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

[SandSnakeOfDorne]

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?

Thanks Penelope sadly if I was self-motivated I wouldn't have let my house get to this state! Having said that it is now kind of an obsession / addiction to get rid of one thing a day and I can't remember the last time I didn't actually put something aside - maybe it was October half-term?

Yesterday I found some tea that had gone off in 2015. I don't even remember buying it (maybe someone else did or it was a special gift from Ocado). I don't drink tea and just have PG Tips for guests usually so I am going to have to throw it away.

I haven't got rid of anything for days - can't wait for school tomorrow so I can drop stuff off at a charity shop. I have piles of stuff waiting to go now.

Well done everyone!

I've just done ds wardrobe so lots has gone and it's now organises (well for now I should say)

Christmas cards and wrapping paper innards gone to recycling today. Also lots of other recycling from food stuff.
Am at a friends tomorrow at 10 so I think I’ll empty the bathroom and clean it and then see what I can get rid of before I go out.

Stealth - you could feel better about not having used that tea by doing this: "Sprinkle around acid loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, roses, citrus trees, blueberry bushes and ferns." Only if you feel bad about chucking it, which is what I picked up from your post. Otherwise, chuck away. I'm not pushing any green agenda, I swear! lol

I've got rid of a lovely item of clothing today, which will sadly never go around my waist until that is hugely decluttered. I've been holding onto it for years too. Also, I'll be throwing out a bag of crap from my bedroom. It's only half full at the moment so I have to look again to fill it.

Nice work everyone. I've got a dress a watch and a badge ready to go to the charity shop tomorrow.

Also working on finishing a knitted blanket that's been in progress for three years. I'm doing rows every day until it's done. Got 1.5 balls yarn to go.

Penelope thanks for that tip, sadly it's in the bin. Perhaps I should've googled before I chucked them. You're right I do hate chucking things out. I am amazed that it has been in the cupboard for at least three years and I didn't spot it. Think I became blind to the clutter.

Last night I put aside 3 pairs of boots and 2 pairs of shoes to be recycled.

I am shortly going to sit down with a coffee and notepad and make a to do list for this week. Slightly overwhelmed by the bags of charity shop / facebook selling stuff I have.

Lots of tidying done today. Decluttering (throwing out) was dc craft bits and I found a stack of cards and invitations I shredded. I recycled the two bags of shoes and boots.

In my charity shop pile I am debating whether to put in two jumpers that I don't like and a jacket. I only own about three jumpers but I do have about 5 smartish, long coats that I love and one scruffy jacket that I hate so I probably should wear it when I do stuff like empty the car of charity shop stuff or go to the dump! (If I ever do that).

Put the jumpers and jacket in the bag :)
Same im feeling overwhelmed at stufff iv bagged up to!
Also added clutter to the house today got 24 rolls of xmas paper for £1.50!!!!!!!!!! It had to be doneused my stash up this year so sorted for next year plus have enough to do pass the parcels on dds birthday haha. Also bought goft bags. It will fit into storage atleast lol xx

I agree - move the unloved clothing out!

Yes, the unloved clothing should go!
I’ve done nowt today as I had a migraine this morning so went back to bed. Ds has started explorers tonight so I’ll have to buy him a shirt and hoodie for that soon. Hopefully I can persuade him to get rid of some other outdoor clothing.

I'm going into town today so I'll empty the boot of my car. I'll go looking in the kitchen for today's bag of junk to take with me.
I'll thoroughly enjoy dropping off the stuff, so long as I don't peep in the bags as then I often change my mind. In fact, I have changed my mind about the item of clothing I said I was letting go of yesterday!

I've decluttered a bike front light (a good quality one for long distance night riding). Gave to a friend who still does overnight rides. A few more rows of knitting deuttered too.

Penelope what made you keep the piece of clothing?

HellonHeels - It's a brand new cotton waffle bathrobe. It's a size M. I would currently be an XL (18) but I haven't given up hope of being a 12-14 again. Surely that's not too much to dream?! I don't have any other summer bathrobes or dressing gowns, so I thought I should keep it.

It's hard because I lost lots of weight about 5 years ago, threw all my clothes away and still have a fairly small wardrobe. I'm guessing most women own more than 3 jumpers, if I give them away I'll have one but I never wear them. I suppose it's my 'what if there's an emergency?' instinct like we get snowed in, power goes off, heating dies? But then I felt like that and still chucked out lots of bedding a year ago and haven't missed it! Those emergencies don't actually happen do they?

