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

[StealthNinjaMum]

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

Scoured Next today I spy LOTS of discounted bits for DS. Fingers crossed that the online sale is the same. I'm trying to hold off on buying clothes until I know what's going on with work.

NoFilter - he's just turned 7 months. I realised last night I haven't actually bought any since I left work so that's around 9 months. I feel a thousand times better for it. I haven't really taken any time for myself lately. I think you're right! The first year you just feel like you're on another planet. DF has taken pity on me after I texted her last night saying how crappy I felt and she's binged on my behalf and got me a ton of samples from work for me to plod through. She's so lovely I actually want to cry (even though she's giving me clutter!)

Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the box of junk in my bedroom that DH 'left' there. And ring the nursery, who sent a really unhelpful email saying they still didn't know if DS has a place

Hope everyone has had a constructive day!

I’ve done bugger all 😳. Did nowt yesterday too!
I have written a list of all the mugs that have been ordered from DS so that we can crack on and print them over the weekend and I have posted 2 letters.
I also picked up a letter that I had to pay £2 for as they had reused a stamp! They did refund me though via PayPal.
Am off to bed shortly. Am very tired!

Not much clearing done here today, just another couple of DVDs.

But, I had a sudden thought that the gap in my shelves could be perfect for my box of essential oils, natural remedies etc. I used to use this all the time when it was more accessible, but have hardly used it since putting it away. Anyway, I got it out. The first thing I noticed was that some of the rubber droppers have disintegrated. Then I looked at some of the use by dates... 2002!!! (Cue DP making a joke about them being "not so essential now!")

It's a bit painful cos some of them are bloomin' expensive, but there's no escaping it, many of them are going to have to go.

The good news is that I have many 'in use' oils littered about the medicine cupboard which I will now have room for in the special box. And it will all be organised.

I've just got to do it.

Stealth - yes I like the space :-)) But it looks so odd. This shelf is in a bookcase which has been crammed for decades. I'll soon find a box to empty into it. Not sure whethr that's good or bad, but at least it'll clear another square foot of carpet.

Wednesday TaDa

A bit of a pathetic day. Started off well, weeding the path under the front window, but oh I'm slow - a whole hour to clear about two square yards.

In danger of churning when I'm tired. Managed to stop myself, and looked at DH's sitting-room which has become a bit of a dumping ground recently. When iI started tidying it, I realised it's just a suurface layer with lots of neat shelves underneath, ready for decluttering when my head's in the right place.

Decluttered - two plastic fruit tubs from the stash, two small cigar tins from collection and four Elastoplast tins.

I've ditched another DVD. (They're all in a charity bag atm. I think, if I can make £10 or more, I might sell them. We shall see.)

Decluttered the CV late last night, and have an interview set up for two weeks time I'll ignore that it's a job I really don't want because it means I'm not commuting two hours a day.

It's boiling again here today!

Bloody DS hitting my phone with his silly tiny hands posted too soon!

DS GOT INTO NURSERY! I don't think I've ever felt so much relief in my life! My mind is a bit less cluttered.

I think today will be a general declutter! I'm going to aim for five things in each room, plus a tidy.

Yay, you're all doing so well.

And congrats minicarpet on getting to nursery.

I'm not sure I'm going to get all my to do's done this week as other things have cropped up and I was possibly too ambitious. The main thing I'm struggling with is admin and I have decided to pop out now to buy some reading glasses so that's a couple of hours shopping I hadn't expected. I feel like an old woman but I really struggle reading now and I tried on a friends glasses yesterday and had clarity.

I also have to take a dress back to a shop and when I got it out the bag to look for the receipt it's creased to buggery after just sitting in a bag for ten days. I really love it but need to lose a stone in weight to look really good so I'm afraid it's going back. I have just ironed it which I really resented.

I have done quite a lot of extra stuff so I don't feel bad. I am also mumsnetting a lot less which is good and bad!

Tidy2018 it sounds like you had a good day. Weeding is hard work - that's probably why we procrastinate and don't do it. My garden is just full of weeds and as fast as I pull one out another one appears.

I forgot to say I 'finished' oiling my chairs last night. I might turn them upside down and oil the bottom next week.

That’s great news ihate. Funnily enough I just got DDs letter today too confirming her place in the local nursery which I’m SO relieved about!!

