Decluttering

I've started again taking bits and bats off to the charity shop.I've kept a bag in my bedroom 'Charity bag' and everytime I open a cupboard or wardrobe and see something I'm not really using, I pop it in the bag.It's not a mass clear out as I find that overwhelming and then I give up, but I find doing it little by little like this does help and also means you're not having to cart about five sacks to the shop all at once .
I have a craft chest of drawers that I really must clear out but it wastes a lot of time sifting through papers and glue and gems and bows etc !

I can’t throw things away. I have a zero waste policy. I abhor landfill as I just think it’s out of sight out of mind. And I’m not rich enough to charity shop things of value, most of which is stuff that I’ve bought because I love it. My main problem, living between two houses, is duplicates of everything. I want to do a sort your life out where I put everything out in categories and work my way through things without replacing them. And I tend to buy things that will help me to be more organised but just creates more mess. I’m actually someone that needs everything to be ordered and categorised so I’m ok with a lot of stuff if it’s categorised ( maybe it’s because I used to be a filing clerk?). Also the jobs in the house are piling up. On top of the leaking garage/porch roof ( I can’t keep things in the garage that other people keep in theirs) I now have a leaking tap in the bathroom. And the gutters need clearing and overhanging trees need cutting back. Weeds are coming up through the patio and the fences need painting.

I know how you feel MayBee70. It's overwhelming. Save up some newspaper and see if you can box up something/s each day and preferably your DD can take it away. Charity shop or tip. It makes no difference to you if you don't use it or them.
One a day is 365 a year.
Gardener for the garden?

Thanks Miss Adventure. I lost my mojo when the previous thread stopped and I’m in an even worse state now. I really have reached the state that people get into on those tv programmes in which everything is so bad I now just sit and look at it whilst watching box sets or sleeping. Each time I go and stay at my partners I leave an even bigger mess behind which gets worse when I bring the things back that I took there and then have to unpack. I’ve now got a few clear weeks, my daughter is no longer tied up with getting her youngest through his exams and really needs to help me. Trouble is the garden now needs sorting out, too. I’m sitting surrounded by unpacked bags. I take clothes with me which I never wear, books that I don’t read etc etc and, as I don’t travel well it takes me a few days to stop feeling tired. Going to start on the kitchen now…I never get any visitors so there is no motivation to make the place habitable.

Nothing, zilch.
Mañana

That's the best part of decluttering, if you can give it to someone who needs it.
I've not done any today, but i may get a burst of enthusiasm--and pigs might fly--

Even one thing out is a win.

Hooray got rid of a large electrical item today to someone who needs it and will use it.

I need some more cardboard boxes and bubble wrap for china. I will be so pleased when this first clear out has gone. Plenty more to do, but this has given me a kick ip the backside..

MissAdventure

Just the jigsaw today, for me.
Out it went.
I have to keep moving things from cupboard to cupboard to get to the stuff.

I've decanted the contents of a big, deep wicker basket into a much smaller white plastic box.

I cleaned out my sheets and bedding cupboard, and the very same night my boy came in with an industrial hoover, and a pile of pipes/tubes/things and put them in there.

Thst's what my family does.
Every time they come to stay, more 'stuff' gets left behind!

That's a plan - what we call 'the towel cupboard' is a massive thing covering a whole wall on the landing, and it is a repository for things as you describe, MissA. there could be dinosaurs in there. I won't venture in before son and DIL have gone, but it's on the list. Clearing space to put other things is a great way to start, and it's a lovely feeling to know there are clear (behind a door) shelves somewhere.

And yes, Guesswhat an incentive always helps. Do you have one coming up? Christmas will b with us in seven months or so . Come and join us.

Just the jigsaw today, for me.
Out it went.
I have to keep moving things from cupboard to cupboard to get to the stuff.

I've decanted the contents of a big, deep wicker basket into a much smaller white plastic box.

I cleaned out my sheets and bedding cupboard, and the very same night my boy came in with an industrial hoover, and a pile of pipes/tubes/things and put them in there.

I need an incentive like that, Doodledog. The knowledge that I’m about to have guests is the only thing likely to spur me on.

I'm in if this is a new one.

I'm ready for another clearout. I hope never to have to do another on the scale of the one I did two (or three?) years ago, but if that is to be achieved I need to do smaller ones annually.

I have bought a few new summer clothes and need to get rid of older ones, and to do a general trawl of the fated spare bedrooms where 'things' get put to get them out of the way. They often stay there for long after it's obvious they aren't needed, so I plan to get rid of them too.

We are away this week, so I'll join in on Monday when I'm at home. My son and DIL are staying with us for the next BH, so there is an incentive to get rid of 'stuff' in their bedroom, too.

Ive just unearthed my jigsaw, and it's going!

Hae you finished it?
All the pieces there?

Thank you.
I'll go and use that thread now then.

Well, I'm just about finishef in Adrian and am working on Brian, who is essentially my shed, albeit indoors.

Ive just unearthed my jigsaw, and it's going!

Here's the latest one, there are several others.

www.gransnet.com/forums/house_and_home/1347134-De-cluttering-still-at-it-still-no-end

I should try again. The thread did inspire me for a while but as long as it's all out of sight in drawers, cupboards, the attic, it's out of mind.