Is anyone just starting to declutter? Or hasn't yet.

[LushLemonTart]

I know there's lots of decluttering threads but I'm just starting (again) but this time I mean business.
What's inspired you to declutter now? Mine is clearing out an elderly relative's home and realising I don't want dcs to ever have that much stuff to clear. Plus it's quite depressing having too much stuff.
Dh and I travel a lot,mainly uk, and you realise you need very little to get on in life.

I'm not going minimalist although can see the appeal.

Care to join? I won't be counting items but I will list as much as possible. I should really try and sell some stuff but cba.

I've stalled!
I want to whittle my clothes down more but it's hard to decide what needs to go.
Everything that doesn't fit is out. Nothing is tatty. I don't have a lifestyle that suits a capsule/ few key pieces wardrobe.

Something I'm not looking forward to is going through old photos. My children aren't interested in b&w pics of my family. Seems such a shame to bin them.

@LushLemonTart my council take away old electronics if you leave them out on recycling day, but I have no idea how to remove a hard drive though 😳
I've got 2 laptops to go. And a bunch of old phones.

Both too tired and too busy but you're right, any progress is progress!

@CherryogDog do you have masses of clothes? If not maybe vacuum pack winter ones? I've been ruthless with mine.

With the laptop you flip it over and unscrew the smallest compartment. Mine was top right. Then the hard drive comes out easily. I smacked it with a hammer a few times. I did this outside.

@CherryogDog my DH recently went through all the old photos and digitalized them. He had a great app on his phone. You can then get rid of the old pictures, by save them without taking up space and label where possible. Ours now pop up randomly on our digital photo frame and I plan to print out a photo book with picture of they key people and any information I have on them. Far more useful and interesting to the next generation that 'just' old pictures that nobody can remember who they were.

@LushLemonTart I have masses of clothes, yes, I don't separate winter and summer, partly because the weather's so changeable, and because if I stored things out of sight I'd forget what I have and probably go and buy more.
Despite saying I wasn't going to buy any more clothes I bought a lovely dress yesterday in a charity shop. I redeemed myself by putting three dresses in the charity bag when I got home though.
And thanks for the info about the laptops!
@Hoolahoophop great idea re the photos.
My spare room.transformation is temporarily on hold, my DP (We don't share a bedroom because of his snoring) wants to try out the spare bed. It's in almost new condition unlike his ancient thing. If he likes it then we'll gut his room before moving the bed in.

Well that's a start @CherryogDog .

We got rid of some old clippers today.

I took my 4 bags of clothes over to the Sally Army bin in the co-op car park across the road, did a bit of shopping. Got home and thought my car had been stolen. I'd left it by the charity bin 🥵
I started the day with motivation and good intentions, but I bumped into two (separate times) friends who had problems. By the time I got home I was mentally drained and hungry, once I'd eaten it was game over.
I've started a new charity bag, but when I saw the news about the budget I regretted not selling my clothes 😏but clearing space feels good.
I think I need one of those people who sort your wardrobe for you, as in creating a system where I can see what I've got, I can access it all without pulling everything else out.
I bought those cloth drawer dividers with the pockets, they work fine for my light jumpers because I can see which is which, but not so much for my leggings which blend into a dark mass.
How's everyone else doing?

Wow @CherryogDog that's amazing. It's hard work selling but if you have the time might be worthwhile?
It is best to get everything out and see exactly what you have. I have a lot less now. I need to get rid of some walking clothes as have too many.

I've got a ton of riding clothes, rugs and stuff that I'm going to sell.
Started a new charity bag.
Vacuum packed a couple of duvets.
Sold my spare bed on ebay.
My bedroom's still in chaos 😅
I'm really looking forward to getting my study/music room sorted. Then I can start the rest of the house.

You're putting me to shame 🤣 Sounds exhausting. But the relief must be good.

