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Original poster

Decluttering one thing a day - Part 9

999 replies

SandAndSea · 08/10/2019 00:11

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=

OP posts:
Times10 · 14/10/2019 21:19

I send DH to the tip Brutus. Up until last year it was because I didn’t have a driving licence, now it’s because I don’t know what to expect (and he’s stronger and less pregnant than I am Grin ).

Original poster
SandAndSea · 14/10/2019 22:30

I've put out a handbag. It's lovely and loved, but also worn and I haven't used it for years. I tried to sell it for ages without luck, so now it's going to charity. Every time I think of this bag, I want to rescue it... until I remember the worn handles. I just have to keep remembering those handles and I'll be OK about it.

(Worn handles... Worn handles... Worn handles.)

OP posts:
Original poster
SandAndSea · 14/10/2019 22:32

Brutus - Could you get someone to go with you? Maybe you have a friend who also needs to go? (I always take my DP.)

OP posts:
Welltroddenpath · 14/10/2019 22:34

Yes I could get rid of seven old tea towels Brutus. I don’t know if you can have too many with four kids?!

Medwaymumoffour · 14/10/2019 22:42

Lol name change failure there!

Welltidy you have to to declutter in anyway that suits you. Weekends should be fine, just make sure you have set goals or it’s easier to get sidetracked.

My middle two are in Sen schools. My 7 year old has quite severe asd. It’s an a huge part of why I hoard. But life’s complicated so it’s always been a issue of sorts but it’s a catalyst that tipped over from a bit cluttered to a biggger problem.

The paperwork was for my less severe son. But again appealing so many times added to my stress. It feels so good to be rid of it

Coldhandscoldheart · 15/10/2019 06:39

I love going to the tip now, altho a bit nervous the first few times. I have found that there’s always a bloke about to ask if you’re not sure where to put something, it’s usually busy enough it’s fairly obvious where you can leave your car and ours is all really well labelled for where stuff goes.

bakesalesally · 15/10/2019 08:20

I love going to the tip!

I have binned 7 out of ten sofa cushions. There were too many and they were stained, so didn't look very good. Have kept 3 newer inners, just Incase.

And DH and I agreed that the tumble dryer has to go, as it is making the most horrific noises. For environmental reasons, we won't replace it.

Coldhandscoldheart · 15/10/2019 09:13

Cor, you’re brave @bakesalesally I think the children think I love the tumble dryer more than them 😂

Medwaymumoffour · 15/10/2019 09:29

Our tip is amazing. It’s even got a second shop on it selling the stuff that’s too good to dump. Dangerous combination there as I have been known to buy some things so not great decluttering method there 🤪

Times10 · 15/10/2019 09:52

We have 2 different tips, one is really for reusable stuff, so they don’t accept everything (as we found out with a huge car load) but they do have a shop, and recycle lots, and the second one is for anything, but you sometimes need to pay.

Times10 · 15/10/2019 09:56

Just ordered a bunk bed with new duvets and sheets for the DCs, as everything in their room is looking a bit tired. The bunk bed was necessary to make space for the baby. It should all arrive on Monday, and I’m hoping it arrives when they’re at school so it can be a surprise when they get home.
So lots more ins... I’m not doing well with the outs here! Although when the bunk beds arrive, we need to get rid of at least one bed frame, so I’ll try putting that on Facebook, see if we can recoup a tiny bit of the price. (I’ll probably put it on for a fiver so maybe not the money making machine it could be)

nailsathome · 15/10/2019 10:08

Oooh can I join? I am slowly decluttering but it feels never ending! I need some motivation

WellTidy · 15/10/2019 10:12

Medway My youngest has severe ASD too, plus learning difficulties and other co-morbidities. At mainstream with full time one to one for now, who knows what even next term might bring. I've always had hoarding tendencies, but these are enormously exacerbated by our position with DS2 and me now having more storage than ever which allows for more hoarding. I'm with you on what you say.

I've done my bit of decluttering for today - I've sorted out DS2's PJs, so he now only has in his drawer what fits. Sorted.

I'm delighted with this decluttering one thing a day idea. I think it could really work for me.

Original poster
SandAndSea · 15/10/2019 12:16

I'm still working through my box of old phones and cameras and have a camera to go out! This is news because DP has insisted on keeping it for years (I'd guess it's at least 10 years since it was used). We finally found a cable which fitted it, only to find that it's completely dead, so, it's going!

I almost kept the case, which is quite worn, but no, that's going out too. I think I'm going to keep the strap handle as I've got a use for it and can always get rid of it later on. (I'm going to use it on a travel ticket wallet - I think it will fit on the zip.)

OP posts:
Keiki · 15/10/2019 12:45

Only 3 books cleared out but it was a quick job. DP took the old washing machine to the tip at the weekend too.

Nettleskeins · 15/10/2019 13:47

medway I too have paperwork from appeals for SEN..find it v difficult to get rid of it although some of it is somewhere on someone's computer as a pdf. Dating back 5 years now, but some current stuff. I think I am just going to accept I need to keep it just in case it is needed for DSA or another EHCP review.

