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Original poster

Getting rid of one thing a day decluttering challenge: Part 3: Are we nearly there yet?

976 replies

StealthNinjaMum · 09/05/2018 08:45

For 2000 posts a group of messy mumsnetters have been chucking out, selling, recycling and cooking weird cakes.

Are we free of clutter yet? Sadly not.

Thankfully we're here to get support and be told off when we have a relapse and bring more clutter into the house, garages, sheds, gardens.

Newbies are welcome to join us, it's easy we literally just get rid of one thing a day and report back.

Previous thread here

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
SandAndSea · 11/05/2018 09:32

@CiderwithBuda - Do you need a virtual kick to get you going? Smile It's easy to go through clothes and bag up all those which are stained or worn out or bring you down in any way. Maybe start there and see what's left? You can do it!

CiderwithBuda · 11/05/2018 09:52

I do indeed need a kick @SandAndSea! I’ve done all the stained and worn out. Need to do the hanging stuff next I think. And need to go through t-shirts again. Think I have too many still.

I’ve just been for a walk with a friend and will be going to a Body Balance class at 11. Might manage half and hour this afternoon before a friend comes over.

SandAndSea · 11/05/2018 10:10

Half an hour sounds perfect!

IHateToCashew · 11/05/2018 12:27

I'm not trying to make anyone jealous Grin but here is the secret cupboard ...

DH has just taken the 24 bottles of Johnson's stuff and a toy of DS's to a friends, so that's cleared a bit of space.

Getting rid of one thing a day decluttering challenge: Part 3: Are we nearly there yet?
SandAndSea · 11/05/2018 17:54

Oooo! Is it big enough to stand/sit in? Could it be a reading nook?

Givemethebiggestslice · 11/05/2018 19:05

I’d like to join as having first baby soon and need to get rid of stuff and make the housework more manageable for once baby arrives.

Major hurdle is that DH is a bit of a hoarder - what’s the best way of overcoming that?

namastayinbed · 11/05/2018 19:11

13 items out so far so am on track for 31 in May. Sold 2 of the dc's toddler things.

Namajesty · 11/05/2018 19:20

@Givemethebiggestslice LTBGrin

IHateToCashew · 11/05/2018 20:58

Giveme I think a lot of us have found our other halves have sort of fallen into line and caught the decluttering bug too Grin

DH is getting better, and he has a huge hoarding problem. He hasn't gotten rid of much, but he's been happy to readdress how he stores things, which creates more space. He's still a bit devastated I'm selling his childhood bed (it's too big, needs a new mattress too), but I think he sees that the end result will be worth it.

IHateToCashew · 11/05/2018 21:00

And the cupboard can fit me and DH comfortably Grin I've popped all his work bags and less used stuff in there for now. But a reading nook is a fab idea!

SandAndSea · 11/05/2018 21:20

Something lovely to aim for, for when you don't need so much storage space.

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 12/05/2018 00:37

Hello givemethebiggestslice

I didn't tell dh that I was doing this challenge but have spent the last 17 months decluttering and I think he's noticed. He is a much worse hoarder than me and I have laughed at myself having bank statements from the 80s and all my payslips and he admits he is as bad and can't explain why either.Recently I have been putting lots of his stuff on the bed for him to sort through and he sort of does it without moaning now. I think he's just got used to the idea. our house is much tidier

Today has been a really busy day and for the first day in ages I haven't chucked anything out. But I did lots of housework and tomorrow I can wake up to a clean house.

OP posts:
PenelopeFlintstone · 12/05/2018 01:34

Well done, Namajesty! Inspiring!

and Stealth - can you imagine 500 carrier bags in a pile?! Amazing!

And I have frozen many things in glass jars including cherry tomatoes from the garden, tomato chutney, and jam. I wasn't sure but took a gamble and had no issues.

PenelopeFlintstone · 12/05/2018 02:13

The weather has suddenly changed where I am. DH has taken out my terrible teens (out of the house, that is Grin ) and I'm going to switch over my seasonal clothing and declutter some at the same time. I'll report back later with a number Smile

Wannabecitygirl · 12/05/2018 10:12

Kids toys today, but only a little clear out as I usually do it with them. Still, one small bag of stuff gone!

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 12/05/2018 10:39

wannabecitygirl you clear toys with the kids? I have a pile of toys that I'm selling and when people come to collect them I sometimes hide them in the car so the children can't see them going. They get attached to baby toys, and things they've never played with. The reason I do so much selling waiting at home is so i can give them the money and ease my conscience. In the last few weeks dd1 has let me give away a couple of things as she's starting to realise her bedroom is messier than her friends' bedrooms.

penelope thanks I suppose it must be a whole room of stuff. It's hard to believe how bad my house must've been but then I look at my list and do feel quite proud. Lots more to go - the end is not in sight.

