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

Two CDs binned and one glass storage bottle donated.
Total is 3439

Sorted out wardrobe and under bed etc today.

binned my 18th birthday cards. My username gives a clue to my age. I did not need these.

also managed to find 5 bags of rubbish (kitchen bin bags not black sacks) lurking about. And have reorganised stuff.

finished my book. So that’s in the charity bag. Which I’ve popped in the car. Will take it tomorrow.

I'm.doing another pass of my wardrobe today. So many lovely brands that just don't suit me. I might try the Fatface and Joules things on Vinted but only if I think I will get a decent price.

The rest I'm just feeling the pain and donating.

I guess I still a bit sad in thus process as it's a fair few wedding and special occasion dresses. I was going to Royal Ascot most years until recently ( getting dressed up and drinking mainly) but my dsis never suggests it any more. So I will go but possibly every other year. My son goes to a private SEN school so they do a posh speech day. But that's two occasions a year in reality to dress up. Everyone is married off or having small scale second marriages.

I know I can get a new swish dress when I do need it. Still I feel a bit sad. Getting dressed up for drinks with friends or family celebrations used to be a big part of my life but being honest not so much for ten years now.

Plus I need the room. Argh! Feel the pain and do it anyway I guess.

@IncessantNameChanger I need to do the same. Life has changed since the pandemic and also since cancer treatment. I do need to lose the chemo weight for longer-term health so some will escape a cull. A definite feel the pain and do it anyway.

I don’t need any more clothes - am probably good for years. Less shopping for clothes = more money for trips and, rather depressingly, I don’t want to be leaving all this for dh or kids to sort (eventually- I’m hoping to be around for a good while yet).

I've just spent a couple of hours decluttering in the garden! We have 3 bags of garden waste to go (will take ourselves as I refuse to pay the charge). It's not finished and we need to go through the plant pots.
Also to go, bag of textile recycling, some birthday/Christmas cards, dead batteries and assorted cables we have no idea what they're from!
DP dropped some soft plastics at the shop earlier.
I have made an effort to wear my summer clothes so they don't just sit in the wardrobe while I wear the same things. It's going well so far but the shorts haven't been worn due to pale legs. I could swear I had some of the moisturiser which gives you a slight tan but can't find it. Perhaps I used it up.

@Bimblesalong having chemo must really focus your mind on what you leave behind. It's was a realisation when my mum died and we cleared out the family home of 51 years. So much I wanted to keep my sibling Binned. Things mum had kept for 78 years Binned. Weird feeling to think about that being your own kis one day.

I tried on and have earmarked 10 more things to go. Had a pretty dress but decided my boob's are closer to my waist than the bust darts! If I need to think about the right underwear it can go when there's a better cross over fronted dress that keeps my saggy boob's looking OK.

In fact I look like a potatoe in most of them anyway. Trying to think what I'm going to wear for my sons next two speach days. He is in lower sixth and him and half his mates are desperate to be head boy. Very strange feeling as he was never chooses to do anything in mainstream. Now he's thinking about going for head boy and I'm not preparing for a cert crushing disappointed boy. It's great he has the confidence to go for it. Not sure his record is squeaky clean enough

It really does, @IncessantNameChanger Dad died during my treatment, which has also focussed my mind. My 81 y/o mum is doing well at clearing with help but there will be a whole houseful of memories if she decides to move or when the time comes (hopefully not for a long time).

What I want is to have a bedroom that’s not piled with stuff! - although some due to what I hope are reversible changes to size thru treatment.

Day 123 declutter - a small eye cream sample I got when I bought the normal-sized one. It lasted weeks!

Have been busy with work, running, family, etc. not been getting rid of much.

but have had our new garden corner sofa and parasol delivered and I assembled it today. Aching back now! But looks lovely.

