Decluttering 2012, this year, definitely ...

System

large box of books that that where favourites when our children where small and as yet we cant part with them

I think we have to get it right in our heads what is important to us and what isnt. To me, its what is in my head that is important but that doesnt stop me keeping the most of precious family photos [STRIKE]and dried umbilical cords [/STRIKE] belonging to my babies who are now grown up and photos of my baby who died just days short of 7 weeks. If ever i lost my memory i'd like to think that these photographs would trigger a memory or two.

I understand my husband comes home from working away and looks forward to seeing the same familar things around him. He hates change in any shape of form. He hates to throw things away, maybe that is because he works hard to earn the money to buy these things i dont know but i do know that too much clutter has a negative impact on my state of mind (and those of my family) when we lose something amongst all the accumulated junk.

jess1011

Igamogam - I do that, I read it in a magazine a while ago and thought it was a fab idea!

Igamogam

Judi wrote: »

I think we have to get it right in our heads what is important to us and what isnt. To me, its what is in my head that is important but that doesnt stop me keeping the most of precious family photos [STRIKE]and dried umbilical cords [/STRIKE] belonging to my babies who are now grown up and photos of my baby who died just days short of 7 weeks. If ever i lost my memory i'd like to think that these photographs would trigger a memory or two.

I understand my husband comes home from working away and looks forward to seeing the same familar things around him. He hates change in any shape of form. He hates to throw things away, maybe that is because he works hard to earn the money to buy these things i dont know but i do know that too much clutter has a negative impact on my state of mind (and those of my family) when we lose something amongst all the accumulated junk.

My problem is that I have an emotional attachment to things; can see the use in discarded stuff; can see it raising money on Eb*y; cant bear the thought of stuff going to landfill unless its real rubbish but have little time to get my *rse into gear and get it sorted. I have a week off coming up and I knowI will spend most of that time sorting, moving, passing on, recycling and then I will resent the time it has taken from me. However this time there seems to be some renewed impetus and I have plans thanks to the inspiring stuff I am reading on these forums! Local *xfam shop will be restocked I think

System

Igamogam wrote: »

My problem is that I have an emotional attachment to things; can see the use in discarded stuff; can see it raising money on Eb*y; cant bear the thought of stuff going to landfill unless its real rubbish but have little time to get my *rse into gear and get it sorted. I have a week off coming up and I knowI will spend most of that time sorting, moving, passing on, recycling and then I will resent the time it has taken from me. However this time there seems to be some renewed impetus and I have plans thanks to the inspiring stuff I am reading on these forums! Local *xfam shop will be restocked I think

Well maybe what is important to you wouldnt be important to me. We are all different. I'm not saying i'm right, i'm not saying your wrong. Like i said, we are all different.

Just take it small steps at a time. One drawer at a time, one cupboard at a time. When you have found homes for the stuff you no longer need then move on to another small section of the house.

boiler_man

Have managed to clear 3 bags of rubbish from DD1s room and recycled empty bottles and other junk from under the sink (also cleaned cupboard and washed all cloths and dusters - best the cupboard has looked in years - and nothing falls out when you open it!!!!!!!!).

Chocolatedrinker

91 - 98 Nintendo DS games to music magpie
99 - 103 DVDs to music magpie

I did it :T:j

So why doesn't my house look any tidier??? Think I need to try and ditch another 100 or so in the next few months!

Sue14

ziggy2407 wrote: »

Not managed any decluttering today but I do have some good news - I've got myself a little job :j 10 hours a week at the school my little one goes to and best of all term time and a 5 min walk from home.

Keep up the great work everyone :T

Well done!

Igamogam wrote: »

I struggled with storing duvet covers and pillow cases until my very good well organised and a bit OCD ( her term ) friend showed me - Obvious really! Fold cover up and put inside pillow case with any extra pillow cases and sheets that match/ go with the set. Makes an easy square shape to put on a shelf or in a drawer and everything is kept together! I bet I am the only person in the world who didnt do this...........now a complete convert:rotfl::rotfl:

That's what I used to do with mine, now only have a couple of sets for each bed so store them in a vacuum bag, but might start doing that again as I could then put them in the vacuum bag in sets.

boiler_man wrote: »

Have managed to clear 3 bags of rubbish from DD1s room and recycled empty bottles and other junk from under the sink (also cleaned cupboard and washed all cloths and dusters - best the cupboard has looked in years - and nothing falls out when you open it!!!!!!!!).

