Decluttering in 2017- A carrier bag a day

[Snap8TheCat]

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?

And to rejoice my heart further, a scarf, a bottle of home flavoured gin, a book and 20 plastic carrier bags left just now..accompanying a friend. Carrier bags for her elderly mum, gin for her suffering husband, book for brother in law and scarf for her. So I think that counts as at least one carrier bag...if not 20 .

& DH has 'agreed'to let go a big pile of boxing magazines & VideosYeah!!

I know have to discuss the fridge freezer...eek!!

Well done all! I've not had the most succesful week, is DD birthday this week, my parents are coming down and she has her party next weekend. Place looks clean and tidy at least..... Got more things on Gumtree so just awaiting people to buy them.

The utility is clear - WOW!!

3 bags to the bin, one for recycling

All the plants were collected (13 of them)

Bedroom surfaces cleared, Bathroom surfaces cleared & I am running out of boxes!!

And have just said good bye to

One dining table
Four matching chairs
One king size bed
One king size mattress
One huge sports direct bag of bed linen and towels
Two pillows

To help my nephew and his partner start off in life, along with some provisions for when they arrive tonight.

I have decided, furthermore, tomorrow to get rid of at least one single bed to the British Heart Foundation.

We - i.e. DS plus DNs -have measured up the remaining spare double bed and DH and I will try it out. If, as I think, it proves too short we will prob.sell it.

Yay hay

I have also got rid of about a carrier bag full of dust.

Oh wow Orlanda - you got rid of stuff & helped someone - I'll bet that felt good

Lets not discuss the dust (& mould) in the utility[

It really really did. And ringing the BHF tomorrow will also feel great.

Well done everyone - Katymac, you really are on a roll!

I hope I've got a buyer for my lovely Stokke changing table, we've got a friend who wants the old wendy house (one of those old ones which has a pole frame you put together with a fabric top) and the garden tunnels. I've got a box of recipe books and a few other things to go to the charity shop on Wednesday when I take DS2 to orchestra and I've started a box of a few bits which I want to sell (need to take photos in daylight).

Got to get these bits clear before next weekend though as I think I've got the whole family coming for lunch on Saturday!

Thanks Pigeon - I am having a wobble tho

I'm going to aim for three carrier bags out of my daughter's room today. Should really be three wheelie bin bags!

Halved my shoes - decimated DH's

Sorting out his jumpers now about 12 gone already!

Well done everyone. 1 carrier bag rubbish gone from car and 1 bag to sort / put back in place / bin out of the car whilst baby was asleep. Car now ready to be vaccummed / car washed tonight - much needed, hangs head in shame :)

3 bin bags & 2 boxes to charity

& some bits to a friend

Well, I didnt manage 3 carrier bags but I did take out 1 bag of rubbish, 1 bag of recycling, 2 pencil cases and excess coloured pencils, and some old school uniforms. Back into my daughter's room again today.

1 carrier bag of old magazines out to the recycling and off the coffee table.

Sold 2 cd drawer storage & 3 cassette drawer storage for £5 each and sadly I underpriced them as I could have sold them 10 times over

But they are gone & that is all that matters

I bag of clothes recycling gone, along with one bag of hangers back to the dry cleaners for reuse.

Good for you May

I have done so much this last couple of days; I have been sewing and doing a bit of tidying & shifting of furniture

Glad you have pushed through your wobble Katymac - I'm going to have another blitz tonight if my sore throat will behave.

Still wobbling but working through

I am a third of the way there & not nearly done!!

Sorted out the airing cupboard and got rid of three bags of rags to bags to charity

Doing a table top sale in two weeks

And I'm going to have a little tidy of the kitchen later

Still loads to do

One huge box of paper etc recycling put out for collection. Old clothes put in the rags recycling - too far gone for anything else.

Sore throat / cold has slowed me down - on the positive side my hippo bag has arrived. Now have to start filling the garage with the rubbish and then put it all in the skip at once, otherwise some bugger will come and use my half filled skip. It bloody stupid that you have to be strategic to fill a skip on your own drive.

I agree May, but it happens everywhere!!

Although one skip I filled was being emptied as fast as I could fill it (kitchen cupboards)

I've had a few days off with work & visiting DD at college - I ended up tidying her room!!

I have started decluttering too - really need the space! Thrown two bags away, but bought one. In the process of getting rid of luggage items. Need to get rid of clothes too.

There is so much to do isn't there Penelope?

Amalgamated the contents of 2 shelves into 1- just by repacking, rather than getting rid of anything