Decluttering one thing a day part 8 - the one where we de-tetris the cupboard of doom!

[WoogleCone]

Welcome! This is thread 8 of the declutter one thing a day challenge!

This is just holding the discussion open until @stealthninjamum gets her computer sorted and back in action :)

Everyone is welcome here, new and old. We implore you to join us on our mission to clear the cupboards, swipe the sides and declutter all debris!
We recycle, reuse, give away, donate or just plain chuck it out to help clear our spaces.

If you're new, start with a small mission - can you tackle one small area at a time? Be it a bedside table, a bathroom cabinet or The Kitchen Drawer?
Just one thing a day is all we ask and report back here with your outs for the day, or week at a time. It's very easy to get the bug when you start small and have success!

Will we find any more big bags of change? Can we sell more big ticket items? Will the school books all get returned? Will the happy meal toys ever stop multiplying and just how many books can we say goodbye to?!

Previous thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3525812-Part-7-of-the-decluttering-challenge-can-you-get-rid-of-one-item-a-day?msgid=87790915#87790915

Back from four days away and struggling to find the motivation to finish my unpacking, let alone declutter. I really need to get back to the minimalism challenge but can't face adding up everything I bought in England (16 books alone!) - maybe I should start again in October. Or stop counting things that I bring into the house (especially after visits back to the UK).

One item decluttered so far - a plastic divider from a lunchbox we no longer have. One down, 18 to go.

Thanks for the welcome, SandAndSea. Sounds like I really need to watch the Minimalists' documentary as I definitely need something to inspire me atm!

Willow You may well find the online schooling takes up less time as DS settles in there (I think he's only just started?). I wondered whether I'd ever manage to work again when DD started (I work from home) but after a few weeks, I started to take a step back and now she hardly ever needs my help; she actually learns far more independently than when she was at mainstream school. Wrt to not missing other children, this was also one of my concerns. However, after two years at online school, she's declared that it's "boring" being at home all day (we've tried to encourage her to socialise outside school but it's difficult) and she wants to transition back to a mainstream school next September. This brings its own challenges but too complicated to go into here!

Welcome, Sunshine!

Medway - You've had some fab advice already so I won't go on. Decluttering definitely goes in waves and there can be times of not seeing much difference (or even chaos, in my case). I think it helps to remind yourself of these things. Maybe the kids could help too? Whilst you're watching The Minimalists' documentary.

Yesterday, I had a haircut, a big teeth cleaning session (from the hygienist) and I shaved my legs! I'm definitely counting all of these.

I did some shredding too but have more paperwork to go through today.

Welcome sunshine!

Yes my eldest s coming up 16. He loves me but he can’t see my side of thing so ( four kids, two with Sen, always been a bit of a hoarder, two kids in Sen school, he has bouts of school refusal).

I have sorted out a bag of 24 things for a refugee collection. List the BNWT clothes on eBay then just stop with the clothes. It’s such a sticking point, anything that acknowledges my kids are growing up too fast.

I’m just going to do the living room first as my goal ( toys and table are in there) but with still doing a timed 20 minute dash about in a targeted area each day. The living room is the place every one uses. Plus just grabbing a handful getting out the car, while making the beds etc keeps it ticking over until I can tackle that area properly.
I’m not sure why I feel overwhelmed and panicked. Now my youngest has started school, I’m only working two days a week from home I have no excuses, more time. Maybe we have as a family have realised my excuses are up?

Dh says aim for one big “wow” area over the next month with the aim that it will be noticeable different by Christmas.

I wish I could post a pic of my toy pile, but it might be outing.

Also my friend has offered help. 15 year friendship and we are close. She’s never been in my house. I’m too ashamed 😭 what kind of life is that? I deserve better from myself. I’m tipping into extreme clutter. I would rather tip into peaceful calm organised household

Medway, it sounds to me that you're doing really well. Bear in mind that it didn't build up over night, so it stands to reason that it will take time to clear. I think starting with the living room is a great idea as you'll all enjoy that and it will motivate everyone. It'll also make it lovely for Christmas. Maybe do the bathroom after that as it'll probably an easy win? That way also, you can start to enjoy guests coming.

I've ended up buying a load of Christmas presents today!! I hate the whole concept of early C shopping too. But, it all flowed into place and I've ticked a load off, which I'm sure I'll be pleased with in December. (Apologies to anyone who's trying not to think about it.)

I’ve been able to declutter a lot of my calendar commitments, so a big chunk of brain space has been freed.
I know I need to create space in our downstairs Kallax in preparation for baby related things, but it involves getting rid of quite a few books. So maybe one a day is the way to go here, and by the time baby is due I might have cleared enough space.

Medway, is your youngest going full-time yet? I found that when I had to do an earlier pick-up time, it really breaks up my day too much to do as much as I’d like. Now that both DCs are at school until 3, I can achieve a lot more!

Yes she’s finishing at 1:30 this week so it’s true, that’s not much time without her

Outs today: another roll of spare carpet (seriously, was I going to open a carpet shop?!) and a couple of paint tins. DH decluttered a cupboard in the hall. I also cleared out 2 drawers form the unit in the living room that were full of DD’s magazines and associated shitenonsense.

