30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

Still well done Karmalady!
You have made a decision. The puzzle board does indeed sound useful.
I don't have a garage to hide things in so have to have clutter in plain sight.
Some is really hard to deal with.

I contacted some colleagues of DH who are planning to come here this week to take away any of his archives that could be useful to them and the organisation.
I suppose it's a good thing so why does it fill me with dread?

I have a bag collection on Wednesday, so need to set out as much as possible by Tuesday night. I'm losing momentum, but am nowhere near getting to the end of the necessary decluttering. I need to read my ADD strategies again, as they really helped when I started doing this. I'm not diagnosed as having ADD, so I feel a bit bad about 'claiming' it, but the strategies do help, and accepting that maybe I do have it is good for my self-esteem, after a lifetime of feeling hopeless at a lot of life skills.

So. I will send 20 minutes stuffing a bag this afternoon, and do at least the same on Monday and Tuesday, which should mean that I've cleared a decent amount of space.

I’m still focussing on upstairs and sorted out my filing cabinet on Friday. Why did I need to keep old car documents, old insurance paperwork etc? I’m also deleting all the emails that have found their way into my mailbox!

I cleared out the under stairs cupboard in a rather ruthless frame of mind, then had doubts about a few bits and bobs - might I miss them 'in the future' so went to bed feeling less than satisfied with myself . Getting ready to go out the next day I went to find my boots and the sight of that beautifully clean, organized little space has lifted my heart. I cant stop peeping in!

I’m going away for a few weeks next weekend and I want the house to be far more organised to come back to than last time. I’ll be working non stop till then. I’m happy with my tidied decorating/paint cupboard and from now on I’m going to be far more careful about storing paint. I just need to work out how to dispose of the paint that can’t be used any more. The yard sale will be soon after I get back so I need to be on top of that too. But I still haven’t started on the loft …

maybee, wd, I love coming back to a tidy clean home

Yes Grammaretto, some things are so heart-wrenchingly difficult to part with. Much easier if AC want things but I think they already have what they want

I have a lovely cream enamelled large heavy roasting tin, had it for 7 years and have never used it. It is in the under-oven drawer, pristine and cream and shiny. I just bit the bullet, photographed it and sent that to a dd, if she wants it well and good and that would stop me dithering

In the meantime, I am making a very big effort to stop myself from buying things. Yes I am another who gets that endorphin rush

I must get all the ‘loose stuff’ out of my living room and hall as I have ordered new carpet. Live alone, no transport, not very active. I need to sort books, toys, ornaments and many piles of paper. Must get the ones I keep upstairs out of the way. Maybe adult grandchild will come and help.
I haven’t read the whole thread but strongly recommend Freegle and Freecycle. I have offered cardboard boxes, glass jars, toys, books, clothes, lamps, sometimes in response to others’ requests. In the past I have received many items myself from a sofa to a toothbrush holder!

Patsy70

I’m still focussing on upstairs and sorted out my filing cabinet on Friday. Why did I need to keep old car documents, old insurance paperwork etc? I’m also deleting all the emails that have found their way into my mailbox!

I'm trying to sort out old receipts, paperwork etc today but why is it I can't find the one thing I need?

Oh, dear, did you put it in the recycling bin? 🙄

karmalady. It will only be organised chaos I’m afraid in that everything is in boxes eg toys that need batteries checking/removing. Things to take to the tip. Things to take to the repair cafe. But at least a lot of it is in see through labelled containers!

Elrel

I must get all the ‘loose stuff’ out of my living room and hall as I have ordered new carpet. Live alone, no transport, not very active. I need to sort books, toys, ornaments and many piles of paper. Must get the ones I keep upstairs out of the way. Maybe adult grandchild will come and help.
I haven’t read the whole thread but strongly recommend Freegle and Freecycle. I have offered cardboard boxes, glass jars, toys, books, clothes, lamps, sometimes in response to others’ requests. In the past I have received many items myself from a sofa to a toothbrush holder!

I’m terribly aware of being in a house that is a trip hazard. Eg I don’t have a nearby power point in my living room so I have an extension lead which I use to charge up my ipad and it goes across the doorway. I know that it’s an accident waiting to happen eg I had to rush to the phone this afternoon ( flood warning!).

Patsy70

Oh, dear, did you put it in the recycling bin? 🙄

It was something that was dealt with (I thought) but is now needed ☹

I hope the flood warning came to nothing, MayBee?

Elrel I know what you mean about getting things done being a catalyst for sorting things out. It's a nightmare when it's going on, but at the end it's lovely to have both a calm and organised space and the new look. Carpets in particular force your hand, and it's amazing how much stuff can be in a hallway. We had new flooring put down in ours last year, and the amount of shoes, coats, bags and books that went to charity was amazing!

I get flood warnings all the time. I need to stop them being phoned through. I’m sandwiched between two rivers so one or other is always flooding. My house, albeit not being very old, was built in the old part of the village when they knew the best place to build. The worst thing about the flood warning was that, in my rush to get to the phone the fried egg on toast that I was eating nearly went flying!

