Major 10 day clutter before moving house.

[petal2019]

Hello! I am moving house in 20 days and have decided to completely declutter in the coming 2 weeks.I wonder if anyone else is doing something similar and would like to share notes as they go.
I thought I would start with the Kondo idea of tackling all the clothes in the house. So that is the plan this morning. Then I think it is books, miscellaneous and then sentimental!! Not sure if those categories will be enough. However off I go. Do join in and share your experiences!

Ok, so pressure is increasing at the moment. I have exactly 8 days left til the move and I still have to pack up the two bedrooms, the landing and just finish off the kitchen and the hall. So, today, first thing Im going to tackle the last stuff in the kitchen.
Im also going to decide whether to keep the sofa or get rid of it and likewise the storage cabinet in the new house.
Im also going to decide which of the book shelves I will use in the new house instead.
Im going to chuck the mattress and sort out the charity shop stuff and take there too.
Im also going to sort out a load of stuff to take to friends garage: all the things im not sure I want cluttering up small persons room which I think won't be noticed when gone. If they are missed they can be retrieved and gradually returned after we have unpacked.
These include the toys under bed
The younger books,
and also the bathroom cupboard I cant separate from!
and defrost the freezer
Currently working through the kitchen still

Oh and then there is all the junk in the attic and the garden/shed.
all on my own...
but I can do this!!

@petal2019 you’re doing so well! I think I will sort out, room by room, things I definitely want to keep them get rid of the rest via charity shops etc. Unfortunately charity shops around here won’t take more than 2 bags at a time and you have to book a slot too.
I guess I can use charity bins too and larger items I will off for free on Facebook or Gumtree just to get shot of them!

Ok... just done a cupboard and the top of the fridge. Kitchen still looks like a bomb has hit it. I think the next stage is the floor.

Hi @YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp!
Thank you! That is very kind! What a palaver... booking and only 2 bags!!
Im going to do my wattsapp groups too. Yes.... I think that is the only way just to give it all away. I nurse hopes of selling things but I think I will be giving it x

Ok... back to kitchen floor.. I feel if floors are fairly clear I can make progress!!

One tip that I am finding helpful is using supermarket crates. I have borrowed about a dozen from a local charity who use them and am packing stuff into those. They are really well designed and easy to stack and carry... and will just go back when empty next week.

ok!

Ok kitchen floor clean and clear.

Was just thinking... well decluttering a house with kids is another example of having to exercise leadership. I often get into stick situations with small person when I ask them what they think or want. The result is often confusion, insecurity and indecision. I have over recent years started to try and identify moments that demand my leadership... and I think this moving of junk... or rehoming it is one of those moments. I have to take the lead and dare to pursue my vision of a uncluttered home. It is so tempting to try and keep everything but it is driving me a bit mad having all this stuff. You'd think I were really minimalist from reading my aspirations but I still have crates and crates of stuff. However, I am going to battle on and really do my best to take the lead in just moving to a more or less empty house and allowing there to be space around the possessions... and separating myself from the stuff I am clinging to. (Why?!!) Ok.... time to clear the decks in the kitchen..... Im going to head to the side with the microwave first.

*sticky situations

Have just been looking into what to do with an old mattress... it costs £55 to have it recycled locally. It seems quite expensive.... I think the mattress itself only cost about £150 and I dont want to put it into landfill..
I think I will have to just take it to tip myself and hope they will recycle it. might ring them and ask in a bit.

Hello OP I just clicked on your thread out of nosiness, but reading your last post it might be worth the time for the mattress - and possibly lots more - to try freecycling. I moved house quite a few years ago now to move in with my partner and had to get rid of masses and masses of random stuff and freecycle was a godsend - there's almost always someone out there who wants the thing, whatever it is. I know a mattress might not be in good enough nick in your eyes but if it's clean there might just be someone out there who needs it and can pick it up.
Just a word of warning - there are timewasters out there, try not to engage with them. But I was really lucky - and I've used it since, too - I got people who wanted stuff and picked it up really easily and stuff just melted away out of my space reducing problems before my eyes!

ahomefordesign.com/Blogpost/v1le/How-to-move-in-one-week--and-pack-your-house-in-7-hours

OP, this might give you some inspiration. Keep going. You can do it!

(My paperwork remains untouched)

ok... just completed one side of kitchen.
Next stop the sink side.
Everywhere is getting quite chock with crates and furniture... going to have to revise it all down again.
So... sink side

So just cleaned and sorted sink and windows. Now going to finish off the kitchen. Stove side.

Next is clearing out the fridge

Oh dear this is all so mindnumpingly dull!!

I read this thread this morning and it's inspired me to clear my paperwork! Just got to get the washing in before I can burn it! Then I watches Stacy Solomon "Sort your life out" so I'm ready for the next job - getting some old clothes and shoes on Vinted 👍🏻

Hi OP! Stumbled across this thread by chance, but we are moving in 7 days!
Already done about 3 tip runs, a few more to do as I am being ruthless about the stuff that needs to go!
Trying to pack as we go with the stuff we wont yse but it’s difficult to decide with two small children!

Well, I thought I would follow up my move and see how you have all got on? I hope it has gone well for everyone else. I moved on 21st but had to do a second major load last weekend and also the post move clean of the old house which was very gruelling. Since then I have been in hospital for a minor investigative OP which was fine but the general anaesthetic completely took it out of me. I am only very slowly, almost a week later recovering... its tricky to get the energy back and to find energy to unpack a whole house by yourself! I wonder if anyone else is struggling with the unpacking after the move!! Our house is so tiny it is essential however to get unpacked!! So should really change the title now to 'unpacking for xmas post move!!' Good luck to everyone else!!