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

Not much here but, I have paid a couple of bills early, to get on top of things, AND, I've had a couple of well-used items of clothing repaired.

Day 148:
Photos and emails
Didn't actually list the old cook books last night so definitely going to do it now

I decluttered our kitchen shelf. I discovered a completely empty tissue box, Children’s early artwork which has survived and been allowed to stay , and pieces of random paperwork I have now rehomed properly or recycled

Will catch up properly later

Had one of those clothes bags for my son's hospital so that will go out so into it...
211: a skirt or two and a top
212: a load of coat hangers, brought slim ones and meant I could clear out some dodgy old ones into the bin and we'll pass the rest to charity

I have made my kitchen a total disaster by completely emptying the big food cupboard and then giving up. So far I’ve found an OOD nearly empty balsamic vinegar (I don’t remember ever using this, so it’s a bit of a mystery) , two unopened OOD jars of bovril (again I have never used bovril so not quite sure why I have two jars), several small packets of OOD nuts that survived previous culls but still haven’t been used so out they go.

I’m sure there will be more to discard but I can’t face it just yet...

@EllieQ

That’s good news Sleeping!

2021 day 33 update:

General decluttering: Shredded more of the paperwork I sorted at the weekend.

Nothing else I hate the way I have so little free time during the week. It’s work, walk at lunchtime, more work, short rest afterwards (which I could use for decluttering if I have the energy, but I usually don’t), spend time with DD, one of us cooks dinner, then one of us does bedtime while the other clears up downstairs and does the dishes. Then DH and I have about an hour together to relax/ watch TV/ read until bedtime. I feel like I should have more time, but I don’t.

This is almost me, EllieQ - I feel fit for nothing after a hard day at the (home) office - work is really challenging at the moment and I have no energy left at the end of the working day.

I do a bit of what I call "slow tidying" - returning things to the correct place and if I am able to get rid of something in the process, that's a bonus. But a little bit of decluttering/getting rid is better than none at all.

"That’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to me all year." Stealth, this cracked me up! I definitely dream of a declutterered house, so it's lovely to hear from someone who is so far along.

Outs today: About fifteen empty (!) boxes of medication, some expired medication added to the bag to go to the chemist later, a few fridge magnets, and some shredding. Also a tiny empty booze bottle. I guess I saved it because it had cute packaging. Looks even better in the recycling!
(4-day streak)

213: Arthur, the fish

Oh dear, RIP Arthur.

Aw, that’s not something you want on your outs list :( RIP Arthur 💖

I did throw my three things away, possibly more as I’m getting in the swing of it now, but other than a small lidless jar I can’t remember them!

Going to sort another toy tub now. We have so many different categories of toy - lots of construction toys etc like geomag the older ones had etc. Good if it’s all kept tidy and we can rotate them etc, but as it stands, it’s just a mess a lot of the time! 😳

The good news is that everything is back in my cupboards and a number of items were discarded in the process. The bad news is that my cupboards seem just as full as before

@SydneyCarton oh god Def call, that's how mine started. Then water then half a ton of concrete from the weight on my floor.

@lazyakita Def counts,. Well done.

I don't think DS will be massively upset, thankfully. He had two for, i think, his 2nd birthday, unasked for present from my bloody sister. He could only say uh and ah sounds so they were Uma and Arthur 😂. Same bloody sister is taking the fishtank for her new office so that's one thing

It’s nice to hear that it’s not just me struggling with energy levels, @LifeOfBriony I find wfh seems to take more energy to focus than I needed in the office.

Sorry to hear about Arthur the fish, Sleeping

2021 day 35 update:

General decluttering: shredded more paperwork from last weekend, and sorted through the next shelf down in the wardrobe. This had two two storage boxes for tights, which I went through and got rid of 7 pairs that had holes/ runs in them. There was also a bag of belts on the shelf, and I decided to get rid of 4 of them as I don’t use them. Pleased I managed to get more done today.

Can’t sleep so have been catching up on the whole thread. Feel very inspired! Almost want to get up, stick the light on and sort some pens and pencils (I swear I only sorted them a few months ago, I think they breed like rabbits) but hopefully I’ll drop off soon instead, and do that or something else tomorrow (errr today). I’m definitely getting in the swing of it now, after such a long time of feeling overwhelmed by the house.

Decluttered extra bits when sorting the geomag today, and little one broke a bowl I was wondering about chucking so that solved the dilemma.

@Iceisnice I saw your mention early in the thread (I had 8 pages to read :o) about the OU degree! That’s so exciting, if it’s not too outing what are you thinking of studying? I did half mine when the big two were small, then had to stop when I got sick. This year I finally feel ready. Unfortunately some of my units won’t be any good now (maths) so I will basically be starting over in psychology but I have a much better idea of what I want to do as a career now. I totally get you about wanting to declutter to have space and time to study, that is a big inspiration for me too. And it’s not selfish at all. That kind of thinking is what has held me back for so long but I’m starting to realise that looking after myself and my future is NOT selfish at all. 💖

Right, really must sleep.

PS we finally ordered the dishwasher YAY!

