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Original poster

Join me in getting rid of at least one thing a day decluttering challenge?

998 replies

SandSnakeOfDorne · 21/09/2017 16:04

I am trying to declutter, starting with our loft and garage both of which need some work doing so need to be a lot emptier! After they're done I want to declutter the rest of the house. I've already got rid of loads of stuff but I'm starting to lose motivation alone!

We have quite strict rules for what we can put in rubbish so I'm selling, free cycling, taking stuff to the clothes bank etc. At least one thing a day. I'm hoping to be done by Christmas!

Anyone want to join me?

OP posts:
Original poster
SandSnakeOfDorne · 26/09/2017 21:12

Yesterday I put a bag out for a charity collection and today I gave away a load of decorative bits and pieces like candle holders and pictures. That was hard because they were things I liked, but I hadn't had them out for two years so they were just taking up space for no reason. Oh and I gave someone a laptop bag!

I'm amazed by how much stuff I can get rid of without it creating much extra space. This is definitely going to take a long time.

OP posts:
BasinHaircut · 29/09/2017 09:06

sandsnake I did a lot of organising before we got packed up to move so had a bit of a clear out then. But I found I had more time to keep on top of it all when DS was a bit smaller so it wasn't too bad.

I'm only doing this 2 days per week so making the most of them. 2 bag for life's of clothes to charity shop yesterday, sorted a pile of toys for charity or boot sale (can't decide whether I can be arsed) and chucked a bin bag full of broken toys in the garden that need taking to the tip but I ran out of time.

We now have space for incoming toys at Xmas and I have managed to completely tidy the lounge for the first time in months. Just need to find the time to give it a good deep clean now. Think that can be Monday's job. The whole house needs a deep clean but I'm tackling it 1 room at a time.

Next week I think I'll deep clean the lounge and sort out my own clothes.

Original poster
SandSnakeOfDorne · 29/09/2017 09:57

Completely cleaning the living room properly is my ambition! I didn't get anything out on Wednesday but yesterday I gave someone a load of old toy storage boxes and today I'm going to take some old toys to the charity shop.

OP posts:
another20 · 29/09/2017 11:57

I am finding it difficult to do the "little and often approach" ir one thing a day. I had a massive blitz on Mon - sorted Kitchen, Wed sorted lounge - today I need to tackle my bedroom - it is disgusting.....river of clothes on the floor - it is always the last to get addressed. But I need to stop procrastinating and do it right now. So 12- 3 - I am loggin off...

But I must say that now my kitchen is cleared it is soooooo easy to keep on top off I can find things - because I can see them so much easier to clean as less tidying to do first. I want to live in a minimalist clutter free bubble...

SandyDenny · 29/09/2017 12:18

I'm not managing something everyday either, I think 3 days each week might be more realistic for me. My next job is to sort out a pile of clothes to try and sell, going to try facebook as ebay's too expensive with fees nowadays

bluecitygirl · 30/09/2017 17:49

I have started this as I painted my kitchen and the amount of stuff in there unused was ridiculous ! I have done 3 bin bags of rubbish and 3 to charity. I have cleared out my porch as it was a shit tip dumping site.

another20 · 30/09/2017 18:32

Well done to you all. I didnt get my 3hrs done yesterday - I did have to sort something out that came up before the kids got home - so feeling v guilty.

Not been able to get stuck in today either - so feeling cross with myself.

BUT I must give myself credit for the massive amount I have tackled....but I must still challenge myself as to why I cant do the "little and often" approach - because in reality this behaviour will sustain the progress made in the long term. Bit like dieting -- dont want to be yo-yo-ing - (leaving for months then blitzing / all or nothing) - need to adopt a "healthy eating" (IYSWIM?) approach - so something sensible everyday.
My big blitzes are a barrier as they are hard work and time consuming - so lots of easy excuses not to start .... but if I just went into my bedroom and picked thru to fill just one carrier bag full of shit -- it would only take me 5 mins. Think I need to acknowledge that I am deliberately (unconsciously) self sabotaging and keep myself in this mire.......

SandyDenny · 01/10/2017 14:56

I find little and often works better for me otherwise it's too much and it's easy for me to find a reason not to do it. Í rarely have more than an hour's stretch to do anything so a small job of under 30 minutes is achievable.

Today I've decluttered the top a shelf that's been accumulating crap and am also aiming to tidy one drawer out so I can move some other stuff in that's taking up a second shelf.

LadyLapsang · 01/10/2017 19:17

5 large bags to the hospice shop yesterday and 2 more full bags already in the hall - they were delighted. Some clothes still with labels and some if DS's only worn once or twice.

whirlyswirly · 01/10/2017 20:03

Keep going everyone, it's taken me 2 years and we're so much clearer. I literally take a bag to the charity shop every time we go into town. There is always something to clear out.

Mine built up following a bit of a shopping habit a few years back. It just took me a longer time than it should have to realise that a shopping habit needs to be accompanied by a decluttering habit.

another20 · 02/10/2017 11:53

Still avoiding the bedroom -- but I did clear out grocery cupboard yesterday - too 5 mins. Nothing left to do in the kitchen now .... but I am still procrastinating over the bedroom - now I have a sparkling minimalist kitchen which I keep shining and polishing......but one big vile shit pit of a bedroom down the hall

WhoWants2Know · 02/10/2017 12:18

I'm late, but going to jump in here. I do try to have regular clear outs, but everything feels like it's piling up around me.

