De-cluttering, still at it, still no end

RosieandherMaw

Don’t shoot me down in flames but surely the necessary “companion” to decluttering is not buying /acquiring more stuff - whether that is charity shop shopping, filling the freezer, knitting, buying or sewing special garments eg for gardening (my gardening clothes =my old clothes) or buying gadgets when most kitchens could start up their own shop!
Eg I am constantly being told I should buy an Air Fryer, maybe, but along with my Kenwood, Magimix, soup maker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and (defunct ) ice cream maker, I fully intend to resist.
Yes, shopping and buying are pleasurable but if we are trying to cut down we shouldn’t be topping up at the other end!

Personally, I am not a shopper and I can get all my clothes, bar winter coats into a standard wardrobe and goodsized chest of drawers and I have empty drawers and cupboards in very bedroom bar our own, but when you are down sizing from a house with 2,600 sq ft of space to one with 1500 sq ft, It is not just a case of decluttering.

It means clearing rooms of furniture because there are fewer rooms in your new home, and they are smaller. It is getting rid of furniture, paintings and ornaments that are integral to your current home and have been much a much loved part of your home for decades. Furniture etc that you will really miss when it goes, but has to, because there is no where to put it in your new smaller home

I almost died 8 weeks ago after a sudden and shocking collapse. No way am I leaving this for MrB to cope with. Don’t need it, it’s gone, either tip or charity warehouse. I’m finding it cathartic 😊

I thought of buying a good quality (but not too expensive) capsule wardrobe and getting rid of most of the other stuff!

RosieandherMaw

Don’t shoot me down in flames but surely the necessary “companion” to decluttering is not buying /acquiring more stuff - whether that is charity shop shopping, filling the freezer, knitting, buying or sewing special garments eg for gardening (my gardening clothes =my old clothes) or buying gadgets when most kitchens could start up their own shop!
Eg I am constantly being told I should buy an Air Fryer, maybe, but along with my Kenwood, Magimix, soup maker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and (defunct ) ice cream maker, I fully intend to resist.
Yes, shopping and buying are pleasurable but if we are trying to cut down we shouldn’t be topping up at the other end!

Personally I am not acquiring more stuff.
Even munching through back of cupboard stuff and freexer.

Got rid of 3 pieces of old furniture. Likely to get rid of 3 more when finished the total declutter.

I did have the notion of not buying more clothes.
Do have enough for now.
But saw several people out today with their new gear on.
Dont think I want to stay in the clothes I am in now, until I die.

Allsorts

I have tried and took three bags of clothes to a charity shop, I should never need to buy any more. I have about 20 handbags, none of them big enough to get all my stuff in, so virtually unused, why did I get them.
It's what to do with my Ercol furniture, it's in mint condition and I love it. I won't be taking it though. Also boxes of ornaments , not to my taste, Lladro etc. And copper, kettles etc all presents. Too good to just throw but I couldn't sell on line as get in a muddle buying on line.
Going to get ruthless now with my cooking utensils and gadgets

There are people who love Ercol furniture. You could try advertising it on Gumtree or eBay under “collection only”.

De-cluttering isn’t easy but you simply have to part with a lot of stuff you really would like to keep. I find it quite depressing🥲

The first and biggest downsize, we had to get rid of ercol furniture, all in pristine condition and not old. Windsor and brown. We rehomed the table and 6 chairs for free, to an Italian couple with a big family. The large dressser could not be re-homed and we actually had to pay someone to take it away, what a waste that was, it cost 000s but it had to go

The lesson was learned and more ercol was bought over the years but now all in modular pieces in a light oiled oak, to go into any property, in any room

My friend had had two deaths during two years, the last being her dear mum, who had lived in the family home for 69 years and never threw anything out. My grieving friend has to make journey after journey to clear her mums house. It is so not-fair to impose that on an AC

Another vote of thanks to Karmalady for setting this thread off again. I also would pop in and out for inspiration and motivation.

Due to ill health and general malaise i have also lapsed.

And so back to the 3 items a day approach....2 cushions and a bra went in the bin today! Feeling accomplished and motivated to carry on

(We also have accumulated bits and bobs for our grandchildren - i generally have a one in one out approach as they grow out/bored of toys between visits, but some sentimental items remain. They are visiting soon and I am hopeful that they will take some/most of it home with them )

RosieandherMaw

Don’t shoot me down in flames but surely the necessary “companion” to decluttering is not buying /acquiring more stuff - whether that is charity shop shopping, filling the freezer, knitting, buying or sewing special garments eg for gardening (my gardening clothes =my old clothes) or buying gadgets when most kitchens could start up their own shop!
Eg I am constantly being told I should buy an Air Fryer, maybe, but along with my Kenwood, Magimix, soup maker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and (defunct ) ice cream maker, I fully intend to resist.
Yes, shopping and buying are pleasurable but if we are trying to cut down we shouldn’t be topping up at the other end!

