Simplifying/living with less

balletshoes

no hostility here - I don't keep stuff for the sake of it, if i haven't used it/worn it in a year, i get rid of it (but books i will read over and over, so i only get rid of those if i'm sure i won't be re-reading them).

but as has been said, kids interests change all the time, what they might not play with one month, might totally engage them the next. I'm not saying never get rid of any kids stuff, but as far as their clothes and footwear, its already theirs, so why get rid while it still fits? Wait until they have grown a bit, then if you think they have too many shoes for example, just don't replace the current ones with as many. Same with toys - if you think your kids get too many toys through the year, don't buy them so many toys yourself, if you know presents from others will be toys. If the kids are spending their own money on toys, then try the one-in-one-out tack.

SavingPennies_2

balletshoes wrote: »

no hostility here - I don't keep stuff for the sake of it, if i haven't used it/worn it in a year, i get rid of it (but books i will read over and over, so i only get rid of those if i'm sure i won't be re-reading them).

but as has been said, kids interests change all the time, what they might not play with one month, might totally engage them the next. I'm not saying never get rid of any kids stuff, but as far as their clothes and footwear, its already theirs, so why get rid while it still fits? Wait until they have grown a bit, then if you think they have too many shoes for example, just don't replace the current ones with as many. Same with toys - if you think your kids get too many toys through the year, don't buy them so many toys yourself, if you know presents from others will be toys. If the kids are spending their own money on toys, then try the one-in-one-out tack.

On second reading I think my choice of words was too strong, it was just a couple of posts I was referring to though.

BitterAndTwisted

Dunroamin wrote: »

OP, are you just generally decluttering or is there some large moral/philisophical purpose behind it? I get the impression that it might be the latter.

No particular hostility here either, although a wholesale chucking out of kid's toys is a declutter too far in my opinion, as it's not hers to toss out without giving the kids some choice in the matter.

The OP's posts do have the flavour of the zeal of the convert about them to me.

maman

Brighton_belle wrote: »

But the OP thinks she'll be fine with one coat I think, but others have suggested this is not possible. Well it is possible for some of us, it depends on your individual circumstances. I wouldn't refuse to buy another one if my lifestyle changed and I felt the one I had wasn't suitable for every occasion.
I certainly don't think everyone needs to live with just one coat.

I certainly wouldn't say it's not possible and for many it's a case of 'needs must'.

I've just checked my wardrobe and (not counting fleeces, jackets and waterproofs) I counted six coats. Theye're none of them cheap but I work on cost per wear and some of them are 10+ years old so I'm happy.

pickledonionspaceraider

Lalaladybird wrote: »

For example there are lots of toys I will get out for them and they will happily play with them for 10-15 mins then get bored so I am at the stage where I am thinking if something doesn't get used for at least half an hour at a time it is going to go to the charity shop. What do you think?

Hi Lalaladybird,

Sounds like you are doing a cracking job of decluttering, I really wish I could do it!

Just a point re the above quote though - sorry to say, but it does sound a little harsh to ask children to get rid of something if it isn't used for half an hour at a time - as in, are you going to be inflicting these same rules on yourself?

If so, things you may need to consider getting rid of would be:
Hairdryer
Hairstraighteners
Eye lash curlers
Your entire make up collection
Hairbrush
Toothbrush
Potatoe Masher
Remote control
Toaster
Microwave
I could go on lol - but you may not be happy if someone came along and insisted you got rid of these items

This list seems a silly thing to say, and of course you won't be getting rid of these essential items which are only breifly used..which leads me to think that just because a childs toy isn't played with for half hour a time, doesn't mean that it is less loved etc, I mean kids have very little attention spans when they are small

Hope this doesn't come across as patronising, as isn't meant to be, just making a point. I do love the general idea of decluttering though, and think it would be a fantastic idea for us to try here, just would need a month of work to start it lol

Lalaladybird

My simplifying is going quite well if a bit slow. The reason I am doing this (for those who asked) is simply because I am busy and want more time to do the things I want to do and by knowing exactly where things are, what I have and do not have and not spending ages cleaning etc I should have more time to do enjoyable things. I also feel calmer when I open a drawer and it only contains the things I use eg I have done the cutlery drawer, I threw away things that don't get used like loads of childrens medicine spoons and childrens cutlery because they don't actually use them.

I haven't tacked the kids stuff yet but I am still itching to so will do when I have some time. I also want to do all my clothes so that I only have maybe 10 pairs of pants and 6 bras, 10 pairs of socks and 3 or 4 pairs of pyjamas. 6 every day tops and a couple of jumpers, 2 pairs of jeans etc. I wash things so regularly that I won't need more than that and when those things are getting worn out I'll enjoy replacing them with new things.

