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.

Morning fellow declutterers! This is rapidly becoming one of my favourite threads. Today I’m not working so can hopefully get stuck into a few things I have been putting off, including clearing out the bathroom cupboard. Poor DH has virtually no space for his shower gel, shaving foam etc as DD16 & I have filled it with numerous bottles! I need to buy adhesive stickers for the 2nd necklace holder as it didn’t come with any but has screws instead. Still no idea where to put the teddies that used to sit on my chest of drawers but I can’t “ bear” to part with them 🤣 Sorry! I may clear out the bottom of the wardrobe as it’s a complete jumble atm. And wondering if it’s a little early to advertise Christmas party clothes, glittery shoes etc? What do you guys think?

In the last 2 days I've done a serious spring cleaning clothing in my half of the bedroom. I usually chuck anything I haven't worn in a couple of years but I've been slack and wardrobe and dressing table drawers were full. I had a new dressing table delivered this week and finally got on with it. I've filled 5 big bags for the council charity clothing bin (most items either new or barely worn) and will be tackling the kitchen next week.

My wardrobe looks half empty, there are empty drawers in my dresser, and feel happy with a sense of accomplishment. I'm the opposite of a hoarder but the older I get (I'm 65) it gets more difficult to do what I always did easily. I just don't have the same level of energy anymore.

So yeah, I'm happy.

Doing a charity shop run as the carrier bags are starting to take over the hallway.

I’ve thrown out a maths book from dd1 year 2 and her year 2 planner (ie 11 years old!). The top of the room of doom wardrobe was clear for the first time since I’ve lived in this house. I have a few empty clear boxes that I’m going to put up there.

Bottom of wardrobe done! More bits for the charity shop, including a silver shoulder bag, and found some handbags to advertise a bit nearer Christmas including one that matches a pair of high heeled sandals. Also found a Batman fancy dress outfit only worn once so will advertise that for NYE

@BunnyLover7 I've got a few Christmas jumpers that I'm thinking about putting on Vinted, but also not sure if it's too early. I might try with the cheap kids ones first and if they go more or less quickly I'll put my ones up which might fetch a bit more. I also have a couple of kids coats which I was about to list but noticed some staining, so need to wash them and see if it comes off - I'll list them if it does and recycle if not.

Good shout on NYE fancy dress outfits - I have an unworn flapper dress with headband that I bought for a friend's hen do, but couldn't go because I got Covid the day before That should be worth a few quid.

Coats next! Our coat hooks are bowing under the weight & I don’t wear at least two thirds of mine! I have a couple of Joe Brown long winter coats, one of which has never been worn. It doesn’t really get cold enough in Cornwall.

Turned out I only have one Joe Brown coat! Why do winter coats have such massive hoods?! I have a biggish head & it swamps me!!

W/E 14/09 (Week 37)
2025 – (1552 + 18 = 1570) = 455 to go

Not a very productive week last week.

Digital
0

Stuff used up and not replaced
Lip cream x 1, notebook x 1 = 2

Recycled/binned
Garden rubbish bags x 3, bras x 2, out of date sweets x 4, pens x 3= 12

Charity shop
0 but new bag almost full.

Vinted
4

Sorted through storage in work again this week.
Threw out used copies 3, posters no longer needed 8, an empty cardboard box, 40 laminated spelling sheets, wasted markers, messy ziplock bag, damaged pegs and recycled paper.

I put any spare photocopies I found into an expanding file to be used up throughout the year and unused copy pages to serve as doodle paper.

Brought 14 books and annuals to work to donate or use in the library which has reduced the stock pile in the upstairs hall that was cleared from my youngest bedroom. Unfortunately his walk in closet is still brimming with books and toys but that will have to wait till next year.

Continuing to try and clear as I go and not stockpile stuff to be sorted at a later time.

One full bin bag to Anglo doorstep collection 24 items of kids clothing

One half bag to rags 52 items mostly kids underwear

I could do that much again really. I will start two new bags. I do need to be brave and get rid of my going out dressy things as I have been out anywhere to even wear a nice top and jeans I over two years now. Even if I went out to the pub with dh I still wear a casual dress I wear in the day or jeans and a nice top. Tried to sell some things on Vinted but I the only things that sell are top brands like Boden joukes etc for me.

Coat sold within minutes of advertising it! And I may have sold an amber ring too. Yet more added to the charity shop bags (didn’t get round to donating today but will probably go in the morning). DD & I talked about having a tabletop sale so I might put some of the charity shop donations aside for that. Just looking at our mini table football & wondering whether to get rid as it’s never used.

outs include dd1s year 2 homework folder and spelling book. I also shredded everything that needed to be shredded.

