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

Went to the tip yesterday with 3 bin bags of absolute crap from under the stair. Huge dog bed being collected by a friend on Wednesday.

Also took a really old clothes airer that was being moved from one place to another and never used.

Box full of cups/ water bottles dropped off at the charity shop already this morning. I have a full day planned and feel very productive so far.

I went through the pantry and found some out-of -date jars ( black bean sauce and a jar of mayonnaise)
And some mint sauce that went OOD in 2016 ! . I never eat the damn stuff , so it could've sat there forever .

So I have some jars to go out to recycle .
Some dry foods (in date) for the food bank and some cat food that my cats won't eat (nothing wrong with it , just the "wrong" flavour )

Decluttered a load of tissues as i have the beginnings of a cold.I didn't feel up to doing any housework as a result, I'll do twice as much tomorrow.

Decluttered the last posted items and did two Christmas meetups off the list in one day (am sloshing with coffee!). Not at DS1's certificate award evening, he said "it's in a school I dislike with people I'm trying to lose touch with. Why would I go?". I thought he had a point, so I struck it off the calendar and am getting in the bath instead!

Still plodding along here. A few items sold on eBay got posted on Saturday, and 3 things sold on Facebook were collected today, so I’m slowly getting rid of a few bits (and trying to recoup a few quid in doing so!)

Over the weekend I finally got around to going through some boxes in the garage that I’d been meaning to sort for ages. Found one item to stick on eBay and absolutely nothing to be recycled/taken to the tip. I was disheartened not to find anything to declutter, but perhaps I should feel positive that I haven’t been hoarding unnecessary crap in there?

Just checking in. Chucked out some old make up bits today which I don't use/were likely past their best. Am still keeping on top of day to day clutter which is my aim over Christmas!

God I need to join this thread! The clutter is cluttering my mind and starting to get me down. All was fine until my boyfriend moved in and I now realise it's a very small house. I hoard shit and it needs to stop.

I started watching a hoarders show on all 4 this afternoon. Realised I’m nowhere near as bad as the people on the show.

I’m still plodding along using things up. Vowing not to buy a new xyz (perfume moisturiser shampoo book etc) until I have one left in the house. So this should help. I hate waste.

ememem84 I have too many shampoos and conditioners. I am slowly using up those I'm not so keen on as it seems a waste not to use them. I think in a couple of months I should be rid!

I’ve got three shampoos and conditioners now. A gigantic litre bottle of each, a normal sized one and an advent calender sized one. I wash my hair roughly twice a week. So I’ll be good for months.

Moisturisers I have a ton of. As well as soap and shower gel.

Also mascaras and eyeshadows. I am determined to finish a makeup pallet this year.

Up late tonight as I couldn't sleep.

Today, DP & I have cleared and deep cleaned the living room. The newly laundered curtains have been re-hung. Ornaments, candle holders, light fittings, a throw and rugs have been washed. Even the tables have been oiled.

I've also reduced the price of something on eBay. It's going to charity very soon if it doesn't go.

Out: a load of 'like new' bubble wrap to a friend for her business.

Hello userx, welcome! I think most of us started with the realisation you've had, that there is too much Stuff and not enough house. Are there any big ticket things that take up a lot of space you can tip easily? Good luck!

@IWillWearTheGreenWillow At this moment in time there is a double mattress and sofa bed ready to be tipped. I hang onto clothes thinking they may be worn at some point....... time to get tough with myself.

Hi & welcome, @userxx! What are you decluttering today?

Cross-posted. That sounds great!

Afternoon y’all

Today I have been in the cupboard under the stairs. IVe emptied and tidied it. Moved summer picnic things into the loft, moved pregnancy pillow to under our bed, I found a bag of paperwork and have sorted filed/shredded as necessary.

I’ve cleaned the black condensation mould from behind ds’ wardrobe and emptied and ditched a bottle of bleach.

also gone are two vacuum storage bags with holes in.

At the end of today I’m binning the jeans I’m wearing. They’re ripped but the rips are getting bigger.

I've gone through one of the kitchen cupboards and decluttered a bunch of out of date dry food and random leftover stock cubes, sweets, half empty packets of biscuits which have gone soft etc. Cleaned the cupboard and packed everything back in - looks much better.

I think the problem for me now will be not to get stressed and cross that the flat isn't - and won't be - all decluttered and tidy and perfect for Christmas. Logically I know it's ok that it won't be, and this is a long process, and no-one's going to have a crap Christmas because there are some charity bags still to go out or a pile of junk in the corner, but I need to keep reminding myself of that!

Pre-Christmas food delivery is due tomorrow - already making bets with myself as to how many of the items will be unavailable

It's peculiar the vicarious pleasure I get from reading this
After stalling for Christmas, today I've almost done a cupboard (bits to rehome still) - a carrier bag full of out of date meds, half used dried up or leaky stuff, manky plasters from the bottom of boxes, suntan lotion dating back to when I last had a baby - so probs about 15 years old
I've found 3 travel hairdryers so one to niece
A towel to rag
A ton of unopened body lotion to my sister
A jacket to my sister
A lynx gift set which MN has told me needs to go to food bank or similar
I set myself aim of 5 books and did 10
A coat left here at a party 7 years ago. It was nice as has been well worn but probs only to rag now
A big leather tote bag
Hollister joggers
All taken to charity shop too!

And a trip to the tip after recent work on loo

Not tidied from breakfast yet but my eye is on the bigger picture

I've still got my bedside drawers to go but I think I'm on a roll now

Will be binning the undies I'm wearing when I get home, as I have just pulled them up and ripped off 80% of the waistband.

I've had pants on my mind too defender

There are at least 4 pairs I always avoid in my underwear drawer as uncomfortable. There time is coming to an end!

I've just had fight with everything in our understairs cupboard in the lounge whilst extracting a suitcase. I sorted it out so well a couple of years but stuff has just been thrown in there. Ditched a gift bag which is ripped. Other stuff has had to go back as I don't have time to sort it all out.

I’ve been watching this thread for a while. Recovering from d&v so not doing much, just trying to clear a windowsill.
Hope it’s ok to jump on for advice on whether a One Direction quiz and sticker book, with one of the stickers missing, is worth sending to charity shop or shall I just put in recycling bag? I’m minded to recycle, as I don’t think anyone would buy it?

Pants are something I need to do.

I’m intending on doing the big kitchen cupboards tomorrow. Maybe not chucking out but definetly needs a tidy.

I’ve also ditched one of ds’ colouring books today. It’s all coloured in.

@abitoflight yep I know exactly what you mean - I have 3 pairs that are my indication I'm way behind with the washing!