That’s amazing progress stealth you’ve done absolutely loads this week on top of the daily stuff - I’m following your lead and very pleased hah! The paperwork/admin stuff seems to be my Achilles Heel at the moment too, or maybe it’s list writing as what starts with a list of 18 turns into 25 then 35 as I reel off all these things that could be done to be more efficient... I’ve even included January’s Tax Return! Talk about creating pressure on myself jeez....

Managed to get rid of a baby notebook I never used that was for documenting pregnancy and arrival, an old hoody that was faded and way too big but a bit sentimental as wore it in my pregnancy, few more toiletries we’ve ended up with 2 and 3 of since my DM moved in, some old party stuff plates, cups etc which were in the party box since Xmas, we’ve since filled the box again though after yesterday with paper cups, plates, cutlery & napkins but they’ll get used definitely.

I’ve just splurged on 4 new pairs of linen shorts which I’m loving at the moment hey are just above knee and elasticatef waist + pockets they look really smart and only £8.50 brand new on Ebay! Was chatting to DM last night about tops to go with them and she treated me to two Boden tops I was very pleased!

Sold another pair of shoes £35 and a top £6 on eBay and bagged them up to post tomorrow.

Still no wardrobe progress or kitchen “stuff” drawer and I’ve the garden to sort now after the party which looks very bedraggled! Half full paddling pool, deflated bouncy castle, bleugh!

I’ve not been active on the thread for a while so it’s taken a while to catch up. Everyone’s been so busy and productive it’s really inspiring. I haven’t achieved much over the past couple of weeks as I’ve been doing some exam marking so every spare minute has been spent on that. I have still managed to get rid of at least one thing a day even if it’s only been something small. I’m finding it much easier to throw things out - every time I open a cupboard or do some laundry I find something that can go. Gradually the cupboards and drawers are getting more organised.

Can’t say the same about the house though. It just seems to be permanently untidy. There’s toys all over the place. DD has just starting walking so she’ll stand and empty a shelf as soon as I take my eyes off her. And I’m losing the will to live with all the shoes and socks that are scattered everywhere.

So far I haven’t got rid of anything today so I’m off to see what I can find and perhaps tidy a few things away while I’m at it.

Everybody is being very productive! Although, I can't imagine being upset to have unexpected space on a bookcase! Or rather, I can't imagine actually having space on a bookcase!

On Tuesday evening I had a sort out of the paperwork pile on the small table in "my corner" next to my usual seat on the sofa. A pile of paper about 5cm high has gone in the recycling, some stuff has been shredded and a whole load of documents placed in order in cardboard wallets according to year. I am not ready to have a major clearout of recent paperwork yet, but I am trying to get it organised so I can find things if necessary. I didn't quite get to the bottom of the pile, or investigate the floor right in the corner behind the table so I will try to get back to that soon.

Yesterday I washed the 2 underbed storage boxes that are now surplus to requirements. I think I will sell them after all. I'll try to get them advertised on Facebook or Gumtree tonight.

I received an offer yesterday on one of my re-listed eBay lots and after counter-offering he bumped the offer up a couple of quid. I couldn't decide whether to accept or not - I had really wanted 3 or 4 pounds more - but since it is a bundle of old camera equipment being sold for spares or repair that has been sitting around doing nothing for over 20 years I decided today just to accept the offer and get rid of it all!

Although, he hasn't paid yet so may have changed his mind....Sigh!

Carpet - hooray for your nursery place - it's a lovely feeling to get rid of a worry, isn't it! Definitely a valid declutter!

Well done all on decluttering despite the heat - although I have to say it seems easier to get rid of stuff when it's sunny... maybe because you feel less inclined to surround yourself with stuff when it's hot? Or just feel happier so don't need the comfort-blanket element of clutter?

8 cookbooks have gone into the box to go to the charity shop tomorrow (which hasn't made much of a dent in my cookbook stash but it's a start!). Also have cleared out the laundry room which was masquerading as a room of doom!!!
And (ok, I'm showing off now!) I started the airing cupboard & sorted through some winter clothes & ski kit.
Ditched a manky old pillow (but kept DSs old Thomas the Tank pillow case!)