@SingToTheSky I am super excited, was going to start this February but as DS is due mid March I figured it would be too much. I am going to study a sociology degree I think. I did an OU open degree which I based on environmental science because that was my first love. I graduated in 2013 and since then have not had the opportunity to pursue a career in it. But like you with the passing of time I have a firmer idea of what I would like to do now as a proper grown up!
Psychology sounds really good, and it is nice to have something to be excited about that is just down to you. Lots of work but will be totally worth it! Get back on that horse and go for it!
I have the same thoughts as you, I have always put everyone first (did my first degree while working two jobs: 1 full and 1 part time to support my parents in paying back their debts) and if I don't get my backside in gear I will regret it. Plus I think it will be good for my DC to see that learning is a life long thing and that if you want something then you should totally go for it! Plus having the house decluttered benefits everyone, even if I am the only one on board at the moment....! Congrats on the dishwasher - life changing!

singtothesky lovely to hear you’re decorating, which rooms do you think you’ll do?

jobbyjg welcome to the thread. Car parts? That would drive me mad, is that your dh’s hobby?

oohmama sounds like you had a good day with stuff leaving the house.

sydneycarton I hope you get your washing machine fixed. sleepingstandingup do you have a new one yet?

My house is a mess and the stealthninjaboyfriend is coming over this weekend so I’m going to spend today mainly tidying up. Toss suggests I do food pantry which is a good idea. I have three packets of old sesame seeds. In the first lockdown I tried to make a sesame paste that wasn’t successful and I just can’t find a good way of using them so that will be my outs for today.

Ood nuts and seeds can be put out for the birds. They'll really appreciate it this time of year. 🐿🦆🦉

Is this about my 50th attempt at starting?

But yet again... We move next month (again).

Yesterday... Bathroom. For the first time in 10years almost, we have no bath toys in there. Seems to be a lot more space suddenly. Good clear out on bottles etc. Also sorted a load of dumped stuff in hallway.

And kids might enjoy making bird feeders as something to do - my youngest made some with seeds and lard I think it was. Just need string and she shaped them in plastic cups, although that might mean some ins of course.

Had to think what Ood meant then, I was thinking of a doctor who character!

Really craving some ins myself ATM. Was tempted to have some retail therapy online when I couldn’t sleep. I had already paid for some books I won a bid on for the 3yo! 😳

Really exciting about the degree ice I know what you mean about being a proper grown up! Although in some ways I still don’t feel like one at 34 :o I haven’t decided yet between psychology and psychology with counselling (both accredited so that’s fine) - will ask my psychologist when I next have a session :o I really need to not lose focus on the course I’m currently doing (much lower level) - January just got so difficult I haven’t made a start on the current assignment.

Might try and walk to town today which means I will declutter lots of library books by returning them!

Glad you had the common sense to delay Ice, I started another OU module last Oct and twins came Dec. I have no idea what the hell I was thinking. I've just deferred this yeah as it's just too much. Hoping by Oct eldest will be in school and the babies will sleep better / be shown earlier. ATM it's 9 pm before I have time to do anything. And that I won't need to be sorting stuff so my aim is to get things like all the photos filed, all the memory books done etc by then

Still no washing machine, parts still not in stock so will walk two bags of washing to my Mind, collect one and deliver 3 parcels

215-7: meerkat, pajamas, dress

I'm not v good at not having ins. Don't necessary (toaster broke, washing basket etc) but I've also brought some dresses off Vinted as doing the clothes clear out has made me think of what I actually want to wear.

Yes I did one of the maths courses when pregnant with my now 11yo! That was interesting I did do an exam when he was tiny too - that was a good thing as it meant they sent an invigilator to my house and dad sat upstairs with baby in case he needed feeding, when they’d stop the clock. Rather nice to sit at my own table. But no, never again, you don’t want to be giving birth thinking aw crap I am behind on my essay 😂

I was tempted to start this month too, but wasn’t quick enough to ring them (due to my previous dropping out I have to apply in a special way and discuss adaptations etc as I am now diagnosed with various things that allow me some support) which was annoying as I wanted to get going but it’s for the best really. So o guess we will be starting at the same time?! We may even end up on the same course - the first psychology module is a social science one, it was my first course when 13yo was a baby but that might mean it’s out of date and I have to redo it.

Right must stop waffling and get on with my other course. While encouraging home ed DS to get on with work. Gaaaah.

Toss has given me jackets again! I’ve skipped it again but if it comes up once more I’m going to delete it; how many jackets can you really get rid of??? It’s now given me shoes, which I barely wear these days , it’s slippers inside and boots for a walk. I do have a pair of sandals that look nice but I’ve never quite gelled with, so they can go, but I don’t really have that many pairs anyway.

Didn’t declutter anything yesterday, but today I have gotten rid of out of date peanut butter and half a bottle of agave that that was still in date but hadnt been used since christmas 2019 when i hosted a vegan and wouldnt get used up.

I also tossed a notebook that i had actually used up!

Hoping to get a few more bits tonight, and am going to have a trip out this weekend to the glass bank/clothing bank etc and will post out hospital donations. I also want to list everything outstanding onto ebayFB marketplace.