The decluttering on thing a day thread - part 11

[StealthNinjaMum]

We’re still here.

After 10 threads my house still isn't tidy!

So join me and a lovely group of mumsnetters who simply get rid of one thing a day and report back. Gradually we’re developing good habits, reorganising ourselves, often improving our mental health and having friendly chatter along the way.

So newbies are welcome, just check in with your news and join in the general chat about recycling, organisation and housework.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3760076-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-part-10-the-countdown-to-a-clutter-free-Christmas?pg=1

ALSO many of us have set a target to get rid of 2020 items this year and will report on that.

Wow, cletter, congratulations! I think more than one measly day off is allowed, to give you time for lovely newborn snuggles... .

The superfluous chest of drawers went out to garage last night, while we decide what to do with it (bitter experience suggests decluttering furniture items too hastily is expensive). Today's plan is a quick zip round the utility room, which has silted up again!

Congratulations Cletter! I think you have earned some time off decluttering.

@Em8725 - I just saw your question about children's drawings etc. There's a company (probably several) which you can send them to and they'll scan them and make them into a book.

@wondering7777 - I would keep them for now as it sounds like you're not ready to get rid of them yet. Is there anyone else in the family you could give them to? When the time comes, maybe you could take a photo of them before you get rid of them?

@IslaMann - Welcome!

Congratulations Cletter 🎉

Congratulations Cletter! In putting things into my new car, I've decluttered 3 bags of stuff to the bin. House wise, the last small shampoo finished.

Congratulations Cletter!

Over the past 2 weekends I have completely emptied the large modular ikea storage unit in the dining room and moved it through to the back sitting room. The contents are mainly packed into boxes and bags and piled upstairs, although I still have a number of bits on the ironing board and scattered on the dining room floor to sort. I also packed a couple of crates of sorted stuff from the living room and put that upstairs.

While I was doing this, I went through the cookery books and have looked out 10-15 to get rid of.

On Saturday I visited a local Charity shop and got rid of an old guitar with a broken string, a small bag of odds and ends and a bag of rags for recycling. That has got some more stuff off the dining room floor! Our paper bin was nearly full to the brim last week and almost didn't make it up the gravel driveway.

I now feel I have sorted and moved more than half the volume of non-furniture in the living room and dining room, and in the next day or two will hopefully be booking the carpet fitters to come at the end of next week. Phew!

My intention is to keep at it this week and do 30-60 mins each evening packing and moving non-essential stuff, and hopefully drop off the books at a Charity shop.

Congratulations Cletter! Enjoy the squishy newborn cuddles

Out today: a bag of assorted kitchen stuff to the charity shop, and a book passed onto a friend. Got to sort out a jumper that shrunk on the first wash with a ranty email to the shop.

Got all the recycling out from all the birthday presents, cards and party stuff and that will go tomorrow.
Also rid of 2019 National Trust handbook. Couple more items on charity bag. Couple of bras to go-to slightly concerned the underwire in one is in the washing machine.....
Do charity shops take tights? I have some unworn still in packaging and I don't imagine I will ever wear them.

Many congratulations Cletter and family.

Today's outs, complete 4 lego sets to charity shop, 1 meccano set to local primary and lots of empty lego boxes and instructions to recycling bin as lego pieces and boxes long since separated. Will offer mixed 'lego' box to school once all lego locations cleared!

I full bag of accumulated items to charity shop.

451/2020

I've been through some more uni notes and have another wad of papers to go out: about 2cm today.

Plus a card wallet.
And a jar & lid.

@SandAndSea Thankyou. I’ll look into those. I suppose I could do that myself really, if I find somewhere that will spiral bind them for me.

Today’s outs are some broken toys I found hidden under DCs bed, and a heap of old wool given away. I don’t have the time to have more than one crochet project on the go so it seems silly to keep loads I won’t be able to use.

Also thinking of giving my prom dresses/ballgown style dresses to one of those charities that hire them out to young people going to prom. I know they’d be much better used there but I’m not sure I’m ready to let go yet.

