My flat is so full of random stuff I don't know where to start

Cat123456

Hi all,

If this is posted in the wrong place I do apologise.

My flat is full of stuff. Like stuff upon stuff upon and I just don't know where to start with getting rid of it. I recently got rid of some bags of clothes but feel like I haven't made a dent. I've tried only keeping things that bring which joy which is most things in a small way. I find I'm better when I'm strict with myself but currently find myself at a loss due to the sheer amount of stuff. Sick of feeling like I'm fighting a losing battle with it.

If anyone has any advice it's appreciated!

Thanks in advance

PasturesNew

Have a couple of boxes on the floor and when you spot something to go out pop it in the box... once there's 3-4 items in the box, don't be tempted to wait until it's full .... get those items out right away.

I found that clearing items when there were only few to remove made me feel I was making headway - and saves those additional boxes cluttering up the place and not achieving anything.

I actually used bags-for-life rather than boxes.

It is tempting to think "I'll sort out a big pile and take them...." but that big pile never gets gathered... little and often is key.

Sayschezza

1.Get rid of the rubbish first including anything broken or too scruffy to wear.
2. Get rid of anything kept just in case it may come in useful. It never does.
3. Anything that hasn't been used in last 12 months unless it's seasonal such as Christmas decs.
4. Try on clothes in front of a full length mirror and discard anything that doesn't make you look good.
5.try on shoes/boots discard any that are not comfortable.
6. Go through books/magazines and only keep those you want to read again.
7. Set up folders for paperwork shredding anything no longer current.

GreyQueen

I feel your pain - I live in a tiny flat and have to keep on top of things or all hell will break loose in no time.


The donation-bag-on-the-go is an excellent idea and one of them lives in the room with me all the time. I'm using up a stash of those red duffle-style C EX bags. I got those from kid bruv, who was hoarding them - win win! :rotfl:



You could try rounding up all things on a certain category, putting them together, having a 'bit of a moment', checking them for functionality, then checking them for usability to yourself, then considering if the quantity of the item is reasonable.


Take pens. Are they working? Have the fibre-tips dried up, do the rollerballs still roll, is there ink in the barrel of the bic pen? I'll bet you my stash of old buttons that some are dead. Then, you can consider that most biros will dry up, even in storage, in under 5 years. Soooo, will you use all your 132 biros before they die of natural causes? Perhaps keep a few (or a few dozen) and donate the rest?


Or socks? You have two feet (hopefully) and there are seven days in the week. Do you need 58 pairs of socks? Have you space for them? Have some of them shrunk in the dryer?


If nothing else, remove anything which is actually rubbish, recycling, deceased, insanitary, attractive to vermin or damaging to your reputation as a sensible grown-up personage.


Good luck - and come hang with us on the kondo thread.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

If your flat was on fire, what would you run back in to rescue? Keep that.

What would you pick up on your way out? Keep that.

What would you replace by the following morning with an identical version? Keep that.

What would be impossible to function as a human being with a job and life without? Keep that.

What would be worth you punching somebody over if they put it in the bin? Keep that. And think carefully if it's really something you would risk going to prison over.


Anything else is unimportant and can be thrown without problem.

MovingForwards

I did it when relocating, moved from a three bed house to my OH's shared 2 bed flat.

As much as I got things out to charity / the tip, there was still loads, I bagged up loads and arranged for the council to remove a stack too.

As it was my ex's place I was moving from all his stuff was still in the house.

Best bet is to grab something and take it to another section of the room and go through it, be ruthless keep jewellery/photos pretty much everything else can go.

It will take a while, you will think you are getting no where, but eventually you will start to make headway x

trailingspouse

I think the first thing you have to work out is why you've got so much stuff in the first place? No point in getting rid if the root cause is still there, because over time you'll just get more stuff.

Towser

Well this is a note to self too.

1. If you have no room left get rid of the large items first.
2. Everytime you leave the house, get rid of something, to the chazzer/other causes.
3. Throw out the stuff you can.
4. Join freecycle it's easier getting rid of stuff.
5. Sort things into like for like getting rid of the old, tatty etc.
6. I realised when I was backpacking many moons ago. All you really need is a rucksack full of stuff, the rest is surplus.
7. No procrastinating choose something easy to let go and the rest will follow.
8.Clothes can be ragged and get paid per kilo. or if too small and still good ebayed.
9.You only collected the stuff in dribs and drabs, you can let go in dribs and drabs.
10 Net gain must mean net loss only keep the really good stuff.
11 If stuff is in the way you need to find a better home for it even if it means getting rid of stuff.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Siebrie

I like using the donation bag or box to be donated as well, so any handbag I no longer use, or any suitcase I no longer use, gets filled and donated as a whole.

It's important to create a 'flow' in your house: stuff in - gets used - stuff out.

Stop bringing stuff into your house; actually use what you have; do not replace automatically, but see if you have anything that can do the same job (for instance, when my jeans wear out, I want to buy a new pair, but I have several other pairs of jeans/trousers/skirts/dresses that can take that place).

wort

All the above is very good advice.
I would add try to give everything you are keeping a home together, like with like.
So all pens stationary etc.
Shoes and clothes together.
Books in one place .
That way it's easy to find things and replace them away so it stays tidy.
Also don't keep something that cost a lot even though it's not going to be used. These items are sunk cost items . Just keep them in mind next time you're tempted to buy !!!!

cherryblossomzel

Cat123456 wrote: »

I've tried only keeping things that bring which joy which is most things in a small way.

Can you be a bit more strict with yourself on what defines "enough" joy for you to hang on to it? Even though something is nice to have or pretty to look at, does it actually make your life better in some way? Would it perhaps bring more joy to someone else?

It sounds like the stuff is making you unhappy, or at least feeling overwhelmed. Maybe that outweighs the small amount of joy you get?