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.

Out today are two empty bottles of bubble mixture into the recycling bin.

We've also got loads of user out of the garden recently Stealth. It's not as tidy as it could be but I'm so grateful we have that outdoor space at the moment. Disposable bbq maybe? We never use ours much, maybe twice a year. DH is a fan, though I'm not!

Currently working through a pile of paper on the desk as now I'm working from home full time it's really annoying me. May have mentioned this a couple of weeks back but have not actually done anything about it yet!

I’m tackling my bedroom today. It’s long overdue! Outs so far include four perfume bottles that I’ve had for years but never use - now I’ve only got perfumes I actually like on my dresser, which is a nice feeling! I even discovered a lovely new one that had been hidden away behind all the others that I didn’t know I had.

I’ve also got rid of an old T-shirt DH got for free that doesn’t fit him, some moth deterrents that have lost their smell, a keyring I don’t need, some underwear with holes in () and a recycling bag full of old boxes, packaging and receipts from various shopping trips that had all just been shoved into a corner.

Next I’m going to take all my clothes out of my wardrobe and only put back ones I truly like. I have so many clothes that I’ve had for years and never wear - there must be a reason why for each one, I just need to figure out what it is and mentally let go of them. Wish me luck...

Actually, if anyone has any tips on how to “let go” of old clothes I would love to hear them. Why are clothes sooo hard?

wondering I’m not sure I can give tips as such but I do notice when I look at old clothes how dated they are. I am not a fashionable person but I looked at some jeans a year ago and could just see the colour / cut was old fashioned so got rid of them.

Speaking personally I don’t need clothes for every eventuality as clothes are cheaper and everywhere. So as I don’t work in an office i have been able to throw away all my office clothes. My friends who do work in an office say that things are much more casual anyway and my suits from ten years ago would be over the top now. If I had a job interview I’m confident I could buy a couple of cheap, stylish, ok quality items from Sainsbury’s so don’t need old fashioned work clothes items in my wardrobe. The only worklike item I own is a black dress in case I have to go to a funeral.

Anyway I hope it goes well let us know how you do, clothes are very hard to get rid of so good luck.

We painted the kitchen this weekend and have managed to throw a few items of crap away. I also got rid of the scrappy bits of used sandpaper which always seem to get put back after decorating.
Trouble is stuff we can't get rid of right now. Had to buy a new printer and we now have the old one sitting on the lounge floor. Ditto old ink cartridges. Got a bag of some summer things DD has grown out of for charity shop.
Luckily our rubbish and recycling is still going weekly so am making sure everything is put out tonight.
DD doesn't do much art stuff but am determined we will use some of the stuff up during lockdown. Found a load of chalks today so we are going to do some outdoor chalk drawing this week!

Thanks @StealthNinjaMum. I read on another thread that Marie Kondo recommends starting your decluttering mission with clothes, because she believes they’re the easiest thing to throw out. I think they’re one of the hardest!

Anyway, I forced myself to be ruthless and have bagged up 12 items that I either haven’t worn for years or I don’t enjoy wearing because they make me uncomfortable, don’t fit or some other reason. I still have more to get through but it’s a good start!

I’ve also given the bedroom a deep clean, vacuum and dust - including getting rid of the thick layer of dust under the bed. The amount of dust and grime was quite something - it can’t have been good for us to sleep surrounded by all of that. It’s all looking so much fresher and cleaner now - most satisfying!

I haven't posted lately, but still getting rid of stuff as I come across it. DD had a set of beads that she hadn't done anything with for a couple of years. I'll give them to my nieces next time I see them. Over the weekend I came across a couple packages of OOD food in the pantry (2015/2016) not sure how I've missed them all this time!

Sand I would say take a picture of your cup, maybe use the wording/ whatever it is for something in your own style. Frame it or use as background on your phone/ contact picture in your phone. I hope that makes sense.

Stealth when going through my clothes I think about how long it's been since I've worn it. I try to remember how I felt wearing it. If I can't remember I try it on. If I feel great I plan to wear it within the next week/ month/ season. If I feel frumpy, then it goes. I hope that helps.

Oops, sorry, that last part should have said its for wondering not stealth

Thanks, Stealth & Hazel! I'm still pondering it but will get there.

Today I have sorted out 2/3 of my medicine cupboard. DP is dreadful for opening new packs of paracetamol etc, rather than using the already opened packet, so I've had to amalgamate quite a few packs and have clearly marked the ones to use first. I've also added a container, to organise all the pills.

Outs:

2 tubes ood cream.
6 empty packets.
11 instruction leaflets.
1 wrapper.
6 empty blister strips. (I think that's what they're called.)
1 elastic band.

Dinner was a stew I froze last week which I'm stupidly pleased about.

Another out: a broken alarm clock that has been telling the wrong time for two years!

Sounds like you're going brilliantly there, wondering! We are slowly sinking back into the mire. 6 of us all at home has made it very obvious we're still putting things down, instead of away, for the most part, and only part of our recycling is getting done.

