The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011

Ellie83

GreyQueen wrote: »

I have a wee dilemma which I'd like some input on, if anyone would be so kind.

The problem: My kitchen is very very small. The entire room is only 6 x 6 feet. I have a section of countertop at right-angles to the sink and leading up to the cooker. It's only 19 inches deep x 4 feet 5 inches long. That counter, plus a bit 23 x 23 inches alongside the cooker comprise the sum total of my working space.

About a week ago, I took the microwave which normally takes up nearly half of the long counter out of the kitchen so I could clean thoroughly. And I haven't yet put it back. I haven't needed to use it (it's on the living room floor by the kitchen door and could be brought back in seconds).

The thing is, I am really really appreciating having the use of the bit of counter. It's making my life a lot better. I'm loathe to lose it again under the appliance.

The MW was a gift from a woman (who is now an ex-colleague from a previous job) when she moved house. We're not in touch and she'd never know if I parted with it. I have no money "invested" in it and would post it on Freecycle and am sure I can rehome it easily.

Thing is, would I suffer from de-junkers remorse? Do I use it occasionally only because it's there and would just as easily use some other method and not miss it? After all, I was well into my forties before this MW (my first) entered my life. Is it one of those things which I have because I have, IYSWIM?

Can someone advise me if they've de-junked a MW and did they regret it? What would be the consensus of how long I should let this appliance "season" before accepting that I can let it go?

BTW, positioning it elsewhere in the home or storing it are not options. I'd offer a few mates first dibs if it did go, but otherwise it's Freecycle.

Ah, de-junker remorse.... If you barely use your MW and if your kitchen is really tiny, I would get rid of it. You managed all these years without one and it is taking a lot of valuable space...

MsHalffull

Hi All, thought I'd pop in for a quick update mid-way through my challenge. Mainly concentrated on shed & did a sort through of my summer clothes that I've just got out from underbed storage (ever the optomist). So far:

1. dead cushion - cat ripped it to shreds - bin
2. old grill - pan - left outside for scrap metal person
3. DIY bits & bobs from shed - CS
4. Blouse - CS
5. Cardi - CS
6. Skirt - CS
7. big bag rubbish from shed - bin
8. Cardi - CS
9. Cordless screwdriver with no cord -(is there some sort of recycling for this?)
10. 2 X necklace - CS
11. Oil can - will leave out for passer by tomorrow
12. jumper - CS
13. Dress - CS
14. Top - CS
15-18 - Clothes back to friend
19. Toy - CS

I'm absolutely exhausted but really pleased with today's achievement - for some reason sorting out the shed has made a big difference - the knock on effect has meant that I can at last store my clothes horse in the under-stairs cupboard (this is a mile-stone for me...).

Ready for bed now...

horse76

Done a couple of other bits today:

• Modest pile of clothes for Ironing done, all done except for dd's school cardi, which I missed hanging on the airer.
• Decluttered the fridge of veg and cheese that needed using by tomorrow - made a Veg & Quorn Lasagne for freezing and a Tomato Pasta Bake for 2 nights dinner. Also made apple scones yesterday.
• Started on my 'mending' pile - sewed DD's old baby sleeping bag which had a small hole in it, ready for DS to use. Mended 2 of DD's Sylvanian Families bears clothes (normally wouldn't have bothered, but she did ask if I could fix them).
• DH cut the grass and vacumned the living room of his own accord. :eek:

Want to sort a few more bits to go in the huge 'car boot' pile under the stairs tomorrow. Mentioned to DH that we are in danger of having to much stuff to go which won't fit in the car - now that he wants to flog the lawnmower (and get a smaller model for our wee patch of grass).

xx

GreyQueen

debbiedeejay, lovecrafting, Allegra and Ellie83, thank you all for your input into the microwave dilemma. Even writing my post helped clarify my thoughts. This thread (indeed, these forums) is such a supportive and encouraging environment.

I've decided that I will leave the microwave on the living room floor until the end of April. If I want to use it, it's the work of seconds to lift it onto the kitchen counter. If I can't even be bothered to do that, I didn't really NEED to use it, did I?:rotfl:

The rest of this month will be my cooling-off period, then I shall ask my mates if anyone we know is in want of one, then ask at my office, then Freecycle to a stranger.

I'm smiling at the thought of having a bit more space in my cramped kitchen and racking my brains to see what else can "go" from my life.

:beer: Thank you all for being so inspirational and here's hoping you all have a happy and productive Sunday, whether de-junking features or not!

debbiedeejay

Glad to be of service Grey Queen

Have been up a wee while,so am now about to start decluttering the office/study bit of the house - did start where computers are just the shelves with box files on to do now.

I de cluttered the lounge yesterday - done all of it including the bureau and corner tall cupboard - a few bits to recycling /shredding only need to finish whats on table but its all bits really.Lounge wasn't as bad as I thought.

put more CD's back in proper covers and now in new home at top of stairs in the "family media Library" - well 2 bookcases really:rotfl: Oh and yes I did put the DVD's in alphabetical order - only took ten minutes- doubt they will stay like that.

