I just found out how tidy people keep tidy!!!!!

[MrsBobDylan]

I have not felt this excited since I discovered sanitary towels can prevent new boot blisters.

You had better sit down.

Tidy people have less stuff. That's how they stay tidy.

No one bothered to tell me this life changing information. Bastards.

We are downsizing to a flat from a four bed house with a garage. I reckon I have donated/taken to the tip, at least half of the contents of our house.

We didn't need all that shit. I don't think I liked most of it.

Turns out, two mixing bowls is fine, 3 pans, 10 mugs, one duvet cover/pillowcase for each bed, no spare bedding for guests since they can bring their own, 6 bath towels, one coat each, three pairs of shoes each...I could go on.

Since decanting half of my house, it is lovely and tidy. I move a few things from room to room each day and clear the kitchen at the end of day. All manageable. I even have time for a nap on the sofa fgs.

Now my cupboards are not filled to the brim, I can PUT THINGS IN THEM.

The easiest and most satisfying clear out, was the knick knack cull. Photo frame we got for our wedding? Gone. Glass vase from my Uncle Harry? Gone. Mini collection of ornamental owls? Get in there!

It is easier to clean a house with less stuff in it. Surfaces get a quick wipe, floors are mopped without have to slalom round tables, chairs and plant stands.

If you have a friend who feels overwhelmed by keeping house, please pass this on.

You're welcome

[DIYandEatCake]

I know this is true, must really try to do some decluttering - I’m a dreadful hoarder, we’ve lived in this house for 13 years and hardly got rid of anything in all that time (except some baby stuff and outgrown clothes). Determined to make a start selling some things now, thanks for the nudge!

[MoonbeamSprinkles]

This was the life changing thing I learnt from Marie Kondo.

She says there’s only two reasons someone is untidy

1. they don’t put things away
   
2. they don’t throw things away
   
3. a mixture of the two
   
   I was definitely a 2 and now I do my house is so so so much easier to manage

[starfishmummy]

One pillow case per bed? But I have 3 pillows just for me. I need them all.
DS has 3 too as he has to sleep at an angle for medical reasons

[RaisedByPangolins]

@Whatliesbeneath707

Marie Kondo, is that you? 🤣
Seriously OP, you would love her book - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She has made her millions on this very principle and so many follow her.
You are spot on - it does work.

Was about to come on here and burst OP’s bubble by telling her MK got there first!

@SpookyPumpkinPants you might find that ‘The Life Changing magic of tidying’ helps you let go of those sentimental things too.

[GreyhoundG1rl]

How in the name of God was this a revelation to you, op?!

[MrsBobDylan]

@Whatliesbeneath707 I discovered Marie Kondo a couple of years ago thanks to MN. She opened my mind to the idea of less stuff and I binge watched her tv show.

But I sort of stalled because I had enough storage for everything. Just. And I found that I kept buying nice bedding to try and cheer myself up because my house was messy. Even the ornamental owls were breeding and multiplying at a rate I couldn't control.

It has taken having to move to a flat to really force me to think about what I need.

[HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime]

I've spent the day emptying all of the kitchen cupboards and airing cupboard as having a new kitchen fitted next week. I've lived in my flat for 11 years and I've collected so much stuff. 9 billion sistema water bottles with no lids, Dds once treasured Minnie mouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirate glitter cups, 100s of plastic tubs with lids but who knows if they are matching. Dinosaur bedding, aristocrat bedding, character towels all things 12 Yr old Dd wouldn't be seen dead with nowadays, it's funny the emotions you attach to such random things.

[lililou]

Marie kondo is an absolute hero ❤️

[HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime]

Aristocat bedding, I suspect aristocrat bedding would have a higher thread count

[BrightYellowDaffodil]

I moved a LOT when I was younger and by heck does it reduce how much stuff you have. I have a regular clear out as I find I don’t like having too many things or a lot of clutter.

