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?

Wow! It's all go here atm. I've had 2 buyers turn up today and another still to come. I just LOVE making cash from my clutter, especially bulky items!

I think I'll give the kitchen a good clean and then attempt to clear out the absolute shit hole that is my under stairs cupboard. I want it cleaned out and only containing the Christmas tree and big cleaning stuff by tonight!!

Can I join? My house is not terribly cluttered but I have very little storage space and have recently had that lightbulb moment that I only use about 10 or maximum 20 per cent of the stuff I own - kitchen stuff, clothes, etc. I would love to do it all in one go but have little time and no car, so have been taking a bag or two to the charity shop every week. It’s very satisfying. Biggest problem is 11 year old dd who wants to keep everything! But I am slowly getting her on board...

Welcome, Non content!

Can I join please?

We're doing a lent give away, get rid of something from at least one of us in the house every day in Lent. So far, so good.

Welcome all newcomers.
This evening I have finished a box of dishwasher tablets enough to add the new box to it. This has given me enough space to put all the light bulbs into the drawer so a large basket full of stuff has gone from the kitchen worktop into the drawer.

Hi all, can I join you? This is timely because I've been feeling overwhelmed by how much I have to do vs. how little time, so just decided to do one thing every day, however tiny. Today I sorted some magazines from under the bed (professional journals I felt I ought to keep). I've saved a few articles but binned a pile 10" high and feel freer already! Now I want to let go of loads more stuff and feel that lovely lightness every day!

Another area I struggle with is gifts... I feel guilty getting rid of stuff that someone has given to me as a gift. So I end up keeping hold of things for years! Mugs, key rings, cute purses etc. All stuff I could declutter but feel bad about doing so.

What are all your thoughts on what to do with unwanted/unused gifts?

Panda - I used to be like that too but now get rid straight away. Unwanted presents barely linger in my house at all. I would give thanks in whatever way works for you. Take a picture if you think it'll help. Then recycle it.

Mermaid - Welcome! Keep it up! :)

@Panda81 bad energy really is a thing. You don't have to keep an item just so you don't feel guilty. I used to be like you, but now I see no point in holding onto thing that I don't use or don't like too much. Everything that I buy or have around me has to make me smile in some way. Even if it's just a new cushion that I like the look of. Surrounding yourself with nice things is a really lovely way to live

And in the future you could try and ask for vouchers or a certain gift. That's what I do. And I always ask someone what they need or give them a budget if I'm present buying.

Welcome new dehoarders!

panda I struggle with this and last year gave away about a decades worth of unwanted presents that had been sitting in drawers unopened. I do feel guilty but better now the house is clearer. I actually ask for things like toiletries for Xmas so I can use them and then get rid of them - although I am using body lotion every day at the moment I have so much of the stuff! I think it gets easier, the first few times I gave gifts away I felt really awful but the gift givers will never notice. As with so much of what I throw out they're linked to memories and thoughts about loved ones which make it hard to get rid of them but I think we have a good life now and new memories are being constantly made so my focus is more on the benefits of having an easy life today and in the future. If I hadn't got rid of so much stuff I swear we'd be on TV in a few years surrounded by clutter completely out of control. I may have got rid of 400 bags of stuff but I still have a long way to go.

I have had a good day. I have finally been to the charity shop and got rid of a bag of shoes and three bags of books. I also threw away a really old, rusty metal tray.

I started to look at paperwork again but just couldn't face it. I am so close to finishing it but am just not in the mood.

I've got rid of a couple of storage bottles and 5 old bras. I honestly don't know why I'd kept those bras. I've also placed another ad.

My clutter is becoming more and more of the hidden type these days - I really have to seek it out as it's no longer blatantly obvious to me. All good though

Well our bedroom is being redecorated next month including new fitted wardrobes so I'm going to have to pack everything up bar the essentials - aiming to be ruthless and get rid of anything I don't love so there is less to store! I've bought a temporary clothes rail for £20 which I'll re sell on gumtree once the new wardrobe is ready. The only other issue in that room is a bureau/dressing table of make up, moisturisers etc and stationery but I've decluttered it several times already so won't be much effort. We have new bathroom cupboards so I'll try to store all toiletries in there for now.

I have zero guilt about giving away small cluttery gifts .. my family have also learned to buy more useful things / ask!

Thanks all. I will reassess the gift clutter. My parents seem to forget anyway. When I put my baby in a new top/outfit, they tell me it's nice then I have to remind them they bought it, and only at Christmas!! So I bet a lot of stuff they wouldn't even remember buying me. To be fair, I don't remember half of what I buy people either!!

So today I went to take two bags of toys to a charity shop I knew I'd be passing but Etsy had a sign on the door saying no toys!!! So will try a different shop tomorrow.

Just dismantled an old wardrobe in spare room that I really don't need but damaged it doing so. Annoying. Will try selling it for couple of days then free cycle it.

Sold a dress today which I will take the post office tomorrow. So fairly productive although nothing actually left the house today, boo!

Kitchen has been cleaned and tea has been prepped.

I have completed the under stairs cupboard and chucked away all the crap that I didn't even remember was in there. It's bigger than I ever noticed and has fit in all of the things I wanted too perfectly and it doesn't look cramped. Hoover and pram are very easily accessible and the Christmas tree is just in view right at the back waiting for December. Two boxes retrieved from that need to be sorted by DH (his things). If he doesn't do it by tonight, I'm not even going to open them to go through myself, I'm just going to throw them in the bin. Can't be anything that important if they've been sat untouched for months and months.

I have listed loads of things up to be sold so hopefully they will be going in the next couple of weeks. For now they're in a corner of the hallway in plain sight to annoy the fuck out of me in the hopes that I'll subconsciously get them sold quicker to get my hallway back.

I genuinely cannot think right now what else I could do today. So looks like I'm done de hoarding and I'm allowed to relax for now anyway!

@CapricornWithAUnicornHorn I need to tackle my under the stairs cupboard! Well done.

I still haven't managed to sell my wedding dress despite reducing the price so much I am practically giving it away 🤔

DS was going to toss into rubbish a beautiful jacket yesterday... (soz. Forgive me declutterers for I have sinned... but It fits me well!)

Will try to have a blitz this weekend. Definitely more stuff coming into house right now than going out. I am buying NOTHING for me, btw. It's all stuff for DC or the cats or DH...

A bit of a slow one here. Dh got rid of some more stuff from outside (unwanted funiture from relative's house) to the tip today. I've sorted 2 small draws and recycled some charges /wires and a set of coasters is in the charity bag. Also put a top in the clothes bag.

Do virtual things like emails count too?

Yes emails count!!! I can't tell you how cluttered my brain feels just knowing my inbox is full of unfiled, unread and undeleted emails. I always feel tons better when I clear my inbox then not touch it for another six months and go through it all again

I know Panda it's so good! I'm clearing my email box at work too. Everytime I vow I will make time to do it monthly or weekly. Never happens

I clear my emails multiple times a day. The notifications drive me insane I can't actually get myself to lock my phone if there is an unread email. guess I'm a good de clutterer??

An unsubscribe session is the best as you then get less email in future!

Nothing physical gone today but the chest of drawers goes tomorrow and it’s not payday til Thursday so I will order the new one on Friday. Bedroom consequently is a tip as all clothes are spread around waiting to go into new one.
Have asked DH to go through his pyjamas before he puts them away though so fingers crossed 😂