Seeking Tidying/decluttering buddy/ies

[petal2019]

Does anyone fancy a tidying buddy? Or in fact a virtual decluttering buddy? I need to do some major decluttering and tidying... I wonder if anyone would like to join me in this and we could cheer each other on!!!?

I really really would Petal. I started last Friday, but have so so much to do. We’ve lived here 14 years, and although it looks clean, and fairly uncluttered, the places only we see are awful.

I'm decluttering at the moment. We should post updates see how we're doing.

@petal2019 I would like to declutter/ organise my house better. But not long had a baby and struggling to fine time 🙈
Any tips welcome! X

Hi Beherenowx32,
I wouldn't dream of giving you any tips... but I really sympathise. Im in such a mess and I don't have to look after a baby! I think being kind to yourself is the most important thing and not having too high standards at the moment. And setting priorities.... sleep, health, happy me happy baby....and somewhere long down the list a bit of tidying!!!
Im finding it really helpful making lists as I go on line saying what I am going to do/just done. So I will set to now .... anyone want to join me for an hour?

And hello progress2019 and CuriousMama! Really lovely to meet you!! YES! Lets have a go altogether!! I shall join you Curious Mama... Im going to start off with my Kitchen. What are you on at the moment?

I've been decluttering clothes. I can't believe how ruthless I've been.

I've got Marie Kondo on at the .moment

That's brilliant! What are you doing with them afterwards... are you selling them or just giving them away? I have 3 huge sacks Ive collected and think I ought to sell some of them but that is such a business. Whats next on your agenda?

I was just thinking about that message this morning behereandnow.... and wondering if it sounded a bit patronising... I hope not. didn't mean that! I just remember feeling overwhelmed when I was in that position.

now onwards and upwards... cant bring myself to get on with tidying!!! ok here goes.
the aim is to get the whole of my mouse house basically tidy within the next 2 hours...but I m so easily distracted!

@petal2019 not at all! I actually thought that it was a lovely message! I do find myself getting stressed with the clutter and when there’s mess, but I want to spend as much time as possible with my baby! So, thought if I did declutter when I can. It will be easier to stay on top of things. I try a little bit at a time.
Think I’ll focus on kitchen for now. It seems to have a lot of “stuff” on worktops, next to the back door in cupboards 🙈 x

Ooh can I join in please? I'm totally up for this. Have already started methodically decluttering (started some time ago after listening to the Minimalists podcasts) but have a huge way to go. My garage actually gives me palpitations. I have started with decluttering my living areas themselves - getting rid of unwanted books, ornaments, cushions etc that I just don't like or are just there for the sake of it. I loath landfill and would sell or donate wherever possible. I guess for me I wanted to get to the stage in my head where I wanted to live with less but love what I did have more. I plan to leave the best for last - clothes!!

I'd like to join in as well. My house is cluttered with too much stuff!! But I've now realised that I'll never get round to selling, and so the next step is to take the bags of clothes and just donate them. I took a bag of books to the school library yesterday - they keep some and then pass the rest on. But there are times when the task just looks too big.....

7.18 Managed to do downstairs so it is superficially tidy.
Now will have a go upstairs with the piles of clothes.
Afterwards will start decluttering mission.

Anyone want to 'meet' at a certain time to do it in sync?! I have time today or this evening.

I just gave the clothes to a local hospice charity shop. It's 2 mins walk from our house.

Not much decluttering today as it's my birthday but i also have a funeral to go to. It'll be extremely sad as he was young.

Good luck everyone though and am looking forward to hearing about your successes

Hi DDIJ,
That would be great. I know exactly how you feel. How/when are you going to get going? I have to work just now but I would join in later this afternoon or this evening. best petal

Well, why don't we let each other know when we are doing things as we do them and we can cheer each other on or join in. Perhaps we can find good times to synchronise and race each other!! I tend to tidy early int he morning from about 5 or 6 til about 8. What about you? I can sometimes do the afternoons too a bit from about 4 or 5. In the late evenings I tend to get too tired. Although I suppose if I knew there were others at it I might get a second wind! When do you tend to do it?

How about a time today.... perhaps from 5pm for an hour?

How infuriating with the chocolate DDIJ! However ,at least you have sorted out the washing and cleaning! I know exactly what you mean about the normal cleaning... it is an endless cycle that never gets done. I don't know what one can do except plough on! Im finding it quite helpful racing the clock and also just trying to get one little task done... like clean one surface or one area of the floor. I have even made a list on which I note down how long it took me last time to say clean the kitchen and then I try and beat it this time!! Maybe you should have a bit of break and then try again? all the best petal

Do you want to 'meet' again a bit later today and have another go? no worries tho if it is not convenient! best petal

I'll probably check in later in the evenings and let everyone know what I've managed that day. @DDIJ start small. Decluttering is a 'project' that can easily become overwhelming if you let it. I started with under my kitchen sink! A half hour job organising microfibre cloths, dishwasher tablets, cleaning products etc - decanting into labeled containers, stacking nicely. That then drove me onto the spice drawer and then onto dry goods. After I had finished the kitchen, over a few sessions, that motivated me to tackle my lounge and dining room. When one area, however small, looks clutter free you feel so much lighter and less encumbered with 'stuff'.

Namaste! That sounds like good advice... I shall copy it!

thanks Petal! DDIJ God I empathise. I really do. Ok, decluttering is best done in a tidy (ish) house. Wipe the cupboard door then start with under your sink. Aim to have it paired back with stuff and cleaned down. That's it - that's all for today. Get a note pad - entitle it - decluttering achievements - and write down #1 'under the sink' with a big tick and happy face. Also be kind to yourself - you tackled your bathroom and have done loads of washing!!! Small achievements drive motivation. 🙏

I didn’t manage much today.
Put my sofa on gumtree (it’s actually quite new, but too big. Feel like that adds to the clutter). Also, have a couple of bags of shoes, baby clothes waiting to go to charity.

I’m trying to think of space saving items, like a foldable laundry basket (I still need to get rid of the old one lol), somewhere to store shoes, instead of all over place!). Struggling to find time though. So may just do one job a day, even if it’s small. Tomorrow I will clear the kitchen worktop and back door- for definite!

@petal2019 did you get much done? Xx