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!

Thanks @IndianSummer78 I had a hoarding husband (spare sofas, broken washing machine, old computers, half a bed!) that slowed me down. I am actually quick to decide what needs to go, so am no longer as sentimental, it’s just finding the time to look through things as the superficial clutter has gone now.

Today I have got rid of this years sun cream, a device to clean showers that doesn’t work, a shaving mirror of exh’s and some medication. I also had someone collect some toys I’d advertised ages ago.

@IncessantNameChanger sounds like you’re doing really well especially considering everything going on with your dc. How much space does your vinted bag take up? Is it getting in the way of your daily life? Would it be possible to put the clothes in a suitcase out of the way?

My gut feeling would be to donate everything which is what I do if it doesn’t sell - but then you have earnt a lot from your clothes so I understand why you wouldn’t want to. Or could you aim to donate lower value items and just keep a small bag of the more expensive stuff?

7 history books taken to my mum's.

Total now 1111.

I've also binned a dozen out of date baby food pouches and my DP has finally done a huge pile of shredding - but only because my 3yr old nagged at him to do it 😄.

Today out goes
1 x ancient bobbly top
2 x necklaces I never reach for

Total is 1558

Off this week (half term) so hope to get some bits sorted. Need to sort youngests wardrobe as there are definitely some trousers that are flapping around shin level. Also seem to have lots of single duvet sets so i think there are a couple that could go in the charity shop bag. Have also come across a bag full of hats on a shelf in one of the cupboards will sort through but all to go to charity i think. Also found three compasses that can go to scouts or school for DoE kit.

I've had a bit of a set back on the decluttering but am back at it now. Plus going to be at home for the next couple of weeks so going to try and have pre Christmas push on the selling front. Recent outs include:

⁃	2 magazines 
⁃	Stripe dress 
⁃	2 toiletries
⁃	Wool 
⁃	3 a-z’s 
⁃	Crayon carrier 
⁃	Boden dust bag 
⁃	Wedding tea towel 
⁃	2 sweat shirts 
⁃	Trainers - 108

Half term has been utter chaos, the house is a tip. I have sold a coat and some books today though.

Had a big clean up of the ensuit bathroom, lots of rubbish thrown away.

I've recently discovered olio and have gotten rid of a few baby items on there so really pleased 😁

Does anyone have any tips for what to do with cassette tapes? I’m clearing some stuff from my parents’ house…

One magazine read and recycled. I must have about 50 still in the pile. Total is 1559

I managed to fold all the clean laundry before going away for the weekend and there were some outs from that . Still need to put the kids clothes away DH didn't do it while I was gone . He did however finally sell his 1 camera and several lenses ( 7 I think ) he has packed them and is taking them to be sent tomorrow and was offered a good price I thought considering they could have just been languishing in the study cupboard instead now that he has newer ones and doesn’t need them . Price finalised once they’ve assessed them though so we’re prepared for it to end up being less . They’re out of here anyway . He also decided to get rid of two camera bags that weren’t in
good condition anymore and he has others .
Not sure if I said already but the spare mailing envelopes were quickly requested and picked up so gone too .
it’s been a busy halfterm of camps and play dates and sleepovers for DD , taking her out to places , going away for the weekend ,meeting my friends and now I have a couple of days to unpack weekend stuff and pack for us all for our trip , pack for the dog to send him to MIL although his “ boarding box “ is always ready to go pretty much and get DD school things inc winter uniform ready for new term , Halloween although DS is at Uni and DD going to her friends so we might escape for the night since no kids here doing trick or treating or a special meal but DD will carve a pumpkin and decorate a bit with DH tomorrow . Also it’s DH birthday the day before our trip but he’s at work then taking the dog so no time to celebrate until on our trip I think. I feel like I’m getting sick so popping all the vitamins and some zinc hoping it’ll help since we’re meant to travel soon . Have found a couple of bits to go despite being away .
-my old Apple headphones that aren’t compatible with my new phone or iPad
-2 DH camera bags that are falling apart
-1 unwanted beauty sample
-1 DD old watch she hasn’t worn for years I found in DH study drawer
-1 pair DD odd socks
-a stack of DD magazines from her bookshelf she doesn’t seem to read so we have stopped one of them she only gets one now
-1 pair of DD stained sweatpants
-11 pairs of old socks
-7pairs of pants
-2 DH old T-shirts
-1 mini hand cream that doesn’t seem rich enough for my dry hands is earmarked to go after tonight then might find any others I have still unused and put into foodbank

I’ll have to read back to check if I’m up to date with my lists here …

.

-1 DD finished book
-1 of the three vacuum cleaners is going hurray , it’s not working as well as the other cordless one and I find it too heavy

Been bust as I'm on week two of a three week half term!

Not much done, a few ins, not much out. Bought some Halloween dress up things in the sales ( they started before Friday it seems!) Sold a few more things on Vinted.

Got my dd appeal tomorrow.

Professional declutterer cancelled on me today at the time he was due here. I feel a bit in limbo but after tomorrow's appeal things should improve I hope. However I have my son dla renewal AND mu 16 year old is moving frommDLA to pip so that could be stressful!

Life just seems so stressful and bust all the time really

I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed - we are going away for 7 weeks in mid-November and there is so much to do. The house has a small leak; we have our friends coming over to stay at our house while we are gone and stuff needs to be somewhat cleared out or at least stored away nicely. I know I'll end up just shoving things in the loft in a hurry. I've decluttered little things but big things I just don't have energy for.

