Decluttering thread 11

[TidyClutterIsStillClutter]

Whether you’re taking days or decades, whether you’re glacially slow or galloping along, please come here for inspiration, encouragement, and congratulations.

Not a declutter exactly. Cleared the high shelf of a wardrobe and put things where they belong. Mostly toiletries which will get used up.

Also found a lovely duvet with cover and matching pillowcase for myself.

Made enough space to accommodate outgrown soft toys and other keepsakes for future declutter. And camping stuff is off the floor.

Used up a hair mask. Didn't like it so I'm glad it's done with! Total is 3836.

I'm feeling the same way about the year passing pigtails.

That's worrying you've got rid of almost 1000 just maintenance decluttering LR47 😵 I'm thinking I need to raise my game if I want to see big improvements in space.

This is a good thread bunny lover. If you lose us when the new thread starts, look for us in Housekeeping forum. Often the new one is linked at the end though.

I need that to happen to me realfastfoodie at the moment I'm still very much wanting the Stuff and the space, which I obviously can't have both.

I'm getting the urge to do that thing where you empty the room then put back just the things you are realistically able to keep, but I can't. The only place to put the stuff from the room would be the garden! And I know I just can't get rid of that much stuff in one go, so then I'd have piles of stuff slowly getting trashed in the garden 🤦. I'm going to have to stick with slow and steady.

sold an item on Vinted
gave a huge items of kids’ clothing to a friend

total outs: 929

Sorted through three cupboards at work. Made a pile of resources to be distributed among colleagues as there were unopened packets in my room. Tidied the remaining items into a logical order and binned anything empty or not needed. Many items were left by colleagues who were previously in my room.

Out:
4 empty paint bottles
1 basket of chopped up wool
15 sheets of damaged paper - recycled
Pot of glue spilt and set in a plastic bag
Bag of cereal box cardboard 15
Toilet roll tubes 8
Pop up tent cover 1
Broken paintbrushes 8
Empty clock box
Empty voice amplifier box
Used pens 5
Three batteries recycled
Bundle of safety pins
Loose staples in small sections
Used plastic cups 6
Broken scissors
Broken peg
Dried out glue stick
Broken plastic basket

Redistributed:
15 red pens
2 packs of A2 paper
3 packs of black sugar paper
1 pack of coloured sugar paper
2 bottles of platform glue
3 packs of charcoal
3 packs of crayons
1 huge tub of crayons

Took on with doing that clear out because I couldn't find something I put away safely last June. Still haven't found it and wondering if it's been lost or moved by a colleague. After more than ten years I have gathered an enormous amount of stuff and I want to reduce it to essentials this year so moving or leaving wouldn't be a massive undertaking and the bonus is being able to find things when I need them. Downsize and streamline is the goal.

Yesterday I had a bit of a clear-out — sorted through my bedside cabinet and tackled about a quarter of my bedroom sideboard (which has basically become a dumping ground 🙈).

I’ve come across some books that a friend lent me over a year ago. The problem is, they’re really not my cup of tea. I’ve tried picking them up a couple of times but I just can’t get into that genre and I know I won’t enjoy reading them.

Now I’m torn — should I just hand them back unread and be honest, or should I force myself to slog through them out of politeness?

So we are doing a version of that “putting things back only if needed” because we had some redecoration work. Some rooms are working better than others!

4 lots of bedding listed for free collection. 1 toy and 5 bits of assorted kitchen detritus (you know those bits that collect in your drawer, bottle openers etc?) just put straight in the bin.

Used up a shampoo a conditioner a moisturiser and a perfume. Binned a razor.

today I’m taking some stuff to charity shop and then going to return some of the kids school uniform

Well done! I’m feeling very pleased with my recent charity shop runs! Hundreds out overall.

two shirts out a few books a holiday souvenir haven't updated precise items for a while but year total is 198 now ( got rid of 2023 items in 2023 so not so much to do now )think target for year is going to be 250 then it will be maintenance or start on DH's stuff ( only half joking!)

