Getting rid of one thing a day decluttering challenge Part 5

[StealthNinjaMum]

We’re still here!

For 4 threads a group of mumsnetters have been getting rid of just one thing a day. We’ve been throwing out, selling, recycling and giving our stuff away.

But we're still not finished.

Newbies are always welcome to join us. Just get rid of one thing each day and come back here to discuss your progress and get support when it gets hard.

Previous thread here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3298777-Getting-rid-of-one-thing-a-day-decluttering-challenge-Part-4?msgid=81434878

I've binned a box. Yes, sadly, this is news. Said box has been stored for over a year on the stairs 'just in case'.

On the stairs? For a year?

I’m a bit of a lurker but I’m doing quite well. I did a tip run at the weekend and a charity shop run too. I am aiming to sell high worth items but one of the things that I’m embracing is the sunken fallacy thing - if I’ve already spent money on it, the money has gone so I can get rid of things. I’m sure someone can explain that far better than me!!

I find decluttering the DC’s stuff the hardest as they rarely want to relinquish anything and do notice if I do it without permission. I’m also focusing on trying not to bring too much tat into the house but it is hard!!

Some more stuff from work.

@StealthNinjaMum - I've got a problem with boxes. It's not the only one.

Welcome, @DorothyGarrod !

Thanks for the warm welcome

I've offered some baby bits to a local playgroup and a bag of rags to a friend who crafts, so just waiting to hear back.

I am definitely a sucker for the sunken costs fallacy. Even if I didn't pay for the thing in the first place, I think 'oh that might be useful/ worth something' etc. And there's a part of me that doesn't want to admit that storing something for three years 'just in case' was a waste of time and space. Although I am proud to report that there is currently nothing being stored on my stairs

Yet!

I'm sure it's only a matter of time!

In my defence, can I just clarify that the boxes on my stairs are not so much 'stored' as 'hovvering', in preparation for finding their purpose.

Also, I've just binned another one.

It's CRAZY here today!!!

Old weighing scales, small speaker and broken phone charger to the electrical recycling place today. Ding!

Yesterday I popped another carrier bag next to the bin in our room for the charity shop.

I’m trying to streamline my wardrobe so every now and then I have a sort out wear some things and then IF they’re no good I charity shop them.

In the bag are two pairs of sandals a pair of espadrilles and a gym Tshirt.

I also sold a shirt on eBay yesterday so must pack that up and post.

Great thread!!
And well done all on ditching the clutter!

Trying to make a conscious effort myself so that our little 2 up 2 down terraced cottage doesn't burst at the seams come Christmas time!!

Have taken a lot (about 5/6 big bags) to the local charity shop over the past couple of weeks and have another much littler bag to drop off today which contains:

• teddy
• unopened toy phone
• unopened pack of weaning spoons

Hi everyone.

I currently reside in the House of Stuff (smallish rented house with far too much stuff in it) and it’s really getting me down.

I am stuck in a cycle of wanting to Ebay stuff (really need extra cash) and wanting to be able to walk around on the carpet without stepping over bags and boxes.

Have cleared one bag of DDs old clothes for charity shop and another bag of clothes going to H&M for recycling voucher scheme as I need a couple of jumpers for the winter. So off to town with those shortly.

Have also got cat bowls and fleeces to go to cat sanctuary in next few weeks after our beloved girl went to sleep last week.

Any tips on how to ‘let go’ of things mentally/emotionally would be appreciated. I tried Marie Kondo but had so few things that brought me ‘joy’ that I found the whole thing put me in a worse mood.

Also, am I wasting time trying to Ebay big standard clothes (high street stuff, some BNWT)?

Hi kitty. Sorry To hear about your cat

In terms of letting go of things you're attached to it has been a gradual approach for me, I never 'finish' an area. I do a few bits and come back to that area and bring other bits together so I can see what I own. Because I have found that in the end I never missed the item I got rid of I now know I'm unlikely to miss the next item.

So I had kept all of dcs art and crafts creations but realised if I couldn't remember which child had done it or when I could chuck it away. I also started to throw out the ones that were done more by adults than the child. I still have lots of their stuff but yesterday I threw out a picture dd2 painted at nursery. I have a similar one and I know that I won't miss it.

I am also stricter about selling things. I set a date and if it's not sold within that one I take it to the charity shop.

With clothes I would go on eBay and see if similar clothes have sold. I didn't know until recently you can search for sold items and get the actual prices people are prepared to pay. I use it to work out a value of an item and then sell on Facebook.

I am just having a coffee out. Really pleased as I struggled to carry, but managed to donate 6 bags of stuff, mainly books, to a charity shop.

Hello danigrace

I never got the hang of EBay

10 items off to charidee today

Back home now. I don't include the 6 bags as 'today's item' because I have been putting them on the spare bed for a couple of weeks.

Today's item is another car seat, I've just taken it out of dh's car. I am going to take the back off and take the back to the dump with the one I mentioned last week. I have yet another car seat in the room of doom. Might take that to the dump as people don't tend to take carseats do they?

I so need help with this. 3 young kids, a man kid,a dog,2 turtles and a 3 story house with 4 bedrooms. Help me declutter

Sorry for your loss, KittyB52.

I gave up on the cupboard clearing, it's like emptying the English Channel with a colander. I switched attention to a kitchen drawer. Where does all the clutter come from? In bygone days (way back) I think a lot of stuff in there lived in a cupboard space now occupied by the dishwasher.

Hope everyone else is having a productive day!

Hi everyone, new to this so hope it’s okay to ask - how do people deal with family members who aren’t on board? I really struggle to get rid of things as if my dad comes round and sees things being chucked/charity shopped he will try to stop me - shrieking with horror that I am getting rid and trying to persuade me to change my mind, taking stuff and then sneaking it back into my house etc. Annoyingly his house is immaculate and clutter free, he just doesn’t seem to want mine to be!

So put them in a box or bag in a wardrobe.

Looking through a tin today I found some out of date fondant icing. Binned.

Sorry for your loss kitty

Today I put some cardboard boxes from the Room of Doom into the recycling. In-laws arrived with a bag full of things for DD so cancelled out my efforts somewhat.