How would you clear this room?

[Filthyslattern]

Test

Huh???!!! I have about 6-8 pairs enough for a week without washing

Books I'd only keep sentimental ones. If they are just novels/paperbacks I'd recycle/donate

I was abou tto suggest the same podcast at @Ottersfortea , A Slob Comes Clean is brilliant for cheerleading and tips. She talks abou thow everything is a container- so how many socks can you keep? However many fit in your sock drawer, because that is how much space you have for socks. Same for books, clothes, everything- if the container is full then its full, and your room is also a container. So you can only keep in it what you have room for. It takes away the emotion behind decluttering, no 'is it useful' or 'do I love it', just 'do I have room for it'.

I've been watching the hoarding programmes recently on TLC. It's scary and sad. My dad is a hoarder and I'm terrified of his home becoming that bad.

I have an issue with clutter because of him so I'm constantly taking stuff to charity shops or giving DDs clothes away.
Keep at it. If you keep chipping you'll get there. Find some photos of your dream bedroom for motivation

@DinosaurOfFire it certainly makes sense to look at things in the logic of do i have space for it.

DH can be a nightmare for- let's buy more storage.

I've cleared a massive box of bulky Paw Patrol toys today they are now on Marketplace if I can get them away great, if I can't they can make their way to the charity shop next week.

I've another box of toys ready to be washed and ready to be off loaded.

@Filthyslattern - how are you getting on? Found the other earring?

@Filthyslattern How is it going? I have a husband and two teenagers with ADHD. The things that I think help are:

"Store like with like" - so all your socks go in one location (your sock drawer), all your books go together in your bookshelf (sorry if that's too basic)

"A place for everything and everything in its place" - you can only keep a room tidy if you have already decided where you store each item. Wherever makes sense to you, then put it away there everyday. People generally don't lose their toothbrush because they know where it belongs.

"Tidying up is a daily job" - It took me until I was about 45 to learn this, but now I tidy my bedroom every morning after I get dressed, it takes about three minutes and keeps it under control.

Don't try to manage too much stuff. Try living with no more than 10 t-shirts, 14 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of jeans, etc. It will make tidying up infinitely easier.

Re the partner who isn't helping - I used to get a laundry basket, throw all my husband's crap in it and place it lovingly 😁beside his side of the bed so the rest of the floor stayed clear.

Well done OP, chip chip chip away.
I became a minimalist around 6 years ago, and it has literally changed my life. I had way too much ‘stuff’. I had more coming in than go8ng out. I now have a capsule wardrobe, there is no more wondering what to wear is day. Less choice equals less stress.

Keep checking in here for encouragement and motivation.

I like Joshua Becker on YT, to keep me on track.

Yes!!!!! Both pairs of missing earrings have been going and are now stored properly.
Not done much but have done little bits. Have done tip run with old bedding thst was taking up space- manky pillow etc

Not going! Found! Don't know what happened there

Throwing out is hard but freeing!

I make a list of the things I would like to replace. I threw out 2 thickish Breton style tops because they were holey and grotty and really old. I have made myself a wish list to treat myself to a new on on pay day. Buy only one.

You need to grow things away and then stick to your wish list of things to buy when you need them.

@Filthyslattern - well done, great news you have your earrings!

Little and often is the right way to do it.

When I get overwhelmed by the clutter, I remind myself it took 20 years to get this much stuff in this big of a mess, so I’m not going to clear it overnight 😅

I am ruthless when it comes to decluttering. Honestly, everything we have ever bought will end up in landfill. So i would cut to the chase and just get rid of everything that you don't use (none of your might use it one day) and keep just what you actually need. It seems very brutal but it's the wondering what to do with things that slows the process.
Now that my house is ok, i buy very little and I do recycle or sell things, but for that first push, just bin it!

Absolutely agree with this!

My dp helped me massively to stop keeping things 'just in case'. I was terrible for it.

House is now looking so much better with less shit in it!

With everyday clothes, I had a rule if I hadn't worn it for a whole year it was gone. Stuck most of it on vinted for £1 per item and ended up with about £60 which I used to buy some of the kids clothes they needed.