De-cluttering, the never-ending process

Gosh I worked hard this morning and did not wake up with that in mind. I changed bedding to linen for summer and in process went through my bedding store cupboard. I have had enough of the `superior` flannel bedding bought not so long ago from the linen cupboard. Always carefully washed but became hard , rough and not pleasant to sleep in

All that make of flannel has been binned. The older northern nights from qvc a long time ago is still nice, soft and usable so that will be my go-to for next autumn. The flannel I got rid of was bulky and has left a nice big space in my cupboard.

I am shattered and it all started when I was trying to find a space in which to squeeze some bags of fluff, for spinning. It ended up with a whole double cupboard emptying, which spread into two bedrooms

Ok, done now and with more space. Going out: all my felting stuff that I never use any more plus the big box kits, unopened. CS will benefit by a lot. I re-purposed a couple of the largest lakeland vac pack bags with a big volume and which helped me to move. Very useful for making doubly sure that moths don`t come near my wool and yarn stash

In the process, I have to be glad that I stashed. several top-notch blends of fibre eg silk/cashmere. all were beautifully protected in wrapping and the invoice was with them. Dearest was £37 for 500g. I bought all of them in 2014, before I was widowed and when I was foot-loose and fancy-free

The moral here is not to bewail having a stash, it actually saves a lot of money, provided it is used one day

PS, I won`t mention all the sweater weight amounts of excellent knitting yarn

Baby steps, Maybe. A friend has started on a major paperwork sort out and is doing just ten minutes at a time. For her, that’s more manageable.

Today we went to the dump twice with car loads of cardboard for recycling. Also my GC’s baby car seat went out, a bit nostalgic at that going. There is more space in the garage again - for now. :hmm:

I’ve got duplicates if everything that need using up. A combination of us getting a huge discount on Boots products and often buying 3 for 2 and because of the pandemic not replacing things as and when needed. I’m still living on pandemic food ( I ignore use best before dates on most things). I lost a day when my Humax stopped working because I get tunnel visioned when something like that happens. I need to go through years and years of paperwork. It is a bit overwhelming.

Oh SueDonim- I loved your story.

SueDonim

I haven’t done anything except plant some roses.

Callistemon our son and dil once left a small nappy changing bag in our house. I didn’t notice it for weeks because it was in a room we seldom used. When I eventually came across it there was something that had once been a banana in it. 😂

😁

I went out to find a spot where I might plant a shrivelled looking peony tuber which might not make it anyway, but it's going to rain.
Changed my mind about what should go there anyway.

Now, what is Plan B 🤔

I haven’t done anything…😫

I haven’t done anything except plant some roses.

Callistemon our son and dil once left a small nappy changing bag in our house. I didn’t notice it for weeks because it was in a room we seldom used. When I eventually came across it there was something that had once been a banana in it. 😂

I haven't done anything except plant up some tubs.

I am just about to insert my last (hurrah) zero water catridge into my water filter unit. Ok yes I am glad I stock piled when they were on offer but really! I had two years worth. The filter jug itself is going out in a few weeks, past cleaning properly after today plus the lid gasket is past redemtion

I do have a new setup ready with re fillable filter and a metal case which can be dishwashed. All in all, a decent sized space will be restored into my utility cupboard

The miserable rainy weather has a lot to answer for, I am very happily spinning stash but I needed some things today for storing my spun singles. Duly ordered and then I got sucked into more knitting books

I am off to cs later, if thunder allows, I have boxed felt kits to give away, unopened and nice but honestly, I dont know why I even bought those kits. The dgc are not into crafting and I don`t want any more ornaments, particularly the gsd that will be first to go to cs. One at a time and several weeks apart, it is the only way I can justify that initial cost to myself but heyho the cs will benefit

I’ve just spent a couple of days tidying up the garden. The frustrating thing about that is that, when I stopped needing to work on the garden last autumn I thought to myself ‘ I can concentrate on the house now’ but what happened to that garden free time ?

😂😂😂

Oh, the one about the fruit rang a bell! It was a nice leather handbag too and involved a kiwi fruit 🥝

I saw this today and immediately thought of this thread. ❤️ I’ve had a delivery today of poly-pockets for dvds, so I can rid of the plastic outers and just keep the discs and leaflets. I’ve also decided to empty my larder cupboard and sort out the tins. The unit was installed last year but only the ‘surface layer’ of goods have been used so obviously I’m overstocked. I’ll make meals with the surplus and from now on just buy as needed.

AreWeThereYet

I spent two years during lock down decluttering - trying on clothes, washing and ironing them, putting them into piles ready for taking to charity shop until all I had left was the stuff that fitted me and I would wear. Most of it was size 12, and as I was 14-16 I didn't expect to ever get into it again. Now I am back down to a size 12 and having to shop for new things as most things are miles too big. This morning I found a hidden bag in the spare bedroom that hadn't made it to the charity shop - inside it were two lovely skirts and a shirt (all still labelled), so they made it back to my wardrobe.

Sadly this has reinforced Mr A's thinking that as soon as you get rid of things you need them, so it's not making it any easier to get him to get rid of things.

