Feeling low with clutter

crutches

thanks for posting the site.The blog and guides on it are fascinating ...and its in plain English

Brighton_belle

crutches wrote: »

thanks for posting the site.The blog and guides on it are fascinating ...and its in plain English

You're welcome - I found the website the same, hence feeling confident enought to contact them.

Paperwork - have to keep tax related stuff for 7 yrs I think. I have shoved everything connected to each individul tax uear in old A4 envlopes and clearly labled. And now each year I can just get rid of the oldest and replace it with the tax year just closed.

I am training myself to deal with paperwork as soon as it comes in. It either goes into:

• recyled bin
• shredder
• lever arch file of bills/household paper work

And so far it is working. Putting it to one side for later is fatal.

I am trying to apply the rule that if I was packing up now to move house, would 'this' come with me. if the answer is no, then it ineeds to go now.

B&T - I think you need to issue your ex neighbour with a friendly but firm ulitmatum. Do you know where she is living now?
As for your own stuff - is there one small thing a day you can do to start getting rid of things? I found the prospect of the attic so overwhelming it paralysed me from any action.
Now that is transformed with professional help, it has freed me up to tackle the rest of the house as there is somewhere to store the stuff that needs to be stored that is deinitely needed but not everyday, rather than going round in circles.

aliuro - I am definitely now becoming someone who tries to 'prevent' in the first place.

jellyhead

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

This isn't helped by the quite large storage space/small room by the front door being taken up by a neighbour's stuff and she moved out two years ago. I've tried to persuade/coerce her to come over and remove it all but she hasn't yet and I don't feel like I can dispose of it all until she agrees that I can. A deadline is obviously looming.

Are you friends with her? How much have you seen her in those 2 years? I'd say a deadline is definitely looming, in fact even if she's your best mate and you love her to bits it would still be okay to issue a deadline!

You are using your spare bedroom for your own storage - just tell her someone is coming to stay, so you need to stop using your spare bedroom for storage, and put it all in that room that is currently full of her stuff!!

BitterAndTwisted

jellyhead wrote: »

Are you friends with her? Friendly but not close friends iyswim. I took pity on her because she had no sensible storage in her own 1-bed flat adn she kept stashing things in there without asking me.

How much have you seen her in those 2 years? Twice, when she's been round to check on her tenants who are now renting her flat. She moved into a detached 3-bed house WITH A GARAGE.

I'd say a deadline is definitely looming, in fact even if she's your best mate and you love her to bits it would still be okay to issue a deadline! If she was my closest friend I suspect she wouldn't be taking advantage of me in this way.

You are using your spare bedroom for your own storage - just tell her someone is coming to stay, so you need to stop using your spare bedroom for storage, and put it all in that room that is currently full of her stuff!!

I've finally realised just how pathetic this whole situation makes me look. Yes, I appreciate that it needs to come down to being extremely economical with the truth. The last two times I've seen her I've reminded her that this crud needs to go. I'm just going to compose a text-message and give her a two-week deadline right this minute!

Thanks for the kicking

whitewing

Fascinating thread.

I am so sad that I even get DH to take photos of some stuff I send to charity shops. It seems easier to let it go.

At the New Year, DH suggested that I throw away old bank stmts from before teenage DS was born. I cried as we were doing it, and got cross as I realised that at one point when I lived with DS and his dad, I not only paid all the childcare costs but half the rent too. I got a lot of cuddles from DH as I let things go mentally. I do not miss any of it. In fact this thread is the first time I have thought about it.

Anyway I only logged on to see if bitterandtwisted had sent the text....

Mupette

well i was very good at B & Q and decided that storage boxes were not the answer for me, it will only add to me stashing junk even more.

I have told myself that i have storage boxes already i just need to sort them so i can use them ifyswm. so i saved £45 on 3 deep storage boxes with lids.

What is pushing me forward is i have a french exchange student coming in a months time, a grubby house and it NEEDS to be dealt with.

Partner has agreed to help paint the bits that needs doing, DS doesn't know it yet but he will be the one helping, plus its a chance for him to learn a DIY skill and earn some pocket money.

Saving £150.00 to pay someone to paint the areas that need doing, better treat the partner and son after wards for doing it for me.

Brighton_belle

well done bitter and twisted:T Keep us posted.

Muppette - well done on not buying the boxes. What needs to happen now to empty the ons that are full? And aren't your DH ans son working on your shared living space, rather than 'dping it for you'? (Not that a little appreciation of effort doesn't go a long way)

Whitewing (congrats on your DD by the way - I passed on the news to bails who is currently inthe far east and she wanted to pass on her congrats too) - if taking the photos helps you let go then I say great.

I am currently in the throws of 'letting go' a flute I have had for 36 yrs (and not played for 25). Not worth the money it would take to refurbish it...

crutches

I cleared half a dining table today.I have fibro and CFS so am very pleased with myself.Thankyou for the kickstart.i wish i lived in the southeast and could use this company.I found it easier for pacing and emotions on the website than flylady.

jellyhead

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I've finally realised just how pathetic this whole situation makes me look.

Not pathetic! Just easygoing - but you need your storage space back :T

Mupette

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Muppette - well done on not buying the boxes. What needs to happen now to empty the ons that are full? And aren't your DH ans son working on your shared living space, rather than 'dping it for you'? (Not that a little appreciation of effort doesn't go a long way)

Well the ones that are currently full need to be decluttered, lots of stuff that really is just fit for the bin, I know that... but my heart screams noooooo.. going to have to be really really hard on myself with this.

I'm having to be moved from my current council maisonette as i am ill and need something suited for me needs aka wheelchair when i need it. it's just me and my son, not married. Have partner he has his own place.

Anyhoo on the rehousing list, and i was hoping to of moved before next month, but that is not going to happen. But the living room ceiling, desperately needs a coat of paint. h/l/s need a fresh coat of paint on the wall, looks grotty and i've not been well enough to do it myself, and can't really afford to get a professional in for less than £150