That said, I do have a box of “sentimental stuff”. I don’t think I could be parted with an ornamental owl!

[Fluffycloudland77]

We’ve only got one set of bedding per bed. It’s easier.

[MrsBobDylan]

@RosesAndHellebores I am really intrigued by your Murano cockerels. I will be googling them later.

[Spockynocky]

When I divorced I went from a 4 bed house to a 1 bed flat. I started to do minimalist before it was a big thing. While Stuff was in storage in my DFs garage for a few years till I got back on my feet i realised I was managing really well on the basics I’d not stored. It was just enough of everything plus a few precious knickknacks.

I have enough clothes, bedding and towels for one on, one off and one in the wash and one storage cupboard with toiletries, a suitcase, spare duvet/pillow, craft stuff, stationery, photos and a storage box with summer clothes and Pajamas in. I’ve got 3 books to my name, my wardrobe is a kids one and a chest of drawers has all my bedding, nightclothes and towels in. I do have a lot of plants but I feel so liberated having so little gear. When I move it will take me a few hours to pack everything up and that feels incredibly freeing. My flat is always tidy because there’s so little potential to make a mess. I’m with you all the way in just having what you really need and then halving that.

[RosesAndHellebores]

Don't put it down, put it away.
Cupboard space a plenty
Don't collect clutter/ornaments/twiggy shit/fairylights!

[evilharpy]

People who only have one set of bedding per bed - do you not have children? A couple of times my daughter has been sick in her bed in the middle of the night, we'd have been a bit scuppered if we didn't have a change of bedding then.

[NorthSouthcatlady]

I took this to the next level: got divorced, he bought me out of the house, l moved out of the house and left all my tut / his tut behind . House then fell into negative equity but not my problem by then

[LittleDandelionClock]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

[maddiemookins16mum]

I can beat the towel trick, if you wear court shoes with no tights, stockings, knee highs etc, put a pantyliner in as an insole, it stops your bare feet sliding around and your shoes getting smelly. Learnt this many years ago when working in hot countries as a holiday rep where he had to wear cheap court shoes.

[Todayissunny]

@Ionlydomassiveones your H must be my H's twin. Does he also keep boxes with bits of wood in just in case he needs them? And screws of 100 different types - but never has the right one.?

[NoSquirrels]

9 billion sistema water bottles with no lids

If only there could be some sort of National Tupperware and plastic kitchenware shite amnesty, like the police organise for knives…

[Spockynocky]

I’ve just seen your post where you mention Marie Kondo. About 5 years ago I did think i was going to need a bigger wardrobe or chest of drawers but after a clear out and then folding clothes, towels and sheets how she recommends, I had space to spare. It was a seminal moment and I’ve folded everything in 3 and stacked everything in rows from then on.

[iwishiwasafish]

I hear you OP, but it doesn’t matter how many times I declutter, DH just fills it right back up again

[MrsBobDylan]

@GreyhoundG1rl I know, I know...now I have seen the light, it is obvious, but it really wasn't before.

I can't seem to put things away, or tidy as I go along when I have lots of stuff. It just seems to overwhelm me and I start thinking about tidying and end up having an ill-deserved nap on the sofa.

I think there is a link in my mind with self-esteem and feeling as though I can't manage a house.

I had an awful childhood and have recently decluttered my abusive Mother. It seems to have cleared the way for all the other stuff I don't need, to get gone.

[FatCatThinCat]

I wish I could do this but I can't. I panic just at the thought. I have 2 full shelves of cookery books that I literally never use, apart from 3. One with my Christmas cake recipe, another with a keylime pie recipe we use, and a curry one used so much it's falling apart. Why can't I get rid of the other 40/50 books? Why am I clinging on to books I know I'll never even look at yet alone use?

[Cornishclio]

I discovered this years ago. The other useful tip is one thing in and one out. If I buy or replace something I make sure something else leaves the house and everything has a place to be stored. I cannot abide clutter.