Decluttering thread 4 - progress rather than perfection

[Pigtailsandall]

Thread 3 got filled up so decided to start a new one - hope everyone can find it!!

Thanks ! I was hoping someone would start a new thread !

Hello! Might get something done this month. I have decided I'm going list 20 of dd things on vi Ted tomorrow

Can I join you all please?

Does this thread do numbers challenges or is it just do what you can?

I am not so much a hoarder but will find absolutely every excuse not to throw something out. I could find sentimentality in a used bin bag!

I have four carrier bags to take to the charity shop tomorrow but I’m actually going to be sad enough to empty them and count the items beforehand so I can keep track of my decluttering

@Adhdsucks some do number challenges. You do whatever works for you. It's about self accountability and cheering ourselves on

@Adhdsucks could you estimate or ask someone else to do it?? If you do it you'll have at least one carrier bag less to take!

@WinterMusings haha I took your advice (it’s like you know me) and didn’t count it all. I’m taking an estimate of 30 items.

So one bin bag and 3 carrier bags put into the clothes bank at Morrisons. Why do I feel like a cop out for not driving all the way to the charity shop with it?

I feel like this is the only ' safe' space I can say; "I'm off the big 3 social media for lent/personal choice and while I find them so toxic and mostly don't miss them I am missing the few positive aspects like motivation really" so I've had a look at my Olio account and how quickly things went and how grateful the recipients were and I'm ready to go again! I've got major work to do think changing over bedrooms and I'll need help from someone strong eldest but want to get it done before going away for Easter so we can come back to it 🎉 happy Monday

I'm going to list some things on Vinted. Wish me luck!

Hello everyone! Glad I found the new thread. Not sure how much decluttering will get done over the next few weeks due to work pressures, but I will see what I can do.

@Adhdsucks I think I do know you!

I could find sentimentality in a used bin bag!

it was like you were speaking into the mirror!!

id allow yourself 50 for that!!

it's a bit of a 'cop out' not taking it to the charity shop BUT as Dana K White says, you are decluttering, you got it OUT of the house, that's decluttering! Where it goes is secondary AND you can make a different choice next time when you're less overwhelmed. She keeps a donatable donate box/bag by the door, so she can just hand it over without sorting etc. (Easier in the states with their huge thrift shops) but I know what my local one takes anything other than that requires a separate box/bag, but it works. You could start a charity bag for bits you find as you go.

👏🏻 🌷Everything that leaves, no matter where it goes, is progress!!

Dana K White is not officially diagnosed, but definitely has traits. I think you'd like her, she takes the emotion out of decluttering with her techniques.

@IncessantNameChanger good luck! I found it easy to sell on Vinted, if not a bit time-consuming. However, I felt like it was a responsible way to declutter and find a home for my unloved items

@Adhdsucks welcome - some are doing number challenges but not all. I'm trying to do 2023 items this year but it's only possible because I have lots of childhood/teenage stuff to finally face. You can work to what suits you best.

11 things listed today, woop woop! I'm going to 20 min a week as now I buy most clothes off Vinted too so I need to keep my balance up. I think the plan might be to get 80 items up, then after a month reduce the price, then offer as bundles, then charity. So that should start a 20 per week out the door by week 6? I'm going to write it my diary anyway to keep it up.

My sons school is sorted now. I'm seeing someone to help me declutter next week. But typically for me now my mum looks like she has started to decline with possible dementia. But I'm mindful I can't keep lerching from crisis to crisis. I need to declutter.

Aim is 100 out by end of April. Nice little chunks. Anything in, adds to the out target. 20 out would make a nice space for me.

0 out of 100 goal
0 in

Hi everyone!
Thanks for the new thread
Benches didn't make it to my sister yesterday but the boxes did go to my mother, along with 5 kitchen items.
2 eBay parcels packed up and ready to be dropped off at parcelforce.
I started counting items but lost count in my beginner's enthusiasm.

I do have a goal though and that is to not be utterly mortified when my BIL comes to do some plumbing work in a few weeks which requires me to empty every storage area upstairs to get to the pipes. I originally thought he'd be coming last month so am quite relieved to have a few extra weeks to make a dent in the clutter!

