Decluttering Thread 5 - Slowly Does It

[Pigtailsandall]

We filled the previous thread quickly! I'm still in the middle of my annual leave and working through my old sentimental items so I need to keep the momentum going! It's taking ages.

@incessantnamechanger
@EllieQ
@nordicmum
@IndianSummer78
@Realfastfoodie
@nordicmom
@CornedBeef451
@thingshavegottogo

@stealthninjamum
@pissedoffneighbour22

Sorry for anyone I missed! Hope you find us!

Went through some paperwork today, shredding 29 obsolete documents and also came across 2 used up felt tip pens. Total is 1311

Since the weekend I've been trying to declutter in every spare minute as we really have to start redecorating the library. There is so much junk in there it's ridiculous and it's quite worrying just how bad we've let it get when we have to walk through that room every day so there's no excuses for it being such a mess (and so dusty).

So far I've thrown out:

• 5 vac pac bags that my cat has chewed through so they won't keep air in properly
• a road map
• 2 large storage bags
• 1 handbag
• pair of socks
• large pile of plastic wallets
• wooden cutlery tray
• 5 folders
• 4 photo albums
• 2 aprons
• 9 piles of photographs
• large bookcase

My DP has also finally managed to sort through a box and bin most of the contents plus he's thrown away a photo album and a pile of photos. I'll count this as 2 out.

I've also sold 23 things on eBay plus a small furniture item.

Total now 936.

My DP also did 2 tips runs with lots of recycling and packaging and bags of general stuff we'd found lying around.

I was a bit gutted about an eBay sale too as its large and taking up room. Someone asked to buy it early but I discovered a piece was missing so I had to end the motor.

Pressed send too early 😄.
Had to end the eBay listing - not motor, no idea where that typo came from!

Still lots to be thrown out though but most of it will have to be pushed into cupboards and I'll sort it after the redecorating has been done. There's far too much and I need much more time to tackle it.

Everyone seems to be doing so well on here and really making an impact. Well done everyone ☺️

I'm having a bad day - can't even count properly 😓.

Total is actually 997.

Have been busy for the last few weeks and not updating here but we had DD belated party and decluttered the party bag candy and books out of here but had a few presents as an in of course . Managed to pack DS of to Uni last weekend with a carload of stuff some of which might not return and will end up in the clothes bank or bin after this first year . Huge amount of medical and other appointments, house maintenance jobs and social stuff has happened in the past 4 w since we returned from our 2 back to back trips day before school started thanks to that airport chaos . 3/4 of us ended up a bit sick which is not a surprise but thankfully not DS . More yearly maintenance ticked off this week and another one due next plus 2 more scheduled but there’s others left . I have postponed a bigger outdoor one to next spring I think . We’ve got enough to deal with now. Ticked off some medical things but I’ve really got to force myself to deal with more of them before Christmas. I went to the attic last week and had a quick blitz of organising what DH and kids had left lying around . It didn’t take too long thanks to my earlier efforts but I was angry about things being dumped everywhere as usual .
I got DS to take 2 big boxes of stuff to the charity warehouse drop off I found a while ago before he left for Uni so now have nearly empty charity boxes we’re filling up again and no piles waiting to be taken . Garden got done yesterday so it is looking nice . I need do to fold the clean laundry and there might be more outs there . Otherwise it’s just been a case of crabbing things as I go . DD went through the top drawer of her desk and got rid of big pile of paper I don’t know what prompted it except maybe the drawer being too full . Happy about her initiative in any case !

Here’s whats been going out lately :
-3 unwanted dog toys
-20 pairs of old socks
-1 pair of old swimming trunks
-1 DD stained dress
-1 DD small swimming costume
-1 DD stained shorts
-1 DH holey pyjama top
-1 unwanted toiletry product
-1 DH old wetsuit
-1 pair of DD small shoes
-2 fabric bags
-old vitamins
-1 used up engineering box
-1 DD small bathrobe
-1 random pen
-1 DD stained T-shirt
-1 unwanted bath bomb
-1 set of pillow spray , oil etc
-1 art kit
-1 small school PE top
-my old phone
-old phone case
-unwanted dog treat
-1 broken dog bed
-1 pair of DH old winter boots
-1 old toilet brush
-1 old bottle brush
-1 broken soap bottle
-1 wooden utensil

more to follow …

I dropped off a big bag to textile recycling. It was only 11 items but quite bulky ones like a v old and holey bath towel and my old denim jacket (which did serve me for 16 years -after buying it used!) plus stained beyond repair school uniform.

