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Original poster

The decluttering on thing a day thread - part 11

979 replies

StealthNinjaMum · 19/01/2020 15:12

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.

OP posts:
HungryHazelEyes · 21/01/2020 22:09

Happy birthday pickledlilly it's nice to treat yourself with new clothes. Enjoy the new ones you got, and pay attention to the old ones you have in how they make you feel. For example, I have a top I'm going to see if my SIL wants as I feel frumpy when wearing it. It's comfy, but I don't like the way I look when wearing it.

Momniscient · 21/01/2020 22:11

P.s. Discovered recently that Terracycle does a sort of "recycle extra stuff if you pay us for postage and the faff" scheme which will hopefully de-guilt my coffee pod habit. Also includes recycling water filters, so hopefully if we go ahead then the ones I've been keeping (refused to bin them...) can go soon. Ditto pet food pouches that are by the sink. Seperate box for them by the looks of it.

Link here in case it's useful for other "I refuse to bin this because I'm certain it should be recyclable" people: zerowasteboxes.terracycle.co.uk/collections/room-separation-zero-waste-boxes

RuudGullitOnAShed · 21/01/2020 22:43

Everyone’s been so busy.

Work, illness and life in general have got in the way of my declutter so it currently stands at 350/2020.

Hopefully this weekend I can have a purge on some of the kitchen drawers.

Suzie0003 · 22/01/2020 07:55

Oh dear more ins. 4 suitcases for holiday (will go in the loft though so out of the way and we've previously been borrowing cases from my mum so we did really need them). Bought myself a new coat and will get rid of my old one. Bought some swimming trunks, tshirts and trainers for my kids but have a bin bag of clothes leaving today so hopefully balances out. Sold some lego for my son last night which has been collected. Over all not terribly successful

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 22/01/2020 08:19

It's all movement in the right direction, Susie, and awareness of what's coming in, and that's what counts!

Happy birthday yesterday PickledLilly FlowersFlowersFlowers.

No more outs here yet, just finally got the jewellery to the charity shop. DH admitted last night he'd been far too busy gaming to list the china on ebay on Sunday (mutter), so now I have to find somewhere for it to live until he gets his act together.

Didn't get anything done in our bedroom yesterday either.

Reastie · 22/01/2020 09:24

Threw away two bottles of toiletries that dry out my skin and I’ll never use and have been sitting in the cupboard for months. Also decluttered some baby toys to my parents’ house as they asked for some toys for Ds to play with when there. In the process of going through Ds 3-6 months clothes (which are too small) and getting rid of a bin bag size bag hopefully at the week end

mogloveseggs · 22/01/2020 10:55

Today's out is the books for the charity shop
Also an old laundry basket to the tip and an old hamster cage and a pair of crutches

vroc81 · 22/01/2020 11:35

Belated birthday wishes @PickledLilly well done on those that have been shifting out...

I’ve stalled been busy at work but going to get the stuff out the bottom of the airing cupboard (sorted yonks ago) and put in car later so at least it me an out. Might also sort my towels at the same time...

I’ve also started a skin care regime like never before in an attempt to use up moisturiser and body scrubs and soufflés and the likes - So had a couple of empty bottles to bin there too..!

Keiki · 22/01/2020 12:33

Today has not quite worked out as planned, still productive though. A few small bowls out from the kitchen, one small kitchen item that I have no idea of its use, a couple of plastic cups. Also out an electric thing like a giant toothbrush that was useless for cleaning anything, some outgrown childrena clothes and a dozen pairs of outgrown socks in no state to be handed on. The dining table had vanished again so binned a load of DC's craft projects and posted a few return parcels.

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 22/01/2020 13:41

Happy birthday pickledlily

I finished a little shower gel. I also have to chuck some jeans because the zip has come away from the trousers and it looks like it’ll be complicated to fix.

OP posts:
MotherWol · 22/01/2020 16:02

@GlassOfPort my DH is the same, he likes to get new stuff (he's the kind of person who needs All the Kit if he's taking up a new hobby), and he's not good at getting rid of things he doesn't use anymore. We've had a few rows about it when I've decluttered his things without asking (i.e. books to the charity shop), so we've agreed that I will leave him to deal with his stuff. However, as time's gone on he's started to get the idea of following my example and I think the message of not living surrounded by piles of stuff is starting to get through. It's very slow progress, though, and I've had quite a few teary breakdowns about how much I dislike being surrounded by clutter. But we're slowly getting there!