Can I throw out DD16?! She really is the most frustrating kid!

We needed some plumbing work done in the bathroom, which meant emptying the bathroom cupboard. Seemed like a good opportunity to go through its contents. Now each of us has their own storage box for their own shampoo, bodywash, toothbrush, toothpaste etc which lives in the cupboard and theoretically nothing will be left out on the sides because it all has a nice home. It's a organisational thing of beauty

Charity shop: iron
Bin / recycling: tatty towel, 28x items of bathroom crap inc 4 empty toothpastes and 8 hotel miniatures from at least 10 years ago, shrunken bedsheet

Total 1598

Thank you - you’ve reminded me to do the bathroom cupboard & cabinet. Oh & sort out the towels as most of them are either stiff, covered in DD’s hairdye or both!

I have filled another bin bag for Anglo collection. This time some of it is dhs but it's jeans 4 inches to small and he has only ever gained weight in his adult life. They will never fit him again. Some levis I bought him in New York over 13 years ago! I have no idea why he still has them? But he won't notice.

I don't like it and it's painful but I'm going to do my going out clothes next. I only dress up and go out with the girls once a year now for my BF birthdays. Keep on trying to rekindle some kind of socail life with dh but as soon as he hit 45 he turned into a old man who needs his bed at ten. On the rare occasions he does go out, stay out late and have fun it's a work do I'm not invited too. Looking at those clothes makes me sad. I'm more likely to grab a pizza and film with the girls then hit a bar. That part of my life is over. I'm.getting old and there's no going back. By the time our youngest leaves home I will be nearer 60! So I doubt me and dh will ever go out to town drinking again either.

This is why I hate decluttering. It's too much of saying "this wonderful time in your life is over now"

I’m sorry @IncessantNameChanger I’ve had that too to some extent, my life has definiitely slowed down since exh left and dd2 has poor mental health. Could you try to go out with friends more? I think your clothes will start to get dated (not that I know anything about fashion) so it is good to give someone else the opportunity to wear them first. And you can always change your wardrobe to make your daily wardrobe a bit more special. Last year I bought a cardigan with a sparkly sort of thread that can be worn out but isn’t so much that I can’t just wear it around the house.

Room of doom tidying - four schoolbooks out. Also six books to go into the charity donations bag.

Toiletries - I realised at the start of the month I .have three toiletry sets from Christmas / Mother’s Day. I’ve now used one and my aim is to use the other two before I get more at Christmas.

Im going to set a timer for 30 minutes to tackle my email inbox now as its out of control.

Forgot to say that I was ruthless yesterday & got rid of some ornaments from the kitchen cabinet. There are some half burned scented candles which have been in there for ages so I will rescue one to put on the lounge windowsill. I may tidy out the cabinet cupboards & drawers as they are all rammed. One cupboard you can’t fully open as our medicine cabinet is on the floor blocking the door. That needs a clear out as well. You can’t really see the contents properly because it’s down low. Might ask DH if we can find a place to put it higher up.

@BunnyLover7 I went through my medicine cabinet a few years ago and wrote the expiry date of every item with a sharpie. In fact I keep a sharpie in a drawer and write expiry dates on lots of items when I unpack the shopping. Now when I get a medicine item out it takes me about a minute to look at the use by date of every item in the cupboard and I declutter every time. You might want to do that to make your future life easier.

Aw I feel the same. Maybe we need to organise a declutterers' cocktail night and we can ALL wear our nicest dresses?

I've dropped off for first time in years because I've found it really hard to get back into a weekly rhythm after summer hols. We had a lovely summer, I had extra time off, and September has felt really overwhelming in comparison. I can't be bothered to clean though I do keep stuff tidy-ish. My plan is to put a movie on for DC in a bit and clean/organise/declutter for a hour and a half. I just seem yo be glued to the sofa.

Shirt too big
Face powder used up
Face cream used up
Candle used up
Document no needed so shredded
Underwear worn out

Total is 3957

IncessantNameChanger I’m 60 this year & I’m certainly not thinking in terms of my social life being over! I’ve lost over 4 stone so now have a wardrobe of lovely dresses to choose from.

I don't want my socail life to be over but I need someone to do the hitting the town with. I meet my old drinking buddy for coffee and cake since covid. Dh just turned into a grumpy old man. My newer friends I gp walking, lunch or the cinema and pizza with. There's just no one to do those of things with.

I've never really been one for dressy clothes but agree there are things which made me realise a stage of my life is over. I do enjoy going out for dinner, pubs, gigs and occasional theatre or cinema trips.
Two items gone via Freecycle. Some tidying done outside so garden waste and other things all taken to dump. I've started on more but am glad things have left the building!