Decluttering 2012, this year, definitely ...

iQueen

Still doing a bit of decluttering, as, and when, I get time... ha ha, I've heard that before!

Last week, I actually cleared a carrier-bag full of unneeded stuff, as I searched my chests-of-drawers for some hair clips that I fancied wearing. Didn't find them! (I may have decluttered them to one of my daughters, when I had shorter hair! :rotfl:)

Took advantage of some local arborial work and had the guys cut down my 40ft privet hedge! :T Brilliant sunlit kitchen, now. :j The downside... I can see all the junk and rubbish in the neighbours' garden! :eek: (And they had the cheek to complain about my hedge being a disgrace! :mad:) Now, I'll have to dig out net curtains again. (Don't be silly, of course I still have them... somewhere! :rotfl:)

I heard a good programme on Radio 4 on 28 Aug, about procrastination. I guess there are plenty of people on this board, like me, who are Procrastinators!

I was already aware that putting things off, and/or going for Instant Gratification, by doing something I like, rather than something that I need to do, plays a part in my clutter.

However, the programme triggered my thinking about when I first became a procrastinator, (late teens) which has opened up a whole new avenue of inquiry into clutter. My clutter has fluctuated, influenced by my life at the time. Tidier periods have usually coincided with busier times, when a more defined routine has been necessary.

Any insights?

short_bird

And the 3 mags have gone.

iQueen

BabyBoots wrote: »

3-day house sort didn't start too well this morning - no hot water! I was starting to wonder how expensive this was going to be and how long there'd be no hot water, but luckily the plumber came out and fixed in 5 minutes and for free - moneysaving indeed!:beer:
Obviously not a procrastinator, but a good example of someone who doesn't wait for inspiration before getting on with what needs doing!

Anyway, whole house vacuumed (v small house!;)), except bedroom which is too cluttered to vacuum. Sink and loo cleaned, will clean bath and shower in a mo now the water's on. First laundry load in, now the hot water's back, and sun is shining ready to dry it. Next hot water job is the stack of washing up, then decluttering can commence!

Ahem. You might have had that load washed and on the line, before the plumber came, and you might have saved money :eek: - by letting the machine heat only the water it was using for washing. :rotfl:

Still, well done! Clean house, clean you, and no procrastination! :dance:

pjran

Hi Declutters

One more item from the loft has left our home.

The rug was up there because it was too good to throw away, it's one of those whote long haired ones that constantly got stuck in the Dyson. It felt lovely under foot and looked beautiful at the bottom of the bed but became a nuisance with clogging the vacuum. Anyway it's gone to a good home.... My son has taken it :j

Well done declutterers, let's keep going.

Ps. Just read some of your posts and it reminded me that I also threw out some knickers and out of date (only by a year) bread sticks!

marmiterulesok

Sue14 wrote: »

Last week we had to get a new rotary airer, as our old 1 was collapsing, and that has now gone to the dump, obviously I can't count that as it was replaced, but I will count the washing line, as I was going to keep it 'in case I needed it', but decided it wasn't worth keeping and that also went to the dump.

I would count the rotary airer as a decluttered item.If you hadn't got rid of it,you would have two cluttering up the house and not one!


So yes,even though it has been replaced,you're still one down.;)

Not sure if I'll manage anything tonight.Had a busy day at work and working again tomorrow.

bonnie_bumpkins

pigpen wrote: »

They compress as the muscle tone reduces and the weight of your body squishes them wider.. you need to sit down more!!

Aaah thanks pigpen. If you say I should sit down more then that's what I'll do Thing is I used to have a car and an office job; now I have to walk everywhere and work in a shop!! 4 yrs ago I was wearing size 5 shoes, now I'm a 6. At this rate I'll be wearing men's shoes by the time I'm 50 :eek:

iQueen wrote: »

I heard a good programme on Radio 4 on 28 Aug, about procrastination. I guess there are plenty of people on this board, like me, who are Procrastinators!

