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Housekeeping

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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 · 10/01/2017 16:58

Lelivre why not take before and after photos to try & keep up the momentum...for me the difference is massive so I don't (at this stage) need the photos

SnugglySnerd · 10/01/2017 18:26

Just passed on two old duvets to a homeless charity. They are in good condition but we got fancy new ones for Xmas so they were a bit redundant and taking up a lot of space. To be fair to DH it was his idea and he organised it, he's really on board with this!

haveyourselfamerry · 10/01/2017 20:31

oh thats good. and were the charity happy to have them second hand?
It's difficult figuring out what's ok to send to charity I think.

SnugglySnerd · 10/01/2017 22:04

Yes I think so. I assume they will use them at the shelter. I know that they always want sleeping bags and thick men's socks to give out.

Lelivre · 11/01/2017 10:53

Yes good idea katymac I'll do that now of the kids rooms and my wardrobe. The kitchen is done and most hidey holes. Very satisfying but I'm losing the drive a bit.

Katymac · 11/01/2017 11:15

Stick the pictures on the inside of the door of the cupboard you get you mug out of - it will inspire you

I put some magazines & a chair on freecycle & replied to a post that wanted varnish & wood glue - so another emty plastic box Grin

Katymac · 11/01/2017 12:17

& three bathroom drawers sorted cleaned & tidied!

lingle · 11/01/2017 15:39

having got lots of work done today I'm going to treat myself to counting how many unused lever arched files I have..... buckle up.....

lingle · 11/01/2017 16:05

hmm, 49 lever arch and 4 box files, all empty....

mybrainhurtsalot · 11/01/2017 16:30

lingle Shock amazing progress!

lingle · 11/01/2017 16:38

oh sorry I meant I have FOUND 49 already empty files....

I haven't worked out what the heck to do with them yet!

so congratulations are premature....

mybrainhurtsalot · 11/01/2017 21:51

Well if you can get rid of even a quarter of them, you'll still have made loads of space Smile

SnugglySnerd · 12/01/2017 11:41

lingle a local school might take all those folders off your hands. Teachers use them a lot and so do students.
Productive morning here. 2 bags to the charity shop and an assortment of small electrical things to the tip.

Katymac · 12/01/2017 11:48

Another hour in the attic

Loads of empty enveloped (kept in case I needed to post anything) - binned
Loads of emoty boxes (kept in case the product needed returning) - recycled
Box that got damp (full of memories & mould!! - binned
Box of photos to be sorted
Box of broken china to be binned
Large bag of rags to go to the charity shop

great morning

ChristmasSeacow · 12/01/2017 16:01

Left a bag out today for charity collection. Would have liked to do more but I only remembered this morning so had to do a quick grab job.

I need someone to tell me that I will never eBay anything and so just to donate the lot. Money is tight at the mo though so I can't quite bring myself to do it!

SnugglySnerd · 12/01/2017 18:49

I have earmarked a few more things to go to the tip at the weekend. There are two boxes in the garage that we haven't unpacked since we moved in nearly 7 years ago. Part of me thinks if we haven't missed stuff in that time we might as well just chuck the lot but another part of me thinks that's really wasteful and we should go through them just to check what's in there/take stuff to charity shop.

Katymac · 12/01/2017 20:00

You won't eBay it Seacow!!

Sort & send to charity shop Snerd - you'll feel virtuous

ChristmasSeacow · 12/01/2017 22:09

I KNOW! I've never sold anything on eBay in my life. I feel I should try but have heard so many bad things about buyers 'not receiving' parcels. And I hate the post office queues with a passion.

Perhaps I just need to pivk my battles. Likely value above £10 - try eBay, otherwise charity.

bet I never do it though

MimsyFluff · 13/01/2017 14:33

Hope I'm not to late to join up got a house full of stuff that needs sorting! DH cleared the TV unit the other day Grin will sort the draw out tomorrow the DC will be home soon. Just taken a picture and Dpuppy came to say hello Smile

Decluttering in 2017- A carrier bag a day
lingle · 13/01/2017 15:53

I have scanned in and thrown away all my business receipts for the year to date.

Am feeling very proud that they won't sit in an envelope for 6years.

Katymac · 13/01/2017 16:42

Toldya so Seacow

Wow Lingle-come& do my 13yrs worth please?

SnugglySnerd · 13/01/2017 19:15

Yes, katy you are right, stupid to waste things somebody could use. That's a job for the weekend!

Katymac · 13/01/2017 22:09

Going back in the Attic again tomorrow hope to clear out loads

lingle · 13/01/2017 23:03

Trouble is Katy I've now got my eye on a very expensive scanner....

Katymac · 13/01/2017 23:04

You probably need it however you could sell your old one