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

clettercletterthatsbetter that happened to me, very annoying.

greenwillow when I went through exdh's stuff he had unopened letters that were 8 or 9 years old! Just removing his post made such a difference. I had some unopened letters that were maybe 6 to 9 months old but the post pile used to give me anxiety. Now I tend to open things the day they come in and I might not file them but I often act on them that day. So health letters (e.g. invitations for flu jab, eye tests, smear tests) are dealt with and put in the calendar on that day.

I have now done 4 of my 9 items on my list but need to add a couple. I am aiming to find / get rid of 20 bags of clutter this week. I am also writing xmas cards - not necessarily because I want to but because we have a big box of them. In the past I used to buy cards every year and then never write them! This counts as decluttering!

Today's out - 3 pairs of outgrown wellies dropped off as spares at nursery, which has got rid of a bag that's been hanging around the kitchen for ages. I also bit the bullet yesterday and chucked out the old changing mat (a new one has come in as I still have one child in nappies), old Moses basket mattress and a bag of old cushions from Primark. This has cleared a space on top of a small cupboard in the bedroom, which looks a lot tidier now

Does getting rid of a dirty great splinter that's been stuck in my finger for a week or so, refusing to be removed, count? Feels like it should!

I used to just recycle the envelopes, and any circulars, and put the post in a pile to be dealt with, and would get to it as and when if not urgent. I'm being much more proactive and paperwork really is one of my big issues. It helps that I'm now sticking anything for my ex straight back in the post, he's had more than enough time to notify people so I'm not going to have it sat around waiting for him anymore.

Gentle start to the day, 1 yoyo out here. And lots in ready for Christmas gifting.

Finally put the tree up, and decorated - have got a box of decorations we no longer use for the charity shop. Taken a few internet shopping returns to the post office so that's cleared my stairs (must stop storing mail on the stairs!). Sorting out one of the bookcases this afternoon to hopefully get rid of some books I'll never read again for charity.

Already dreading the extra clutter Christmas will bring. My MIL is lovely and makes me a stocking every year, but it's filled with little bits I never use. I've still got nail varnishes she gifted from 2 years ago! (Need to charity shop these!)

I hope all the ill people are feeling better soon.

It is amazing how many issues here I can relate to! My DP just piles his mail, still in envelopes, on the coffee table. Again, some things haven't been opened. I recently sorted through 2 boxes of his mail that had been collected together and taken upstairs, presumably before visitors arrived. The current piles are so bad that I can't move the coffee table to hoover. Why does he do this? I deal with all the joint bills and house stuff. I open all my mail as it arrives, throw away most envelopes, and every 3-4 months file it into some sort of order.

A few months ago, DP got a letter from Barclays to tell him they were going to close his account, asking where the money should be transferred to, but according to him he didn't have an account with them. I suggested it may have been an account taken over by Barclays - he used to have an Ing Direct savings account - could it be that? He was adamant that had been closed years ago, but phoned Barclays on the number in the letter to find out. And I was correct, it was his Ing Direct account! And, when I sorted out one of the crates of mail upstairs I found all the (opened) paperwork detailing the take-over and change of account numbers etc.

clettercletterthatsbetter I didn't see your update when I posted. It might seem slow but at this time of year we're all so busy doing other stuff and you're decorating so try not to get down. Once your bedroom is finished it'll be a really strong motivator to finish the decluttering.

Not done much, put up a few more decorations, shredded post and made a pile of nice decorations to sell but realised I'm busy Thursday to Sunday so there's not much point putting things on Facebook as I won't be home. This'll impact on my 'get rid of 20 bags' target. In fact it'll impact on my whole to do list.

I have also wrapped a few presents. It's not really reducing the stuff in the house but at least they look tidy under the tree.

purplefrog that must be really annoying. Is the coffee table in the sitting room? That would drive me potty - old post is bad enough in the hall but at least I don't sit there to relax. My ex would keep things like catalogues from shirt companies in clear plastic that could just be thrown away the day it comes in.

I managed to empty a rucksack & started a new little pile of recycling. I’m going to add a duvet cover& pillowcases to that when I can pit my hand to them.
I’ve shifted the box from the bottom of our bed onto the bed & the r iso muc Better for the space, I hope it motivates me to actually empty the damn thing as I think I’ll be able to get rid of lots of it.

I had a day off today so I've got quite a lot done because it's going to be a busy week and I'm not sure I'll get much done later in the week. I've done a few loads of washing and got them put away. I've also wrapped up all the presents and got rid of some of the boxes they were delivered in. I've found three rolls of almost empty sellotape so I've finished one off. It's so annoying as every year I end up buying a new roll because I can't find any. Trying to keep stuff together is really helping. Some holey socks and trainer socks that are just too uncomfortable to wear have gone out as well.

Managed an unexpected out today of three children's dressing gowns unaccountably at the bottom of the box storing Santa hats and Christmas tablecloths! Got the lights up in the study window and a list written for Christmas cards. Getting there slowly...

I think I've just finished my Christmas shopping! (DP still has a bit to do for the in-laws but I'm trying not to get too involved.)

I've also, finally, ticked a job off which has been dragging on for weeks, so that's good too.

I'm trying to motivate myself to do some decorating tomorrow. I've got to try to make myself as I've been meaning to do it all year and I'll feel rotten if I don't do it.

@Custardcreamfiend ain’t that the truth! I ended up buying more batteries for the lights yesterday even though I know there’s an enormous packet sitting somewhere that I can’t put my hand to. I can see the same thing coming with drawing pins.

