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

What do people think about donating pyjamas and dressing gowns to the charity shop? I have a nice pair of Boden pyjamas that I don’t get on with as the buttons are too small and thin for the fabric so they pop open with the least movement, a dressing gown with matching pj bottoms and another dressing gown. All in good condition but I don’t want to clog up the charity shop if they’d only end up ragging them, as I can do that myself.

@SydneyCarton why wouldn't you donate pyjamas? They're just clothes... what am I missing?

Sydney - I'm trying to think if I've ever seen any in a charity shop... Maybe a women's refuge or homeless charity might be better?

Momniscient I suppose I’m not sure if people would buy second hand pjs and dressing gowns, or whether they’re more like underwear, socks, tights etc that really only get bought new. Like SandAndSea said I don’t think I’ve seen any for sale in charity shops, but the refuge/shelter idea is good 👍🏻

Yesterday, I got rid of a "Christmas decoration" which was a bird which I had re-purposed. It looked wrong in the tree and had annoyed me all Christmas. But, I'm now sitting here thinking about the little bird in the bin and worrying about it. You know, like it's real. (There's no hope for me is there?!)

I've just put 6 items into a bag and I'm going to a charity shop now. They were xmas decorations, the book I finished reading and a board game.

I think that's 30 out of 1095 which is fantastic. Normally these things sit around for ages but with the bags of DVDs and craft sets in the car already that's three carrier bags of stuff to go.

😁 no hope at all SaS! (We’ve all been there, well I have anyway!)

Stealth that’s progress. So satisfying when they are in the charity shop. I did t get rid of that much yesterday really, but my bedroom does feel different

I was supposed to do a kitchen cupboard today but instead I’ve cleared out a basket of random hair stuff and the top of a kallax. Mostly straight to bin or recycling. Back to work tomorrow so I feel like I need to get as much as possible done today. Need to keep up the momentum tomorrow though. This thread is very encouraging x

looks like everyone is making great progress.

my outs this morning were 2 shower gel pods and a face mask, found them when I was clearing out the other day so figured I'd make use of them.

tonight's plan is to tackle the under wardrobe drawer that I tend to hide stuff in.

decluttering total 75/2020

Sand I struggle to bin anything with a face even though they're not real.
Slow progress as I'm not feeling well. Caught this virus/cold thing from DP but someone has collected an item I had on Freecycle and I've sorted out DD's paperwork and put it in new folder getting rid of some in the meantime.

I struggle to bin anything with a face

I genuinely laughed out loud at that!

Sorry,as you were 😆

2 bags of DD clothing gone! I'm not counting that, as it will be replaced in the next few weeks so it's more of a sort than a declutter.

Decluttered two of DDs drawers though, various unworn hair clips, half used nail varnish that's all clogged up. Didn't count each item, but think about 20.

I'm back to work tomorrow, so further progress will mainly be at weekends.

Total 49/2020

It's like the decluttering Gods are looking down on me, in a strange twist of fate (well, me ordering a new one and the bin men also ordering a new one) I have TWO WHEELIE BINS.

Is it wrong to not alert the council and use two until they realise......if they ever realise.........

Back at work today, but already know the area I am tackling tonight while dinner cooks.

I have bin envy Defender90!

I'm back at work today but I've come home and had a quick whizz around the kitchen and binned 9 things.
I wasn't going to bother but was inspired by everyone else posting.

Running total 274/2020

I've given away a bag4life of stuff today. About 7 things out today.

Everyone seems to be making good progress.

Doing well here too. Great news is Ds’ huge baby swing has sold and been collected already. Also sold his sling and some other bits of dds clothes. This week I’ve made over £100 selling some of our clutter! Also taken most of my maternity clothes to clothes bank and thrown away an oven glove that was threadbare. Another bag to the charity earlier too. Oh, and Christmas decorations all down. Hurrah, progress is good.

Everyone's doing really well. It's keeping me motivated reading about everyone's successes.