My bathroom is very simplified now. Nothing on show except toilet roll, soap and towels. All the bottles etc are in the cabinet and have reduced the number of things used so the whole family use the same shampoo and shower gel, toothpaste etc so the cupbards are quite neat. As a family we have a box crammed full of scarves, hats, gloves. Surely we only need one set each? It just suddenly seemed like a mess to me and I spend more time trying to hunt out a matching glove and picking up the debris that falls out than actually getting them on!

So while my life may be chaotic I can go to the bathroom and have visual peace haha!

Anyone else doing this or do you still think its weird?

Brighton_belle

Lalaladybird wrote: »

Anyone else doing this or do you still think its weird?

Sounds fantastic and completely normal to me - it is how I choose to live too for exactly the same reasons: saves energy and time so I have both to do what I want to.
Having a capsule wardrobe has been incredibly freeing and I enjoy my clothes more than I have ever done - I only have stuff I love and actually wear now
2 dinner plates, 2 large bowls small bowls and 4 mugs etc: it all makes life nice and easy and quick in my experience to wash and go. 2 sets of towels and duvets etc etc. We can only use one set at a time so why find space to store 3 or 4 sets.

Everything having a home makes it easy to put things away and keep tidy (and we are not remotely minimalist) and therefore easier to clean too.

This all also means in a small 2 bed house, we have space to let a double room to a lodger and for them to have plenty of room for their stuff in our small kitchen

shortdog

Lalaladybird wrote: »

As a family we have a box crammed full of scarves, hats, gloves. Surely we only need one set each? It just suddenly seemed like a mess to me and I spend more time trying to hunt out a matching glove and picking up the debris that falls out than actually getting them on!

We now have a set of hats, scarves and gloves each in the boot of the car, my daughter has a set in her school bag (possibly, or screwed up in the bottom of her wardrobe:cool:) and a set each in the box. I can still never find a matching pair of gloves when I need them though!

bestpud

Lalaladybird wrote: »

My simplifying is going quite well if a bit slow. The reason I am doing this (for those who asked) is simply because I am busy and want more time to do the things I want to do and by knowing exactly where things are, what I have and do not have and not spending ages cleaning etc I should have more time to do enjoyable things. I also feel calmer when I open a drawer and it only contains the things I use eg I have done the cutlery drawer, I threw away things that don't get used like loads of childrens medicine spoons and childrens cutlery because they don't actually use them.

I haven't tacked the kids stuff yet but I am still itching to so will do when I have some time. I also want to do all my clothes so that I only have maybe 10 pairs of pants and 6 bras, 10 pairs of socks and 3 or 4 pairs of pyjamas. 6 every day tops and a couple of jumpers, 2 pairs of jeans etc. I wash things so regularly that I won't need more than that and when those things are getting worn out I'll enjoy replacing them with new things.

My bathroom is very simplified now. Nothing on show except toilet roll, soap and towels. All the bottles etc are in the cabinet and have reduced the number of things used so the whole family use the same shampoo and shower gel, toothpaste etc so the cupbards are quite neat. As a family we have a box crammed full of scarves, hats, gloves. Surely we only need one set each? It just suddenly seemed like a mess to me and I spend more time trying to hunt out a matching glove and picking up the debris that falls out than actually getting them on!

So while my life may be chaotic I can go to the bathroom and have visual peace haha!

Anyone else doing this or do you still think its weird?

Sounds good to me!

I'm aiming for the same, as I said before. It's a work in progress for me too! :rotfl:

We've done our bedroom, the bathroom, youngest daughter's bedroom and part of the kitchen.

With our daughter's room, we put doors on the bottom half of her shelves, so the more untidy looking stuff is hidden and the whole room looks bigger and calmer. Books, DVDs and ornaments/collectibles etc are on the shelves that can be seen. She loves it and it feels like a good compromise.

In our room, we now only have two large wardrobes and everything fits behind the doors, so we have to keep our things down so they fit and it means we have masses of floor space and vacuuming is a breeze. Only other things are a few ornaments on the window sill and our bedside tables.

I've done the same as you in the bathroom and it makes life much easier! Extras used to be on the landing but they are now hidden in our wardrobes too. The landing is completely clear apart from four pictures on the wall and it looks much better when you go upstairs.

I've got rid of a lot out of the kitchen but I haven't tidied what is there, as we now have space to spread things out a bit more. I'm looking for a lockable bin as the dog gets in the one we have now and it means we have to move it every time we go out. I'd rather find it a permanent base as it's near the door way now, ready for a quick removal when necessary.

We don't have much clutter in the sitting room anyway but there is things I can move into the study room when I've sorted that out. That is definitely clutter central at the moment! I've started going through the filing cabinet and shredding lots but there is definitely lots to go from that room still - I get in there and remove stuff whenever the sun shines!

Anyway, good luck to you - good, isn't it?

Mojisola

Lalaladybird wrote: »

As a family we have a box crammed full of scarves, hats, gloves. Surely we only need one set each?

Wet gloves from playing in the snow - can't go out again until they dry? Two pairs at least!