How would you clear this room?

[Filthyslattern]

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@Deathraystare
Drawer dividers. www.google.com/search?q=Drawer+Dividers+for+clothes&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDorbtvvj2AhVznVwKHVQyDcMQ1QJ6BAguEAE

@Filthyslattern

Can i ask a question? How many pairs of socks is it reasonable for two adults to own? How many do you all own?

I'd have quite a lot.

I wear fresh socks in the evening with pyjamas as well as socks during the day. So that's 14 pairs of socks in one week for me, I wash socks after one wear.

Then in winter I'd need slipper socks for over the normal socks, so I wouldn't change those daily, I'd have 2 pairs, one on and one in the wash.

I'd add winter socks for daytime, 7 pairs.

@Filthyslattern How's it going?
Hope you're ok.

Task for tomorrow:
High Five

Five books
Five tops
Five socks 🧦- paired or otherwise...
Five items of underwear
Five misc (makeup, deodorants, body lotions etc.)

Literally just grab five of each of those things and bin them or put in a charity / tip bag.

Good luck. You can do this.

I found my cupboards weren't even been used, they were full of stuff I didn't use. What was used, was out. So it was easy then just to donate what was in the cupboards and hey presto, I had space to put away the stuff I actually used.

Good luck, you can do this!

I went through a horrible few years, leaving my abusive ex, the awful reliving and rehashing of everything for months afterwards. I felt that I didn't deserve a decent room, so I left it until last, just like I also put myself last in everything.
One day I woke up, booked a clearance company, gutted my entire room and emptied it. I slept downstairs for the next week.
I repainted my room, bought new furniture, and now I love my bedroom.
I think OP, sometimes we become accustomed to minimising our own needs. Just do it, gut everything, be brave and start again.
It's an amazing feeling

I am resurrecting this thread intentionally so please thread police, don't come on shouting zombie.

It is now 2024 and I am still desperately trying to sort my bedroom. It never got finished and is now awful again.
The book issue is 100% better. I got rid of loads and have started buying stuff on my kindle instead.
The old make up etc again is no longer a problem.

I threw away a giant bin bag of socks so the sock situation is better.

Yet everything is still chaos. The other sock owner is refusing to be part of the solution and it is such a huge emotional trigger point for me that it is not worth the arguments.

The room desperately needs decorating so I absolutely have to do this. It is making every day life incredibly stressful because I can never find anything. I am currently using the loss of two pairs of incredibly special earrings as a motivator .

My adult son keeps saying " you have so got ADHD mum" and he's probably right but it doesn't help!
I feel like I'm sitting in front of an A level exam when i would struggle to pass year 6 sats.

Anyway- here we go again.
Any support/ cheerleading/ tips most welcome!!

I find focusing on the end rather than the process easier, making sure that whatever i sort actually has a way of leaving the house. I know that in the supermarket car park over the road from me I can donate clothes and shoes to the salvation army, at the recycling centre the next exit off the roundabout I can drop of textile recycling (anything other than duvets), and at the ymca shop in town that I can drive to the back door of, I can donate books, electrical, clothes and nick nacks. Having a clear plan for disposal, plus an idea of when I am going to go, means I pack the bags for the right drop off, label them and put them straight in the car. I have spent years putting things into piles for donation, selling and binning, but without an actual plan in my head they never go anywhere!

Ah lovely OP! I still reckon you need a different username. Seriously. Beating yourself up about this, calling yourself names, literally makes it harder for yourself. Really try to treat yourself as you would a friend, be kind and sympathetic. Doesn't matter if you think you deserve it or not, just do it because it will actively help you make progress.

Hopefully re-reading this thread has helped you already. I maintain the biggest issue when mine got awful was that all the cupboards and drawers were backed up with stuff I didn't use. I would try to clear out everything you don't use weekly from your storage and start filling it with things you actually use.

Well done on the books and make up. That is a great start. You can do this.

Sounds like you’ve made some great steps. There are some fab ideas on this thread and I hope more support is on the way!

You’ve made great progress. I think the key is little and often, so make it part of your daily routine.

I’m currently working on the playroom, which is absolutely overrun with toys.

So after each meal I pop in, pick up any one item at random, and it either goes on the shelves, in the charity shop pile, or in the “needs fixing/new batteries/to find the matching parts” pile. Each day that’s at least 3 items off the floor and somewhere sensible, and often I feel able to do extra items without getting overwhelmed, so it is making a difference. Slow but steady!

