De-cluttering, the never-ending process

Just sorting out one of the spare bedrooms, it’s taken me 4 days and I’ve just remembered I haven’t done the second ottoman, but apart from that I think that one room is done. Just another 9 rooms to go plus the garage, potting shed and home office, oh and the lean to shed and the greenhouse, I’ll need extra dustbins.

Before this week I’ve basically just moved stuff around, but this time I’m being ruthless, but it’s very tiring…..but if I don’t love it, or haven’t worn it for a year, it’s out.

I have just finished sorting my duplicate knitting needles to give away. It was not as easy as I thought as I have a mixture of metric and old sizes and so had to look up a conversion table. Not much of an effort at decluttering really!

Glad this thread is back.
I was going to post something eventually if no one came back.

tapestryfrog - I agree with what karma has written.
Sorry for the diagnosis.

I am in a bit the same situation as you, op.
Doing things slowly.
I can see more space in a bedroom than I have seen for ages.

Coming up to the major jobs of paperwork reorganisation. And loft.

Back again after very slow progress but still it is progress. My main aim now is to be using stash, particularly what is lurking in my fibre storage cupboard. One unhappy pure wool 4ply hand knitted 2 coloured stripey jumper frogged and I have re-knitted into a two coloured gansey jumper, it was a lot of knitting and I played yarn chicken but finished it today and it is gorgeous.

In the meantime, I have not specifically gone on the de-cluttering hunt but have re-discovered bar soap and got rid of some containers for liquid soap and cleansers

I am proud of myself tbh, in not adding to my storecupboard stash and am slowly using up the dried foods such as figs and lentils. Am still training myself to shop local eg for butter, which is a good price here

Tapestryfrog, I am so sorry about that life-changing diagnosis. That plus de-cluttering must be overwhelming. One little step at a time and in your place, I would concentrate on paperwork to start with. It must be so hard, trying to do it all is nigh on impossible, it needs to be small chunks and not seen as a whole

My fibre crafting equipment is non-negotiable for downsizing. I enjoy spinning, knitting and sewing so much and love my quiet days with the radio on for company.

Oh my goodness we so need to do this! Unfortunately my DH is not very good at getting rid of things and is very good at procrastination. We keep saying we are going to do various things like declutter but somehow it never happens. As most of the clutter is his there isn't much I can do about it. It is very frustrating. In his defence he was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer last year and I do think that this (and the treatment he is on) has slowed him down significantly and I feel guilty nagging him.

My decluttering doesnt involve having things to give away much. It is much more about things that have reached the end of their life.
The few things to give away I see if family want them.
I went through the entire main bookcase. Only found 10 books I no longer wanted.

All may be a different matter when I get to the attic. But there are things up there like older suitcases near the end of their life. No on will want them. And old style bown furniture bits. Again, no one will want them.
Old bags? Ditto.

well done marmight, I know that feeling, it does help lift a load. I have not updated mine properly yet but I only did it last november. I have added and subtracted saving accounts since then. Btw, I am findig that the regular savers at >5% have really helped me to come to terms with not over-buying anything.

There is no money to spare at the end of the month and I have been very determined not to dip into savings, which might be needed for care one day, even if only help with house chores. Never say never, a reality shock for me when my fit healthy neighbour had a stroke last weekend. No-one from his family able to care for him now

I am still plodding, very slowly as it is more a case of use it ie knitting 4ply right now. Just a couple of things binned this week

I have 4 spinning wheels, all different for different methods. I am dithering so much re the first wheel, which is vintage and which I lovingly retored with my DH help. I bought it via a hospice shop at £100 over what I would easily get for it. I am inclined to drive to that place one weekend, it is a furniture shop. I know I could get money for it but donating it would just be a charitable donation on my part and it would be done and dusted. I am attached to it and so hard to let it go

That reality shock via neighbour has upset my psyche. At 75 I am at the far end of life. I know I go cycling up hills am strong and healthy etc but maybe cannot do that in five years and lack of aerobic will do me no good at all. I have to carry on with this givig away

Ive had a weekend of decluttering paper work and very cathartic it was too. I have a bin bag to dispose of. I’ve put all my ‘pre/after death’ stuff (POA, will, birth/death certs, list of contacts/passwords required etc) in a big envelope now in a secure place ready for my family. Nothing worse than having to search for all this info after death! I shall now move on to my clothes - maybe not today as the sun is out 🌞

Don`t put it off, my lovely neighbour had a stroke this weekend, out of the blue. He has an OH that he does so much for, she lives 1/2 mile away, he is 80

My paperwork is still not done, I try and do it every few months, it needs to be up to date. That is first and formost today. His dd, who lives away, will need to step in and sort things. How on earth can someone get in touch with banks etc unless details are set -out in a file of some sort. Also it makes me appreciate how very important it was that I did my power of attorney for well being and money.

