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Decluttering Club thread 20(22)!

992 replies

Mommabear20 · 01/01/2022 07:50

Let's go!

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9
wondering7777 · 24/01/2022 00:08

Greetings everyone! I was on some previous decluttering threads on Mumsnet before having my first DC. I then took an extended hiatus but am back with a vengeance and determined to get rid of anything and everything in my home that (to paraphrase William Morris) is not beautiful or useful!

I’ve started with the cupboard under the stairs tonight. Outs so far include about 15 tote bags that I was keeping in case they’d one day be used (but have actually been gathering dust for the last four years!), some random Hoover extensions that I never need or use, a load of old books that I’m going to try and sell, a big box of envelopes, some random electrical wire and two old chairs! It feels so good to have freed up so much space in there, as the things I do use (such as the Hoover and the mop) are now far more accessible. I’m going to go through it again tomorrow morning to check there’s nothing I’ve missed.

WildPoinsettia · 24/01/2022 00:08

I've been following this thread with interest. It's been really inspiring. I need to declutter more. I'm not very good at deciding when something is used up enough to justify throwing it away. I don't like to be wasteful.

FurBabyMum02 · 24/01/2022 04:13

@8stone13, A bowl, typo Smile although she could probably do with new bowels actually she's a smelly 1 lol

8stone13 · 24/01/2022 07:12

@FurBabyMum02 😆

wondering7777 · 24/01/2022 07:54

Can anyone help me part with my paint samples? I have a load and can’t seem to bring myself to give them away, even though I’ve no plans to redecorate any time soon! Confused

seperatedmum · 24/01/2022 08:24

Unsubscribed from 10 emails already but already got a bounce back 🤦🏽‍♀️

8stone13 · 24/01/2022 09:09

@WildPoinsettia That's definitely an issue with me. I'm only mid forties but seem to have retained a 'make do & mend' attitude from generations before! When my grandparents-in-law died it was a horrendous job clearing their house as they hadn't thrown anything away since about 1925. I really don't want to end up like that but I know I would if I'm not careful!

Increasingly I'm trying to be really honest with myself about an item & its value to me, its potential value to someone else & it's intrinsic value too, & make a decision based on those assessments. As I said in an earlier post, it takes time, effort & headspace to do it though 😐

Pineappleapple · 24/01/2022 13:05

I've tackled a cupboard I hardly ever go in - probably because I don't use what's in it! Got rid of lots of tea lights (I get scared of fire so don't use them) and indoor plant pots.
I was given a butterfly feeder that has just stayed in a cupboard for a couple of years. Any thoughts? Are they any good? We have some nice butterfly friendly plants outside already

stealthninjamum · 24/01/2022 16:30

This post is really an update on yesterday. I went through a bit of dd1s wardrobe. She is giving away three toys, and we have about four lights / globes that had pieces that got lost so I am going to look for the pieces in the playroom to see if I can make them up again. I wish I could throw things away but it annoys me when I find the missing bits further down the line.

Turtleoo · 24/01/2022 16:32

Coming to join you all!

I always have so much stuff everywhere and really struggle to get it out the house even when sorted. I list things for free on Olio/Facebook and they often hang about for weeks, charity shops around me are constantly pausing donations and rarely take books - I end up leaving things in cupboards as at least they aren't in the way waiting to go out the door. But I am going to try and do little and often.

Today I sorted a cardboard box that's been on the windowsill for months and was full of things I don't want. Lots of receipts thrown, a pedicure set listed online and already collected, and a headset listed on Marketplace 🤞🏻

Also have two big bags going out for charity bag collection tomorrow.

Love reading what others do each day - you are pushing me onwards!

WildPoinsettia · 24/01/2022 18:13

@wondering7777

Can anyone help me part with my paint samples? I have a load and can’t seem to bring myself to give them away, even though I’ve no plans to redecorate any time soon! Confused
A local horse stables or riding club might want them for painting their jumping poles. Someone who upcycles furniture could maybe make use of them. Or someone on a low income who has moved into a new but grotty home. Would it make you feel better to know you're helping someone out?

Could you use them yourself for some sort of arts and crafts purpose? That's what I'd do.

Does paint go off? If not, would it come in handy for touch ups in future to avoid the necessity of total redecoration? I don't feel that keeping them in a garage or loft for that reason would be a bad thing.

@8stone13 same, old fashioned values for my age.

I'm aiming for one day when I die, whoever clears out my home can look in a box/drawer/shelf and know instantly that it's full of the same type of stuff and therefore know if they want to look through it for keeps or donate it as is. I'm wanting everything to be in full working order so there's no clearing out of pointless broken junk/crap.

I'm also going to start using things up and not replacing them, so having what I need but less choice and moving towards becoming more minimalist. I don't see the point of dying with a home stuffed full of things.

