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.

I considered doing a training course in decluttering as when I looked into it they could earn up to £50 per hour but that was before Covid. I was chatting to a friend yesterday and she has a local business - that’s a luxury service - and she’s struggling because of the cost of living so I imagine the market for declutterers and organisers isn’t so healthy at the moment.

i don’t think I’ve thrown anything out. I’m sticking to ten minutes of Lego a day.

@Hasthisreallyhappened I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I would get your adult dc to help you get as much of it out of the loft as possible. My loft is nearly empty and even though I rarely go up there it’s a lovely feeling that when I move house it’ll take five minutes to empty.

I agree with you so I'd get rid of the rug realfastfoodie

One dress I don't like and one face cream used up. Total is 4089

@Realfastfoodie get rid, just think how much lighter you’ll feel not toting it around with you, literally & mentally.

@Hasthisreallyhappened i hope the internment went as ok as these things can. If the adult DC are still about or coming back soon, do get them to do as much of the grunt work for you as possible. Sounds like the loft could be a big job.

not managing to get rid of very much atm, but am trying to work through jobs which will help the overall stats of things.

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? Right, we’ve sorted into 3 sections; Not for the wall, maybe, and definitely. Handyman is due to contact me on Monday.
2. my British passport application - online interview booked for next week
3. DS1’s gaming, PC, Nerf, Warhammer & D&D sorted and tidied and put away into eaves cupboards
4. Bathroom redecoration: Mirror bought but need help hanging it, plus have framed DS1’s Navy commission - Handyman due to contact me on Monday
5. Fix old parasol - will drop off after halfterm
6. Book handyman for shelves in DS1’s room & to hang pictures (gives us a deadline to focus on); ringing me back on Monday
7. drop off thank you card and chocolates to friend who DD-sat for us in the holidays (vvvv overdue!) DONE ☑️

Not quite outs yet:
old table listed on FB - needS to go to the tip
pile of clothes for DD to sell on Vinted - need to check she has time
pastry cutters on FB - poss bin/recycle metal ones

Out:
712

Sorted through bedding (again, I swear I did it recently but it’s got out of control again), managed to tidy up and get rid of some.

Jobs:

1. Hang up framed pictures: Handyman is due to contact me on Monday.
2. my British passport application - online interview booked for next week
3. DS1’s gaming, PC, Nerf, Warhammer & D&D sorted and tidied and put away into eaves cupboards
4. Bathroom redecoration: Mirror bought but need help hanging it, plus have framed DS1’s Navy commission - Handyman due to contact me on Monday
5. Fix old parasol - will drop off after halfterm
6. Book handyman for shelves in DS1’s room & to hang pictures/mirrors (gives us a deadline to focus on); ringing me back on Monday

Not quite outs yet:
old table listed on FB - needS to go to the tip plus 4 x old pillows
pile of clothes for DD to sell on Vinted - need to check she has time
pastry cutters on FB - poss bin/recycle metal ones

Out:
4 random bits of bedding we don’t need into fabric recycling
1 knackered storage bag to the bin
712+5=717

Mammoth day. Took the day off. The rug has gone, 50+ things have gone (coat hangers, kitchen bits, general clutter for the bin). Loads of tidying up, several boxes unpacked and most importantly- our bedroom is clear.

We now have 10 or so bags for various “out” destinations - including charity and wallmart. Vinted is a few bags now though so maybe I should consider reducing more or just giving away.

My house feels better. Still so much to do, but so much better.

I really do have a lot to thank a lot of the people on this thread as things are finally getting better here. @Pigtailsandall @TidyClutterIsStillClutter @IncessantNameChanger@LivingInaBuiltSite@stealthninjamum@LR47and lots of others. Thank you for the inspiration.

A clear bedroom is phenomenal progress, well done!

Thank you! There is nothing on the floor except furniture!!!! 😍

I put a toy dog of DD’s into the charity bag - that’s it! Oh & chucked a jar of day cream that had separated.

One plastic sleeve binned and one huge document shredded. Total is 4091

Congratulations realfastfoodie 🎉 "Nothing on the floor but furniture" is my ultimate goal (which is going to take ages yet!)