I was already aware that putting things off, and/or going for Instant Gratification, by doing something I like, rather than something that I need to do, plays a part in my clutter.

However, the programme triggered my thinking about when I first became a procrastinator, (late teens) which has opened up a whole new avenue of inquiry into clutter. My clutter has fluctuated, influenced by my life at the time. Tidier periods have usually coincided with busier times, when a more defined routine has been necessary.

Any insights?

There is a concept called 'active procrastination'; basically, it questions the view of procrastination as a negative trait resulting in undesirable outcomes, suggesting that procrastination is an intended action. One study found that procrastinators were able to do a tremendous amount of work just before a deadline (although overall performance was significantly impaired).

I've heard a saying that if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. If you have limited time in which to fit many things, you tend to be more organised as you know otherwise things won't get done. Whereas if you have plenty of time you tend to spread out the things to do over the extended time and this, I think, is when clutter could build up as you may subconsciously think 'oh I've got plenty of time to do that' - but you don't do it. When you are busy you know there's not much time so you just get in with it and deal with things straight away, so less chance of clutter build-up.

95. old T-shirt in the bin as the seams are wonky after so many washes
96. lots of grey hair decluttered at the hairdresser's this afternoon :j
97. lots of money decluttered at the hairdresser's this afternoon :cool:

I'm nearly there!!

bonnie_bumpkins

98. cheap shoes with elastic gone & not repairable - in the bin
99. packaging from new blender - in bin / recycle box
100. batch of old videos - in the bin (no local CS shop will take them)

So there we are. I'm going to stick at 100 and not carry on this evening as Dr Pigpen says I need to sit down and the doc is always right - as is pigpen, of course

I will declare 100/100 for the August Abolition.

Me and my chubby feet are off to the sofa with a large glass of vino :beer:

Cheers everyone and well done.

See you for the September Sling :T

ziggy2407

bonnie_bumpkins wrote: »

Why is it that the older I get the fatter my feet & ankles get??

pigpen wrote: »

They compress as the muscle tone reduces and the weight of your body squishes them wider.. you need to sit down more!!

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

My hubby says that sitting down more is what's making my a*se wider:rotfl: when he recovered and got up off the floor, he said it was okay as there's now more to grab!! :rotfl:

Love it, you girls crack me up :rotfl:

pollys

All recent decluttering efforts have now left the house and garden. I haven't kept a running total but I'm sure I will have hit the target. Back to work (school) on Tuesday and I feel pleased with the progress I have made.
The next 6 weeks (till half term) will be spent keeping on top of cleaning and the childrens activities.

Have a lovely weekend.

Pollys

ziggy2407

Well, I doubt I will be able to sort any more tonight so will declare todays activities

August Abolition 90/100

46-48 3 x Skirts (now too big) - Charity
49-51 3 x boys shorts - Charity
52-57 6 x Boys Summer Vest Tops - Charity
58-63 6 x Summer Tops (now too big) - Charity
64 Boys Beach shoes - Grandson
65 Book (from stash) - Charity
66 Boys Flip Flops - Charity
67 Plastic Tumbler - Charity
68 Bowl (for Pot Pourri) - Charity
69-70 2 x Candles -Friend
71-76 6 x McDonalds toys - Childminder Friend
77-78 2 x Large pots of Strawberry Plants - Allotment Friends
79 Large bundle of shoelaces - Bin
80-84 5 x Bras - Bin
85-87 3prs Curtains - Mum's respite centre
88 Lots of recycling (carrier bags, junk mail & post etc)
89 Tip n Sip Bowl - Grandson
90 scooter - Grandson

I think that is my lot for August, I may not have made 100 but I have started to form habits that are helping to reduce hotspots and clutter such as dealing with the junk mail and post as soon as it arrives and not going upstairs empty handed, these seem to be rubbing off on other half and little one too. Maybe for September I can introduce another couple of habits

reduce the number of carrier bags coming into the house
start composting again

Keep up the great work, everyone :T. Night all xx