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.

No outs today, and a few ins! Was running some errands in town and picked up a few bits for the toddler - some pens (I really need to sort a proper pen and paper tub for her to keep accessible on the floor, but I’ll keep them in a pot out of reach for now) and a few things to use with her tuff tray. All things I was planning to get soon though (I have a list of activities to set up etc) and some was on sale too. I definitely need to find a bigger box to store it all together.

Although I did buy stuff, I was pleased not to have any impulsive purchases. This visit to town represented a return to some kind of normal for me, as I also sat down in a pub for a solitary lunch with my kindle for the first time in months (can’t actually explain how much I’ve missed that - it’s a very different type of solitude than just shutting myself in my room) and quite often that means I end up wandering in the shops and buy the odd little thing, for example going into Cex (or HMV before it shut 😰) and getting a cheap DVD. But it actually made me happier to think no, I don’t need to do that, as I’d written a list of films I’ve not watched yet. So although that’s not actually decluttering (I rarely get rid of DVDs unless I really hate them as we keep them in books without cases) it’s definitely an improvement in how I deal with STUFF 😊

Congrats Roxy!

We also had a few ins today, bought some second hand uniforms and a shoe cabinet, to help keep the hallway tidy.

Got rid of 2 pairs of shoes with holes in them. I need to replace my flip flops once the weather warms up again.

Bought some new undies for myself today, five pairs of pants. Old me would have just added them to the drawer. But I picked out nine pairs I don't wear anymore (lacy thong after a c section? no ta!) and a bra. So more out than in

Left a pair of trainers in a box in the hallway whilst I decided whether to charity shop them or keep them and the dog ate one whilst I was putting the kids to bed so that another out.

@PickledLilly those little outs are sometimes big outs in disguise as they’re then not crumbling & dropping crap everywhere. We have had a couple of big ins, but can cope with that.
I cleared out a random box of shit, much of which actually had places to be put away in . (DH hates clutter, but deals with it by scooping everything into a box or bag & hiding it!)

I’m staring at another, bigger, similar box of shit &=trying to decide if I feel up to it. But it might contain my crochet hook, so might be worth it.

Roxy Congratulations on the new job!

UmbrellaHat Welcome!

Lane Glad you enjoyed your quiet lunch.

I get the feeling that you haven't done enough over lockdown. I have a few days of being productive then it grinds to a halt. I was going to get fit too but that hasn't happened .

No outs, just tidied a box and put things where you would expect them to be.

I’ve had an emotional out. I binned my shoe boots that used to be my favourite going out shoes. They had been in the back of the wardrobe for years. They had gone all manky and cracked and my feet have changed shape post children so they don’t even fit me. And I’m never going to be wearing sky high platforms again.

I did have a bit of a moment. My clubbing days are truly over

I know that feeling Roxy. My clubbing days are also long gone but I still have a couple of my 'going out' tops stashed away! Congratulations on the new job.

Peaceful lunch sounds amazing Lane. I am getting to the point where I could do with some solitude!

At least the decision was made for you Lilly! Hope you are feeling more prepared for the move.

Coldhands my DH is the same. The house looks tidy but I open drawers to find them full of random items! Drives me mad as it then takes much longer to tidy than if it was just put away in the first place!

We are about the little outs here too. Got rid of some old birthday cards (although 2 birthdays coming up this month). Plus a few more random drawings and a pair of DD's leggings that are full of holes (sadly her favourites). I also decluttered a load of weeds from the drive.

Gone: to CS ( collection bag)
Bedding
Dressing gown
Handbag

Bin:
some of DS lounging joggers (seriously not worthy of Charity Shop)
some of my under wear ( ditto)

Got some kitchenwares to go to CS but that'll need to wait .

I’ve managed a few outs over the last couple of days although nothing individually significant.

More decluttering in the kitchen yesterday since it was still the weekly zone. The top of the microwave was truly embarrassing. Plenty of recycling, a few bits put aside for toddler (scrap paper and stickers DH no longer needs for work) and a few bits put elsewhere.

Then today I filled a big shopping bag with recycling - I’d been looking through a few books while planning more home ed stuff, and realised some could go (used workbooks etc) and I grabbed a few other bits and pieces to go out too. I’ve also put more planning in to use up some other books. That’s something I normally want to do at the end of each term/year but it’s the first time I’ve actually managed it.

Ins: I ordered my comb binder. It’s a fairly small one (compared to the monstrosity I used at the library I worked in - so satisfying though 😳😂) and will definitely help the clutter from home ed - it’s great that DS has managed more written work over the last year, but good lord the amount of paper clutter is horrific!

Congrats on the job roxy and did I understand right that it’s moving week pickled?! Good luck if so.

I am going to tell my self “little outs” when I can’t do much decluttering. Every bit does make a difference!

Out today — kids‘ outdoor toy. Feel guilty as it was a bit wrecked and could have even hurt him ... need to Chuck tatty things more quickly. I’m paranoid about safety normally, too!