I've resisted an airfryer so far!

The thing about yarn is, you can start a project to use up some of the stash but then find you need a few balls of a different colour to complete it.
Anyway, yarn is like sheep, it breeds.

The toys went to friends for their DGC and some to the charity shop but I nearly went and bought some of them back again.

MayBee70

Clutter isn’t necessarily gadgets. Mine is mainly things from my children’s childhood. My kids never wanted to visit my parents because there was nothing for them to play with whereas they liked going to their father’s parents home because he had old toys there; Bayko, Meccano etc. So I hung onto toys. Also my mum threw everything of mine away when I left home: my books, my toys. I spent decades trying to find some of those books and, each time I found one the emotion I felt on reading those words and seeing those pictures was overwhelming. Pre internet, the book search I used told me that many people told them that they reacted in the same way. It was as if I’d only put the book down five minutes ago, they were so imprinted in my mind. It left me not wanting to throw anything away. I’ve got a shelf full of Ladybird books and lots of old Fisher Price toys. I just love them; I find them aesthetically pleasing. I have no need of them but can’t bring myself to part with them.

Clutter is anything which you do not need/use/enjoy having.
And can certainly include gadgets!

I've has visits from 2 different auctioneer/valuers. It was interesting;
I have little of real value but a lot they can sell for ne when I'm ready.

I'm still sorting through what I may keep.

Both men noticed the same things and some old benches I thought had little value, are desirable!
Whereas my ercol chairs, bought 2nd hand, and painted white will not fetch much at all. They need to be in pristine condition.

My wonderful victorian mahogany sideboard and bookcase are much less popular than a few years ago 😒
In fact none of the brown furniture will be desirable. Everyone is looking for small stuff - and so will I.

I have managed a few car trips to the tip but think a skip will be needed quite soon.

My Mother was the same MayBee only she didn’t wait for me to leave home. I did manage to hang on to some books, mostly ones I won as prizes at school.

MayBee

I recycle both the jars and their lids, but separately. Also bottles and their tops, also separately.

I know many bottles etc say to ‘rinse and leave tops on’, but our council definitely says to separate them. It’s in big letters on the side of the recycling lorry, as well as on the website. I know other councils have differing attitudes.

I also know what you mean about old childhood books and toys. I have all my old Bunty annuals still, in the loft, tatty, browning, missing an odd cover, but I only have to turn a page and I am transported back to being 6 or 7 years old, sharing The Dancing Life Of Moira Kent, The Four Marys and Katy O’ Connor, Student Nurse.

I can remember the stories oh so vividly.

I am doing a lot of declutterring, but I think the Buntys will still be there for DS and DD to throw in the skip, eventually.

Clutter isn’t necessarily gadgets. Mine is mainly things from my children’s childhood. My kids never wanted to visit my parents because there was nothing for them to play with whereas they liked going to their father’s parents home because he had old toys there; Bayko, Meccano etc. So I hung onto toys. Also my mum threw everything of mine away when I left home: my books, my toys. I spent decades trying to find some of those books and, each time I found one the emotion I felt on reading those words and seeing those pictures was overwhelming. Pre internet, the book search I used told me that many people told them that they reacted in the same way. It was as if I’d only put the book down five minutes ago, they were so imprinted in my mind. It left me not wanting to throw anything away. I’ve got a shelf full of Ladybird books and lots of old Fisher Price toys. I just love them; I find them aesthetically pleasing. I have no need of them but can’t bring myself to part with them.

RosieandherMaw

Don’t shoot me down in flames but surely the necessary “companion” to decluttering is not buying /acquiring more stuff - whether that is charity shop shopping, filling the freezer, knitting, buying or sewing special garments eg for gardening (my gardening clothes =my old clothes) or buying gadgets when most kitchens could start up their own shop!
Eg I am constantly being told I should buy an Air Fryer, maybe, but along with my Kenwood, Magimix, soup maker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and (defunct ) ice cream maker, I fully intend to resist.
Yes, shopping and buying are pleasurable but if we are trying to cut down we shouldn’t be topping up at the other end!

I agree with most of this, MrB is watching me like a hawk as I am the main collector of clutter. We have 2 kitchen appliances that we wouldn’t be without. One is the slow cooker which I use a lot in colder weather, the other is the air fryer. I bought a
Ninja when they were new on the market and MrB loves it’s used just about every day. If they break or become worn out we replace them and the old one goes to the tip,

Don’t shoot me down in flames but surely the necessary “companion” to decluttering is not buying /acquiring more stuff - whether that is charity shop shopping, filling the freezer, knitting, buying or sewing special garments eg for gardening (my gardening clothes =my old clothes) or buying gadgets when most kitchens could start up their own shop!
Eg I am constantly being told I should buy an Air Fryer, maybe, but along with my Kenwood, Magimix, soup maker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and (defunct ) ice cream maker, I fully intend to resist.
Yes, shopping and buying are pleasurable but if we are trying to cut down we shouldn’t be topping up at the other end!

teabagwoman

*Karmalady*, thank you for running this thread. I rarely post on it but it has been an inspiration and I’m gradually clearing the decks. Haven’t done much recently, painful joints, medical appointments and looking after granddaughter, but must get back to it.