I believe collections should be displayed, to get maximum pleasure from them and other things should be used, eventually becoming worn out or used up. Where's the pleasure in purchasing something that then sits out of sight in a drawer or box 90% of the time? I'm trying to tell myself that when I have a collection that's too big to display in its entirety or whenever I consider mending something that I already own a new/better/undamaged version of. It's hard though.

It's all about mindset I'm finding. I'm trying to be ruthless about anything that makes me feel bad eg a top with a small unnoticeable stain, but I know it's there! In the past I'd have worn it until it had holes and was good only as rags. Now I'm trying to remember I deserve things which makes me feel good.

I'm also asking myself where will I put it or what will I do with it, before buying something. Because so often the answer would be find a corner to put it in until one day I need it. I need to stop that.

I've found trying to embrace the council's curbside recycling schemes more fully is helping a little. I put some books into the paper one recently because I couldn't find anyone to give them too and they needed to go. In good condition so I felt bad really, but it's unwanted paper, right? And that's what the recycling bin is for. I couldn't find a new home for some good condition dining table chairs, so I took them apart to recycle the metal which felt better than the whole thing going to landfill. I have to mentally work myself up to doing it though. Destroying a useable item feels wrong.

pollyannaperspective · 24/01/2022 18:31

Couple of bits to the dump, new baby gift delivered and started a new bag for Charity with a pair of shoes that DH can no longer wear due to ankle supports to assist his mobility. Also decluttered out of date paperwork on one of DH's pensions. Still have some more paper files to prune and combine as part of the Financial Advice file.

FurBabyMum02 · 24/01/2022 18:54

Slow day today but still managed a little, 5 things from the cat cupboard, 2x candles I've had 8 years and never liked in the first place! 1 pair holey socks

Dinosauraddict · 24/01/2022 20:01

Good decluttering day today - 2 bags of stuff have gone to the charity shop, some games have gone to CEX, a breast pump and accessories have been donated to the hospital, some things have been collected thanks to facebay - 2 toilet roll holders, 1 large jug, 1 chopping board and a 4-piece crockery set, I've sorted out more stuff for the to-go pile - 5 pairs of socks and a cardigan and unsubscribed from another mailing list.

Namechangesagain · 24/01/2022 21:03

Monday is a long work day for me so I've done nothing except work and spin class!

However I've sold a scuttle bug, and 2 items on vinted so 3 things out without even trying!

Dinosauraddict · 24/01/2022 21:42

@Namechangesagain I don't have my glasses on and read that as 'scuttle bag' - spent a moment wondering what sort of bag that was before taking a closer look! Grin

8stone13 · 24/01/2022 22:23

The breadmaker went tonight & the buyer also took all the flour & yeast I offered him so that's cleared additional storage space 😀 🍞

I've also sold a fountain pen for £165 which is more than I thought I'd get for it. Sales now up to £466 in just over a fortnight 😮

Returnoftheowl · 24/01/2022 23:18

I took a trip to the tip today and got rid of some old saucepans, 2 bedside tables and a load of cardboard boxes. Managed to sell the puppy travel crate (dog has outgrown it) via Facebook marketplace so that's been positive.

EllieQ · 24/01/2022 23:39

Managed to get stuff out of the house today! I took a bag of old towels to the charity bank on the way to school, as it takes textile recycling as well. I’d sorted them out well before Xmas and they’d been in a pile of stuff to go ever since.

I have some more textile recycling to take so I’m going to try to get that all done this week.

WildPoinsettia · 25/01/2022 02:08

The bin men came so I've filled up the recycling box with cardboard and glass jars again which has made a significant dent in the pile.

You're all doing so well with selling.

flyingdream · 25/01/2022 06:20

Hi guys.

I gave away a toddler bedsheet, duvet cover and pillow case as well as got rid of a pillow. I have 2 handbags that are getting old that are sitting in my car waiting to be gotten rid of. I can't part just yet. But it's a step forward.

flyingdream · 25/01/2022 06:21

Also decluttered a lot of photos from my phone as there was no point keeping if they made me unhappy.

ememem84 · 25/01/2022 08:41

we have a date fro the start of our refurb. 14 feb. so between now and then its declutter central here.

today so far the bins have been emptied.

yesterday i sent the kids to parents (they look after them on a monday) with a bag of books we got rid of from their bookshelves. D was after new books for the kids and we have too many in the house that we weren't reading. so about 20 went to hers.

today my plan was to use my half day in the afternoon to clear out the garage. but i'm feeling rough so will take care of myself and watch tv and drink tea instead. declutter my head from snot...!

8stone13 · 25/01/2022 08:43

@Returnoftheowl Thanks for reminding me - I have two puppy crates in the shed that need to be sold - because they are folded & propped right at the back they blend in with the rest of the stuff in there & I forget about them!

flyingdream · 25/01/2022 09:00

Those of you talking about emptying bins. I get a sense of relief when the bin men come and it's gone! Just realised that's getting rid and of clutter too!

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