Moving Forward With Minimalism

[MinimalistMommi]

This is a new thread following on from the previous 'm' thread on Good Housekeeping!

All Minimalists or aspiring minimalists welcome!

fuzz I believe Argos has similar too? Lots of people have mentioned Argos equivalent on other threads.

Thanks to all for the sympathy! it is getting on top of us a bit because she leans heavily on my DH for support, but won't let him/us do the things which would actually make the move possible.

educating I wish she would go for counselling but sadly she was a nurse and thinks therefore that she has nothing wrong with her, that she knows everything they would say etc... she really resents it if anything like that is suggested.

I am so impressed by all those struggling with health problems and still de-cluttering - it is hard enough when you don't feel ill!

fuzzpig - I had billys and they were actually really sturdy, and held loads of DH's large A4 and larger than A4 archaeology textbooks and handbooks. We only got rid of them because they didn't fit into the new house.

I have lurked on this thread from the very beginning and try to catch up with it every day! I am inspired by it but have mainly delurked to say to fuzzpig it may be worth checking on ebay first. We recently got a Billy (as it suited our needs) and there were a few on there.
Keep up the minimalist good work to you all!

Another voice to say that Billy bookcases are sturdy. We have a wall of Billies (!) and also have expedits in other rooms and they all seem the same re: construction/strength/looks. If you're just after storing books I would get the Billy bookcase as the expedit shelves are so incredibly deep they end up being clutter magnets (unless you use the storage boxes).

Artemis I also sympathize. My mum started picking up things from freecycle that she didn't want or need or have room for, just because she was worried that someone she didn't know would throw something out. She's a bit better than she was but I think all the advice is not to confront it too strongly. If my mum ever offers me anything I take it just to get it out of her house, but then do what I like with it later.

It has helped me to too on the 'children of hoarders' website, and to think about my 'training' through childhood to never throw anything away, always be very grateful for gifts, etc. I'm now a monster in my mum's eyes (not really, but she really doesn't understand).

It's no wonder some of us have clutter issues when we have been brought up with it! I mentioned on the last thread an example of my mum improving - when she offered me something over the phone and I said no thanks, she actually replied "ok I will just get rid of it then" - this was a big deal. Anyway, next time I saw I her I did actually say that to her, that it showed what a big change she is making. She laughed, but I think she took it on board and is (quite rightly) proud of herself.

Thanks for all the advice on the bookcases. I'm going to leave it a while (although the teacher visit is in less than 2 weeks, eeeek) and hopefully just fit in the ikea trip sometime before Xmas, going with a specific list of exactly what we need to get.

Right, well I'm determined to actually DO something today, I've spent one day wallowing grumpily on the sofa, today I need to get off my sorry arse and sort out a few bits throughout the day. Although DS is currently demanding snuggles, I can't really say no to that! :)

Morning all. artemis building and fuzzpig I sympathise too. My mum is a hoarder, although she disputes this. I didn't know about the website, I will check it out. It's very hard isn't it? I was there yesterday and actually got to help her sort some things as Dad's redecorating their bedroom (1 bin bag of useless stuff, receipts, guide books from places we visited in the 80's, 3 charity shop items(!) and the worst find...teeth. Presumably mine, brothers and even the dog!! Ffs) Lots of stuff belonging to my dear Nan & G.Dad. I get that it's hard. And I feel for my Mum, she's a wonderful lady & has worked hard (snap Artemis a retired Nurse too!) just wish she could enjoy her home. It has a massive effect on Dad too. The house is clean but every drawer, cupboard, wardrobe and orifice is crammed.

Wandered off for a bit and there's a whole new thread! I have passed on 3 bags of baby clothes (ds2 is growing like a mad thing). Also, dh gave me a better tablet case so I freecycled the one I had. I was very proud of this as I had only bought it a few weeks previously. But no point letting it mope about for months when someone could be enjoying it now.

Oh yes, and billys are awesome. We are saving up for a wall of them also!

I've had a very un-minimalist few days - we are trying to sort out the garden in the New House, it is very overgrown and jungly. After a week of strong de-cluttering, we have now brought in lots of wood/bricks/soil/plants to make some raised beds and fill in a huge hole (old pond?!) in the centre before winter comes. We want to grow some vegetables and fruit so we need to clear the ground now and cover it in sheeting all winter to kill the weeds the garden is going to look awful

MIL is still not really speaking to me after the charity shop incident when we were over there. She keeps claiming that we can take the furniture, it "can just be put in a crate"... whatever that means. It would cost £1000s to ship to the UK, but the thought of throwing it out is undoing her.

