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Original poster

Any (aspiring) minimalists about?

339 replies

HereticFanjo · 25/06/2021 14:33

I am a natural clutterbug but aspiring minimalist! I'm about to have a couple of months off work between jobs and with no holidays planned this feels like the time to really go for it on the minimalism front! My income will be dropping substantially so I may need to sell some stuff rather than just donate.

How did you get there if you made the leap to minimalism? I find books and household stuff especially difficult to part with.

OP posts:
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FlipFlops4Me · 29/12/2021 09:13

@InvincibleInvisibility - I'll happily join in a no-spend January!

I've actually written it into my journal - I can buy food, householdy stuff (only to replace existing supplies), and dog food. No "things". Having replaced the food processor and buying 4 tablespoons (left mine with DIL on Christmas day and since she doesn't have any, she can keep mine) I don't think I need a thing.

I do need to draw up a Second Round plan of action for the New Year Declutter...

FlipFlops4Me · 29/12/2021 09:21

How lovely to have a kitten! I love their big, startled eye and the way they rub the top of their head under your chin. Weave in and out of your legs in the kitchen.

It's been years since I lived with a cat - not since I was young and lived with my parents. DH isn't a cat man and we've always had dogs (and I am a crazy dog-lady) but I do love cats too.

InvincibleInvisibility · 29/12/2021 10:18

I am really motivated by a no spend January. Im even including restaurants, unnecessary treats in the food shop etc. Ive also made a list of what is allowed and what isn't...

FlipFlops4Me · 29/12/2021 16:29

Well - we can encourage each other! It's only one month - we can do it I'm sure. I want to laminate my kitchen and bathroom by spring - if I don't spend money on a bunch of crap I'll be able to afford it.

I thought if I had a definite plan for the money saved it'd be inspirational...

FlipFlops4Me · 29/12/2021 16:39

After that, I'll see if there's anything that's actually needed. My oldest dog needs a new collar but I'm going to wait until February for that. Last of the big spenders, huh?

Original poster
HereticFanjo · 30/12/2021 08:09

This thread had disappeared completely in the app and has just reappeared - with perfect timing! I'm feeling that itch to get rid of things again!

OP posts:
InvincibleInvisibility · 30/12/2021 10:35

Me too! Have put a pair of trousers and PJs to be donated. And have listed an 80s playmobil car for sale. I'll give it a month then donate it if it doesn't sell.

I've definitely got the itch again

duvetdayforeveryone · 30/12/2021 16:27

If only they could bottle that feeling one gets once you've decluttered an area then put it back so organised and neat Grin So satisfying!!!

MrsBaublesDylan · 30/12/2021 20:03

Hey! Big declutter month for me because we move from a four bed town house to a three bed flat at the beginning of Feb.

I have been getting rid of stuff (donating/selling) for the last three months but I still can imagine how it's going to fit us Shock plus 'things'.

Will join the no spend January (very bad start, profligate spending). Have just watched four Minimalistic Mom videos and feel prepped and ready!!

torthecatlady · 30/12/2021 22:44

I've been lurking for a while but might as well join in! I've been actively decluttering for ages but there's still plenty to go...

Ihaveaskedyouthrice · 30/12/2021 22:54

Took down the tree and decorations today. Still feels the house is very overfull.
Interested to know what others would do in this scenario. My DS1 is 9 and has special needs. He particularly loves toot toot figures and the particular ones he likes aren't made any more. Some came up on a local selling site before Christmas and were being sold with a large(really large!) Princess Castle. I tried to buy the figures only but the seller would only sell everything together which was fair enough. I bought with the intention of giving the castle to charity shop but when DH saw it he thought we should keep it. So Santa brought it as a joint gift for our 3 kids(along with other gifts) but it literally hasn't been looked at since Christmas day. I think I could remove it and none of the kids would even notice. DH has conceded that it's unlikely to be played with (the DS who loves the figures just likes the figures and my DD isn't remotely interested in anything to do with princesses) . Sorry for long winded post but wondering what would you do?

MrsBaublesDylan · 30/12/2021 23:14

@Ihaveaskedyouthrice get it gone!

Around this time every year I look with horror and despair at the stuff the kids got for Xmas that they haven't even noticed.

I am tackling my ds' toys (also SN) tomorrow and absolutely dreading it. There has to be a toy cull but he is cardboard hoarder so I have the boxes to deal with too Confused

InvincibleInvisibility · 31/12/2021 06:40

Definitely get rid of the castle. Maybe sell it?

My DS1 is 10 and has SN and gets very attached to things even when he has barely played with them. The only thing that has worked has been getting out everything he owns on one theme (eg soldiers) and showing him that he has 8 armies so can easily donate 3 armies worth to a child who has no toys.

It wasn't easy but he did finally accept it and enjoyed the praise for his generosity.

MrsBaublesDylan · 01/01/2022 13:13

How's everyone getting on?