But still no DD2 passport:cool:

debbiedeejay

Errm have to admit I have not started the office de clutter as I have been catching up on "Super Scrimpers" on channel 4 - 4OD:whistle:

Am now going to be good and sign off the computer and start what I said was going to do over an hour ago.

TTFN

GreyQueen

Y'now, it's funny how one thing leads to another up here on Planet MSE. I was on another thread and someone posted some linkies to minimalist blogs (minimalists have blogs? Who knew!).

So, I book-marked them a few days ago and have been clicking away and reading and thinking and reading some more.

Then I dragged out the contents of my 2 kitchen drawers, the accessible everyday one and the smaller, partially-obstructed-by stupid-kitchen-layout one.

As a result of seeing it all in the clear light of day, the following is OUT and OFF to the charity shop in a few minutes (I know it's Sunday but a few near me find it worthwhile to open on Sundays).

1. Bag of plastic cutlery.
2. Bag of bag closing thingies (sort of like plastic hairgrips)
3. Nutcracker.
4. 2 x stainless steel tablespoons
5. 5 dessert spoons and 4 forks.
6. Apple corer.
7. Biscuit cutter.
8. 2 aluminium bottle openers (xmas cracker originally)
9. Fancy biscuit tin.
10. Too-small bone china mug.
11. 3 dinner plates and 4 sideplates.
12. Random pottery bowl.

Phew, that will be a weight off my wall cupboard.;)

Plus I have decided that one or two other things are "on probation" such as the balloon whisk. I shall diarise for 6 months and if I haven't needed it by then, it can go. Meanwhile, it can go hide in the small drawer with one or two things which are spares for things which I have in service but are getting worn up. I'd never make the cut among the minimalists, but them's the breaks.

short_bird

GreyQueen wrote: »

Plus I have decided that one or two other things are "on probation" such as the balloon whisk. I shall diarise for 6 months and if I haven't needed it by then, it can go. Meanwhile, it can go hide in the small drawer with one or two things which are spares for things which I have in service but are getting worn up. I'd never make the cut among the minimalists, but them's the breaks.

If you have one item in use and one spare of the used-every-day essentials, why expend energy on taking the spare to the charity shop then more energy having to find another one?

The thing is, I know the tendency to hoard is in my family; except it's called being careful with money and not spending more than is needed. My Great Aunt would buy new sheets every March but would patch and "sides to middle" the rest so the old ones never got thrown out.

GreyQueen

short_bird wrote: »

If you have one item in use and one spare of the used-every-day essentials, why expend energy on taking the spare to the charity shop then more energy having to find another one?

The thing is, I know the tendency to hoard is in my family; except it's called being careful with money and not spending more than is needed. My Great Aunt would buy new sheets every March but would patch and "sides to middle" the rest so the old ones never got thrown out.

Hey, I sides-to-middle as well! Must be a habit handed down in some families. Then you have to keep them until they're fit for cleaning rags only before you can break out the new sheets (or so my Mum tells me).

Slight misunderstanding, the stuff that went to the c.s was over and above domestic requirements and unused, the stuff that's back in the drawer is 2 Kitchen Devil knives and a veg peeler which happen to be the same favoured sizes/ types as the ones in service and as those ones are getting a bit bent and battered, I have the replacements at hand. Always room for some storage of usefuls.

Anyway, I too fight with the Inner Pauper whose mode is "Don't get rid of it what if you need another and can't afford to replace it, then you'll be sorry." She fights with the environmentally-friendly and wannabe socially-equitable Guardian Woman who's thinking: "Don't get rid of it unless you know someone personally who needs it and will use it or it's good enough to give to a charity shop" who shares headroom with the Hoarder's Daughter; "Ohigawd, never let me get as bogged down with clutter as Mum, lovehertobits but never want to go there."

Umm, just realise that I sound a bit bonkers! Well, wouldn't be the first time. Better step away from the pooter and do some tidying-up.........:rotfl:

Ellie83

GreyQueen wrote: »

Hey, I sides-to-middle as well! Must be a habit handed down in some families. Then you have to keep them until they're fit for cleaning rags only before you can break out the new sheets (or so my Mum tells me).

Slight misunderstanding, the stuff that went to the c.s was over and above domestic requirements and unused, the stuff that's back in the drawer is 2 Kitchen Devil knives and a veg peeler which happen to be the same favoured sizes/ types as the ones in service and as those ones are getting a bit bent and battered, I have the replacements at hand. Always room for some storage of usefuls.

Anyway, I too fight with the Inner Pauper whose mode is "Don't get rid of it what if you need another and can't afford to replace it, then you'll be sorry." She fights with the environmentally-friendly and wannabe socially-equitable Guardian Woman who's thinking: "Don't get rid of it unless you know someone personally who needs it and will use it or it's good enough to give to a charity shop" who shares headroom with the Hoarder's Daughter; "Ohigawd, never let me get as bogged down with clutter as Mum, lovehertobits but never want to go there."

Umm, just realise that I sound a bit bonkers! Well, wouldn't be the first time. Better step away from the pooter and do some tidying-up.........:rotfl:

How many personalities do you have? :rotfl: I joke but I always have these inner monologues too when I de-clutter