I got around that with Mr F.
It gets taken out to the garage. Left for 2 weeks.
If after 2 weeks it is still no longer wanted, it is properly dealt with. Solved his problem.
May not work for everyone.

Mr A is absolutely right!

I think it's called Sod's Law 😁

I spent two years during lock down decluttering - trying on clothes, washing and ironing them, putting them into piles ready for taking to charity shop until all I had left was the stuff that fitted me and I would wear. Most of it was size 12, and as I was 14-16 I didn't expect to ever get into it again. Now I am back down to a size 12 and having to shop for new things as most things are miles too big. This morning I found a hidden bag in the spare bedroom that hadn't made it to the charity shop - inside it were two lovely skirts and a shirt (all still labelled), so they made it back to my wardrobe.

Sadly this has reinforced Mr A's thinking that as soon as you get rid of things you need them, so it's not making it any easier to get him to get rid of things.

many people from that era never threw anything out, so much was destroyed or became scarce during war years, even newspaper to start fires or cut up into squares to hang on a wire in the outside lavatory. I think that is why a fair few of us became overstocked with `stuff`, not hoarders, just being psychologically prudent as it was very deeply ingrained from throughout childhood. It was hard to let-go then, no internet forums to help

The coats in the washer Callistemon along with a pair of gloves you wouldn't put on a snowman.[Smile] Then they will go in the airing cupboard and take the route down the back to another hidden corner.
My school friend's mother was like that old lady, you moved a pile of newspapers to sit down. I think I have said on here before she used to stuff anything under the sofa cushions. Once when we were there her suspender belt, a bra and nylons slipped out. You can imagine the scenario naughty 13-year-old girls' minds thought up. I think she had probably been drying them on the fire guard like a lot did.

I remember visiting an old lady once when I was in my teens.

Her four poster bed, in the living room, was so piled high with stuff she had to sleep in a chair. She would not let anyone help her.

When I looked at the spare bed piled up with the contents of my wardrobe it reminded me of her.

But first I have plants to put in pots 🙂

fancythat

"I feel as though I am virtually at a standstill wrt de-cluttering" karmalady - you mean you have finished apart from maintenance?
In which case, congratulations?

oh thank you fancythat, I was feeling `stuck` but your words have made me realise that I am maintenance stage and not stuck. It was very satisfying tbh to be doing the bulk de-cluttering

"I feel as though I am virtually at a standstill wrt de-cluttering" karmalady - you mean you have finished apart from maintenance?
In which case, congratulations?

Yammy

Callistemon21

He has been outside working most of the day in case I put him in the rubbish 😂😂😂
Keep moving, Mr Y!

When we redecorated and had new flooring downstairs a few years ago, I left it looking minimalist for a few weeks but things did creep back.

He's disappeared now into town for more paint for the door in a coat he has had at least 20 years .He must think if he has it on it wont disappear.
We minimalism our last house to sell it as advised by the estate agent!!!! When we got here out came all the tat .
I think he has read what you said but things will go while he is away.

Mr C goes out looking like a tramp unless I catch him first.
He did throw out a jumper which had a hole in the front the other week. I was threatening to rip it and make it into a huge hole while he was wearing it.

Callistemon21

^He has been outside working most of the day in case I put him in the rubbish^ 😂😂😂
Keep moving, Mr Y!

When we redecorated and had new flooring downstairs a few years ago, I left it looking minimalist for a few weeks but things did creep back.

He's disappeared now into town for more paint for the door in a coat he has had at least 20 years .He must think if he has it on it wont disappear.
We minimalism our last house to sell it as advised by the estate agent!!!! When we got here out came all the tat .
I think he has read what you said but things will go while he is away.

I de-clutter every spring and it is very therapeutic for me. I have one friend who insists on giving me ornaments for birthday gifts despite knowing I like a minimalist look. My aunt is the same. So they get given away. I'm working up to a good clear out soon. Books, dvds and cds. I haven't used CDs or DVDs in five years so they're going. I carefully cull books. One in, two out.

A good idea Maybee, a contained place to showcase objects that we like. An idea to copy

I feel as though I am virtually at a standstill wrt de-cluttering but tbh I always have that aim at the back of my mind now. Life carries on and all I am buying is my organic veg and some fruit and only one thing at a time now in the cleaning line, a big change for me and I can see my storecupboard reducing, albeit slowly

My bin this week is only half full after three weeks, I suppose that is a good thing

I continue to stash bust while enjoying myself, particularly with spinning, which I am doing outside now, whenever there is enough warmth in the sun.

I did treat myself this week, it was an expensive impulse buy but this is the first year in which I have no real garden-clearing work after three full years of back -breaking clearing and digging. So a treat to myself, now that I can sit out, guilt free and with enjoyment. A really good and comfy folding recliner for outside, I have an old one with a mesh cool base and will keep that but this new one is padded and a much easier design to use and will go into any position, included sitting or zero gravity

Re personal paperwork. Soon after I was widowed, it came to me that I didn`t want my AC to be reading my lovely letters from my husband sent while we were were courting. I decided to shred them. I remember a sibling photocopying letters from my mum to my dad and then passing those sweet words around. I did not want that, those letters to me were mine and only mine