Playing the Minimalism Game

[YupIFreakilyHave]

For the month of October I am challenging myself to playing the 30 Day Minimalism Game as described by various people on their YouTube channels including The Minimalists. I prefer Jolita Bartkus' video on this. I know October has 31 days but the last day is for reflecting on how the month went.

How to Play: On the 1st you declutter one thing, on the 2nd you declutter 2 things, on the 3rd three things and so on. By the end of 30th day, 465 items should have been decluttered. Well, that's the aim.

I've been on this decluttering lark for a few years now so it'll be an interesting project. I'll try to update everyday of what was decluttered and maybe a little story of some of the items. I'm doing this online as a way to hold myself to account but I would welcome anyone who would like to join me.

It starts tomorrow. Eek!

Jolita Bartkus' video:

@Trumpton I always love your beautiful collage photos!

@mrsjackrussell I find I have little blips of anxiety too about whether it's really ok or the 'right thing' to do to get rid of some of the things. I'm finding putting them aside a for a few days before finally committing to them leaving the house has been helpful- most things stay there but occasionally I go back and rescue something and feel better for doing that. Then I declutter something else but don't count it in that day's total, to balance it out, and feel good about still having decluttered the same number of things overall.

Re the hankies and other types of things where it's not clear about whether to count them individually, I think just do whatever feels more authentic to you on the day. The only rules that count are yours! For me sometimes I count as one job lot item and sometimes individually. Usually it reflects how much time went into it - if I had to find or sort through them all individually then I'm more likely to count them like that, whereas just grabbing a handful of buttons or something would feel more like 1 item. Or if the things were more meaningful to me I would be more likely to count them individually. But that's me - as I said I think just go with whatever feels right to you.

Day 16: various dregs from holiday toiletry bags / swimming bags etc

Bonuses 27 more items collected from kitchen / bathroom/ utility including some very vintage copper pans for little cupcakes that used to belong to my lovely great aunt. I love them and the memory of her that they hold for me but I literally never use them so have decided it's time to say farewell.
Bonuses now 199

Day 4 : 1 pair old shoes, one stained sheet music, one old battery toothbrush, one too small bikini top

Lovely little cupcake pans -so cute. Remember they will bring someone else joy when you pass them on @Declutterclogs

Day 16

1 Stack of magazines that DP no longer wants
1 beautiful silky material that my aunt bought for me years ago for me to make a top and I never got round to it and I no longer have a functioning sewing machine so why am I keeping it?
1 pair of sewing scissors
1 set of watercolours, dried up
1 travel eye mask, yes another one
2 more bite guard holders
1 set of hair ties that hurt me
1 fridge magnet, no longer magnetic (DP's)
1 key ring, another of DP's keepsakes he no longer wants
1 short cord, bit random, no idea what it was about
1 wrist band from event (DP's)
1 plastic travel toiletries bag, hate it with a passion
1 aloe vera gel, out of date
1 small bag of random buttons
1 plastic tumbler which is too scratchy to use

Total: 136 items

Day 16 - getting tricky now we are past the half way mark. Handbag, magazines and more bits and bobs

Thanks @YupIFreakilyHave sometimes it is very helpful to be reminded of that. This is definitely one of those times

Im finding it so satisfying to see everyone else's stuff.

@YupIFreakilyHave yes it's the decluttering that's making me anxious but in a funny way I'm enjoying it aswell. Thankyou you're very kind. It's so good to do this with all you lovely lot.
@Declutterclogs thankyou for your insightful advice. It helps to know that others feel the same. It's funny how we get so attached to possessions but I suppose it's the memory behind it that we're attached to. The photos will be kept instead of the stuff.

Day 16

3 Mother's Day cards. Iv taken photos of these.
Earrings unwanted gift.
Bag of sea glass. Collected to make earrings 3 years ago.
4 headbands
Furry toy husband bought me that sits in a drawer
5 hard headbands

Day 15 was taken by DW who cleared 15 elderly items from her underwear drawer. I was amused to hear that six of the items were maternity related. Our youngest child was 18 earlier this year .
Today (16th) is a mixture. 8 further similar items provided by DW. 3 old file folders, 1 unused desktop organiser tray and 4 old plastic toys.

