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.

Alex - Maybe you could start small, eg. rolls of sellotape or pens?

Thanks @SandAndSea, I'm going to try that.

Another two bags of things to the charity shop today

I am going to DParents House .
Wish me luck, it is a trial of endurance .

DMum has things I try to evict each time , she says "No I'm going to sew that" , they will still be there , unsewn .

Two years ago she had a load of material that she said was going to be sewn into a coat. I gathered up all the bits put into a clear lidded box and she agreed a timespan ( two months) she was going to sew it .(or she would get rid of it)

Still not done , I need to find the box , she probably shoved it in a cupboard so she won't miss it .

And she keep boxes and plastic tubs to keep "things" in ( wrappers, used envelopes ) I recycle and get rid of the boxes too.

It is like dealing with a toddler , it is all negotiation.
She always agrees her room is nicer when the way is clear to the door ....but within 24 hours , the clutter is back, ready to trip her up.

I might keep a record , photos on my phone

The children are going to their grandparents, so I have a half day to myself, not sure what to tackle. The car boot is still full of the things that should have gone to the tip, but I won’t have the car, so can’t do that.
I might tackle the final box in te living room, not sure any of the contents will leave the house, but I will see if I can redistribute them. Rearrange the shelves (again). Ironing, washing (again).

Inspired by @SandAndSea I have filled in a tax rebate form. Still need to update my driving license, might do that, but need a new photo.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget, that is tough, good luck for today! It's hard if she doesn't want to declutter and treats everything as treasure.

@Coldhandscoldheart - That's so nice to know. Thank you!

Well, I haven’t got around to doing the vases yet 🙈.

BUT I have decluttered most of a kitchen worktop that has been breeding clutter for months, put a big bag of rags in the rags recycle bin, taken 2 1/2 bin bags of stuff to a charity shop. I’ve also reorganised a couple of kitchen cupboards. Oh, and I’ve sold 2 baby chairs! Reading that back that’s actually quite good progress!

Prepping the house for 2 exchange students visiting us this month for DD. Finishing the clearcut of DD's room so they have a clear room to stay. Cleared out fridge and freezer so food is easy to store and find. Now I just need to restock with fresh fruit and veg!!!

1 full general bin, 1 trip to recycling centre, I trip to dump with a car load tomorrow. Off now to start loading the car!!!!

I just posted on the "AIBU to want my house guest ready at all times" thread - it really is a motivator to have guests to visit or stay isn't it?

I've done the filing that's been on the dining table for weeks. I've thrown away numerous of DC's craft projects (how do I throw away all the cards that say love you mummy?). And two handfuls of tiny toys that don't be missed. And a nursing pillow that won't survive another wash. Nothing that has made a noticeable difference but all needed doing.

Oh, and I've put 6 pairs of DC's tights into the out pile and only brought 3 new ones in.

I haven’t managed much the past few days. I’ve tried to declutter but I’m getting to the stage where there isn’t that much left that I can get rid of (at least without the 4yo kicking up a fuss).

Outs:

• 1 item sold on eBay posted
• Cardigans x2
• Skirt
• 2 plastic storage boxes given away
• FB item sold and collected
• 1 pair holey socks
• Tiny kids toy

How do you all manage to declutter kids stuff? My 4yo is very possessive of her things and doesn’t like change (even when it’s things she never plays with/reads/wears). I’ve tried to encourage her to choose things to give to children who don’t have much, to no avail. I don’t want to just get rid of her things as I worry it’ll scar her for life and turn her into a hoarder as an adult!

Hi I’ve don’t post much but always love reading what everyone’s done.

Feel I’ve finally made headway with general house work this week. Sorted D.C. room and living room tidied. Got 1 bag of dvds to go to charity shop and a box to send to music magpie. So that’s a box cleared from the loft and some from the living room.

Dh has taken some old game consoles, games and old phones and traded them in so that’s some extra money (he only brought a few bits while there😃).

3 old school jumpers to the school to sell and some old pants & socks for them for spares.

Also had a clear out of my craft stuff and got rid of a lot of bits. Still need to sort the spare room (did a few weeks ago).

And I cleared the under stairs cupboard out so have managed to put the cake bits and wrapping away which helped tidy the dinning room 😃

I've started a new charity shop bag. I have put in a whisk, and a bread making thing I bought with good intentions but never used.

@Clettercletterthatsbetter My DD is 3.5 so perhaps less on the ball than yours but I have just got rid of things she doesn’t okay with and she doesn’t notice. I cleared out forty soft toys from our house when she was at nursery one day and she’s not looked for a single one of them.

Sorry that’s play, not okay

@Clettercletterthatsbetter I have the same issue, I just hide things she doesn't play with away when she isn't looking. If she doesn't ask for them for a few weeks, then they can go. I always make sure either she doesn't come to the charity shop with me or the bag is sealed otherwise she wants to keep everything! We are drowning in her stuff and even she is overwhelmed.

Haven't posted on here for a while and it's fallen off my "threads I'm on" . I have been reading all the updates - we're doing brilliantly ]grin]

I am now at 506/2020 items - a quarter of the way there! Stuff I have decluttered in the last 2-3 weeks includes:

Perfume sample - God knows where from
Bathroom shelf unit - actually the top of a bigger shelf unit and rubbish and unfit for purpose. Replaced with a basket that we already had and looks much neater
10 dried up pens
Paint box
42 pieces of outgrown children’s clothes - need to get these out to the charity shop ASAP
Cheap crappy nail polish - DD1 got this for free with a magazine and it's awful thin drippy stuff that takes about 57 hours to dry properly. Ugh
4 odd socks
Small holey pair of tights
Outgrown pair of pyjamas DS had scribbled on, so no good for the charity shop
Packet of out of date desiccated coconut
Bottle of conditioner (cheap bottle bought for combing the girls' hair when they had headlice, so won't be replaces)
Out of date tub of hundreds and thousands (September 2014! We moved here in December 2014

DD2 has a playdate next week which is spurring me on to declutter some more bits and start cleaning up so we're not doing a mad dash round 10 minutes before on Saturday afternoon....

Finally got rid of an item I had for sale. No joy on the two things on Freecycle.
Our bedroom seems to have got more chaotic whilst I sort everything out.

Getting back to it today - a duvet cover, 2 pillow cases and 2 bottom sheets out that are worn / torn / don't actually fit any beds!

Bag full of rubbish and acres of crumbs and dust from DS2's pit. He's responsible for it himself, but is struggling with a massive school workload right now and I don't want the carpet to walk out on its own...

639/ 2020

Out- pair of tights with holes

sydney carton 506 is awesome I am actually jealous of you.

I have been struggling to throw stuff out so I’ve made a Big List again. It is as much admin tasks as anything but I am so much quicker at admin than I used to be. Anyway I have been in the Room of Doom again and put some rugs in the car that didn’t sell on Facebook. They took up quite a lot of space so i’m really pleased about that.

(Maybe i wasn’t clear, the rugs are going to the charity shop later).

2 bags to-day to bin - one from playroom, one from DS bedroom - all rubbish, nothing will be missed but it feels good. Also, major kitchen clean and declutter. Only the conservatory left now - DH coming home early to help - and he has agreed we need to get it removed after Easter as it is a health hazard and a clutter magnet (yippee).

I have an impending trip to Ikea tomorrow so I am making a list to keep me on track! Mostly looking for small storage items to tidy the kitchen up, need to remeasure for a shoe cupboard tonight.