Bunkerlife · 22/01/2020 16:36

I've hit the third day jet lag slump and have achieved nothing unless you include looking through holiday photos.

I've unpacked two suitcases and put two vest tops in a bag for charity so a tiny bit of progress, I'm hoping I'll get a second wind this evening.

^Decluttering 2020 things in 2020

5/2020^

Bluewavescrashing · 22/01/2020 16:37

Happy birthday pickledlily🎂

Today I've put 8 items of clothing in the clothing bank and two used activity books in the bin.

I'm waiting to hear if I've been shortlisted for a job and am very restless so my house is extremely clean now... Keeping clutter to a minimum is really helping with tidiness around the house.

Bluewavescrashing · 22/01/2020 16:46

Yesterday I donated a bag of cupboard food to a local Facebook group which wS satisfying.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/01/2020 17:04

Massive pile of outgrown clothes from DD2 ready for a trip to clothes bank tomorrow. She's growing faster than a weed at the moment!

wondering7777 · 22/01/2020 19:02

I’m not sure food counts as decluttering really, but I have drunk about six cartons of apple juice that were on the verge of expiry! I’m trying to be a lot more aware of what’s in my fridge so I buy less and waste less food.

ememem84 · 22/01/2020 21:53

Old water bottle of dhs that was under the car seat has been binned. He kept threatening to keep it. But he has a shiny new one so doesn’t need it.

Bunkerlife · 22/01/2020 23:17

No second wind but two large boxes and some coat hangers gone out for recycling.

^Decluttering 2020 things in 2020

8/2020^

ememem84 · 23/01/2020 09:04

Moses basket mattresses stand sheets and baby bath are going today. Friends coming to pick up this evening. Hoorah.

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 23/01/2020 09:17

Took a second pass through my jewellery box - some bits put away (gifts from my first boyfriend when I was 17 - they make me smile, but I'll never wear them again.), 3 pairs of earrings and a broken necklace out, 2 "odd" earrings out. Rearranged the lot so I can see my nose studs. Very satisfying.

My count is on the last thread, which I can't see on my phone, so I'll add these later!

SydneyCarton · 23/01/2020 10:22

Have cleaned out dd2s pants/socks/pyjamas drawer and folded everything beautifully, managing to chuck out ten pairs of old socks and 10 lone rangers. Now I need to do the same to seven other drawers and keep up with the folding....

Also decluttered a cupcake kit with the girls on Sunday, plus a glass I broke this morning Angry. On the plus side I also got rid of a Christmas gift bag to put the broken pieces in

217/2020

Suzie0003 · 23/01/2020 12:18

Sold a car seat today (have replaced it) so that's a big item out of my living room. Also sold a pair of toddler boots my daughter never wore. Decluttered alot of money having to have my carpet and sofa cleaned as my teen spilt a whole mug of coffee over it grrrr

RoseReally · 23/01/2020 13:32

@GlassOfPort I have exactly the same problem. DH not on board and whenever we do go through things he always wants to keep everything. Like of we haven't used it since we moved 5 years ago, do we reallt need it?? Also he keeps wanted to buy picture frames when we have several around the house that have been waiting to be put up for more than a year. I think a lot of it is that he's tired at the weekends and we have two young kids.. but I would really like to live in a house that isn't full of crap.

Also trying to declutter and tidy with a 3 year old around feels like re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. If I'm upstairs for 10 minutes sorting, I come down to the living room looking like a bomb's hit Sad

Hoping I can make some progress before I go back to work (on mat leave now) or I feel like it will never get done!

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 23/01/2020 14:24

Ok, so the jewellery makes it 556/2020.

I've also decluttered "send the letter asking for an EHC assessment for DS3" from my to do list, but that's scary and horrible so I'm not thinking about it.

Bunkerlife · 23/01/2020 14:25

More clothes in the charity bag plus a bag of party favours

11/2020