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Original poster

Decluttering in 2017- A carrier bag a day

328 replies

Snap8TheCat · 01/01/2017 12:11

I read about this method in 2015 and gave it a try last year, it was mostly sucessful and I kept a track of what I had got rid of on my phone. It was interesting to look back at the end of the year to realise I missed none of it!

I'd like to do it all again for 2017, perhaps even more committed this year!

I like lots of the other decluttering methods such as KonMarie or Flylady and do incorporate many of their rules but I also know that getting rid of a carrier bag a day is easier for me to fit in to my life.

I'm a childminder working 4 days a week 8-6pm and have 3 dc of my own, 13,10 and 6. Dh is a shift worker so our lives are busy and the house can get out of control quickly with the mindees and my job.

I'm looking for anyone to join me, anyone who likes the idea of decluttering but always feels they fail as they don't have the time. This is literally one carrier bag a day, either a large item like a toy or a quick sort out of a kitchen drawer whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Just trying to stay on top of the flow of stuff that constantly enters our home.

January 1st and I have got rid of two plants on my kitchen that we're dying. I was desperately trying to keep them alive but realise I'm crap and that and they depress me every time I see them.

Anyone else? Smile

OP posts:
katymac · 10/02/2017 10:01

Just got an enormous (well smaller than the old one) 70's Gplan wardrobe up the stairs - nearly killed us!!

I now have to tidy the room before DH gets the double bed out of the attic

Totally knackered & my heart hasn't stopped beating

Glad the cushion mountain has subsided! My master plan for the day, calm down & start breathing again, tidy DD's room more, have acupuncture, tidy DD's room more, visit garage twice, tidy DD's room & make up a double bed (problem - I don't want to buy a nw double mattress then store it for months if we don't find a house....can a fake a double wth a single & some padding?)

katymac · 10/02/2017 10:13

Posted before I finished.....
It's scary isn't it May?
The sheer scale of it

katymac · 10/02/2017 21:28

Got rid of a box of bits to a friend, DH got rid of a bag of very old bras to reuse (a charity fo some sort) & some curtains I have altered have been passed back to their owner (I know that's not clutter but it was hanging around)

Reorganised DD's room (replaced her bed & her wardrobe) Wow I am tired

May09Bump · 11/02/2017 23:21

I can imagine the wardrobe nearly killed you Katymac - done something similar once, and vowed never again :) Well done on sorting DD's room!

Great work PenelopeF. - can we have an after pic too?

Mine is slowly moving - one KS quilt gone and one clothes rail that never worked out the door.

PenelopeFlintstone · 12/02/2017 09:24

Thanks May. Good job on getting those out the door. I think I've got a broken hanging rack somewhere too. I will give you an after pic of the wall to the left of the pillows. There was a little white wardrobe and an old (not beautiful, very utilitarian) daybed. I'll give you an after pic after I finish building the Malm drawers and put them in place. I'm hoping all the extra storage will lead to a neater room. I could be dreaming.

katymac · 12/02/2017 20:01

We have got rid of bag after bag of half used/ barely used/ not used toiletries and makeup

Loads of books magazines and papers; piles of ornaments & knick-knacks

& I haven't even done a third of the room yet

HighDataUsage · 12/02/2017 22:51

I've gathered up a bag of old kids clothes for the charity shop.

I've gone through 2 large book cases and taken a large bag of books to the charity shop.

I've got two storage boxes in the kids bedroom to go through but I'll wait till school opens before tackling that.

The kitchen drawer has gone through the first stage of decluttering. All the rubbish has been chucked out and dh is supposed to be sorting it.

katymac · 13/02/2017 20:59

That sounds good High Data - I think I will take down some shelving units tonight (not sure I have the energy as I have a cold)

HighDataUsage · 13/02/2017 22:15

Hope your cold gets better Katymac, a lot of it going around atm.

I find going through things first and getting rid of obviously old/broken items and then asking my family to sort through helpful. This way I end up getting rid of twice the amount of junk!

katymac · 13/02/2017 22:27

Dd is only home for 2 days this half term which makes asking her to do things is bloody hard and she whinges ( we weren't even discussDH)

I decided just to go to bed after all as I'm so tired

katymac · 14/02/2017 08:45

shelves are off the wall & ready for collection!

katymac · 14/02/2017 14:50

This is todays list done (so far)
Find box to pack wedding stuff
Box for wedding stuff
Landing shelves
DD’s dressing table
Empty Bureau
Remove extension from kitchen
Boxing in
Bedroom curtains

May09Bump · 15/02/2017 19:41

Another box full of packing materials, recycling gone. Finally started on garden - two wheelie bins of dead or cut back shrubs gone.

