Decluttering one item a day thread number 18 – quickly stashing our clutter in charity shops now we can let people back inside our houses

[stealthninjamum]

Here we are again, still decluttering and still chatting and sometimes getting rid of some clutter.

This is a group of mumsnetters who aspire to live in a lovely clutterfree environment, usually scuppered by husbands, children, dogs and in my house ‘valuable’ bits of twig and stone or origami versions of aardvarks and komodo dragons.

We are slowly decluttering our houses, chatting and updating each other on our slow progress as we go. We only aim to get rid of one a day but often manage more. Newbies are welcome to join us.

Since the last thread charity shops reopened and things got closer to normal. I’ve now invited friends over for the end of June so have a month to get the house ‘guest ready’.

Previous thread here.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4183135-Decluttering-one-item-a-day-and-counting-down-til-the-opening-of-charity-shops-thread-number-17?pg=38

I'm off yo declutter something

🤣 that's the half-arsed spirit!!

True... I still haven't been upstairs to look and I fear I wont today

that's ok
it's not the day for it x

Sorry fell off the decluttering wagon. Life got in the way. I discovered shein and did a big order as was fed up with none of my clothes fitting me. Well I saw myself as bigger and almost everything is too big. I also bought some Xmas pressies (which I wasn't going to do this year as I always end up with so much starting early!)

On a positive note - when dds brought their end of term books we recycled the handwriting, maths ones straight away. Kept the topic, literacy and art ones though! Dd1 and dd2 both sorted their clothes out. (We got given new drawers for their room which I wanted and fit the space better) 1 bin liner of rags (inc knickers age 18-24months.. dd2 is 9!), 2 bags that can be passed on. Still got some more to do but its a good start!

In terms if keeping clothes to grow into, ours has slowed right down. Mine have totally different tastes so only keep absolute basics (eg Christmas jumper, plain leggings, sun suits/beach shoes etc) that has reminded me to check what I have in my mums loft, we have been given alot of hand me downs for dd2 from friends more to her taste. It just makes me feel bad when dd1 gets to choose her clothes new. But dd2 does get excited when we are given a bin liner of clothes!

So drawing a line under all the crap brought in and start now as I mean to go on, getting back to decluttering and checking in here to share our victories together no matter how small. If that is i didnt buy something I otherwise would have im counting it as a win!

Happy birthday little ememem hopefully you arent too over-run with toys!

@ellieq I hope you're feeling less overwhelmed. I know the feeling. I'm trying to declutter my parents house and my house at the same time. Got a bit sick and tired since my parents have so much stuff and I've been doing this since I was 14 and now I'm 31. It just needs to go. My mum is still reluctant with giving things away. They have storage everywhere and it's annoying.

I've got rid of some clothes belonging to my DD4. 2 x leggings that belong to me and are very tight. Some of my 5 month daughters clothes too. If I wouldn't want her to wear it, I dont think I'd want any future babies to wear it either.

My parents house omg I don't know where to start. Me and my sister got rid of pillows, old sheets, more bedding, shoes, window nets, handbags and other stuff i can't even remember. I'm happy but the other stuff still needs tackling. A lot of the stuff was in the sofa and was dusty and brought my allergies. Fingers crossed we can do this. I might just have a couple of days break with my parents house.

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba hope your headache has gone. I was the same yesterday. Took a paracetamol and was off to bed. Hopefully will have more energy today. I'm going to get a black bin bag and get rid of anything I can!

@faithfulbird20 thank you. bit better today

I've just decluttered 1 item! hurrah!🤣

it's a bag clip that was wearing away and wasn't functioning well. I kept on clicking it to stay on but it just wouldn't. so it had to go.

Another who would say that de-cluttering is a marathon not a sprint and there will be days/weeks when one or none a day is all you can manage because life should take precedence. The thing I have found is that there is a slow and subtle change in mindset about items already in the house and what we choose to bring in.
Well, more progress on the magazine pile by DH and last 5 to recycling bin. Should now be able to clear side in kitchen. He is taking today off work so may present the next collection of cables for sorting.

ellieq zingdrama I hope you’re both feeling better.

Happy birthday miniememem.

faithfulbird20 good luck with decluttering your parents house. Are they moving, is there a deadline?

I agree with polyannaperspective that there is a slow change in mindset. It took a couple of years but I rarely buy myself anything as I know I already own too much. I bought a new handbag the other day and even though I love it I haven’t taken it out of the packaging because it feels wrong to treat myself.

Yesterday I got rid of a brush (there were four sitting next to each other so it was easy to get rid of one). I am struggling to find time to do this but will spend 10 minutes later with dc and a pile of books.

Can I join? I've spent this week helping dd declutter one corner of her room a day and we have a pile of clothes that is too good to just throw out.

I like the idea of selling clothes online that isn't eBay, but has anyone had any experience using I second That or Vinted, as mentioned on the first page?

