The march towards Minimalism continues...

[MissAnnersleyismyhero]

Hey all, thought I'd make a new thread to encourage us all to keep going on the journey to minimalism!

[evertonmint]

Hello strangers! How's the minimal life going?

Just back from holiday here and 2 weeks living out of a couple of suitcases with only a few clothes, books and toys has been bliss. I'm noticeably anxious now I'm back home with loads of laundry and a lot more stuff. So after a break for a while, I think I'm again ready to start making our lives even more streamlined!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Oh dear ISaw. I got round getting rid of my dc's stuff by hiding it up in the loft for a while. If they badger enough, it comes back out for playing with until the next time I get fed up of tripping over it if not, they forget they had it and I can smuggle it out when they're at school.

Slowly slowly getting rid of things here. Not helped by having so much else to do. So hopefully everyone else is cracking on and making good progress too.

[IsawJimmykissingSantaClaus]

Just sold DD2's activity house contraption and my front room seems soooooo much bigger That's the last of the massive plastic toys we had. Need to sell the travel system now but that will require some cleaning first so i keep putting it off! Had to have a chat with DD1 (age 4) though as she is getting quite upset at all the items leaving the house. I listed all the large items we have owned and got rid of over the last few years (sofas/beds/wardrobes/tents/baby gym/jumparoo/cot/at least 3 pushchairs...) and she seemed to accept that it made sense. I also promised that I would never sell her stuff without permission. I'm starting to get worried that she will become a hoarder as a reaction to my wannabe minimalism.

[clearsommespace]

I've started reading the Mari Kondo book. Trying to spend less time on here so I won't be reading / joining the threads. Her method doesn't seem very environmentally friendly. People seem to be constantly filling bin bags!! But I have already identified in my mind some more things that can go, just by reading. I'm just glad that we now have space in the garage to store this stuff temporarily until I can find suitable homes (without burdening anyone else naturally )rather than adding to landfill.

Found an almost perfect coffee table yesterday second hand. The colour may prove to be wrong once we've redecorated but that's easily changed (it's wooden) but the style and size is just what I had in mind and there is a drawer for all the remotes/wiimotes. It definitely brings me joy! And 3 little nesting tables are going now so that's more out than in

[IsawJimmykissingSantaClaus]

Happy new Year to all and to Mini's mouse

Lots of bags to the chazzer in the week before Christmas. DH has done a tip run. Decorations down and in boxes waiting to go in the loft. Just waiting for DD to go back to school (Wed) so I can do some stealth decluttering in her bedroom!

The Kondo thread is very inspiring. I am determined to have my minimalist house this year!!

[educatingarti]

Slightly belated Happy New Year to everyone. I've not been on here as much but I've been following the Marie Kondo thread which I've been finding very useful and inspirational!

[larryphilanddave]

Hello all! Looking to do some more revision of what we own, I can see areas again with fresh eyes (haven't really added to things but some stuff needs to go, not being used). Need to maintain a strict approach!

[clearsommespace]

If anyone has any tools to rehome, someone recommended Workaid to me.

[clearsommespace]

Happy New Year and here's to being rat free!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Happy new year! I am resolute in my determination to finally get the house sorted this year.

We've not heard any more ratty noises since the blasted thing shot through the kitchen and disappeared. I did put poison behind the kick board so hoping it's finished itself off if it decided to come back. Have also told neighbours. They didn't seem too bothered which is most unlike them (lady freaks about frogs and odd noises)

Xmas tree is coming down today and no more cardboard for storing stuff in loft to discourage nibbly creatures.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

It was a rat :( but I think it's escaped into my neighbours via the kitchen.

[clearsommespace]

Eek. I hope you catch it soon. We had one in our roof once. It's incredible how much noise such a small thing can make in the dead of night!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

It's a mouse/mice (I'm hoping not a rat). I've just seen the thing shoot across our bedroom floor under the bed. I knew I could hear something in hear last night.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Now the scratching appears to be coming from the ceiling. But when I'm upstairs, it's coming from underneath. It's bloody rodents isn't it. Oh well, best get the traps out.

