Still throwing an item away a day – part 13

[StealthNinjaMum]

One of mumsnet's friendliest corners this is the 13th 'one item a day' thread to inspire and motivate a group of mumsnetters to declutter their houses, gardens and lives bit by bit, one step at a time.

Each day we get rid of just one item and report back. We’ve all got different challenges and problems and it keeps us going to discuss them and work through them together.

Newbies are welcome. It’s not just decluttering, join us in the chat about recycling, organisation, grumbles about hoarding family members and obviously our many successes.

Previous thread here.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3913755-The-decluttering-one-thing-a-day-thread-part-12?msgid=99387987

And for 2020 some of us are also aiming to get rid of 2020 items!

I have just watched the first episode of GET ORGAINIZED with THE HOMG EDIT available on Netflix!! Well those girls have taken it to another level !! Very inspirational to watch!! Might become my new addiction.

Well done for persevering til you found somewhere to donate @PickledLilly It must feel good to have reclaimed that space.

I put my pram in the boot, originally intending to donate it. I thought I’d better unfold it and check it goes up and down etc. Anyway, the seat looks really grubby and it smells old. Not mouldy or anything, just a bit stale so I might just take it to the dump. It’s a dilemma because someone might be able to clean it up but on the other hand, I wouldn’t want to use it if I had another wee one. I feel very guilty I didn’t donate it 5+ years ago.

Last night I put a quilt my mother made for my DS when he was a baby, along with a "discovery" quilt for babies with different textures into the charity bag. Looking af them stirred up a lot of memories but someone else can actually make use of them.
Put 5 school uniform polo shirts and a couple sweatshirts into the bag as well. School has changed uniforms in the meantime (since 2000!) But maybe someone can wear them.
Tried to sort through letters and papers from the 80s and 90s but had to stop. Too emotional.
Radiator guy postponed again. But my builder agreed to do a few small jobs that DH and I (mostly DH!) Should be able to handle but never get around to.
Cat still missing, so desperate I'm considering phoning a dog groomer who's supposed to communicate with pets. Crazy and pointless but don't know what else to do.

Thanks Stealth, this thread is very encouraging and helping me a lot.

My day 10 update:

Unpacking stuff from my mum’s house: I’ve unpacked two cat ornaments and put them on the mantlepiece. Another small thing, but it’s progress!

Haven’t got rid of anything today.

Mineral I hope your cat returns soon. Our cat went missing for two weeks a few years ago - we had pretty much given up hope when she returned, so it can happen!

I'd like to join in, keep me motivated. Today's 'out' was a pair of DDs worn out slippers. I've booked a charity slot drop for 2/10 (most are still closed round here) and a tip slot for tomorrow which I'm probably too excited about. It is the first day where both DC are back to school tomorrow so I have great plans to declutter.

TheyAreMinerals Sorry about your cat, I hope they come back soon.

EllieQ You are doing really well, sentimental items are the hardest.

Sand It's funny what we miss when we are decluttering, I could have sworn I'd got rid of everything out of date each time .

Nanalisa I will try it for inspiration.

Decluttered some DIY and had a sort out in the kitchen.

The foreign language manga went today, I gave it away on gum tree in the end. When filing the insurance paperwork I realised our house insurance had just auto renewed and was able to find a better deal while still in the cancellation period, so that was a win. The house is a total mess, but I really want to get the filling finished, contained into a box, and get back to sorting out my box room.

Sea I've used plenty of out of date spices. I've started buying refill packets too, so the dates on the jars no longer match the contents anyway.

Mineral hope your cat returns soon

A bit more sorting of my messy desk. I threw away... a weird bit of plastic that DH tells me is the weighted nose for a toy plane; a holographic ruler; half an Apple phone box; a partly used notebook; and the bumf that comes with school photos.

I haven't got much going out today but they've all been hanging around for too long so are worth counting imo:

1 flyer. (Kept for the info which I've now copied.)
1 receipt.
1 face moisturiser which stings my eyes. After hurting myself again, I decided to use it up on my legs.

I'm also quite pleased that my lounge and dining room are still tidy! I don't often manage to have both looking good at the same time so this is definitely newsworthy.

Netflix sent me a reminder of the get organised show. Hoorah!

Today will be getting rid of the cabinet in the lounge. We’ve bought a new one so this will go in the garage and I’ll ask charity shop to pick up. Or try and sell on fb.

The new furniture needs putting together. But that’s a weekend job.

