The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011

marmiterulesok

I've managed to bin/recycle/give to charity shop/put in the cellar 20 groups of items plus one extra:

1 one picture frame

2 two posters

3 32 pairs of socks

4 two cotton tops

5 two jumpers

6 one Tee-shirt

7 seven bras

8 three scarves

9 two old calenders

10 one pair of boots

11 one draw sheet

12 three cushion covers

13 one large plastic container

14 two toilet bags

15 numerous unused perfume samples

16 one large plastic jar

17 three jam jars to cellar

18 one large storage jar to cellar

19 four glasses to cellar

20 miscellaneous dry goods to cellar

21 one shoe box to recycling

Well,when I started I never thought that I would manage it.In the process I have also spring cleaned my chest of drawers,fixed a wobbly drawer and spring cleaned a corner of the bedroom.

Thanks mineallmine for the inspiration!:A

I might do this 'declutter 20 things' once a week.I think I'll find it easier than trying something every day.

pdyson21

I think i have the right board but i may have passed my question as there is that many pages on here. Im starting to have a big de clutter like others and i have tons and tons and files and files of old paperwork such as Bank Statements and Letters, Credit Card Statements, Phone Bills, Car Insurance details etc etc. How long are you meant to keep them for before shredding? I prob have paperwork going back to 2000ish but need/want to start just keeping what i really need. Thanks

Mumof2_2

Been doing some decluttering in DD's room. This is really hard because she finds it so difficult and it can end in tears so I have to go very gently with her.

188. 1 old poppy from rememberance day
189. 2 pairs of pants (CS)
190. 8 pairs of socks (CS)
191. 6 pairs of tights (CS)
192. 2 pairs of pyjamas (CS)
193. swimsuit (CS)
194. Tinkerbell outfit (CS)
195. 3 soft toys (going to DS' nursery to see if they would like them)
196. 4 books (as above)
197. 1 doll (as above)
198. Glow sticks - old and don't work
199. 3 books (going to DD's friend at school)
200. set of Beatrix Potter books - going to see if I can ebay them

Then 3 things from me:
201. 1 long winter coat (CS)
202. 1 waterproof coat (CS)
203. 1 dress (CS)

Lots more to do - will do some during the week. My 10 days is up on Wednesday and I'd like to get to 300 if I can.

Allegra

RachelS wrote: »

I'm hoping this thread will help me tackle the rest by letting me see that I'm not the only one. I need to tackle the idea that my house is a mess because I am a bad and useless person...that only makes me less likely to get my life where I want it.
I need to realise my house is actually a mess BECAUSE my self-esteem is so low and I feel I can't face it because I'm bound to fail..and because facing up to it might mean I have to face up to all the other things that are wrong in my life...aka wrong with me.

Rachel, I have only one thing to say to you. Well, no, two. Actually, make that three

1) Go and see your GP. Help is available when you feel really low, and there is no need to struggle alone

2) Sometimes the only way to tackle the big picture is to start chipping away at the edges. Start small, bit by bit, and concentrate always just on those little bite-sized chunks you are tackling at the time. It's like assembling a jigsaw - it looks a mess for ages, and suddenly a clear picture emerges and then you're flying through the rest of it - but it takes a while to get to that stage. We've all been there, and it's not killed us, just made us stronger, alright ?

3) You can do it !
Don't doubt that for a moment. Doesn't matter how long it takes, it's not a race, not a competition - just don't lose sight of the fact that you can do it - and that your life being in a mess does not mean there is anything wrong with you. It just means you're human

Allegra

whitewing wrote: »

Teenagers can be really great at helping you declutter YOUR stuff, just not so good at their own. The mini challenges are better for them. The 'find 5 things to get rid of' or '10 things for the charity shop'.

And sometimes you get pleasantly surprised My DD went into declutter mode all off her own accord yesterday, completely unprompted - unless you count the fact that for the last month or so my answer to all inquiries as to what I happen to be up to at any given times has generally been "decluttering - and got rid of a load of old crap from her bedroom, helping me to reach my total of another 100 items on Day 5 of the new challenge :T

And still I can see things around the house that can go once they've read/watched/etc. plus there are still piles that need to be sorted through.

So my next challenge is once again 100 items, and this time the deadline is the Chinese New Year Well, why not.... ?

Sue14

Old batteries put in recycling, pile of newpapers, booklets and magazines from beside the sofa recycled, cleared all the junk mail and an old phone book from the hall table to put in recycling, and yesterday I posted 5 of my Ebay parcels (including 3 old mobile phones, complete with boxes and chargers) and in the process I also got rid of 4 more old jiffy bags, some more scrap paper which I use for address labels, finished another roll of tape and because my ink ran out in the printer, I've put the new ones in which I had on the computer desk, and the old ones are ready to go to recycling. I'm still waiting for payment for one item so that won't go until later in the week.

Now the cupboard in our bedroom is a bit emptier, I've put the tub containing excess toiletries in there to make a bit more space in the room, also put a few more bits in the charity box.

One day this week I intend to sort out the cupboard under the kitchen sink, which is overflowing with cleaning products, and I really must not buy any more until I've used what I've got, especially as I've also got a box in the shed containing some more!

phizzimum

dizzybuff wrote: »

Still waiting for OH to go through the videos. Not had a good week , received notice of impending redundancy , they have a month to find me a new job then im on 3 months notice and still no sign of this baby . Can feel myself slipping into depression once more . Really at a loss as what to do . Failed to get to two close friends funerals this week as well. So all in all not felt like de cluttering much.

dizzy - sorry you are feeling so down...you have a lot going on in your life right now by the sounds of it

RachelS wrote: »

I'm hoping this thread will help me tackle the rest by letting me see that I'm not the only one. I need to tackle the idea that my house is a mess because I am a bad and useless person...that only makes me less likely to get my life where I want it.
I need to realise my house is actually a mess BECAUSE my self-esteem is so low and I feel I can't face it because I'm bound to fail..and because facing up to it might mean I have to face up to all the other things that are wrong in my life...aka wrong with me.

as other people have said, decluttering just a small space - one shelf, one cupboard or one drawer - will give you a huge sense of achievement. from your sig it looks like you are tackling lots of issues in your life at the moment,so don't be too hard on yourself

MetalMand

Cleared all the old papers,magazines and mail for the recycle.
Half a dozen stuffed toys for charity.
Football helmet (no clue where that came from!)
Old OU course books - Recycle
Nebuliser - Freecycle
2 old keyboards - Freecycle
DD too small clothes - Charity
2 old TV's Freecycle.

Can I have a cuppa now

mineallmine

The kettle's on MetalMand!

Penelope_Penguin

pdyson21 wrote: »

old paperwork such as Bank Statements and Letters, Credit Card Statements, Phone Bills, Car Insurance details etc etc. How long are you meant to keep them for before shredding? I prob have paperwork going back to 2000ish but need/want to start just keeping what i really need. Thanks

I keep credit card, utility and bank statements for about 3 years (longer if I have an electonic, or scanned, copy).

I keep insurance documents back for about 7 years.

Anything associated with tax returns I keep 7 years. Each year's papers in an envelope, and I throw away the oldest when I prepare the new year's return