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 have got four bags of clothes to go and I'm sorting through kitchen stuff. (Some of the clothing is recycle not resale . And some flannels )

Some of it will need the bin rather than Charity Shop - you know things like stained plastic tubs ( the lovely orange that they go ) so a trip to the skip will be on the cards .

There's a shop that does take electricals so I have a couple of things for there .

The toaster is making a weird noise even when it's not being used (it is old) I'm thinking it should go, ? fire risk.

I looked in the bag. It’s full of such a random collection I wasn’t sure what to do, so I threw away a couple of cards and closed it again

I put a cushion cover onto the Pile (of things to go), but it might come back again.
At some stage I need to rationalise bedclothes again, I have three doubles sets when we no longer have a double bed.

I’m not doing the 2020, I’m going to keep plugging at one thing a day/7 per week. That number is too big to be meaningful to me & im not prepared to take on that much pressure.

A using things up kind of day - used the second half of a block of henna to dye my hair, finished up some more of the Christmas food, tossed some body oil that gave me a headache. Tomorrow, planning a trip to the charity shop to donate some gifts I won’t use.

The decorations are coming down on Friday, and I think it’s going to feel quite empty when they do. I never thought I’d get to this stage, but I actually am becoming minimalist! My aim for 2020 is to reduce the flow of stuff in - I’d like to consume less, and buy more mindfully.

Pair of kids trousers in the fabric recycling as they’ve got a massive hole in the knee and a few crappy McDonalds type toys either binned or in the charity bag. Christmas cards used to light the fire. Small things but I’m keeping on keeping on.

Oh Christmas cards .....didn't get many (obviously due everyone cutting down on paper use rather than being unpopular ) but they all have glitter on them, so only the backs can be recycled .

Last years calendar gone in recycle ( tore up) and didn't buy one for the kitchen this year . I used my desk diary more so got a new one .

I haven't counted items even though I wanted to. but sorted dds clothes out. dd1 has had a massive growth spurt, so a big blue Ikea bag out of her drawers (need to sort what to keep for dd2 then sell/charity shop the rest) she only has 2 pairs of leggings, but has 4 skirts and can fit into my black tights so given her a pile of them. I have an Ikea kallax box full as my mum would only wear new tights so she gave them to me! Debating whether she needs more leggings or not...

another bag for life of dd2's clothes that will be sorted for eBay/charity shop at the weekend.

sorted out my backpack - loads of old receipts, train/bus tickets thrown out. then used 4 zip up purses to organise it. one for medication/hairbands and other bits I always need, one for pens for work, one for sanitary products and one for coffee shop loyalty cards, McDonalds vouchers for when I take dds. then my waterproofs, hat and gloves in a drawstring gym bag ready for work tomorrow 😁

Two more pairs of shoes.
A pile of empty jewellery boxes - the kind earrings and rings come in (no idea why I’d kept them as the jewellery is stored elsewhere.
Half a dozen nose studs that I never wear because they are screw types and o don’t like them (also on was a red stone that looked like a zit - no idea what I was thinking of when I bought it)
A nighty that was threadbare and holey.

I’ve also started to use stuff that I was given at Christmas. I usually put it aside and either forget about it or it goes off - I recently found some mouldy lush products I was given last year but was keeping for a special occasion.
So tonight I used my new L’Occitane bath products and enjoyed them.

Running total 134/2020

Happy New Year everyone!

Today's outs:

A glass candlestick - it cracked from the heat.
A candle holder I don't like anymore - replaced by one I do like which was stored away.
A worn coaster. I'd kept it for years thinking I might redecorate it, but I haven't, so it's going.
A used up shampoo bottle - it's a relief to finally finish it!

Well done to people doing the 2020 thing! I'm not going to do it as I've been really enjoying doing what I'm doing and it's working for me. Also, most of my remaining clutter (when I finally face it) is paper-based and I wouldn't know how to count it.

I'm also on the 1 a day train, if I get rid of more than that, great, but I'm not going to stress over it. Great going for those of you aiming for 2020 items though!