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?
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 new date

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) GONE (approx 5)
some makeup Dd doesn’t want GONE (5)
some paint stuff Dd doesn’t want

Out:
557+10=567

Incessant I feel your pain with the dressy clothes. I used to love any excuse to get dressed up, but with lifestyle changes and fashion becoming more casual I have no opportunity any more. It makes me sad actually. All the primping for a night/day out and going out feeling my absolute best was such a confidence boost. The times spent with friends helped cement the relationships. Now everyone exists in a bubble and nothing happens except online. Makes life feel a bit flat tbh. I buy clothes now with the question: can I go to the supermarket in this? That's the current level of glam in my life!

One dress that's restrictive under the arms and cuts in, donated.
Total is 3440

Try to think it's all nessary and a chance to try new things, new sizes and styles and once you loose the weight which I'm sure you will, you might want to take on some of the new styles.

It's really hard when you weight fluctuates so I think you have to embrace it. It's pointless getting rid of things that don't fit if your about to loose it all again soon. Don't beat yourself about the clothes clutter.

Do the kitchen draw of tat instead I say.

Indiansummer me too. I still meet mates weekly from ds2u school, but we walk in the woods. My bestie we meet for coffee where as pre covid we would out on the town. Dh is increasing tierd so in bed by ten. I just sit in the car on the school run so no need to look nice. I used to chat at the school gates with the eldest two boys but ds13 has always got a taxi to school and dd goes to another school where no one stands at the gates. I do miss that. It's just surface level friendships at the scho gstes mostly but I don't know any of the mums like I did with my boys. I could do the school run in a bin bag. I also had a corporate job which was causal smart. I really morn my past life which is silly. I have people I care about and friends. Just different.

I do go sewing once a week with some wonderful ladies more my mums age. They are so glamours and beautiful so I love looking at what they wear being casual. They are also very trendy but in a refined way. I got the biggest compliment from them in my trainers, black leopard print leggings and a black sweater dress ( looking like a fat gym goer!). I'm normally in a fat face dress with my hands in the pockets. That made me realise I just feel comfortable with them so much. They'd still welcome me in my pjs.

Maybe we need to mix it up with a trip to Sainsbury's in our posh frocks?

Maybe we need to mix it up with a trip to Sainsbury's in our posh frocks?

I do, but there's a limit 🤣 it's a very very casual area here. Even some of my casual stuff is smarter/cutsie/a bit out there. I'm already an outlier. I agree it's a kind of mourning. I used to go to work in a suit. I didn't even own a tracksuit. On the plus side at least some companies are making nicer tracksuits than the basic ones these days.

This morning I've got rid of some sprouting bulbs and a small packet of dirt from under the sink, it's gone into a spare plantpot and moved outside. I've no idea what the bulbs are so that'll be a nice surprise.

Also ousted a garden spider that had found its way inside. After flicking it into the dregs of my flavoured water with a ruler, it floated on its back like an adept swimmer and made a swift recovery when I tipped it out onto the external windowsill. Cleaned itself up a bit then made a beeline for the dregs and had a long drink. Next it spun itself a kind of base web to save itself from plummeting to its death, before launching itself into the wind spooling out a line of web as it blew away to find a new home. I didn't see where it landed, but hopefully it'll be happier than dying of thirst in the corner of my living room.

Total is 3458, not including the spider 🕸️🕷️

Adding to the mourning of more formal styles… Suits, tailored shirts, nice shoes. I hear you about standing out in a casual area. I have a few things like circle skirts which I team with slightly retro styles t shirts and cardis in summer and can just about get away with that with a casual shoe, but it’s a real pity.

Good with decluttering the spider. I decluttered a tick off dd back last night. We had a epic house spider by the front door before which was truly huge. Much bigger than the palm of my hand. I went to sweep it out the door but I couldn't dislodge it from the wall. It was stronger than me. I did entomology as part of my degree so it was a monstrous size for a UK spider. Obviously far to happy in my house.