Taking a break from my own decluttering atm, and concentrating on adult DS's efforts. He has been storing stuff in boxes on top of a wardrobe, and is now sorting through it all. Today we chatted while he filled a box with his discards, and tomorrow I'll sort it for recycling. He found an unopened baby monitor, which I will find very useful.

I had a root through my wardrobe earlier and came across a couple of old memory boxes. I've been through one and have a small pile of papers etc to go out.

Included are:
1 bank card - over 15 years out of date!
1 very old cheque.
A leaflet and 2 tickets to a National Trust place.
3 cards from people I no longer know.
4 Envelopes.
13 sheets of paper.
3 membership cards.

I know I could clear more but I got into reading things from my ex and others and got back into all the old feelings and then wondering about my life choices etc etc. My life was very different back then.

Anyway, I've also got a winter hat to go out. I haven't worn it for ages and found it a bit tight when I tried it on.

Arg fucking arg. Sorry I’ve popped in for a rant because I think you are my people & will understand!
Packing for 3 days away and we’re only just ready. There has been shouting & frustration.
I meant to do most of it last night but hit the wall & went to bed 😳
I just want to be able to pick up a box & say - this is the camping stuff
We have two curly straws - I found one the other day & thought that’d be nice for the kids - can’t find the other one. I suspect it’s in one of the boxes in the loft.
DH tidies by flinging random stuff into random boxes then tidying the boxes away (into places like the loft) so I can’t find things that I did know where they were. Between that & the children hiding things...
Gah. I need like a week in my house with no one else there!

Cold Moving is so stressful. You don't realise how much stuff you have until you try and move it. I think it multiplies! Good luck and hope it gets better.

RoxytheRexy congratulations! That’s fantastic news! (But sad about your shoe boots)

Welcome fascinated.

LaneBoy that sounds like a lovely lunch.

coldhandscoldheart that would infuriate me. Could you ask him to find the curly straw? So perhaps he could realise what a stupid system he has. I used to chuck things in a bag or box to ‘tidy’ up when people came over so I know it’s easily done – but at some point you need to sort through them and tidy things away properly. Or like me you spend years doing it.

I have put five books in the pile to go and got a pile of three books I’m going to read. I’ve had them for years. It’s not much but until dc 'finish' school I’ll be lucky to do one a day. Living in this chaos isn’t doing my mental health any good but at least when they officially finish school in a couple of weeks I’ll be able to stick them in front of the TV while I can then spend a few hours decluttering. I don’t normally do much in the holidays but I am living in chaos so desperate to do a massive declutter.

Visit to a very quiet waste recycling centre, appointment in hand. Will need at least one more booking as only fitted half the accumulated items in the boot of the car and no trailers allowed.
They also took the wooden play pen retrieved from a 16 year rest in the loft (my DC are now in their 20s!) to consider for the not yet open on site shop.
Also cleared some of the packaging from the many mobility aids now installed around the house.
937/2020

Forgot the many games boxes in one of the bags I took, so that's another 30 items.
967/2020

I think the curly straw is a symbol rather than the actual thing that matters iyswim

Thank you for the many congratulations. I’ve had a role like this in the back of my mind for a while but it’s always been a vague dream. I can’t believe it still. Just waiting to go through the NHS recruitment system which is slooow.

I like the Little Outs. If we had all kept up with little outs we wouldn’t be on here would we?

Good luck for moving @Coldhandscoldheart. I sympathise with the DH that just flings things random places. Mine recently ‘sorted out’ some records. He took them off the shelf in the dining room and put them in the pile in the middle of the loft. Doesn’t really help the situation

Last night I gave a bag of outgrown clothes to my friend for her DD and today I tidied the hair box so just some general broken clips and detritus from the bottom

We’re not moving yet (Can’t find a house to buy) - we’ve just come away for a few days. It’s supposed to be a nice thing. But ended up rushing so much I forgot the custard and the hot chocolate. In the grand scheme of things, not the end of the world, but again, a buu it t symbolic of something else.
I’m turning into my mother & now I understand why she was always grumpy and tired 😂

Sympathies Cold sounds like a very annoying behaviour pattern. Hope you do manage to enjoy your few days away. Finally charity shops are opening up but when i rang to check they want donations in clear bags if possible, no more than three at a time, better if each bag contains same sort of item. All of which I can sort of understand but why couldn’t they put info on the website as now I will have to rejig all the ones I’d put in the car ready to go. But still that will be four of clothes, two of books and DVDS, one of general bric a brac. Sorted through a small box of jewellery bits from mums house today some earrings that may be gold but id never seen her wear and have no sentimental value at all so may take them in to a local sell your gold place for an opinion (not sure if they are open) Rather than just out them in a box and never wear them. Definitely binge watching the hoarders show on prime is increasing my resolve.
I really think my mum had tendencies that way she was certainly chronically disorganised and had kept lots of things that were important but also lots of stuff with no obvious purpose and even if it was important like photos or momentos of family members all just jumbled in with other things no real care taken of them.
I do not want my “usual“ level of clutter to become any more than it is now