I sold an item on FB so that's gone. I'm going to organise some more items for selling. Recycled five items of paperwork from the study.

I've placed bids on two handbags on eBay. I only need one.

Today's outs:
Reorganised DC's craft drawer and binned a few pots of dried out paint and glue, and some colouring books they've lost interest in, plus a broken ball and crayons. Birthday presents nearly packed away.

I've continued my decluttering of the utility room and bagged up a load of stuff to go to the charity shop including some very old kitchen utensils that I've owned for over forty years, it actually felt good to be saying goodbye to the utensil set I bought from Woolworths when I set up my first home.

402/2020

Cletter huge congratulations on decluttering your uterus, enjoy him

Didn't get anything done yesterday but the travel high chair attracted a bid on eBay so is officially sold - that counts, right?
I think I'll find it difficult to do much Mon-Thurs as I work 10hr days so by the time I'm home, DD put to bed, dinner and shower there's not much time left (and I'm too tired!).

@wondering777 I'd hold on to those utensils while they still look pretty and make you feel warm. They are doing a positive thing, even if they are more decorative than useful. Decorative is ok as long as you've chosen it, I feel.

@em8725, have you tried the Posting to Grandma trick? Put all beautiful paintings etc in large envelope, post to Grandma / other willing relative. The recipient displays a couple of favourites and quietly bins the rest. Can be done monthly if necessary! Or, take photographs and bin - easier than scrapbooking the actual art (although I confess to keeping first pictures drawn of our family, early name-writing attempts etc). Some 3D art (models etc) we just had to live with until said DC grew up a bit and was interested in other things - a Y3 can be very scathing about their own creations from Reception!

Waves to MmeAllium, Awesome2020 and IslaMann. Good to have more people on board! Keiki, good job on car clearing (hope you're counting the old one as an out). Good luck with carpets, PurpleFrog.

Yesterday's outs were 2 outgrown pairs of trainers and 2 candles used up. Trying to persuade myself I want to use an oil burner I was given a couple of Christmases ago in place of the candles, but it seems like such a faff.

Still haven't found the utility room.

576/2020

Freebie cotton bag chucked today containing bits and bobs including gift make up bags, etc.

Decided that we are going to a car boots sale in 2 weeks time to try to make some £’s. So bagged up some DVDs.

So far today I've decluttered an umbrella and some anti bac wipes into work.

Hi can I join?

I've been decluttering bits since Jan. Yesterday bagged up some old toys for charity and binned some old broken ornaments etc. from shelves in spare room. I've been using up all the random ingredients in my food cupboards as well and not replacing stuff that's not really needed. I'm pretty good at decluttering but I'm determined to get on top of the stuff coming on this year by shopping more mindfully and using stuff up properly etc.

*coming in

@IWillWearTheGreenWillow that’s a fantastic idea Thankyou. We have lots and lots of relatives near and far, I’ll add them to a mailing list 😉.

I’ve kept a lot of the first family pictures and name writing, but there’s just so much. I’ve bought each child a scrap book and I’m going to allow them to pick their favourites. We’ll stick some in there, send some to relatives near and far, and hopefully unclutter those drawers! Thankyou 😊

Busy morning here, I'm still attacking the utility room which considering it's the smallest room in the house it would appear to be holding onto a disproportionate amount of crap.

Out today

100 carrier bags
4 broken torches
A box full of odd screws, nails and other shit|
22 tea towels leaving me still with too many but at least I can open and close the drawer now.
2 aprons
A carrier bag holder that has never been attached to the wall
4 lint roller handles
2 oven gloves
1 pet harness
12 assorted out of date pet medications
15 syringes
A bag full of bandages
2 school jumpers
1 school cardigan
1 sports shirt

Stopping now because I have another test drive booked and I need to buy some storage boxes with lids to replace the open dust collecting ones in my utility room.

471/2020