Today I got rid of a few things - several boxes kept for wrapping presents, approx 12. DH can get more so got rid of the size he can easily get, only kept the tiny boxes and clothes boxes that he can't get from work. I also went through my wardrobe, getting rid of about 6 tops, 3 trousers, 4 dresses, a necklace. A broken necklace I have been saving to fix for over a year now - I finally just threw it away. Of the clothes, most will go to charity shop, some I set aside for SIL to go through. Threw away some Christmas cracker contents thats just plastic tat, that no-one will want.

Also taking to the charity shop - a hat, cocktail book, unused lotion and kids shower mitt (also new and unused from about 5+ years ago! So far about 30+ items to go (or already gone), but I don't know when I'll get rid of more stuff!

morning all. back at work today and actually decluttering things I would usually ignore 🙈

thanks for advice re bra donation, will get these packaged up to send off.

outs this morning include a pair of trainers I can no longer get away with wearing, a pair of DS wellies that are both too small and more hole than welly.

old empty shower gel bottle and razor that I've been ignoring, a broken plastic container that had no lid and a comb that is never used as I keep my head shaven.

^decluttering 2020 things in 2020
total 36/2020^

Christmas tree has gone. It’s been banished to outside. All traces of Christmas have now been removed from the living room and kitchen. Need to sort through the kids clothes for Christmas jumpers and jammies.

I’m missing a purple glittery robot decoration. I suspect ds has taken it to play with and I’ll find it in june.

Have also ditched my orchids. They were looking rather worse for wear. They’ve lasted since 2013. And have finally given up the ghost.

Am doing a garden centre trip tomorrow so I can replace them then.

Happy new year everyone!

Welcome midgetjen, tiddledpink, momniscient, onetoomanybathtimes, curvyinallthewrongplaces, christmassyspice

ruudgullitonashed that’s a good start to the new year. I think 2020 is achievable it depends what you count. I try not to count the more temporary, everyday things so when I throw out my xmas cards today they won’t count - but if they had sat around for 3 years in a drawer then suddenly I consider them as clutter! It's very inconsistent.

curvyinthewrongplaces I was married to a hoarder and he left a year ago. We still have loads of his stuff in the house but he has a study so I’m putting it all there out of sight. It’s a relief not to have his stuff (mainly post) cluttering every available space. Anyway it sounds like you’ve made a fantastic start. I have to say I love having my own bathroom cabinets with none of his rubbish. He never threw empty bottles away so there might be 15 empty bottles in the bathroom taking up space.

greenwillow that sounded painful but I’m sure you won’t get rid of him that easily. Do you have plans for his bedroom or are you just going to keep it as a bedroom for him anyway?

bokky 7 bin bags! From your dds bedroom? That’s amazing!

Reastie when you work out where to put miscellaneous children’s tat please tell the rest of us! We have bedrooms and a playroom and it spills everywhere. dd2 collects items and will announce that a particular spot on a piece of furniture is where a stone 'lives' and she gets upset if I move it or throw it away!

Well done ginislife it must feel amazing clearing out the plastic storage box of doom.

I have taken down the decorations but they're just in the spare room. I need to sort them out and put them away. I have a box of decorations ready to go. I usually have them up until the 6th but the house feels so much more spacious with them gone. As I've been good with them I am tempted to buy a half-price garland on the hobby craft website as I really want something for my fireplace.

In terms of decluttering nothing has gone this year yet. I gave myself a facial new years eve and decluttered some liquid (but not finished yet) and I'm not going to count my calendar as I have replaced it with a new one. I think I might start a bullet journal to organise myself which means more shopping!

Not doing well 0 / 1095 out. (I am only aiming for 3 items a day!)

Yesterday--one old cardigan out

Today--all my uncomfortable pants and bras have been removed from my drawers. They've only been worn once or twice. Is there a charity I can send them to or sm I imagining it?

www.smallsforall.org/ For bra donations.

