Decluttering Thread 6 - hit those targets before New Year!

[Pigtailsandall]

So the last thread got filled up and I think I seem to have taken it on myself to start a new one every time, lol! I hope everyone finds us because I'm too lazy to tag everyone, but here's few who spring to mind. It also doesn't let me add some people, for some reason

@realfastfoodie
@IndianSummer78
@stealthninjamum
@cornedbeef451
@EllieQ
@Gassylady
@IncessantNameChanger

@nordicmom
@Vinorosso74

Now it's the last push until the holidays to get it all out and done (before new cr*p comes in)

Nothing out today, but nothing in either… I’m calling that good enough

Rude freebie collector didn't turn up so the stuff was a bit damp when I got home. Not doing that again. It's either charity, clothing bank or rags in future. Not sure what do if ask tomorrow as I'm not hanging onto it. I think I'm going just say it was taken while I was out.

@stealthninjamum that's the best thing about decluttering just by putting things in their home. You know what you have already.

@IndianSummer78 years ago I did a colour analysis course with a friend and it really stopped my impulse buying in the sales. But doing a period of no buying really really helps to focus my mind. I'm hoping I can do a entire year of only school uniform as that should result in some well worn out items too.

Posting for accountability, sort of. DH has been working away a lot so its just been me and the dc. Have put some stuff to one side to go, but can't get it out of the house with the kids in tow. If we drop off at the charity shop we will bring half their stock back home with us.

Also been quite a few ins, one dc started a dance class and I've been persuaded to buy the uniform, one musical instrument in, one dc went up a clothes size, collected a mahoosive bundle of the next size up again on freecycle.

Had hoped for 100 outs for Jan but stuck on 55.

And reading the thread I realise I need a huge pillow cull! Aaah! We are also recreating the 1990s hotel style too soft yet too hard and lumpy experience.

After ignoring the primary school art that is now in piles in the sitting room all weekend I had a quick look through it. I managed to chuck out 35 crappy pictures and preschool stuff - mainly stuff without a name as I figure if I can’t work out which child it was I can’t get too sentimental about it. I found lots of things like Mother’s Day cards and Xmas cards to me, letters to Santa that will probably go in the memory boxes. I’ll get dc to look through them next weekend or maybe half term as dd1 has lots of homework at the moment.

so with another 10 pens going today’s total is 45 outs.

Year’s total so far is 306 which is amazing for less than a month. I’ve probably spent too long on the stationery as the house is untidy now - but it could possibly be ‘visitor’ ready in half an hour (assuming stuff is properly put away not just hidden in a cupboard) which is good I suppose.

Old pillows are now in the car boot to got to the tip tomorrow & the box some stuff came in from Amazon has now been filled with clothes & scarves to go to the charity shop.

1 thing in from Amazon, 12 out to charity shop, from my first pass through my wardrobe

Wardrobe after the first go through

If anyone is still overwhelmed I just saw this list mentioned on another thread.

you could spend 15 mins a day doing a quick declutter of each area to kick start your decluttering and I suppose go back and do them in more depth.

https://www.oprah.com/home/the-30-day-home-decluttering-detox-plan_1

Thanks stealth, I might start that on the 1st of Feb

DH did take the old meds to pharmacy yesterday and DD will take the old uniform bag to school this week . There are atleast two clothing returns as well . DH also did another dump run today . I haven’t gone up to the attic but I did my bedside drawers properly and a bunch of assorted crap thrown out plus a pile will be rehomed and the 2/3 drawers are now nearly empty. Might look through something else still tonight or finish my book that’s then going to charity . DD found 2 books to go one she needs to finish , since we ordered 2 for impending author visits at school . She starts a lot of books and needs to either learn to finish them or to put them in the charity box if she doesn’t like them . She must be mid 20 at least or so it seems …
I have several areas to look through again downstairs so maybe I’ll get some done tomorrow in the day . DD art drawer for one and I want to finish larder it’s nearly done just need to make sure I didn’t forget anything .

Out :
-25 pairs at least of DD small socks
-15 pairs of DD small crop tops both earmarked to go
-2 mini toiletries
-1 DD used up engineering box
-1 old cuticle oil
-1 old pot of balm
-1 old eye lash conditioner
-1 nearly empty nail polish bottle
-1 nearly empty top coat bottle
-2 obsolete remote controls
-a few safety pins
-a few old hair bands
-a pile of papers from bedside drawer
-1 old notebook
-loose envelopes
-old stamps
-a nearly finished sheet of name labels
-a couple of sheets of old meds

Total is 58 + 429 I think
so 487

This weekend - a bag of the kids art stuff out (completed colouring books old paper with scribbles on dead pens etc)

pld washing line and a mouldy highchair to the dump.

