Decluttering one item a day (and having nowhere to put it!) – thread number 16

[stealthninjamum]

Once again this tireless group of mumsnetters are decluttering our houses by getting rid of one item a day. Of course this year I’m just piling the stuff behind the settee because the charity shops are all closed but luckily noone’s allowed to visit me to see my clutter mountain.

This is an accountability and general chatter thread and newbies and old hands are always welcome to join in the conversation while we keep working on our houses making them clearer, organised, and clutter free.

This year some of us are trying to get rid of 2021 items and some of us are working through the Toss app that tells us what to get rid of each day. Then we report back on the thread with an update.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4105255-The-countdown-to-Christmas-but-still-decluttering-one-item-a-day-Thread-number-15?pg=1

finished a face scrub and a soap today so that's another couple of things gone.

replacements have been taken from the box of stuff and will be put in the bathroom for using up.

Day146: yesterday
Photos and emails
One cuddly toy in the charity bag
One wooden toy saved from the charity bag but taken to MIL's house.
Giant box recycled that has been a den.

Day 147: today
Photos and emails
Toy pram listed on freecycle and claimed.
Old cookery books listed on freecycle.

Good idea with the lidded tubs, we do have some so I need to see what there is! The problem with us and storage is that we just put any old crap in them 😳

Empty reed diffuser, ratty old bra and a pair of toddler socks out today.

We are now talking about finally decorating. We’ve never actually decorated somewhere before other than DH quickly painting the DCs’ rooms when we moved in (July 18) - previous place was private rental with horrible trade paint and crap carpet. It’s quite exciting. But we really REALLY need to declutter a lot more. Hoping the thought of getting some nice colour on the walls will inspire us all!

Thrown away a cushion which was on the couch. It’s a shame as I liked the colour. But the dcs and dh had wrecked it (today it got coffee on it snd dh didn’t clean it....) and also the zip broke. I could fix it but it’d only go in the “stuff to do” pile and if I’m honest I cba. Have kept the pillowy bit but just ditched the cover.

One solitary item for me today - a pair of chopsticks. Who am I kidding? I cannot use them

@Miaowse

Tonight’s dinner used up a jar of herbs and 4 tins from the cupboard

@UnlimitedChipsAndSalsa that sounds rank interesting

@Miaowse You were right the first time!

Today I got rid of a folder/cardboard wallet thing for collecting cards. I had a big IN in the form of a huge bundle of clothes for DD. I let it sit for a few days for covid reasons (not sure it makes any difference) and then sorted it today, setting aside the things that DD is unlikely to wear. Those will either be relisted later as a smaller bundle or given to the chariity shop.
(3-day streak)

Hope the rest of the day was calmer, Stealth DD got upset this afternoon about a phonics game she was playing (she accidentally started a new game so lost her points), and that led to a full-on tantrum, probably because she’s upset at missing school and her friends.

2021 day 34 update:

General decluttering: Shredded more paperwork from the weekend and I had time after finishing work to sort through the top basket in our built-in wardrobe (rails on one side and shelves/ baskets on the other).

I’ve got rid of an old pair of slippers and two pairs of PJs, which I’d obviously put up there instead of getting rid of them when I moved them out of the chest of drawers. Why didn’t I just get rid of them then???

Anyway, the top basket now contains winter stuff like waterproof trousers, and there’s space for my waterproof coat to be stored there when spring/ summer arrives. Planning to work my way down the shelves over the next few days.

You are doing so well keeping going. I joined the thread after reading half my Marie Kondo book but already been hopeless as I keep struggling to actually remove things to rehome! Or the rest of my family objects!

I keep thinking I wish I had a neutral outside person to help who doesn’t come up with the reasons we do to keep stuff !

We've used a few tins up today. I discovered I accidentally stockpiled baked beans so won't buy them for a while!
Small outs-a pair of holey socks and DD finished a tube of paint.

Your baked beans remind me I bought dried milk powder in case I couldn’t get to shops as I’m so dependent on my coffee and tea! But I’ve managed with deliveries so might need to think of a good use for it! In fact I wish I had an extra kettle in my bedroom as it can be kept there not needing a fridge?!

Not much progress today. I used up a notebook but can’t chuck it just yet. I finished off a tube of tomato purée and persuaded my child to do a couple of very overdue pieces of school work so that decluttered a bit of a weight off my mind.

Sleeping - Thanks for the tip! I used a company last year (I think) to sell some books but I can't remember which one now.