They just fill "their" wardrobe here with more when they come home, Calendargirl
Although both had a good clear out of stuff to the charity shop 🙂
DS says he'll be ordering at least three skips.

Sorry Callistemon , didn’t realise they lived abroad.

My DD also lives away, in Oz, so I know what you mean. Even if she wanted stuff, it would not be very practical getting it there.

And my DS, who lives locally, will just skip stuff, so I must try and get rid of surplus stuff myself.

Soon after my husband died, I shredded all his courting letters to me from 1968-69. They were for my eyes only and it was important for me to be aware of how upset the children would be at their loving messages to me. I had to let them go for me to be able move on to my solo life

I have other things, small things that he carved from wood and on my mantlepiece. More neutral, less heart wrenching

And one did say "I couldn't possibly take it before ......"
😲

Calendargirl

Callistemon21

I wish my DD wouldn't keep saying "Oh, don't throw that out, I'd like it one day"

Well, if we downsize they will have to take it or do without 9ne day.

Why not say, “Here, take it now then”.

She would have it, and you would have got rid.

Of course, it’s soooo much easier for Mum to store this ‘stuff’….

Because they live on the other side of the world. I could crate it all up and pay a few thousand £ to send!

The charity shop it will probably be in the end anyway 😁
Or a skip.

Callistemon21

I wish my DD wouldn't keep saying "Oh, don't throw that out, I'd like it one day"

Well, if we downsize they will have to take it or do without 9ne day.

Why not say, “Here, take it now then”.

She would have it, and you would have got rid.

Of course, it’s soooo much easier for Mum to store this ‘stuff’….

I wish my DD wouldn't keep saying "Oh, don't throw that out, I'd like it one day"

Well, if we downsize they will have to take it or do without 9ne day.

But, why is it that you always find you really need something 2 days after it’s been despatched to the charity shop? 🙄. Sod’s law.

It is indeed!

Sometimes I've spent a while looking for something only to remember it went off to the charity shop months before when I was in a ruthless mood.

If you're still living with a partner it's a good idea to declutter together. Bereavement can happen sooner than you think and will make the process much harder. My husband emptied the loft because he knew I would not be able to do that. I have decluttered on and off when I feel like it. It'll never be 'done'. My husband was both an avid reader and avid writer and I keep coming across his notes. His handwriting and turn of phrase - so familiar - make me cry but also make me realise he is still with me.

I know what you mean ParlorGames.

I once came across a couple of birthday cards that Dad had sent to Mum when they were courting, back in the 1940’s.

Dad was the most unromantic of souls, and I can never recall him sending Mum cards since they had married.

But to see his ‘With all my love, …,’ written in a careful hand, broke me up.

They had both been dead for quite a while when I found these cards.

Obviously precious to Mum.

I couldn’t put them in the recycling.

I’ve moved 2x in the last 5 years. (I really wish I hadn’t). 2 years before moving from the big family house I began gradually decluttering. When I unpacked at the next house I found I had to declutter again to fit everything in despite storing boxes in the garage. When I moved from there last November I had spent the previous 4 months decluttering. I now have a garage full of boxes of books ++ and to make room for the shelves which are being built for them, I am, yep, decluttering again! Where did all this, I now realise, unnecessary stuff come from? Ive always found it hard to part with my possessions but these moves have taught me that I only really need the basics. But, why is it that you always find you really need something 2 days after it’s been despatched to the charity shop? 🙄. Sod’s law. If I move again, there will be no garage. That’s definite!

I was looking for something in particular yesterday and decided a bit of de-cluttering was required. In my quest I came across a little thank you card that my Mum sent me years ago. She died a short time afterwards. On reading her special message to me I wept, not just a few tears but loud, heartbroken sobs! The decluttering will have to wait now.

I do have stuff in the loft that we thought we would need, but havent.
We did use some things, but not as much as expected.
We did use replacement tiles for example. But not much of replacement carpet or lino.

Yesterday I put a car roof rack on freecycle. Still in its box bought 17 years ago when Dd expecting grandson. Has sat in our shed all that time. Had email same evening.
Also getting rid of my petrol strimmer as no longer needed on allotment.
But so much stuff!

I’ve found this thread so helpful especially the emphasis on taking it a bit at a time; I t’s made it feel so much less overwhelming. Am finally feeling that I’m making progress. Thank you.

ps, still no spend but by hook or by crook, as long as it is dry. I am off out on my bike to count cats eyes as I struggle up the first hill.