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-slob-comes-clean/id703720000?i=1000376776219

start with these podcasts. There are hundreds so start on number one. Very easy to follow and she doesn’t encourage you to tip it all out in one go (which can make it worse).

Maybe listen to one episode a day too to keep ideas coming.

Step one - get binbag and throw rubbish away. Packaging too. Then get that bag out of the house.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-slob-comes-clean/id703720000?i=1000376776219

how to clear your bedroom - I have not listened to this one but you may find it helpful.

Hi OP,

I'm glad you've resurrected this thread as I am in dire need of motivation to get on with decluttering. There is just so much stuff here, everywhere I look and it's overwhelming and gets me down. I am terrible for hoarding and also for getting distracted by photos / books / old diaries if and when I actually get started.

One thing I try to keep in mind (and I think I may have read it on here) is that if you find yourself holding onto things because they cost X amount (I am/was guilty of this) remind yourself that the money has already been spent - whether you keep it or get rid of it.

I have also been selling a few things on Vinted, which I prefer to Ebay. Clothes that haven't gone in a month get taken off the site and put in the charity shop bag. Unfortunately the charity shop bags have not left the house yet, but they will. I can't spend another year avoiding guests because I can't let them over the threshold!

There are a million different videos you can watch and JFDI is always better than scrolling. However I do quite like this one. It's not rocket science but it's relatable for someone who struggles. The concept of "safe clutter" is good I think - have a chair or something where it's ok to pile a bit, but you just limit it to that.

I find Dana K White totally overwhelming. I want a short checklist! I tell the kids to pick up 5 things, then 5 more things etc. Giving yourself permission to just bin stuff is really helpful.

Thank you for those - i will definitely have a look.
Have filled a rubbish bag with grotty t-shirtsxetc. Have started a charity bag and started filling a box with dh's stuffso he can sort that.

Have got a few more days off now so I am going to keep chipping away.
Thanks for the encouragement

Remember any grotty old clothes can be given to charity shops as rags, this may help you off load?
Keep chipping away OP.

Just watched the video from this post and I really liked it. The woman is fun and makes it look easy.
Get rid of rubbish first and then put things away, weeding outmoded rubbish as you go.
Taking photos of areas before and after helps too.

Set timer for 40 mins and sort through clothes that do not fit you anymore or is out dated. Put it straight into a black sack. Take a sack to a charity shop. Do this every day until all clothes left fit you and you'd wear it again. Then start by filling the laundry bag and washing and drying it. As it is dried hang it up in the wardrobe or fold and put it into the drawers. Again just do 30-40 mins every single day. In 2 weeks all clothing will be either given away or put away. Once the floor is clear then vacuum and clean carpets. You can hire a carpet cleaner from some supermarkets. Keep spending 30 mins a day. Next dust all surfaces with a damp cloth. Clean windows and sills. Possibly paint for a fresh look. Reward yourself with a few new bits of clothing.

OP, I wish you all the best!
It's not an easy situation.
But I know that you can handle this! Little by little!

@Filthyslattern wrote
"The book issue is 100% better. I got rid of loads and have started buying stuff on my kindle instead."

Well done!

I, too, got rid of loads of books last year! It was difficult, because I love books, but it was the right thing to do. I don't have a Kindle, but I have decided to not buy anymore books, I will read the books I already own and I will borrow at the library.

Op I'd do one drawer / shelf / bit of wardrobe at a time.

Empty the drawer onto the bed. Clean the drawer. Then go through the items. So if its socks, ditch any that are worn, or you just don't like, sit lonely socks to the side. Put the decent pairs back in the drawer. See if you can match up any lonely ones if you can't ditch.

Op a tip from a friend.
Once you have a bag sorted for charity shop or tip put it in the car boot. Then it forces you to get rid rather than moving it from room to room.

You mentioned selling via Ebay, unless they are £££ Jimmy Choos or other designer labels it's probably not worth the time or the clutter factor. Charity shop them.

There is no point in sorting and sorting and sorting. You are just going round in circles. Stuff has to go. Get a charity bag. Start on books or clothes. Every day a number of books to put in the bag to go out of the house. Say start with two books. Do same for clothes bag. Every day two items of clothing in the bag. I've got rid of a lot of stuff this way. You have too much stuff. And try minimal mom on YouTube.

Mini update - I have found one of the pairs of earrings! I am so pleased!

Good stuff.
Hope you find the other pair soon