Decluttering

Every time I find something to go to the charity shop - or if I am not quite sure about getting rid of it - I put it in a box in the boot of my car. Then I wait a while to see if I miss any of these items. If I do, I retrieve the item from the car. If not, eventually I drop off the stuff at the charity shop. It's quite good because generally I don't miss any of it.

Free to good home is the best idea. Saves adding to landfill, and there may be someone out there looking for that very thing.

I've ground to a bit of a halt. The decorator is here, and I can't really get on without getting in the way. I'll try to fill at least one bag this evening when I get the house to myself. The collection people are coming tomorrow.

I've found a bag, to put other bags into.
Smart move, eh?

Also 2 lots of the pipes used for plumbing in washing machines.

Am I likely to need them? Should I bin, sell, or advertise them as free to good home?

Well done Jane112.A good idea to involve the family.

Two Christmas jigsaws so far today.

Well, I've done a grand total of nothing, so far.
In fact, I've done so much nothing, I need a coffee.

We had so much stuff in our roof space it was ridiculous, we realised that it would be a problem for us if we decide to move or for our family when we're no longer here. The solution was to ask the family to come to our house on a Saturday to help us with a massive clear out which was very successful, the family had the opportunity to take anything they wanted and to have a laugh at some of the stuff from the past, we all worked really hard and at the end of the day we had reduced it all to 4 medium plastic storage boxes and the Christmas decorations, it was a great feeling!

I don't think I once found that I needed a decorative plantpot so desperately that I bought a new one. Or an Atlas of the World with maps of countries that no longer exist.

This made me laugh, doodledog. Thanks for that 😂

I'm exactly at that point now.

I know I have just what I need, somewhere... so, I have to buy new - hence even more clutter added.

My daughter bought me a book called 'Swedish Death Cleaning' for Christmas (among other things) Big hint! Sounds morbid but actually it has made me realise just how much stuff I have and how little of it I actually care about. The idea is not to leave your children to clear out everything when you die as they don't know what you value and may well be overwhelmed by the task. I used to be very minimalist but since my beloved Mum's death in 2019 I've been living with masses of her possessions, plus my own. I decided to let my things go, in order to keep her items which I can remember from childhood. So far I've cleared the garage which held 30 boxes from her home and remodelled the kitchen, cleaning out cupboards I've not touched in more than ten years. And it feels good! Incidentally progress is slow but steady. I set myself one or two boxes per week, as I'm still working full time.

MissAdventure

I have quite a few things, all different, to take out of Brian and sort into some semblance of order.

Nails, screws, hammers, wire, cable ties, paint rushes, all jumbled together in one almighty muddle.

I have fleetingly thought how it would feel to just arm sweep the whole lot into a rubbish bag, and just go and buy, for example, nails, if I need them...

We used to have a shopfitting business and at the end of each job there was always bits and pieces left over (nails, screws etc) and we would keep them thinking they will be useful for the next job. But could never find the right bits needed next time so ended up buying again. Eventually we just threw out what was left and life was so much easier.

So throw out the muddle, you know you can't find what you will need.

Oh, don't get me started! I understand that designing something and working out a quote takes time, but I contacted this man in August, thinking that this would give me plenty of time not to have a Christmas Panic, which I've had for the past two Christmases. He was busy, but came out on 10th September, and said he'd get back to me in a few days. It's been a fortnight. Mr Dog says i'm impatient, and there's some truth in that, but if his quote is too high or his ideas not aligned with what I want, and I have to start again with someone else I can see this dragging out for ever.

Also, clearing out the cupboard won't be a five minute job, and I dread living with the kitchen in a mess with all my supplies decluttered or lying about while I wait for him to crack on. I find that when tradesmen do get into gear they want to start tomorrow, as though people have nothing else going on and can just prepare their houses for the onslaught. Am I being unreasonable?

Someone on here mentioned Vintage cash Cow , I’ve since decluttered inherited semi sentimental junk cutlery and serviette rings , etc . Just received the bonus of £ 300.
Wish there was somewhere that took quality cut glass
Ziffit is my next challenge. Wish I could find an outlet for stainless steel teapots
Plus I do 100 things in 100days challenge. Tidying up and sorting drawers cupboards etc.

