Hoarding...not just on TV

Brighton_belle

If we keep chipping away with the little things LIR, they do all add up over time. I wear sunglasses all year round too, but jst have the one presciption pair lol. It took everything I've got to make a decsion on that pari, I don't think I could cope with choosing umpteen pairs. I have come to realise I relaly do like/need my life to be simple. My energy levels can't hack to much decision making, hence ditto capsule wardrobe. In some areas of my life I have definitely become quite minimalist, without realising it.

I am hoping that once I have finished decluttering all the old stuff, things I have got more recently I will be less attached to, to start with.

lostinrates

Brighton_belle wrote: »

If we keep chipping away with the little things LIR, they do all add up over time. I wear sunglasses all year round too, but jst have the one presciption pair lol. It took everything I've got to make a decsion on that pari, I don't think I could cope with choosing umpteen pairs. I have come to realise I relaly do like/need my life to be simple. My energy levels can't hack to much decision making, hence ditto capsule wardrobe. In some areas of my life I have definitely become quite minimalist, without realising it.

I am hoping that once I have finished decluttering all the old stuff, things I have got more recently I will be less attached to, to start with.

Well, i think the problem is i haven't chosen. When in position to buy i have hought the ones i like....even though i have ample.

Tbf i have been given a few. We lived in milan for a while and i was given some via dh from rashion houses, and then...tk max. Shop of doom.

babyshoes

Byatt wrote: »

BB,
I am also decluttering my hair tomorrow, by having a hair cut, the first time in a year. It's down to my waist almost, and not an especially good look, although all I do is tie it back in a pony tail. I shall be several gram lighter...:rotfl:

Byatt, would you consider donating your hair to charity? I am donating mine next week, it is easy to do and will only cost you the price of standard postage on top of the cost of your haircut. You don't need to take ALL your hair off, just enough length to meet their minimum length for wig making, plus a bit more if you can spare it. Most people seem to have their hair cut into a chin length bob afterwards unless they want to shave it off symbolically.

The Little Princess Trust is a UK based charity making wigs for kids who've lost their hair due to diseases like cancer, as the NHS only provides unpleasant synthetic ones due to the cost of real hair wigs. There are other similar organisations elsewhere too, Locks of Love is the well known US one, I believe.


Back on topic, I have been sporadically trying to declutter our flat as I have been reading this thread and comparing the piles of 'stuff' with my memories of my Gran's house. It isn't quite there yet, there is *some* floor space remaining, but I have realised that both OH and I have very definite hoarding tendencies! I think for us it is pretty much genetic, along with a hefty dose of laziness. I am taking the approach that it took years to get to this state, I won't be able to sort it in a couple of days, so as long as I do a bit each week I am making progress. In addition, I am trying to stop new junk coming in, and being more realistic about keeping things like useful storage containers unless I have an immediate use for them... It is tough with OH not actively particpating much, (though she is supportive when I do clear stuff out) but we will get there!

My latest task I did on Saturday night, which was clearing out the piles of carrier bags that had accumulated in our hallway, shoved behind the bicycle - which of course is 'aspirational clutter' itself, but OH won't let it go as she keeps planning to get it serviced and actually use it - but couldn't before due to the piles of stuff it was holding up! The bags have been reduced to one bag of 'bin liner' size bags (we go through a lot when emptying the litter box), and one of sturdy shopping bags. The rest made up 4 large bags full and went with our recycling this morning. They didn't weigh much, but the weight off my mind is quite large! :rotfl: I am also stiff from all the bending and repeated trips down the stairs. I also managed to declutter a couple of 'useful' boxes, some torn plant protection fleece from when we had the allotment and a toy spinner thing that was a novelty chrimbo gift several years ago, plus several old shopping lists and cardboard labels from various things, which were all part of the same pile. I was just pleased I didn't encounter any spiders! I know I've seen at least a couple of the beggars disapearing into that pile in the past!:eek:

lostinrates

Elona, i hope your daughter gets some improvement this morning.