@LushLemonTart I've been on an exhausting declutter/clutter cycle for years.
I really want this to be the last time!
About 2 years ago I filled 14 charity bags of clothes. I thought I'd cracked it, kept smiling at my empty coat hangers like a total weirdo 😁
I also lay on the floor crying at my collection of towels ffs.
I've whittled down to about 20 various sizes, still too many.

No decluttering for me today. My DP has arrived home with packs of laminate flooring for my study, lovely surprise!

Good luck on your new flooring @CherryogDog .
I've been to work and out tonight. I should get some more done at the weekend? Am off from Friday teatime until the 12th.

Had a bit of a break from it the last week as we have been doing some other DIY jobs. But need to get back on it. Our declutter has been forced into prominence due to a house move. New house definitely has a LOT less storage than the current one and is smaller overall. So still have a long way to go if we want to fit it in and not feel like we are living in a nest. New house does have a glorious view and larger garden though. So plenty of compensation for the lack of built in storage cupboards and a massive loft!

@Hoolahoophop good luck. Moving is a great incentive. It sounds lovely.

I hope you don't mind me joining this thread.
I am desperately in need of decluttering.
I've read the thread in full on Monday.
Started with my jewellery box. There were some rings in that won't be worn again too small and old fashioned for daughter or granddaughters.
Took this morning to the local jewelers and they bought for just over £200.
Now to start on the drawers below.
I've never used eBay or vinted before so over the weekend I'm going to open an account and list a couple of coats that I haven't worn since I was a size 10. (Don't ask how long ago it was)

Welcome @Nextdoortomeis and good luck. Good news about the jewellery. I hope the rest of your selling goes well.

I gave a box of crystals away today. Not a big declutter but anything gone is good.

@LushLemonTart thank you for the welcome.
6 drawers of rubbish disposed off.
Including 17 poppies, don't know how many pairs of old tights and a few empty boxes.
Can I do it again tomorrow 😫

Yes you can do it @Nextdoortomeis

I'll do some tomorrow too.

Some minor progress.

I still had the big pile of clothes from my DC’s wardrobe clearout in my workspace. They hung around in my eye-line annoying me for ten days but on Thursday I managed to move them on by quickly sorting into ‘sell’ and ‘donate’.

The ‘donate’ pile: I bought a postage label and sent them to my local baby bank. Not so baby really, as they take clothes up to 18 and often really value clothes in the older age ranges, as obviously they tend to get fewer of them donated. The ‘sell’ pile is destined for Ebay and I managed to get them hung up on hangers behind the door, so the space at least looks better.

So that’s progress of sorts!

I received £20 from the NCT sale which is slightly better than I was expecting but definitely not worth my efforts that day. 😂However it is certainly worth it to send stuff to new homes!

Day 2.
Ebay and vinted accounts set with help from teenage granddaughters. 2 coats and 2 pairs of sandals listed.
Plus 2 of the 4 under bed drawers cleared.
Had to halt to look through photos found.
Note to self put photos in a pile and sort when watching TV later or I'll not get the other 2 finished never mind 2 more chest of drawers and 2 double wardrobes. That's just our bedroom.
Been in our home for over 25 years so lots of clutter to get out.

Well done you two.

Nothing here. Woke up feeling crappy. Something is doing the rounds.

Back to it Monday or maybe tomorrow?

No decluttering this weekend for me as we were playing at our new house.

Back on it this week as playing at the new house makes me want to start living there, and I cant do that until I cull enough stuff to fit!

Will try to finish the living room today, then its kitchen and utility left. Oh and now the summer clothes our out again....I need to do the kids bedrooms as they are looking a bit unloved in their under sized shorts and dresses 😂

@Hoolahoophop hope you have a successful day. I'm at it too today. Dh and I are both off so can tackle it together.

On impulse I listed an item of sports clothing on Ebay yesterday, figuring that it might catch people who are going away for the second week of Easter. I was pleased to see that it sold instantly, so that’s one item down! Now to get it posted.