Pre Xmas De-cluttering Pledge support requested

Friday I sorted out a cracked mug full of old biros, broken pencils and dried up felt tips. Kept four biros that still worked and binned the rest. Today I have put a plastic jug and six tumblers in the charity shop bag.

well done everyone. It was raining so hard today and now I've missed the charity shops and the tip. Both close at 4pm.
I know I could still make a pile ready but somehow my motivation goes. It's a bit like when the Sunday post box collection stopped there was no incentive to write a letter.
Or is it just me making excuses?

Today has been the turn of DVDs, quite a few never opened, to be honest I doubt we’ll ever watch any of them again, but I’ve got rid of about a dozen.

newnanny I hope I haven’t killed off your thread. Today I’ve sorted through my Christmas draw. I’ve packed up some Christmas cushions, throws and soft toys while watching BBC Brexit (sorry for the unpleasant word) I think Sar53 tip of keep a bag in clear view will remind me to put stuff in is good. I shall keep that in mind.

Ps I’ve just listen Elton John’s book that been serialised on radio 4 while decluttering. I’m not a fan but it was surprisingly interesting and made the time fly by.

Can I join? I’ve got off to a flying start. Two bags of winter clothes that don’t fit to the charity shop. Cleared out two sideboard draws. I’ve just tidied up the kitchen cupboard (do food cupboards count as decluttering? ) and thrown out a few out of date foodstuff the oldest 2012 that was at the back of the cupboard. I’m not very good at this. I spend an inordinate amount of time procrastinating, will I, won’t I, should I keep it, throw it? Why has it all become so complicated and overwhelming. Why did I buy so much in the first place. Oh dear you may need to counsel me through this.

I’d love to join in this! I’m a def hoarder and we are doing lots of work on the house so are drowning under the clutter! ?

As soon as i start to clear out i find treasure greenfinch even if only the odd 50p.
Today I will tackle a corner of my bedroom.
I tried to give a 1970s chest of drawers to the charity shop but they didn't want it. I posted it on free gumtree and an upcycler woman came for it she said it would be perfect for her project.

I decided to tackle the odds and ends of cutlery drawer this morning and not only did I find lots of cutlery to dispose of but lots of interesting little gadgets I had forgotten that I had or thought had been lost. An added bonus !

This morning added to my pile some photo frames given to me years ago, but not to my taste, hopefully someone else might like them

I'm not a hoarder by nature, but some expensive clothes I've hung onto for far too long. I've invited my sister to come and take her pick and then I'll take some to the charity shop. I use one which sends me a letter annually showing how much they've made from my donations and it gives me an added incentive for giving away stuff.

Moving into a 2 bed Park Home, the junk I have chucked out ? A box is waiting for Music Magpie to collect, DVDs and CDs making £16.66. The others that they did not want, went to Charity. Paid £8 for a black silk dress for a formal night on a cruise instead of £70 in a shop. A bargain ? Trying to find an Advent Calendar somewhere in my storage. Have just over a month ?

Wednesday I put about 30 plastic bottles and fast food containers in the recycling bin; plus the cutlery container from a dishwasher that I replaced ages ago. Today, Thursday, I have cleared a carrier bag full of 'souvenir' leaflets, postcards and holiday maps.

I am in too and started with clothing. I realise there are many seriously dated items in my wardrobe. It is dispiriting to compare today’s quality with that of twenty years ago though, I must not let that stop me from throwing out. Luckily I pass the charity shop on the way to the supermarket.

@CBBL just pledge to throw out or give away 1 item each day. That is not too daunting. We all find it hard but it is very satisfying when I have empty space in a cupboard.

I have today been sifting through 2 large boxes in a spare bedroom. It contained the dreaded paperwork. I even found an old electric bill from almost 10 years ago. We pay by dd
and all on website account so why on earth did I keep it? It is crazy. I have spent over 3 hours but now have one full box that I shall shred tomorrow and then recycle the paper and empty box. On the plus side I have found a few important documents I did not know where they were e.g. planning permission for extension. Now in safe. Toy box tomorrow!

@Grammaretto, 3 copies of the same book. Wow you must be a hoarder. I bet you have read them. Get rid of them!

@Jillybird I have made sure I have everything I think I may ever need again if I were to tutor for example on my memory stick which I have a back up one too. No excuse not to get rid of paper copies {smile].

I am my mum's caregiver, and she recently made a new will. I will inherit her house and everything in it except a few things to relatives. Since I am at her home daily I look around to see what she would let me donate, but dad died 4 years ago. She is unwilling to let me sort out her things. I look at my home and am overwhelmed thinking of the two homes stuff as my responsibility. For the last few months I've been decluttering my stuff, and I have only DH to contend with here. This is a useful thread, and I've loved the suggestions. I have decided that Mum's devotional books library will go to the church. Some of her pots and pans would be useful in their kitchen as well. We must keep trying.

Ninarosa ohh I could have just done with your roll of clingfilm.

Its very handy if your decorating (Ive just done dds bathroom and covered sink/toilet cistern,windowsill in clingfilm, to keep paint splashes off.

Ohh this thread reminds me of late dh, he used to take things to the local tip BUT COME BACK WITH OTHER PEOPLES STUFF lol.

Brilliant idea. We obviously decluttered 11 years ago when we moved abroad but if anything happened to us the children would have a lot sot sort out or throw out. The biggest problem is that they don't have charity shops here or many online things like Gumtree etc. There is a lovely English lady who sells things to raise money for charity from barns on her property but it's a 60 mile round trip to take things to her so will have to be a car full to go.

I help in a local charity shop, (all the money stays in our village). Yes we want your stuff! What you call tatt someone else thinks is lovely. I am amazed at what people will buy. There is a list of things that most charities won't take: duvets/pillows, safety equipment - so no bike helmets etc. some won't take pushchairs, we do but check the brakes and obvious wear and tear, electrical equipment as it all has to be tested which is usually more than the item is worth, ask about this as some charities have someone that does it for them. Most shops also take clothing/ bedding/towels etc that has seen better days to sell for recycling. We can also sell shoes/handbags/soft toys without the ce. mark for recycling. Some of the larger charities can take old books for pulping as well. Hopes this helps with your clear outs.

Yes indeed billericaylady I always tell myself I could do it if I really had to. Don't start a new collection though....

When we were having work done on the house, many moons ago, we hired a skip but back then I was loath to eject things which might come in useful. They haven't and when you have 3 copies of the same book, surely it's time to get rid.

Good luck to all you declutterers. All power to your elbows.
I parted with my small charity bag this morning so that's a start. (halo shines)

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This morning I have donated to my pile, a few pairs of husbands trousers, hanging at the back if his wardrobe in dry cleaner bags, he will never miss them, and a Laura Ashley fruit bowl I have never liked.

On the downside, yesterday I bought a dozen glass Christmassy dishes.