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Original poster

Decluttering accountability buddies?

183 replies

PrettyWitch · 31/12/2015 15:51

2016 is the year I'm going to get my stuff sorted out properly - but I might need you to help keep on track!

I have a minor shopping addiction, which hinges mostly on books and indie make up/perfume, but does include lots of other things - we moved house six months ago and after a big declutter then, it's starting to get silly again.

I'd like to stop bringing so much stuff into the house, and get rid of at least five items per day until I feel like the house is no longer bursting at the seams!

So, anyone up for keeping me accountable and getting some support with decluttering in return? Maybe we should start with a January no buy? :)

OP posts:
didireallysaythat · 18/01/2016 19:08

Brilliant about the CBT - good to have people take you seriously. Could you break down the discarding things by colour ? What's your least favourite colour ? Select one thing in that colour ?

Ditsy4 · 19/01/2016 00:10

That's great.
I'm not good at the clothes thing either.
I got unexpectedly delayed coming home, put dinner in the oven and fell asleep so I didn't get anything done today. I go out on a Monday so no time tonight. Hopefully catch up tomorrow.
*
Get thin hangers those velvet covered ones you can get them in TKMaxx or Dunelm. You get more clothes in🐸

2boysnamedR · 19/01/2016 00:27

I made my numbers for today and 11 for tomorrow by chucking 9 items of clothes ( very very slow and painful it was too!) and some out of date spices ( desperate! They are nearly all out of date!)

Good idea about the hangers, I can swop those easily. Plus some hangers look mouldy ( notice a theme here?) dust has settled everywhere I am sure the dust has gone mouldy! So I will have to handle my clothes again this month to swop and change hangers. Maybe handling them more I can come to terms that I don't wear 90% of them!

Too tight jeans and work outfits have some in storage bags so I can at least get into the wardrobe. Told Dh I shouldn't have tried to clear there. I might tackle that last. Feel pathetic but as Dh said even if it's one thing a day and it takes all year - he's right. Must remember I'm on track with the chuck and never thought I'd get past day 15.

I'm going for easy wins over the next two days - going through my collection of bags ( contents of bags that is). Then it's the mound in front of my wardrobe. This is painful now. But I can see carpet! Have ordered some MORE clothes but my oldest boy did loose all his uniform today and I realised he needs a spare coat so it only essentials ( and kids trousers for a upcoming wedding). Feeling no joy in buying clothes so maybe that's positive? Right now it feels like all the joy has been sucked out of my life. Must be a residual low from my trip to the charity shop Grin

Ditsy4 · 20/01/2016 22:45

I earmarked some stuff including some hangers that weren't in my room to go.

2boysnamedR · 20/01/2016 23:25

I did yesterday's numbers but I'm behind now.

Cleared out my bags and under the sofa

GunShotResidue · 21/01/2016 08:21

That's good news about the CBT 2boys

DD's birthday and the pre move out meeting are done, so I can get back to decluttering.

I've found 3 old toys of DD's that she won't miss, but as she recieved about 100 new toys for her birthday I'm not sure it will make a difference. Going to try and throw out some books and old paperwork from the dining room today and maybe tackle the tupperware cupboard if I'm feeling brave.

Ditsy4 · 22/01/2016 20:51

Hey we're doing well aren't we. Ok we don't always get the full quota every day but we are still going strong.
I took some kids novels to school today and let a little girl "borrow" one then she can swap it for another. I thought I would do this for my one to ones. I think they quite like borrowing " my" books also it is teaching them to return and have another. Still have more to do but losing momentum because of tiredness.so may have to spread it over February. 22 in one day is going some! Might do my little room next.

2boysnamedR · 22/01/2016 21:06

It is hard now it's in big numbers! I am targeting problem areas as it's easier to make quota on the worst areas. Mind you I am a few days behind now! I will continue into Feb if I need too as well. I want to reach target!

Thinking about the CBT has really made me think it's going to hard to change my ways. But I'm going to try very hard. I am not going near shops and trying hard to avoid online clothes shops.

didireallysaythat · 22/01/2016 21:08

I'm really impressed with your determination to keep going. 22 a day is a massive target... I think if be tempted to keep going, maybe less on some days but try not to stop. I think it's like most things- easier to keep going even if it's slow rather than having to restart after a complete stop.

We're home for the first weekend this year so I'm hoping to crack on. MIL visiting which doesn't help but still....

Ditsy4 · 23/01/2016 05:40

I'm away this weekend on a course. However after posting I spied a container that need attention and told myself not to be so lazy ( Tired ) and so got rid of some more stuff.

2boysnamedR · 23/01/2016 11:57

I'm going to do some target areas with Dh today. Hopefully he can help me get rid of things.