I know the feeling! Not that we look after DGC now, in fact one might be coming to help me as I have a fracture and can't vacuum.

Allsorts

I have tried and took three bags of clothes to a charity shop, I should never need to buy any more. I have about 20 handbags, none of them big enough to get all my stuff in, so virtually unused, why did I get them.
It's what to do with my Ercol furniture, it's in mint condition and I love it. I won't be taking it though. Also boxes of ornaments , not to my taste, Lladro etc. And copper, kettles etc all presents. Too good to just throw but I couldn't sell on line as get in a muddle buying on line.
Going to get ruthless now with my cooking utensils and gadgets

Oh, I'd love a small Ercol dining table and chairs for the new kitchen but even the older ones are at a premium price!

DH was hunting for a kitchen gadget the other day but I'm afraid a lot went out when the kitchen was refitted as we seem to have less space now.

Clothes - they need a cull.
Books - I am so reluctant but needs must at some point.
Yarn - keep on trying to use it but somehow the stash seems to grow.
Photos- boxes full so I might get a DD to help.

We are not decluttering, I am not a clutter person, it gives me the abdabs, but we are downsizing and having to decide what much loved items of furniture we need to part with.

We are old furniture and antiques people, a lot of it inherited and, while we have got most of it during our time together and can contemplate letting it go, one or two items that we really love we have known since childhood. We are making an offer on a house today that mean that those 2 or 3 items are the ones we simply will not have space for in our new home.

We can take photos etc, but that is not the same. These pieces of furniture have been in our lives for over 80 years and they will have to go.

Susan56, I know you’re probably itching to get on with things again but do take it gently. 4 weeks is still early days after surgery and you have a lot on your hands. Maybe calling in the clearance firm a bit earlier than you planned would be a good idea.

Calendargirl

DH and I were busy in the garage yesterday.

He was going through his metal filing cabinets which hold a multitude of tools, gadgets, bits and bobs. He has sorted some things out for our next car boot sale, and says that stuff that doesn’t sell will go for scrap.

I recycled many empty bottles and jars which I have been hanging onto, but never use, leaving space (it’s an old upright freezer) for more useful items. Some of the jars I swapped with really old tatty ones which hold nails, screws etc. Look smarter, though I doubt the contents will ever be used, he has so many.

Do you recycle them with the lids? I never know if I should leave the lid on, recycle it separately or not recycle it. I’ve got loads of old jars. I do use them to store pasta etc and eg small honey jars I use for paint but I’ve got lots of them and I’m always buying honey anyway. I particularly like Nescafé Gold coffee jars for storing things. I’m away from home for several weeks but left my house in the worst state I’ve ever left it in and am dreading going back. It is clean, because I do keep it very clean, but the clutter is getting overwhelming. I have got rid of a lot of stuff; I know that because I have a lot of empty storage containers that used to contain clutter but it’s endless. My arthritis is getting very bad, too, which means I’m really struggling physically to sort everything out.

MrB and I are having a serious Swedish death clean and it’s going well so far. I was a bit sad when we started as I have some lovely summer dresses I never got a chance to wear, but I can’t wear them all so I’m picking out 2 or 3 and the rest are off to the charity shop for some other lucky women to enjoy. The labels are mostly Joules, Fat Face and Weird Fish.

I am hoping to restart my decluttering again next week after four weeks recovery post surgery.

We are also clearing my mums house.We will eventually get a house clearance firm in but I would like as much as possible to go to people who could use it.

I am determined not to get overwhelmed by it all🤯

Ercol furniture sells well if it is in good condition. The modest size of the chairs are well suited to smaller homes. My daughter has a small dining table and chairs set in her open plan kitchen/ diner/ family room and it is a perfect fit for the space.
My decluttering is progressing at a tortoise speed ( loved your analogy Georgesgran).
I'm going for one in , two out- jackets, kitchen stuff, cookery books.
Today is a paperwork ...

We bought Ercol furniture at auction for our new kitchen extension 5 years ago. A dining room suite, picked up in separate purchases - table - chairs - sideboard cost us nearly £1,000.

So put your Ercol furniture in an auction or put it on ebay, buyer to collect.

I am on it again, albeit slowly, but I have more free time coming up over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Last night I had a nightmare. (I had been watching the Yorkshire Auction House and saw Angus clear lots of collections and other hoarded items.)
I dreamt that my husband had come back from the dead and filled the house with all sorts of junk again, filling up the space I have cleared!