I managed until day 11 ( bunch of old cables). Then did day 14 with another trip to charity shop. I'm out now.

I'm finding it hard now. I'm really really tired, and sorting a lot of other stuff in the house post building work. I think I started with the obvious stuff, and now it requires more thought and emotional effort.

I'm still going though, just not managing to transfer my lists onto here from my notebook. I'll resume soon I'm sure.

I've been off the wagon for a few days too. Not completely surprised - there's a reason I started back to front! Will try and do Sunday and then think about catching up

Up to day 7; 2 plastic boxes, 1 put on olio and the other is split so will have to be dumped. 1 bookmark recycled, selection of cleaning cloths I will count as 1 item, a toy microphone from magazine, a kids toy no longer wanted and a pass holder that has never been used.
Having to work stealthily as although everyone agrees that we need to declutter as we are planning to emigrate they do not want to put the work in or try and halt progress when decluttered goods are rediscovered!

I have dropped out of the challenge! Have some old Halloween items bagged up for the charity shop but won't count them until I actually manage to get them out of the house!

Day 11 :

• a toaster
• a kettle
• a coffee machine
• VegTrug liners
• 2 VegTrug frames
• 2 VegTrug greenhouse covers
• VegTrug insect cover
• dish drying rack
• a cutlery stand all from the old house admittedly some of these were replaced in the new house but for a while we had several of each and I haven’t been counting every individual item so far so I’m counting them it’s all stuff going out anyway
• a book DS finished
• a nail file I was sent as a free gift when buying DS a cream

Another day…another collage. I enjoy faffing around with these!
Clothing today from the spare room wardrobe so I haven’t worn theses items for a long time. Off to the charity shop with you !

Day 5
1 toy
1 perfume travel container
1 Fitbit charger
1 old mobile phone
1 old gift bag

I have joined this late but days 1 and 2. 5 tooth brushes. One unused toilet brush. One ikea holder for cutlery. A pair of earrings that tarnished and were out of shape. 5 empty Jo Malone perfume bottles. At least 15 beauty freebie type sachets.

@mrsjackrussell When I first started my journey I had a whole warehouse bag of conflicted feelings. I felt that I was losing part of my history (I didn't), I felt great that I gave myself permission to let go, I felt ashamed of having so much clutter, how could I have allowed myself to live like this (did I not value myself), elated that I was making progress, frustrated at getting stuck on certain items even though they were not sentimental and round and round it went.

This game hopefully makes it easier, it's for fun and every little item out of the house helps. If it and/or life becomes stressful and you no longer want to do it, then of course you should stop. It's okay because you have made progress.

BUT, if it's because you lack motivation and can't be bothered, get your arse into gear and just get it done .

@Trumpton your collages look like they were fun to do.

Back on the wagon. 19 pairs of too small or overly worn kids socks!

@freezerdinners I hope you are doing ok. Fatigue is rubbish whatever the cause. It's great that you are still going and keeping the record in your scrapbook; I think you shouldn't feel compelled to come and post everything here as well if it just adds more pressure but it's lovely to see you when you drop in.

Well done all, especially @mum2jakie for getting back on.

I haven't decluttered a single thing today but I have done this to my spices - ta-dah! It was only possible because of the extra drawer space I'd created by decluttering. I love to cook and I'll really enjoy using this.

Day 17 for me - kids clothes - 17 items from going through my youngest DC's closest, some of which are 3 sizes too small. Running daily total 153.

Bonuses of 20 from the utility room cupboard including gift with purchase bags and out of date and unused samples / more holiday toiletries. Plus a box of kids' toys (sorted by them so only counting as one) and a pile of clothes from my middle DC (ditto). Bonus total 221.

No photos today as I'm on the tablet and the photos are on my phone which is out of battery! Apparently I can either concentrate on decluttering OR keeping things just about running in the house, not both (you should see the washing pile and dust bunnies)

Hi to everyone else and lovely to see some of you back again - even if you can't manage every day doing some sometimes still feels good doesn't it!

@MissCreeAnt
Now you need to line them up in colours