Decluttering thread 10 - Spring is here, time to get those surfaces clear!

[TidyClutterIsStillClutter]

thread 9 is full, and I can’t find a new thread. Can anyone point me to thread 10?
tia

I haven’t seen the other thread, but we often judge our parents harshly when mostly everyone is trying their best, aren’t they?

Jobs:

1. Hang up framed pictures: this has now changed to critically go through the framed artwork as we’ve agreed we don’t actually want all of it? One picture added to tip pile
2. DS2 paperwork: blue badge started
3. my British passport application - Ceremony in May then passport application form
4. DS1’s gaming, PC, nerf collections to go through and tidy
5. Portfolio work - 2 hours done today - only 30 mins today
6. Bathroom redecoration: waiting for decorator to book a date Coming Monday & Tuesday Cancelled as he sprained his ankle, grr.

Not quite outs yet:
scooter hooks x 3 onto FB
Several jigsaws - planning to give to work for a library maybe
contacts M-Z
tip pile (old faded picture, old trampoline padding, can’t remember what else)
some makeup Dd doesn’t want
some paint stuff Dd doesn’t want

Out:
approx 15 paint and makeup bits for the bin from DD
542+15=557

It was a “my mum’s a hoarder” thread but the poster was so judgmental. She hasn’t noticed it until recently so it certainly wasn’t that extreme. And if someone wants to keep old towels, or a desk in the shed, it’s hardly the crime of the century.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5318669-i-think-my-mum-is-hoarding-what-do-i-do?page=2&reply=143717719

Eeeps! Who died and made her the clutter police? That's not a comfortable read at all

Have been reading the posts, and it looks like everyone is doing so well.

i have 🤔 for so long about old clothes (why - I don’t even know), but I managed to get things sorted, with about 3 black bags (full to the max) for charity. I want to start trying to sell things I need to get rid, but when the pile was sky high I just didn’t know how; with fewer items it feels more manageable.

I’ve cleared the shoes, cleared the study room, need to get to the kitchen eventually.

The house feels spacious and I feel like I can relax a little more.

That sounds fine to me @IncessantNameChanger. Always good to have more clothes in the summer than colder months because of the longer holidays. Sounds like you have a lot to get rid of though!

My DD (8) has a lot of clothes because she gets hand me downs from an older cousin who always has lots. Also because DD doesn’t let go of smaller clothes that easily. She was trying to convince me that a 4-5 year old dress I was putting on Vinted still fits her earlier .

So today was good to put a few more other things on Vinted. To be honest, I feel it would be better if I just gave the lot to charity - at least I’d get them out of the house and it’s a win for the charity too. Before I’ve got a bag from Oxfam which I filled up and sent back to them. Was really quick and easy, so I think I’ll order another and do that again.

Tidyclutterisstillclutter I saw that thread. I think the main issue that had prompted the hiring of the skip by OP was that she'd thought she was invited for a relaxing Easter weekend whilst she was going through a rough time herself. Then when she got there she was expected to pack up this hoarded house ready for a house move. I suspect if her DM had just asked for packing help in the first place the OP would have declined and stayed home. She's angry because she was got there under false pretences. If you don't try to get some unsuspecting person to pack up your hoard then hopefully you'll never find yourself in the same situation .

One worn out hair bobble binned
One crib hanging storage thingy donated

Total is 3381

@MrsBird03 I had several cuppas, some hobnobs, and gradually got myself back on track 😀

@Realfastfoodie it was the bullying aspect that disturbed me most. I often realise that my own adult kids might think the same way about me and just be too polite to say so.

Anyway, thanks people for getting me out of this slump. The recycling trolley with all the jotters and several more jamjars is at the pavement for collection this morning.

Brilliant, don't forget that those hobnobs count as decluttering 🥰 the fact that you are running these threads shows the progress and support you are giving to others :)

Agree @TidyClutterIsStillClutter, it felt like bullying. Actually some of the things being kept reminded me of my own parents, but I hope I’m a lot kinder than this.

I didn’t read the thread, but it’s reminded me of my mum. I’m in my 40s but my mum kept a toy sewing machine I got when I was around 6/7. She gave it to me recently, and even though I try to be ruthless when it comes to toys and games, I can’t get rid of that. I just think about how nicely my mum has kept it all these years.
I have a sibling who is minimalist, and once old enough was the one that would get the ball rolling for clear outs. Now my parents house is quite ‘empty’, and parents enjoy getting rid of stuff (or passing it on to whomever it belongs to- like the sewing machine 😂).

Saturday evening I drove to 3 supermarkets with the hope of getting rid of clothes at the clothes banks, but they were all overflowing. So I left all the bags in the car, because bringing them back in the house would mean putting everything back. This morning, I had a moment of, let’s just put it all back 🫤 but I’ve done charity shop drop off 😮‍💨

I’ve also received a bag through the door, usually I’m too busy thinking about it and the collection day comes and goes, but I’m motivated to keep going this time.

