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.

Cleared out some stuff that hasn't sold on vinted to the charity shop

Total 1748

Took unsold vinted bits to charity shop, posted out a sold parcel. I need to do more under the bed but will be walking the dog & general housework before we go away.

God I've got too many clothes, even out the ones that fit. They are all contained in the wardrobe but a lot is piled up in there instead of on the hangers. I really need to be more ruthless.

This weekend I'm targeting paper piles, I've got one in the kitchen, one in the hallway and masses of paperwork in the office. Wish me luck!

I can absolutely empathise with this as we downsized a few years ago & have loads of stuff everywhere. I sometimes get overwhelmed & end up doing nothing but this thread has helped me. I’ll break it down into manageable chunks. So for example, we have 10 storage cubes in the lounge & I might clear out 2 whilst I’m watching tv. Or I’ll choose a room then do part of it eg the kitchen table.

I’m sat packing boxes to move! I’m so glad I spent the summer decluttering but it’s sooo surprising how good the rental place looks now that half our stuff is gone. I think we need to get rid of furniture rather than just small things like toys and clothes. It’s been a good lesson.

@Lbet years ago a decluttering thread started with the goal of decluttering one object each day. The idea was that there was always one item you could find and that established the habit. You might find that helps you get you started.

My achievement today was putting the other half of my sudoku book in the paper bin. I didn’t manage more than a few numbers in each puzzle.

Its so satisfying when you can get rid of something big! We had a massive arm chair left by previous owners and it was so good to get it out and reclaim the space.

Recycled one half used workbook and a scrapbook.
Tidied part of a shelf.
Plastic copy covers binned.
Worn out bag for life that was used for glass recycling binned.
Torn trolley bag (part of a set) binned.
Plastic handle poles kept for possible repurposing, will dump if I can't.
Clothes parcel finally arrived and only three items are suitable so the rest are ready to be returned. Hope to get to the shops on the midterm.

Left a pile of stuff outside for free collection, it took 3 days but it’s finally all gone, I’m leaving out a pile of dvds next weekend, hope the weather holds up.

So day 291 has been a tidying up success! I told my family that the goal was to fill up a binliner of rubbish as well as a recycling bin up to the brim. Everything felt a bit cramped but we didn't have any huge, singular items to clear out. Recycling bin is full and binliner not quite but it's been a good family effort! We went through drawers of papers, old Christmas cards and party invitations, magazines, leaflets and manuals, and dc recycled most of their scribbles. Also found old masks, broken crayons, dried out stamps and gluesticks. I also went through the pantry and combined some spices and sauces, and rinsed out expired sauce bottles and jams. Fridge feels very uncluttered!

So day 291 is a mini-house declutter with lots of stuff out!

That sounds a good effort pigtails.

I have cleated out the fridge and cleaned it. 15 various jars of sauces in the bin which I did count out as some was 2024!!

Part of a fridge tray fell behind the oven. So that was grim. Cleaned that too. Yuk!

Evening all - at last I have hung up the rest of my necklaces! So lovely to see my jewellery on display. I picked out a couple of bits to photograph & put on Marketplace although not sure that one of them will sell. Popped a Sophie Allport teapot shaped teabag holder into the charity shop bag. It’s been on Marketplace for weeks. Only cost me £2.50 from the charity shop in the first place.

I have decluttered three items without really trying

1. A sweet tin from last christmas
2. A book on soup recipes that I realise I look through every year but never do any of the recipes
3. A dress which I like but I’m sure is old fashioned. It’s quite smart so I never wear it

Yes definitely a good idea.
I started a mission yesterday on my dining room, wanted to have a good tidy up on there as it is a room that seems to have become the dumping ground. It didn’t last because as per usual I got distracted by going on my phone every so often. Ended up leaving it and basically doing bugger all. I then felt so annoyed with myself in the evening and felt like I had achieved nothing.😡

It’s raining here in Cornwall & apart from an appointment, I have the whole day free. Woman on a mission! DH complains that it’s tricky to get into his side of the wardrobe because of all the carrier bags of clothes on the floor so I’m going to try & squash them into my side. If the clothes don’t sell on Marketplace soon, I might try E Bay. There are quite a few bags for life full of various stuff in the lounge,too. DD16 & I are collecting gifts, toys, books etc for her younger siblings that she hasn’t yet met. I think it can all go in the loft for now as we don’t know when it will happen 😢

Just found this thread. Yesterday I decided to tackle my make up drawer. I threw out: 6 bottles of dried up nail polish, 1 dried up mascara, a BB cream, a shimmer powder, 2 eyelash serums which I haven’t used, 2 lipglosses which I’ve had for years and don’t wear. It felt so good. It then made me aware that I gave 4 new mascara alongside the 3 I am currently using. Plus 2 unused eyeshadow pallets which are virtually the same as the 4 eyeshadow pallets I have on the go. I will never need to buy eyeshadow again.
Today I’m going to tackle my underwear drawer.

Still haven’t done the bathroom cupboard! So full of bottles!

the bundle was collected on Saturday by someone else on same local group I resisted the urge to tag the time waster and I’ve listed 3 bundles today (one might go to the school for spare) need to try to resurrect quite new robot vacuum coz that’s taking up space 🤖

I’ve been very absent on here, and not been doing much decluttering either, but hoping to get back in the saddle, so to speak.

Had building control round, finally, who said I needed more trickle vents in my bifolds, so the guys are here doing that today, then I can send off photos, and should get my certificate for the completion of the loft/rear extension/side extension. At last.

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. my British passport application - passport application form; not started yet
3. DS1’s gaming, PC, nerf collections to go through and tidy & his bedroom now he’s gone to uni + Adding Warhammer & D&D stuff to his room
4. Portfolio work - Theory is 100% marked & correct!✅ 14 practical sign offs, hoping a friend will help me out this week, then it’s done!
5. Bathroom redecoration: Mirror bought but need help hanging it, plus have framed DS1’s Navy commission which he wants hung up in there, who am I to argue!

Not quite outs yet:
holey pants bag from DD DONE ✔️
floristy wire to return to a friend DONE ✔️
old table listed on FB free site
moving trolley thing going back to orchestra tomorrow, not sure why I ended up with it
pile of clothes for DD to sell on Vinted - need to check she has time
3 x done jigsaws to charity/FB site

Out:
old bra of mine
bag of pants (counting as 1)
floristry wire
675+3=678

I just went through dd1s bathroom and wardrobe. I threw out one of her 5 deodorants, I’m using a shower gel she doesn’t like, chucked out lots of old hair bands and a brush that has lost most of its bristles. I threw out lip glosses she’d had since primary school and found some unwanted gifts like body butters that can go to her school raffle.

she wouldn’t get rid of anything from her wardrobe other than a carrier bag.

Sorry if TMI but have re - advertised a pack of incontinence pants on a giveaway site! They cost a tenner & only one pair is missing so it seems such a shame to just chuck them.

In Donate pile - two pairs outgrown shoes.

Found two tiny tubs of baby teeth. My youngest is in his late thirties!

Pants possibly bring collected tonight!

Got rid of 10 suit covers and loads of picture frames. Came across another memory box, it’s full of crap but I just couldn’t chuck any of it🥺

You may use them for days when you have a heavy period. I have used my DD’s nappies that way after she was done with them.