I don't actually want to spend all of lockdown cleaning and decluttering when so many people are spending time reading, sewing, baking etc, and I'm still working (albeit very part time). It's taking all my energy to stay on top of what's in the fridge and keep everyone fed around 1 veggie, 2 with texture / flavour issues and 1 bottomless-pit teenage boy. That, the kitchen and laundry seem to fill my day on their own!

Welcome @AbbieLexie and @eenymeenymineymo.

@StealthNinjaMum, great idea about the cardboard. I don't have leaf mulch but our cardboard recycling bin looks like a 3d puzzle inside, there's so much in there. I also struggle with decluttering and cleaning - it's either cluttered and clean or decluttered and in need of a clean. There isn't enough time for both and it's frustrating as it's so much easier to clean without clutter.

I've been decluttering for ages and I'm not done either. It's never ending but a lot better than it used to be.

Decluttered more packaging and tidied up.

@wondering7777, that's great!

@IWillWearTheGreenWillow I'm also hoping to do something else other than decluttering, I'm just trying to get on top of the big/obvious things first

I am back on it! Oh yes! 6 useless erasers and 2 worn-through pairs of DS1's jeans have gone out!

Well I have taken all my recycling clothes from the wardrobe to the boot of the car, ready for the charity shop once it opens. My wardrobe is so tidy, it is like one of those Pinterest posts!!!

I have cleared my bedroom of all clutter except DH's books and medicine - he did all his side of the bed, I did mine. It is lovely and I have to keep on top of it as we have a desk set up in here for home working - I usually use the dining room table but not now the DC are here 24/7.

Hoping to get DS1 to today his school desk in his room - it is like a bomb site and when school returns (online) next week, he won't be able to find anything!!1

I think one space a week or maybe 2 is doable during this lockdown, but I am not sure any of us are up to tackling the garden shed!!!!

I planned to get things put back in the kitchen today as DP promised he would clear the decorating stuff away last night. He didn't so I haven't made much progress.(I know I could put the stuff away but he said he would do.....)
Out-an old snowman candle who was a bit chipped and bashed up and some old trainers.

Not much for me today, just 2 envelopes. I'm counting them because I would usually have kept them, but I'm trying to cut down.

Not much for me today, just 2 envelopes.

An out is an out!

I found this inspiring thread from 2012 for anyone looking to declutter their wardrobe...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1548636-Ive-had-a-major-wardrobe-clearout-and-its-just-BRILLIANT

Thanks, wondering! You're so right. The thing with these envelopes is that I literally used to keep everything of that nature. So, not just the cards from the people I don't know any more, but the envelopes too!! All those envelopes must double my storage needs! Hence, I'm trying to cut down.

I've gone on to throw out some more stuff tonight, inc:

A bad quality photo of a child I don't know, taken from behind. (It was given to me and I definitely would have kept this years ago.)
A leaflet.
A sweet, but scrappy note from DP.
9 receipts.
A wad of papers approx 2cm deep to do w mortgages. (I'd forgotten they were there - had them years.)
Papers from a course I did over 20 years ago. (Not even about the course - just random flyers etc.)
A faded photo in an old frame.

I also came across 2 empty boxes and I put 1 inside the other and put them away, just in case.

Well done on the wardrobe, Annasgirl! That sounds great!

I am back on it! Oh yes!

Me too! It feels good!

wondering - You asked for tips on getting rid of clothes... (Sorry, I'm a bit behind.)

Well, I would get them all out and try them on and ask yourself if they lift you. I might then have yes, no and maybe piles. The maybe pile would be for things like: 'It's my favourite ever top and reminds me of that special time and I would wear it if it wasn't for that hole / all the cakes'. (I've kept about 3 tops like that.) I would also keep a few items for decorating.

Once you've sorted everything, I would review each pile, especially the keep pile. Find your favourites and measure the rest against those, remembering too that you need to wear them - you can't just keep a load of ballgowns you never wear, just because you love them!

Maybe post on here when you're doing it and we could help you?

PS You can keep the ballgowns if you want to.

many thanks for your tips - I moved lots of my clothes out of our wardrobe & started the sorting.
Quite overwhelming to start with, but am feeling really chuffed to have just the ones I like (& fit) back in there.
Quite a lot of coathangers for the opshop too.

Found a whole lot of my old gym gear too, DIL is keen so theyre heading out too :)

Had a few outs today with some dried up nail polishes. DD wanted her nails done with acrylic, so she threw away the dried up nail colours she came across while looking for the colour she wanted. I also combined about 5 containers of nail tips into 2 and threw the others away. A couple well used nail files have been tossed. I know I have a lot more I need to get rid of but haven't made it that far. Also yesterday DD was going to paint something but she struggled to find some paint that wasn't dried up, so she threw away the dried paints for me.

I need to go through my wardrobe again, sure there are loads of things that could go as I seem to wear the same 6 things must of the time! I'm hopeful about increasing my working from home days once normality resumes too, which would mean I could reduce work outfits.

Like some others seem to be spending most of my time keeping on top of the kitchen!

Plan for today is to try and sneak some baby toys out of the playroom!