My friend is coming Monday. So hopefully we are talking a whole room! In theroy I will have been in most areas by the end of the month.

didireallysaythat · 23/01/2016 13:41

2boys sounds like you're on a roll. Loud music helps keep me positive and going when I think I'm flagging.

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 24/01/2016 09:52

@2boysnamedR

Olivia - do you think it's hard finding a accountability buddy? I can't use dh as he's conditioned to it now

I think MN can be an excellent accountability buddy.Grin
I have today taken FIFTY things to be eBayed by a professional seller - all lovely stuff sadly outgrown. I did request a couple of skirts
I still have bags full of stuff to take to the charity shop.
I ought to get them to come and collect tbh.

2boysnamedR · 24/01/2016 12:48

I am sure I have read somewhere on MN that if you overs certain amount charity shops will come to you to collect it. That's a really godd idea.

I'm glad it's going well with your declutter

Ditsy4 · 25/01/2016 07:13

Yes, 2boys you're right.
Wow Osmum that is a big effort.
I didn't get any doneSad but I was on a course so only at home for a short time. Tired last night and then some friends text to meet at pub. I haven't seen them for a while so I went. I did use up some craft materials though so several things have now become one( piece) I will have to put more effort in!

2boysnamedR · 25/01/2016 21:18

I'm on day 22 now. It's getting very hard. It's time to revisit my clothes I think!

I have a kids sale coming up where you can can sell toys and clothes for a charity so if I get stuck this chuck can roll into that I guess.

It's still almost 300 things yet to shift! It's a hard target.

I'm sure my maths is wrong as I am sure I thrown out over200 things?

Went to the dump today it felt great!

florentina1 · 27/01/2016 12:57

I have finished with the getting rid of. Now onto the folding.

Says a lot about my life, I know but Sadly, this was the best fun I have in years.

I have folded most of my wardrobe contents into three drawers. I have got rid of 47 coat hangers. I never even knew I owned 47 items.

2boysnamedR · 27/01/2016 16:58

Wow! Well done you! I doubt I could fit my wardrobe into a small transit van

I started my CBT I hope this works. I am slowing down on the chucking out front but moving things in a small area and cleaning that area is working ok still.

florentina1 · 27/01/2016 17:25

I looked on YouTube at the folding. I went all through the underwear and threw out all the uncomfortable stuff. I decided life is too short to wear tight knickers.

This meant the remaining stuff (yep I actually folded the knickers and bras) fitted into a small drawer. So then I took all the long sleeved and short sleeved t shirts folded them and, miraculously, they all fitted into the empty underwear drawer.

These baby steps are really helping, even though I seem to creating a bit of mess as I go along.

The recycling men rejected the hangers, so will have to,find out how to,dispose of them.

florentina1 · 27/01/2016 17:31

I was going to buy some new pjs as I had thrown out some ragged ones. But once the remaining ones were folded into a drawer, I decided I have enough. I might throw a few more away next month and then treat myself.

My new motto is if it does not fit in the cupboard its is too much. Hard to throw some things away so I have a 'doubt box'. If it still there in 6 weeks I will chuck it without going through it again. I saw that you are supposed to put stuff in a black sack so that you cannot see it.

2boysnamedR · 27/01/2016 17:44

I either have a carrier bag on the toy room ( aka dining room) door handle or at the top of the stairs. I fill them up and leave for a few weeks. I find that I don't wonder what's in their and if I don't look again I'm happy for it to go.

Could you do another target like "2 things out for one new treat?" I did 3 out 1 in last year but it turned into about 450 out and 300 in Shock so I need to give myself a firm slap this year. New target is 12 things for each of the kids and me for 2016. Another target I will find hard I think. But this just stops me going mad even if I do bend the rule

Ditsy4 · 28/01/2016 22:26

You get quick at the knicker folding. I haven't been doing well since I went back to work :(
Going to try

Ditsy4 · 29/01/2016 05:10

Oops!
Going to try and catch up at the weekend.
Hangers- charity shops are usually quite keen to take them.
Wow florentina1 you have been busy. 2boys that is a good idea I might try that. I didn't buy anything in a large shop except some food and some plants for the window sill and the garden!

2boysnamedR · 29/01/2016 11:24

I'm not doing so well either. Toddler and baby is trashing the house, pondering if it's them who need to be decluttered if I will ever have a tidy house!

I have worked out my numbers to go - it looks impossibly big

Ditsy4 · 30/01/2016 08:11

Yeah I think it is a bit much 10 a day would be reasonable perhaps the original person doesn't work and doesn't have kids! I'm going to try today. We were both ahead at the start so we can take comfort with that. I'm so tired when I come home.