Decluttering thread 7 - as the days lengthen we’ll feel more motivated to declutter

[stealthninjamum]

Sorry for the long thread title, I’ve just seen that the old thread has reached 1,000 posts.

For newbies this thread and the old one a day threads are for a group of mumsnetters who are decluttering. We’ll share tips and advice and inevitably the conversation moves on to organisation tips, pretty storage solutions and persuading our families to join in.

We’re all at different stages of decluttering so join us for support and chat.

I had a successful tidy that led to me getting rid of
5 pairs of my trousers
3 personalised beach towels
4 notepads that are new. I have millions of half written in pads so I am going to donate the nice new ones as I won’t need them for ages
some of dcs papers and arts
some software that’s really old.

I am so achey! Thank you for the encouragement, I got stuck in to my mega heap and can't believe how much stuff I shifted and sorted. The space I'm tackling is more than half done (not going for perfection, there are several unsorted boxes neatly stacked on shelves just for now).

There is visible floor to walk on lots of bags of rubbish, loads of stuff identified to go to the dump tomorrow. Broken stuff, bits of wood etc. Bags of donations.

I'm not going to tackle the remaining section until I've got everything in the car thats going to the dump and finished an urgent DIY job.

Time for sleep, night night all 🌌

Amazing work @BeanWriting and I totally agree @Realfastfoodie - all those seconds here and there saved by knowing where everything is in the morning, knowing that you can choose any of your clothes to wear and they'll fit. All of the knowing what's in the food cupboard, the medicine box etc etc. It just all adds up and makes life fractionally easier, bit by bit. I also find I'm spending less money on random bits which means I can spend that money I would've lost on bits that are actually needed. It allllll adds up! 💪🏼

Didn't quite finish what I wanted to but I'm done for the night. I reckon I've got a box left to go through, most of which is tipped onto the floor 😅 but I've got a few days to tackle it and I'm more likely to if it's in my eye line so I have high hopes!

A face cream finished up. Total is 2049

Can I join? Our house is depressing me, has no storage and until interest rates come down, can't afford to move.

We have horrible neighbours which makes it worse :( The clutter everywhere means I am finding more and more excuses to be out of the house. I dont know where to start.

I have put on so much weight over the years that I have so many clothes, could defimitely start in my room..

What are the numbers that pp refer to? Tips for a beginner?

Hi @FilthyforFirth welcome. A little bit at a time makes a big difference. I started in the hallway as I see it most often. Just make it better , don't aim for perfect. Some like the Toss app as it gives you a small daily task, but I don't use it as not available on Android.

I count items leaving the house so e.g. six dressed =6. I restart each New Year's Day. O write every item in a notebook. My goal is 1,500 items for the year.

Some people count on a bigger scale e.g. Two bags to the charity shop =2. And set a smaller but just as impactful goal e.g. 365 items for the year.

Others don't count and just enjoy the extra space.

Depends on what you find most motivation!

Ah ok, thanks for the explanation @Jellycatrabbit

I'm not a hoarder, so no problem getting rid of the stuff, just the usual busy working mum of small kids and all the clutter they bring has made the task ovewhelming.

We also need to decorate to feel a bit happier in this house as we are stuck until we can move. First need to declutter but the task seems hurculean!

I want to go as minimalist as my kids will allow, so might do bags rather than individual items. Defimitely going to do my clothes today. Been reading a lot this morning and it seems the consensus is dont hold on to clothes you are hoping to fit in at some point...

That is basically half my wardrobe, so hopefully an impactful place to start!

Breaking it down into small tasks is what helps me @FilthyforFirth. My target is 365 tasks in the calendar year... so average of one a day. I don't have time everyday...other days I get 7 or 8 done!

I counted sorting each type of clothing as one task.

I like that approach @PuttingDownRoots I imagine on good days I'll get quite a few tasks done to balance out the days I dont do anything.

I'm also interested in the linl between clutter and being overweight as I defo suffer from both. The clutter has got worse, the bigger I have become. Getting dressed means trying several different options before I'm 'happy' (I havent been happy with my appearance since 2014 but you get the idea) and then I am late because I took so long getting ready and now the discarded options are all over my bed, the floor.

I also have poor mental health and feel it is all tied up. I'm starting to tackle my weight and hope decluttering the house will lead to a healthier, happier version of me.

I'm 40 next year and really want this next decade to be better. Will use this thread for motivation and tips, seems a lovely community.

Welcome newbies, and good luck, every little step helps.

