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:

Day 19 (12 items)
2 dead batteries
1 JIC curtain tieback
1 body buff
4 tops
Phone screen protectors for phone we no longer have
Couple of fiddle toys that never get used

@Iceisnice you're doing well with finding new homes for things. @Trumpton good luck with the bathroom refit.

I might need to start on the understairs cupboard soon

Day 19 - exercise ball, phone cover, lead, magazines and paperwork.

@MissCreeAnt
NOT THE UNDERSTAIRS CUPBOARD!!
We used to call ours the glory hole when I was growing up!
My children were very shocked. I didn’t know it had a sexual meaning .

Iv done a few days in advance and totally got the photos mixed up so here's a day I missed not sure what one.

Day 19.

A book and selection of jewellery I don't wear.
The Holly hobby jewellery box I'm keeping.

Cleaned out my shoes tonight - yes I do have a weakness for converse type shoes

Another bag of clothes and shoes for the charity shop (if I can find one that is taking donations!)

@MissCreeAnt thank you, that is very kind of you to say. It helps me with the 'guilt/regret' of buying this stuff in the first place. Hard lesson learnt there, especially as we are hoping to emigrate in the next 2 years we are having to clear probably 85% of our stuff at least as it isn't worth paying the relocation costs.
Also just wanted to say I am truly grateful to @YupIFreakilyHave for starting this thread and for all the posters for the encouragement and candour that is shown. Although I have a very looooooong way to go it feels that being decluttered of the excess is achievable and although I have tried other methods, and this one by myself in the past I have always felt overwhelmed but it feels within my capability to tackle with you guys beside me. gosh, a bit of a long Oscar speech there!

Gave away some furniture today!
A nest of 3 tables, a side table and a towel rail.

Day 14 on catch up :

• a stack of DD National Geographic Kids Magazines
• a bunch of rubbery hair bands
• a broken electric toothbrush of DH
• a charger of said toothbrush
• a broken sweater shaver although I am replacing this
• a useless cheese slicer we have others
• items 7-8 books
• a bunch of old clean socks and pants to rag bank
• items 10-14 more kids too small clothes

Captain’s Log: Star Date 20th October 2021.

Clutter and some bathroom bits to go to a friend..
I didn’t even know I had the lamp and frame for lampshade !

Ps I have lost the 4mm ends of my Very Fancy circular knitting needles!
I am hoping they turn up in this decluttering month.

@Iceisnice I completely understand about the guilt about buying so much stuff. At the time I often feel like I'm buying something that will be useful but it often turns out to be unnecessary or superfluous. I'm trying hard to be more mindful about purchases but it is a tough mindset to change. You are doing great with olio and donations.

@Trumpton another fab collage. Love the random stick.

Day 20 - bits from the main cupboard of doom and a few extras from the kitchen

I've had a bonanza of extras over the past 2 days - 63 - bringing the bonuses total to 320. Various shelves of the cupboard of doom cleared out and the kids' too small winter clothes. I'm starting to actually see some space!!! It's amazing

Day 8 from my daughter's room
1 x girl trousers
3 x girl dresses
1 x pin board she never used
1 x too small tights
1 bundle of odd socks
1 handlful too small underwear

I'm still here and still decluttering! Just not managing to transfer my list.... I might tomorrow.

Also I'm ahead a bit - up to day 24 .... We're off on holiday though and i have realised I can't do it all in advance so I'll be going into November to finish

Day 20 - marble game, cosmetics bag and it’s contents.

Go!!! @Declutterclogs great extras, you will have got rid of 1,000 by the end of the month.

Wow. @Declutterclogs you are doing well. I should think you've done the whole month now.

Here's day 20 and 21 as I'm away for a few days Saturday so want to get ahead. I can't actually believe stuff I'm getting rid of. I have snaffled a couple of items back as I need them. A funnel for making diy glass cleaner and a lightbulb converter.

Bonus of 17 yes ! 17 defunct lightbulbs to recycling at B&Q free of charge. Our Amenity site charges £1 each! So a £17 donation to food bank is on its way.

Took two bags of donations to charity shop in my lunch break today and going to put another bag in my car for tomorrow.

Cleared out all the old Halloween costumes that my kids have outgrown and managed to get them in the charity shops at the right time of year thanks to this thread!

Day 21.
I started to sort some books out and realised that books are going to be hard!
I wonder why when I am fairly ruthless with other items?

Thanks so much @Redcake and @mrsjackrussell. It's feeling really good and nice to have a bit of momentum.

Although I've just realised that in my frenzy of decluttering I managed to stuff up my photo organising at some point (I'm trying to have numbers in each photo so I don't have to re-count the items in each photo when I post, and also keep the 'proper day number' photos separated from the bonus number photos... but frankly it's getting a bit cluttered, haha), and I've realised I've managed to post one of the photos twice (ie 19 for day 19 as well as a bonus 19). The numbers are still OK as I had another photo of 19 things that was supposed to be the bonus one... but just goes to show again that I seem to be able to focus on actual decluttering or doing any sort of life admin but definitely not both!
Anyway here is the 21 for today and the other 19 things that were supposed to be posted last week...

@freezerdinners I'll keep you company in early November! I'm not sure how long I'll be able to maintain decluttering for towards Christmas but I'm hoping to keep doing bits and pieces in November at least. Have a lovely holiday

@Trumpton i totally agree, books are soooooo hard. I keep going past and thinking oh I'll just pick out one, it will be easy, and then I pick one out and stand there for a while and put it back again... 🤦‍♀️