I’m doing the 31 Day declutter challenge

[Sallygoroundtheroses]

I’ve done it before but not for a while. Despite a huge effort to declutter last year, the house is looking a bit chaotic again. So 1 item on day 1, 2 on day 2 etc.

I’m off to find an item…

Another busy day so only got rid of photos from my phone. Back on it tomorrow.

Day 18:

I've really been on it today! Cleared out a massive box that has been on top of the wardrobe for YEARS.

3 tea light lanterns, a vase, teddy bear, roll of patterned paper, 2 pairs of shoes, old paying-in book, 12 nineties music cassettes! A length of fabric, 2 shoe boxes, bag of fabric offcuts, board game, empty GHDs box, a blank CD, a ring-binder, a bag of toy stuffing, 2 empty laptop boxes, a whole BIN-LINER of old bank statements and paperwork AND the massive plastic box this was all stored in (DH is taking it to use at work) Phew!

I'm well ahead now at 229/310

That's an impressive haul @Pyjamageddon ! I have a box on top of my wardrobe that I want to get to too.

I didn't finish work til 9.30 last night, but forced myself to declutter my disgusting handbag to get my day's target. There was about 30 scraps of paper/receipts in there, but I'm counting it as 18. This thread really helps, as otherwise I might not have done it.

Late on returning to the thread and enjoying seeing what others are getting rid of.

This week I've taken on the toiletries cupboard, DC's odd socks/too small underwear boxes and arranged an exit plan for several bags of clothes that need to go.

Good haul today. Took a bag of random bits back to my mum's house, got a big bag of toys for the charity shop ready for drop off tomorrow, and a bag of shite in the bin. Think it's put me over 18 items today but I've been a bit hit and miss lately so if I'm over this will even it out.

Plus, in trawling for stuff I've now tidied the hallway cupboard of doom, so that's good!

18 items sold in one batch on Vinted to post this weekend, one item gone for a fiver on FB Marketplace.

Not been too on it this week with the flu, but looking to add to my pile every week.

I need to take a leaf out of everyone’s books and get chucking again. I can only say it’s been an extremely busy few days. I’ve done some more photo deletion so that’s something.

In case it helps any of you getting rid of photos from your phone there's a good app called Get Sorted where you delete or keep in batches of 50 at a time. I find it less overwhelming!

Day 19: only got rid of one thing today, a folder with paperwork in from when DC was doing an extra curricular activity at primary school. DC is now in mid-20s!

Whyyyy do I hold on to so much crap?!

230/310

What a great idea to do a digital/photo declutter! I'm away from home but I've still been able to delete lots of unwanted/duplicate photos without leaving my bed. Thanks for the inspiration!

I've been plodding away, this week has been good:

descaled kettle
7 cardboard boxes recycled
broken plastic storage box
ikea storage bag
old calendar
3 random socks, worn out teatowels and various fabric to the textile recycling
3 tshirts, handbag, pair of trainers, books, cookie cutters, decorative nonsense etc all to chazza
2 library books returned (but picked up a new one so only counts as one!)
various electrical bits to recycling centre
4 glass jars to recycle centre
paid 2 paper bills
unsubscribed from 3 emails
applied for a job (decluttered from my head)

Total 52

Overall total only 89 though

Back to items today. Lack of time meant I just grabbed things in my sight (a tatty poster from a child’s wall/broken toy) then I tackled my work bag and I got to 20!

I missed the last few days but caught up today as had day off. Been a bit more ruthless with kids craft, cleared out my seed drawer and general gardening stuff, plus the dog’s belonging got a sort through - I owned 5 dog leads for one small dog I’ve whittled it down to a modest two!

Had another crack at it at lunchtime:

4 packs disliked / out of date food
40 photos deleted - counting as 1
loads of emails deleted - counting as 1 item
unsubscribed from 5 more emails
out of date charging cable
bits from a junk drawer

102/496

I'm on 279/496 so doing pretty well. I'm not counting consumables, anything digital or toiletries/cosmetics (I record those separately) so I'm not making it easy for myself but I want to make sure that I'm genuinely clearing out long-standing clutter and I know I'll cheat if I make it too easy!

Cleared out another big box from the top of the wardrobe and it's taken me way over my target! Will try to carry on until the end of the month but won't feel under too much pressure now

52 pens, 2 Dolly pegs, an eraser, a shoe box, a bag of fabric offcuts, pencil tin, a wrap of crap make up brushes, AT LEAST 65 dvds and cds (I lost count!), a big storage box and an empty box that used to have a keyboard in it, and a wooden train set (put aside to sell)

Feels good to get rid of so much old crap!

359/310

I’ve massively slowed down over the past few days. Only a few items found. I think because every cupboard has been gone through at least once in the past year we don’t have much more actual clutter (still have lots of stuff but it’s stuff that’s still used like toys and games).

My aim for today is to tidy the camping stuff (which is quite a mission because it’s in a huge pile and it mostly quite heavy) and see if I find anything superfluous in there. Then beach stuff and outdoor toys. Getting it better organised will at least help create an illusion of more space. I hope.

I have done nothing this week as been so busy at work. I did however, make pancakes last night and realised one of my frying pans has lost its non stick so it went straight in the bin rather than back in the cupboards. I'll have a last look through clothes today before a charity shop run tomorrow. Think I have some old bedding I can donate locally.

I think I only need another 65 items to hit my 500 from inside the house target.

Might need a skip for the outside though!

I've had a busy few days, and for the first time ever I didn't manage anything on Thursday. So yesterday I tackled one of the moving boxes that had been tucked in the corner untucked since we moved over 2 years ago! I've got more than half way through and easily got enough for Thursday and Friday. For today, I've got 18 things to go to the clothing bank, so I only need 3 more to complete the day!

Untucked = unpacked of course 👕

And now a random emoji. I think I should go back to bed!

Successful couple of hours this morning. Basement is much tidier. Found a box with three baby slings in so they can go, also found three pairs of school trousers that I’d bought on eBay thinking they were black but they were actually grey. I meant to sell them at the time but they’ve been sat there for three years and I’d forgotten about them so can just go to charity shop. Another pair of outgrown kids shoes found, a seat for a scooter we no longer own, a pack of (turtle killing) sky lanterns and two inflatable chairs. Plus a certificate and half a snorkel into the bin.

think that brings my total to 295

Went through a box last night that we haven't even looked at since we moved house more than 2.5 years ago and we're now up to 315/496. We're definitely going to have to continue the challenge beyond January though, we're thinking that doing it in February and March too might mean we start to see a real difference.

I know you’ve all been waiting for the conclusion of the the matching Tupperware. I’ve cleared the last remaining cupboard in the kitchen and feel safe to throw away the remaining unmatched items. So that and the under stairs cupboard brought in 21 items to be recycled or donated.

Just when I think I might struggle I am reminded of places
like the shed, top of the wardrobe, filing cabinets and bookshelves that have yet to be mined.

Charity shop run done but I did buy 5 books.
Still over target though.

Only 2 items today so far but they were a broken trampoline and holey hosepipe that have been getting on my nerves! Feels like a massive win