De cluttering - rule of six

I too battle with "hoarder-itis" and I'm sure if I didn't deliberately keep it in check I could fill every space. Trouble is, like MiniMouse says, everything has a place, but there just aren't enough places. It is a relatively small flat. I would love to have an office/sewing room, a laundry room, a conservatory....Oh and most of all a separate toilet, as they do in Europe!

I am a great chucker outer. I don't have a sentimental bone in my body. DH is another matter I have found him " rescuing" things I have ditched, and hiding them elsewhere . grrr

Well done Daphne. Once a week I fill a carrier bag and if good enough goes to chariety otherwise the dustbin. Found easier in small amounts.

Anniebach I too am sentimental about things that my sons have bought for me but I notice there is no sentiment attached to gifts that I have given to them!

I have the Marie Kondo book mentioned in an answer. Wonderful book and she talks so much sense. after many months my underwear draw is still tidy and every pair of knickers rolled according to colour in different containers. I will be reading the book again as I intend buying a narrow boat to live on next yer. A very serious down sizing will be needed... Oh and I might try the 'six' rule as well while I am rereading the book

Anniebach...Re your GWTW framed poster.
After a discussion with your daughter, why not take to an auctioner and get it valued to sell by auction. He/she would put a reserve on it (Watch Flog It to see how it works ??)
With the money raised, buy your daughter something that she would cherish.
Hope that will appeal to you.

I have the same problem. Having downsized to a very small flat, I now have too much stuff, and too large furniture. I want to be neat and minimalist, but not just the same as everyone else. Our things reflect our personalities. I guess mine is a bit messy at the moment.

There are online firms which specialise in selling replacements for discontinued china. Maybe they would buy your inherited sets and odd items? You would know that the ultimate buyers really wanted that piece, and it would not be languishing on a charity shop shelf.

Google china replacements uk to get a list of the websites.

I usually have a stash of clothes that I no longer wear. I put them away in a drawer and if I've not worn them by the start of the next season, out they go. I'm actually a brilliant declutterer, though I say it myself, but DH is a hoarder and, worse, he notices immediately if I declutter anything of his. He has shirts that he says he will wear when he has lost weight (that will be never then) and old trainers that will 'do' if the new ones wear out (why?) And have you noticed how spectacles multiply if you leave them too long in a drawer? I blame Specsavers for offering 'two for the price of one'.

Prices for China can be quite high on ebay, even parts of a set. It's. So hard to get rid of I inherited, pre loved by family item s though.

What about inherited items? I have 2 Royal Doulton tea sets and one Coalport tea set. They're not something that people have these days and the price they are fetching on auction sites reflects this. I can't bear to send them to charity but they're just sat in a cupboard.

I couldn't do that, nanasam. What about "posh" occasions, when I lose weight, job interview etc etc

That's my excuse too, wot!!

I have got some lovely black skinny jeans which I can't wear because of my white dog.

Which never happens by the way!

I couldn't do that, nanasam. What about "posh" occasions, when I lose weight, job interview etc etc.?

oh

They say a good rule of thumb when clearing clothes is to throw everything out that you haven't worn for a year. If you haven't worn it by now, you probably won't ever.

Jalima, ??

I mean purge don't I?

Blondeh you think that hanging on to something for 20 years just in case is not a good idea then?

Oh well, I must have a scourge.

I would happily throw out the little hoards of screws and stuff - but agonise where they should go? rubbish, recycle bin, recycling centre? I'm not so bad with bigger stuff - but books and paperwork - aargh! I actually think with many of my books (which I have sorted to go), they might as well go into the recycled paper and cut out the middle man. So the hall is full of semi-sorted books. Sigh...

I read a book once about putting off chores and it mentioned a 15 minute rule, i.e., by doing something for a fifteen minutes chunk, you could achieve a lot. I haven't done that for ages but maybe it's time to go round the house for 15 minutes every week and put stuff I don't need into a charity shop bag.

Great idea!

I love de-cluttering. If I have not worn certain clothes for six months...out they go.If I buy something new, out must go something. Same with all things I don't use, out they go. When the Air Ambulance bag pops through the door, I have a good clear out.

Old duvets are useful at the dog rescue places, old pillows to the tip!