[clearsommespace]

Oops! Spoke too soon
I have managed to rehome a c!ock, a mirror and some lampshades which haven't been put up since we moved in nearly 2 yrs ago. Also via the same channels rehomed some curtains for a relative.
We have an inherited nest of tables in the living room which I have never really liked and am finding particularly annoying now DCs can manage to get them out but apparently not put away. Grrr. I want to replace with a coffee table which doubles up as storage eg one with a drawer underneath for remotes etc as this will make the room less cluttered. I haven't seen anything I really like new and the ones I think are OK are v pricey.
I have seen one for sale second hand which is practical and OK looking. I can't decide whether to get it so as to be able to be rid of the nest of tables or to grit my teeth until I find the perfect coffee table.
Christmas shopping done and I'm pleased with my choices. I won't be cluttering up my home or other peoples too much! The one seriously cluttery plastic item which was a must have for one of my DC I managed to find second hand so I have helped declutter an older child's room and doing my small bit to reduce landfill.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Clearly I spoke too soon. Tub down! Dd2 threw it across the room!!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Still no idea what the thing is. I think it might be noise from the neighbours cat (optimism) as I heard the noises downstairs in our lounge (but as if they were coming from our bedroom) the other night. And I've not heard them when I'm in our room recently. Plus the traps have been ignored...

Am slowly getting rid of stuff. Cot is going this weekend. Giving it away to someone who asked on our local fb selling page. Highchair went via freecycle the other day. Have semi-ruthlessly culled my wardrobe. Several bags of clothes to go to charity shop. I also have to do a tip run as I missed recycling bin day and our two are stuffed . Just before xmas I need them empty.

I also succumbed and bought 4 more plastic storage boxes (dc broke the last 3). So far so good. I've only had them a couple of days but they're all still intact! Plus I've bought storsge baskets for under the sink and tidied that out - finding various 'lost' bottles and sponges that dh cba to look for so just buys more. We've a basket of scrubby sponges alone.

[erin99]

Rtoday I managed to unpack a big box that's been dominating our spare room wardrobe since we moved in over 4 years ago! Whoop! That cupboard is still not as empty asit should be, but it's madeso much space that I've been able to store the spare dining chairs in it.

I know it sounds mad to have spare dining chairs kicking about, but our dining room has flowed so much better since I reduced the chairs down to 4 for everyday.

[educatingarti]

Minisoks - hope the "thing" has turned out to be a elf who took the wrong turn from the North Pole or something equally Christmassy!

[clearsommespace]

I've got a decent amount of energy (for winter) but it's nearly all going into Christmas gift thinking and occasionally purchasing. Plus we have just had a DC birthday party with school friends at home.
We have plenty of bits up for sale/giveaway which are slowly creeping out of the house.
And on Thursday I collect a digital version of our one remaining VHS. It's a home video someone made for us and I'm looking forward to seeing it again. Our VCR was rehomed long ago.
Minisoks, did you identify the 'thing'?

[educatingarti]

Looks like we are all a bit lacking in mojo! I have a small carrier to go to the chazza. I have just had 2 lessons cancelled today which is a pain in one way but relieves some stress. Just need to make sure I spend the day actually working rather than messing!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

We've a something in the loft. Best case scenario is mice. Worst is the possibility of squirrel(s). Sounds like someone's dragging things around up there.

I need some motivation ladies and I just can't find it. Fell asleep on the sofa before HS coordinator arrived (I'd forgotten). House looks like a bomb has hit it.

[andsmileitschristmas]

Ooo hello, thanks for asking - standstill I'm afraid. Been good at NOT buying stuff.

I need to get on tomorrow. This week I found two tops that I thought we had lost due to clutter and untidiness.!

[clearsommespace]

Andsmile, how are you doing.
Big bag of clothes out today - things DC have grown out of.
A couple of more bits posted on a giveaway site and a local selling web site.
I need to attack my desk again, sigh. It's a serious clutter magnet.

[larryphilanddave]

Thanks all for your input, it has been really helpful! I've now saved a few things to my list, I particularly like a Bigjigs set that I found that looks like a good starter to add to eventually.

I'm also unreasonably excited by the Crayola I'll admit that I want to buy one of those kiddy easels because I never had one as a child but I'll calm down and hold off until I can determine if it would actually be useful...

Nothing happening in the way of minimalism here, but no adding either, just sitting tight waiting for DC2 House is still tidy and organised however!