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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:
lingle · 14/01/2017 09:02

Ooh you are a temptress...

Katymac · 14/01/2017 09:23

I'm being really ruthless now we have decided to go on an extended holiday

So can I bin my old chunky bathroom scales & buy a new slimline small version (does it even exist - ideally a dua purpose one that will measure cooking ingredients too Wink)

Katymac · 14/01/2017 13:56

DH has done about 3 boxes of old paperwork!!

I am sewing and supervising Wink

PigeonPie · 14/01/2017 17:40

Seacow - I would say take it to charity too.

My reasoning behind taking the stuff to charity rather than ebaying was that, firstly I wasn't going to get round to it, and secondly, even though things were tight, actually because things were tight, I couldn't do financial donations to charity, but taking things to the shop was the equivalent. It was really good to get a letter a little while later from the charity telling us how much they'd raised from it all.

torthecatlady · 14/01/2017 23:15

Just found this thread, very inspiring! Keep up the good work!

Cagliostro · 14/01/2017 23:56

Stalled here! Been busy doing other necessary things, so decluttering my to do list I guess.

OrlandaFuriosa · 15/01/2017 06:24

I managed to get rid of a bag of papers, yippee, school governor related, some confidential. Burned them, glorious feeling.

Katymac · 15/01/2017 09:05

Feels great doesn't it Orlanda?

OrlandaFuriosa · 15/01/2017 09:33

Wonderful. Gone up in smoke, only ashes left.

Champers4Pampers · 15/01/2017 09:34

Can I join? Feeling inspired!

My understairs cupboard is like a black hole! Everything gets chucked in there. I know most of it never even gets looked at so I obviously won't miss it. It's just gotten so bad that it seems impossible now.

I know it's a bone of contention with DH as he can never find anything & blames me.

I'm probably a boarder line hoarder but a carrier bag a day sounds achievable.

MardAsSnails · 15/01/2017 11:30

This weekend saw the achievement of, well, not decluttering as such but organisation.

I have receipts for every single vet visit and daycare visit for all my dogs. This was kinda shoved in one of those wall units from Ikea for sorting paperwork and looked scruffy. I found 5 folders so now have an organiser box thingy with 5 plastic folders in - one for each dog and a general one for daycare and stuff, all in date order, and a spreadsheet tracking which woof has cost most it's the one we've had since bloody May last year who is our newest - how the fuck?!

I also got rid of 3 carrier bags of paperwork which have gone for shredding and recycling - most was utter bollocks and not necessary in the first place.

Katymac · 15/01/2017 12:57

That's decluttering imo

& vastly satisfying

We've just done an hour in the attic & I've put a TV, 2 satellite boxes, a BHS player, a chair, a heater all on Gumtree!

Cagliostro · 15/01/2017 17:24

Filled up a bag of fabric today - cutting more squares for DD's sewing stash and ditching the useless bits. The Caglets have even chosen some pyjamas to get rid of.

Vinorosso74 · 15/01/2017 17:39

Successfully organised two kitchen drawers today which were full of small bits of crap and some useful stuff. Crap binned and drawers tidy.
This week I've sorted out DDs wardrobe and she sorted out her stuff to get rid of. Got a big bag ready to go to charity shop. Next job is to take photos of and get old baby stuff on Gumtree.

PigeonPie · 15/01/2017 20:57

DH and I managed to sort a load of filing which had been sitting around for far too long and he's also managed to de-clutter the three huge piles of books, and two boxes of 'stuff' by his side of the bed which is a great achievement.

Now got three boxes of bits to go to the charity shop this week and I think there'll be more, but I want to get these bits out of the house soon.

I had a very quick sort out of my desk this morning ready for tomorrow (I work from home). It took me two minutes! In the past it would have taken me at least an hour because I used to leave it till it got completely unmanageable. Today, was just tidying up my notebooks, putting bits back in the appropriate project folders and starting to write my list of things to do tomorrow which I simply ran out of time to do on Thursday because of meetings etc.

It's taken over a year, but our house is starting to feel manageable and organised. It's lovely!

Katymac · 15/01/2017 22:35

DH threw away all the old car documents (going back over 20 years) & just kept the current cars - Phew!!

We are all doing well aren't we?

ChristmasSeacow · 16/01/2017 05:32

I removed tons of things from my overstuffed (double Blush ) wardrobe - it was so full that all the stuff I actually wear was on the floordrobe next to it, Our of necessity. As I am currently pg I needed to handy mt maternity stuff and stash the stuff I can't wear. I have 'filed' it in categories: thin work clothes, thin casual and fat casual. I will be in fat casual after the baby but will need to face up to the mammoth task of getting back into my thin clothes.

I already have stashed boxes of fat work clothes. Daren't get rid of anything yet while I am going through bodily and other emotional upheaval, but hope one day to be able to ditch the fat clothes.

So nothing actually removed from the house but I can see my bedroom floor again and now have wearable maternity clothes to hand.

Sounds like most of you are doing brilliantly!

lingle · 16/01/2017 09:03

Gathered all the DIY stuff from around the house (couldn't face the garage) discarded 60%,sorted the rest.
Quite fun!

Does anyone have the skills to advise on how to fix a knife rack to the inside of an iron door (I use my non functioning Victorian stove as my too storage). I'm imagining a solder is involved.

Also gathered all the cleaning products. Everything duplicated, silver polish, brass polish, your name it.
Ended up with 8items under the sink and a few others next to the specific item they "serve" but the rest has gone/is going.....
Not fun!

lingle · 16/01/2017 09:05

Still engaging in scanner porn...

ChristmasSeacow · 16/01/2017 13:14

Lingle I read that as a SOLDIER being involved. I thought you were calling in the troops!

lingle · 16/01/2017 13:15

I can see the Daily Mail headline now, esp. with my porn reference below it...

Katymac · 16/01/2017 13:29

Would large magnets work? rather than soldiers

lingle · 16/01/2017 13:39

dh might have something to say about soliders living in the disused stove.

I'll take a picture. (and can be quietly proud it's all in better condition in there than previously) and post...

SnugglySnerd · 16/01/2017 19:23

I haven't managed any decluttering over the weekend. Need to get back on it. We also need to get some better storage for toys and books as they look so untidy!

Katymac · 20/01/2017 08:51

Put about 30 photos on Gumtree & facebook last night - sold about 6 made £125!! (STC)

Sorted out a book case & my DVDs

Moved some furniture around as I am starting to 'stage' the house for sale

Lots going on; how are you all doing?

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