4 packs of kitchen roll to dms house and a bag of dhs clothes to charity shop (in the car and will drop off today).

DD finally brought down the small pile to go, 5 items of clothing and a bag.

135+6=141

I have a few days off so hoping I find some motivation somewhere. Currently I’m cold under a blanket on the sofa. Have to get the spare room ready for MIL coming on Thursday so that should give me a kick up the whatsit.

Woohoo! 92 items of baby clothes, outgrown older kids clothes and a couple of useful items - all going to local families in need so I’m feeling happy despite also feeling I wanted to hold onto them! And one vinted sale posted too.

Now I’m going to try to do a push on sorting and tidying given there’s more space. And a charity shop run to do before then end of the month.

January - 399

On the downside - 9 items of kids clothes came in today. All serious bargains and
almost all needed now rather than being stashed away for the future, but still.

Worn out pyjama bottoms gone. Total is 1858

Not much progress this weekend, but did go through DD's pens and probably tossed about 40 dodgy felt tips. I downloaded the Toss app too which seems quite good for manageable small projects so did coats at the end of last week too. Got a busy week but no plans next weekend so hopefully can crack on then

Did one of my wardrobes today. I am in that phase where I’ve put on weight but don’t want to throw away my beautiful clothes. I managed to find a dress and coat to go. I also used up a cleaning product that’s been sitting under the utility room sink for about ten years. If I get time I will be doing board games later.

Have failed to find much motivation today!

3 x old DS1’s pants to fabric recycling

141+3=144

I have decided the dress I wore to my dad’s funeral (8 years ago!) is to go. I feel it’s tainted and I won’t wear it again. It’s been on the hanger backwards* for ages. (Only 2 things stayed backwards, the other is a black tie type dress that I’m dithering over).

*if you haven’t heard of it, hang everything with the hanger the wrong way (facing you), as you put washed clothes away hang it the right way. Over time you see what you haven’t worn.

I'm still a bit jittery from the weekend. Not a great mindset for making decisions, so I folded up eight outgrown teeshirts and put them in the bag with the outgrown zip-ups.

I put three jamjars in the recycling trolley. I had been keeping them for dried goods in the fridge. Replaced them with click-seal bags, which much reduces the weight on the door hinges, and take up much less space.

Large bag of macaroni, jar of coffee, bag of sugar and jar of jam to adult son, as I don't want them any more.

Two very battered boxes for board games. The games are off the shelves and into plastic bags in drawers. Boxes to be recycled. I would like eventually to clear off the tops of bookcases, as I need a ladder to get up there.

This evening I intend folding up the too-small unworn school uniform from Asda. Bought reduced towards end of school year, but false economy because they were outgrown by the new school year.

Decided I had to get off my bum and do something, Toss was asking for medicines so I did the cupboard in the kitchen we store random meds and first aid stuff. Cleared out some seriously OOD stuff 🙄
But then does Vicks really go OOD?? 🤔

144+53=197

@LivingInaBuildingSite - I thought Vicks lost some of its smell? I found a very out of date pot and decluttered it, but I found out later I had covid so possibly just a lack of smell…

It still smells like normal Vicks, so I’ve kept it for now. May buy a small new pot if I see one and I remember.

Had an amazingly bad day today. Daughter was suspended again and almost certainly going to be expelled. Declutter came today and I threw out about ten things I didn't count properly. I am sorting odd shoes. But not feeling it.

Buying and hoarding was my stress response and now I have nothing. Just sat with the stress of going from SEN battle to sen battle that never ends.

I have a urge to go out in the street and throw the shoes and scream. But of course I won't. Will continue to be sensible and calm and adult while life screws my family over again and again.

@IncessantNameChanger im sorry you’ve had a bad day, and your poor daughter. Do you have a plan for how to school her now? You’re doing so well fighting your urge to shop. Sending hugs.

just did a big load of cleaning at weekend but accidentally decluttered a reusable cup and a glass today.
my eldest was excluded many times even from the exclusion unit @IncessantNameChanger hard relate

Little to no decluttering over the weekend, unfortunately.

Today out:
1 clutch bag sold
1 pair of holey socks
1 holey t-shirt

YTD Total 289

Board games gone through. I think that 2 are going. I also found 7 books, and an unopened jigsaw puzzle and Lego from a few years ago. So that’s 11 in total.