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

Well I'm very pleased to report back after surviving the understairs cupboard. It is nicely tidied, floor scrubbed and everything can be reached again. The number of carrier bags in there was shocking so I'm dropping lots off to the charity so they can be reused.

Putting away the mop and bucket into a tidy cupboard was very exciting just now... I need to get out more 😂

I tidied the utensils drawer but didn't throw out anything worthy of note - some cocktail sticks (wooden) that were rolling about loose .

It looks all tidy and clean now

Hi everyone,

Had a lot of butter knives in the drawer, so brought 6 into work as we were in dire need.

I'm noticing I am becoming more tidy and actually thinking before I buy things.

Welcome @Susie - that’s a fantastic start!

Today’s outs:

A shelf for the fridge which didn’t fit - sent it back
Headphones for my old phone - no longer have phone so no need for headphones
Old make up bag

Blue glad you made it out the cupboard alive!
Got rid of an old toy and broken straighteners in the electrical recycling. Started going through things in our bedroom again and binned a few bits. I have put an eye mask and face mask on top of the drawers to use up.

Keiki - Having kept a really nice, but unused, bag for far too long and seen it disintegrate, I would rehouse the rucksack.

Welcome, Suzie!

I've shifted most of my pile to charity today: a large box full and a sack have left the building. Other outs include several leaflets and some packaging.

Just catching up on the thread - it’s a very inspiring read! I’ve been distracted by other stuff but hope to be back on it this evening. I have quite a few items that I’m going to try and sell - I just need to get round to it!

I did finally use up an old notebook earlier that I can now chuck in the recycling. I’m working my way through a small stack of them that have been half used! That’s one of the things I love about the decluttering process - it’s so good to know what you already have, so you don’t waste money buying more of it.

Im aiming to have done the whole house by the Easter holidays.

Such an inspiring post @SayitBeit - I think I’ll make that my target too (not least because I’m due to give birth in May!)

Welcome susie

wondering777 I too have a small stack of notebooks I am using gradually. Many are Disney or Peppa Pig so dc refuse to use them but it is always satisfying to use them.

I didn’t end up doing paperwork today —never do— but I went through a big plastic box of clothes of large clothes that I kept ‘in case’ I put on weight. I have decided that all are going.

Today I listed a bundle of boys clothes to sell so haven't technically decluttered them but the intention is there, donated 7 books to the school library, gave away 3 unopened boxes of coffee pods I don't like.

I've only removed one thing today - but I was going to declutter the corner of doom in the utility and DH said he would do it tomorrow and rearrange the shelving to make it more user friendly.

345/2020

I am still tackling housework back log from Christmas but I’m almost getting there now!

I have ventured back into my youngest room and unfortunately I’m still being hit with ‘can’t part with my last babies things / will I really have no more kids?’ Grief.

Logic does not come into this as I’m mid fourties with four kids.....

So please can I have some help? I know FB and eBay selling is a bit useless. But I was thinking of doing ten things on FB a week, then on eBay for half price ( as bundles unless it’s white company Boden etc) then charity? If I don’t make at least £30 in the first month then charity shop the lot? As I will yet again prove it’s not worth the hassle.

Or do I get a coil fitted and then can close that chapter of my life because by the time it gets replaced I will be nearer 50 and less broody?

Why is this still sooo hard? It makes no sense at all

Please help. I want to be done by the end of this year and everything I don’t need gone.

Today I have tidied my wardrobe. I am the epitome of " if things would have been rody I wouldn't have bought more because I have 4 already" it seems. Sigh. And somewhere is a large bag of bras I want to throw out, but I can't find it. Anyway, all essential oils are in the bin, and this from the wardrobe:
8 pairs DP's pants, some mouldy
5 DP's holey socks
4 pairs shorts/leggings
1 dress
2 coat hangers that stick out and distort the clothing
10 pairs knickers
3 odd socks
2 pairs of socks
4 bras
2 jumpers

Rody = tidy
Clothes some binned some to refuge.
Also half a recycling bag of shredding before the shredder have up.

Ah, Medway, I remember that feeling after DC4. It was so hard to part with things. However, what I'd suggest is this: selling will only prolong the agony, because you have to price up things you love and then risk people not seeing the same value as you etc. Is there a local refuge / maternity hospital / baby charity that might take them directly? Our health visitors round here collect good quality children's clothes up to age 12 for families who can't otherwise clothe their children (sadly, it is all too common, despite living in the Effluent South, as my DDad used to call it). That way it makes sure beautiful things are still used, but you don't have to watch them go, IYSWIM.

The other parameters I've used in the past is "could I afford to replace it if I needed to"? and "could I keep one thing as a totem", so you value your identity as a Mum (which is hugely difficult to let go of as the children grow, I know) whilest not keeping everything you've ever bought.

Keiki well done on the wardrobe but, mouldy pants? Urgh. Good job you got them out! Welcome Susie. SayitBeit that's a brilliant attitude, keep going!

