Part 7 of the decluttering challenge - can you get rid of one item a day?

[StealthNinjaMum]

Back again!

A group of mumsnetters have been emptying our homes, gradually decluttering our homes by getting rid of one item a day.

We’re very green and like to recycle, sell, give away and sometimes eat our clutter I’m still alive after the 8 year old gherkins.

Newbies are welcome to join us. We just get rid one thing and come back to update everyone on our progress, get support when it gets hard, and suggest new household systems and ways of doing things.

The most exciting thread on mumsnet. In this thread @SandandSea will tell us what she’s going to do with her big plastic sheet…..

Previous thread is here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3463110-New-home-for-the-new-year-still-getting-rid-of-one-item-a-day-part-6?pg=40

Two small things today...
Mailbox sorted with junk mail in recycling and the one bill opened.
Got new backpack at outdoor shop... Tatty one it was replacing is already out the house.

Welcome Greig!

I've had a pile of brochures from last year's holiday. Today, I've started to go through it and have actually binned some. There's more to go.

Thought for a horrible few days that we were about to lose a kitten but it seems to be ok. That’s one bit of decluttering I really don’t want!

Have celebrated by using up half a bottle of wine (hic)

Tails that is definitely not the type of decluttering we want 😥. Enjoy the wine.

Some kittens cluttering up the box

Gorgeous kittens 😍 I have also not got rid of any clothes this week. I did throw out lots of newspapers and shower gel empties. And I have listed a few more bits on eBay (duplicates of games etc) so still chipping away at a greatly reduced pace

Sorry, been MIA due to family visits and holidays etc. I threw out 3 pairs of socks yesterday. Been almost threadbare for ages, I only wear them if desperate, no idea why I kept them so long. Felt good to bin them. Am going to advertise all my old uni books tonight. Don't want much if anything for them but would hate to bin them.

Just caught up with the thread as I have been rubbish.

My big job I need to do is my wardrobe. It’s a walk in one and is a complete mess. My summer clothes are mostly not even in it. Nor coats and jackets. I’m starting with shoes and boots. I have boots I haven’t worn since we moved here almost 8 yeas ago. Mostly high heels which I can’t wear any more.

Am going into town this afternoon so am planning on taking some old medicines into Boots for disposal and a big glass ornamental jar thingie that has been in the hall for two weeks to a charity shop.

Hopefully will have some shoes and boots to go too.

Off to make a cuppa and a start on the wardrobe of doom. Might take a before picture!

I've sorted out my kitchen cloths drawer today. Everything was getting just stuffed in there and now it's sorted. Two thrown out and some stashed under the sink. This will please a sad loser me every day.

5 kitchen cupboards cleared out and tidied. Major thing to go was approx 20 mugs that are never used. There is now so much space! Also sorting out the spices and herbs.

I now have three black bags ready to go! Two of shoes and boots and one of clothes. Will drop them to the charity clothes containers on the way out later. I was ruthless. Some boots I really liked at one point but I have a very different life here than before hence not wearing them. And I can’t do heels any more either.

Am out all afternoon decluttering the grey roots in my hair so won’t get much more done today. But tomorrow I will do the drawers in my bed. One side is jumpers I haven’t worn this year and some last year too. Other side is a random mix of stuff.

I feel so enthused having just bit the bullet and started! Going to treat myself to a nice lunch in town with a glass of wine before my hair appointment as a reward!

Well done Peridot! You deserve that nice treat.

Well done Aroundthe sounds like lots of space liberated. I need to tackle mugs too, maybe tomorrow. I did cloths drawers and under sink cupboard a few months ago. Found 24 dishcloths still in their packs But they are both still tidy little sigh of happiness each time I open them

Over the last few days...

Out:
General rubbish
Black sack of teddies
Cardboard
2x DVD players

Almost out:
Monster high dolls and castle to send to buyer

In:
Display unit for upcycling
2x bedside tables for upcycling
New bedding

The hairdryer started smoking this morning so that's going in the new pile for the tip along with a wooden box (might upcycle it) and a set top box. I've also got more cardboard - we do a lot of online shopping!

Having said DD was better, she then woke me at 6am by throwing up on my bed. Sigh. At least it means I now have nice clean sheets.

Anyway have focussed my mind on the one item a day bit and decluttered some flyers from my handbag plus half a bag of ‘fairy dust’ into the bin that has been slowly spreading its glittery way around the house. Going to see what else I can find in the kitchen in a minute!

Hope that you had a lovely lunch Peridot.

Raspberry you remind me I sorted a load of junk out of the bottom of my handbag yesterday and took all the 1p, 2p and 5p coins out of my purse into my coin lot to make it less heavy.

Need advice with a dilemma or possibly need to be told to get a grip. Hunting for something g for sons scout camp in loft room- have come across a bunch of kids plates, cutlery and cups.
I thought these were long gone already. Keep for far off potential grandkids, eBay some of the better bits or charity the lot. I just can’t decide

What would you get on eBay? I'm in a send it all to the charity shop frame of mind at the moment, but it's nothing expensive.b

Wow! You guys are all doing really well - it's inspiring to read.

@gassylady - Since you don't need them, thought you'd already chucked them and your dgc are far off, I think I would get rid of them.

Gassylady definitely charity shop them.

I'm currently sitting in my car waiting for my dad and I seriously need to bag the rubbish up that has accumulated over the last week or two. I just don't know where it's all came from! I think I'd better do it before dh uses the car or he'll moan (can't say I'd blame him though!).

My eBay package will be gone by Monday taking 2 cardboard boxes and bubble wrap with it that I've used for packaging.

No real time today (well yesterday as it's just after midnight, how how? It was 9pm when I last looked) as had errands this morning and then family visiting for rest of the day. Did finally use up and recycle a shower wash bottle that's been sitting in the shower tray for ages (my family seems to have an aversion to actually finishing one bottle before starting a new one ) and some envelopes from post left lying around. Must do better tomorrow!

Felt virtuous today as I sent about 7 unused gifts to a tombola at a local fundraiser plus a few items to the charity bag.

I've got into a useful way of thinking that helps me discard:

Is it useful? Yes. Do I use it? Yes. Keep.
Is it useful? No. Is it beautiful / joy sparking? Yes. Keep.

Etc

Well!! I have seen progress!!
My clothes were previously stored in a triple-door wardrobe, a LARGE chest of drawers and off-season ones were in a large white wicker blanket box.
You may know that I got rid of a few bags of clothes last week. This has meant that my off-season clothes now fit in the deep bottom drawer of the chest. The large white blanket box is no longer required and can leave my bedroom. It feels like a win.