Clutter again !

[Edenviolet]

Every so often I get rid of a few bin bags of 'stuff' to the charity shop and a couple just of rubbish go in the bin but I never seem to get on top of the mess and clutter.

We are planning on converting the utility room and a 'cupboard' (used to be a coal thing) into a playroom which will help hugely as dcs bedrooms are overflowing with toys and things but until it is done everywhere looks a state. I literally don't know where to start. Tried today and managed to fill a bin bag with old shoes and boots that don't fit anymore but after that lost motivation and then spent a day in a+e with poorly ds2

Planning on getting an early night then getting up early and having a really good clean and declutter but where to start? I want it to make a difference this time. Dh says wait till playroom done then sort things out but I can't live like this !!! I'm at the stage where I want to empty the overflowing drawers and cupboards into bin bags !

Is it better to do one room at a time or 15 mins in each room then a break ?

Personally I think it's better to tackle one room first, that way you will see results immediately and be motivated to continue.

But don't make the mistake of dragging everything out of every cupboard or you will just be overwhelmed. Do something like clothes first. Then toys next. Then books. Doesn't matter which, but juet focus on one thing at a time.

That's the mistake I make I drag everything out then something happens with one of dcs and I expand up not finishing the job and shoving stuff in boxes/baskets 'to do later' and I never do it.

The front room is relatively clear and tidy and dh just laid a new floor in the hallway (after ds1 ruined the carpet with glue and felt tip pens and wetting himself) so it looks ok due to the shoe rack going (hence the bin bag full of old shoes!)

Kitchen is a disaster, paperwork piled up, cupboards full of junk and stuff. I am so tempted to empty them and throw it all away.
Dcs bedrooms also terrible due to lack of space. Dds share a room and it is too small. Ds1 has the box room and the wardrobe in there is full to the brim with toys and stuff. Really not much point doing too much there as like dh says when the playroom is done I can tackle the toys then, move some to playroom and declutter as I go along.

And of course I have washing mountain to deal with.....

End up not expand!

Isn't it just totally impossible to have a tidy house in the summer holidays???
I haven't even managed to keep the kitchen surface tidy today. Every time I turned around there were crumbs and used dishes everywhere.

I bloody love decluttering, I wish I could just hire myself out all round the country, helping people declutter. In fact, sod that, I'd do it for free

Yes I do the bin bag thing every week. I'm sure I chuck out 3 or 4 bags of rubbish, 1 or 2 for charity and I am also collecting things for a boot sale (which I will probably never do.) I don't bring that much stuff back into my home every week so what I don't understand is why I can't see any difference in the clutter.

Treacle you can

There's a professional body?!

Oh, I want to be one of them!

I think what I will do is set myself one decluttering goal each day this week then take everything to charity shop at the weekend.
Tomorrow I will go through all the clothes and sort out what doesn't fit etc and bag it up.
Wed I have two hospital appts for dcs so won't have much time but will do the cupboard with all the cups/mugs etc in as I doubt I will be having 3000 people round for coffee anytime soon and I seem to have accumulated a lot of mugs!
Thursday I will do the airing cupboard and bedding cupboard
Friday I will go through dcs collection of 40 million soft toys and try to get rid of some without them realising!

Treacle come and help meeeee please lol, I also get overwhelmed Hedgehog I decluttered the kids room at 8 months pregnant you wouldn't think so to look at it now.

I'll just get my coat. Get the kettle on, I'll need a coffee before I get started

Despite not feeling very well today I managed to go through mine and dcs clothes and sort out a big bag for charity shop of things that no longer fit/are never worn. Also sorted out a few old toys and books for the charity shop and did some general tidying/cleaning.
Feeling a lot better that I actually did something although the house still looks a mess I know that I have got some things sorted out.

Dh is going to start on the playroom at the weekend and asits bank hol he should get a lot done in three days.the sooner its done the better as I need to sort out the toys and get the majority out of dcs bedrooms so I can get their rooms looking nice and things organised.

Managed to start my Xmas shopping today too-got slippers, pjs and onesies for all four dcs and some stationery bits for dd1. Thought I'd get a few little bits each week so I'm all ready before 1december then I might actually be able to enjoy Christmas in a tidy house with all the shopping already done!

I have the same problem OP. I take on too much, want to solve all the problems in one day, pull everything out and ........ Never get a job completed.

Treaclesoda, I may have remembered this wrong, but aren't you from NI........? wonders if DH would let a MNer in house to declutter

I'm the same OP. Never quite sure where it comes from, it slowly creeps up and the I snap and have a rant and try to tidy up.

I have recently though music Magpied all the CDs and DVDs we don't use any more. That was a bit soul destroying as only got in avg 20p per item it it should give me £40 which is better in my pocket and space in the house.

Plus yesterday/ today I went through the dds clothes and tided away things they had grown out of, bags for charity, textile recycling etc. that feels good. Drawers are beautifully organised which I know will last for a nanosecond with my pair but for today I can open them and um and ah over the organised and nicely folded clothes!

slattern yes, you've remembered correctly!

Ah ha, treaclesoda, I do try to remember the locals .

This thread has motivated me to actually finish something. No new projects until I finish an existing one. Today I have ironed for 4 hours and I'm still not finished.

Then batch cooking (half done).

Next is paperwork.

Then de cluttering.

Treaclesoda come to my house please

Can I join in?

My house is a right junk heap!

Are you me?? Really need to sort my house but never seem to get far! Treacle soda how much are you charging??

School starts tomorrow, so today I am sorting uniform out and ruthlessly getting rid of all those old socks that are looking a bit grey instead of white, and the tights that have got holes in the toe. No keeping them 'just in case' which is something I have a tendency to do.

The polo and sweatshirts that are a bit small but still in good condition are being given to a friend. Everything else will be dusters!

Anyone want to join in?

I handed about half my DCs nursery uniform in at the end of last term. I kept the other half, why?? In fairness to myself I did try to give it to someone who I knew had a child going in this year but she declined who doesn't want spare uniform?

I will give it in next week, I will .