Apologies for typing in that last post, not me, my iPad keyboard is going squiffy.

Have not finished shopping, and have the twitch already. I know if I get the children too much they will be overwhelmed and miserable on the day, but I do sometimes wish they had more toys. Til I put my foot in another bit of fucking Lego anyway.

coldhandscoldheart custardcreamfiend I have mentioned this lady a few times as I like the list on her website. I think it might've been penelopeflintstone who introduced her to us (thanks!)

clutterbug.me/2018/03/homeless-clutter-podcast-free-printable.html

About 18 months ago I grouped lots of these items together plus stuff like pritt stick (I think we had 18!), sellotape, screwdrivers - things specific to my house. We all have our own homeless clutter specific to our houses but mine is much improved and the children are getting better at putting things away.

Anyway I am still going through my list - not getting rid of much yet although I have written about 10 Christmas cards so that's reducing my big pile of them. I have lots of spare envelopes so they'll be used as shopping lists. Not sure I'll finish my dining room or bedroom this week but both are much tidier.

Today's out- a packet of casserole mix 4 years out of date 😳 I'm trying to actually use up what's in the cupboards now. So I've just made some jelly 😁

Need to clear out more clothes, maybe later today.

purplefrog that must be really annoying. Is the coffee table in the sitting room?

Yep - it is! (On both counts!) My end of the coffee table is not clear, by any means, but at least I deal with stuff there on a regular basis. I do keep a number of catalogues, which I put in a cupboard in the living room and weed out the old ones every 6 months or so. But... I do take everything out of its plastic and immediately recycle anything that I am never going to buy from. DP on the other hand - still has things in plastic from 2 or 3 years ago. Sigh!

Actually, the coffee table is an area I intend to sort through during the Christmas Holidays. I did give it a quick once-over when I had been dealing with the boxes of DP's mail as I was able to very quickly spot and pull out his bank statements and file them. That reduced the piles by a couple of inches!

Last night I bagged up two bin bags of clothes (one mine, one his) that had spilled over into the hall, coming down this morning and not worrying I was about to go arse over tit was a great feeling (pathetic??) and it really spurs you on to keep going.

4 items to charity shop here. I hated them all do why did it take so long for me to let go?!

I've managed to get DD to part with some old toys, so that's 4 out today. And last night I found another old phone (and case) that can go. I also went through a big box of stationery and although I didn't get rid of much it's now far more organised.

My Christmas aim is to use up old gift tags and paper so I don't have lots of odd bits hanging around.

A broken penguin pen was my out today. However, Christmas shopping sorted. Got a couple of online orders to arrive and wrap and I'm done. Phew! Except for buying fresh stuff on the 23rd....
We have been running food down in the freezer so I cleaned and organised one drawer to get some food for Christmas in.

Posted the cards I'd written today, still have a few more to do but I was getting tired.
Am really hoping we don't have too many big "ins" at Christmas as I still have some stuff which needs sorting.

OK, so, I have to admit, I haven't started the decorating yet. BUT, I did do a charity shop run and walk about 5 miles. So, 2 boxes have left the house today, along with some general sluggishness.

Hello. I’d like to join in too!

We moved into our house last year. Then I found out I was suprise pregnant (again). So didn’t really bother decluttering.

I’m on mat leave now, Dd is now 4.5 months. Ds is 2. And we have too much stuff. I go back to work at the end of January and am determined to get the house in some sort of order by then.

In the last week or so I have:

• taken three bags of ds’ toys to charity shop
• bought three huge stackable plastic tubs for his brio, duplo and toot toot stuff. These are kept in the living room
• filled up the storage under our bed (ottoman bed) - mostly Christmas stuff so will deal with this in the new year but for now it’s out of sight.
• emptied my socks and underwear drawers and got rid of a two big bags.
• ditches three pies of pyjamas
• broke a cup and a lovely glass for gin

And today I have sorted out and bagged up all of dd’s 0-3m clothes. I need to put them in vacuum bags so they can be stored in the loft but for now they’re all in a bag all zipped up.

Need to do the same with ds’ 18-24m clothes too. We’ve just been gifted three huge bags of 2-3 stuff so am washing it and then will do a switch.

Am determined to be more ruthless and just get rid of anything which looks a bit worse for wear or stuff we don’t use.

On the flip side I need to sort out my spending too. I have too much stuff. I don’t need so much. But having stuff makes me feel better. But having too much makes me anxious. So have to keep things in check.

Threw out some nearly done face creams ( been open over 12 months and one smelled a bit 'off' )

Took a winter coat to the Charity Shop ( good condition but too warm for me )

DH put the unused Christmas decorations in the loft (no glass baubles this year because of the new cats )

I am still here! Been very busy lately with working 2 jobs (full-time part-time). I had to throw out yet another pair of socks yesterday - so guess what's on my Christmas wish list lol! With Christmas coming we do have more outs than in, and have to admit I bought 4 new tops last weekend! I did have in mind some that I will donate, just have to actually grab them out of my closet. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll have all my Christmas cards sent out (so less in the house) along with some homemade caramels I made last night.

@ememem84

On the flip side I need to sort out my spending too. I have too much stuff. I don’t need so much. But having stuff makes me feel better. But having too much makes me anxious. So have to keep things in check

This is exactly how I feel.

How do you recycle old phones?

@Bluewavescrashing I sent my last phone to envirophone or music magpie.