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Original poster

I’m doing the 31 Day declutter challenge

526 replies

Sallygoroundtheroses · 01/01/2023 12:13

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…

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
coffeeginandkindness · 28/01/2023 11:41

I am very behind.

chloechloe · 28/01/2023 19:05

Checking in again after two weeks of doing nothing. Oops. I was on 108/500 and have probably done another 100 today, will tally up later. I’m pleased as a colleague knows a Ukrainian family with a 3yo who will happily take my 4yo’s old clothes. I wonder if I can continue on a mad blitz and get to 500 by the end of the month. Well done to those of you who have already hit the target!

LolaSmiles · 28/01/2023 19:38

coffeeginandkindness
Same. I feel I'm doing well overall even if I don't end up with the perfect number.

What's really disappointing is taking lots of time this week to list things on marketplace and local free groups, but it seems unless you're selling higher end high street/designer items/expensive items for pennies, people aren't interested.

I think I might do it again in February.

SquashesPumpkinsAutumnBliss · 28/01/2023 20:14

coffeeginandkindness · 28/01/2023 11:41

I am very behind.

So am I, but I am trying to be encouraged the the 150 items I have sorted are no longer in the house and several areas have been sorted that would not have been.

Fourfrosties · 28/01/2023 20:23

Have fallen slightly behind, but up to 233/310. Have two of "those" drawers / boxes to sort tomorrow, and may have to rely on a digital declutter to make the total, but amazed with the stuff I've managed to get rid of!

Original poster
Sallygoroundtheroses · 28/01/2023 20:25

Not well enough today to get stuff done ezxcept
more photos.

OP posts:
CherrySocks · 28/01/2023 21:44

Made some progress today (having returned to thread and to challenge) - 2 large items gone, some more old paperwork gone, some packaging gone, some junk mail into recycling. Have lost count but it's all progress anyway.

SwordBilledHummingbird · 29/01/2023 09:01

We've actually done it 😮Still had more than 100 items to go yesterday but we decided to tackle the kitchen. We only did a first pass and could definitely get rid of more but hit the target doing that. Some parts of the house are definitely looking better but we still have lots to do so will be continuing for February. Anyone else carrying on the declutter past January?

Theimpossiblegirl · 29/01/2023 09:13

I'm going to keep going until I have done every room and the garage.
But I won't do it daily, just when I get chance around work. So mostly weekends and school holidays.

It's been really inspiring being on this thread and even if people haven't hit target, we've all cleared a good amount of clutter from our lives.

fourmonthstogo · 29/01/2023 12:09

Hope you are feeling better @Sallygoroundtheroses
I seem to have ground more or less to a halt since Thursday. I managed 6 yesterday, nothing on Friday and I've been so busy I haven't had chance to sort anything in depth. Still, I've decluttered well over 300 things over the month, which is definitely a good thing!

LolaSmiles · 29/01/2023 12:15

Theimpossiblegirl
Same here.
I'm trying to do daily, but if it doesn't happen daily then I don't beat myself up. I don't like to go more than 2-3 days though without removing something because I find it easier to keep momentum.

We should have another thread.

Theimpossiblegirl · 29/01/2023 14:20

@Sallygoroundtheroses
Would you like to run a continuing decluttering into 2023 thread as you started this one? You have inspired so many of us.

Original poster
Sallygoroundtheroses · 29/01/2023 19:09

Yes I’m happy to start another (less numbers specific) thread for February onwards. Will post the link on the 31st.

I made my self concentrate on visible clutter today and ignore the numbers as I was feeling pretty tired. Turns out I can still find 29 items lying around to chuck.

OP posts:
Bemyclementine · 29/01/2023 20:17

I have fallen FAR behind, but today went through my jewellery box and got rid of 25 bits of crap. I realise my motivation slipped be ause I've been decluttering cupboards, etc rather than the clutter I can see. So although I've done 251 items this month, mist of it was hidden away so the house still looks a tip

251/496

mum2jakie · 29/01/2023 21:25

I'll be happy to join in with a follow on February thread too. Still got plenty of stuff to shift!

Today's outs included an empty covid test box - why would anyone put this back on the shelf?? - three odd socks and part of a broken fridge drawer. Also returned a box of seeds and some sandpaper to my mum. It's the small things...

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 30/01/2023 15:44

carry on tips,

  1. 1 item a day for rest of the year, ( 334 items)
2, lower target of a 100 a month until done ( 1100) 3, 1 normal sized supermarket bag of stuff per week or every bin collection day 4, keep it up by a 1 in 1 out rule or even 1 in 2 out rule, some people do this category specific ie you can't have a new jumper without getting rid of an old one 5, before buying anything it has to pass tests do I actually need it? is it replacing something worn out or broken and if so do I already have a spare I could use? do I have something else that would do the job just as well? can I afford it? where will it go in my home? is there enough space for it?
Original poster
Sallygoroundtheroses · 30/01/2023 18:02

Well this is a turn up.
Got home from work and other half has gone through 6 drawers and chucked loads. So I’m not doing anything more today. Really pleased as a lot of stuff is not mine to declutter and it has made a big difference.

Good tips @Cottagecheeseisnotcheese . I really need to get on board with 1 in 1 out.

OP posts:
mum2jakie · 30/01/2023 22:23

Out today - three more items of clothing, old paperwork, couple of boxes and a hot water bottle cover. Going to do another charity shop run tomorrow so it should be a good total although it's only what I can carry on foot. Little and often is my plan moving forward.

Timepasse · 31/01/2023 09:46

I’m having a last fling today in the garden, I’m not counting any more but I’m sure there will be 31 things by the end of the day.

mum2jakie · 31/01/2023 15:45

Productive day. Charity shop outing:

5 hats, a toy, 2 bags, 11 books, 3 coats, jeans and PJ's.

Also binned two broken toys, out of date crisps, ruler, cardboard box and a pile of old receipts. I'll have hit today's target if I find one more thing by the end of the day!

PeonyRose80 · 31/01/2023 16:12

I would love to join. But what do you do with the unwanted stuff? as what happens for me is, it ends up in a pile… and there it stays!

mum2jakie · 31/01/2023 16:27

PeonyRose80 · 31/01/2023 16:12

I would love to join. But what do you do with the unwanted stuff? as what happens for me is, it ends up in a pile… and there it stays!

I live within walking distance of a lot of charity shops so I've been taking a bag of unwanted items into town each day. I also take clothing items with me to the supermarket as there is a clothes recycling bin there too.

Original poster
Sallygoroundtheroses · 31/01/2023 20:38

And I’m done. Just photos today but there’s an art box on the table to go through soon.

New thread for anyone wanting to continue through February but without the numbers challenge www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/4732868-decluttering-at-the-speed-of-life.

@PeonyRose80 I've learnt that I can only declutter in small batches with a donatable donate bag/box or bin liner. I must be to clear it out the house or it just ends up in a pile.

OP posts:
mum2jakie · 31/01/2023 21:48

Can't get your link to work. Hopefully this one will?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/4732868-decluttering-at-the-speed-of-life

Orcubed · 01/02/2023 06:53

Finished the month on 461 plus 5000+ emails deleted, lots of mailing lists unsubscribed from and lots of photos deleted. Considering I started the month planning to declutter 31 items this is pretty good!