DoodledogI
I also need to clear out a huge kitchen cupboard....... if the carpenter ever gets back to me.

Why do trades people do this? They come, they look, they nod knowingly, make notes, smile. Then they go away and you never hear from them again! Why can't they say, at the outset, that they don't want/need your job? Then you can start looking for someone who does want the work.

PilgrimQuill

Here is a cautionary tale against decluttering.
Three years ago we downsized and went through every cupboard and shed and box to throw out every bit of clutter and gear we had hung on to over the years. Charity shop mania. Ruthless, ruthless. We moved into our new bungalow and the amount of space was freedom personified.
Three months ago DS downsized from a life of hoarding to a tiny apartment. ('Can you hang on to this just in case I might need it' became our main topic of conversation.) Our conservatory is packed to the ceiling, - the spare bedroom, the lounge, the shed, even the garden, the same.
The upside is that he visits a lot more than before to pick up stuff (and leave other bits he has no current room for).
lol

We have nothing as bad as that.
But between the loft and DH outdoor shed, there was much stuff that was the kids.
Thankfully, even for them, some has been there long enough, and they are starting to sort and deal with their own stuff.

I have fleetingly thought how it would feel to just arm sweep the whole lot into a rubbish bag, and just go and buy, for example, nails, if I need them...

When I was at Peak Clutter last year, I read a lot about it (procrastination is my superpower) and one of the methods was something on the lines of 'if you can replace it for less than £20 and get a new one within 20 miles (or delivered within 24 hours) get rid of it and you will probably never miss it. that helped me with a lot of books, half bottles of vitamins and similar. It was true - I don't think I once found that I needed a decorative plantpot so desperately that I bought a new one. Or an Atlas of the World with maps of countries that no longer exist.

I have quite a few things, all different, to take out of Brian and sort into some semblance of order.

Nails, screws, hammers, wire, cable ties, paint rushes, all jumbled together in one almighty muddle.

I have fleetingly thought how it would feel to just arm sweep the whole lot into a rubbish bag, and just go and buy, for example, nails, if I need them...

I have already got one of my items sorted for today.DD asked if we have a terrarium we don’t want.Of course we do🤦🏼‍♀️😂unfortunately it’s from the shed not the cupboards.

We started our sorting out as it is getting more difficult/impossible to get in the loft so we wanted to move items we use into the house.We bought a new bed with under bed storage so that has dealt with the seasonal decorations but my present task is clearing space in the top of one of the wardrobes for the cushions from the summer chairs.I am about half way there.

I knew it.
Move over, Shakespeare.

Anyway,it is now starting to look like Wookie Hole in my living room, so I really must get on with at least a little bit, today.

I can see that Christmas tree looming - just looking round to see if I could give it one last Christmas, but I really haven't the room,unless I declutter in here too.

I think I'm becoming a hoarder since I've not been well.

Thanks everyone you've re- motivated me!
MissA - I'd buy your book.

Dear Miss A do you write short stories, novels or comedy sketches?
If not you should.
You are very entertaining.
Loved the arm sweep method.

melp1

End of every summer I pack all my summer clothes in 2 plastic storage boxes in the top shelves of my wardrobes. Following spring try everything on (see if it still fits & if I still love it) if not goes on either vinted or to charity shop. Do the same with winter clothes. Has worked for me for years. Old bedding towels and throws past their best go to local dogs home. Anything thats still good but I've just gone off I'd sell or give to charity/freecycle.

I do the same, but I've hardly worn many of my summer clothes this year, in fact not taken them out of the zipped storage bags.

I think I need a new waterproof and waterproof trousers!

End of every summer I pack all my summer clothes in 2 plastic storage boxes in the top shelves of my wardrobes. Following spring try everything on (see if it still fits & if I still love it) if not goes on either vinted or to charity shop. Do the same with winter clothes. Has worked for me for years. Old bedding towels and throws past their best go to local dogs home. Anything thats still good but I've just gone off I'd sell or give to charity/freecycle.

Good luck with the op, georgiejg. There'll be plenty of time for decluttering when you've recovered.

Today I decluttered a massive pile of paperwork, mostly into the recycling bin, though some needs to go in the shredder.

I am having my second new knee tomorrow so any decluttering will have to wait a while, then i will hopefully be able to get stuck in