Thanks @EllieQ, @AlexTheLittleCat, @GlumyGloomer.

Welcome molehill.

sandandsea how lovely very to have two rooms tidy at the same time!

I’m sorry that so many of you are struggling with charity shops, it makes me feel really lucky. I have had a couple refuse to take stuff but generally my favourite one will take stuff and I have now got rid of all the stuff I put in the charity shop pile over lockdown.

Today I have got rid of some lightbulbs in Tesco. I will be spending more time in the utility room sorting out tools and diy stuff.

Our charity shops are a bit hit and miss. Some receive daily but after 10 am have generally stopped because their daily collecting 'bin' is full, the one nearest us is just two afternoons per week and only 2 small carrier bags max, the hospice is telephone for an appointment. I was lucky this morning to drop two bags in to Cancer Research next to DH's hairdresser. So that's the spare mugs and other kitchen bits untouched for at least 6 years (!) decluttered.
After much 'closing the door so I can't see it', this weekend will be another attempt to tackle the spare bedroom/dumping ground and get the last of the spare bedding back in to the now boarded out loft.
1594/2020

I have failed miserably today and have not managed any outs yet (there’s still time I suppose). We had a dry day so I got (nearly) caught up with laundry and also did a mountain of washing up.

@SandAndSea wow, I love hearing about multiple tidy rooms, must make you feel all this decluttering has been worth it. How long have you been participating in the daily declutter?

I got a message from Oxfam telling me how much my donations from last year have raised so far, which was rather cheering.

Cabinet moved to the garage and has cluttered it up. New smaller one in its place. Which means we can move the chair back.

Miaowse don’t be despondent you could try and find an old receipt in your bag - an easy out! I tend to think of it as seven per week

My day 11 update:

Not a good day as I haven’t found a home for anything or thrown anything out I was really tired after the school run this afternoon, so I had a rest upstairs while DH cooked dinner, but this meant I didn’t have a chance to look through the boxes as they are all downstairs. Plus I’d be interrupted by DH or DD. I’m disappointed in myself - I was doing so well until today.

Thank you for the encouragement Gassylady. I found a few bits and pieces on my desk that are now in the recycling.

@Miaowse - I'm not sure, since the first thread, so a few years. Is it 3 years, Stealth? I was already decluttering and organised before then tbh but this thread has really made a difference. There's something about posting on here and sharing stories which has really helped to keep me on it.

Anyway, my items today are:

• 1 unknown, circular, plastic thing - we've been storing it in case we discovered what it was for, but we've now given up and it's going out.
• 1 used lipstick. I bought the replacement quite a while back (in a sale, about a year ago) so I'm counting this.

What can I do with old socks? Still in good condition?

Awesome @SandAndSea

I’m hoping I can stick to it this time. I am so sick of chaos and clutter - hearing the positive benefits from long timers is a great motivator.

Hello all, I've been a bit quiet this week as a bit lost in the routine of school and work. Got most of the housework done on my day off off yesterday though so hoping for some decluttering progress over the weekend. I found some nappy rash cream that had a funny smell (and we are done with nappies now anyway) and some hand gel that had turned to jelly in my changing bag so have binned those. May try to list the bag itself on FB, I didn't get on with it in practice so it's in pristine condition!

Miaowse glad to hear your donations did well. I'm always a bit disappointed when I get those emails as they always seem to say that they have made about £3.50 when my memory is off donating loads!

EllieQ I think it's allowed to be a bit knackered by the time you've done the Friday school run! I know I am. If you have boxes to get though you can always catch up today.

Clothes banks might take socks tastybites? I've put a load in a collection at school for a charity that redistributes them for reuse.

Weather is supposed to be nice here this weekend so may try to get out and declutter in the garden.

@tastybites are they children’s ones that are outgrown? If so maybe school would take them either as spares or to pass to a child in need.

Or crafts? To make sock toys or use as stuffing?

I’ve been putting used socks in with the rags as I don’t think a charity shop could re-sell. But perhaps a homeless shelter would like them if they are clean and good quality.

If they still, fit hang onto them and wear them til they wear out so you delay having to buy new ones?

I think it’s all these decisions and options that cause me to struggle with decluttering. There was a very good article on decision fatigue - Can’t remember whether it was linked from this thread or another one, but I found it very interesting and relevant:
www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html

@RaspberryBlonde well it wasn’t tons, but it was nearly £100 raised. Our oxfam seems to price quite high though - paperbacks are often £3.