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid
3. drop off too small dance clothes to a friend
4. scout badges x 8 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
2 dresses to put on vinted
10 x kids books being collected today
sit up exercise thing to be collected today
big cheap canvas I don’t want anymore to be collected today

hopefully the people will turn up as promised.

actual outs:
2 x old scratched freebie cds into bin, paper holders recycled
Broken hanger into the bin
322+3=325

Welcome newbies, and good luck, every little step helps.

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid
3. drop off too small dance clothes to a friend
4. scout badges x 8 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
2 dresses to put on vinted
10 x kids books being collected today
sit up exercise thing to be collected today
big cheap canvas I don’t want anymore to be collected today

hopefully the people will turn up as promised.

actual outs:
2 x old scratched freebie cds into bin, paper holders recycled
Broken hanger into the bin
322+3=325

Welcome newbies, and good luck, every little step helps.

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid
3. drop off too small dance clothes to a friend
4. scout badges x 8 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
2 dresses to put on vinted
10 x kids books being collected today
sit up exercise thing to be collected today
big cheap canvas I don’t want anymore to be collected today

hopefully the people will turn up as promised.

actual outs:
2 x old scratched freebie cds into bin, paper holders recycled
Broken hanger into the bin
322+3=325

Out this morning

Used up face serum
Bobby sweatshirt
Too small pyjama bottoms
Ripped seam pyjama bottoms

Total is 2053

Did 10 mins on my shelf of doom using the DKW method. 9 things for the bin and about 20 put back in their places. Only forward progress - suits me!

2024 Total - 686
April - 54

Well done @FilthyforFirth for going through your clothes. I’ve always found it hard to go through them because I always want to lose weight but recently I’ve thrown out/ donated 5 pairs of trousers and a few pairs of jeans a couple of months ago. I do want to be small again but I know that fashions change and even though I’m not fashionable I can just sense when jeans look ‘wrong’ so even if I dieted to a size 8 again I wouldn’t like the look of them. I’ve ordered the Peter Walsh decluttering and diet book mentioned up thread . There is a connection but I am particularly struggling as one of my dc has all kinds of mental health problems at the moment. I’m finding the decluttering easy but I am turning to unhealthy food a lot.

in a rare moment where the kitchen is tidy I had time to do some tidying in the garden. I have a plastic storage box where I keep garden toys. As I have now got rid of my two rotten sheds (and the contents) I’d like the storage box to keep a few gardening things in - trowels, pots, moss killer, the wheel the hose goes on, plant pots.

So today I have chucked out two broken kites and I’ve just washed 8 plastic orange cones (for playing football with) and a watering can that looks like a duck. Those will go to the charity shop when they’re dry. i am also going to donate some unused cricket bats and a cycle helmet I found. And I am probably going to get rid of my sat nav because I find my iPhone is better.

One bottle of conditioner finished up this afternoon (4 left). Total is 2054

One fake plant that has seen better days binned. Total is 2055

Wow you are doing really well with the beauty stuff @IndianSummer78. I have a big stash too, but it is mainly made up of stuff like masks, bath items, body and hand lotions, and then the stuff I really use like facial moisturisers or hyaluronic acid I'm always out of. Just spent money on a new serum and night cream too even though my drawers are full.

Actually I saw a friend on Saturday and she gave me a belated birthday present. It was so thoughtful but it was a lot of small things which I really don't need or even like! Things like bath salts - I have so many bath salts, bath oils, bubble bath etc and I really don't like baths! I get a bit stressed using them out. There were also socks - can't remember who said this earlier but I always get given socks too, and often they are "funny" ones with bright colours and patterns and all I really wear is black ankle ones or sports ones. I just have to learn to appreciate the gesture, but all the stuff that I don't know what to do with does make me a bit anxious. Gift-giving seems to be my friends' love language! I don't want to hurt people's feelings.

I have well and truly fallen off these threads due to life and illness . I last seem to have posted on the previous thread before Feb halfterm and do need to catch up reading properly as well . Everyone seems to have been very busy here so well done ! No active big decluttering projects done but looking through an area occasionally and constant maintenance in the meantime. DH did sell about 8 lenses ,a camera and a bag to a place he’s sold to before for a good amount so that was a win . He’s planning to sell 2 old drones to them too , I must remind him again once he’s better from his current illness . He also took 4 large storage boxes full of stuff I’ve been gathering since Christmas holidays when DS last took them . This warehouse drop off for a children’s charity is great since you can drive right in front of the door ,take a large amount every few months and they take it all always . We are lucky to have space to store the 4 large boxes to collect things in the attic room in between .
I’ve been sick a lot this spring on top of my existing health problems and struggling with just the everyday stuff . I spent half of our Feb halfterm trip in the hotel bed in pain while others were sightseeing ,and then I had to miss seeing my family at Easter .DH and kids travelled without me which was sad .first time ever they went to see my family abroad without me. Trying to get through seasonal jobs coming up in the house and to get some annual maintenance done in the next few months when we’re hopefully better . There’s several jobs nagging at me but more immediate things are taking precedence atm . I’m trying to get them down on paper and tick off as many little things as possible before even writing them down to reduce stress but my body is exhausted from now 3 w off illness already so can’t even think about anything extra atm .
Here’s what I’ve remembered to jot down that’s been leaving the house since mid Feb I’m sure some have been forgotten as well .