Is it really as simple as just sending them a bundle, they do the rest and you get a % of what is sold?

Thanks.

Welcome xsquared

I’m not sure how vinted or icollectclothes work - I think it was @SleepingStandingUp who has experience of them. Or was it incessantnamechanger?

Thanks everyone. I was feeling very low about life in general (not just decluttering) when I wrote my last post. Over the weekend I’d caught up with two friends who are both going on holiday abroad this summer, and of course they asked what I was doing and I had to say we had no plans. I felt so bitter and envious that they could afford a holiday, weren’t anxious about testing/ quarantining/ being stuck abroad, and would be having fun while we try to enjoy a staycation. It left me feeling so down.

I’m off work this week, but the weather is miserable, and PIL are here with all the stresses that brings, so that isn’t really helping! They have gone out with DH and DD this afternoon, so I have a bit of time to myself, which is nice.

One decluttering issue is that I have always thought of myself as a tidy, organised, person with a clean home, and in fact I am untidy and disorganised with a house that is not really clean - the bathroom and kitchen are ok, and I hoover a lot to deal with cat hair, but otherwise there’s dust and cobwebs around. I feel ashamed, if I’m honest, and the task of dealing with it all seems overwhelming.

But yesterday I decluttered one thing - a pair of jogging bottoms that I ordered online and didn’t fit me has gone in the charity bag. Even one thing out is better than none.

@EllieQ

I just wanna hug you xxx

@EllieQ you are certainly not alone in your feelings. Its hard hearing other people going away, but as hard as it will be make the most of your stay cation. Eat eat ice cream for breakfast, do all the stuff you would allow on holiday at home. We are also staying home this year, keeping it close to home. The biggest day out we have is mine and DH are going to London for the day (but we bought tickets in advance, specific trains so cost less than half the usual cost)

I know what you mean about feeling ashamed of your home, I feel the same. My house just feels dirty and full of rubbish all the time, no matter how much I declutter theres always more to do. But 1 item out or 1 item being prevented from coming in is an achievement. Could you focus on one area and really make that perfect, so you can keep looking at that for motivation. Even somewhere small like a dressing table or bedside cabinet. You can do this. Sending you hugs x

Someone has lit the declittering fire under dhs arse. I’m not sure I like it.

Anyway. Today a baking sheet has been binned along with a shit ton of wrapping paper boxes and plastic. People were v generous to dd. She is v lucky.

I also decluttered about a buckets worth of snot from her nose using the snot sucker. She shoved a pea up there at lunchtime (dr at a&e wasn’t too worried - squishy organic material it’ll work it’s self out and it’s not affecting her breathing). Fun afternoon.

We also took a boot load of stuff to the dump. Carpet rolls, bits of an old greenhouse, holey buckets. Loads of dhs gardening shit he didn’t want anymore. So that feels so so good to have got rid.

This evening I’ve put three mismatched wine glasses in the glass bin.

@stealthninjamum naah they've just accumulated a lot of stuff since me and my sister moved out. I help declutter every year except last year because I was pregnant. 2 bags out of my house today with random scarves, a dress that didn't bring joy nor fit. I'm thinking waste of money but hopefully will benefit someone else and put a smile on their face. I did my mums wardrobe today and got 4 bags out full of scarves, undies and random bits. Felt good but was tiring. Things that need to be donated go straight to the donation bank because my mum and dad have a habit of looking through the stuff and thinking I could use this. I have a similar habit but always 99.9% put the item back to be donated after a few days. I've learnt if something bothers me no point hanging onto it because it will bother me every time I see it and I just need to get rid.

@stealthninjamum

Welcome xsquared

I’m not sure how vinted or icollectclothes work - I think it was @SleepingStandingUp who has experience of them. Or was it incessantnamechanger?

Thank you @stealthninjamum. I have found a thread in Style and Beauty on Vinted, so I'm watching it with interest and at some point I'll take the plunge and give it a go!

Today I have got rid of some holey socks and thread bare knickers from my 20s. The knicker drawer is still in progress as I have discovered the roll and tuck method for storing them!

@EllieQ I hope you're feeling better and please don't feel like you're alone in feeling like that. I feel guilty too that I can't take my DD4 anywhere at the moment because my husbands busy with work. Yet my friends are all flaunting their jam packed 2 week schedules here there and everywhere on their WhatsApp status. Think I need to delete/declutter their numbers (and just have their numbers in an open convo) so I don't see their status.

I was thinking why do we always have to go out and get tired with our kids. Why can't we have summer holidays where we stay at home or go to the park, teach kids skills at home and be a bit different. It might be fun that way. Correction. It will be fun. My daughter is learning a language at home, playing with her barbie, colouring, playing with her baby sister, watching new movies and she's happy at the moment. I just need to take her to the park or museum hopefully. But you're right that guilt is there as a mum that they might not be having fun. I think like that but when I remember what it's like being on holiday with 2 kids I'm grateful I'm resting at home in my own bed with the kids.