Jettycat

OMG, ebay sales all finished last night ... over £200 ... before fees, but definitely worth the time! Now to make sure I have got the postage charges right!
x

whitewing

Picklepot wrote: »

Just been in 'my side of the garage' took deep breath and plunged hands into first bag. I hadn't a clue what scary emotion would be in there.

This was my favourite phrase from yesterday. I think of it every time I pick and uck now.

We went to recycling yesterday but that is all we did decluttering-wise.

This week is a heavy work week so it is going to be difficult to declutter unless I do some during the day tomorrow and then do a long day on Thursday. Actually, that may be a good idea because childcare will work out better. Even though I can be flexible with hours I still feel guilty if I am not working during business hours.

I have also got a speech to write for a family occasion. Goodness knows when I am going to fit that in.

wannabe_sybil

You lot are responsible for a lot you know! I have very vivid dreams and last night it was a doozy. Couple A (who were hoarders) offered a really unpleasant ornament to Couple B (who were minimalists) and the ornament was rejected. In a storm of fury Couple A tried to murder Couple B who had not bought into the 'it will be worth something someday/it's a gift and we can't refuse/it will be useful for something later' deal.

Fortunately little bear woke me up before anything too gory happened.

No idea what is happening today, but I think it is going to come under the heading of tidying/cleaning as I plan ironing and such. However I hope to get rid of a linen press in the dining room in the next few days, so it is making room to declutter.

Elona - thinking of you, hope all is well.

Jettycat - well done!

Whitewing - I have been doing the declutter dance for nearly two years now. It goes in tides, in my experience, and life keeps getting in the way. Also, I think decluttering is changing a state of mind as much as anything else, and that is not quick. You have the mindset, you have the ambition, all you need now is the realistic opportunity.

hugs to all

elona

Thanks for all the good wishes for dd. It helps to voice things as rest of family do not really get it yet.

Just walked down to local supermarket for bread, milk, eggs and veg as builder has boxed in DH's car in the drive. came back with two massive bags and got dd the soft drink she likes and is now in fridge. Will take a couple of cartons to the hospital this afternoon and hope it encourages her to drink more fluids.

DH gone off for an hour to get building stuff so waiting by the phone in case of news from hospital. Making us a cooked lunch when DH gets back - pork chop, mash and veg and then will cobble something together for tonight.

Need to dash as youngest stressed but hugs to all and see you later.

bobble_hat

thriftwizard wrote: »

Right - I'm ready to show you the "before" & "after" pics of DS3's room

This isn't good but believe it or not, it was already half sorted at this point:



Two weeks later, after rehoming most of the junk & finding appropriate storage for the rest, not to mention making the roman blind from remnants & leftovers & wielding a paintbrush every other spare moment:



It's now housing a foreign student for two weeks (should have been two but one was too ill to travel) to help me earn the money to go out to Chile to visit DS3. So there can be monetary rewards to decluttering, never mind any possible value of the clutter itself.

Wow!! I'm sooo impressed :T :T

And I love the awesome clean glint on the bed coming from the sun :rotfl:It's like a tooth whitening advert. I love before and after pics

bobble_hat

Friday - Sorted out all paperwork - still have to file and action 2 piles. 4 bags to the tip, one was all shredded paper.

Saturday - Opened luhots of presents, one was lovely new Radley bag from MIL, so need to CS one old handbag ('one in, one out'). Lots of lovely Pandora jewellery and nothing too cluttery (phew!)

Out for lunch then matinee to see The three Musketeers, I met them too Yay :T I got to wave a sword and shout 'One for all and all for one'.

Out for dinnner after Theatre - Perfect birthday with DH and DD.

Sunday - Garden center, got 3 plants to fill gaps in newly planted border. And apple picker so we can actually harvest apples this year!

Monday - Day at the beach - lovely. All photos from weekend, straight onto hard drive in correct folder, then deleted from camera, I'm totally into this decluttering!

Today - back to reality! Just spent 45 mins weeding and planting new plants. Lots to do tonight, plus one large chocolate cake, half left, needs decluttering.

Elona - hope DD gets a firm diagnosis soon, the worst bit is the not knowing, fingers crossed for you and your family.