2021 MISSION DECLUTTER and CLEAN

Luciecat63

Thank you Mrs SD - I will take advice and make a start in the bathroom. I am planning to have some work done in there (tiling and flooring) so I have already started, but it needs a proper go-through. Alongside my room-by-room, I plan to declutter some paperwork from various jobs and committees. I am also going to declutter food stores, and get rid of a few lbs from me.
Order of work at the moment (it may change):
Bathroom
Living room, including bureau, books, CDs, DVDs
Shed, balcony, external access.
Hall including two large storage cupboards and bookcase
Kitchen
Bedroom including clothes, shoes, make-up etc
Spare Room - the real room of doom. It contains all my crafting materials, craft book, spare clothes in several sizes and anything I can't fit anywhere else. This will probably take several months to excavate.  

the_cross_rabbit

Hi I would like to join this year, aiming to declutter and raise some money from said items to pay for wooden flooring in our bedroom. Also need to tackle the garage/attic of the hubbster’s ‘it might come in useful’ pile. The kitchen needs a complete overhaul so that needs to be tackled first.
CRx

dND

balabooberlies said:

Am a self confessed hoarder.  Severe depression in the last decade has played a huge part.  I seem to have a firm hand over that now, and for the first time in a long time I am happy to be me.  So, as I am useless at keeping to targets (this may change as I get stronger) I would like to attempt 52 bags in 52 weeks.

Hi bala,  that sounds like me!  I've stopped setting myself big targets as I would always miss them, feel a failure and then give up completely.  I now have small goals and have realised that sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.  I couldn't let go of things 'just in case I needed them' and because of the clutter could never remember if I already had what I wanted.  So invariably I'd end up with multiples!!

What I'm doing/did is not chucking stuff out until I've collated all like with like.  Then I can make a reasoned decision that I don't need half a dozen candle holders that I rarely use anyway!  I can choose the ones I really like and get rid of the rest. 

Now I have some stuff in permanent homes, it's much easier to deal with the bits that have homes as I wander past and I only have to concentrate on what I can now see is a decreasing pile of stuff that I haven't been through and been able to make a decision about.

So, good luck on getting sorted and I'm really glad that you are in a better place - it feels good doesn't it.

boultdj

Start made, changed over to new tooth brush, so old 1 for the bin and used up the tube of toothpaste as well, so 2 items out.

PurpleJay

Hi, can I join in please? 

I have way to much stuff and although I have been working on this in 2020, I have a long way to go!

Part of what has been holding me up is waiting for my ex husband to clear out his stuff from the annexe/former garage. Now he has done this (there are a few bits remaining), I am waiting for hm to take an old sofa and the carpets to the tip (he has said he will do this) so that I can decorate and get some new flooring down (I have the paint and flooring ready). Half the space is to be an office for me (I have been working from home since March) and storeroom (with items stored tidily away in wardrobes) and the other half a gym/exercise room so that I can get the treadmill out of my dining room, and create space for weights, mats etc for me and my son (14). It will also be a good space for him to do VR - his latest 'thing'. At present the soon to be gym is full of camping stuff which needs to be slimmed down (over the years I have bought new stuff but never got rid of any) so that it will fit, mostly out of sight, in the office/store room. 

In addition to this, I am refurbishing the main bathroom this year, getting rid of the bath and having a walk in shower. It needs the full works, tiling etc. Again, I have most of the bits ready - these are stored at present in the 'soon to be gym' (I just need the shower and taps I think) but it is a matter of getting quotes and making it all happen. 

As usual, there are other smaller jobs to do too, the front garden is in a state and the back will need some pruning and TLC come spring. I have to many ornaments, paperwork, books, clothes etc. I am hoping this will keep me on track and accountable. Also I need to stop buying stuff! I have been terrible in lockdown, parcels arriving most weeks. I am looking forward to getting started, though my plans to start decorating my new office are dashed for now as I twisted my knee just before Christmas and am supposed to be resting. Taking it step by step and not becoming overwhelmed by the long list of things I want to achieve is key I think. I can sit down to sort out paperwork so no excuses.

Getting divorced is also on my to-do list for 2021. Does that count as de-cluttering
 

Willowtree222

I counted my ex if that helps? X

balabooberlies

Yes PJ, I think it does.

Especially if you are working from a premise of kindness.  To others but primarily to yourself.

bala

balabooberlies

dND

it feels great !

Took my whole life to get here.

bala

x

PurpleJay

Thanks. From a position of kindness but especially to myself is a good way to look at it. Some kind of closure would be nice. We are amicable now and have been separated for two and a half years. Moving on has been a slow process but now I want to feel like my home is mine and know where I stand financially. Neither of those will be possible until we are divorced.

hopefuldebtfree

I've had a productive day and with your advice I've tackled small things, I feel so much better for it. When I felt like I'd had enough I stopped, I can always go back to it later and that for me is such a good feeling.  I used to get to the point that it became a horrible chore and would make myself finish (well almost, inevitably I would shove the remaining bits back in) I never felt lighter for the process, doing it this way I feel positive about the whole process.  Cup of tea and then I'm going to sort the two shelves in the huge food cupboard.  I always used to take it all out but there's no need.  Only the two shelves need tidying, so instead of a huge job it's much more attractive a task to start   
Thank you everyone for your inspiration