I did do a fairly good clean, tidy up and lots of laundry over the weekend, plus baking etc with DC which was nice. I'm also really trying to focus on using stuff up and not buying new items. Out went

Big pile of old receipts
large cardboard box which I kept thinking I'll use for Vinted sales but I have nothing that big to sell!
Dead plant
water colouring book
2 v old cleaning rags
finished 1 beauty product which I won't replace
2 gift bags recycled
3 plastic tupperware lids (everyone else loses the lids - I lose the actual containers!!)
Sheet of stickers

I also burned 2 lovely candles over the weekend which was lovely - I tend to also hoard candles. I also let go of a pile of magazine cut-outs which I've kept for years thinking I'll look at them. I really won't.

Total for the year is 1801

Well, I’ve successfully decluttered a box of (my) stuff from my parents’ house. I’m counting this as a success, so part of my totals! It’s also given me pause for thought as I really didn’t want all my 1st birthday cards from people I’ve never heard of 😂

59 cards
1 cassette box
23 tickets, programmes etc
12 general rubbish
19 bits of broken toy
2 photos
5 used envelopes

281 total for oct
1423 total

One pair of too big trousers into the donations bag. Total is 1560

week three of three half weeks half term. When did schools start giving two weeks off at autumn? I feel like I’d only just tidied after the summer holidays and now I’m back to square one.

I had a good morning. I filed some papers, went through emails today putting dates in the diary. I also shredded a load of bank statements from 2008,2009 and 2010. At one point I had about 40 years of them and it’s always been my plan to shred them down to the last 7 years. I’m close. I also deleted about 20 files from my computer. I have a huge job of going through and organising files from four computers. I got as far as putting two of them on a Dropbox account and so every so often I have a little delete and move some around. I might spend another hour doing this tomorrow. I reckon it could be done in a day if I had no distractions. There are hundreds of files and thousands of photos.

I also went through dd1s bathroom chucking out toddler toothpaste (two tubes), empty bottles, gone off eczema cream, various smellies in my bathroom as I will actually use them, and putting five unused packs of sanitary towels in a food bank parcel. This was inspired by dd2s school asking us to donate unopened gifts for the Xmas fair. I’m really pleased that we had none! When we get gifts for Xmas we use them all. This includes things like candles - I have been enjoying a lot of baths recently with nice bath oils and candles.

A good day for decluttering for me, somewhat satisfying:

Out:
-20 reusable cloth nappies
-34 boosters for reusable nappies

• baby swim nappy
• baby romper
• maternity Christmas top
• a 2 drawer hideous heap of filing cabinet

Donated:
20 baby vests
1 maternity jumper
Too many baby socks to count

Bin:
1 pair of holey socks

Back from two weeks holiday (two week half term here also) and feeling overwhelmed with the amount of washing and packing away of summer stuff. MiL bought the DC lots of new holiday clothes which was lovely, but now I need to clear out the previous summer stuff to make room for the new things which then all need to be stored away. TBH I don't even know if they'll be suitable for an English summer next year.

I have filled three plastic bags with clothes to donate/recycle, so that's something, and there are some holiday bits and pieces to be returned which will free up some space, but we had to buy a couple of new suitcases and God knows where they'll go!

Back from our halfterm trip away. Most of the washing is done, about half put away so far.

I meant to get loads done today but have had a lingering headache that even my migraine tablets aren’t shifting. And I have orchestra this eve, plus an early shift start tomorrow.

DS2’s old room is all beautifully painted and new carpet - the door won’t open and close properly though 🙄 have asked the carpenter to come back asap.

Haven’t moved DD in there yet, she still doesn’t know, so she’s in the front room slowly trashing that room! Ds2 is in her old room which had a purple glitter wall (of course it did), but that was painted over too. So can start settling him in there properly once the big reveal is done.

3 long work days coming up then hope to have the announcement, ribbon and all maybe Friday eve 😃

You've done well Toddler

Hope the room is finished soon LivingInABuildingSite

If you have to donate some of the gifted clothes unworn, don't feel guilty Sidney, someone else will get use from them

Totally agree with using all the toiletries and candle gifts StealthNinja. I used to save things "for best" as if life was going to suddenly change into a bigger better more shiny version one day

I don't think DC ever want half the things parents save for them RealFastFoodie

One pair of threadbare socks to recycling today. Total is 1561

My favourite bra betrayed me yesterday. Wire poked through and stabbed me all day. She’s gone in the bin.

Keeping up the momentum this week
Out with an item of clothing each morning this week - just a scan through my wardrobe for stuff I never wear

And a rug

Also cleared out the bedside table drawer of doom

Well done @WithIcePlease @stealthninjamum and @SydneyCarton.

I think you are right @IndianSummer78. Some of it is just admitting what we are keeping for ourselves rather than actually the DC. With my parents, I can’t remember having seen some of the things before (1st birthday cards for example) and some things are my stuff (cassette tapes) that I still needed “permission” to get rid of!

@LivingInaBuildingSite - good luck with the big reveal and all the work!

Sorry you are feeling overwhelmed @Pigtailsandall.

Thanks @Realfastfoodie and @IndianSummer78 , no guilt about donating stuff. I’ve recycled almost all their old summer clothes so they can wear these new ones next year (weather permitting ). The weather is conspiring against me as it’s constantly raining and I have no tumble dryer so it’s taking an age to get everything washed, dried and packed up.

Off to work in a bit and will take a bag with me as I always forget there’s a recycling point at the station. Have a good day everyone!

Got a good start for November. Two big things taking up space given away to good homes and cleared my washing machine cupboard whilst I put a wash on.

5 coat hangers
2 washing powder scoops
1 set of shutters
1 rug

9 total for November
1432 total