Decluttering one thing a day - Part 9

[SandAndSea]

Welcome to our 9th thread in the Decluttering One Thing A Day series!

As you might imagine, we aim to get rid of one thing a day (or the equivalent, if we miss a few days).

The idea is that aiming low in this way prevents us from getting overwhelmed. It's also sustainable so helps us to develop effective clutter clearing habits which last.

In reality, many of us have found that once we start, we often get rid of far more than just one thing. (But if we don't, that's OK too.)

Everyone's welcome! We're a friendly and supportive bunch, from aspiring minimalists to full-on clutterbucks! We're also pretty green so you'll find lots of recycling, freecycling, donating and selling.

Previous thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3612006-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-part-8-the-one-where-we-de-tetris-the-cupboard-of-doom?pg=1&order=

[BrutusMcDogface]

Thanks for the welcome, Sand !

[Times10]

No outs today, but lots of potential ins, as I’ve been bidding on eBay for some maternity clothes after realising I had nothing to wear. I’m half hoping to not win some of the bids, as it adds up quite a bit once you add the postage! On average it’s about £5 an item including postage, so not ridiculously expensive, but I would rather save the money to buy clothes once I’ve lost weight. I really want a capsule collection, but at the moment everything is rather mix and match instead of being cohesive!
We also really need to start thinking about getting things for the baby as the next 3 months are packed and will go really quickly!

[BrutusMcDogface]

What size are you, Time? I have some bits I’ll post you if the right size, for the cost of postage?

[SalemSpellman]

Hello, please can I join?

I have listed things on shpock today. Managed to sell one item, but foolishly bought two more items. I will get the hang of this!

[Times10]

That’s really kind @BrutusMcDogface. I’m a size 16/18.

[SandAndSea]

Welcome, @SalemSpellman! Yes, of course you will! I think it can take a while and a bit of practise to get this new way of being into your mind. I think I've replaced the feelings from buying stuff for the feelings from getting rid of stuff and enjoying the newly created space. It's good to remember one in-one out too.

[SalemSpellman]

@SandAndSea that's good advice - replace the feeling. I'm going to identify some more things to sell!

[Mynameisnotthis]

RaspberryBlonde the cracked boxes ahhhhh. I do that at least once a week as our freezer is so full. Must add to the list!

linda well done on emails, my inbox is driving me mad. Not mad enough to do anything yet mind

I didn’t make it to the dump as I got caught up clearing out DDs room. I went in to clean and had just had enough of all the tat. Cleared it out and grouped stuff together so that it can get played with properly. Some
Toys and lots of teddies packed away in a cupboard for a while to see if she missed any of it before planning to store longer term for baby or getting it out. Felt amazing when it was finished!

[Coldhandscoldheart]

After yesterday’s marathon, I’m going to take it gently today. I’m going to spend some time on me - maybe declutter some leg hair!
I will take one of the bags o’tat and sort out what I can.
I’ve listed a few extraneous diy items free on gumtree so those might go. Desperately need some new shoes though so that will be an in.

[BrutusMcDogface]

Times- I’m sorry but we aren’t the same size 😔

[Times10]

Brutus, no worries, it was a lovely idea!

I’ve got guests coming this morning, so trying to tidy up, and freshen up the living room. I’ve opened the windows but everything smells a bit stale.

However, you can tell the decluttering is working in the downstairs rooms as it’s easy enough to put things away. Upstairs still needs a lot of work, and I never seem to find the motivation to do it!

Out: a year’s worth of tumble dryer fluff. Our tumble dryer is in the shed and I clear the filter after every use, but because there’s no bin there, I just leave the fluff on top of the dryer... thinking I’ll bin in on a regular basis. I guess once a year is regular?! I also swept the shed floor as we now have a dustpan and brush that lives in the shed.

I think I need someone to come and look at the house, and tell me what needs to be sorted next, as I’ve not really had any significant outs this week, apart from bins/recycling. And we definitely still have too much stuff for the size of the house, it’s not because we’re so minimal that there’s nothing left to get rid of!