Stealth - I can really relate to you admiring your tupperware drawer. I'm still admiring my cutlery drawer and it's been ages now. I love it when you reach that sweet spot!

Alex - I used to have a soup-making gadget and used it all the time - it was great! Then I realised that if I used a big pan, I could make double and freeze some for another day, so, I gave it away. I enjoyed it for quite a while though.

virtual the trick here is to get rid while the rest of the family are out of the house. . .

binned som out of date medicines which were in my emergency work bag today - ibuprofen and paracetamol. usually i fly fast and loose with expired dates (food etc) but not so much medicine .

that might be all my outs today. have a busy day with work, and the cleaner is here so need to sit at laptop and not move - per covid regulations she's allowed in the house but we have to stay in separate rooms at all times. so we only have to move when she does the living room as thats where we work.

Thanks @EllieQ I got quite shouty yesterday and this morning. On top of the refusal to do schoolwork I think I am just fed up with two preteens being stuck to their gadgets and not listening to me. They’ve also started to play fight each other since Christmas and always ends in tears.

sandandsea the good thing is that there are loads of areas in the house that I admire these days. I’ve been decluttering for years but it’s only in the last six months that I really feel I’m finishing areas and I’m working through lots of awful areas that I had always put off - wires, computers, utility room. I really think I’ll finish in 2021.

Toss has suggested fridge shelf but I think my fridge is decluttered already. Not sure what I’ll have time to do.

Out: three dresses and a suit. 38 items total. I also totally paid off my credit card, that seems to count as some sort of financial declutter!

In: still nothing. Even if the decluttering process is slow, I'm at least happy with controlling my spending.

Early start today so took advantage of being the only one up to go through the fridge - 3 items binned. Also went through my latest stash of recipes torn from magazines etc and binned all but 2.

I am also clearing a couple of items that need to go back to their correct homes in the house. One has been sitting on the kitchen island for 4 weeks. It only needs to go in the utility cupboard next to the kitchen. Off to do it now.

I’m so proud, I just can’t get rid of anything in the fridge. One tiny cookbook is going instead - with smoothie recipes - I hate smoothies! I am watching dc’s online lessons now with a stack of recipe books that were free with newspapers. They were given to me by ex mil and I have never used them. If I don’t find any decent recipes I’ll throw them away.

Out of 7 little free cookbooks 5 are going, only 2 are staying. I also decided to get rid of two proper cookbooks. So that’s 8 gone. I did wonder if I could get rid of ALL of my cookbooks and just use the Internet? I’m not quite there yet but I have less than one shelf whereas I’m sure I used to have three so it’s a step in the right direction.

@lazyakita brilliant news about the decluttered credit card debt, well done!

Very late last night I found a tube of expired zinc tablets so they have been discarded.

@stealthninjamum it sounds as though all these years of hard work have really paid off, you must feel so pleased you’ve stuck with this habit for all this time. You’re an inspiration to us all

Hi can I join , I seem to be fighting an ongoing battled when I'm getting somewhere a huge box of car parts arrive for my dh or the kids make a huge mess.
Out today
4 items I've sold on eBay and last years diary

Thanks miaowse I wish I’d got on top of it sooner to be honest and didn’t buy a house with so much storage.

We just had an art lesson and I sat there testing all our pens. 56 felt tips didn’t work. I don’t know if it’s cheating but I added them to my Toss total from ‘writing supplies’ a few weeks ago. The pens were kept in a Tupperware box which has now been reunited with its lid. That’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to me all year

I cleared out the cupboard under the stair and found two stair gates which have been sold on Facebook
A bottle steriliser which is getting picked up soon
And got rid of loads of junk and rubbish

Ooh I love a good sort out!!

We've only lived here 3 years
I genuinely don't understand how there is so much stuff everywhere

The mind boggles

I managed to manipulate Toss to give me a bathroom cabinet so I could tick off the bottle of nail polish remover I binned yesterday. There was only a bit left and it’s years old, I doubt if it’s actually that effective anymore. It’s technically not an out as I will buy a replacement eventually but no immediate plans to paint my nails.

The washing machine which we have only had for six bloody weeks has started making a hideous banging clattering noise when it’s spinning . I think something is caught in the filter but I can’t get it open, either because I’m just not doing it properly or because The Thing has jammed it from inside. Fortunately I got insurance from AO so can call them out to have a look but it’s one more thing to remember amid the horrors of homeschooling and toddler wrangling and work and housework and stuff. Ugh. I have Zoom cocktails with friends on Saturday night so eyes on the prize...