Hope you feeling better Katymac!

katymac · 15/02/2017 20:19

Thanks May, a bit better

An odd day, I saw the GP, bought some hangers for DD & some boxes for her room, slept for about 4 hours (& maybe sweated it out)!! Then I filled some holes on the landing & in her room

I've eaten today, first time really since Sunday

Oh & I tried to get rid of some clothes but the clothing banks were both full, but I did get rid of 8ft by 8ft shelving to a friend & prepared for an indoor car boot (yesterday & today)

So tired (but trying to stay awake so I don't wake too early tomorrow)

katymac · 16/02/2017 17:10

Someone we know socially, got in touch and ask to view the house this morning; I ended up running around like a headless chicken trying to shove everything in cupboards

But of course nothing really fitted so I made all the Rooms but one look as good as they could and all the crap into one room

I'm now completely exhausted, a bit confused and no closer to being able to put the house on the market despite all the work I did as there's loads of decorating still to do

May09Bump · 17/02/2017 16:22

It's hard going getting a house ready for sale - it will be worth it in the end. We had friends view our house and fiund it weird - TBH I think they just wanted to nose at what we had done, if they had asked I would have asked them round anyway.

One rubble sack full of odds and ends out the door and another bike box (our attempt at getting fit). Loads of a old aerial and telephone wire stripped from the house - gone.

katymac · 17/02/2017 18:56

Sounds like you are doing well

I am dithering - I really wonder if I should take it all to charity shops tomorrow rather than trying to do a car boot - it would be easier, I would lose 'potential' money but I would get straight sooner....so I am dithering

May09Bump · 17/02/2017 19:23

I would charity shop - I have just made the same decision, made me feel a bit better as our normal donations will be down as house is eating cash.

katymac · 17/02/2017 20:01

The person is coming back with their family - so I reckon getting rid of it tomorrow morning before they get here might be a good idea

There is so much to get rid of

May09Bump · 17/02/2017 21:46

Fingers crossed on the 2nd viewing.

It's amazing how much we have got rid already, yet so much to do too. It has certainly made me more selective what comes in the house - not going to be so cluttered again.

katymac · 17/02/2017 22:19

I know I have a boot full and another pile to go on the back seat

At the moment all I am buying is storage stuff; plastic boxes with lids, vacuum storage bags Hmm, hangers (I am unifying my hangers) & such like

I did a massive clear up tonight & I need to decide what to do in the morning beofre they come (fill the new vacuum storage bags, maybe?) or paint walls?

katymac · 18/02/2017 17:16

I did 2 storage bags

The relief I felt giving away all that stuff - 10 boxes & some bits was immense - all I was left with was a pile of hangers & some magazines which I threw away

They love it but haven't sold theirs

Vinorosso74 · 18/02/2017 18:18

That sounds promising Katymac. Well, back from a few days at my parents and all the items I had on Gumtree went this morning. I had to pass all the info on to DP to deal with. Need to dig out the travel cot and that's all the stuff to sell gone.
Need to focus on our bedroom then I think everything will be organised. Still need to get DP to make a start on his stuff....

MadamMooMoo · 18/02/2017 21:53

Can I join in please? Renovating attic so having major clear out due to clutter being everywhere!

So far have bagged up all my old clothes that are too small, sent pics to sis so she can decide the ones she wants (which she now has) rest are for charity shop.

Have bagged up unwanted xmas gifts for charity too.

Got rid of old things in bathroom that are out of date and half used bath products not being used.

Tomorrow need to spend 30min- 1 hour on mine and DH bedroom as mostly done but few things have accumulated.

katymac · 19/02/2017 09:15

Sounds like you have made a good start Madam, now you need to keep it up Grin

Well it would be lovely to save estate agent fees Vinorosso; I think your problem now is one of motivation.....can you persuade DH?

Yesterday wasn't too effective for me - I got some of the vacuum bags packed & kept it tidy but the viewing took a long time & then I went out for dinner. DH has complained that he doesn't know what needs doing, so I have made a list (tbh I am sure I tell him but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt) we will see if while I am out at work he starts sticking the photos into albums Hmm?