I finally decluttered five cheque books by asking my bank branch to dispose of them. I got married in 2018 so they were in my maiden name 🙈.

I decluttered one for the same reason this year @declutteringonedayatatime

It's our 20th anniversary soon

Well done on getting it done! It is annoying when it is something we should have done ages ago and it was completed in mere seconds.

I can't help with the question but am posting in solidarity. I have a zip up plastic bag with 7 books, belonging to a friend, in my living room which I've had for four years and they even moved house with me.

I tried to read them and have mentioned returning them but haven't gotten around to it and haven't had an enthusiastic response about giving them back just a 'you might get around to reading them'.

@BunnyLover7 Im getting angry on your behalf! My family used to be terrible at leaving clutter around but now that I have decluttered they admit they prefer the house now (although their bedrooms aren’t very tidy). I’d be tempted to put your daughter and husbands stuff in bin bags, and put in her room and his study. Things like having a clear landing and space in the house really benefit my mental health.

i emptied the cupboard under the stairs probably for the first time since before summer. Outs are

• scruffy trainers
• scruffy sandals
• old school shoes
• dd2s school swimming kit
• a single glove bought for climbing - dc have given this up

i brought my sandals up to my bedroom. Im unhappy that summer’s over!

DH has put the stuff in the loft now so that’s good. There’s a pile of pillows still in our room, most to be chucked & 3 to go in the Salvation Army collection bin. If DD refuses to tell me what to do with the bits I need her to look at, they will be binned!

Binned two large willow baskets that had become woodwormy.

Bagged a few bits of uniform outgrown since the end of last term for donation.

It’s fine to give them back and say, ‘I tried but I couldn’t get into them. Maybe if I were on a deserted beach somewhere but that’s unlikely to happen 😂’

Gave away a t shirt
sold an item on Vinted

total outs for this year 931

This thread & the decluttering is so cathartic! Another good couple of days. I tidied out the shoe basket & got rid of half a dozen pairs, either binning or to charity ( went to the Air Ambulance shop earlier as I also had clothes & some board games to donate). Oh & a giant hula hoop which I forgot about & left in the boot! Just tidied out the top drawer of my bedside cabinet & may do the 2nd. Added to the pile of clothes to photograph. I requested a refund on 2 wireless bras which, although very comfy, kept riding up. Not only are the company for some reason refunding me more than I actually paid, they have told me I can keep the items! Result! We have 10 fabric storage cubes in the lounge & I will clear out a few of them while watching tv later.

1 bag of clothes and 1 bag of rags to recycling. Loads of old broken kitchen stuff to recycling - pans, lids etc. maybe about 3 more bags’ worth? I toy Freecycled on Facebook. Feeling happy ☺️ 5 fewer bags to move next month!

Tomorrow I promise to list the Duplo and unwanted gift china figurines 😬🙈 that I have been avoiding.

Well done @UncertainPerson that sounds like a lot! I am also finding this thread very helpful @BunnyLover7- trying to stay focussed is everything! And posting for accountability and feeling that progress definitely helps me

I was about to say that I have no new outs today but I think that’s because I’m almost forgetting to count all the little bits. 1 Spider-Man toy and at least 5 little bits of rubbish (ribbon, broken things etc) for the bin. And my pile for the babybank is nearly 150 items and it’s very cathartic!

One dress with sleeves that keep riding up. Total is 3837

yesterday, Day 248, a hoodie of DH's with sleeves that are too short; and today, day 249, a dress I have had on sale on Vinted for ages that hasn't sold - into the charity shop bag. I'm planning on finding one more thing tomorrow and then dropping it off next week to the local charity shop.

A large bundle of stuff sold on eBay, will post off tomorrow. More things to list. Have a potential taker on freecycle for an old plastic shed, hopefully it goes.