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30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

(639 Posts)
Guesswhat Mon 23-Jan-23 22:14:03

Would anybody like to join me in this?

I’ve read about a method where you chuck out/donate one bag of clutter every day for 30 days. As an inveterate hoarder who wants to get on top of things at last, I’m going to go for it! (Only a carrier bag, mind. Not a big refuse sack.)

Tomorrow I’ll start with a bag of books to take to the charity shop. The day after, maybe some clothes. By recording my progress on here, I’m hoping to keep up the good work.

Wish me luck!

karmalady Tue 21-Mar-23 12:18:29

maw, they were absolutely brilliant for moving house as well as shopping. They were collectable in 2007 and had a cult following. Good also for carting my wood carving stuff to a group session. One folds and is fairly small

Only the biggest heavier one is going

Maw have you never collected anything, just because? Own up

MawtheMerrier Tue 21-Mar-23 11:40:32

I have three shopping trolleys, all rolsers. I think it is time to remove the first one, a glossy white and black print. I see that they have trebled in cost since I bought mine so a good time for it to go to a local charity shop. I shall fill it over time,then roll it down

THREE shopping trolleys????
Not sure what you mean by “rolsers” but why would anybody need or want 3?
I can see why decluttering might be on the cards!

Callistemon21 Tue 21-Mar-23 10:51:40

DH has done his bit this morning to help declutter.

He was putting away a small Pyrex freezer dish at the back of the cupboard and somehow managed to knock several other dishes out of the cupboard. Two avourite stoneware baking dishes, one brand new Pyrex casserole dish broken, three others chipped! 😲
He is very remorseful.

Guesswhat Tue 21-Mar-23 08:58:43

Agreed, karmalady. I shall no doubt post any future victories on your new thread smile. I definitely need the motivation of recording any progress and reading of others’.

karmalady Tue 21-Mar-23 07:40:05

Guesswhat

We’re coming up to the end of the fourth week of our “extension”. So, in two weeks and a day, our challenge will be completed.

In my case, I’ve achieved quite a lot. Not as much as I wanted to though - so, for me, I’ll keep plodding along for as long as it takes.

I managed to collect a small bag of clutter today when I tidied the contents of a cupboard. And tomorrow I’ll be choosing some more books to take to the charity shop.

Clothes, makeup, costume jewellery - still on my list to be done!

In that case we do need a new de-cluttering thread as de-cluttering is an on-going journey and many of us can only manage the psychology and effort of a small amount at a time

Guesswhat Mon 20-Mar-23 22:07:36

We’re coming up to the end of the fourth week of our “extension”. So, in two weeks and a day, our challenge will be completed.

In my case, I’ve achieved quite a lot. Not as much as I wanted to though - so, for me, I’ll keep plodding along for as long as it takes.

I managed to collect a small bag of clutter today when I tidied the contents of a cupboard. And tomorrow I’ll be choosing some more books to take to the charity shop.

Clothes, makeup, costume jewellery - still on my list to be done!

Grammaretto Sun 19-Mar-23 18:21:36

Thanks Karmalady
I haven't done it yet but the day isn't out yet grin

karmalady Sun 19-Mar-23 18:12:24

grammaretto, I saw a container at the recycling centre today, signposted for shoes. I think a salvation army bin takes shoes too

karmalady Sun 19-Mar-23 18:10:23

I have three shopping trolleys, all rolsers. I think it is time to remove the first one, a glossy white and black print. I see that they have trebled in cost since I bought mine so a good time for it to go to a local charity shop. I shall fill it over time,then roll it down

Nice to have a proper aim. Reading a post about a lovely lively lady of 92 now wanting to go into a care home, that really resonated with me. I am enjoying being my age right now but 5 years can make one heck of a difference at the far end of a lifespan.

Grammaretto Sun 19-Mar-23 16:07:40

Before the day is out I have promised myself I will fill my shopping trolley again
Old shoes? Do they go in the clothes bank?
Old sheets? Clothes bank too?

Talking of figs, I have a very large weeping fig which has wept her last tears. I have been watering it but no reaction.
It belonged to my mother so a good age.

karmalady Sun 19-Mar-23 13:12:24

A very satisfying clearout today

flannel bedding set, got them from the linen cupboard and they were nice for only two seasons. Third season and they are stiff, coarse and bobbly. They are out

Stuff from the garage, rolls of shelf liners etc and that lead me to cleaning out some raised planters on legs. Finished, got their cloche tops down and away to the tip with them. I felt energetic and worked a solid 4 hours. Tired now but a whole boot full is a good result and I did not need to dither

I am seriously thinking of getting rid now of three very heavy emptied saltwash pots. They are dome shaped ie narrower at the top and yes they are nice but I no longer want the hassle of filling them nor watering them nor carrying them. I shall try and re-home them

Doodledog Fri 17-Mar-23 19:07:15

I love grilled figs with blue cheese and honey drizzled over them.

My collection didn't happen, so I now have a bag of donations in the hallway. I'm going away tomorrow for a week, so I won't be adding to it, but it's annoying. I got the confirmation email too.

Guesswhat Fri 17-Mar-23 18:35:40

Thanks, Grammaretto.

Yammy, you’re right about the population increase regarding tea towels. I think I’ll sort through mine, keeping the pristine ones and using the shabby ones as floor cloths.

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Mar-23 18:28:23

Oh! I like most things but not figs.

I used to be dosed with 'Syruppy Figs' when I was young (keeps you regular 😁) so perhaps that's why, but strangely enough, I like figgy biscuits.