DH and his siblings all live far away from her - his brother near us in UK and his sister in NYC/Bordeaux, so none of her kids are in a position to take this stuff. DH suggested a house clearance company, who would come, take everything and give her some much needed cash, you can imagine how this went down like a lead balloon

I think I need to stay out of it as much as possible, while supporting DH all I can. Otherwise I will be cast as the evil, son-stealing witch who wants to bin all her dog medicine treasures...

Fuzzier, we have the expedit for storing the dc's clothes that don't need hanging. It's certainly sturdy as a then toddler dd found when she climbed on top of it from her bunk bed...

We also have the pink/turquoise/black fabric drawers to go in them. They've lasted 2 years so far and no sign of shabbiness yet.

I am loathing the school holidays at the moment. They have really put a block on my minimising. With having the dc around I can't just sneak stuff out they aren't using as they see it and want it back.

It is hard, sok. I can only really manage to chuck/chazzer stuff when DH is here too as he can distract the DCs downstairs while I sit in their room.

I have accomplished some stuff today. Minor in the grand scheme of things but still an achievement considering how rough I feel. I have basically gone through all the DCs' remaining board games and jigsaws (having already culled lots of lost-cause ones a couple of months ago) and fixed up any broken boxes with tape as some were so crushed they were spilling out everywhere.

I cleared cabinet space for the complete games and puzzles, and the incomplete ones have gone to be stored out of reach in our room - I don't really want to get rid of these ones as they are loved, but if we don't find the pieces after more tidying obviously they will be chucked.

I also cleared another shelf in the cabinet for library books/DVDs as due to my job we always have loads - so the DCs' ones will remain upstairs but mine/DH's and any DVDs or CDs now have a set place in the living room rather than being strewn everywhere.

The rest of our games cabinet is still a mess though. Some we can't even really get to as the sofa blocks it (this room is too damn small!) but hopefully we will gradually make a difference!

Oh and I forgot to say, I solved my problem of what to do with my DCs' drawers in DD's bed. I moved the underwear/socks out so now all their clothes are organised in two things (a Trofast unit and a wardrobe) rather than three, and I have put workbooks/colouring/sticker books in one drawer, school books in another and in the third I've put a few miscallaneous (but now organised) things. Not sure if that'll be the final arrangement but it'll do for now!

I've been wondering if I'll actually find we need less storage when we've finished. We even have a cupboard and a bookcase inside our wardrobe. Unfortunately some of what we've got is not suitable for our needs or house at all, I was just taking anything going in desperation!

A lot of the problem is that we aren't using any storage space very effectively really. It's going to take so much jigging around I think, although obviously getting rid of stuff is helping too!

Spurred on by not wanting a home even a bit like my DM's and the harsh reminder that too much stuff is suffocating in so many ways, today I have:
Sorted 2 big Next Sale carriers with children's clothes and some of mine for le chazza, 1 bag of un-chazza-esque garments to weigh in, cleared out double cupboard of pans/baking tins/pyrex so only keeping the bare minimum, decluttered/tided wall cupboard and collected some old meds for pharmacy, and about to declutter some more. It's just stuff (my mantra!) and I'm curious to see how it feels not to have anything unneccessary, un-useful or un-beautiful to me and my family around us. My life with them is more important, as yours will be too.
In words taken from Fight Club; "the things you own end up owning you" and that's not what I want. So I'm off to do more minimising whilst I'm in this frame of mind!!

Sounds great rosa! Well done!

I haven't had such a good afternoon as DCs winding each other up constantly, so I am glad I got a bit done earlier. Tomorrow we are supposed to be school shoe shopping (I actually wrote shoe shooing first time, Freudian slip much?) and getting a few essentials for DSDs and getting DS' first proper haircut. Tuesday I may have the day to myself as DH is taking DD swimming and to a local fossil exhibit, but it depends if he is taking DS too (not taken him swimming for a couple of years due to his eczema). I could soooo do with a day of peace and quiet at home. I think I could achieve a lot in between eating Ben and Jerry's and watching DVDs resting.