DH got the first coat of emulsion up in baby’s room. It looks great!

Hi Sunshine1235

SandAndSea my Christmas shopping is underway too. Tho with two young DC I’m constantly checking myself so I don’t buy even more tat that just takes up space!

For Christmas presents I normally download a app to keep tabs on how much I have bought. Then hopefully that will keep the volume of new toys in check. I have 4 young kids.

What is that Christmas present app, Medway?

Also, with your friend possibly coming over to help, I would make sure to remove any gross stuff if you have any but not worry too much about ‘respectable’ items of clutter.
Anyone can end up with too much stuff and she’s expecting to see that. But if you have any gross stuff like old pizza boxes, possible dead mice (speaking from experience here), worn underwear, etc, then I would concentrate on clearing those up.
If you don’t have any gross stuff then please don’t be offended at my thoughts!
Everyone’s at different stages here and I love that I have never, ever seen any judgement in these continuing threads

That’s great you have a potential helper Medway, sometimes helps if someone else is there for motivation. How long are the half days for?They do break the day up and it must be worse if you still have the afternoon school run too.

Out so far - one ancient mop head (replaced with new), one Sophie giraffe with no squeak and some broken goggles. Off to The post office later to return part of an online order too.

Very impressed at Christmas organising, I should start thinking about it. DD’s birthday is also December so it’s an expensive month!

@Mynameisnotthis - Your carpet shop comment really made me laugh! I can just see it now, next to my box shop!

Another five items of kids clothing sold today so not bad weekly total of 70 things. Plus the buyer wants more photos of dd clothes

Myeldest said again today “I thought you tidying up when dd started school” I explained she’s not full time yet but I still feel bad for him.

I tidied up my handbag last night. That was interesting! Receipts from May 😢

Me and dh are going to the tip this weeken to get rid of some bigger items. I’m positive but still mentally bashing myself up

Maybe you need to take photos of what’s leaving the house to show him that you are working on it? 70 things is a great start!

Cleared out a drawer today, just three away bits of paper and random things I didn’t need in there. Anyone any advice on what to do with wires (no idea what some are for) and old smashed iPhones?

@SandAndSea seriously though, what was I going to do with it all? Maybe a patchwork rug...

We could have been co-owners @IWillWearTheGreenWillow however we are rid of the last offcut here so you can be in charge. joking aside I’m truly shocked at the school’s response to your DS3. For what it’s worth you sound like an absolute advocate for all of your children

@Medwaymumoffour that’s 10 items a day plus the handbag clear out? You’re well ahead of the one-a-day. Why not turn the ‘not bad’ round to giving yourself a pat on the back?

Out today: 2 giant bags to the baby bank. The volunteer there gave DD a sticker for being kind. Was a good wee life lesson I thought. I was also spurred on to offer some time to help them.
Also 3 plant pots to my dad. Green fingered we are not!

Medway that is a great start! Once you are able to move some of the bigger things out of the house it will motivate you to do more! Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint, it takes time and perseverance, but you can and will accomplish what you set your mind to.

I only had a couple things cleared out of the fridge, some opened packages of cheese (1 was shredded cheese that I had dated - shredded 19th July! It didn't look the best to say the least). I did get them thrown out while I was getting food out for dinner tonight, they were hiding in our container we use for cheese. I must remember to look in there better instead of just grabbing the cheese I need as I forget what's in there.

Out so far today:

• 6 lids (I keep glass storage jars for leftovers but always end up with more lids than jars)
• 6 books (to make room for about 16 more )

I'm refusing to think about Christmas yet, but am very impressed at those who are already getting organised. DD also has a Christmas birthday Raspberry, so I can empathise with it being an expensive month!

Willow Great to hear how well your DD is settling in, but at the school's attitude to your DS. DD is late secondary and has come on a lot in terms of working independently since she started at the online school (she also has an ASD diagnosis), so fingers crossed it will be similar for your DS - although of course he's quite a bit younger, so I can imagine it must be very time-consuming for you. I hardly left DD's side for the first couple of weeks and also wondered whether I'd be able to work again, but she gradually gained the confidence to work on her own and is far more independent now than she was at mainstream school.

x-post (I'm a very slow typist) - thinking of you today Willow, hope the coffee with your DM is of some comfort to you both.

Out - a lid, we broke the pot years ago so not sure why we still kept the lid. A stretched out Alice band.

We’ve got an overnight guest coming today so need to clean a bit more thoroughly (and hide the donation box in the car.)

Green willow. Your righ, ds has arms legs and a brain. I will have a quite word when he wakes up. Two of my boys are in SEN schools and I have done no less than 7 Sen appeals so I don’t know your story but can I help? My second born is dyspraxic with a language disorder. Five appeals later he’s in a private Sen school doing extremely well.

I’m sorting daughters clothes today. It’s going well. Making some cash so had a curry last night.

About the cheese, reminds me of the horror years ago when I bought some weed for the fish tank but then found it months later rotting on a shelf. A timely reminder to put everything in its home as soon as I buy it ( which I never do..... still.....)

Right now to tackle my perfect teenager.....