I have removed a few things, esp countable for me is what I wore yesterday. A nicely made fleece backed me made tunic. The style was rural and from a US site and tbh I could not stand the look. It was nice and warm so is for donating after washing

My fridge was malodorous, has been for three days. I was convinced it was the caulie but no. I decided to empty and wipe shelves, even though they all looked very clean. It was that, must have been from the bottom of something. That became a good opportunity to get rid of lots of chia seeds and two jars of something lurking at the back. The chia is flung where birds can get them

My car boot contains 2 bags worth and a nice roasting tin, I am with dd at the weekend, she is having all that

I could have left it all, all those things but it is best to act right away, not to forget

I agree, karmalady. Better to strike when the iron is hot.

My charity collection is happening today, and hasn't worked out how I'd planned, which was to have 35 bags of assorted items bagged and ready to go to new homes .

Instead, the clothes I so desperately need to sort are still clogging up spare rooms, and my 'helpful' husband accidentally took 2 bags meant for donation to the tip. I despair sometimes.

Anyway, I've done a quick run around, and found a nice leather briefcase I'm unlikely to use again, a warm coat (hardly worn as it was on the neat side before I put on weight), a Sofaworks sloth than came free with some furniture, and two plug-in scent diffusers (I use hot stones now). They are now at the bottom of the garden for collection, safe from the clutches of Mr Dog. I will have a look around my knitting stash for something to take along to knitting group this morning, too.

I need to get my decluttering mojo back - I was going great guns, but have slowed down to a crawl. <-- It looks like I must have donated my book of mixed metaphors in a previous bag .

I have to confess I have slowed down quite a bit. I went at it like mad in the rooms that were really in need but left the easier ones and I'm having difficulty getting started on them.
I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date.
When cooking I am portioning as I go rather than after the meal, I've had to buy new storage boxes, and now need to sort and recycle the ones without lids.
Still have too many cooking implements and old towels.

I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date
😲
I went on a chocolate hunt the other day just in case there were some hidden away from Christmas but no luck.

I've done more tidying and re-arranging than throwing out this week. A few clothes are in a pile ready to go, that's it.

I think when the mojo goes, then accept it but side track and sort/tidy just one shelf or one drawer. I sometimes do that, not a major job but it maintains that marie kondo vibe and in process may well unearth even that one item. Little steps, always

I will not be ruthless with my hand made garments but I know I have some slinky/silky skirts etc from that one and only cruise. They will be next on my mental list, that plus any bra that stops me breathing, ok too tight around the underband

I’ve got a drawer full of bras because my weight fluctuates so much and with it my bust size. Having said that I rarely wear a bra anyway. Same with leggings: I change size all the time. Mind you I’ve just started living in some socks that I’ve had for years and never worn. I go through fads. I found a pair of trousers that I hadn’t worn for years and lived in them for all of last year. I had a set back yesterday because someone was supposed to be coming to look at my windows and advise me on whether they just need the glass replacing or the whole windows needs replacing. They never turned up and I’d moved everything away from all the windows to give a clear view. It’s stopped me in my tracks.

Maybee, I need to wear clothes in fads ie constantly the same few things. It is the only way they will wear out. I have enough for many years, in boxes under my bed

Its awfully late in life to learn that big lesson ie only buy what I need rather than want but that lightbulb has stuck with me and I am actually saving, at long last. Having said that, I am hunting for any hidden chocolate right now. Surprise surprise, there is none

My real aim is a possible last move and bigger downsize in 5 years, to follow dd as moving then is on the cards for them. Time goes so quickly these days

I’ve been away for a week so, once again, I need to catch up. Have lost track of where we are on the 6 week extension period . I’ll work it out later and let you know!

I haven’t achieved anything like I planned when this whole thing started, but my house is already looking a lot tidier. So I’ll keep on plodding along for now. Well done, all of you fellow declutterers!

Well done Guesswhat I would call that mission accomplished!

I cannot say the same but at least I've only bought food and plants this week.

The colleague of DH collected the box of archives.

My forensic friend has given me a strong box to keep for VIP things.
I can't lift much on my own so await my HelpX volunteers who are due next week.
I have a long list for them.

Callistemon21

^I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date^
😲
I went on a chocolate hunt the other day just in case there were some hidden away from Christmas but no luck.

I've done more tidying and re-arranging than throwing out this week. A few clothes are in a pile ready to go, that's it.

They were Italian stuffed figs in horrible chocolate.
Yesterday T-shirts and jumpers were sorted and thrown.
Today the Dreaded Kitchen drawers. What I turned up made me Tea towels had been breeding.

Oh! I like most things but not figs.

I used to be dosed with 'Syruppy Figs' when I was young (keeps you regular 😁) so perhaps that's why, but strangely enough, I like figgy biscuits.