I have been watching more of The Minimalist Mom and today I have tackled memory boxes and clothes quarantine boxes. Awesome stuff! I have less clothes than DH, shoes are a completely different matter...

Her thoughts on making 'The Inventory' manageable by having less stuff is brilliant. I have just given dh the inventory talk about books. Two years ago I persuaded him to donate about 150 books (leaving 300+ in the collection) and they have really crept up again. I asked him what he felt when he looked at the books now and he said 'guilty and overwhelmed'.

He has now scanned and sold/donated 200 books, making a profit of £100 and leaving a lovely, curated enjoyable book collection.

We have got off to the flying new year start Grin

InvincibleInvisibility · 01/01/2022 14:02

£100 is great well done!

We have a huge collection of playmobil. I won't make DS2 part with it except the old stuff he "inherited" from DH (aka MIL kept ALL of his old toys...). He agreed to get rid of one car and it sold in less than 24hrs!

DH wanted to buy a new book for his plane trip but I mentioned to him that I was trying no spend January (having done minimalism since March 2021) and he agreed to take one from his extensive collection.

I also said that next time we got to MIL he ought to check his books there to see if he wants to read them again or if we can sell them...

DH really doesn't like getting rid of things but does like me selling them! Sold an old clock that his aunt didn't want anymore for 25 euros last week.

Ihaveaskedyouthrice · 01/01/2022 18:29

www.phillymag.com/news/2021/09/25/stuff-after-you-die/

An interesting article here about stuff and clutter.

Ihaveaskedyouthrice · 01/01/2022 23:01

Thanks @MrsBaublesDylan and @InvincibleInvisibility I think it'll go to the charity shop when they reopen. Quite difficult to sell second hand toys where I am(Ireland) so not worth the hassle.
Got rid of our Xmas tree today as we want to buy new next year and my parents were happy to get an upgrade on their ancient tree.

torthecatlady · 03/01/2022 13:46

Took the Christmas decorations down today, waiting for dh to get home from work to put everything in the attic.

Managed to have a good tidy up today as well, just picking up things and putting them back where they are supposed to go.

Also started a charity shop pile!

MrsBaublesDylan · 03/01/2022 16:04

I have a car full of charity shop stuff and yet another tip run pile - our house is like the gift that keeps on giving shit!

I am got tough on sentimental items yesterday. I still have a large cupboard's worth and since there are only two large storage cupboards in the flat, summary's gotta give.

There is a loft but it's not boarded and dh reckons it might only fit the Xmas decs.

My main issues are photos and albums. Most of which I can't bear to look at for complicated reasons.

Original poster
HereticFanjo · 05/01/2022 16:38

At this rate I'm going to be 12 months on and have achieved nothing. I'm trying to believe my mojo will kick in.

What book scanning app do people use to sell them? I have loads.

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Original poster
HereticFanjo · 05/01/2022 17:17

I don't know if it was on this thread but someone somewhere said that when decluttering just look at things and think, Would I buy this now? If not, it's gone.

It was like a lightbulb went on in my head. I love it!

There are some difficult things around coats that have wear left in them etc. Sometimes I am resentful that my brain is wired for poverty and holding onto things. I know it's time to change that mindset. Having eight semi decent coats I never wear is nothing to aspire to. Just mess.

Books and paper will be hard still but I'm really hoping the 'Would I buy this now?' question will help me purge the out of date food / old tupperware / questionable charity shop clothes purchases!

I'm really low on motivation at the minute with everything. January blues and inertia I think.

OP posts:
InvincibleInvisibility · 05/01/2022 20:38

Get onto youtube OP! Loads of inspiring videos about when youve lost your minimalism mojo

Original poster
HereticFanjo · 07/01/2022 14:57

The trouble is I'm brilliant at reading the books and watching the vids just terrible at the actual real life sorting and clearing 😂

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InvincibleInvisibility · 07/01/2022 15:42

Ok. Have you got out every pair of shoes you own and put them altogether? Do that now and see what you want to keep. Don't keep any that rub, that hurt, that you always put on and then take off again....

Keep the ones that you always automatically reach for.

Once that is done, bag them up and in the boot of you car for charity clothes bin donation.

Then a cup of tea Smile

Do that with each category of clothes next, one at a time. Coats, hats scarves gloves, tshirts, jumpers, trousers etc.

Have a break in between each category. And only get 1 category out at a time

cleanasawhistle · 07/01/2022 16:29

I started this a couple of years when a lot of rooms needed decorating. My kids are older and one has left home so I bought two trunks and anything sentimental from there childhoods was put in a trunk for each.....one day they will take the trunks away.Trunks kept in loft and stuff can be added two them.

I improved storage in each room but only by what was needed.So stuff could be away and not hanging about.
I have removed all shelves in my home and have nothing on window sills.Got rid of lots of ornaments and books.
All recipe books went....you can google recipes.
I dont have anything on my walls either .

Basically I was sick of how much cleaning I did and I wanted to reduce the time I spent doing it.