Decluttering one thing a day part 10 - the countdown to a clutter free Christmas

[StealthNinjaMum]

It’s the 10th thread and we’re still here!

We’re a group of mumsnetters who aim to get rid of one thing a day to develop good habits and gradually declutter our lives.

Newbies are welcome, those of us who’ve been here for some time have all seen dramatic improvements in our homes, the way we organise ourselves and even mental health. So if you’re new just check in and update with your progress and join in the general chat about recycling, housework and ways to be organised.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3711883-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-Part-9?pg=1

I had an out today- another pair of socks that pissed me off by falling down all day! They are gone and I feel better for it. We did have a few ins today though as DH had his works Christmas party and they gave away some prizes. 3 new water bottles (We're keeping 2 so I'll get rid of some existing ones we no longer use), a couple hats - one is going to his friend at work tomorrow, the other is also going, just not sure where yet. I did also win a decorative Christmas lantern, I think I'll keep it - if not MIL will like it!

I forgot - thank you Sand for the last thread, and thank you stealth for starting a new thread!

I also seem to come across a bunch of little things tucked places, not knowing why I kept them, but then I just leave them and not toss them - why do I do this?! I must stop doing that and just get rid, if I haven't touched them for 5 years, then apparently I don't need them!

Nice to see you all on a shiny new thread. Lots of viruses in our house last couple of weeks - so progress slow (actually more like nonexistent ) Lots of ins in form of Christmas and birthday presents. No big outs just chipping away at the worn out socks and paperwork.

You're welcome, Hazel!

Finances are being decluttered here. £500 on the car and just before Christmas

Oh dear, Vin, sorry to read that. I'm just switching current account to make a bit extra - it all helps.

Added looking at changing energy suppliers to "to do" list...
Have just finished wrapping some presents so one good job done.

I've got a weird bunch of things going out today, from a couple of photos of me which I don't like, to a candle holder I haven't used in years. Another box file and a wad of papers have gone out too, including a psychic reading I got on a pier about 20 years ago. (Enough time has now passed for me to say it was rubbish.)

I don't know if this REALLY counts but I'm taking it as a win, I'm using all the Christmas cards left over from previous years because I can never find them / just buy another box. Same for wrapping paper, have three rolls there and think it'll do me. I won't buy any until I've used the last one.

Also, thank you for the new thread

I haven't updated for a while and I didn't realise we were on a new thread already. When I was on last I was busy sorting through papers but I've given up on that for the time being. That's why Kondo doesn't work for me. I just get bored/annoyed before I get a category finished!

I've done a tip run this week to get rid of the tip pile in the porch. DH added quite a lot from the garage and we got rid of two large boxes of Christmas decorations that DH found in the loft. They were PILs and haven't been used in at least 20 years. We salvaged a few bits but most of it was in a such state it had to be thrown out. I sold an ebay item so that's gone along with a box and some packaging.

I had a day off today so I've deep cleaned DDs bedroom today. I got rid of some sheets and blankets from the drawers in her cot. I got DH to put up one of those hammock things for soft toys and a couple of pictures on the wall. Her room finally looks like a finished bedroom now.

There's been lots of ins because of Christmas and I'm starting to run out of hiding places. DS used up a couple of packs of Christmas cards which I was pleased about before I realised he will get the same number sent back to him. For the first time I'm really noticing the clutter that Christmas creates and it's made me think a lot more about what we're buying and whether it's really needed.

Glad to see everyone is doing well with their decluttering.

Can I join in? Although it's probably rejoining as I think I've hopped in and out of the thread.
I have the house to myself this weekend so I'm totally blitzing the place. I've been lacking in motivation over the past few months and it's getting a bit overwhelming. I'm one room away from a KIm and Aggie special.

However I've organised a girls night in here for a couple of friends over Christmas so I need to get into some kind of order.

Loosely based on the TOM, I've set aside an hour for each room to clean and declutter. So far I've done the living room and hall, stairs and lanindg. ( they are the easiest of the rooms though). I've still got the dining room to go tonight.

