The decluttering one thing a day thread - part 12

[AlexTheLittleCat]

For StealthNinjaMum

We’re still here.

After 11 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/3799710-The-decluttering-on-thing-a-day-thread-part-11?pg=1

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

I can only dream of getting down to 20 cookery books! I'm sure that lots could go though, I have a few favourites and loads I have never used!

Received the joyous news yesterday that all of DD's school work for the year is coming home this week. I was hoping that Covid would mean it couldn't!

I like the boxing idea Jigolo, may just try it as I have an empty plastic crate in the garage.

If you do box stuff up make sure you clearly label it so when you next come across it you know it’s already been sorted and destination/fate decided. Otherwise you find yourself having a Groundhog Day experience (she said bitterly!)

pollyannaperspective well done for donating some stuff. I went to four charity shops today with a bag of children’s books. Two were closed, one expected me to phone up to book in my donation at a time slot and the final one accepted the books. Anyway I’m glad I have got rid on one bag. Only about another 7 to go!

sandandsea I have just counted and I actually have 33 cookbooks! It’s quite hard to get rid of more because some are quite specialised more like reference books - how to make bread, slow cooker recipes, pressure cooker recipes, how to freeze, 5 on diet recipes. I do occasionally use them but when I move I will probably have no choice but to scan in some recipes and get rid of the books.

Out: greeting cards from years ago. I’ve kept some but most have gone.
Also an old computer charger. I bought a replacement a long time ago, not sure why I decided to keep the broken one!

I found lots of photos I’d forgotten about, so I need to sort out what to do with those one day.

The next 2 big jobs are sorting through the cupboard under the sink and the bathroom cabinets.

Stealth - Maybe they give you joy just from being there? In which case, keep them. But, I imagine they must take up quite a bit of space and personally, I'd be looking at them and feeling some degree of stress, like they're another job not being dealt with. How about scanning the pages you use and filing them in one file?

I've just been into one of those book sale sites and inputted the ISBNs from my big pile of books. I was offered LESS THAN £3.00!!! They're all like new. One of them was quite pricey (they offered me 39p for that one). I don't think it's worth my time boxing them up (etc) for that. I'm going to give them all to charity. Glad that's sorted.

My out today is the box which I'm going to put the books in.

Labelling things is a good idea. I need to do that with my linen once it’s sorted.

My outs today are a DVD that came with a newspaper that I’ve never watched. Why I’ve kept it I have no idea. And another pair of pants

I really need to get into the cupboard in the lounge but there is so much stuff in front of it that even opening it is a bit of a mission

I dropped off four large books to my local charity shop. I had to get DH new shoes and DS some clothes so had a few ins today. There was a sale in Next but I stuck to what I needed and didn't buy anything extra cos it was on sale! That's progress for me so I am hoping not to slip back into old habits of buying to excess.

Yikes 61 posts since my last apparently, and I’m 3 pages behind on reading! Oops.

As that suggests, I’ve not done much decluttering. Am in flare up still and just trying not to fall too behind on the basic stuff. Have done a bit of digital decluttering now and then though and I’m working on my “use stuff up” box with books, puzzles etc.

I was thinking earlier of gathering more boxes of random crap and just shoving them in the cupboard as it’s all got a bit out of hand again. I was quite enjoying going through them for a while and I did pretty well I think, but I can’t imagine finding the headspace or the time for more now. So maybe I’ll just shove stuff in the cupboard to clear more space while we sort the rest, especially our room which gets horrific so quickly!

OMG watching hoarders on amazon prime I am speechless. Will never complain about my families CLEAN clutter again.

Ohhh there’s a hoarder show on prime? I looked on Netflix recently but even the programmes I enjoyed before have gone. I’ll check that out, I find watching shows like that very motivating TBH.

Yes agree motivating as in fascinating how things just seemed normal to those living in piles of rubbish. I may sometimes come across something I’d forgotten I had but I am sure I will never come across dead pets I thought had wondered off 🤢

There is a series called Consumed on Netflix and I found it interesting. The families clear out their homes into an empty warehouse and keep the basics. Then they go through their stuff and see what they actually want.
I also liked the Tidying with Marie Kondo programme.

Elenorrigbywoes

Well done for being good at the next sale, I had a six o’clock slot and forgot about it , so have for the first time in quite a few years not bought a thing. But I’m now have mixed feelings half of me is please I have not bought anything, the other half of Me thinks I have now missed Out on some great bargains . But I don’t need anything for the house or for myself. But I just love a bargain, but as my dh always tells me it’s not a bargain if you didn’t need it.

That sounds like a happy coincidence Jigolo, love it when a plan comes together!

The amount you can get for used books is laughable Sandandsea. I have some books from my degree which while quite old now are still key texts in the field and would cost a reasonable amount new and even those I could only get pennies for. We have a couple of charity places that specialise in books so they'll just go there.

Out today, various school reading and library books that came home before school closed and are now allowed to go back. Plus another pile of cardboard boxes for the recycling collection, they seem to multiply in the garage!

I liked both those shows on Netflix, especially one particular episode of Consumed as it was about a home educating family, and it really made me think about how much happier we would be if things were more organised. Happy to say we’ve got a handle on the actual HE side now but we still spend ages each day trying to find stuff, even stuff we’ve used the day before, it’s crazy! I have a plan as to how to organise a home ed shelf and I hope we can sort it before the end of term but most of the pain is currently in my shoulders/wrists so even sorting a few books feels unattainable ATM.

About to take a load of 'rubbish' [NO IT'S NOT!!!] to a local charity collection point. Loads of little nicknacks, a few paperbacks, some glass ornaments [recently inherited from late MIL], a complete but old SatNav thingy, boxed games etc etc.
You can't tell anything has gone...

Sand I'm going to get DH to work out if he needs the biscuit tins, they are taking up space.

I've been tackling DIY jobs this week so I can rid of some of the tins of paint. Previous owners painted everything dingy colours and it doesn't look great. I'm never sure whether it looks rubbish due to clutter or the decorating. Trying to get it done before LittlestCat is a toddler.

Never sure where to start, but I have to start somewhere.

I like watching those types of shows like The Hoarder Next Door, Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners (my house isn't like that , but it sets me off on the decluttering mission).

Welcome to all the new members!

Lane Sorry you are having a flare up.

26 eBay auctions In total now sold and posted and a big heap of paperwork in the recycling.

Also, a pair of smallest pickles trousers in the bin as he somehow managed to rip the crotch.