Unexpected day home with the DC. I have decluttered the empty advent calendars to the bin, updated the toothbrushes and decluttered some chocolate and rice crispies into rice crispy cakes with the DC. Also gave a bottle of sunflower oil to a neighbour who urgently needed it, and refused replacement as we never use it except for moisturing new babies!

Discovering a lot of "this only took two seconds to throw out, why is it still in the house??" type things. Very odd.

2 books
4 spent tealights
1 light-up hedgehog ornament
12 CDs
7 plant pots of earth (seedlings failed or died)
1 stack of "proof of postage" receipts
and last year's calendar (already had a 19/20 one running, so it hasn't been replaced with an in)

91/2020

I've just heard from a potential buyer about a big item. All being well, she'll be coming this weekend.

Just come back from a walk with very wet muddy trainers and changed out of them into a pair of old trainers I’ve been keeping for gardening and decorating but discovered I’ve got two old pairs and these have a hole in one toe so they’re off to the bin later!

Thanks @PickledLilly

Out
14 items to charity or rag
2 chipped glasses binned
Still not got to the tip and can't do it tomorrow
I've tidied away mattresses and bedclothes from Xmas guests
I'll get DH and DD to sort through odd socks later
So a total of 16 items so far.
DH has a big pile of professional journals that haven't been touched since we moved house 6 years ago so I'm going to edge those towards the door.....
Also from a recent clear out, have a pile of hotel toiletries that are being used up

Few small toys gone - three little cars with bits missing and five crappy McDonald’s plastic tat toys gone. I have come to the conclusion that I’m much better at Getting rid of the kids things and I need to do better at getting rid of some of my own. I keep avoiding doing my wardrobe.

momniscient 91 is amazing!

I have just gone through adult DVDs and found 8 boxes (including 3 box sets) and added them to the 9 children's I found before Xmas. So that's a total of about 25 DVDs are currently in a bag and I am going to put them in my car today so that I take them to a charity shop next time I go.

They haven't left the house yet but I'm going to say 8/ 1095!

Got DD to clear her desk drawer out. Lots of small items have gone out.

StealthNinjaMum - I'm a little inconsistent in my count as well - but I figure that if it is helping me clear the house all to the good.

DH and I spent the afternoon tackling our paperwork mountain - it started off on a three tier filing tray system but had ended up taking over a shelf on the Welsh dresser and was a real mess.

Shamefully the bottom layer was January 2017 which means we must have done something similar 3 years ago and not bothered since then!

I stopped counting at 150 different items being shredded (it was probably about 200+ separate things)- we actually only needed about 30 if the items in the pile, the rest was stuff that had been shoved in 'just in case'.

I've also taken down the Christmas Cards and put them in the recycling (rather than leaving them on the side for weeks). Similarly the Christmas decorations and lights are down and packed away.

The live wreath has been dismantled (I usually leave it in the back yard for months)

I've realised that in so many cases my inability to complete a job creates more mess in the house and leaves me feeling miserable. An extra couple of minutes actually getting rid of things or putting them away is making me feel much happier about my home environment.

I'm also finding that putting things away/together is helpful - turns out we have 30 bars of soap, 15 new toothbrushes and I have 9 tubes of face cream.

Running total 249/2020

Stealth, thanks, I think we're going to use DS1's room as a spare study space (it has a desk, after all) and a spare bed if necessary.

I am totally inconsistent in my counting, but things out is Things Out to my mind, IYSWIM.

The big tree, tinsel and wreaths are down, as is the study mantelpiece stuff. DH wants to keep the study tree up a bit longer and the ceiling decorations, but since he put them up he gets to take them down and I have no argument with that. In putting things back to normal, I have cleaned the study mantelpiece, polished the pictures that usually go on there and added ones of DS2 and DD, and achieved the following outs:

• 10 books (turns out we had two full sets of Douglas Adams in two rooms!)
• 11 CDs
• one actual cassette tape!
• the 2019 calendar which is not being replaced
• I also finished an elderly shampoo from the end of the bath cupboard this morning, so I'm counting that!

Decluttering 2020 things in 2020
223/2020 - A little more than 1/10th of the way there!