Two Ottomans worth of stuff out of the house..it’s lovely to have space 😂

it’s going to take time to get rid of all the dc clothes (one is 9 and other 14); sometimes I’m shocked with how I’ve managed to keep it stored 😂 there are 2 bags full of baby gros (that will be the hard one ☹️)

SIL suggested keeping a memory box and just keep one of each, that way I’ve still got something.

Two skirts
One dress
One top

All too small so donated
Total is 3385

Bin: dried up pen, dried up nail varnish
Vinted: trousers, badges, 2 dress, coat, skirt

Total: 553

Threw away

9 toiletry items
3 hair claws
18 hair scrunchies

and I put a load of stuff on vinted and have sold (and posted)

2 skirts
1 top
1 tshirt

It’s not much but it’s a start

DVD
Leaflet
Scratchy jumper

Total is 3388

60 bits of tupperware today. That was a category on my list. Ds was saying lots of things in the kitchen have a fine layer of grease and then dust stuck to it. As per usual when you pull out a section you reveal some noticed grime so rather than see some new space all I can think is everything could do with a wipe over / spin in the dishwasher!

I moved a box of wrinkly potatoes then found three half used dishes salts. So I went to use them up and noticed the dishwasher was slimey- so each good job revealed a hundred new jobs. I did also throw out the potatoe box without cleaning it out.

I'm back on it now I think. I am still way behind but I'm going to catch up. My main focus is the kitchen and my clothes this week. Dd is now on her winter thin out which also is going well.

I'm behind again BUT I have decluttered one item a day. I just have to try and remember what they were now 😁

Day 112 - a pretty glass jar I was keeping but have no need for
days 113 and 114 - 2 kids dress-up outfits that no longer fit DC and who is far less into dressing up now anyway
day 115 (today) - a shower caddy thing that you hang over your bath. We have no need for it since we redid the bathroom 2 years ago but I kept holding onto it thinking we could use it for something else!

Next week I'll start on DC summer clothes and some other random summer stuff.

I'm deliberating over a load of boxes I've kept in the shed for online sales but now eBay is such a shit show, might give them away on ND or freecycle. There's usually people asking for these lately for moving etc. Is Vinted any good for clothes like Karen Millen? If not, charidee shop trip along with dds recent bag of old clothes. Recycled a huge garden bag of old yellowing books, magazines and other random pamphlets and bulletins. The whoomp into the recycling bins was very satisfying. 😊

2 puzzles given to a friend. Even though we will buy more I will still count them.

In awe of all your amazing work. We aren’t making progress….

5 more mini beauty products used up

i wore a skirt in London this week that didn’t feel right. Too clingy. So she’s come home, is in the wash and will be donated when she’s dry.

im home from London for good (there for radiotherapy) on 1 may. On 2 may I am ready to try everything on in my wardrobe, and do a proper declutter

I’m back at work on 19 may (from home initially) but on 8may am going off to Manchester with my sis for the weekend. Planning some shopping. So it’d be nice to work out if I need anything.

One bathroom storage caddy
Total is 3389

Three bags ready to go to the charity shop.

should have made a trip to the tip with garage and garden rubbish but ran out of steam but it’s all ready and easy to load into the car for one day next week.

edit. Plus binned lots of rubbish from the bathroom cabinet

It’s been such a busy couple of months with work and holidays so I’ve fallen off the de-cluttering wagon. I have been selling things on Vinted so a count up of those:

Sold 45 items on Vinted

Plus, I’ve given away

10 books
2 pairs of shoes
a kids coat

total this year = 455

Everyone’s going so well and reading your posts is great inspiration for me

In last few days I’ve

thrown away - 6 toiletries, 2 hair scrunchies, a tape measure, a pair of tweezers and a perfume sample

sold 2 things on vinted

I’m saving my Vinted money in a separate account. I have very bad eyesight and could do with a larger tv and I’ve seen one that would be ideal for £240. Since I’ve started doing vinted on the 10th April I’ve made £58.10 (12 items) so I’m nearly 1/4 of the way there!

Life is quite hectic at the moment so still not getting time to do a major declutter but I am chipping away at an item a day and using things up.
I found a not quite finished, lockdown sewing project yesterday. I don't generally do sewing so binned it.
DP binned some waterproofs he was keeping but they were knackered and filthy so out they went.
I have a few bits all sorted for the dump but feel like I need a bit more to make it worthwhile.

Popping in from lurking. We’ve had a new carpet in the front room so are going through 25 years’ worth of stuff. Managed about 4 large boxes of sheet music, books and cds so far. More to go.

we are gradually going through the kitchen cupboards ahead of a kitchen refit later this year.

A second phase on both sort outs will further help the slimming down.