OP posts:
NaMajesty · 12/05/2018 11:39

Stealth believe it or not getting the kids involved isn't as scary as it sounds. Youngest DS is 1 1/2 and I recently sat with him to explain that things are broken or have pieces missing and they need to go in the bin (when I threw out nearly 30 toys from his room). He loves putting stuff in the bin anyway especially remotes so he was more than happy to help, I think it helps get them used to it when they're a lot younger. I did the same with older DS and he has no problem giving toys to other people or having to throw something out when it's broke. They still both have old tatty teddies which they love though but I'm not mean enough to throw them out Grin

Does anyone know how I can declutter 14 white bread batons which need to be used today? Tesco have delivered my shopping and sent 18 instead of 4. I would have previously just gone to the duck pond across the road but I know bread isn't good for them now so what on earth can I do with all of this bread?!

IHateToCashew · 12/05/2018 12:37

I'd offer them out to the neighbors Nama! I wouldn't turn down free bread Grin

NaMajesty · 12/05/2018 12:41

Cashew that's a good idea, I will knock round and see if anyone wants to give their kids and easy tea tonight Smile

Clutterfreeintraining · 12/05/2018 13:31

Hi everyone! Thanks for the lovely new thread Grin
Not a lot of decluttering being done here for the last week or so but having a little blitz every now and then.
Downstairs is looking reasonably presentable (by my standards - a cluttered mess by most people’s!!) so I’m going to focus on upstairs this afternoon. I have a heap of stuff for eBay but need to clear my bed first so I can photograph items for eBay on it. I’m constantly going round in circles! Just deleted half of my post because it was so negative - I need to get on with it and stop self-sabotaging so I’m going to sort my bed out now Grin

Clutterfreeintraining · 12/05/2018 13:32

Ps I recognise a couple of you from eBay challenges from a few years ago!!

LilQueenie · 12/05/2018 14:41

you are all doing so well.

I've signed up day course this week coming so a little change for me. Helps break up the boredom feeling a little and sort of makes me work harder at the cleaning. The house is overwhelming and I really need distractions or else its all I think about. A little look around the bedroom and I got rid of a few bit as pieces as well as finding a large natural amethyst quartz I forgot about. Grin This decluttering lark has its little rewards. Today is a really sunny day so its windows open and a good tidy before heading out for essentials. Tomorrow dd and I have an outing to mcdonalds so I would like the house somewhat better so when we leave we can come back to something a lot more serene looking.

todays attempt:

  1. Laundry
  2. clothes put away
  3. list up a few items for sale to regain a storage bin for other stuff
4.10 magazines need to go
  1. redo dds train table. (again)
moimichme · 12/05/2018 15:59

I've been lurking on this thread for a wee while now. I have a 15 month old and really need to come to grips with the baby stuff (especially clothes) and my own/DH's books, CD and DVD collections (some of which are still packed in boxes after 3 years of living here!). We do have loads of space in this slightly rural locale, but if we move to a city (hopefully within the next 2 years), it's doubtful our budget will stretch to having 3 bedrooms and a garden!

I come from a family with hoarder tendencies, as does DH, and am worried we'll be moving stuff we don't need and can't fit in our house (again!) if we don't get on top of it soon. I also know it's so much easier to clean without piles of crap on every surface, yet whenever we get busy with work, etc. it all just piles up again so fast! One item per day might not seem like much, but it's better than nothing, right? Smile

IHateToCashew · 12/05/2018 17:02

Oft. The in laws have buggered off Grin they gave passive aggressive presents to everyone other than me. So I've gained an outfit, two hats, and a massive box of chocolate it's only for DH apparently.

As soon as DS heads to bed I'm going to start on the spare room again. Hopefully I can stick the wardrobe on eBay tonight if I can empty it.

IHateToCashew · 12/05/2018 19:08

The fabric for DS's beanbag arrived... it's so cute. But 2 metres more than I actually need Grin they've said to keep it free of charge ...

Any ideas what else I can do with the excess whales!? Other than bloody pillows!

The spare room is looking fantastic, less throwing out, more just general tidying today and trying to get everything in the right room. Small pile for charity. Wardrobe on eBay now, and as soon as I can find a replacement bed, that'll be sold too. I've got a 'try to eBay' pile, stuff I'm not too confident will sell though.

I've lost enthusiasm a bit, does anyone else get that? When all the big bits are done and you just sort of can't be bothered with the little bits.