Day to day, I think i dress more formally than the average bear, but it's my style and I'm sticking with it! I don't have many going out out clothes though. Maybe a couple of dresses that are too fancy to wear in the daytime unless I was at a wedding or the races. I'm not getting rid of those though, they're pretty and suit me, which is no small thing! A couple of things I never wear is probably OK!

I finished sorting through my family photos last night and today we've had a day of decluttering the shed and a garden storage box. Also planted some sweetpea, wildflowers and other annual flowers seeds

Charity shop/given away locally:
1x photo frame, 1x scooter, 1x hula hoop, 1x paddling pool, 2x tennis racket, 5x bubble solution, 2x bucket, 1x fishing net, 1x foot pump, 12 pavement chalks, 1x planter, 3x piles of nursery pots, 1x pack small bamboo, 1x watering can, 1x slug pellets, 1x hose pipe and wheel, 3x decorative garden bits, 1 x Soil sieve, 2x pairs gardeing gloves, 4x garden chairs, 1x parasol, 1x garden fleece, 3x garden decor,1 x paint, 12x big bamboo canes

Bin / recycling :
15x blurry photos, 1x photo album, 21x cards, 1 box, 1x stone collection, 1x shell collection, 4x balls, 5x small bamboo, 13x storage bags, 1x slug tape, 1x broken lights, 2x empty paint tin, 1x bag of dead tulip bulbs, 2x paving slab stencils, 1x half sponge, 2x anti-pigeon nets, 1x lawn edging, 1x kreosote, 1x Bbq winter cover, 17x big bamboo canes

Vinted/sold locally:
1x tie, 9x plant pots

Used
6x seed packets I didn't know we had

Total: 1040

Organised a cleaner to call on Tuesday next week so went into overdrive on the spaces I want cleaned next week - scullery and kitchen. No point if the lady can't even see the surfaces. Fingers crossed it goes well and it can become a regular motivation to clear the clutter.

Binned - three old cleaning rags, two old dusters, old mop, old Jcloths, broken dog lead, old dog collar, paintbrushes, two huge bag filled with plastic bags, wrapping paper, gift bags, bubble wrap, lots of blue plastic bags from online shopping, two old raincoats, paint stained hoodie, 3 pairs of old runners (not mine), old medicines in a paper bag, pieces of tile that a tiler left under the scullery units 20 years ago, empty knife box, empty candle box, useless potato masher, useless plastic chopping board that slides everywhere and is dangerous, garden wire x 2, chicken antibiotics, old couch blanket, metal hangers, old plastic pet dish, plastic tub, unwanted toiletries posted to me this week. Black bin nearly full and two weeks till collection.

Moved to garage for later sorting - large Lidl bag of 4 different types of weed killer, car/mower oils, de-icer various types, brown paper bag with screws/bolts, foot spa, wooden pot rest, nearly empty white spirits, wooden magazine rack, laptop cables, garden boots.

Garden waste - huge pile of skinny branches broken down and put in brown bin number 1, then added leaves, weeds and tree seedlings removed from stones at front gate. Nettles snipped but not binned yet.

Charity bag - Next child's winter coat- just outgrown.

Cleared and cleaned two lower corner unit shelves, some items moved into upper shelves. Sorted the dog caddy and cleaning supplies caddy that sit on the counter. Hung garden shoes up in net bags so floor is clear. Still badly needs new cupboards and a new back door so my goal will be to empty it except for things in use daily and get it redone before May 2026.

Total: 30ish, not counting multiples so much higher amount in reality.

Used up a face powder. Still have so many! Total is 3459

I'd love to clear enough for a cleaner. Ds girlfriend is over from the states this summer so maybe before she gets here. Mind you his room is a pit.

Hello, looks like everyone is making good progress. Since Easter weekend progress has been slow for me. I have sold the odd thing on Vinted and I got rid of a large bag of shoes. But I still have a bag of clothes and shoes waiting for a seller. Im starting to feel overwhelmed at the sheer amount of stuff there still is to lose.