Today I managed to get rid of some old salami from the fridge
an old corn on the cob (which I ate for lunch)
and several university prospectuses that weren't needed anymore (having said that, I still refer frequently to the Cardiff 2018 prospectus from ds1's investigations (he is now in year 2 of uni - NOT Cardiff) I keep wondering if he might suddenly do a transfer!!!Shock or even an MA....Blush

I do think part of my hoarding is to cover all bases and all possiblities which is of course impossible! Maybe I will bin the Cardiff prospectus just to move forward...Confused

I also decluttered quite a few bits of cardboard today.

Nettleskeins · 15/10/2019 13:49

And I threw two books the dog had chewed in the bin. I find it therapeutic to offer paperbacks to him, he makes the decisions for me Wink

Times10 · 15/10/2019 13:50

There's finally some outs in our house! I went under the bed, and got rid of 2 old pillows and a duvet that's seen better days, and found a crate full worth of old projects/paperwork to recycle.
We still have too much furniture for the room to look right, but said furniture is all full, so we're not at the stage that we can just get rid of it.
I've been watching room makeovers on YouTube and the biggest thing is to have the right furniture for the space, which is why our living room looks ok, but our bedroom doesn't.

Medwaymumoffour · 15/10/2019 14:45

Nettle, the appeals for my son ( four of them just for him) was extremely stressful and nasty not to mention expensive. I appealed to move him from mainstream to a independent Sen school. It was the best decision I have ever taken. I won the appeal two years ago and he hopefully will be there until he’s 19 so no more need for it. Plus his private reports are all in emails still.

So many outs today. I’m feeling bad as I have found some outs, but they are still in the house. But meeting a friend tomorrow and giving her around 65 items of ds clothes. So all in it should be a good week!

I need to list some things on eBay too but taking my eldest to dentist at mid day has stalled me

Original poster
SandAndSea · 15/10/2019 16:03

65 items is really good, Medway. Personally, I count things like the dentist as I find it keeps me feeling uplifted about my efforts and encourages me. That works for me anyway.

I've been blitzing things, trying to get on top of the house again after being away. After about an hour in the kitchen, I've cleared one side again.

Outs:
A mangled washing up brush.
An old water filter jug and filter.
A vacuum cleaner nozzle.
Some underwear (not from the kitchen, in case anyone's wondering).

I've also ticked off several 'to do list' items.

OP posts:
Nettleskeins · 15/10/2019 16:57

The branches are in the car finally. (That was from about two weeks ago)
I took them to the tip, but alas it closes at 4pm in the winter, which I had forgotten. Rats. Still I managed to take the dog for a walk in a big park nearby and just putting them in the car was the main stumbling block to decluttering those...
Medway I think new and beautiful tea towels do not count as clutter. It is like getting a hair cut, not strictly necessary but somehow looking after ourselves seems to go by wayside and it is part of confidence building to love some stuff and part with the stuff we don't love much (ie old and manky teatowels)
On that note I have three oven gloves, which keep holding up proceedings...one has a big hole in it but could be mended with the mankier oven glove as stuffing, and the third doesn't really work in this kitchen (wrong colour) but is new. I also have one that needs to be mended but could be passed on to ds1 at uni. Life is too short!!! Confused

Original poster
SandAndSea · 15/10/2019 17:10

Having written on here yesterday that I needed to prioritise getting a new washing machine, I have just done exactly that! Normally, I write things like that on here for accountability and then end up doing other things instead, but this time, I've actually done it. The old machine has been fantastic! We've repaired it a few times using Google over the years, but this time, it really does need to go.

This is a really good 'out' for me: The new machine is energy efficient, quiet and takes a larger load. Also, we've opted to have it fitted and the old one removed, so I won't need to worry about any of that. AND, I was able to use up some gift tokens. Smile

OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 15/10/2019 18:04

Well done, all! No outs here yet.......but I am awaiting my copy of “decluttering at the speed of life”!! Aaagh, I can’t be helped!! 🙄😆

Original poster
SandAndSea · 15/10/2019 18:50

@nailsathome - Welcome!! Sorry I missed you earlier but it's lovely to have you with us.

Brutus - Sounds interesting. Please let me know what you think of that book. Aaannddddd... what's your one thing for today??

OP posts:
StealthNinjaMum · 15/10/2019 19:24

Hi medwaymumoffour I remember you from these threads years ago and always wondered how you were doing. I know my life is easier in the sense I got rid of my useless hoarding husband and I only have two kids but as you clear through the clutter and set up systems it does get easier. I don't know if you were on the thread but I went through a phase of ranting about my hall for several Sundays in a row, a stranger outside my house would've looked in to see 12 pairs of shoes and an open cupboard door and bags and sports kits all over the carpet. I set up systems (boxes in hall cupboard, hooks on playroom door for sports kits), chucked stuff out and yelled a lot at my children and now their default is to put shoes away as soon as they take them off. They also know that if they don't take clothes from bags to be washed they might have to wear dirty clothes!

Today I found a couple of children's books that can go. I have been getting rid of them slowly because dd2 isn't a great reader so I don't feel ready to get rid of some basic books. She has also found a load of Biff and Chip that she no longer needs so that's a dozen books to go.