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

Two transformers and a swim fin out today. That's 253/2020.

Once the washing has dried, I am tackling the towel situation... hoping to make it to 260 by the end of the day!

The only decluttering today has been shuffling about, so it doesn't count for my total but it's helped! All Christmas stuff now packed away and back in the loft. DS3's visual timetable made and displayed. Books for the charity shop packed into boxes. Pretty tablecloth ironed for "my" table in the study.

Stalled at 258/2020, but that means I'm not behind until 12 Feb!!

Lots more stuff out today.
About another 50 items to the charity shop, including 3 outgrown coats, 4 pairs of hardly worn shoes, lots of books and toys.
Then about 20 items for the nursery I work in, some socks, 2 small buckets, some old Christmas cards and books.

So that takes my total to 465/ 2020

Another shedload of paperwork filed or gone. Bank statements that are over 10 years old, pictures, letters, insurance documents etc. I've shredded many sheets and filed the rest in order of date.

The last time I needed all of those out was over a year ago and I never returned them to their original place.

It's a minor miracle, but I can see part of my desk again.

We also got new bins, but threw the old ones out. One extra item in today for DS from his pocket money.

I have also repaired a few things to make them look neater and usable again, so while not out, I still consider this decluttered.

Well done also everyone else; I don't always have the time to write on here, but read daily for more motivation.

I’ve had my mum visiting and an assignment to finish but did a quick whizz through the cutlery drawer and throw out a load of chewed plastic toddler stuff and then did a cupboard this evening - as needed to get a box of cereal in and got rid of a load of out of date weird teas and baby medicine...

Christmas decorations down and on the bed to go away but want to sort through the bits we didn’t actually use this year first.. tomorrows job!

Also cleared up a chocolate orange!

12 little items today - pens, cards, empty ink bottle I'm actually looking at every room with an what can I get rid of gleam in my eye.

All the clothes and shoes I have decluttered are in my car ready to be dropped off at the charity shop tomorrow.

One fail was that I came back from my mum's house with a carrier bag full of yarn but that will get used. Mum does have a habit of palming stuff that she doesn't want anymore onto me (probably why her house is uncluttered) and I often end up with things I don't want/need so I am resolute that this year I will say no to the things that are of no use to me.

I'm dithering about handbags - I have many, but I do love them all and try to rotate them. I have room to store them (especially with all the learning that's going on) but am questioning if I actually need so many.

Running total 265/2020

Stealth - I'm not an expert on this but I believe there is software available which enables you to unencrypt DVDs and back them up onto your PC. You have to change their format to something like mp4, mkv or avi. From there, you would need to copy them to the external hard drive (eg. click & drag) which you can then plug into your TV. This all assumes you've got a TV which can play these file formats.

Once the hard drive is plugged into your TV, it's a simple case of selecting the input source on your remote.

Maybe a good starting point could be to have a look at your TV manual and see what formats would be recognised?

Oh, I also made room in the freezer by using up leftovers in an adventure-lunch (i.e. this looks interesting, let's thaw it and find out what it was).

My buyer turned up! Another large item has now gone out.

My decs are almost all boxed up. I'm flaking a bit but should finish tonight.

Well done SandAndSea - you must be pleased.

I need to persuade DH to get rid of his beloved bread maker that he hasn't used in two years and takes up a huge amount of room in a cupboard.

Instead of just dumping the two bags of clothes in I’ve had a partial sort of little pickles clothes. I’ve got two plastic boxes sorted by size to go in the attic that he won’t grow into for a while, a kallax box of next size to grow into in his room and a whole bin bag for fabric recycling that’s not fit for a charity shop. I need to further sort what’s actually in his wardrobe but his room looks a lot tidier and I’ve instantly dealt with the new ins without them hanging around for weeks.

I’m also extra pleased that I didn’t go to the sales this year now I’ve seen how much he already has.

17 items of clothing to charity shop
3 items of clothing to charity "bin" dropoff

Very proud of these as it takes me ages to detach emotionally from clothes. Most of these items have been in a stack in my room for months as a sort of "to be replaced" pile. But there are a couple of thick jumpers that I hope would be super useful to someone else who can love them at this time of year...don't tell me otherwise! Can't stand thinking they'll be turned to rags!

116/2020

It's great to see so many of you clearing out so much stuff. Well done, everyone!

I've been through the fridge and composted about 4 lots of leftovers.

I've also got someone coming round tomorrow - a friend's daughter is setting up home, so that'll be another 4 things out.

Aha! Found 2 more outs while re-tetrising the loft: a pair of wellies in a size too small for everyone.

Decluttering 2020 things in 2020
260/2020

Only 6 outs here today, but one was a massive piece of furniture so it feels more significant!

If I can keep up with 6 a day then I’ll hit the 2020 target!

Forgot my total: 168/2020

Hi! I’m a bit late to the party but would love to join!

My home is bursting at the seams and I am in dire need of some major decluttering!

2020 things in 2020 sound achievable! I’m taking on a corner kitchen cupboard tomorrow.. wish me luck!

Christmas tree out and decorations down. Sad to see them go but great to have the space back. I cleared a few more things out of my bedroom. I can see that I feel a kind of obligation to things, if that makes sense. For example, a tiny bottle of lavander pillow spray that’s been sitting in my room for years. Somebody gave it to me and it probably cost a few quid as it’s a fancy make so I feel like I should keep it - but I know I’ll never use it, so it just sits there. Aargh! It’s gone now, but I have this battle with so many useless things that are filling my space and dragging me down. 2020 is the tear that I will stop doing this!

Well done all for everything cleared out so far :)

3littlerabbits - I know exactly what you mean about obligation to stuff.

I've started to tell myself a gift is not an obligation (because it is usually gifts that make me feel like this) and if I don't need or love something I pass it on to the charity shop immediately.

Welcome, Lemonade!

3 - I think I know exactly what you mean. I kept a room spray in my coffee table (amongst other things) for years. I think we can stop seeing things like this - they just merge in somehow.

Definitely stop seeing these things - that’s so true SaS!

Ruud - yes, absolutely got to get them straight out - accept the kind thought, then decide whether it can stay or not. I need to get into this habit!

Tomorrow I’m going to tackle a dumping area in the kitchen - I know I’ll feel better after it, just need to get stuck in!

Good luck all x

@SandAndSea thank you!

I was just thinking the same thing about gift sets. I use a barter site on Facebook to get rid of stuff or just donate it.

My plan is to donate any wearable clothes of my DD’s to her nursery clothing bank. Maybe sell some old toys and put the money in her bank.

Recycle where possible and just get rid of stuff! We don’t need all this stuff!

I’m terrible for keeping things ‘just in case’

No more! :)

I also managed to get my tree out yesterday (and threw away three broken decorations). Not sure if being in the garden counts but i guess it's recycling of a kind!

Sand, 3, YY about things just merging into the background. Years ago I read a book called I Hate To Housekeep whose main point was "move the football sock off the TV the first time you see it", otherwise you'll get used to it. It's so true.

Welcome, Lemonade.

Have a planned out today of a gift I was given in 2018 that I'm never going to use. Foolishly, I opened it and gave it a try (oil burner) but I just don't get on with them.

Back on our heads back to school today for 2 youngest DC, school prep for DS2 and back to Uni prep for DS1. Going to be very busy. Best get on!