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

Gassy- I didn’t realise you could retract bids on eBay? They say you’re entering into a contract when you bid?

I’m still here although haven’t read or posted for ages (sorry!) I have managed to get rid of a few things....still drowning in crap though

Yes you can I’ve done it myself a couple of times if you’ve entered the wrong amount say. To be honest I rather they did that than win then ask if I would mind arranging a courier to the Outer Hebrides because they didn’t notice it was cash on collection only

gassylady it's hard but even half is better than nothing.

I have thrown away 3 scruffy Christmas decorations that had bits of thread hanging off them. I had put them on the tree at the back but decided I have enough decorations and I don't need them.

I also persuaded dd2 to give a horrible decoration she made to my exmil. Yay - grandma gets to look at a hideous blue and yellow donkey that looks like an elephant. I even suggested to dd2 that Grandma might like to put it at the top of her tree

Very naughty, Stealth!

I've also got rid of an old decoration today.

I've been watching quite a few clutter clearing programmes and videos recently. I find it helps to motivate me. There's a new hoarder series on channel 5 (very sad so be warned) and a documentary on Prime.

I'm delaying painting as I type.

I just “decluttered” the passenger side wing mirror of my car. And on Monday will declutter bank account getting it fixed. I also used up all my swears after I did it. Ffs.

stealth the homemade ornaments from the dc are what I have trouble tossing, I'm glad you found a solution that is now someone else's problem lol!

Late last night (11:30pm) dh had the great idea to de-clutter the fridge, we tossed 8(!)jars of pickles, all of them were mostly eaten, along with some other random condiments, some of them out of date by over a year (and not used in that time). Today I will de-clutter a package to my mum, and hope it arrives by the 28th! Her gift is already sorted (since she's in the UK and I'm in US it takes a lot more planning).

I've spent 5 hours decluttering today! Am shattered now. Roast beef in the oven, feet up

This morning I threw a huge strop at everyone as there's too much shite everywhere. DD took pity on me and we gutted her room, hoovered, dusted and put everything back. Box of old school stuff has gone in the loft. Huge bag of clothes to charity shop. Loads of cardboard and two bags of broken toys etc to the recycling centre so as not to clog up the bins before Christmas.

Her room looks SO much better! Wardrobe is organised, bookshelves sorted, we changed her sheets too.

Also I sold a bag of stuff on facebay. So a good day 🙂

I've been ill for most of the week so the general mess in the house is starting to get out of control again. I need to try and deal with some of it tomorrow.

DS was off school on Thursday so I helped him to sort his bedroom. It was bad - you couldn't actually see the floor. It took a few hours but we have filled a bag for life of unwanted toys, another bag of rubbish, a small bag of clothes and got rid of a pile of paper/art that half filled the recycling box. DS is usually very reluctant to get rid of anything so I am quite impressed with him. I do need to sort through the bag of toys because there are some things DD will like but most of it will go. Now the challenge is to make sure DS keeps his room tidy and the mess doesn't pile up again.

DH has done a major declutter of the loft this week because he was doing a job up there. Two car loads have gone to the tip and there's at least one more load in the garage which needs to go. It was all his or belonged to PILs (we live in their old house) so some of it was tough to deal with emotionally. I'm glad it's done and it made sense because a lot had to be moved to do the job he was doing but now we have piles of photos and old school books around the house adding to the other clutter we haven't dealt with yet.

Welcome to all the newbies and returners. Sand I might have a look at some of those clutter clearing programmes. Although there is a danger I might just watch them instead of actually doing any decluttering of my own!

cuatard but sometimes watching shows like that are helpful. Good for the soul. Motivating. Maybe.

I’m bleachjng my teeth again now. I got halfway through the kit my dentist gave me and my teeth got a bit sensitive. So stopped. Want to get rid of the box so am continuing with it.

We’ve managed to get more plastic tubs in the house as had a takeaway. But i will use them for leftovers/lunches/freezer stuff. So now too much of a problem really.

Freezer needs to be cleaned and decluttered. So much stuff in there.

Tomorrow I’m doing my wardrobe. It was nice and ordered. But then I started throwing Christmas gifts in there.

The plan is to use a vacuum bag to store my summer duvet under the bed creating more space there. Then put all Christmas gifts under bed. And tidy my wardrobe.

@ememem84 after you bleach your teeth, rinse out your trays straight away and put a bit of sensitive toothpaste in there, then put them back on your teeth for half an hour. It stops the pain.

Tip from my excellent orthodontist - it works!

Thanks blue will try that! I leave the bleach in overnight (dentists orders) and last time they got sensitive after a week of use. So am hoping that I have less than a week left!

My biggest out this week is the now ex husband! Finally divorced and feeling lighter for it. On a more practical note as DD is getting older what was her playroom has gradually morphed into my office, but very little of her stuff has been sorted out. I've done that this morning, got bags of stuff to bin/ sell/ take to the charity shop.

Anyone know whether it's better to store things in an attic in plastic or cardboard boxes? Wondering if plastic protects better from cold and damp but equally lack of breathability could be a bad thing.

hungryhazeleyes I have the attitude with the kids made clutter that the longer you have it the harder it is to get rid of because you've held on to it for so long (like husbands really) but when it gets to the point that you can't remember which child made it and it really is super ugly it is easier to get rid of. I got out about 6 home made decorations the other day and there was a stocking that neither child could remember making (from a child's sewing kit so not even that creative) so when they're not looking I'll bin it. Some are sparkly and give me pleasure to look at in the way some shop bought decorations do and I'll keep those.

sand thanks for the programme recommendations. I might watch them, I used to like programmes like Kim and Aggy where people's lives were really improved by living in a better environment.

sleepingsoul well done, I have a husband to get rid of. We're separated and I am so happy to be rid of him.