Yammy Fri 17-Mar-23 18:25:16

Callistemon21

^I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date^
😲
I went on a chocolate hunt the other day just in case there were some hidden away from Christmas but no luck.

I've done more tidying and re-arranging than throwing out this week. A few clothes are in a pile ready to go, that's it.

They were Italian stuffed figs in horrible chocolate.
Yesterday T-shirts and jumpers were sorted and thrown.
Today the Dreaded Kitchen drawers. What I turned up made me blushTea towels had been breeding.

Grammaretto Fri 17-Mar-23 18:01:32

Well done Guesswhat I would call that mission accomplished!

I cannot say the same but at least I've only bought food and plants this week.

The colleague of DH collected the box of archives.

My forensic friend has given me a strong box to keep for VIP things.
I can't lift much on my own so await my HelpX volunteers who are due next week.
I have a long list for them.

Guesswhat Fri 17-Mar-23 16:26:35

I’ve been away for a week so, once again, I need to catch up. Have lost track of where we are on the 6 week extension period grin. I’ll work it out later and let you know!

I haven’t achieved anything like I planned when this whole thing started, but my house is already looking a lot tidier. So I’ll keep on plodding along for now. Well done, all of you fellow declutterers!

karmalady Thu 16-Mar-23 10:46:38

Maybee, I need to wear clothes in fads ie constantly the same few things. It is the only way they will wear out. I have enough for many years, in boxes under my bed

Its awfully late in life to learn that big lesson ie only buy what I need rather than want but that lightbulb has stuck with me and I am actually saving, at long last. Having said that, I am hunting for any hidden chocolate right now. Surprise surprise, there is none

My real aim is a possible last move and bigger downsize in 5 years, to follow dd as moving then is on the cards for them. Time goes so quickly these days

MayBee70 Wed 15-Mar-23 21:14:40

I’ve got a drawer full of bras because my weight fluctuates so much and with it my bust size. Having said that I rarely wear a bra anyway. Same with leggings: I change size all the time. Mind you I’ve just started living in some socks that I’ve had for years and never worn. I go through fads. I found a pair of trousers that I hadn’t worn for years and lived in them for all of last year. I had a set back yesterday because someone was supposed to be coming to look at my windows and advise me on whether they just need the glass replacing or the whole windows needs replacing. They never turned up and I’d moved everything away from all the windows to give a clear view. It’s stopped me in my tracks.

karmalady Wed 15-Mar-23 12:14:14

I think when the mojo goes, then accept it but side track and sort/tidy just one shelf or one drawer. I sometimes do that, not a major job but it maintains that marie kondo vibe and in process may well unearth even that one item. Little steps, always

I will not be ruthless with my hand made garments but I know I have some slinky/silky skirts etc from that one and only cruise. They will be next on my mental list, that plus any bra that stops me breathing, ok too tight around the underband

Callistemon21 Wed 15-Mar-23 10:39:52

I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date
😲
I went on a chocolate hunt the other day just in case there were some hidden away from Christmas but no luck.

I've done more tidying and re-arranging than throwing out this week. A few clothes are in a pile ready to go, that's it.

Yammy Wed 15-Mar-23 09:09:00

I have to confess I have slowed down quite a bit. I went at it like mad in the rooms that were really in need but left the easier ones and I'm having difficulty getting started on them.
I went into a cupboard and found chocolates DD had brought last Easter now past their date.
When cooking I am portioning as I go rather than after the meal, I've had to buy new storage boxes, and now need to sort and recycle the ones without lids.
Still have too many cooking implements and old towels.

Doodledog Wed 15-Mar-23 08:48:45

I agree, karmalady. Better to strike when the iron is hot.

My charity collection is happening today, and hasn't worked out how I'd planned, which was to have 35 bags of assorted items bagged and ready to go to new homes grin.

Instead, the clothes I so desperately need to sort are still clogging up spare rooms, and my 'helpful' husband accidentally took 2 bags meant for donation to the tip. I despair sometimes.

Anyway, I've done a quick run around, and found a nice leather briefcase I'm unlikely to use again, a warm coat (hardly worn as it was on the neat side before I put on weight), a Sofaworks sloth than came free with some furniture, and two plug-in scent diffusers (I use hot stones now). They are now at the bottom of the garden for collection, safe from the clutches of Mr Dog. I will have a look around my knitting stash for something to take along to knitting group this morning, too.

I need to get my decluttering mojo back - I was going great guns, but have slowed down to a crawl. <-- It looks like I must have donated my book of mixed metaphors in a previous bag grin.

karmalady Wed 15-Mar-23 08:34:26

I have removed a few things, esp countable for me is what I wore yesterday. A nicely made fleece backed me made tunic. The style was rural and from a US site and tbh I could not stand the look. It was nice and warm so is for donating after washing

My fridge was malodorous, has been for three days. I was convinced it was the caulie but no. I decided to empty and wipe shelves, even though they all looked very clean. It was that, must have been from the bottom of something. That became a good opportunity to get rid of lots of chia seeds and two jars of something lurking at the back. The chia is flung where birds can get them

My car boot contains 2 bags worth and a nice roasting tin, I am with dd at the weekend, she is having all that

I could have left it all, all those things but it is best to act right away, not to forget

MayBee70 Mon 13-Mar-23 22:36:19

I get flood warnings all the time. I need to stop them being phoned through. I’m sandwiched between two rivers so one or other is always flooding. My house, albeit not being very old, was built in the old part of the village when they knew the best place to build. The worst thing about the flood warning was that, in my rush to get to the phone the fried egg on toast that I was eating nearly went flying!