I've got dust and cobwebs in my house too. It's normal. I'll tackle it when I can. Doesn't mean we're dirty. Please be kind to yourself and look after yourself. Don't believe those people that have immaculate houses. Im sure they have Monica geller type wardrobes full of crap hidden somewhere 😂 I used to be really bothered too that I wasn't doing enough. But people make choices and my choice is to spend more time with my kids. The cobwebs can wait.

Could you link to the Vinted thread please @xsquared? I have some stuff listed there at the moment but it's not selling and although I've had offers they are v low (and in one case slightly aggressive!) so may need to rethink my strategy.

Hope you are feeling OK today @EllieQ. We're also not planning a trip this summer, although may visit family for a few days. I didn't need the stress of worrying about potential quarantine etc. I expect we will aim for a few days out but otherwise mainly park and so on.

I will also put my hand up and admit I also do not have the cleanest house! I keep on top as best I can but especially in the school holidays I have to catch up my work hours in the evening. The basics get done but bigger jobs very infrequently. Working from home also means everything gets dirtier! It is really hard juggling work and small kids so don't beat yourself up.i agree with faithfulbird that I'd prefer to spend time with the kids than clean!

After DS birthday I've started looking at toys and sorted out a bag of things that are too young for the charity shop and a smaller bag of things to keep for visitors with younger children as we still know quite a few friends with babies. I need to start the ones in the garden over the weekend.

Well done on the outs especially since the school holidays started - it seems to be a theme that it's been harder for everyone. I took a bit of a break after some mammoth pre move decluttering a week ago - it really is very tiring. Still need to actually get rid, but out of the girls' rooms have come 2 full IKEA bags of soft toys, plus all the excess stationery. We are going to get them to pick out stuff for school and stuff to go back into their desks and the sell/donate the rest. I also went through boxes of letters and other paper dating from my school and university days, and just kept a few mementos. Just purchased some cardboard archive boxes so they can be packed and stored neatly. Am also working on scanning some things rather than keeping the paper copies. Left photos for another day! This morning o feel like I could do a bit more so I'm going to tackle a small job - look though all the winter gloves and things and get rid of what won't be worn again, and wash and put away those that will. Then I'm going to use the boxes in the hall that currently store them to contain some other clutter - cat toys perhaps or flip flops.

We are also staycationing next week and I empathise with the feelings of PP - I wish we were going to France! However the kids have agreed to a 1 hour limit on tech during that time, which will hopefully break the habit a bit too.

Have a good day all.

@RaspberryBlonde Here it is

Vinted

ellieq i understand how you feel, I hope you’re able to relax and not just run around after dh and his parents. Try to have some time for you - and not doing housework. You’ve had a tough year so don’t be hard on yourself. And a few cobwebs are no big deal. My house is a complete mess too and has been since the first lockdown. I never finish jobs so there are pots of paint, brishes, papers, bits of homeschool, hundreds of photos dotted around. I see it as a work in progress, it’s a million times cleaner / clearer than it was five years ago and dc are doing a few more jobs so we’ll get there.

faithfulbird what a job, Your parents are lucky to have you. My in-laws are hoarders and I was desperate to declutter their house. I’m so glad I don’t have to see them again the house used to make me stressed.

I’m avoiding social media because I feel like such a bad mother. Dc don’t want to ever leave the house and in fact dd2 has suddenly started to cry if I pop out just to go to the supermarket. I’ve booked a fortnight away but I’ll be cooking and cleaning so it will be a lot like being at home, hardly relaxing.

xsquared I think incessant sold a bundle of nice branded clothes but one wasn’t perfect enough for the buyer so they claimed all the money back and it had things like boden and other expensive brands so do be careful. I think it was vinted - but could be wrong.

Just got rid of a very thin cardigan that looks good but the colours bother me every time I see it, a pair of socks and a gym T-shirt. Tshirt and cardigan probably were worn once a year and I don't think they're worth keeping in my closet.

Me and my husband share a wardrobe and he's got so many shirts that he's not worn because he's working from home. I'm going to wait till the end of the year and see what he wears before getting rid because some are old. Just need him to get back to working from site so I know what he wears.

I'm glad I've not bought any clothes or scarves in haste. My mum gave me 4 scarves and 2 dresses as a late birthday present. I'd have the stress of having double the amount of clothes.

The weather is miserable where we live. Just need the sun to come out to give me some energy to clean up and declutter.

Sorted through paperwork. Have thrown away bank statements (ripped account details off and will take them into work on Monday and shred them!) insurance docs old appliance manuals etc. Have scanned things in and saved to join t Dropbox.

Also ditched a pair of jeans and a vest top.