2020 - banish the clutter

winspiration

Hello - I'd like to join too, please - I did make a very brief appearance on the 2018 thread, will try to do better this year!

I have a fairly big house and have accumulated lots of clutter over the 22 years that I've lived here. I run a business from home which I'm winding down so that I can retire and still have a large quantity of stock to dispose of, so that is a large part of the clutter. I'm a crafter too, with a large quantity of craft stuff. I'm hampered by a close friend who is a hoarder and brings more stuff in. I have to be careful about clearing obvious spaces, as there is a tendency for the him to spot them and dump more stuff there! He also has a tendency to 'rescue' things that I'm trying my best to get rid of. My end goal is to make the house a more pleasant environment in which to live, it needs quite a bit of work and redecorating, so I need to free up space to enable that.

I made quite a bit of progress last year - quite a bit of stuff donated to various charities, including kits made up from my business stock. One local charity which does boot / table top sales to raise funds collected a very large amount in one go and can do so again when needed, so that was very handy. I've also been donating hand made cards, not clutter as such (I hope!) but a way of enjoying and using up my vast stash of craft stuff. I bought a new shredder as my old one died and managed to shred my way through several boxes of old paperwork.

Downstairs doesn't look too bad at the moment as I had to do quite a bit of sorting out for Christmas, and my craft room needed to be transformed back into a dining room for a few days - rather than just stuffing it all out of the way, I spend a few weeks organising it bit by bit, so that is an improvement.

Currently I'm sorting out my CDs and seeing if friends / relatives want any, other wise they will be on their way out.

I used to be a comper too, hence my username - I had a very good innings with it, but gave it up not long after I started my business, I still had a day job at that point and something had to give!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Suz24 wrote: »

Hi all

Can I join please? I moved into flat about 2 years ago when I was pregnant so never seemed to unpack properly. I still have boxes that I haven't really unpacked, pictures still not framed and on the wall, shelves that haven't been up and drawers I have no idea what's in them.

I'd like to go for 52 in 52. Is there a specific bag size? Or just any bag filled with stuff to declutter.

Welcome aboard Suz24 :j No specific bag size as a idea I use sliced loaf bags or sugar bags as rubbish bags for kitchen detritus - wheelie binned each night & a new bag for following day. You will discover that I am quite nosey :rotfl boy or girl?
My very 1st recommendation is to create an ‘Haven’ - a clutter free space where you can relax/read/drink a cuppa or something more alcoholic :rotfl:
Feel free to pop in frequently & just ask - you have taken the huge first step of admitting that you have clutter :T but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start

MrsSD
cheerleader-in-chief :rotfl:

stellata

Darling Daughter came by with her Lovely Partner and they took away a car boot full of her stuff which has been taking up space here. Musical instrument, books, a bag of clothes.. I'm going to say 10 items as a guess. Also decluttered a box of slightly tired veg into a really nice soup for lunch. I'm absolutely determined to do this in 2020: 2,020 items would be brilliant but the main thing for me is keeping going, it's something to focus on while other stuff in my Life seems very uncertain. And if I
Have to move then it'll be far easier with less.

[Deleted User]

Hi! Can I please join the 2020 declutter challenge? I failed miserably in 2019 to declutter the places that needed doing so hope with a little MSEpower from fellow declutterers I'll manage to complete my challenges this coming year.
I'm going to try 365/365 and try also to make a little money from my decluttering. I'm definitely tackling the garage this year, clearing out the drawers and cupboards in the spare room and making a dent, at least, on the loft which is definitely out of control. Hoping to make a difference not only to the space we have but to the extra savings I'll be able to make for the sealed pot challenge.

Will start in the morning!

Tink_04

I'm in! I need to tackle my wardrobe next week so that's a start then go through the kids stuff again!

MadamMim2013

Helloooo.. I’m in for 2020!!

Thanks Mrs SD for all your infectious enthusiasm that helped me through 2019.. I may not have posted much yet I read along with gusto..

Hoping to move this year, so only wish to move what is needed!! :j

mark55man

MadamMim2013 wrote: »

Hoping to move this year, so only wish to move what is needed!! :j

Absolutely right!! Wish I had taken that philosophy

StinkingBishop

Well, I've made a small start compared to everybody else...but it's something!

Went to town to accompany child with Christmas voucher (they can never wait more than a couple of days can they?;)) and I bought...…

…..nothing.

I didn't do my usual performance of buying a squillion things in the sale, thinking that I'm being organised and amazing and completely ignoring the fact that I do this every year and they get lost/crumpled/forgotten about.

Then I tidied up under the sink! No more buying shampoo thinking I haven't got any. The seven bottles should last a while.

Guineapigsqueaks

Evening fellow declutterers!
I took the bag of donations I had gathered to the BHF charity shop, I'm registered for gift aid there. Dropped the nice biscuits at the foodbank collection point. Just a bag of chocs to go to work with me on Jan 2nd left waiting. I have been culling paperwork, my least favourite job, but have emptied a couple of files, so have a bag for shredding and a decent pile of paper that doesn't need shredding has been flung into the recycling. Probably don't need credit card statements back to 2010. I've had enough of paper for a bit, so will find something else to do tomorrow, maybe try to fill a bag of no longer needed/wanted clothing, DS and DD will definitely have a few bits....we'll see.
Guineapigsqueaks x

Suz24

Mrs_Salad_Dodger wrote: »

Welcome aboard Suz24 :j No specific bag size as a idea I use sliced loaf bags or sugar bags as rubbish bags for kitchen detritus - wheelie binned each night & a new bag for following day. You will discover that I am quite nosey :rotfl boy or girl?
My very 1st recommendation is to create an ‘Haven’ - a clutter free space where you can relax/read/drink a cuppa or something more alcoholic :rotfl:
Feel free to pop in frequently & just ask - you have taken the huge first step of admitting that you have clutter :T but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start

MrsSD
cheerleader-in-chief :rotfl:

Thank you for the warm welcome. Can't wait to get going!

You say nosey I say inquesitive :rotfl: I had a little boy.

My living room will be my first area to declutter as I haven't much to do in there, this will be my Haven for sipping prosecco :rotfl:

Keeping motivated is the hardest thing for me but I think counting bags will give me a good focus.