The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011

lucy_lemon

Does anyone know if Oxfam is still doing the M&S voucher scheme? I have a bag of stuff to take to the charity shop, but I will take the Marks stuff out if I can get something back for it!

mineallmine

babyboysmommy wrote: »

I took 5 bags of good quality things to a charity shop this morning, they didn't even say thank you. I'll be donating to a different one next time

That's a shame - but do persist like you say - you'll find one

twink0203

For the past couple of months, I have made it a rule that on a bin day, I have one carrier bag full of rubbish. I quickly sort through a drawer or cupboard, sort out items for car boot/charity shop and then fill a carrier bag with the remaining rubbish. If I haven't filled one bag from one drawer, I move onto the next.

It's amazing how quickly you can do this when you know the arrival of the bin lorry is imminent!

mineallmine

mineallmine wrote: »

phizz, be gentle on yourself. I'm calling my 10 days Tuesday. As I cannot remember either!

Done loads today. Tidied out the car. Will report back with numbers later

Firstly big round of applause for everyone working so so hard :beer: Really amazing stuff!

It is really hard to get going. It's annoying when things become messy as inevitably they do in order to clear stuff. But when you start making a dent - now that feels great doesn't it? And yay for getting OH's & families inspired too.

I have a car boot full of stuff for the charity shop. This time I'm driving to a hospice one I know accepts electricals.

So here's my list:
42. Old (very) mascara (bin)
43. Book (charity)
44. Plastic cosmetic set thingie (charity)
45. Tin for pet treats (charity)
46. Pen holder (charity)
47.48. Old (very) opened skincare samples (bin)
49. Tara Smith conditioner used up as part of toiletry challenge (recycling)
50.51. Other toiletries used up (bin)
52.53.54.55. Rubbish (bin)
56.57.58. Out of date food (to friend who asks for stuff like this)
59. Shrunk thermal vest, ooooops (charity, will now fit a small child....!)
60. Wrapped/unused soap (charity)
61.-73. Recycling, oh my just about everywhere (recycling)
74. Room spray (charity)
75. Loads of rubbish and stuff from the car (bin)
76. Posh bag for life that's a pain to use as got weird handles (friend)
77.78. Out of date food essences, at least the sink then smelt of almonds (recycling)


Phew! Exhausted. But things are slowly getting there. I also decluttered a Chocolate Orange

museumworker

Hello, another newbie to the thread here! One of my ambitions this year is to declutter for 1/2 hour a week. I have years worth of hoarding, mostly emotional hoarding to deal with. I have been making progress, but it always feels slow and emotionally difficult. Hopefully posting/lurking here will help me stay motivated. We've just had our loft converted, and so had to empty out all the clutter that was there. Am determined to not fill nice new shiny rooms with anything extraneous to our needs!

Yesterday I did 4 hours, literally filled our recycling bin and one large bin liner with old christmas and birthday cards, notes from my masters degree, and other paperwork. I shredded another bin liner worth, and filled a trolley with stuff to take to charity.

Any tips, suggestions of bite size challenges I can do? This week I won't do more than my half hour as I am drained from yesterday's marathon!

tattycath

was 21/100
sorted 2 more drawers
pile of birthday cards to recycle
pile of christmas cards to recycle
half a dozen items to recycle
half a bag of rubbish

30/100

mineallmine

museumworker wrote: »

Hello, another newbie to the thread here! One of my ambitions this year is to declutter for 1/2 hour a week. I have years worth of hoarding, mostly emotional hoarding to deal with. I have been making progress, but it always feels slow and emotionally difficult. Hopefully posting/lurking here will help me stay motivated. We've just had our loft converted, and so had to empty out all the clutter that was there. Am determined to not fill nice new shiny rooms with anything extraneous to our needs!

Yesterday I did 4 hours, literally filled our recycling bin and one large bin liner with old christmas and birthday cards, notes from my masters degree, and other paperwork. I shredded another bin liner worth, and filled a trolley with stuff to take to charity.

Any tips, suggestions of bite size challenges I can do? This week I won't do more than my half hour as I am drained from yesterday's marathon!

Hello :j and what an impressive start. For bitesize challenges how about:
---- a kitchen cupboard or drawer
---- bedside table
---- airing cupboard
---- getting rid of X number of items in X number of days - so today is Monday - how about getting rid of 50 things by Friday - about 10 things a day?

tattycath

I'm struggling a bit here... I'm not too well at the mo and sorted through 5 drawers today and was very pleased with myself. Then my husband said, 'you've sorted 5 drawers out and you can clearly see that we are surrounded by stuff that needs sorting'. I know there's loads to do but find it difficult to know where to start tbh, so thought the drawers would be ideal coz i can do them sitting down and bitesize kinda chunks. Your thoughts please.

mineallmine

Firstly ignore hubbie

On a serious note - start targeting the highly visible (and annoying) clutter - so start off with the hallway. Or the stairs. On the living room floor.

And give him a charity bag and a rubbish bag to fill with his toot too

Well done for making a start even though you don't feel too well - my health suffers a bit so I know how much harder you're having to try. But just think - visualise - how much easier it will be to run your home with less stuff. That's my aim

greent

Evening all

I was in this challenge last year but fell off the rails in November. Need to start back up again this year

Today I filled a packing box (tea chest size) with outgrown clothes for the NCT sale next month. OK - it's not gone yet, but some of it will sell

Also sorted 4 items of clothing for a charity bag and 5 non-clothing items.

Gave m-i-l some jam and tbags that I don't like.


more to do tomorrow