Getting rid of one thing a day decluttering challenge: Part 4

[StealthNinjaMum]

And the decluttering continues…

For 3,000 posts we have been slowly transforming our homes from hovels to palaces.

We’re not quite there yet some of us are further than others but we won’t give up until we have a decluttered existence.

We just get rid of one thing a day and report back to showoff for support and to be told off when we’re naughty and bring more clutter back into our homes, gardens, sheds, garages.

As ever newbies are welcome to join us.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3243987-Getting-rid-of-one-thing-a-day-decluttering-challenge-Part-3-Are-we-nearly-there-yet?msgid=79207142

I am also a list maker. I have some Word docs online in Dropbox, like my "Ebay to do" list and my "Things to get rid of" list. My day-to-day to-do list, though, is usually written on a bit of paper and stuffed in the front pocket of my jeans!

I have also done lots of washing this weekend - dog and other pet bedding, towels and a turtle doormat. I have a large load of human towels in the machine at the moment.

The eBaying is continuing to move in a forward direction I have sold another 3 things since Friday, so I am just about to go and package up 5 items to take to the PO on the way to work tomorrow. It always takes me so much longer than I expect to wrap things. One side effect of the re-invigorated eBaying is that my stock of boxes, bubblewrap and used mailing bags in the loft is going down. I am releasing far more space with each sale than just the volume of the item!

The eBay glitch with displaying the number of views each item has had seems to have been fixed now, but now I am not getting emails from eBay when I have sold items. I am getting the Paypal notifications, but not the eBay ones. Sigh!

I still have 4 items to list on eBay from last week plus this week's 6, but I am going to concentrate on dealing with the Sold items first.

Ooh you are all very industrious! I think this thread will definitely help to give me a nudge to keep going.

Well, my books for music magpie haven't been packed and sent yet but I intend to find a box tomorrow and get them sent off.

Today I've photgraphed and sold a load of old uniform and some kid's books, both to people I'll be seeing tomorrow so I know they'll be going for sure too.

I've also advertised a big bulky toy for sale, hoping it sells quickly.

Hi Penelope

Here is a link to the image - I've bought the customisable ones for the four tabs I mentioned.

https://ibb.co/ceyHpJ

sand I think you are right. In Feb I wanted this Erin Condren Life Planner + Accessories but I said to myself, buy this still cute one from amazon £22 including two packs of stickers... I haven't used it, I have recently picked it up again. When I did my planning in it last night I did enjoy seeing it laid out on the page knowing exactly where I am at... so I'm going to take your advice and if I do use this planner then get one in a few months - I'm really terrible at buying things that I think are going to suddenly whip me into a superman mode

Gibble that linking to locations for satnav is an amazing function! I'll be taking a look at that! I've always been a bit unsure of using google calendar properly I'm going to check it out!

IGBTM I've got loads of lists like that! A list app could work actually, I'll check it out. Currently have

Xmas list
Changing address list
Home improvements in priority order list
2018 Goals list both personal and financial

Glad for clarification that it's ok to post about life admin too thanks!! X

The list app I use is called 'notes' and it's built into the iPad. Each note is a list.

Cleared out a drawer and purged about a dozen brochures, leaflets etc, an unused sim card, a gym membership card, some elastic bands, an envelope and a random plastic bag thing which came with the vacuum cleaner.

Got the paperwork sorted! And found the government gateway letter (which was the reason for the sort!)

Got a filing cabinet and several files down to:

One box file with separate files in relating to sales/purchases of property
One box file with mine and DH pension and work contract stuff

One concertina folder for current stuff - categories are purchases, warrenties, mortgage, me, me car, dh, dh car, dc, closed accounts.

To keep us organised in future I’ve set up a receipts box in the kitchen. I’ve repurposed a dc shoebox, therefore resisting the urge to buy and bring something else into the house. I’ve got a A4 documents box up in the study where everything that comes into the house will be stored and I’ve added a six monthly review to the calendar to make an effort to empty this and the receipts box, hopefully this will stop us from getting into the same position again!

Feel all rejuvenated but in some ways it’s opened my eyes to the rest of the mess which makes me feel all tired again!

We have lost a veeeeery important letter that came in this week. I suspect DD has chucked it cause it’s the timetable for her ncs which she no longer wants to do 🙄

Wow pink that's a huge job sorted

For those asking about organisation and bullet journals here’s what I use:
iPhone stuff
Lists on I phone - lots of lists on here:

Aldi Shopping List (stuff we’ve run out of)
Tesco Shopping List (stuff we’ve run out of that I can’t get in Aldi)
This Week (Stuff that needs doing/buying)
House Bills (dates, companies and amount of utilities coming out of joint account this helps me when checking online banking)
My Bills (same as above for my account)
New Kitchen (notes relating to this as it’s our next house project)
There are usually ad hoc lists on there for holidays/events

We also use FamCal which is a shared calendar for mobile, both me and dh keep this updated with what we are up to. I keep all birthdays on here too and check it at least once I week.

I’ve recently started a bullet journal. I was so tempted by the pretty folders/stickers but honestly I’m not sure how much I would use some of the printed boxes. Especially the ones that have “thought of the day” and “what I’m grateful for today” they seemed a bit wanky to me.

So I bought a lovely notebook for about a fiver and write in my own categories on a daily basis. So the left hand page is plan for today. The right hand page has - exercise/Fitbit results? My fitness pal completed? (Trying to lose weight) Housework job of the day, spending, checked online banking? Self care job of the day.
Going well so far, find it really helpful in brain dumping and planning ahead, plus I can get work and home stuff all down together

I was ready to give up this morning. I came on here for the first time since last Wednesday, and was greatly encouraged to read all the posts. So thank you to everyone.

