Decluttering one item a day (and counting down til the opening of charity shops!) – thread number 17

[stealthninjamum]

This is an accountability and chat thread for mumsnetters who dream of living in an uncluttered haven of calm and tidiness.

Bit by bit we are slowly decluttering our houses and keeping our fingers crossed that charity shops will open on 12th April – although we’re also adding to the list of places in the second post that will also take our clutter.

The aim of this thread is to help us get rid of just one item a day or 365 a year. We just report back on our progress and then chat about anything and everything. The thread is for anyone so newbies are always welcome.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4144854-Decluttering-one-item-a-day-and-having-nowhere-to-put-it-thread-number-16?msgid=105205665

Have been trying to declutter here, got rid of two baby bouncers and a bin bag of baby clothes on Freecycle. I've given some baby massage books back to a family member too which gives a bit more space. Also got rid of a pack of highlighters I found in the Tupperware cupboard (I have no idea why they were there!)

I'm going through baby clothes and have three bin bags of clothes for a friend - she says she wants them but I don't think she wants to drive to mine for them and I genuinely don't have the time to drop them off. They're driving me mad, I just want them gone

Another sock to rag pile, Dead pen in the recycling bag :).

Not decluttering related but I got my diagnosis today. I have breast cancer ans will have surgery and treatment. There's no evidence of it having spread. I need a MRI as they're not sure how close to the muscle it is and they are awaiting the results of the HER2 receptor test. This will determine treatment plan. This will be some unexpected decluttering of part of my body. Strangely, I feel calmer now.

@Vinorosso74 I'm pleased that you answers and a plan going forward, even though the answer itself isn't good. Good luck and thinking of you. Xx

Day 188:
Listed TENS machine on marketplace.
Sold a rocking horse and being collected on Friday.
Pram suit 'sold' on freecycle.
Colouring book recycled.

@Vinorosso74 I'm so sorry to have read your post but this is a hurdle in life and you will overcome this.

I think it is always better to know these things rather than be wondering @Vinorosso74. Sorry that it wasn't the best news and be kind to yourself.

No decluttering here, work has gone crazy. May try to list some things on vinted at the weekend but having had a which browse and am struggling with pricing.

@Vinorosso74 xxx

Sorry it's not the news hoped for vino but good news on the lack of spread and the plan 💐

Last night DH did some decluttering of the sewing box by doing the long overdue task of seeing badges onto Cub uniforms/blankets.
We then went online and ordered more...
(I only have one. DH has four. DDs... A few each!)

@Vinorosso74 Best of luck with your treatment.

Sorry I've been absent. I have been slowly chipping away. Out:

• a dead pen
• a rubber
• a key ring
• a stack of business cards
• two bath bombs
• an old foot stool

That's 423 items out. I don't know if I'll make the 2021 items at this rate, but I'll keep trying.

vinorosso I’m sorry it’s cancer but at least you will be well looked after and the experts will know what they’re doing.

ellieq it sounds like things are improving I was glad to see your update.

Same old same old here. Lots of admin, filing, washing, painting and sorting photos.

Sold some magazines.
Another pair of socks are on verge of being ragged. Maybe my socks should have their own Twitter account.

Day 189:
Bag of books and a game given away.
Rocking horse picked up.
Pram suit picked up via freecycle...not even a thank you!

Baby swing out back in attic as we don't need it yet.

Pen.
Notepad
Bottle of hair dye
Gloves
Shower cap

(Possibly dignity if it all goes wrong)

Two kitchen cupboards cleared of those packs of things with two walnuts or a spoonful of rice mouldering in them and re-organising so I can actually see what’s in there. I think I need to add that to my ‘I’m waiting for the kettle to boil let’s have a quick scan’ list of easy win tasks in future.

We have filled several recycling bags with cardboard boxes and other packaging over last couple of days. Playroom looking a lot better.
Bought more storage boxes day.
More sewing done.

368:tidied the evil end of the living room. Threw away some general bits of pieces of rubbish and had a good tidy. It looks better bit it tends towards being the dumping end and trying to avoid giving the mice anywhere nice to live.

369: game of pictionary in the donation box. We've never played it, I think I inherited it from an ex.

All the new size clothes have come over so will go through the old clothes the weekend. Truth is there's just no bloody space. Sold one dress which I need to post but have deliveries in (why can't I find normal poppered vests for the fat babies??) so will try and time it, and got conned into new wellies for DS.

I might do another wecollectclothes delivery if I can sort some bags in the garage. There's just that much piling up I can't move anything.

Trying to focus on getting some jobs done before my surgery or treatment starts (whenever that will be). Cat has had his annual jabs and MOT this morning, done my postal vote form (we live nearer the polling station than a postbox) but I might not be able to go in person in May!
Boiler service happening this afternoon.
I think I better wrote a list of a few jobs as DP won't think to do them. I have had a couple of chats about him having to take on the mental load!

Haven't posted this week, been feeling quite rough so decluttering has been put on the back burner. Finally got through to doctors today, going for blood screen and have an appointment next week so hopefully they can find out whats going on with my stomach now!

I have sold a few bits on ebay, gave away a few toys on facebook. This morning I have done a mountain of washing, I can almost see the bottom! The sun is shining so hoping it all dries!

I'm going to have a read through the thread now with my cup of tea while I wait for my lunch to cook!

vino ive just read your update, I hope you are doing OK. Its not news you want to hear but you are in the best hands xx

Dp definitely needs to take on some of the mental load, men in general seem to worry much less about the general day to day running of the house! I know my dh doesn't always think about things in the same way I do, for example today I saw the sun out and first thing I did at 630am was put a wash load on, he would just wait until later in the day and then hung it indoors (or more likely wait until I told him to do some washing!). Now I won't have mountains of washing around all weekend! Same with the census form, he has been saying for the last week he would do it when he has spare time as it takes ages... I decided to just do it while dinner was cooking it took all of 15 mins!!

Think I should just copy and paste my updates as once again it’s decorating, admin, photos. So still decluttering wallets films came in but super slowly. And I decluttered an empty paint pot but have started on a new one so don’t think that counts.

Thanks nocutts. It's been quite an emotional rollercoaster and I think it will continue to be. I found someone on the health board who was also awaiting results and was also diagnosed on Wednesday and have exchanged some messages with her as we're at the same point.
DP did actually put some washing on this morning but he did have to ask which pile he should do first rather than just do it!

Hope your further scan and treatment plan are settled soon @Vinorosso74. Glad school routine has helped @EllieQ I’m still rather snappy with my youngest at the mo who is badly in need of a return to some normality.
Have dispatched another small box of books via WeBuyBooks this time (another £10 if they don’t quibble!) Several more Lego sets checked ready for listing and selling. Just trying to keep chipping away. Hampered by injuring my knee so I’m not doing the eaves cupboards as I’d planned this weekend - will find something higher instead!

Exciting news the £5.80 from my music magpie trade is weighing heavily in my paypal account too excited to keep it to myself! Today’s out is an odd one - an old spectacle case has been repurposed to protect a pen being sent off for repair.