Penelope I don't want to encourage you to hoard but I went down from a size 16/18 to 8 so it can be done. I'm now a 10/12 so I would like to diet again. (I am really short so at a 10/12 have lots of fat.) I did it on a mumsnet thread. Might start again to lose a stone.

Gibble I hope you're feeling better.

Penelope tough decision. As a fellow Size 18-er I understand (and confess I've got a few smaller items in the wardrobe that I've been putting off considering for the chuck out).

Sell on facebook and treat yourself to a new one in the right size? TBH I always prefer a bathrobe to be on the larger side so a bigger size would still be wearable when you lose weight.

I have been attempting to declutter too....its so hard! I do get rid of a lot of stuff but it seems to make little to no difference which is quite discouraging.
We are a family of four and it seems we must have stuff worthy of a family of 20 judging by the amount I am getting rid of and the amount thats left.
I often donate clothes, books and sometimes toys to my daughters primary school, so that could be an option if you cant always get to a charity shop.

I just threw away a lot of old junk.....cant see that its made any difference! At times like these I say to myself ‘if someone was to weigh the house....it would definitely be lighter’ 🙈

Thanks ladies. Jumpers have gone. I took four bags to the charity shop today (I also got rid of some picture frames, bedding that wouldn't sell on Facebook and children's clothes). I hate doing it, it's such a long walk from the carpark to the shop I like - yet another reason for me to procrastinate! I did spend an hour online shopping and think I have ordered a jumper that I like! Fingers crossed I will be the owner of two nice jumpers!

Apart from the four charity shop bags and about six bags of shredded paperwork (and the reindeer, arts and craft things) gone today I have also given my cleaner a bag of leftover xmas treats (chocolates, cheeses, cracker biscuits) to stop me eating them. So I think I got rid of about 11 bags today. Might log on to my fitness pal to lose weight as well as sort out the house. I definitely feel more in control than I have done in ages.

Sadie I have my down days where it feels like it hasn't made a difference but it really does. I had friends / relatives over a few times at Christmas and after a year of decluttering and organising it took much less time to get the house ready.

I am going to spend half an hour a day in the room of doom (this is mainly paperwork) until it is cleared. Hopefully I'll be finished by the end of January.

Thanks stealth....I do my best....but sometimes I feel that I am barely touching the surface! We live with my df who I would say has hoarding tendancies....so I often find myself throwing away my own stuff and dd stuff (Dh doesnt have much) but because I cant throw away Df stuff nothing changes!

We've had two good mornings so far - clothes laid out the night before and no looking for lost stuff. Bags packed and ready to go with no fuss.

I tackled some paperwork. Just enough to make sure that all appointment letters are on the top of the desk, and noted in diaries, etc.

I read a lot on this thread and other housekeeping and child-rearing topics, and it made me realise that this decluttering and organising must become an automatic part of life, rather than an excuse not to take part in life until the clutter problem is fixed.

Each time I sort laundry, I put a little gold safety pin in the neckline or waist of any outgrown or unwanted garment. This way it doesn't matter if I forget which items are for donation by the time the load is dry. Aanything with the safety pin goes straight in the donation bag.

Yesterday I dug out old catalogues from the kitchen bookcase for recycling bin. Also found some mending had been flung in there out the way.

Mostly it's an immense tidy and sort, a bit like MK's categories. I think the first time I did this was 2006. I joined Messies in 1999, so this goes back a long time.

Nothing for 2 days now and busy tomorrow
Thursday morning will start in utility with Tupperware and cupboards full of random crockery and stuff that doesn't suit this house from the last one (portmerion mainly)
Also stalled a bit because of build up of recycling etc as no collections for a month now 😳😳

Well done everyone

Stealth - good for you getting new jumpers, you deserve it!

Penelope- letting go of the dressing gown is not giving up on it ever fitting.

So what do i do with all the kids clothes/shoes I've now got in ikea bags - sell? Weight in? Charity shop? Dusters

Thanks cupoteap I suspect my new jumper won't fit. It is a size 10 --I am not. Today I'm wearing my single jumper but I love it.

Good tip with the safety pin tidy2018. I never remember which clothes don't fit dd2 until I see her wearing trousers that finish at her knee and tiny tops.

Had a good half an hour in the room of doom yesterday and a bit more of the floor was visible. Some shredding and filing. Will try to spend an hour in there today.

I’m in the bathroom. It’s horrific.