30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

Callistemon21

Can we count the innumerable bags we got rid of just before this thread started?

Less of the “we”

I only started last Tuesday

We removed 2 boxes of trainers to the village school 'extra clothing cupboard' - each our box of many 'last ok pair' and 'extra rain pair' and so on.

We walk 4 times a day, need trainers with great support. Trainer foot-beds are worn well before the shoe itself is tatty.

Schools observe needs, extra footwear being a great need.

No extra trainers here, but replacements are on order.

Can we count the innumerable bags we got rid of just before this thread started?

Day 7 and I’m on a roll!

Recycling day tomorrow and I’ve already almost filled one bag with paperwork. As I’ve said before, this could be classed as ordinary household administration. Something that normal people take in their stride and manage to do on a regular basis, without fuss.

I, however, am not normal, so I consider my achievement today as a considerable step forward in my de-cluttering journey.

Old bank statements, receipts, holiday brochures, out of date coupons . . . . . You name it, I’ve shredded it.

A set back. I had several things that I was planning to take to the next repair cafe with a view to throwing them away if they weren’t repairable but I’m now needed to look after my grandson that morning. I may not be able to go to the next one either.

I've cleared out half of my coffee table (it has a lot of storage in it) and two bags of donated items are being collected - one tomorrow and one on Tuesday morning.

Again, small steps, but it has given me the equivalent of two bags' worth of space for tidying away other items, so it's all good, and the items are going to good causes, so it's even better. Wednesday will mean another bag of old knitting yarn goes out, and I still have the clothes and books to do ahead of the charity collection in a couple of weeks.

Bag 4: only one thing in it, it's a worn out super king size duvet cover. I was going to keep it for my fabric stash but I've decided it's past that. Four down, twenty six to go.

keepcalmandcavachon

Told Mr Keepcalm that we were now living by the William Morris principle of having nothing in the home that is not useful or beautiful to look at . He combed his hair and washed up!

Ha ha! That’s a good one, keepcalm!

Told Mr Keepcalm that we were now living by the William Morris principle of having nothing in the home that is not useful or beautiful to look at . He combed his hair and washed up!

Going by my experience, people will stop donating to places that have strict rules. The BL took any books, while of the various charity shops, some only took hard backs, some took no reference books, another wouldn’t accept children’s books.

In the end, you go where it’s easiest, don’t you, and bypass those who put obstacles in your way. 🤔

I'm just decluttering a drawer in the coffee table as I sit here .....

It's becoming a habit.

They haven't refused anything we took so far, except books.

I did have to go and retrieve something once which DH took by mistake but felt obliged to put a fiver in the till.

I wonder whether the ones who are picky about what they take will find that people stop donating, as it's easier just to take everything to one place?

Ditto the store cupboard goods, Karma. For 25 years we lived in a rural area of Scotland which lacked services and could be hard hit by weather. It seemed normal to me to keep a good stock of food but now we’re within walking distance of a big supermarket and even closer to a small one, there’s no need. It’s hard to re-educate your brain, though! Previously, when I opened a packet of, say, cereal, I would buy a new pack the next time I shopped. Now, I don’t buy a new pack until the first is almost empty but that hunting-gathering instinct is still very strong! I’m also working my way through the tins and packets we have, using them up. One tin of beans is fine, I don’t need to keep four.

Sorting books, I had to be ruthless when we moved. Some i kept for sentiment’s sake, nice hardback copies of classics etc. Some irreplaceable books also stayed. The Useful books stayed, too, and ones I was planning to read. However, I was ruthless with out of date reference books, books which had been read but never would be again and I made myself be honest as ti whether I’d ever read some of the titles on the shelf. One classic in particular that I’d been meaning to read for decades got the chop because I can no longer read the tiny print!

Many of our books went to the local British Legion who hold monthly book sales. Rotary clubs have similar sales in some areas so they might be worth checking out.

MerylStreep

We are only a small charity. Our rag man comes about once a month. Last Friday he took 50 x 10Kl bags.
Since Xmas we have been inundated with donations. Last week we had to be really ruthless with ragging good clothes and only keeping the very best. Same with brick a brack.
Good job I’m not a hoarder, it would be dangerous 😟

One of our local charity shops always said "No Books" but I noticed they have some very old books for sale in the window.

They seem to be changing ideas about what they want although they did say they were short on clothes.

A big bag of books ready to go (somewhere)
Tidied out the bathroom cabinet

Yesterday I put a pile of DH's puzzles on the dining room table for him to decide whether to keep or donate. They're still there. 🙂

I wish. Husband is a hoarder - everything "might come in useful".

Keep going and wishing you the best of luck!

No actual decluttering today but I am on a twofold mission and have a big store-cupboard. I am needing to save and I am using my stores daily. They are going down very slowly but this storecupboard malarky has been ingrained for a whole lifetime

We selected to target toys this afternoon.

Toys not used here are in better condition to those I saw in Church nursery today - excess bagged to transfer to our Church.

Days 5 and 6 - Slim pickings, I’m afraid. Was not at home yesterday so I’m trying to do two days’ worth of de-cluttering. It’ll have to be two SMALL bags with detritus from kitchen drawers and not much else today.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to set about things with a bit more energy and enthusiasm.

Have not done anything hardcore yet. Just pottering away really, without having to make difficult decisions. A few more days and it’ll be crunch time!

We are only a small charity. Our rag man comes about once a month. Last Friday he took 50 x 10Kl bags.
Since Xmas we have been inundated with donations. Last week we had to be really ruthless with ragging good clothes and only keeping the very best. Same with brick a brack.
Good job I’m not a hoarder, it would be dangerous 😟

Yep- same problem with books. I'm determined to cull mine, so I've been taking 10 at a time to the charity shop. Now, if only I could stop myself thinking "ooh look at that" and buying several more it would be so much more successful . I suppose providing I purchase fewer than 10, each time it will help..

I used BHF, the charity shop don't do bag/box collections unless you have furniture to collect, so you can book in lots of boxes and bags as well. Barnados are a bit cheeky, they charge you £10 for a collection.

Mollygo

Jaylou

Before this thread started I booked a charity shop collection, so yesterday 2 chests of drawers, bed & mattress, 2 other cupboards, 5 bags and 5 boxes were all collected, so I can now continue decluttering on a more normal scale. My biggest clutter is books, I have so many, but must be ruthless.

Please tell me how to be ruthless with books.
Charity shop collection? I didn’t know about that so I’ll look into it.

I’ve recycled some clothes via Cotton Traders, which helped me part with some stuff.

Yes, we've got rid of furniture to charities as some have a large van; they may take them elsewhere to larger hubs.
Otherwise you could check to see if there is an upcycling centre in your area.

Please tell me how to be ruthless with books
Difficult one. My friend used to say that hardbacks are meant to be kept, paperbacks are meant to be passed on for others to enjoy.
I ruthlessly threw out some old, inherited books when we move house once and wish I never had. They did go to Oxfam so I hope they were enjoyed by someone else.