Feeling low with clutter

crutches

Well done to everyone
Been in bed all day until now as very wobbly but still at least I'm not creating clutter
And the children going to a party decreased my present drawer a bit so I can give it a good sort later, note any gaps and make sure I don't duplicate.

mrcow

Afitos wrote: »

Well I am on the way thanks to you all. Yesterday OH was at work and I thought I am going to make a dent in it today.
I managed 4 large bin liners of rubbish, 2 Large bags of clothes on Freecycle that were collected within hours! and Various other things on freecycle to be collected.

Now you've started - it becomes addicitive! Keep on going.


I completely cleared out my make up today. Doesn't sound much - but I had the following in my make up draw (and all of it is Lancome/Clinque etc so I kind of hoard it) - 16 (count them!) mascaras, 22 lipsticks, 12 foundations (cream/mousse/powder - you name it!), 5 eye liners, 6 eye shadow compacts and 5 blushers. I also chucked a bag of stuff I'll never use. My bathroom is a haven of serenity and calm now.

And i passed another two bags to my mum for Ebay & the boot fair tomorrow.

Still haven't tackled the cupboard under the stairs - maybe tomorrow

Mupette

omg, covered in paint, carpet covered, but wow what a afternoon.

and a freshly painted ceiling.. :j:j:j:j:j:j

Brighton_belle

Sally - that is really great - it is so wonderful when chatting on a forum really helps someone, so thanks for telling us. And now you have started and felt that buzz, you will definitely continue.

Mupette - I can feel the pleassure you are expereincing in the paint job:T. Really pleased for you. It isn't very nice to feel embarrassed about parts of your home and sometimes visitors can be the push we need. I have someone coming to stay over easter and that will definitely help me get rid of a few more of OH's boxes into the loft.

I haven't done any decluttering today: didn't get home til 6ish and we're shattered.

Mrcow - had to laugh - my makeup collection all fits in one tiny box about 4" square. However, my weakness is probably something you are completely on top of: loads of "handy" bits of wood for starters.

We are also fortunate that our under stairs space is open plan so can't become a dumping ground and we keep a freezer and the recycle boxes under there.

Endless paperwork
Does anyone else find flat surfaces quickly get used to dump paperwork 'to sort later'? And before you know it, tis everywhere.

Since I bought a decent shredder at xmas with vouchers we have definitely kept on top of paperwork coming in much better.
What really helped was finding a home for the shredder that doesn't involve me bending down to use it or plug it in. In this case I attached a little shelf to our tea trolley we keep the printer &computer stuff on to sit it on, and screwed a plug extension at waist height on the back of the trolley.
Any thing that comes in now get either chucked into the recyle bins/shredded or filed straight away, in A4 lever files for all household bills/bank accounts/ hse maintenance, unless it requires action and I try and do that the same day now.

How do the rest of you deal with the endless stream of paperwork we seem to so easily drown in these days?

lolababy

Hi I v got piles of paperwork stuffed in a filing cabinet waiting for me to sort out. It will have to wait until Im in a better mood.
I dread having people to stay as I dont sit down and the whole house feels invaded. Iv turned into a hermit since giving up work ,lol.

whitewing

Paperwork - I try to deal with on the same day too.

I have burnt out the motors on two shredders thro over-zealous use. I love shredders, but as BB says you need to have them ready for use.

If I have paperwork that I can't vdeal with straight away, then I need to see it to remind me it's there. No good putting in a pile of stuff. I have a cupboard that I use for my daily work. I have hooks on the inside of the door and use bulldog clips to hang up the 'in progress' stuff eg if I need to pay a cheque in but am not going to town that day, or use vouchers or await a response to a letter. When I open the door to get something out of the cupboard, I can scan thro quickly to ensure I don't forget something.

I am currently drowning in baby clothes (thanks for the kind wishes BB and bails). I have loads newthat are received presents that therefore have sentimental value, loads of pre-loved given to be used and passed on, and loads lent to be handed back (to the same person). I try to outfit out baby in items from one group only at the same time but then it all gets chucked in the laundry basket. All of these groups can be sub-divided into different ages up to about 18 months. And of course there are lots of different types of clothes within this. I am grateful for all and really want to ensure they all get used and we get plenty of photos. Any ideas on how to organise them? We have some in some of our drawer-space but nothing yet dedicated to baby. I am getting in a muddle with it all. I'd like to be able to pass on/back outgrown stuff as soon as she has finished with it (apart from the new baby gifts which I'd keep a bit longer).

Brighton_belle

one idea whitewing - if I have understood correctly: part of the problem is that the items that come from differnt sources get muddled in the laundry basket. Is it possible to rig up a divided laundry basket system so items get thrown in there differnt group, and when it come to washing, can you get some cheap large enough lingerie bags so that the differe groups can be washed in the same wash but stay separate.
I understand if this is all too much faff! But thought I would throw the idea out there: if it saved you having to re organise everytime the washing is dry...

As for seperating in storage, how about a cheap clothes rail and hanging 3-4 of these on them:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8753610/Trail/searchtext%3ESTORAGE.htm

You'd have to like folding to use these well I think but it would mean everything could be easy to see and restore quickly in theright section. You could label each section.

whitewing

Lingerie bags are an excellent idea that I would never have thought of.

Do you know, we actually have a dismantled clothes rail in our understair cupboard. I have just looked. So it would hardly cost anything to get those hanging shelves. I do like folding, now I am a declutterer extraordinaire! Having stuff easy to see is crucial for me. If I can't see it then I don't know I've got it.

Mupette

lolababy wrote: »

Hi I v got piles of paperwork stuffed in a filing cabinet waiting for me to sort out. It will have to wait until Im in a better mood.
I dread having people to stay as I dont sit down and the whole house feels invaded. Iv turned into a hermit since giving up work ,lol.

you've just described me, i feel like a hermit too.

A second coat of paint is needed on the walls today, but last night looking at the mangnolia walls which were only a few hours before orange and mint (don't ask i thought it was funky years ago)

my h/s/l look brighter (and cleaner) and it's amazing how much dirt is shows up elsewhere that my DS picked up on. Which i am glad he did, he's finally noticed what i was stressing about, he agreed that after school each night we will tackle a small area together.

It's also boosted me a little if DS keeps end of the bargain up that i have the help i needed to clean and de clutter :rotfl::rotfl:

Not sure of the paint on the stair carpet... hehe, but it's matt paint so i hope if will come off

Brighton_belle

the paint will only come off if you remove it straight away I think mupette. Once dry probably not (base on my experience with clothes)