Enough is enough - the great declutter

Uniscots97

IN: nothing

OUT: 2 bags of junk, and am sorting a bag of stuff to go on ebay (I need the motivation to photograph it all and list it, it'll take ages but I know in the end it'll be worth it.

earthmother

Out - four large bags of toys and clothes to the second hand lady on the market and (by the end of the day) two large bags to the tip (along with a load of recycling) and about the same to the charity shop.

In - a football game that plugs into the TV, and a shoebox full of toy soldiers/knights etc.


Still have too much to do, but it's slowly getting there

halia

Hey all, I came across this idea when surfing for simple life type of sites. Now there wasn't much information on the site I found it on just a mention of a 100 item challenge. But it got me thinking, the guy doing it was single and lived a really pared down life but I wondered if it was possible for the rest of us.
So here's my idea/challenge if anyone would like to join up or has any ideas to add.

100 ITEM CHALLENGE

for each catorgary you have 100 items, the aim is to try and sift through the chaos and associated C**P we all have cluttering up our lives and homes.

Personal items (for each family member)
Books
CD's
Kitchen stuff
Other household stuff (towels etc)
Furniture
bathroom/makeup stuff
food
tools/garage


For any item type that normally comes in packages or sets you count it as one, for example if you have a pack of disposable razors that counts as 1 item, but each spice jar would count as 1 seperate item.

Now I got up to 100 items really easily for myself but it did give me a target to work towards. I mean do I REALLY need more than 4 vest tops (I currently have 12), does small fry need over 60 books half of which are the wrong age for him held over from my childhood and I dont' even like them!

I know we all have different methods of simplifying our lives but I like lists, and I like having targets so I'm hoping this will work for me.

So my catorgeries are;
My personal stuff
OH personal stuff
DS clothes and stuff
DS toys and books
novels
reference books
kitchen stuff
food
bathroom and toiletries and makeup (100 items total)
household stuff
furniture
garden/outdoors/camping
DIY
DVD/video
general office equipment inc stationary

I'm sure I'll end up giving myself more catorgeries but for now I'm working on reducing items in the above.

Given that i counted over 140 DVD's/videos this afternoon I think this will take a while!

ceridwen

Now thats what I call simplifying:D

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: As this has fallen off the front page of Old Style, I'll add it to the existing decluttering thread

Penny. x

floss2

halia wrote: »

.......For any item type that normally comes in packages or sets you count it as one, for example if you have a pack of disposable razors that counts as 1 item, but each spice jar would count as 1 seperate item........

So how does that apply to things like pans....Le Crueset casseroles....crockery......glasses...... can I apply the principle of them being in a "set" even when its a set of dinner tea & coffee service with 8 place settings?!

Yorkielass

Don't feel I've achieved a lot decluttering wise recently - think I need to get all the car boot sale stuff together tonight - show OH and persuade him we do have enough stuff and give it a go in a couple of weeks time.

Am seeing my parents this weekend and they're going to give me the last of my possessions from their house I think so need to find space for those (although some of the things I know I'm going to try and sell).

pigpen

In..

Nothing

Out..

4 ebay parcels
my mother huge ebay parcel she brought round yesterday
another binbag to charity shop.. 3 to drop round now!!
1 cheque into bank.. MUST get that done!

ebay..

2/22 selling for a huge total of £3
I have half a binbag to list from Tiddles though.

floss2

In: 3 x ebay parcels

Out: £120 for road tax :eek:
2 x Ebay parcels

:mad: Why do bidders blatantly ignore the "Paypal only" in a listing, and email after winning the item to ask if they can pay by PO? At least I got the fee waived but I have left "positive" feedback to state they didn't have Paypal......

halia

floss2 wrote: »

So how does that apply to things like pans....Le Crueset casseroles....crockery......glasses...... can I apply the principle of them being in a "set" even when its a set of dinner tea & coffee service with 8 place settings?!

well its up to you but I would say that each pan counts as one item as does each mug or plate. It really makes you think about how much 'extra' or spare stuff you have. For example I have (I counted) 12 bowls, there are 3 of us, the most people we ever have staying/for dinner is 6 and that only happens 3-4 times a year. So why oh why do I need twice that many bowls?

I also have 5 saucepans all exactly the same size and shape, now 2 or 3 might well be needed but even OH can't use all 5 at one time.

Its probably not for everyone, but simply decluttering isn't enough for me, I feel I need to actually look at how much stuff we have, and whether its really just dust gathering and extra work having those extra plates.

Mind you those aren't going out yet as we are hopefully buying a second house to do up so I'll transfer the older/chipped things to that house to give us a few plates and cutlery to use when we're doing a long weekend of stripping/tiling/painting up there.