It started raining yesterday. Not too heavy, just persistent. But high humidity makes it unpleasant. And it's raining again today, which means the garden work is on hold.

There's a weedkiller spray by the back door, and I zap the tiniest hint of green that shows up between the already cleaned paviers.

My plan for rainy days is to comcentrate on the garage and the house. Most importantly paper of any kind, and laundry, housework, generally putting things away.

Today I'm donating my old Henry Hoover. It works fine but not as well as my Miele and it is unwieldy. I only kept it as it was good for hoovering up after builders without breaking the newer Hoover with plaster dust and rubble. Most of our major work is done now.

I realised that I could store my vax carpet washer in the same space so it will not longer sit in the bathroom looking odd.

Also I will use the washer more if it's more accessible.

I find it strangely compelling reading the detail of everyone's chucking.

Today this morning I have chucked a bin liner of paperwork including my notes from my level 3 childcare course. All my actual coursework is saved on my computer so no need to keep paper copies and tbh legislation/guidelines change so often if I was to go back to studying I would need to research it fresh anyway. 3 old diaries also chucked.

Have written my to do list for this week. An entire a4 sheet. That's on top of regular housework but I've finished for the summer so want it all done before dds break up next tuesday then I can slow down, focus on them and have fun!

Hi,

This is the "Bullet Journal" I was referring to. I type of journaling and dealing with notes and life admin that is apparently using mindfulness..

I think I am searching for a way to handle my organisation that will be enjoyable to keep up rather than keep starting to do it "perfectly" then give up on it basically.

I like this as it just needs a pad and pen but it is the latest "Insta sensation"!

Not a great start to the week! I've been a bit ill this weekend and didn't sleep well. Waking up to boxes and clutter has done my head in today!

Cat then traipses cat poop all over the house it's incredible the smell so putrid!!!

Going to have a hurricane house half hour whipping it into shape. Couple of bits to go to the tip when I get car back. Two popped paddling pools, an old bench, old mop bucket etc...

Job for today is out bouncy castle away and tidy garden up a bit, pack up sandpit if I can...

And do not order shiny sticky tape and notebooks to do this journaling idea I seem so drawn to I don't know why! Might get my crochet set out if I'm feeling crafty!!

I've splurged on the cute planner - I'm going to give it a go..

One of the things I really like is the detachable groceries list and meal planner page.

Also I can customise a page to Habits/Goals so will be putting v in horse riding goals plus habits like declutter each day, wear my braces at leat 15hrs a day, drink water that type of thing..

Excited hope I keep it up!

Packing for holiday resulted in a clear of the underwear drawer-definitely more than one item in the bin from that!

4 eBay parcels sent off today, plus I made stock with the results of my fridge clear out & have potatoes parboiled ready for supper tonight - they were a bit sprouty so I cut those bits off! Feeling very thrifty!

Nofilter don't worry about going off topic, I think most of us need help organising ourselves and it's interesting seeing how other people do it. I will continue with my paper methods and then when I have 'finished' the declutter will think about apps to organise myself.

sneaks back in looking guilty

I'm useless in the heat, so all decluttering and most housework has been abandoned while I lie in front of the fan and eat icecubes. You are all doing amazingly as ever, and now its a little cooler I'm creeping back for a kick in the arse inspiration.

Greycloud congratulations on your new arrival!

Nofilter oh that planner is so pretty. And there are stickers! I love stickers. and pens and stationery and organisers that I never use help, I'm saving for a skip, don't let me look!

Ooh you've all been busy. Tidy we all feel like giving up but one a day is doable.

Having said that today was dcs first day off school and I am struggling. I usually spend an hour Monday morning clearing up after the weekend and I just haven't got round to it. We had a picnic in the park and did some shopping and I am now about to start on the housework. Yesterday I put a few empty boxes from garden toys in a binbag. I am going to put some clothes away and then I'm going to go out in the garden for a bit. I have bought new moss killer for my paths so I am going to spray that and then I'm going to carry on going through garden toys. Dds don't seem too attached to them - I started laying things out on the patio to sort out and they haven't started to play with them so maybe they won't mind me giving them away?

Sorted garden. Tip later with ) bags and 2 paddling pools.

Just found a box of various odd kids and tubs plastic stuff that's gone now too..

I'm well chuffed with myself today. I started tackling the wardrobe. As I was folding the laundry from the line I noticed a few pairs of undies looking a bit worse for wear. Bits of elastic and thread handing out so instead of folding them away, I put them straight in the bin. Which prompted me to have a look at all my undies and socks and any with holes went straight in the bin.

I realised I have loads more staples or basics than I actually need. Leggings, pants, plain t-shirts, vest tops mostly from Primark or Matalan so haven't lasted well so I've kept those few that are in good condition.

It's certainly not finished but it's a start.

Spent ages in the garden, chucked out toy sets with missing bits, cleaned things and advertised a few things to sell. Dds didn't kick up a fuss. I also sprayed some moss and brushed it away.

Sitranced well done, clothes are my hardest issue to tackle, keep hoping I'll slim back into them...

Stealth sounds like Dds are getting on board

Well I sorted loads of recycling that has been building up don't look in my glass box
Put some washing and dishwasher on, swept half the stairs, hosed down the yard. Ooh, and decluttered my handbag. Again. Lovely and cool here now, will keep going.

10 plastic wallets.