Remembered something else I forgot to tell you all - remember DD's bed issue? Well since we cleared it and started a reward chart she has been sleeping in it pretty much perfectly for 3 weeks :)

Day out today so hardly even managed the. breakfast dishes (am such a slob). .

But have plans to go through all meds next week and out restock dates in my calendar, and also sort linen cupboard (which may involve a few pretty baskets!).

Hello, I am joining in here - joined the 40 day thread but this seems busier and I need the regular motivation to keep going :-) You are all inspiring! Been on a decluttering frenzy all summer and really beginning to see the benefits. We have the builders starting in a fortnight (turning our upstairs from 2bedrooms to 3) but I have a minor op in a week so really need to get as much as I can done before then because I doubt I will feel like it for a few days after.

We need to clear the upstairs out but realised it would all be easier if the whole house was decluttered, making room for the displaced possessions. Major breakthrough today as for the first time ever we have a completely clear garage, painted and freshly put up shelves holding only useful stuff and plenty room for boxed up stuff.

I've done linens, clothes, books, kitchen, shoes, toiletries and makeup - need to tackle toys and art/craft stuff and my own stationery.
I have been seriously considering doing a 'project 333' type capsule wardrobe for the duration of the work - has anyone done that and has any useful advice?

I was really struck up thread by a poster talking about getting rid of the first round of clutter before being able to tackle the 'real' clutter - Dh and I both come from cluttered homes and both lots have had a stab at decluttering but think they have succeeded having thrown out the out of date tins etc, but thinking nothing of hanging on to, e.g 15 tablecloths. I have really struggled to shed the mindset of surface clean but junk filled drawers being normal. Onwards and upwards! Good luck this week everyone

Hi bad poet! I noticed the 40 day clutter thread but resisted temptation to open it because 1) one thread filled with lovely people is enough and 2) there's no way I could work to such a fast schedule!

I'm annoyed tonight, I really wanted to do more decluttering but I am in massive pain, especially my legs. However we have postponed the shopping tomorrow so we will have a quiet day at home where hopefully u can manage a bit more. DH was impressed with the more organised cabinet.

I, not u

Thanks for the welcome fuzzpig :-) and sorry to hear you are in pain - hope you feel better tomorrow and you have made huge improvements while feeling so rough, hang on to that.

HI everyone :) Seems you have been getting on well!

DD back to school properly tomorrow so as soon as I get back from walking her to school its time to sort my bedroom out as I need it to be returned to the calm haven it was before we started tearing apart the nursery (which adjoins our room) It should only take an hour or so then Im going to finish at least one of the library books I have sitting on my bedside table :)

Good luck for the new week everyone

Hello badpoet - lovely to have someone else on board. I also dabbled with the 40 days thread but this is more of a lifestyle change than a crash diet for me, so this thread suits me better.

I spent most of yesterday removing the disgusting fitted carpet from the upstairs hallway and half the stairs - each stair was a separate mini fitted carpet with wooden "carpet gripper" nailed all the way around each stair!! It took 4 hours and I now have a staircase which has 5 carpeted steps and 7 uncarpeted ones... I dread to think what the interior decorating thread would say

But it felt very cathartic! I am now pricing up laminate wooden flooring for the entrance way and living/dining room downstairs (upstairs turned out to have real wooden floors throughout, WIN!).

Anyone have any experience of laminate? Is it £££? Does it wear well?

I think I will be taking a break from big decluttering (although I have a couple of bags to take to the charity shop) until both kids are at school/preschool on 9th September. But I've planned a big challenge for that day - the desk and all the paper on it! I've been reading the old how to be organized thread in AIBU and it has inspired me.

Also, has anyone here used Anyjunk for getting rid of big items? We don't have a car, so trips to the tip involve asking massive favours. We are planning on building an extension next spring, so I would really like to get rid of all the big bulky clutter by December.

That reminds me that I need to put the cot on Gumtree, too.

More of a lifestyle change than a crash diet - love that!

Going to try and sort a bit more stuff out in the living room (staying down here as I sent DH back to bed for a lie in!) and then have arranged lunch with a new friend - haven't had a meal out with anyone except family for... erm... well over a year anyway. Quite excited!