as DS wasn't really playing with them much, but I think DD will like them, so we're putting away most of the cars and other little random stuff and getting the Little People out.
Ideally I'd like to fully rotate and put the kitchen/duplo away sometimes as well, so they can really play with just a few toys at a time, but I think they might freak out.
I always think it's great at playgroup, where all the toys are packed away in boxes in a cupboard, and each session just 3/4 are chosen.

Hello all, can I join you? I was intrigued by the minimalist thread title, and then delighted to find the thread was actually about minimalism!!!!

I am fighting a constant losing battle with clutter, but am determined to take control. We're in the middle of a lengthy house renovation, and really need to take control of how we're leaving. In terms of accumulating stuff, I am definitely the main culprit...I am gradually purging my wardrobe, and have put myself on a shopping ban as of TODAY!!!! Look forward to learning from you all :)

I have slipped as ds is at home convalescing from an op, so I haven't even been able to keep up with the normal housework or do the pre school holiday spring clean. Mil has been coming for a few hours so I can get to the shops (and go for a coffee!!) but when she comes there is anether pile of stuff for him (two books and a ds game last Friday.....) argh!!

Hello to the newbies :o (hark at me, I'm still quite new myself! Only joined on this latest thread!)

I would really recommend the book Simplicity Parenting if you are fighting the tide of clutter. It is really accessible and inspiring.

Oh and I'm afraid I did acquire a few things last week. I am NOT going to berate myself for it though. My nan died on Thursday :( and I may have indulged in some retail therapy this weekend just to get some headspace - only a few little things though, and I was careful about choosing. A couple of books/garden toys for the kids and, erm, a colouring book for me! (I find it very calming, and according to other threads I'm not a weirdo alone in that!) Oh and a hideous amount of chocolate, but it doesn't count as clutter if you can eat it, right? :)

I visited my parents at the weekend and dad mentioned I should choose a couple of cuddly toys from nan's flat - she had a real love of them and often passed them on to us (admittedly we didn't always keep them, but nan was never one to be fussy about that sort of thing). There were quite a few in the flat but I just chose 3 nice ones that we had admired on previous visits, as I figured that would be much more special than just bringing loads back.

In general nan lived quite minimally so clearing the flat should be quite simple - good as dad has to sell ASAP. I don't think there will be much we want to keep as I already have a few special things nan gave me when my grandad died almost 20 years ago.

Hello.. haven't been on for a while .. .too hot and heavily pregnant so took it fairly easy. However I rested yesterday evening then when it cooled down I attacked the small room. I had already had a clearout the week before the good weather and finally sorted my pre-pregnancy clothes and am delighted. I cleared a whole black bag. I sorted a little bag of summer clothes and hung up my favourite/wearable/best tops etc. for when the time comes that I can wear them again. I also sorted transition clothes - stuff that was baggy/I wore in early pregnancy.

Now with the good weather I washed everything - bedthrows etc. and curtains. I have only one more white wash to go but want to wait until last room is clutter free as I dump everything on the bed to sort. DH says 'how did that room get so bad again'... .. ha ha.. I have it looking immaculate until I tackle another wardrobe.

Last night I went through old boxes of sentimental stuff from uni, birthday cards, old toys I have. I was ruthless and have one shortbread tin for old photo's I never put in albums. I Kept out nice teddies for the baby on the way to wash. Puppets I have bought abroad/wooden toys etc. (I have more toys than most children just because I love them). I have one small box for token things and bought wallets for special letters/my school reports so I can reduce one wicker basket into a wallet - holds 50 A4 sheets.

I am a teacher and keep all cards etc. so I am going to make a collage for the study with the drawings/words and put frame it. Will be a motivation too on harder days.

So later on today (cooler), I am going to tidy the room once and for all!! Wash wedding present glasses and display and sort tea towels/old towels and donate towels (again - cleared before but wasn't ruthless enough).

Feeling so much happier. House is finally taking shape but took months!!!!

fuzzpig sorry about your Nan:( It's nice to keep a few special or meaningful things ((Hugs))

Sorry to hear about you nan too. Yes it would be lovely to have things to remember her with. Hope you are ok x

Sorry about your nan too. I saw a quote recently (and I'm not normally one for quotes) that really resonated with me that said everything in your home should have either a purpose or a memory (I'm sure it was actually more eloquent than that!). It will be lovely for you to have things to remember her by x

The most essential element for me in all this change is actually a friend of mine who we joke is OCD about cleaning who got me started and who is full of amazing ideas - she helps me realise my vision. She is the action/do-er to my creative but procrastinating mind. XP did lots of moaning but nothing constructive. I couldn't have done it on my own especially working FT out of the home and being a single parent with very little time in the home alone.

My Mum is a classic hoarder and I have amazing ability to just 'not see' stuff - I think many of us do. And so it builds up. But my OCD friend got me going - initially by tackling my kitchen - Istarted a thread about it and then the "minimalists" got me over to an earlier version of this thread.

I got so much inspiration from these threads - I'd always been terrified of the word minimalist. But I've learned so much, about myself and about my life and about change. Now I read minimalist blogs etc and keep the inspiration flowing. Quite simply it makes sense - it will be with me for life now.

After having help and support from ODCF, the most important bits for me were:

Break it into chunks - I do most big jobs every 2nd weekend when DC are with XP (for the first 5 months he just did Sundays - so I did it then)

Give yourself time off too - it's been about 7 months so far - still a way to go (though most decluttering is done I can see more stuff will go), but I don't do it all the time now.

Get stuff out - I was one who had to give myself permission NOT to ebay and just donate to charity shop so its gone. I feel good someone else will get the ££. For me the time and space is much more valuable.

Realise its a process - stuff is still moving around the flat all the time. new furniture will accommodate some bits that are in a box ATM. But once all the new furniture etc is in place, if it doesn't have a home it doesn't have a home and needs to go. It don't matter how lovely wonderful and special something is - if you don't have a place in your home for it to live, it doesn't belong there.

It's been a huge change - not only in the flat, but after the breakup of a LTR it was so good to experience what I can achieve as part of a properly functioning team (with my lovely inspiring friend), as opposed to being dragged down by X moaning at me, blaming me, contributing to the problem but not prepared to work together to resolve it.

I can do it! In fact I AM doing it!

And the best bit of all, after all the extra space we have, is it really is true that the less you have the easier it is to clean!!!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement
It's been actually life changing.

Yes, I am going to take up my friend's offer to help as she 'loves decluttering'. Top tip, BeCool, in fact many top tips!

That's a fantastic idea building - take up her offer and get busy!

Thank you all

BeCool I just read the thread you linked to, it was great and very inspiring. I totally agree with the 'buy once, buy well' type mantra too. I have been learning this myself for a while. Same applies to food by the way - rather one amazing cake than ten unsatisfying cheap ones :o

I am itching to continue now but am extremely achy. I have finally agreed on my new even more minimalist hours at work :o so that will hopefully help me be able to do more at home. But, as I said here a while ago, when I am in too much pain to physically declutter, I am still decluttering in my mind!

I will be doing the chazzer trip on Thursday so hopefully then I can continue. I would really like to add a few more things to the pile before we drop it off.

Sorry to hear about your Nan Fuzzpig it's a great idea to keep some special items to remember her by. I have nothing belonging to my Nan as my parents divorced around the time of her death and my Biological Father decided not to tell me she died for 2 months to punish me for "choosing" to live with my mum. She had lots of teddies too and I would love to have one now.

God, Arte, how awful. .

Sorry Arte - that sounds horrible!