Also finally shredded 2 sets of very sensitive documents that I no longer need.

Total is 1693

Had a productive morning, threw out 2 dead pot plants and had a good sweep up of stuff in the kitchen and conservatory. I've listed some bits on the local free site so will see if they go today too.

Been thinking about how I want to change up the living area now my son is older, want to get him a desk and get rid of some of the toys he doesn't play with anymore.

Thank you to whoever recommended The Declutter Hub podcast, they just inspired me to get rid off the drawer of clothes I am realistically not going to fit into again.

I'd got rid of most of smaller clothes but had kept a couple of pairs of jeans and some summer trousers. They're now in the charity shop bag.

I've also put a smart jacket in there that I have never really felt comfortable in and kept for interviews, except I didn't wear it when I went for an interview last week do I think it's safe to donate.

In a minor miracle, DH is now voluntarily decluttering his clothes every now and again. He has added a T-shirt to the bag. He owns approximately 50 more but this is still an improvement!

My wool stash has dramatically increased recently due to the Aldi aisle on wonder, but I am using it up on Christmas gifts so it should mostly be gone again soon.

Bag of previously sorted clothes to the charity bank today, plus two winter pram suits (age 9-12 months - DD is 8 now!).

Did another 30 minutes in her room and have put five more items of clothing in the charity bag, and confirmed that the only two boxes I have left are the newborn and 0-3 months clothes, plus a box of random sized clothes (mostly underwear and socks).

The next step will be sorting through the two storage bags full of old bedding/ pillows, which are also in the corner of DD’s room. I’m really trying to clear her room as she’s said she wants it to look nicer and I know a lot of the clutter in there is household stuff or her old clothes, rather than her stuff.

Half a loft sorted today. Charity bag, textiles bag and Freecycle bag at the ready. It took me all day .

I had a bin bag full of my sons too small clothes taken today so thats made a real difference to his wardrobe.

Well done everyone some amazing efforts today!

Finished a novel. Don't want to keep it. Total is 1312

Another 11 items binned and 7 to the fabric recycling. Mainly baby stuff.

Total now 1018.

Also finally used some items that had been hanging around the house taking up room including a large mirror, shelf, lights and hooks. Lots of packaging to the tip and although not counted, they have made a big difference.

Some feathers that had been collected for an unspecified project ages ago and still haven't been used yet. Fairly sure they've been forgotten about so they're going. Plus the dusty beaker they're sitting in. Total is 1359

We have taken a few items to the tip this morning. I got rid of a bag of books via Olio yesterday.

Well done to everyone and their great efforts so far.

cornedbeef that was me who recommended the Declutter Hub. I find them more lighthearted than some of the other declutterers.

I have broken a mug so that’s going and not being replaced. I also went to give dd2 a ring binder for school and it looked like it had mould in it so that’s going.

I started Christmas shopping last week but didn’t buy much. It’s great that I don’t really need to buy a load of plastic tat these days. Dc would rather have clothes and books.

Had a potter about the garden today and threw out a bag of random broken pots etc.

This weekends out:

5 phonetics books
Old doorbell which I finally took off as it doesn't work
2 kids plastic beach buckets
Lonely slipper
Pair of pants
Bubble wand (where do they come from?!?)
Flag from a playhouse
2 skincare samples used up

Total is 1707

Fallen off the thread yet again because life, but have had a clear out in the bathroom and got rid of a lot of packaging which was hanging around in the cupboard, plus some grim looking black slime from a party, a dead plant and its pot and a giant plastic bottle of bubble mixture which has been sitting on the bathroom windowsill for ever. Spent 30 minutes doing a TOMM guided clean and it looks really nice now.

I am up to my ears packing as we go on holiday on Thursday. MiL has bought the children loads of new clothes for the trip which is really lovely of her but god knows where I’m going to put them once we get back.

