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 consolidated the filing and have 4 empty A4 folders to get rid of, hurrah! Now eyeing up an empty box of DP's in the kitchen that I'm going to have to wait for him to go out before I bin and rearrange, and some toys, ditto need DC out of the way first! Would love to put some Amazon packing paper in the recycling but the cats are still enjoying sitting on/pouncing in it so I shall wait. Slow progress.

One embarrassingly large pile of cardboard boxes is now at the recycling centre! I think i might declutter some wine too

SandandSea - I caught myself washing up an empty handwash container, you know, "just in case I need it one day" !!!!!
Well done for putting it in the recycling

@PenelopeFlintstone - Thanks, Penelope.

In my defence (I say that a lot on here), I had previously used the container several times in order to use up shower/bath creams as handwash. But, this time was just a 'hoarder habit wash' - no excuses really.

I've now added a DVD to the pile and also ticked off another boring admin job. (Wow! I could never say this stuff to anyone I know irl. I can't stop though cos it's working!!)

Newbie here!

I have been slowly decluttering for the past week, as we are hopefully buying a house sometime soon and I want to be prepared for a fresh start!

Today I decluttered our DS's room (a bit). He's 6. So we got rid of a bag full of felt tip pens that are all dried out , loads of drawing and pictures that no longer seem amazing , dried tubs of playdough, so many used sticker books and have put aside some old books to give away.

He's still not keen on going through his toys junk just yet. We will get there.

Yesterday I tied up 3 bin bags full of no longer needed clothes to hand over to charity.

This makes me so happy 😁

@SandAndSea I keep containers I should probably stop though but I just can't help myself. They're building up and I'm running out of space!

@Bengal my DP would happily keep every empty jar and takeaway box ever, I try to limit them to what will fit in the cupboard on one shelf. It sort of works as a compromise.

I also binned a box of dried out felt tips I found in top of the cupboard and sorted out a box of crayons that I'm going to donate to nursery as there is zero chance of them ever being used due to sheer quantity.

@BengalLioness - Welcome! And well done on a great start!

Yes, I think containers can be very seductive. Believe it or not, I'm much better than I used to be. I still love me a good box though!

@SandandSea - I get you now. You were saving it for the same thing down the track. Makes sense. Maybe you should get it out of the recycling, from one hoarder/declutterer to another

Sorted and threw out some of the paper clutter from the kitchen worktop and while I was doing it moved something that belongs to "D"H up to his junk room office because it really doesn't belong in the kitchen.
he is always on at me to tidy up and I admit that the place is more of a mess than I would like due to my slovenliness....
and would you believe it...

the barsteward had a go at me....twice (once later on in the evening) and said that I should have cleared more of my own stuff.

He nags me that we live in clutter but then takes offence if he thinks I've moved some of his crap..... I am not a happy bunny!

yesterday I cleared out 2 large drawers of junk modelling boxes (long ago school used to regularly ask for them, but nothing in last 4+ yrs, so not worth keeping any more).

I even took today off work to try to sort stuff out but instead I'm doing any other displacement activity instead, lol. Right... grit teeth. Must do stuff!

@PenelopeFlintstone - Yes, it was just a used-up, empty, handwash bottle. I'm trying to be strong.

If anyone has unused unwanted toiletries, can I suggest donating them to Women for Refugee Women? They're in particular need of shower gel and body lotion, so if you've got any unwanted gift sets gathering dust from that relative who always gets you a Boots 3 for 2, please consider donating it!

Hello newbies

Greenwillow mil is ok but when she visits I find myself doing lots and lots of cleaning and tidying. She must wonder why my house is a relative mess considering I never stop cleaning!

Sorry to hear that MarianneAgain have you just started with the decluttering? I got rid of a load of stuff before I started on dh's and now he's on board - but still sometimes moans about me moving something. Last night we were eating and I counted 9 items in the kitchens that didn't belong there and dd2 got really on board and found another 3. This included hair clips, books, pritt sticks, lego and afterwards we put them away.

MotherWol that's a good idea. I have noticed a few shops in my local town now collect toiletries and sanpro for refuges. I only have a couple of shower gels now as I've used them up and switched to soap to reduce waste but I'll order some online and donate them.

A relatively productive weekend and the house isn't as messy as usual. Friday night I was sorting through pens and chucked a load out. I also tidied a load of stuff away. Saturday I chucked out a half used shampoo that makes my hair like awful and a half empty bottle of sun cream. Yesterday I got on a ladder and looked at the shelf of horror in my wardrobe and pulled a few things off it. I had bought some small lego sets from eBay in 2015 and put them there where dc can't reach. I've now thrown away the packaging and put the toys in the 'homework incentive' box. The shelf of horror still needs work but I think the room of doom is probably more important.

Today I have started well. About two years ago we went on holiday and dd1 accidentally packed a clock from our holiday home that she thought was grandma's. It's been looking at me for two years, taunting me, and I have now posted it back! I also packed a big bag of toys and books - some not even advertised on Facebook - and took them to the charity shop. And I did bottle recycling - although I never count that as a 'one a day' because that's just maintenance.

Now I'm going to make another big list as Fridays was such a success and I'm going to try again. I have loads of admin to do but will still aim to chuck out one thing a day.

Hi StealthNinja

Yes, I only "signed up" last week...and should undoubtedly spend moe time clearing clutter than I do in here talking about it....
I was really annoyed as DH has no psychology at all: the best way to have me say "sod it, I won't bother then" is to criticize what little I have actually done, and just clearing my own stuff and leaving his is not the way forward as he simply doesn't do anything about it.

and to add insult to injury he appears to have decluttereed a box of nice biscuits AND the last two homemade mince pies!

Thanks for the tip MotherWol, I have a mini toiletry set in my regift pile but I can't regift it because I can't remember who gave it to me originally
You've also reminded me that the Women in Prison charity used to collect old Xmas cards for crafts, I've sent them an email to see if they're still doing it.

Thanks for the reminder @MotherWol, I will bag a few toiletry sets now ready to go to my local Women's refuge branch later this week!

Just sorted out 5 empty shoe boxes from DC's room. That's one cupboard empty, so I can put books in. Need to get a ladder and see what's on top of the wardrobe. I'm jumping all over the place aren't I? Added an owl candle holder to the charity shop bag. I like it, but it won't be missed.

My son had the last dose of a bottle of calpol so just one bottle not two now! Usually I use half of each.

Got rid of some off socks and about to put the cardboard recycling out. Also sorted out my handbags (for the millionth time!)

Tonight the kids are getting an early night and I'm having a blitz. Looking forward to getting this done now!

Today's item is a rusty, roasting tray. I'm so done with it (ie. DP) staining my sink!

Today has been successful in terms of sorting things to go. Nothing has actually gone and deliveries of baby things has filled the space I'd made but I'm still counting it as progress.

I've got 5kg of dried dog food and 6 trays of dog food that the dog doesn't agree with to donate to a local rescue. A tub of formula and some bottles of premade formula that I bought just in case and don't need them so they're ready to go too. A tonne of cardboard packaging is ready to go out for recycling later too.

Reading all your progress is making me jealous.

Oooh... well done for helping other doggos. Those are great declutters.

Gone from the pantry today:
3 pouches of satay sauce
1 Chinese crispy beef
1 Indian fish curry spice mix
1 jar of sesame seeds

How delicious that food might have been if I used them in the three years since I bought them!!