Getting rid of one item a day thread number 14 – where we extract precious autumn leaves, rocks and twigs from our children

[stealthninjamummy]

Well I never thought I’d still be here, on the 14th thread where a bunch of mumsnetters get rid of one item a day while we slowly declutter and reorganise our houses.

It’s autumn and some of us have commented on our children’s beloved treasures that are coming in like conkers and precious twigs that have been named. This is the thread where we focus on sneaking these things out and getting the house ready for Christmas even if we don’t know what Christmas will be like this year.

New joiners are always welcome, just get rid of one item and let us know. We’ve all different issues and challenges and it’s nice to have a friendly chat with a fellow mumsnetter.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4003927-Still-throwing-an-item-away-a-day-part-13?pg=1

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

Continuing with sort-and-tidy in kitchen. Set aside a couple of items to take up to the garage, where they belong.

Decluttered one bashed cardboard box to recycling trolley. Also one jam jar that I had been keeping in case it came in handy for screws and nails.

Spoke with DH about possibly started on decades-old paperwork. We agreed that we can shred vehicle-related certificates. I used to get sentimental about such things, but most of the cars, etc, appear in family photos from time to time.

I’ve recycled 10 bottles of booze. We aren’t drinking them and have been sat open for ages. Down the sink and in the recycling they have gone. Feel good about that one

I got up early and found 6 CDs I no longer want. I’m wondering whether to get rid of all of them, I rarely listen to them. I probably wont do it yet but it feels odd throwing all the little album filling songs that I’ve forgotten about. Yet I’ve forgotten about them so why is that such a big deal?

I have created another mess. I started on the CDs because I found a couple in the Room of Doom and inlay cards and it was part of the R of D declutter. Anyway tidy up Tetris..... blah...... blah......blah...... I now have piles of CDs to go to the charity shop an dpiles belonging to stbexh to go on the shelves in the garage. I am stupidly alphabeticising the CDs and more have emerged that aren’t in boxes which annoys me so much. Must’ve been stbexh. All in all at least 50 will be leaving the dining room - 30 being to stbexh and 20 to a charity shop. I am not quite ready to get rid of all of them but will feel better when the first 50 have gone.

The CDs think is weird. We don't listen to many really but DH has hundreds and won't part with them from the shelves. I put mine into a big cd holder and garaged the cases. It's made so much space.

No tidying for me, I'm on all day training

Not much out over the last few days despite there being loads of stuff that could have gone.

Some outs were:

DD's birthday wrapping paper and envelopes.
A cheap storage/footstool that was past being saved.
Cardboard from various deliveries.

I haven't done anything today but I'm going to find something.

sleepingstandingup that’s interesting your CDs are in case not taking up too much space. If I put my CDs and DVDs in a special case I could get rid of two pieces of furniture. But I’d want to keep the cases still so would just be pushing the problem to the loft (which doesn’t have much in it).

I am tempted to buy a case to see if I can put my DVDs and videogames in as an intermediary step towards getting rid of them all anyway!

Tidied the hall shelf today, so lots of rubbish and recycling out.
I got rid of all my cds a few months ago, since I don't even own a CD player anymore (on a lap top just isn't the same) and use spotify for music anyway. It was a bit of a wrench but I haven't missed them in the slightest.

@stealthninjamummy

sleepingstandingup that’s interesting your CDs are in case not taking up too much space. If I put my CDs and DVDs in a special case I could get rid of two pieces of furniture. But I’d want to keep the cases still so would just be pushing the problem to the loft (which doesn’t have much in it).

I am tempted to buy a case to see if I can put my DVDs and videogames in as an intermediary step towards getting rid of them all anyway!

It made me sort through them for one, so I did actually clear away the Girls Aloud charity single I brought but in 200? something, even found a couple of duplicates. And yeah, soooo much space. And like we NEVER watch DVDs bit we have hundreds so now they just take up less space in my living room

Thanks sleepingstandingup I have ordered a case for the dc’s DVDs and playstation games. That should get rid of a bookcase that they’re on. It’s an ugly pine one that was left behind by a friend in a flatshare 25 years ago. I’m guessing that she won’t mind me giving it away! With the space I can hang a picture I had framed about 5 years ago that got put in the Room of Doom.

