Decluttering 2013, the saga continues ...

Trying_really_hard

Made a start. Decluttered all the Christmas presents to the booze cupboard (everyone has the impression my husband is an alcoholic by the judge of his liquid presents :rotfl: not that he'll have any problems polishing them all off).

Tidied the top of the table in the living room (this basically means putting it all on the shelf underneath so that's tomorrow's task).

Bag of bags (why?!) to the cupboard for bags (again, why?!)

Linda32

Sammy_J wrote: »

My question for those who find it easier to part with things as they declutter - how do you stop yourself getting attached to items you've had for many years?

Thats where the loft comes in I tend to throw out things from the house which are far newer than things in the loft such as singles and posters for instance.

More decluttering, old adverts torn from local papers for plumbers tucked into the front of the address book.

CT19720

I made a start on decluttering my wardrobe, and have 11kgs of clothes waiting to go to the recycle clothes bank on Monday, and hopefully will make about £5.00.

I still have a lot of clothes in a small space, but at least now I can see what I have more easily, and when I open the door, nothing falls out.

Also tidied my bedside table and dressing table.

The area buy our PC in the lounge got a complete overhall too.

Tomorrow's jobs are to finish in the bedroom, tackle the ironing basket, and sort out some of our kitchen cupboards. Started today with things at the back of my tins cupboard, and threw out 1/2 a jar of sweet mincemeat, and a bottle of unused chilli ketchup both from 2004:eek:.

lucy_lemon

Sammy J - you are exactly the same as me! I haven't lived at my parents house for the past 5 years, but my old room is exactly the same as when I left. I need to sort it out at some point, but it's so daunting isn't it?

Catslovelycats

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

Still have a ways to go, especially the dreaded garage, this HAS to be dealt with this year, 90% of the contents will be going to landfill I am afraid, beyond salvage and nasty - like three old mattresses which were left in the rain as I couldn't get them in the garage myself yuk! Will feel so much better once we have climbed this hurdle.

Well done all, keep flinging

With you on this! Do we share the same garage?
Count me in pls!

nearlyrich

Oh I nearly forgot we went to visit a friend in a care home yesterday I noticed they had a few communal rooms, we have had an unwanted hi-fi in our hallway for weeks. I asked if they want it and they said yes so that's going next week when DH goes to see him again.

suzeesu2000

Decluttering means letting go of things. We hang onto them either because we feel they might come in handy or because they have a special memory attached to them.

Realistically, if they are stored in a loft do you really need to keep them? Could you find a space for display of special childhood things? I had to do this a few years ago and, honestly, I have missed nothing. I still have all the lovely memories though -they don't take quite as much space!!

As soon as January is here I shall be off decluttering again, reached Decembers target so having a bit of a break to do other stuff.

Well done all

365days

Count me in. I've made great progress this year but still a long way to go.

MummyEm

I'm in too.

I've spent the day at my mum's today helping her declutter. She is moving house in a few weeks as is a hoarder so have been finding all sorts there.

I need to get a handle on things in my own home too. We are starting some building work in a few weeks which will mean our whole downstairs has to be cleared out over the next couple of months. The first thing to be cleared is the conservatory which will be pulled down to make way for a new kitchen extension. This room is currently full of boxes for eBay, stuff to put in the loft, various items of unused furniture, old toys etc. It all needs to go or I have to find a new home for it. I started on this yesterday so I have one large bag to go to charity, listed another 4 items on eBay, 2 big bags for rag collection at DS preschool. Still have sooo much to go though :eek:

I have to focus on the thought of the new kitchen and lovely house we will have by the end of the year to get through this and keep telling myself that it will all be ok.

I would also like 2013 to be the year that I get a handle on my wardrobe and have a real clear out. There hasn't been much money for new clothes for the last few years so I find myself holding on to things that are damaged or clothes that I don't even like wearing. I now have no hanging space left at all and end up wearing the same stuff that I don't even feel good in just because they are what I see first. I must have a proper clear out, keep only what I like, then I can see what I actually need so I can keep an eye out for these in the local CS.

Linda32

lucy_lemon wrote: »

Sammy J - you are exactly the same as me! I haven't lived at my parents house for the past 5 years, but my old room is exactly the same as when I left. I need to sort it out at some point, but it's so daunting isn't it?

That reminds me, and I still feel the pain now. I moved out about 20 years ago and within a week of doing so, my Mother threw out all my Smash Hits magazines :eek: :eek: :eek: I still look at the same editions on ebay now

My Mother throws out paperback when she has read them :eek: "why would I keep them" she says, "I won't read them again" Perhaps thats where I get the hate of clutter from.

A friend came around just before xmas and commented that we have a minimalist house :eek: I wish!