Decluttering at the speed of life

[Sallygoroundtheroses]

The follow on from www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/4709904-im-doing-the-31-day-declutter-challenge?page=21&reply=123534967 as we go into February and maybe beyond. We are no longer doing the numbers challenge but chucking, recycling, regifting and reselling the clutter in our life.

*The title is a nod to Dana K White, someone who has helped me declutter.

Thanks for the thread. The last one really helped me start, in a small way, declutter. Over 150 items no longer in the house.everything was either taken to the tip, binned, charity shopped or given away. But, lots of areas still to tackle, children’s toys, books and clothes are the hardest, so leaving those for a while.

Like the idea of a small area. That is how I did some of the 31 day challenge. So tomorrow I am going to tackle a kitchen drawer full of anything but kitchen items!

Couple more things sold and DS managed to skip a whole shoe size, so three brand new pairs of shoes to put up for sale!

I’ve booked another clothes collection for next week, so anything that isn’t sold goes in there. There are a couple of books and some clothes that nursery will probably take.

Also need to make a list of jobs to get done around the house. We’ve got so many picture frames propped on the floor that need to get on the walls.

Couldn't be bothered with another charity shop run or tackling any big tasks today. Just had a sweep of one of the kitchen cupboards while making a brew. Have got 24 items to get rid of! Not huge stuff but it has cleared an entire shelf in one cupboard which then means I can then move some other items that are cluttering the worktop into a cupboard which will help to create the clutter free home I am aiming for. Every little step makes a small difference!

Since the 31 day challenge I’ve been much better at just dealing with clutter when I see it. A broken toy
that won’t be mended-recycled, tights with holes
in-textile bin near work, email from a company I don’t want to hear from-unsubscribe.

@WombatBombat

Dana K White will help you. She has many many videos on YouTube. Look for any that mention 'container'. She has some brilliant ones on kids/toys/'containers'

15 random items to charity shop. Also have emptied three jam/chutney pots and will return them to my mum to pass on to jam making friends at the weekend.

I'm getting in the habit of not leaving the house empty handed and dropped an old coat off at the clothes recycling bank when I nipped to Morrisons for some bread. Also binned some old ketchup sachets now out of date and an item from the freezer that has been damaged and freezer burnt.

I did the January challenge but didn't post about it. Planning to do the challenge again in February too. So far sold 2 large baby items. Torn between trying to sell baby clothes bundles or just giving them away, they are only next, m&s etc so not sure it's worth the hassle of sorting and listing them.

Just given away 1 magazine and 32 items of clothing. Total = 35 so far

Finished a book and left it at a train station. I think that counts.

@Theimpossiblegirl Definately counts - also left the magazine at the station.

I sorted out my shed today... well, it won't look like much change perhaps as only 2 sacks thrown out, but it's a good reorganisation....

Wish I'd taken a 'before' picture on this cupboard, but imagine a tupperware explosion and things falling out every time I opened it... recycled about a sackful just from this.

@PermanentTemporary love the inspirational photos! I wish my tupperware/box cupboard was that tidy! Don't have as many items but ours is a lot smaller unfortunately.

Well done all

We're moving this summer which has been my inspiration.

A free standing IKEA unit in the kitchen which held ALL the tupperware, sauce and condiment bottles and bags of pasta has gone. Tupperware has been sorted & put in the cupboard, bottles have been chucked & only ones we have used recently have been kept. Kitchen looks tidier now.

Also got rid of an old office chair - still works well but I can't use it, it's too big for me and I'm the only one that still WFH. Put it outside on the pavement in the morning, was gone by this evening 😁

Next task is decluttering coats. Had pics taken of the house this week for selling, basically shoved all the clutter into drawers and cupboards. TWO massive decathlon bags of coats came off the hooks in the hallway & have been stashed all over the house. Most haven't been worn in the last year.

Tip run today - got rid of the old microwave as we replaced it yesterday. Also threw out a broken curtain pole and battery for a rechargeable car that is long gone but for some stupid reason the battery has stayed on the junk shelf for years!

Loving the pictures of decluttered sheds
Tupperware! I’ve cleared out our medicines and first aid stuff AGAIN! I did this last month in the 31 day challenge but I was getting sick of the sight of the messy boxes still
so I went for it again with new boxes for adults
and children-much better. Did one file in filing cabinet and I did one bookshelf. A productive weekend with no piles
of things to sort later, which is my usual decluttering style.

I binged a few podcasts with Dana and she hypnotised me into sorting out the Tupperware shelf and cat food cupboard and I had a quick sort of the food cupboards and fridge for anything wildly out of date.

I need to do something with the box of random wires DH insist we keep. He has got rid of lots and I have started labelling what's left but has anyone found a good way to store them?

I also got round to clearing off my desk and finally found a voucher I'd been looking since Christmas!

Three empty jars taken to my mum to give to the nice lady who makes homemade jam! Did come home with a jar of honey 🍯 though...

I've been on a decluttering journey of late so would like to join in if that's ok

Welcome @thaegumathteth The more the merrier!

Did a second sweep of my bedroom drawers and got rid of five pairs of trousers! I thought I'd been ruthless before but clearly not enough.

Also two mascaras, two hairbrushes, several pens, marbles, old packaging and ditched some old paperwork.

Charity shop tun today, 3 large bags of stuff gone.

Half term is NOT the time to come across this thread as I am running around like a headless chicken, but my house is stuffed to the gunnels/gunwales (had to google that expression) and I am desperate to declutter - but overwhelmed. I think little and often is my only hope!
Main issue is that I hate sending stuff to landfill - is it ok to put a bag of clean rags in a Salvation Army bin, labelled as such? I really do mean rags, my DC’s old trousers/pants/socks with holes etc etc. Plus probably things like outgrown T shirts from sports clubs etc which charity shops won’t take. If not is there anywhere else I could take them? Or is it landfill only

HottyTotty my salvation army bin says "good quality clothes, shoes and bags only" so I'd guess not. Your local tip maybe has textile recycling along with all the other recycling bins there