@stealthninjamummy just a word of caution. When you own the cd you own the music. When you download music you loan it and as I understand it can be retracted back if they want. This happens when there misprints in digital books for example.
Having said that I am getting rid of a load of cds from my attic that someone gave me. They aren't mine and I don't like half of them.

Day 57:
One tea strainer belonging to a smashed teapot.
Emails and photos.
Some Christmas ins but all unpacked, put away and packaging recycled.

@stealthninjamummy good plan, alas we filled press neck up with books lol

Filled ours back up

thanks @footprintsintheslow one of my reasons for keeping books, CDs and DVDs is that whole ownership thing and I hate the idea of being stuck into a contract with a big multinational. About a year ago I was thinking of buying one of those special servers to keep my music and DVDs on and at some point I might go back to that idea. Anyway I’m delighted that I have got rid of 60 CDs today - although 40 belong to ex will go to the garage. Tomorrow I’ll go through DVDs with dc as that’s when my new storage wallet will be delivered.

Not been on for ages so still need to go through & catch up on messages! Hope everyone is decluttering nicely.

Not got rid of much this week as been very busy going on walks, volunteering & looking after my grandparents. Sold a car jack on FB today though & have enquiries about another couple of things.

Everyone is making good progress!

I'm trying to use up some skincare, I got into The Ordinary/The Inkey List before the baby as they are strong but cheap but haven't been using them much recently.

Small clear out in DDs room. She still likes the baby toys too, I think they all do.

Hello all, sounds like people are being very industrious!

It’s been miserable weather in my neck of the woods so I’m struggling with a laundry mountain. I have had quite a lot of outs today but they are all very small so hasn’t made much of a visual or spatial dent.

Outs included: 10+ dried out pens, 5 pins, more old receipts, labels from clothes, a toasterbag, an order form for stickers, manky safety pins and treasury tags.

Bathroom was cleaned by DH and allowed me to get rid of a box that has been kicking around in there and also declutter our old storage unit. Sadly it has simply gone into our bedroom as a halfway house for his sort out but it is no longer in the way in the bathroom and is under his work desk so, not my problem??

A few receipts and old papers out but not much else today.

Oh, did use up a free credit with a photo website before it expired today and made some Christmas gifts.

I'm still thinking about my blenders (etc) but until then, I have these going out:

2 biscuit tins - bit rusty and worn.
1 label off the car. (More to go.)
1 bottle of ear spray + packet.
1 bottle of cat medicine + packet
1 bag of cat litter - the wrong type for us.
1 soap dish.
A wad of papers, receipts etc - shredded.

I've been thinking about the candle holder (upthread) which I was having doubts about and I feel OK about letting it go now. I started to think about someone else being able to have it and enjoy it, and that shifted me. I think that's so much better than it just sitting, unused, in a box at my house.

Day 5 - not managed to get anything out other than recycling today. Have spent the evening beating, so hopefully will have some more outs.

Was a bit down as went through a big suitcase of clothes that I have meaning to sell. Feel like I've wasted so much money over the years!

November day 14 update: I went though the box of outdoor stuff, which lives on a side table in the dining room as we only have a tiny hall. The summer stuff (sun hats and sun cream) has been put away, and the winter stuff (hats/ scarves/ gloves) has been sorted through and tidied. I had to clear the table to put our Halloween display on (it’s in front of the window), and I’ve been trying to keep in tidy ever since.

Also got rid of a school newsletter from March, which was on the noticeboard. The last ‘normal’ newsletter before lockdown started

@SandAndSea well done on the candle. I'm the same I just need a bit of time to come to terms with things sometimes. Other times it's no problem. Must depend on the item in question.

@thelastmullercorner we've all wasted money but take heart that you are less likely to now once you start decluttering as you won't want to undo the good you are doing.

Lastly I know previously we've laughed about special sticks being brought in the house so check this bad boy out...

How have I not found this thread before? I kondo’d the house several years ago but with a busy house it all builds back up.

I need to up my game again although generally do ok freegling stuff.

I need to quietly remove some soft toys. Although where the heck to I don’t know!