Hoarding - A New Start

mcculloch29

nearlyrich wrote: »

I think many of us ( I am very early 50's) are products of parents, particularly mothers who were brought up in the war and consequently hanging onto stuff was a way of life because you couldn't buy things even if you had money. My mum was a real hoarder and some of the stuff she kept was worthless but might come in handy ( 120 Flora tubs anyone?) The problem is when the junk gets in the way of living a peaceful life, when you can't sit down without moving something, can't make a brew without climbing over washing baskets etc. I have areas that need decluttering and I am on it but I have inherited the tendancy to collect junk although my home is nowhere near as bad as mum's was.

I'm 55 this year... My mum's house was immaculate but yes, she did hang on to some things - her particular thing was paper bags. She had lost everything in the war as a displaced person, so you could understand it if she had a cluttered house, but it wasn't, until you opened a couple of drawers.
She could easily have been like Edmund Trebus (remember him?) but she wasn't. My house has gradually become cluttered as I've been reluctant to part with that which was once useful.

My aim this year is not to add to what I already have, and for everything I have to be something that I really want to keep. So the CD and book collections will be whittled down, no more mirrors, pictures or paintings added, no unnecessary toiletries (Year 3 of this one). No more new clothes either - I don't need them.

My son lives with me and he has huge collections of magazines related to his hobbies (fitness and guitar). The hobbies themselves take up a lot of space. I hope I can get him to downsize with these. Wish me luck!

tibawo

I have just stifled across this thread and thought I was reading about myself! I have started a debt free diary but also included my need to declutter.
I have lots of bits that I save e.g. Arty bits to do on a rainy day. They have not budged yet I'm sure we've had lots of rain.
I've just had laminate floor and been going for it big style on eBay etc so that I can generate money to buy paint etc as my budget won't stretch yet I've all these bits that I've never used.
It's amazing what you find. I feel I can invite people round now and not by mortified by my piles!

falady

Well, I have progress to report! :-)

After taking hubby to work this morning, me and little one took 3 binbags full of stuff, plus an old umbrella to the tip. Then we went to the charity shop and dropped off another 4 bags of things and arranged for them to come and collect a few larger items today. The 2 chaps have already been with their van, so I am feeling good as the house is getting clearer of stuff :-)

However, I did have a slightly embarrassing oversight.......

One of the bags of stuff for the charity shop was for their rag bin, as they can still sell rags and get money for the weight of fabric. In this bag I had put some old socks and some, um, 'interesting' items of underwear....... However, i forgot to tell them that this was a rag bag! I now have visions of them with raised eyebrows looking at my old knickers etc saying "Does she really think we can sell these?!". :rotfl: Oh the shame! And knowing that it was me who donated them. I don't want people to know what underwear I have! God knows what the chaps who came with the van to pick the larger things up were thinking!

Anyway, enough of my waffling - more cleaning and decluttering to do. Though I might just have a little rest first.......

Hope everyone is OK.

A x

lostinrates

Christmas stuff away, in a box of just not broken not unloved and matching ( so far as we match) stuff. Tree out.

AND new loo light that's been loitering around for weeks is going up right now too.

An MSE chum who wants some small holding and horsey experience is coming to stay for a weekend soon to experience the good life, and I am excited. She is keen to try doing routine stuff, which would, once got her started, free dh or even both of us up to break some of the new ground or just the bigger routines put aside because of health and flooding.

littlegreenparrot

Happy new year.

How lovely to see a new thread, I lurked around on the previous one. Its been wonderful to see the progress everyone has made, and that the 'atmosphere' has remained so positive.

I have made progress. With some xmas money myself and DH were discussing a new kichen appliance (Breville halo - brilliant) and I tentatively made the suggestion that before we bought it we should get rid of the steamer and juicer that hadn't been used for years (previously this had been refused).
But this time it was agreed - and that turned into going through all the kitchen cupboards.

Which led to the bookshelves.

The electrical stuff has gone. Two bags of books and two of kitchen stuff to take on Sat.

It feels amazing, I know exactly what I've got where, and less like a shelf will collapse on my head.

Still to do: Several folders of random paperwork, and who knows what under the bed. DH is away for a couple of days at the end of this week so will pull everything out and have a go.

whitewing

Can I have a round of applause please...someone has tried to send me a pm but my inbox was full. For the first time in my moneysaving life, I have emptied all the folders in my pm box - all in one go!

I need a lie down.

I bought a new notebook today. That was naughty but I love it. It would have helped if I'd bought it before today because when I went shopping I could not remember whether birthday cards I needed to buy were for 'dad' or 'grandad' so I didn't buy them.

I wanted to buy sale wrapping paper but couldn't see any I liked that seemed worth the price of storing. Meant to go to matalan for something else but DD wasn't the best behaved so we came home. Must try and go to matalan at some point then. (Shall write it in my notebook!)

I am tempted to oxfam my remaining weight loss/cookery etc books and just keep the xmas present jamie, and the folder I printed off of cook from scratch recipes on here.

Brighton_belle

whitewing wrote: »

Can I have a round of applause please...someone has tried to send me a pm but my inbox was full. For the first time in my moneysaving life, I have emptied all the folders in my pm box - all in one go!

:T:T There's no stopping you now!

Such wonderful tales of de-cluttering derring do and insight so far from everyone this New Year.
I'm loving every post.

And for those nearer the start of their journey and feeling overwhelmed - remember how to eat an elephant... one bite at a time...and come here for support when even a nibble is too difficult and celebrate with us when you've managed a little more. Every tiny step forward is progress.

Brighton_belle

GreyQueen wrote: »

She didn't need it but it was A Present (and therefore a Sacred Object).

GreyQueen wrote: »

Fine-sorting is a good thing to do with what I call Halfwit Time, those moments when you're tired and a bit poorly and not up to wrestling with the big stuff but could just about handle tipping out a trinket box onto a tray and seeing what's lurking inside.

:rotfl::rotfl:You have such a brilliant and spot on way with words GQ:T And I can totally relate to both phrases.

sjprmc01 wrote: »

Oh! Just remembered too! Was out last night and won a magnolia toiletry set from M&S in the raffle......I gave it away straight away

How amazeballs is that?!!:beer:

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It all sounds good to me!


The living room is absolutely - get this -immaculate. Not one item out of place. Not one. There are 3 places the cat can sleep, a scratching post and a step stool for him to reach the windowsill without falling off, but nothing that hasn't been given permission to exist here.

There is a notice board up by the front door/phone for essential get-on-and-do-it-woman items. And I can put my keys up out of the way.

There is a new light fitting to coordinate with the kitchen one. Three paper white narcissus in a glass bowl.

Can't say the same for the rest of the house or the garden

But I have a perfect, not-one-thing-out-of-place room.

The_Dragon

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

It all sounds good to me!


The living room is absolutely - get this -immaculate. Not one item out of place. Not one. There are 3 places the cat can sleep, a scratching post and a step stool for him to reach the windowsill without falling off, but nothing that hasn't been given permission to exist here.

There is a notice board up by the front door/phone for essential get-on-and-do-it-woman items. And I can put my keys up out of the way.

There is a new light fitting to coordinate with the kitchen one. Three paper white narcissus in a glass bowl.

Can't say the same for the rest of the house or the garden

But I have a perfect, not-one-thing-out-of-place room.

Ooooh Dragon seriously impressed here! :j:beer::j