• 5 kitchen utensils
• 1 lone sock
• 2 DS small jackets
• a bunch of chopsticks
• 1 old moisturiser
• 1 old dog bed
• 10 books
• 27 pairs of old socks
• 1 old toilet brush
• 1 old dog medicine
• 1 expired dog travel first aid kit
• 3 unwanted dog treats
• 1 unwanted new dog toy

• 1 DD small apron

• 3 broken glasses

• 4 old pillows

• 1 old travel moisturiser
• 8 camera lenses
• 1 camera

• 1 old tennis ball

• 2 broken laundry bags
• 4 sheets of old name labels
• 1 DD broken swim cap
• 1 broken iPad
• 1 iPad cover

•23 old dog toys + 5 little balls • 15 DD small crop tops

• 2 old T-shirts

• broken remote control

• 1 old vacuum cleaner and extra parts

• 1 DD old school swimming costume

• 10 pairs of old pants

• 9 pairs of DD old school socks

• a bunch of school stationary
• 1 old school calendar
• 1 old sports skort

• DD stained long sleeved T-shirt

• 1 DD small ski coat (+ 1 earmarked to go after this spring )
• 2 DD small ski trousers
• 1 set of candles

•1 DD small hat • 1 old T-shirt

• 1 pair of tights
• a bunch of expired Covid tests
• 1 pair of DS broken ski trousers

• 3 pairs of DD old small trainers

• 5 old water bottles
• a few extra water bottle spouts / lids

• 3 sets of DD small thermals

• 5 packets of old freezer food
• Loose dog poo bags
• 1 packet of expired medicines

• 1 packet of dried up wipes

• 3 half used up toiletries

• 1 bed sheet with holes

• 1 old pyjama bottoms
• 1 toiletry sample

• 1 broken lamp

• 1 pair of DH old ski gloves
• 2 little unwanted Lego sets
• 1 DS old golf glove
• 1 broken pyjama top
• 1 unwanted makeup product

• 1 pair DD small walking shoes • 1 used up bath bomb

• 1 used up baking kit
• 2 used up science kits
• damaged ceramic hand soap bottle
• a bunch of DD remaining Christmas and Valentine’s Day treats now that she has got her Easter ones

I’m earmarking DD small golf clubs and the golf bag .
Also hopefully finally getting around to sifting through the box or two of old loose Lego to put it on Olio and will list the PS4 after changing our minds about it a few times since DD is getting the new PS5 for her birthday after DS said he’ll take his with him in the fall . The 2 drones earmarked as well .
Will try to keep at it and catch up
here in the meantime !

And need to count my total for the year …

204 above I think and earlier I had 512 on the previous thread so am at about 716 for the year so far which I’m happy with !

6 items of clothing sold on eBay this week plus a set of baby scales.
Also binned a coffee frother, a cat toy, camera case, broken kids toy and a Christmas card holder peg pack.

Total for year so far 631.

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid
3. drop off too small dance clothes to a friend
4. scout badges x 8 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
2 dresses to put on vinted
10 x kids books being collected today ✅
sit up exercise thing to be collected today
big cheap canvas I don’t want anymore to be collected today✅

@Nordicmom i had wondered where you were, sorry to hear you’ve been so ill. Hopefully over the worst of it now.

325+11=336

pigtails say thanks then donate them straight to charity. That's what I do with unwanted gifts. You've no obligation to keep the stuff around if you won't use it, regardless of who bought it. Even if someone comments eg asking if you enjoyed the bath salts or if the socks fit, just be honest and say you rarely take baths or haven't tried them yet because you only really wear black socks, then thank them again for their kindness in giving you a present. Hopefully they'll buy something else next time.

I'm making an effort to use up skincare things that aren't my regular things or my favourites, otherwise they'll potentially sit around forever.

Out today is one bobbled pair of joggers. Total is 2056