I have decluttered lots of dust and muck from DS2's room. I started a Spring Clean yesterday by properly stripping the bed and washing mattress and pillow protectors etc. Last night, I basically sat in his bedroom with him until the clean clothes went away, the dirty clothes went into the basket and the rubbish went into the bin. This morning I have cleaned the windows, wiped the windowsills, dusted the lego (needs a paintbrush - terribly time consuming!), cleaned the light fitting (it's a ceiling fan as well, so needs a really good dust in a pillow case) and done a really proper hoover. I can now be reasonably certain the room won't moulder before the warmer weather arrives! Although I do still need to scrub the spray mount off the window (I blame GCSE art).

No actual out things, but plenty of moving things around and creating new systems to keep things safe / tidy. My new Monday Bills File (that I only deal with on Mondays!) is doing really well at keeping all the paperwork together and not at the back of my head at all times.

I can't believe that I've been debating with myself about what to do with 2 empty jewellery boxes. (The free ones you get with jewellery.) FGS!!

Out: 2 empty jewellery boxes.

Thanks Willow. If I did have another baby me and dh have already agreed we would buy what we need as and when. Primark is cheap and I even bought a wardrobe builder set from Jojo in the sales (£35 for around ten items!) so I could easily replace.

I have decided my Boden dresses I will keep. The rest can go to a local charity that distributes to the needy at the end of next week with my iCandy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I might see if my friend will offer some moral support.

Underwear and stained bits are going to my sons disability respite play group.

I want that space back.

You sound like I am with deep cleaning. I think I have another week of that and then the thinning out starts again

Medway - How about bagging up all the xs from one room. Make the room really nice, including only needed, used things which uplift you. Tell yourself that you're not binning anything yet, you're just sorting and bagging up. Really enjoy the space.

Leave it a few days and then go through the bags.

Today's outs: a dead houseplant, some face wash that's gone off, a swimsuit I ordered online that didn't fit, and a t-shirt of DD's (sold on eBay). DH and I have roughly agreed a plan for our big move, so that gives me a deadline to work towards with decluttering - it all needs to be sorted by the end of this year, so that we're not moving stuff we don't want to keep.

Looking for some help.

I'm pretty good at getting rid of real junk, going to the tip regularly etc., but unfortunately I also have a habit of buying stuff - mainly old stuff, kitchenalia etc. Loads of charity shops near me and if I see something lovely I really struggle not to buy it. I don't usually need it, don't really have space for it, but I usually can't resist.

As a result I have loads of lovely old things I've accumulated over decades but my place is starting to look like a car boot sale. Same with clothes. I love old, vintage, and I'm a sucker for buying shoes and boots (especially DMs) half of which I don't wear.

I'm determined to get rid and at the end of last year I sold a few bits on Ebay and ended up making a couple of hundred quid. But what I find hard is actually parting with things. It's because they are nice things that I bought them in the first place and once I start photographing them it's like this inner voice is telling me to keep them.

Just got out a pair of DM shoes which I never wear because they aren't particularly comfortable, They are rare, in great condition and I know they will fetch a good price on Ebay, but as I'm looking at them, the reluctance to keep is overwhelming. Even though I know they will sit in the wardrobe month after month gathering dust.

How do you get 'ruthless' and just get rid?

On a happier note I have just slung out a load of broken, tangled costume jewellery which I've been keeping for years to repair and untangle. Just lobbed the whole lot in the bin - so it's a start.

JunkshopLil would it help to think of something you really do want (a thing, a house move, a holiday) and selling stuff as a step towards it? The shoes may be lovely, but would you rather have them, or the cash they represent?

Also, keep a Pinterest board, so you can shop and collect stuff virtually, without actually bringing it home! I do that as a way of giving myself time to think about something rather than buying it on the spur of the moment - if I'm still interested in a few weeks then perhaps I'll get it, but half the time, I'm not.

junkshoplil - it’s not easy getting rid of things you love. If you can start with no more buying. Only take small amounts of cash out and leave the debit card at home. I just stopped going into charity shops. It was hard at first but I don’t miss it now.

Then get rid of the easier items firsts. It’s like a new skill to learn and the more you do, the easier it gets.

sunandsea love that idea. I will do that tomorrow morning. There is about a bin bags worth I have bundled for FB and might have sold some today. The rest can be stored in my car until I decide

I've had a good decluttering of my car which has started to resemble on a skip on wheels. I'm embraced that it got to that state.

I've thrown away over 100 receipts/ parking tickets (the ones that are pay and display, not fines ha ha). Some fast food wrappers from when my sister went out for the day in my car 😡 I don't actually allow eating in my car.

I've also sorted out a giant primark bag full of assorted paper and card that my gran gave me to give to DD's nursery, it's been resident in my car for so long I should have charged it rent.

I'll add my amount up to 254/2020