I spent the weekend alone so I read through and recycled a pile of magazines and newspapers. Now back to just one of each of my monthly ones and today’s newspaper. Piles of these are a tricker from my childhood having grown up around two family members who “ hoarded “ these and I swore that’s one thing I’ll never be doing .
I also looked through the dog’s toys while he wasn’t here since his birthday was on Sat and he got some new ones and will again at Halloween from his monthly box plus from me . He plays with them a lot so it’s worth it . Found ones that were manky , broken and some that he never touches so they could all go .
I didn’t yet fold the weekly laundry piles that’s tomorrow’s job . I’m hoping there’ll be some to go .
When DS comes for a weekend I plan to look through his clothes he left behind especially T-shirts I think there’s some he doesn’t want to keep at all . A bunch of jackets too to try on and decide about . Might be next weekend although the first week and this coming he seems to be very busy there having just started Uni . He said he slept 12 h last night after the hard first week of partying etc. He’s adjusting to the new life, making friends and has been going to all the Freshers things so it’s going ok I think . He finally went food shopping today ( there’s been lots of free meals so far at parties etc and we sent him off with food ) , and tried to do first load of laundry but we had gotten wrong kind of detergents so he has buy new ones first and only found one for whites today none colour ones . then he was busy again tonight so laundry will have to wait . All these practicalities are something he’ll have to learn to manage . At least he generally has the basic skills since I’ve made him do cleaning and laundry for years plus some cooking .Luckily I also sent him off with at least 2 + w worth of clothes and spare towels and sheets so he’ll last for a while longer . So far he’s keeping in touch daily but that might not be the case later . At least for now he’s answering .
DH managed to lift our motorboat out of the water by himself , normally would have DS to help , then he spent hours scrubbing the bottom etc to get it ready for winter . He threw away a broken old cover and replaced it with one we already had apparently.
I’m going try to forge on with endless admin etc tasks this week . Hoping to go on a short trip on halfterm so need to book that and plan something for the rest of it , get ready for Halloween , Christmas, next school term . DD changes into winter uniform after halfterm and we still need to check if we have everything . Starting on Christmas but this year I’ve got cards and lots of wrapping paper ,bags and boxes already so won’t need those and will be decluttering some of my stash instead . Am also thinking of maybe putting some mailing envelopes I once accidentally bought far too much off on Olio. I think I saw two boxes in the attic still despite once getting rid of some already and there’s some in the study cupboard as well . I could give away a box full . I use them up so slowly and they take up space atm .
DH took away some returns last week but I have two more to sort out ; a huge box of storage boxes that were broken / discoloured , and a broken big bowl I haven’t had time to deal with yet so I have to get on with those . Oven and extractor fan cleaner coming for the first time this week so I hope that goes ok we’ve never used one DH has done them always .

Out this weekend :
-a pile of magazines and newspapers
-1 broken boat cover
-12 broken or unwanted dog toys
-1 spatula
-1 old pillow case

This afternoon's outs-

Broken mug
Stained baby vest
Stained pram suit
2 bobbled babygrows

Total is 1364

One more thing from the weekend - I bought a new dress for work a couple of weeks ago, so I’ve put an old dress that I don’t wear anymore in the charity bag. Really trying to stick to one in and one out!

Thanks @stealthninjamum it was useful to get someone else's view of things and I like that they are professional organisers as well as still having to declutter their own houses too.

I listened to the recent episode where one of them had decluttered 50 items from her wardrobe and hadn't even looked at underwear, shoes and bags!

I don't think I own 50 items of clothing!

I finally have some energy post covid so tidied the garage on Saturday. I've been putting it off as I really didn't want to fight my way in there. I listened to decluttering podcasts and had a glass of wine for encouragement and now I'm very glad I did it as you can see the floor and you can walk through it!

I got rid of 1 1/2 bin bags of random items like a broken hose pipe, 15 year old black spot spray and a whole box of random items DH has stored for years and never used.

He only agreed to get rid of them as a mystery, viscous liquid had spilled in the container and all possible options were not going to be fun to clear up.

Sunday I went to the tip and dumped some carpet, several planks that were inexplicably stored on top of the kitchen cupboards (previous owners) and various other tat.

I feel achey but victorious! The garage will fill up with crap again but for now it looks grubby but tidy.

@Pigtailsandall hope you are feeling better after your procedure.

Thanks @CornedBeef451 yes, I'm back to my normal self!

I dropped off a Vinted sale of shoes on the way to school - very happy as shoes are bulky. I only have 1 more Pair of shoes on my declutter list.

Total is 1708