Declutteringwise I have always been obsessed with holepunchers and staplers and always staple my documents before filing. I think I mentioned this about two years ago when I did my stationery that I found I had about 8 or 9 staplers. Well I was using one on Friday and I spent longer removing broken staples than I did stapling and nothing would fix it so that is going in the bin. The hole punch I was using also wasn't properly punching holes. It feels wrong to throw metal away but they were both wasting my time and I have alternatives to use so I will try not to follow my natural instinct which is to put them away and use other stapler/ hole punches that work better.

Broken coat hanger and an old leather messenger bag of dhs which had gone mouldy and had started moulding up the inside of our bed (must have got damp or something ffs). So I’ve thrown it away. Have also vacuum bagged our summer duvet and my pregnancy pillows. To make more space.

Wardrobe tidied and under bed storage tidied. It is full of Christmas gifts. Ones which need wrapping. Ones which people have given me for the kiddos. There is too much.

I’ve also ditched a takeaway container, a lid (from one of ds’ sippy cups which we no longer have), and a lid from a plastic container.

Taking a box of chocolates to dparents later on along with a bottle of wine and a bunch of dishes which are theirs. Dm gives us leftover puddings and things so we have her dishes.

Also took all the non Christmas mugs out of the mug cupboard and these have gone in the loft for now. Will switch back after Christmas. Dh has finally put the boxes and bag stuff of kids clothes in the loft. Hoorah!

ememem sorry about your wing mirror. It's a bugger when that happens so close to Christmas.

Sleeping, well done on decluttering the end of a relationship. Glad you feel lighter!

No real decluttering here for a couple of days apart from cardboard boxes and Christmas magazines, but I'm about to gird my loins, put music on and empty this bloody lego technic onto the kitchen table. It has Got To Go. DH and the Willowettes are watching a Star Wars marathon in advance of the new film on Friday, so I should have plenty of space and time!

willow it’s an absolute nightmare. Annoyingly it was a bit scratched and two weeks ago dh bought and fitted a new cover to make it look nice again. And we had a conversation about getting a new car. I want one. He doesn’t. Apprently I don’t look after the one we have......

I was hoping to have my front room finished today but I've just done what feels like the worst paint job ever so I've got to wait and see what it's like when it dries and maybe do another coat (with more sanding) tomorrow. I'm so annoyed with myself!! My entire downstairs area is a shambles.

On the plus side, I've done a load of laundry which I'm going to take to the launderette to dry in a bit.

I've also posted an item for sale and have decided to give it to charity if it doesn't go soon. Having seen what the house looks like when I decorate one room (which is pretty clear) I'm even more spurred on to get rid of things.

Sleeping - Good luck for your new start!

• I meant that the room I've emptied to decorate was pretty clear and yet, it's still caused chaos. Hope that makes sense.

Just popping on to say "aaaagh lego". 3.5 hrs sorting and stripping and I'm still not done. Fingers have gone numb...

Giving it up for today and Having An Evening. Good job on decorating, sand. Ememem are you exhausted by tinies, by any chance? I took a corner off the car once a quarter when the DC weren't sleeping...

Thanks, Willow! I've examined my painting and it is indeed awful. I don't think I can live with it - will probably re-do it tomorrow. (DP is tearing his hair out.)

willow yep. Ds (2) and Dd (4.5m)

I’m usually very careful. But hey ho. It’s happened so I just need to now work on fixing it.

Tomorrow I’m planning on attacking the bathroom cabinet (and cleaning the bathroom).

This morning, before work, I was trying to put the cups/ mugs away inn the cupboard, but there was no room. I ended up taking out between 20 and 30 mugs and water bottles out that we haven't used in years!! They are all boxed up and ready to go to the charity shop. I'm just so glad there's no thoughts to try to sell them or anything. I'll just donate them.

I have still got to get a few shirts out of my closet as well (I need to make more room in there). willow good job on the Legos, remember it's a marathon not a sprint. It's going to take time to get everything the way you want it.

Sounds like everyone is doing great. The first of the Christmas presents have been wrapped and are out of the house. I managed to use up a roll of paper, and have decided that that is my plan for the other presents - try to finish as many rolls as possible. Have temporarily left the inner tube lying around for the kids to play with.

Had visitors at the weekend that commented that the house is the tidiest they've seen it!!! It is still full of clutter but I must be making some progress. Binned some feather/twig/nature creations from DC1 to tidy up the kitchen.

Tomorrow off work was planned to do more cleaning and decluttering, but as DC2 is ill and will need to be off nursery that will not happen now. Mainly I'd like to declutter the virus.

Currently sat at garage. Waiting for my new wing mirror. £221 decluttered from my bank account!

Am going to do the bathroom cabinet later when I get home. And the fridge.

Ditched nipple cream fanny compressed and other post birth paraphernalia. Also unpacked two pack of razor blades (in individual packs so they’re tidied away).

New toothbrush for ds. Old one out.