Decluttering

[Jessieb23]

Me and my SO are making a move to Wales where we plan to self build. I'm trying to work out how to declutter my home, which we are planning to rent but I don't want to be taking loads of stuff with me that I don't need. Wondered if you lot have any good tips?

yes - reporting your post for advertising some scammy blog. I think you have some basic business lessons to learn.

oh no, it just got me thinking...can remove from the post! I'm a first timer here, just thought I could add something to make the post a little more interesting - but guess I should have just stuck with the question. Really am looking for some tips and thought this was a good active place to ask, we are moving into a static...so house to static is a big change. Sorry to seem spammy, I'll see if I can take it out :)

nah, I've had a look and I don't think I can edit or delete unless I report myself! So I'll rephrase...

Would love to hear tips from anyone who has dramatically shrunk their living space or has taken up a more minimalist lifestyle (without being too stripped back!) as to how you got to that point and what you do regularly to keep on top of it. We've got 3 months and want to make living with less a habit before we set off if possible! Or any other tips or thoughts....thank you!

Marie kondo? I literally threw out half my stuff after reading her book, and massively organised the rest. As we were moving, I put everything together, so all stationary, craft, each type of toy, batteries, tools, scissors etc. I guess what you would do if downsizing is at that point, keep only the best or unique (ie. Pair of kitchen scissors, pair of paper scissors, etc) and get rid of the rest. I kept more than that, but now in my new house everything is with its own kind in its own place.

I should add, it doesn't look bare really because it's all the behind the scenes stuff that I got rid of. I'm not really an 'ornaments' person anyway, but now everywhere I look there are things that I have chosen to keep. It's very calming.

A static is pretty small though, in my experience. Is it just you op or family too?

That book looks great, thanks for the tip - I have trawled Amazon and done lots of searches but there are so many 'helpful books' it's hard to work out if they are really worth it. I read 'Stuffocation' earlier in the year and it has definitely made me more conscious when it comes to keeping things or adding things to my home. We have a few months so I think I just need to plan it out and have a day of getting rid of things (I originally wrote 'sorting' there - I'm still thinking 'sort'!!) We'll have some space for storage so it doesn't all need to go in the static but I don't want to just end up dumping things in there! One thing of stuff I need is a great call - it's things like plates/cutlery too, pots and pans...everything needs to be skimmed!

With kitchen stuff and limited space perhaps you actually need to spend money to save space, for example buy one of those multi pots that can be used as a baking tray/frying pan/ serving dish and get rid of all the extra bits? A small but decent selection of cookware is more useful that a massive haul of rusty old trays.
Marie kondo literally changed my life! Some bits are a bit batshit crazy to be honest (thank you socks for keeping me warm but now it's time for you to go????) but I felt so in control and lightened when I'd done my first major clear out. We need to do another one in the new year, a sort of second wave clear out of all the things I kept but still haven't used.

With things like paperwork, take a photo and email it to yourself, then save in an inbox folder. That clears a lot of 'stuff'. Same with kids school stuff and homemade crap treasures.

The hardest thing for me was letting go of half finished craft projects, baby clothes and clothes from when I was young and slim that would never fit me again.

Another tip is the 20/20 rule- if you can replace it within 20 minutes for less than £20 then get rid and replace when you actually need it. I read that on here somewhere but it seemed to be a sensible method of deciding if it's worth keeping.

With things like paperwork, take a photo and email it to yourself, then save in an inbox folder.

When you do that - make sure you put something like "E.ON gas bill" or "Dental work invoice" in the subject line or you'l never find things again #experience

I LOVE Andrew Melon's Unstuff your life book. It is American, but so many great tips, habits to form, 'what is stuff' and a pleasure to read too. Only negative is it doesn't cover kids (which is where most of our mess originates from!) But things like tackling one room at a time, taking regular breaks, allowing yourself to let go of sentimental 'stuff', scheduling regular time in your diary for filing and paperwork, always returning things to their home before you do something else. I read it (well listened as I got the audiobook free) before I moved here 4 years ago and set up this house based on his principles. I've had a few mini sort outs since, but overall it has been very effective.