Went through shoes & scarves yesterday - still too many, but wardrobe looking neater.
Todays mission is to sort all the towels - mend, add hanging loops to hand towels, donate some to dog charity. How many towels do 2 people and a spaniel actually need?

@Realfastfoodie thats a great update.its wonderful when you can see all the carpet in a room.

Still doing Lego but last night I threw out a couple of Xmas recipes that I’d printed out about 20 years ago. I don’t intend to do turkey or home made stuffing again so they’re binned.

dd2 found some clothes which have gone to a clothes bank and I’ve recycled batteries and lightbulbs that had been sitting around for a few weeks.

Today’s goal is to spend an hour deleting emails. I’m going to set a timer.

I have a free afternoon but I’m just so sleepy! The clock change always really affects me. Hopefully will get rid of some of my advertised clothes later as someone is coming to collect a couple of strapless bras & messaged that they were also interested in some clothes. Plus they want to try on some heels.

Forgot to post for a few days, but days 301, 302 and 303 were a pair of socks, kids jeans and a packet of glowsticks. I handed out the glowsticks to trick or treaters yesterday so the whole box is gone.

For November, will try to declutter a book a day as our shelves are heaving. Started today with a very old textbook

Finished a shampoo and a moisturiser today.

got rid of a lot this week.

did a dump run (full car load)

took all the recycling to the recycle place.

and have managed to put all fancy dress thibgs in a storage bag up in the loft.

not sure if this counts but we threw a Halloween party yesterday. Managed to feed everyone and keep them topped up with drinks by buying minimal from the shop.

most was stuff we had in the freezer. DH is the chef in our house and he somehow pulled this out the bag.

we also wanted to slim down our drink cabinet. So put the stuff we wanted to use up out and let people help themselves. I made a huge batch of margaritas.

That absolutely counts @ememem84! In fact it’s great as it contributes to the family budget, gives everyone a fun party and also gives you some space back! I love things like this!

Also - sounds like a great party 🎃 👻

Yet another timewaster! If you’re not going to collect, at least let the seller know. Could have done with the money too!

@ememem84 that's got to be the best decluttering method - shame all the usual rubbish doesn't = instant party!
I sucessfully did my towel project yesterday. Only a few got chucked out to dog rescue, but i mended and repurposed any torn/tatty ones, and put loops on all the hand towels.

Been really poorly but finally think I’ve turned a corner and slowly getting back on it.

Today I sold and posted a Vinted item and took some pyjamas, some trainers and a t shirt to the clothes bank.

total outs this year 1118

a load of boxes taken this morning which was probably an over-declutter because moving somewhere cheaper is in our future 😫 again ☹️

@ememem84 that sounds an excellent way to declutter!
Took a carboot full to the dump (small boot but still).
Finished a tube of Nivea cream today which seemed never ending!

when will I learn that declutterring/tidying/cleaning takes me much longer than it should? 😩 I’ve just done a couple of hours while everyone’s out and worn myself out! and I’ve just spotted some DVDs that never were precious and should’ve gone ages ago. oh well 🤷🏽‍♀️

Sold 9 pairs of dd leggings on Vinted. Bought some hairbrushes and candles but I dont care to add them to my ins 😄 I have lost all of my hairbrushes ( dd I'm looking at you!) Candles will be burned so 🤷‍♂️

I really need to get rid of my winter coat as it's tatty now. I wish I could find out when I bought it. I keep saying I will write the purchase year on them but never do it

Total for year
In = 160
Out = 953

Nothing done today but feels ok as I spent precious time with family. DH & I have set some time aside on Tuesday to clear the landing & top of the banisters. Was pretty certain that DD16 wouldn’t do it.

3 more things sold on vinted today so will post those after dog has been walked tomorrow & a few more bits added. Lots of favourites so hoping they sell.
have been using up all the old moisturiser etc but was given a bag of dermol samples from work so now have them on the bathroom window to use as well 🤣
thrown away a pair of old fake crocs as they have no grip left underneath & have been replaced with a fluffy lined fake pair for winter round the house.
have started Xmas shopping though so more seems to be coming in than going out!