DIY rather than decluttering for me - sanded and put 3 coats on the kitchen storage unit. Hopefully only one more to do tomorrow! Maybe two as I bought really cheap paint.

Progress has stalled on my nice big cushion though!

Then back to the Gumtree / Freecycle grind. I'm due in 10 days now and really suffering in this grim heat.

So inspired from all this DIY - grey I was not that productive with 10 days to go! Amazing xx

Today, I decluttered a bin's worth of old punnets, sticks, broken plant pots and plant labels from my veggie patch.

Yesterday was a bit of a wasted day. I removed some weeds, took a dress back for a refund, did a load of washing. I put one ball and a jigsaw puzzle in the charity shop bag and that was it.

I decided to buy glasses as I struggle to fill in forms, check sell by dates when decluttering etc and couldn't find any in my local town. I just wanted off the shelf ones without going to an optician.

I have done 16 of my 24 tasks and nee to pop out for a couple of hours after the school run but will do more decluttering after lunch as inevitably I'll do nothing at the weekend.

You got rid of two things, Stealth, which is double the requirement of this thread.

Thursday TaDa

Getting into the swing of this routine. An hour in the early morning, weeding in the front garden and moving to stay in the shade. Into the back garden and back of the house which stay shadier for longer. Getting a bit stronger, too.

Repurposed five hot dog jars discovered in the back of a kitchen unit. Decanted dry goods from plastic bags into jars, to protect from any mice etc.

Did a lot of tidying in the sitting-room. The magazines are going slowly but surely. Strange to say goodbye to something that was a large part if my identity, but no longer serves any purpose. And it was completely painless.

Texted elder DD to find out what to do with her boxes of Bunty, Oor Wullie, and the Broons. She wants them, and will take them away (!!!) asap. The boxes are now in the utility and off the sitting-room floor. More space! Accessible shelves!

Decluttered -
Small panatella tin (thinking of Dad)
One plastic tub from stash
Ten journals/magazines
Eight spice jars from stash.

Cuttings from magazines.

25 odd sized nappies out yesterday and about 5 bits of junk from every room.

Going to have another look at the bookcase today.

And I wish I was kidding, but I really need to sort out ... erm ... a rather impressive collection of personal items. I'm fairly sure I do not need five vibrators

Pinstripe I'm imagining the charity shop helpers' faces when they open up the bag...!

Thanks penelope I know you're right but I had hoped to have "finished" by the school holidays and I'm not going to do it.

Having said that I have spent many hours in the garden which I hadn't anticipated so I have generally been working hard.

Today I had to go to the passport office to renew my passport and at the station I found a boots with reading glasses. The difference is amazing! I'm on my way home now to tick a few things off the list.

I am also going to try this start a new thread today as I will probably be busy over the weekend but if I don't get round to it could someone else's do It? Thanks.

@Tidy2018 - I remember Bunty!

I've been through my outgoing DVDs etc and tried to sell them through several sites. Most of them are completely unwanted so are back in the charity bag. I can sell 3 though, for a grand total of just over £8. I guess it all adds up.

DP has just mowed the lawn, then we are doing a tip run. I've got a parcel to send off today too.

@StealthNinjaMum - Thanks for doing that for us, Stealth. I'll try to keep an eye on it in case you don't manage it. (Many apologies if I don't manage this - I'm sure one of us will pick it up though.)

I'm back home now looking at a dining table that has a mountain of stuff on it. One of my jobs this week is to tidy it and it has just got worse. I'm just about to start a new thread.

pinstripe elephant I think we discovered in the last thread that there is an eBay demand for second hand knickers and really used, dirty shoes. Maybe you could pop your adult toys on eBay and report back?

Two tops thrown away today but I did buy two cardigans Paperwork going. I have bumped more Facebook items - I think for the fourth or fifth time. If they get no interest today they're going in the charity shop pile. My sitting room is clearing nicely. It had two of the blue IKEA bags of stuff to sell and a large toy. One of those bags has gone now.

New thread here as I'm not so good at decluttering or updating at the weekend.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3298777-Getting-rid-of-one-thing-a-day-decluttering-challenge-Part-4?watched=1

Grey Well done on the painting. That's amazing in this weather.

I am too tired to do anything. I have done 17 of my 24 jobs and I'll finish them next Monday.