I didn't get too much done yesterday. Four new bits of school uniform in so four old bits went out. I did manage to find 4 other tops/trousers of DS's for the charity bag. I've had an item listed on eBay for ages which I'd forgotten about but it sold yesterday so I've used some packaging to get it ready to post. I can't count it as an out yet as the buyer hasn't paid still.

I thought I would try and clear some of the floor space in my bedroom today and managed a lot of outs, some for the tip pile, some for charity and some for the bin/recycling. Out today are 2 broken lightbulbs that have been on the windowsill for months, 3 candle holders, a pregnancy pillow, 23 small toys for charity, 3 broken toys, a brooch, a lip gloss, a picture, a dress and a cushion cover. I've also got rid of one box and used another to pack up the charity items. I've found two handbags that I'm not sure about so I've put them to one side to make a decision about at a later date.

I am trying to keep the day to day clutter from building up by dealing with post quickly and getting any rubbish or recycling binned as soon as I see it. It is starting to make a difference.

I think my count is now 110/2020 and I'm only tackling the easy and visible areas of the house. I haven't started in the cupboards and drawers yet. I thought finding 2020 things to get rid of would be hard but I'm not so sure now.

Not much achieved today as I've been properly back to it, but 4 more inches of old paperwork gone while gathering together everything to do my accounts and tax return! And an old hoody of DS3's into the charity bag.

Decluttering 2020 things in 2020
365/2020

Just realised that's one thing per day for 2020 already - and a terrifying realisation of how much crap we have!

Up to 104/2020 now, today’s outs;

Empty perfume bottle
Bag of clothes for recycling
5 books recycled as too tatty for charity
9 to charity
Random Jamie Cullum DVD, no idea where that came from
outgrown Plimsolls
NHS Maternity exemption card, expired in July
Old thermometer

Re the pyjamas etc I think I’ll give the Boden ones to charity as they’re a good brand and in very good condition, and send the rest to the recycling. My local refuge isn’t taking clothes at the moment and the shelters usually want stuff like kitchen equipment, plates, cups etc

A combination of things to the charity shop, a couple of unwanted gifts returned and a small kids clothes clear out has found me 15 things to go today, so I’m at 183/2020.

Tree taken down today. Opportunity taken to sort through the baubles and quite a few broken or unloved ones not repacked. Some Christmas nibble bowls and tea light holders into charity bags to join the DVDs. At least a weeks worth today.

Can I please join? Have been reading for a while and have been motivated to start.
So far this year I've found 20 books for charity, thrown 30 things out of one kitchen cupboard and another 40 out of my bedside table
So that's 90/2020
Tonight ds has gone through one toy box and got rid of 37 bits and bats not suitable for charity so that's 127/2020.

@moglovesmincepies - Welcome!

I can't sleep so have got up and have been doing housework. I've got quite a bit done tbh.

I've also got another 3 things going out: a purse and a couple more decorations.

Oh I need this thread. What an awesome idea!

I have always been terrified of decluttering but this makes it sound fun and doable.

Welcome @moglovesmincepies and @CheekyFucker. Mog, sounds like you've started well and CF, it is fun and means you don't have to take a month off from your entire life only to burn out and have to start again!

Sand, sorry you couldn't sleep. Hope today is not too difficult as a result.

Slightly retrograde step yesterday when DS1 saw the Beatrix Potter books in the charity shop box and bagged them as "his childhood"! Which is rather sweet because actually they were mine in the late 70s except for the ones which were DM's in the late 40s. Perhaps I have done a good job of providing a childhood after all! I'm not removing them from the total because they will stay in his boxes in his room, not go back on the shelf I took them from.

No obvious bits to declutter today except my accounts and tax return off the to do list, and I don't think they count. We shall see.

Have 2 charity bags in the boot to be dropped off later after work. Plan this week to try and begin thinning out the shelf of cook books, only a few we use regularly. Most wed gifts not things we’d chosen so not sure why it feels so difficult to let them go