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Original poster

Playing the Minimalism Game

877 replies

YupIFreakilyHave · 30/09/2021 21:00

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:

OP posts:
Thread gallery
226
ImFree2doasiwant · 14/12/2021 23:22

I've been hard at it today. I have boxed up 9 (9!) Boxes of stbxh belongings. They're still in the house but they are no longer on shelves/display.

I hope to start a January thread if there isn't one and might do it in reverse as I saw someone on this thread did. It's so much easier to start with the bigger numbers I think.

Nordicmom · 15/12/2021 00:31

We’ll done ! I might join you in Jan if you start a thread . I have stuff left in our new house attic inc those kids clothes boxes that I’m sure some of can go even though we decluttered and organised before moving . Also have a storage locker to empty and that’s got a few bigger kids things like a couple of buggies , a changing table ,school book boxes , kids art etc . That’ll be next year for now I’m getting ready for Christmas, working on the never ending to do list ,trying to sort out this new house plus I will attempt to find the remaining 68 things for nov !

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 07:31

I've decided to join in and try to catch up. Unlikely that I'll make it but want to harness my enthusiasm!
Day 1 - vintage coat 3 sizes too small given away
2 - 2 small teddies
3 - pairs of kids wellies (2 given away, 1 charity shop)
4 - pairs of kids trainers/shoes (2 given away, 2 charity shop)
5 - kids Christmas books to the school
6 - 1 kids Xmas jumper, 2 school jumpers, 1 shorts, 2 trousers,

Total so far - 21

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 07:39

7 - 4 semi deflated balloons Hmm 1 kids dressing up , 1 large kids toy, 1 box of open out if date gone soft crackers

Total 28

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 07:39

I've done these since Sunday.

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 07:44

8 - pack of 6 baubles , 2 Elf decorations to the school.

I'm pleased that most of this has been given away/donated so far

Total 36.

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 08:13

9 - 3 activity and 2 colouring books given away, 5 books to the community library. 4 completed puzzle books in the recycling. So that's 14, I'm carrying 5 over to day 10

10 - 5 from above, 5 to go...

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 08:16

@Nordicmom sorry for cluttering up the thread, I need to get on with it while I've got the enthusiasm. Sounds like you'll have some "big wins" with the storage next year.

I feel really relieved to have got my exs stuff in boxes, frees up a lot of storage space that I need for the DC.

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 10:03

7 items of baby clothing. DC are 4 and 6! So that's day 10 done with 2 spares for day 11.

Total - 57.

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/12/2021 14:24

This might be me done for the day....

11 - 2 carried over. 8 items from fridge (jars of stuff mostly, food waste and recycling) 1 broken toy in the bin.
12 - 3 packs of kids cards, 2 pairs kids shoes to the charity bag. 5 things from medicine box, 1 broken key, 1 pot slime for the bin.

Total 78 I think.

ImFree2doasiwant · 16/12/2021 12:38

13 - 12 items from the kitchen drawer (old charger, old instruction booklets etc) 1 empty box.
14 - 11 magazines (10 yr old recipe/supermarket sorts) 3 x kids games

15 - 2 baby books, 4 x top trumps, 2 jigsaws. 7 to go.

Pleased most of this has been charity bag or recycled

Total- 113

Nordicmom · 16/12/2021 13:51

You’re doing really well !

Nordicmom · 16/12/2021 18:23

To finish the Day 28 ( been folding the laundry mountain )

  • 2 DS too small sweatshirts to charity shop
  • 2 DS too small sweatpants
  • 1 DS t-shirt
  • 1 DS shorts all to clothes bank
  • 1 pair of short pyjamas bottoms
  • 2 pairs of pants both to rags
Finally 2 more damn days left and I’m done for now. 59 items left to locate and I’m not counting individual tiny things if I can help it !
ImFree2doasiwant · 16/12/2021 18:43

Thanks - I have the time atm so that makes it easier! Not sure how well utll go over Christmas but I'll try and keep going til the end of the month, and restart in January.

Nordicmom · 16/12/2021 22:33

Onto
Day 29:

  • 7 pairs of DS socks
  • 1 small fabric bag that came with shoes I ordered
  • 1 DD too small shirt to charity
  • 9 more pairs of assorted old socks

11 left of the second last day !

ImFree2doasiwant · 17/12/2021 14:46

Still day 15 - 4 ball put balls that had been list I'm the garden and gone brittle. 4 it's from the make up stash.
Day 16 & 17 combined- 35 plastic figure toys, small, that were "gifted" (offloaded) by a friend.

Total - 152

Nordicmom · 19/12/2021 08:22
  • 3 metal hangers from the dry cleaning to metal recycling
-1 stack of magazines and newspapers to recycling too
  • 2 odd chocolate bars we got as gifts to food
bank
  • another finished book from my stash I haven’t managed to work through this past y but I’ve been reading on kindle too
  • 1 pile of DH mail from his study desk sorted and mostly recycled
Nordicmom · 19/12/2021 08:30
  • 1 pair of DD worn out trainers
  • 2 DD old T-shirts to clothes bank
Nordicmom · 19/12/2021 08:32

Next onto the final
Day 30!

Nordicmom · 19/12/2021 08:53

Day 30:

  • a huge pile of cardboard boxes from the garage to recycling at the dump
  • 1 wrong present I was sent returned
  • 1 pair of too small shoes returned
  • 1 shirt I didn’t like returned

26 left , I can do it 😀!

ImFree2doasiwant · 19/12/2021 14:01

Well done!! I dudnt do much yesterday but will update, I'm still at it today.
18 - 16 items from bathroom cabinet (make up, gone off body lotion etc) 2 small boxes tge DC were hanging onto.
19 - 3 items into the regift pile for Christmas. 2 more boxes. 1 can of air freshener that was in the airing cupboard when I moved into this house 12 year ago Blush

13 to go. .

I'm starting to struggle for easy stuff already, but I did have a big declutter in the first half of this year. I do have a big lot of stuff in my bedroom that needs sorting fir when I can devote a bit more time

ImFree2doasiwant · 19/12/2021 14:18

3 more bathroom items
A set of 3 things that I have never used but would maje an ideal present for someone I know. I'm counting it as 3 as they're 3 separate items!

7 to go.

ImFree2doasiwant · 19/12/2021 16:40

1 x jigsaw book in the charity bag
2 x crap plastic dinosaurs binned
2 wooden puzzles in the charity bag
2 pairs kids shoes to the newly discovered shoe bank.

That's 7, today done!

Total 189

Kids off school now though so who knows how I'll get on this week!

Nordicmom · 20/12/2021 00:57
  • 1 pair of DD broken tights
  • 1 pair of DD broken pyjama bottoms
  • 1 pair of DD broken pants

23 left

Nordicmom · 21/12/2021 00:41
  • 5 fully plastic hangers to recycling since they have the symbol
  • 1 DD dot to dot book finished to recycling too

17 left ...