Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Any advice- too much stuff causing partner stress

4 replies

Toomuchstufff · 21/10/2024 12:03

I’ve realised that the amount of things I own is causing other members of the household to feel there is no space for them to live a more minimalist lifestyle. Partner is understanding but gradually losing patience. (Their part in this is not for discussion now)

I need to do something about “it” (being my too much stuff and how I am incapable of dealing with it) but feel very overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. It’s not a new issue but one that periodically raises it head.

In part this is because I’m quite messy and cant find things if they’re not where I last left them and we have a big argument about the tidiness.

But I also can’t bear throwing things away if they might be useful, or sending things to landfill, and also can’t bear the idea of having to buy again, although logically I know it costs way more to keep things. but there isn’t oodles of spare rooms for me to do this.

I also have received gradually from my parents basically the whole contents of my childhood room. Books, toys etc. some of it my kids have loved seeing but they are also not interested in all my old books. I’ve got rid of boxes and boxes of my old “art” for example. But still, there’s lots of stuff.

i have a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. And boxes for out of season clothes. But there is just so much “stuff” and I have no idea how to reduce it. I sell outgrown and un worn things on Vinted. I donate to charity. I pass on kids clothes. I have stopped buying new. I am trying to be very mindful about what comes in (as little as possible) and in buying unneeded presents.

and yet, it’s still a massive problem. Where do I start?

OP posts:
Pootles34 · 21/10/2024 12:10

Sounds like your partner will be on side - can you work with them on this? You will have to be very strict that you won't get cross with each other though!

Set a timer for 30 minutes at a time to go through the worst bit, then go into town to drop it at the charity shop. Nice coffee together after as a reward! That's how I incentivie myself anyway - just don't buy anything!

Chocolateteabag · 30/10/2024 06:42

I have to work on this myself as I have the same problem OP
Compounded now by a close family bereavement which I need to manage (executor) and I have all their stuff to sort out (emotional ties to things meaning it's hard to just bin or charity/Vinted it all)

So I am going to try putting in a set time a day to do a 15 min sort into a bag

I will ask a friend in a few weeks to come and give me a couple of hours of "tough love" to get a bigger chunk done (with cake as a reward)

Can't ask DH as he is as bad at hording as I am!

EllieQ · 30/10/2024 09:34

There’s a decluttering support thread that you might find useful @Toomuchstufff - a lot of us feel overwhelmed with stuff, and struggle to let go of things

. Decluttering thread

We’re all very friendly if you want to join us!

All I Want for Christmas is a tidy house - Decluttering thread 9 | Mumsnet

New thread! Hope you all find this! It's not letting me tag people..

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/5196379-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-tidy-house-decluttering-thread-9

BlueSummerBaby · 31/10/2024 20:30

There's a hoarders anonymous thread too if you're struggling to let go of items.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page