WhoWants2Know · 02/10/2017 12:26

Posted too soon- I have a lot of craft stuff left over from workshops that I used to run, but there's a scrap store in the next town that will be happy to have them. And clothes always need clearing out.

StealthNinjaMum · 02/10/2017 13:47

Hello. Can I join you? I have been decluttering since the start of the year and am only starting to see the benefit. There was a thread earlier in the year about throwing away/ recycling a carrier bag of stuff a day which I lurked on. I have got rid of the equivalent of 200 carrier bags of stuff which sounds like a lot but includes furniture/ duvets etc.

I have lots and lot of storage so it can feel tidy but behind every door is a mound of stuff waiting to escape. I also live with dh who is a hoarder and two dds who are learning from their dad so I have been hiding / selling their toys discreetly all year!

My current challenge is paperwork. i have 3 bits of furniture that are never clear of paperwork and kids things so I need to deal with that. I think I'll be filing and shredding this week rather than getting rid of stuff.

another20 · 02/10/2017 15:22

Wow - that is so impressive - and a great way to know that you are making a dent even if you can see it immediately. I have loads of carrier bags that I forget to take the the supermarket every week - so I will have a go using them. Also filling one is quick, less cumbersome than an bin liner and prob easier to shift out to the rights place.

Going to do a few now before school pick up....

StealthNinjaMum · 02/10/2017 17:34

Thanks another20, it sounds impressive but includes things like big empty boxes in the loft or garage, cotbed, seriously old duvets, big garden toys, an old table.

Like you I am better at doing 3 hour blitzes but actually I should do half an hour a day. Today I spent 2 hours shredding old papers. I obsessively shred things to avoid identity fraud and my shredder breaks down after about 10 sheets of paper so usually I just create a 'to be shredded pile mountain' and it just sits there for a month until dh is around to 'fix' the shredder (i.e. clear out clogged paper). Today I sat on the floor with my screwdriver and fixed the shredder twice and shredded about a plastic bag of old papers so it was kind of an achievement not that you'd know. About a fortnight ago I moved a vast amount of paperwork to the spare bedroom as we had piles in my hall and dining room that was spreading to the kitchen. A friend actually noticed how clearer my house looked last week but I know I need to file all the old papers..... but it's so boring.....

BasinHaircut · 03/10/2017 07:50

Morning all. Yesterday I didn’t get rid of anything as such, but I got DH to sort through all of his old video games and identify which ones he would ever play again and which I could take to the video exchange. From about 30 he is keeping 2 and I’m taking the rest to the shop on Thursday.

I did cleaning instead of clearing out yesterday. Did the huge kitchen windows and patio doors, properly scrubbed and polished frames and glass. Then I did all of the skirting boards of the kitchen and playroom and cleaned all of the toy storage and finished with a big floor clean. Was really satisfying!

Will do the dining room on Thursday. Got skirtings, floor and a storage unit to clean and organise. Bring it on Grin

ArcheryAnnie · 03/10/2017 10:31

Have gone through all our Halloween stuff (Halloween is big in our family) and cut it down by half. The massive bag of rejected stuff - decorations suitable for smaller children rather than my hulking teen - has now been cleaned and sorted and is ready to go to the charity shop in time for their Halloween display!

StealthNinjaMum · 03/10/2017 15:00

Hello again.

I threw out about a carrier bag of papers / old envelopes etc and an old jigsaw puzzle with broken pieces that probably wouldn't be wanted by a charity shop. I filled the car with about 3 bags of books and forgot to get them out of the boot

SandyDenny · 03/10/2017 15:05

Not too much got rid of in the last couple of days but some areas tidied up which has made a big difference and makes it easier for me to see what I can clear out in the next round.

200 carrrier bags is a real acheievement

Freshprincess · 03/10/2017 15:16

I'm going to join in too. My house is a cluttered tip and it's all so overwhelming I never get started. If someone comes round I run rounds shutting all the doors so people don't see the mess.

I was looking for a spare envelope in a cupboard drawer today and found loads of kids party bag stuff I didn't even know I had. We haven't held a kids party for about 3 years.
I told my D.Cs I would turn the never-used dining room into a proper study room for homework last year and I'm still no further on.

Tonight I'm going in with a bin bag!

loveisasecondhandemotion · 04/10/2017 00:29

Ooh yes please, count me in!

I'm following Clutterbug on YouTube and she recommends the "21 item toss" Grin

It's actually really motivating.

Will update tomorrow as need to get to bed.

BasinHaircut · 04/10/2017 10:37

I’ve decided that I’m doing a storage unit in the dining room AND the shoe cupboard tomorrow. Reckon I’ll get at least a carrier bag of stuff to chuck out from that.

StealthNinjaMum · 04/10/2017 11:10

I am struggling today so I am going to set a timer to make myself do 30 minutes of filing and paperwork. I have a plastic box of doom in which I shoved loads of papers ago and I am going to start work on clearing that. I just haven't tackled this stuff for years.....but first might waste time finding clutter bug.

BasinHaircut · 04/10/2017 11:57

stealth I had 2 years of paperwork and filing to do a month or so ago. My head feels so much clearer now it’s done. I found Birth certificates, marriage certificate and all sorts and I feel better now I know where it all is. Just need new boxes to store it all in now as my current one is broken.