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:

I'm really enjoying this thread and I wondered if anyone might be interested in keeping this going? Maybe @YupIFreakilyHave could start one in November? Could have the same title of something different eg ninety in November. Or we could borrow from the Christmas thread and nominate a title based on our favourite thing someone has let go off. Mine would be @Declutterclogs manicure set she has had since she was 10!

@Chrysanthemum5 I'm really enjoying the thread too! It would be lovely to keep chatting after October. We could provide moral support to each other as we try to keep to one-in-one-out (that would be very new for me!!!) and perhaps do a bit more proper decluttering too when we're up to it
I will definitely still have plenty more to do - there is just so far to go. As I mentioned I'm going to try to do a bit more properly in November before the Christmas onslaught ... and then will probably need to at least try to spend January decluttering again to compensate for all the new Christmas things the DC acquire, many of which will no doubt be purchased by me . So yes, absolutely, if you and any others are keen to keep the thread going I'm definitely in

I might rejoin in november october didnt go great here

@Trumpton I didn't know that b&q took bulbs . Thankyou for telling us. I'm ok with fiction as I don't read them twice. Its non fiction that's the problem. Iv promised myself I won't buy anymore fiction even from charity shop and start using the library.
@Chrysanthemum5 yes I would love to continue. Starting to feel lighter and good about things now. Shame to break the momentum.

I have done days 20 and 21 with loads of random stuff round the house. Lost track of counting a little bit but definitely did at least 41 items.

I’m not sure I will have time to do 22 tomorrow whilst packing to go away (but I am ahead with days 23-25) so may have to catch up when we are back.

I’m definitely going to keep up the one in one out long term. It keeps clutter down but also makes me more mindful about what I buy. I have a spot on the hallway table where any new items go. They are not allowed any further into the house until something goes out!

Catching up

Day 18

9 items of clothing inc lonesome glove
1 Spot the difference book, we had enormous fun with this
1 Broken toy gun
2 hats
1 bendy ruler
1 bookmark
1 Photo paper
2 files

Total: 171 items

I have gone through the whole house twice now (except kitchen) and collected everything I want to declutter (I have small pile of stuff to photograph for day 19 but not enough). I may have to do another round of looking at stuff for things I missed.

Right, here we go with my last few days, and then I'm out until the first week of November when I'll hopefully catch up.....

I'm thinking I might not manage much more structured decluttering in the run up to Xmas, but I'll be doing what I can. I've a mind to pencil in January for another challenge like this one as I always want to purge stuff after Xmas!

Day 18
Broken glass, metal bar, tile samples, books, dustbin, pen lid, broken scooter light, holey tights, magazines, ribbon, flip chart marker, paperwork, broken plant pots.

Day 19
Broken mug, fircone, craft needle, bubble mixture pots, business cards, floor samples, skirting board offcuts, swimsuit, swim hats, chopsticks, change mat, drawstring bags, fabric samples

Day 20
Old medicines (14!!!), Dead prittstick, old chopping board, old oils, old catalogues

Day21
Old flannels, old washbags, old pen, extra library cards, unknown keys, bat, car window shade, disposable mask, more dried glue sticks, curling ribbon already curled and tangles up, page of notes.

Up to day 21 my running total is 205...

Day 9
Assortment of hangers
Notepad
Odd sock
4 items of clothing
2 pairs of old shoes

Enjoy your break @freezerdinners

Forgot to add photo

Day 20 - 11 items
2 baking trays
9 little gift boxes for jewellery

Day 21 - 10 items
1 Vodafone booster
17 pc jewellery, mainly earrings, thrown out
5 pr earrings given to daughter

Running total of bonus items 65

@chrysanthemum55 I think I might need a break at the end of the month but I'd love to join back in later.

@freezerdinners I had the same thought, Jan might be a good time for me to come back to this.

I think the monthly focus idea is really helpful though. I might do deep cleaning and DIY in Nov, one task a day. It's all progress isn't it?

I just bent my brain…
If N = 22 ( days so far)

The formula is N/2 = 11
Multiplied by N+1 = 25
So total tomorrow will be 11x 25= 275 items out

By the end of 30 days N/2= 15
Multiplied by. N+1=31

Total will be 465 .

Thank you Carl Friedrich Gauss(30 April 1777- 23 February 1855) for the formula and thank my darling dad for showing me that maths is fun!

I like your thinking @MissCreeAnt. I am rubbish at everyday cleaning never mind deep cleaning. If you start a thread I might join you.

Plus I am jealous that you have to find fewer and fewer things.

@Trumpton have I been doing it wing? My brain can't compute all those calculations.

@YupIFreakilyHave no you're right too, just I make it day 21 today. Yes I definitely think doing it backwards is easier!

@YupIFreakilyHaveYup

I am sorry but I love calculations and I thought it was amazing that a mathematician born 244 years ago worked out how to add 1+2+3+4+5+6 etc. Just to amuse me!

I think I've been using this all month @Trumpton, because the date and my number of items always adds up to 31. I don't remember the equations but I always picture the pairs lining up, 1+ 30 = 31, 2+29, 3+28 etc.

@MissCreeAnt good idea re. Deep cleaning. Iv done hardly any cleaning this month as too busy decluttering. It takes time.

Away Saturday to Tuesday so here's day 22 and 23. Finding this difficult now as I'm tired.

@MissCreeAnt
Yes that works !

I enjoyed that @Trumpton

Day 21 - baking cupboard, out of date stuff, more magazines and hangers.

I thought I was out of clutter today but I’m hanging in there. I won’t have enough left to join you in Nov but will pop by to cheer you all on.

Day 22: out of date gum fossicked out of various places plus other extraneous bits.

And for my bonuses @Trumpton you have inspired me and I got rid of 9 books! Although- full disclosure- 3 of them I could only bring myself to do it because I have duplicate copies. In fact for one if them I still have multiple duplicate copies (I wonder why I have a clutter problem...? 🤔)
And a photo frame, old split chopping board and various other bits totalling 25, so bonuses now 345

Day 19 was DW doing a final clear out of her underwear drawer (odd socks plus completely worn out items.)
Day 20 I discovered a stash of very old batteries, some of which were 'hairy' in a cupboard. 30 gone, so some bonuses.
DW took everything away yesterday (5 large bags to charity shop, 3 bags of clothes to the clothes bank, and the batteries to recycling)
Haven't done yesterday's set yet so 43 items to find today .

October 22nd.

1-3 fabric
4-5 lids
6 Wool holder
7 Mug
8-9 Hoops
10-15 knitting needles
16 Chandelier (not posh- plastic)
17-20 Puzzles and games ( outgrown)
21 Old candle jar
22 Petrified ball.

Still no sign of my missing circular needles ! But I have established that they are on the connecting cord so should still be attached to some knitting! Somewhere !

Photo was sulky and didn’t attach!

Maybe the file was too big ?