The problem as well is that I keep buying more things - mainly clothes. I guess it’s the change of seasons. I go into my office 4 days a week so there’s still a need for some smart clothes. I returned some then bought more! Then checked my summer wardrobe and found so much there too…Thinking I might need help in streamlining my wardrobe. I think some stylists offer their services. Has anyone tried something like this?

Padded envelopes binned, cardboard boxes and more clothes into recycling hoppers at our local mini recycling centre. Steam cleaner on its last legs outside for electrical waste collection. Made appointment at tip to dump a load of tree cuttings.

My decluttering had slowed down but yesterday DD (back from Uni) and I tackled the shoe and coat cupboard 😱
Which also includes a plastic set of drawers full of tat household essentials.

Got rid of so much stuff which I am so pleased about.

All the stuff you keep just in case or stuff that's given as presents or just given that you keep as you don't want to seem ungrateful.

I'm also trying to before mindful of what I have, I usually take cast offs no matter whether they suit me.
Recently replaced a black coat that I had after my DD didn't like it and brought more grown up coat.

Yesterday I got rid of 2 ponchos I'd been given that didn't quite go with anything but preserved with them for no reason.
Washed and donated them and went on to Vinted and purchased a black one that will go with everything- looking forward to it arriving 😊

DP has taken the stuff to the dump this morning. He did a bit of shredding of his own paperwork and also took a couple of empty pain tins alongside everything else.
It was my birthday last week and, aside from some gifts I had asked/hinted for, everything is stuff that will be used up/eaten.

Hi everyone,

My first ever mumsnet post was on this thread back in March - great to read all the updates!

There was a question about what happens when you give old unwanted shoes to schuh... they give you a £5 off voucher for each pair. I don't buy shoes from schuh myself, but I give the vouchers to DH and DSis who both do.

A couple of people have asked about Vinted tips. What works for me is photos taken in good natural light. At least 3 pictures of each item. Using hashtags. I 'bump' higher value items. I've also had joy with re-listing items that have't sold after a while and updating pictures if I think the current pictures don't quite do the item justice.

Since I last posted, I've sent two kids coats to younger cousins, I've binned 8 items of clothing which had holes/stains inc. one of my DC coats which had slime stuck in the pocket!

I've also had 26 Vinted sales which have been sent. A mixture of kids shoes and quite a few girls dresses which my DD had outgrown - making £130 approx.

I have four bags of clothes set aside for the charity shop, but won't include the items in my running total until they are out of the house.

Running total for 2025 - 112 items

W/E 04/05 (Week 18)
2025 – (550 + 170 = 720) = 1305 to go

5 weeks since I posted but I have been recording and have just gathered up my bits of paper to report my outs. DH has been bringing bits down from the loft which is useful.
As I mentioned in my previous post we have two small ins in the form of two rescue dogs, sweet young ladies who have needed a lot of attention to settle them in. They have decluttered numerous toilet roll inners, plant pots, and any bit of paper left in reach but so far have not managed to shred anything of importance

Digital
Photo folders x 12 (hundreds of duplicates removed but have counted the folders).
Second pass of phone contacts with a few cleared out, counting as one item.
Document folders x 12 ( ancient documents deleted and duplicates removed).
= 25

Stuff used up and not replaced
Wrapping paper x 7 sheets, packaging bags and boxes, x7, scented candle x 3 (not many left now), notebook x 1 = 18

Recycled/binned
Plant pots x 18, garden rubbish x 6 bags, 2 crates of bottles x 24 (DH was 'saving' for something), salad cream, nettle tea, cocoa (all out of date), batteries that don't fit anything we own x 7, large boxes from loft x 4, trainer socks that slip down x 5, broken spray bottle, flaxseed, gelatine, dried apricots = 71

Charity shop
Pleather jacket, bra tape (unopened), ladies boots, leather satchel, seeds x 5, soft toys x 27 (found in box in loft; probably being saved for DGD but she doesn't need them), carrier bags x 8 = 44

Vinted
Sales x 12 Plenty more yet to list.