Oh good I found you all. Thanks for the new thread Pigtails

Incessant good luck with the Vinted sales

ADHD sucks welcome. I'm counting items to track my progress and I'm finding it motivating to do so. I don't have any particular goal in mind. Like you, I have hoarding traits but I'm not a hoarder, I decided I need to declutter though otherwise I could easily become one over time! I'm sure with a lot of elderly people who haven't moved home in years it creeps up in them. I don't want to wake up one day and realise I'm living in a hoarder house and feel too old to do anything about it

I'll be back in a moment with my update

• 1 pair slipper socks that have seen better days
• 1 pair uncomfortable knickers
• 1 toy no longer needed
• 1 toy accessory for above toy
• 1 damaged plastic sleeve
• 2 card dividers no longer needed
• 1 empty cardboard box
• 1 baby's hat
• 3 baby's vests
• 2 baby's pants
• 1 baby's dress
• 1 pair baby's tights
• 1 pair baby's trousers
• 3 babygrows
• 1 baby's cardigan

Total is 352 gone

I'm slowly shifting my sentimental stuff plus clearing out a few kids items too. Gone today:

Kids used up sticker book
Broken bubble wand
Kids outgrown top and a hat to a friend
A necklace and a bracelet to my goddaughter (secretly v pleased that a 17yo deemed them cool)
Toothbrush (unsure who it belonged to)
CD
1 plastic folder
Large hairclip
A lonely earring
Sentimental keychain
Sentimental pen
Cookie cutter
Plus also returned a book to a friend.

Happy I let go of some sentimental stuff

Hello new thread and welcome @Adhdsucks Your comment about finding sentimentality in a bag sounds very like something a hoarder would say so well done on making a start. These threads started as one thing a day (just seven a week) and that has been what I try and do rather than the more complicated and daunting number challenges. On a week when I don’t do anything then I at least keep up with laundry and deal with the post promptly.
I feel so much better with having less stuff it has gotten easier as the kids get older. I spend more but the amount to show for it gets less 😂😂with electronics and giant trainers rather than seemingly endless toys and lots of clothes to allow for multiple changes.

Our oven died so all going well tomorrow a shinny new, induction hob not gas one is turning up.

I am clueless what pans will heat up on induction but it's a forced pan declutter, although will it count as I am sure some will need replacements.

my teens have and want an awful lot of clothes @Gassylady especially DS 🙈

My teens thankfully don't want to have lots of clothes. My 19 year old still has too many. He is going away this week so I might go in his room and throw some bits out as he has never had a clear out but he is constantly berating me and my stuff. I'd like to get the younger kids down to 14 max thirsts, pants etc and 7 trousers. If I had another kid I only buy 10 days worth of clothes and top if needed for holidays. The more you have, the more you loose track and loose things.

I am a hoarder

@seperatedmum luckily none of mine have been remotely interested (at least so far) in fashion or the must have items. In fact my youngest basically lives in unbranded joggers. Saved my lots compared to some of our friends. If I’m driving to work a bit later at walking to school time it feels like he and his friendship group are Theo my ones not in North Face coats 😱

The only ones - not sure who Theo is 🤣🤣

Glad to join you on the new thread. Cleaned up and listed an item on Facebook today, hopefully it goes. Looking to change things round in the office so probably some reshuffling of that room and bit of decluttering too

Well we had the bedroom decorated so that room is now absolutely pristine and clutter free. The living room is being done next week and I'm going through kids toys etc. I've thrown away some more UPO (unidentified plastic objects) and also given away 5 jigsaw puzzles my son has outgrown.

I've also decluttered my make up draw and chucked/donated around 20 items.

A bin bag full of rubbish has gone from the office DP is 'looking for something' so its an absolute tip at the moment, but at least some rubbish has left the building.

5 items of clothing sold on Vinted although still one to post as I thought it was a digital label rather than printed kind, that will go tomorrow.

All the outgrown children's clothing and footwear has left the house. Adult DD took it for preloved/relove and donations.

I had got totally stuck, and now feel I can breathe again and see straight.