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!

Nothing out today except money!! Tomorrow I need to sort the recycling and might do a charity shop trip.

Shredded lots of paperwork, which is something. Have been going through my clothes, but still in my living room so I can't count it. Spent evening listing baby clothes on eBay.

Just a couple of silly ones for me today (yesterday):

1 note - finally actioned and shredded.
1 stubby candle - finally used up.

Update on the top: the stains are still there though a bit reduced, I think. Unfortunately, it now smells of the oil too. I've washed it several times and it still smells. (Top tip: Don't put WD40-type oil on clothes.)

@stealthninjamummy it's inspiring to think of one thing a day over a years period. I'm day 41 and never thought of aiming for a full year until now!

And is we can include money as out @ememem84 I'll have no problem getting to a year successfully 😂

*if we can include

I just found you, it sounds like just what I need as i need a serious declutter as more comes in then goes out. I got rid of a broken item yesterday in my lovely friends skip.

Welcome @fiddlerjo good luck and keep us posted with what you get rid of, I often copy ideas from people who inspire me for tomorrow's next 'out'.

@footprintsintheslow I have been decluttering for about three years now. My house was a mess and I have spent many hundreds of hours decluttering. Now it’s just habit that every time I do a job I look for clutter because useful possessions change to clutter every day. So yesterday I was looking for a DVD to watch with dc, found one they no longer liked, found a puzzle while looking for games in the playroom. Whenever I put clothes away I immediately get rid of them if they’re scruffy or dirty or don’t fit dc anymore. It may not feel like it makes a difference because it’s so gradual but every week I’m filling bags for the charity shop so I can see these bags are going.

Today’s out will hopefully be a toy that I’m giving to someone on Facebook.

Well done everyone for the continuing efforts. I didn't manage to get anything out yesterday. Half-term here & I am struggling to even keep the kids happy, much less anything else. Had a few family issues which don't help

Toy collected, it was an old one that wasn’t suitable for a charity shop but slightly too good for the tip and took up a lot of space.

So that’s today’s decluttering done.

I’ve decided that as I’ve probably got six weeks between schools going back and Christmas I’m going to tackle and finish the Room of Doom. I’m hoping 30 to 60 mins a day will be enough. It’s my study and has big cupboards that need to be emptied with old toys, paperwork, old electronics, Xmas presents, cards and sentimental letters, the stuff I’ve decluttered from the rest of the house so it won’t be easy but I should try to finish it.

Still here lurking and being inspired - I think about this thread a lot while (slowly) tackling the stuff to be decluttered. Thank you for all the great tips and resources linked.

Satisfying "out" this week, a pair of hardly worn football boots (bought pre lockdown and promptly grown out of by DS) - sold on Facebook selling group!

Also some batteries chucked in the recycle bin at Tesco.

Feeling far less motivated today but getting DS to go through his clothes. Already got him some boxers/socks/joggers the other day as his were full of holes but he’s decluttering the old stuff before adding it. I did DD2’s yesterday.

No big outs but found another carrier bag of maternity wear hidden away so going to see if the refuge wants that as well or I’ll label it up and take to the charity shop. Had cleared dining table but it’s now covered again. Have managed to keep my cupboard clear enough to put work laptop away every night which is making a bit difference to my mental health.

Laundry scent boosters and a fabric softener used up.

Also sorted out the recycling. I’m on a day off today and am doing nothing. Except sit on my arse and watch Netflix.

Still slowly sorting out my house post-attic renovation. Have broken my resolution not to store anything that we will not use. Have boxes of DS's stuff that I can't bring myself to get rid of until he's had another look, and who knows when that will be? Also run out of energy for posting on FB giveaway pages. Most people are fine but the time-wasters have worn me out.

Shocked to realize how many winter coats I have. That I never wear, but either have some emotional attachement to or feel guilty for buying. Or I'm too fat for, but you never know when you might lose weight, right? Also handbags. Three decent ones going in charity shop bag.

Also run out of energy for posting on FB giveaway pages. Most people are fine but the time-wasters have worn me out.

I know what you mean. I've put a few things on Freecycle and answering questions, arranging a convenient time for them to collect and then contacting other people if the first person is a no show can sometimes be really time consuming!

Some more outs today: a packet of out-of-date medicine, some old underwear that I haven't worn for years and a couple of bent wire hangers. DH's mountains of small change also collected and ready to spend at the self-service tills when we next go to the supermarket!

We've decided to move house which has spurred on decluttering efforts, although I did hit up B&M in a mission to prettify the front room! Odds are we'll be moving to a smaller place so I've been listing on freeycle and facebook - and experiencing the downsides of these mentioned!! I've had some things in my cupboard to sell for my DM for about 3 years, and have finally listed them on ebay!

Finally have space to build the wardrobe thing tomorrow. Still not quite sure how to arrange the rest of the room TBH! But it’s the first big step in getting more organised. Had a great idea for how to sort DS’ room too (he builds Lego a lot and has no space to display models) but it’s all tied up in how the rest of the house is organised. Need to sort our room to store bedding and free up one of his under bed drawers, need to sort the narrow cupboard downstairs eventually to store club stuff in there to save his clothing space etc. Complicated 😂

Some old paperwork sorted and shredded. Also started to sort old family photos from my childhood. Very sadly have already found several of people that I don’t recognise at all only one person I can ask on that side of the family. If no joy there then I guess out they will go but it seems such a shame. One looks like it’s WW1 voyage and seems to have three brides in - getting married before they go to war I guess

I cleaned the fridge today so a few furry jars and leftovers that nobody will eat now gone. Looks very empty although will be doing weekly shop tomorrow so that would explain it.

Annoyed with myself as took DD to the next town to buy school shoes (ones ordered online were nowhere near fitting) and forgot to bring any of the charity bags. Am telling myself they probably weren't taking donations anyway!

I need to brace myself to list a few things but feedback here is not filling me with enthusiasm. I should just bite the bullet as last time I did it wasn't actually too bad.

@RaspberryBlonde I've never had any problems with the fb freecycle pages and I get rid of all sorts of crappy crap (and nice stuff) on there.

Day 41:
Listed a buggy board to sell. It has a week and if there's no luck it's going ok the freecycle page.

A bag of clothes decanted into age appropriate sucky bags in attic for the next baby.

Used up the chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce. (I'm so dedicated to this thread, it was completely selfless of me 😇).

I popped a novelty ice cube tray in the charity shop bag today and finally finished a bottle of facial oil that has taken ages to run out. I don’t use a lot of lotions and potions but seem to get gifted a lot (perhaps people giving me a hint that I’m a big scruff!). I’m trying to use stuff up rather than leaving it sitting on the shelf.

Over the last weeks of decluttering I have accumulated two binbags for the charity shop plus two carrier sized bags of rags so hopefully I can drop those off next week, plus do a tip run. It will feel great to finally get it out of the house.

In my area the Oxfam is accepting donations but you have to book a slot weeks in advance. Some of the smaller/local charities are taking stuff but there’s no booking system so it’s just a case of turning up & hoping you get lucky.