[mastertomsmum]

Sorted through a carrier bag I'd posted down the side of the chest of drawers in the alcove.

Quite tricky, I didn't think I'd get to the end of it as it was a bag where printed document copies (all of which I have online and most of which I have originals of in a folder in the filing cabinet) relating to when my DC's original primary school were being horrible and arsy and useless with his dyspraxia diagnosis. Getting towards the end there was a copy of pleasantly sarky letter from the paediatrician to the school that was more cheering. All shredded, very therapeutic.

[Nettleskeins]

This morning I have achieved quite a bit in the utility room. Found the curtain hooks! (was about to buy new ones, that is what happens when you don't declutter, you are endlessly buying new scissors, needles, clothes pegs cos you cannot find anything..
Ironed the curtains that have been hanging around in the airing cupboard all year, and will hang them up in ds2's room shortly. Although now in two minds whether they would go better in tv room (which has none and is bit parky this time of year, only a Roman blind between us and the single glazed sash) But that would mean putting up the curtain track..only a metre but still..

So need stepladder, drill, screwdriver, reading glasses, curtain hooks and a sense of balance.

Also got rid of various rubbish from the utility.

So, a sort of reverse decluttering, finally getting something out (curtains) which I have been meaning to use,and actually USING them, rather than hanging onto them hopelessly.

Threw away an old shoe from the garden and several catalogues went in the recycling.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

I definitely count those curtains as decluttering because they were clutter and now they’re ....er... curtains!
I’ve done that kind of thing myself. It’s even better than getting it out of the house, I think, because you’re getting some use and value from it instead of having to pass it on full of buyer’s remorse.

[HungryHazelEyes]

Last night we had to throw away our inner shower curtain as our ddog had torn holes in it. Of course I had to go buy a new one also so 1 in, 1 out


Oh well, today is a new day, I might de-clutter at work as at the end of the day yesterday I came across a bunch of pens I never use, I'll have to see if any of them work and go from there!

[Ownerofmultiplechimps]

Thanks for the new thread Sand, nothing major to report from me, a couple of items in the charity bag but won’t actually leave the house till it’s got a few more things in & some old paperwork binned. Was supposed to have a big out in the form of my old car being scrapped today but developers from a nearby new estate have decided to dig up my road & entirely block my drive so I’ve had to cancel till it’s clear again!

[Ownerofmultiplechimps]

Late addition from me, the high chair has finally sold & been picked up.

[SandAndSea]

Lots of activity here. Well done everyone!

Lovely fireplace, Willow.

Times - I'd love to come and help you, if only I had the time. Would it help to pick an item group? Eg. Clothes / stationery / electricals etc. Gather them all together. Spot the tatty/duplicates/non-joy sparking ones and give the rest an organised home??

This morning, I sorted through, filed and recycled some paperwork. I also took another load to charity - approx 4/5 bags for life.

Ins: 3 matching storage boxes for my mum's mementoes. (A big improvement.)

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Didn’t do a bag o’tat, but shifted leg hair and a footner sachet that’s been hanging about.
Also did some strimming, so a bin of sodden grass cuttings will go out tomorrow, will do so,e more tomorrow if I can.
Someone’s supposed to be picking up some freecycle stuff later too.

[BrutusMcDogface]

Evening!

I have filled a large bag with baby stuff to give to my sister in law,...it hadn’t left yet so not sure if it counts?!

[BrutusMcDogface]

*hasn’t

Why do you always change my verb tenses, autocorrect?

[ListenLinda]

49 items ready for MusicMagpie! Kept a few DVDs that you can’t get on Sky Movies, the ones music magpie won’t take can go to charity shop if they’ll take them. Only thing is collection is Monday so they will still be in the house until then but at least they are going!

[Petitcanard]

Hi. I’ve managed to stumble across this thread by accident but I’m feeling inspired to join in. I have lots to declutter throughout the house but one thing a day seems manageable, and I may be able to keep the momentum going if I can make steady progress. I’m going to commit to emptying the last of the boxes in my newly decorated bedroom over the course of the weekend so I can actually enjoy my new space...