Tomorrow is the kitchen and room of despair aka the utility room.

One black bin bag of stuff, including the empty Jo Malone candle box I've been holding on to for a couple of years 'just in case' and a charity bag full of of old DVDs, books my DCs have long since stopped watching and a couple of board games.
I'm going to read through the older threads for some decluttering tips.

Welcome (back), @Redcrayons! It sounds like you're doing really well.

I've just taken another look through my bills and have more outs: a card wallet with lots of papers all about mortgages, life insurance etc.

Another 5 books! Only one of them accepted for online sale though... for 15p.

Today I have binned an ornament that was hanging around.

We are doing the tree tomorrow so no doubt will ditch some decorations that are past it!

Well done Sand! And hello (again?) Redcrayons. Vin very sorry to hear the car is causing financial decluttering. Custard, you sound really on top of things!

I'm really getting into reusable wrapping for Christmas this year and almost everything is in gift bags and boxes that get passed around between family members. Only Father Christmas wraps in paper! Must also get on with Christmas cards to family members and email to everyone else!

Yesterday's out was two bottles of random Chinese-style sauces from the fridge, used up in a bits and bobs dinner.

Today's was a padded envelope sent to DS3, which I sent to DS1, and he sent back again with DD's birthday present in, that has finally fallen to bits. I feel we had our money's worth!

Nothing out yesterday. Have done a face mask this morning. I’m counting that. There will be yet more christmas ins later, but I’m also hoping to do some cards.

Aargh. Finding it harder and harder to declutter as things come in for Christmas. Need to write family Christmas cards, get the tree up, write the Christmas email, put the money in the right places, finish DH's Christmas present, roast at lunch time, sort out the lego technic, clear the utility room again and get to the theatre this evening without doing it all wrong.

Thinking about that skip again...

Ok, panic mostly done. How's it going, Red? I'd love an empty house for a weekend to get stuff done, but I suspect I'd lie on the living room floor listening to the quiet. Thinking I might try a concentrated blitz next week so we're as clean as possible when school ends on the 13th.

Right. Making more coffee and blitzing computer based stuff for the next hour.

I've been sticking to my schedule so far although I was out last night so I'm slow to get going today.
I'm pleased with the amount of stuff I've chucked away, couple of big bags of crap. And I've a boot full for the charity shop tomorrow.

My dining is the dumping ground for paperwork so an hour in there barely scratched the surface, its at the 'it looks worse than when I started' stage. I'd planned an hour in each bedroom today, I've decided to leave them till next weekend and concentrate on the paperwork mountain. I'll feel like I've accomplished more if the downstairs is reasonably respectable.

So, eBay is it really worth the time and effort? I used to sell a lot on there but i haven't for a few years. I have got Quite a few things I could sell on, and I could do with a bit extra for Christmas. but I feel like it would be a massive time suck and encourage me to keep hold of stuff I should be chucking.

May I join?
Inspired by this thread I'm sorting and throwing old copies of a journal I get through work. We desperately need the room as DC2 is due in less than 2 weeks!

Welcome, @DieHardISaChristmasFilm! Good to see you here. (Of course Die Hard is a Christmas film!)

I've got another 3 books going out today. (Maybe 4 - still thinking about the 4th one.) And, 22 items of stationery. Some of these I've had since I was a child.

Can you tell I've been watching people doing The Minimalism Game on YouTube?

sandandsea I'll have to watch that! An ikea bag of magazines (well journals) gone. Feels good!
I have horrific hoarder tendencies though so need to keep it up!

Well done, DieHard!

I've got another 4 books, a mat and a biscuit tin (previously used for stationery but no longer needed).

We've written our Christmas cards today too, so they'll be going out soon.

Hello....can I join you?

Sick of having so much shit everywhere in my house but just looking at it and thinking about sorting it makes me feel so anxious and overwhelmed!