It's great when it's like that, but with me it doesn't stay like that too long, which reminds me that I really need to do mine again, may do it when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon.


I decluttered my handbag the other day, got rid of a few shopping lists and receipts to recycling, and also found out why it had been so heavy when I found £20 in £1 coins in one of the pockets, I then remembered my dad gave me these before Christmas, but I’d completely forgotten about them, lol!

Took a bag of washing back to my dad today, got some more used envelopes to take in to work after sorting the post, and while dinner was cooking this evening, I went through one of the kitchen cupboards and took out (for CS) a storage jar, a jugit (a freebie which has only been used once), and a microwave plate cover (too big for current microwave, and also have a smaller one) and from on top of a wall unit I took a microwave bacon rack. This rack was amongst a load of microwave cookware, which I bought from a car boot sale a few years ago (£1 for the lot so a bargain), but I’ve never used it and it has been on top of the unit for a few months gathering dust, while I decided whether to keep it or not.

Ditch 100 in February 13/100

bossymoo

Igamogam wrote: »

Well my Grandmother would have said 3 - one on, one drying and one airing! Thats the method she applied to vests anyway!!:rotfl:

I struggled with storing duvet covers and pillow cases until my very good well organised and a bit OCD ( her term ) friend showed me - Obvious really! Fold cover up and put inside pillow case with any extra pillow cases and sheets that match/ go with the set. Makes an easy square shape to put on a shelf or in a drawer and everything is kept together! I bet I am the only person in the world who didnt do this...........now a complete convert:rotfl::rotfl:

I put all my sets in one of the pillow cases. I thought I was weird lol.

I think I was at 19 a few days ago, and been in work since. Took a big bag of papers for the confidential waste, so they are gone (at least a hundred lol but I'll count as one). I also decluttered 2 passport applications as taking my kids on hol soon. Had a delivery from amazon, and packaging gone in newly emptied green bin which has been full for two weeks.

Today I will be losing 2 helium balloons we've had nearly 2 weeks so I have to sneak them out or the kids will get upset. Can't believe they've lasted this long!!!

25/100

susan946

rosyq wrote: »

You're right it should be achievable. Don't you think though, that to some people it's just not as important as it is to us? I know if I try to get DS to be tidy (he's an adult, btw) he genuinely can't understand what the fuss is about and looks at me completely baffled. It's as if there's a tidy gene missing.

I'm interested in your choice of words above - the fact that you need a tidy home may be lost on your family so they, too, can't see the importance. I guess you just have to keep plodding on? knowing that we're all right behind you and willing you to succeed.

Good luck with it

Rx

My dh is horribly untidy. He likes everything where he can see it so he can find what he's looking for and can remember what he's got!!! Drives me bananas. He's also a hoarder. He keeps every nut, bolt, spring, etc that he has ever set eyes on. The upside is that whenever anything breaks, he can always find just the right bit to mend it, but the downside is that he has a mountain of stuff. He has enough to last several lifetimes and, in his late 60s, is still collecting. It'll be a nightmare for someone after his time.

I feel the peace, harmony and wellbeing that comes with living in an organised environment is out of the question for me.

minuettoallegretto

:j:j:j:j:j
Heard yesterday that we have been accepted for the new house - we collect the keys on Friday 17th! So, the next week is going to be full-on packing and chucking - and the kids are off school, so they WILL help, or I won't move their toys!
On the downside, I left my kitchen scales on the cooker top yesterday. Half an hour later there was the most dreadful smell - I thought it might be something to do with the tumble drier, but the smell was further on. Looked at the cooker, to see the scales melted onto the hob - the ring had been left on after cooking tea, and I hadn't noticed. So they've gone in the bin, and I will have to get new ones today - I won't count it in my total, as it's an immediate replacement. But please everyone - if you going to put anything on the hob, check whether it's switched on first!
Back to the packing and chucking - this will take some time.....