De-cluttering, still at it, still no end

I’ve been busy with paperwork today. Have probably asked this before, but how long does anyone else keep closed account statements?

I know 7 years has been the suggested time, but I have stuff, neatly filed in order, going back a lot longer than that! Different building societies etc.

Trouble is, 7 years somehow doesn’t feel as long as it used to! It seems to have gone in the blink of an eye.

We have a big old-style computer processor using up space in our spare bedroom, and I recently discovered www.cprcomputerrecycling.co.uk/computer-recycling-services.aspd Has anyone used these, or a similar service?

Yes, photo-sorting was the hardest for me too. I was not widowed when I decided to tackle them. A pile for each person and that included my 6 siblings, packed into big named envelopes and given to each of them. Immediately a weight was lifted, no longer my problem

The other photos, my late husband scanned each and every one of them and my AC each have a copy and so do I. Also includes precious photos that I put into their envelopes. My conscience is clear, my mind is clear and a weight was lifted

I also did family books, photos with explanations via a site called burble. I bought each book for the AC and siblings bought what they wanted. Another thing ticked off and believe me, it really does lift that overhanging weight

I have decided now to just concentrate on clearing this and that from my home. Cookery books are an example Delia Smith `frugal food` has been parked in my shredding area for a long time and today I turned it into food for my compositing worms

The garden is another area and this year I reached the end point of me having to water pots and containers. The begonias are frugal with water, squashes, marigold are certainly greedy for water and I can buy the most delicious tomatoes ever, not ever again will I be tempted to grow squash, tomatoes or anything apart from begonias in my troughs. I have tiered troughs and begonias will reside nicely in them

As soon as the butternut squash has ripened, my two remaining metal vegtrugs will be emptied and dismantled and I will be growing easy, wonderful figs along that sunny hot wall instead. I can stand their manageable pots in long trays and just pour water into those trays

I saw part of an architects programme earlier, what he said made sense, ie to work from inside the space I have

So far.....almost nothing!

I always thought when I started the declutter, that that may be near the top of things to declutter. Turns out it is one of the last!

The way I look at it, is that they are all there. Just not all in albums. But they are there altogether in a cupboard.

The one thing I’m having a problem sorting - photos! We have literally a wardrobe full of albums and also hundreds of loose photos - lots of memories and also two sets of parents photos too! What has anyone else done with all these pics - help!

Good and satisfying result bookwormbabe. I love it

A big de-clutter off my patio during the past two weeks, 2 big metal vegtrugs are gone and it took me a lot of effort, large bucket by large bucket of soil onto my allotment and then all that dismantling of the metal. I did the fengshui move-about and my patio suddenly looked more calm. Those metal vegtrugs were bone dry in spite of 3 waterings a day, I tried hard for 6 years and enough was enough

Two more left to do in a couple of months, I did initially get them as patio dividers but am now embracing the very large area. Hot dry summers will happen year on year and I am going with the flow

I am debating a third large column water tank to match the two I have. Not sure yet

Indoors is at a snails pace but I have oomph for it today, now that my bamix blender has arrived. I am going to remove my ancient grinder (30 years) for starters and tackle my various herbs in jars as I need to free-up some handy cupboard space for my various teas, also in jars. Dds will definitely have the empty jars, they are alessi and good to pass on

I’m going through videos from back in the day when I used to tape everything. Trouble is, I’ve recently watched things on utube that are only there because someone has found an old recording. And these are things that I’ve been desperate to watch. I did buy a recorder that could transfer videos to discs but never worked out how to use it. And it’s difficult to get the discs now anyway.

Update on the ringbinders. Someone has taken all the ringbinders I left outside. Result!

I have a growing pile of no longer needed stationary items too.
Plan to offer them to my kids first.
But they dont tend to take much unwanted stuff off my hands.
Hadnt thought as far as what I would do with the items, after that.

I’ve got two containers full of ring binders in my loft. More stuff that I can’t just throw away but don’t know what to do with. I had two weeks to make a dent in my clutter ( my partner took the dog on holiday) but I had to deal with a furniture beetle infestation and it was hard working in the extreme heat. It’s getting more urgent now because my mobility is getting worse.

Another keen declutterer here. I have been having a massive cull of paperwork which is no longer required, resulting in a number of empty A4 ringbinders. I tried leaving them at the entrance to our drive for anyone to help themselves, but there have been no takers. I was wondering whether any of the local schools would be glad of them. I don't think charity shops take them, and it seems a shame just to bin them.

I am still on paper. Sigh.
Found a document my son may want/need?

I know the weather is too hot for heavy work but is anyone still at it?

Monica do you have any dates yet?

I have just re-started because of a sewing online video weekender, which also involved colour. I am not talking capsules wardrobes because I am more project based and anyway have my wardrobes all to myself. If I was working and always busy with half a wardrobe then capsules it would be

I am being very slow, one garment at a time. I have just tried on a beautiful dress, made perfectly, perfect fit and took me a long time to sew. Style is lovely but I never take it out to wear and did today, the red is not my red. I took it off and it is back on a hanger, that was a tomato red. Now I am wearing a dress in rust with white and I love that colour on me. I have just ordered a colour analysis fan in spring, hoping that helps me

I am going to have to keep notes. I am so impulsive when it comes to getting fabrics. So that dress will be off to the cs, just as soon as I have replaced it with an identical one in a colour that uplifts me, that reflects well with my skin and white hair

Fabric stash is going down but 2 out are being replaced by one in, this time in a good quality linen rather than eg a viscose crepe

This really is a snails pace.

We did another Boot Sale this morning and standing their thinking I realised that I am really enjoying all this tidying up and disposing of stuff, well not the actual disposing, the Boot Sale was freezing cold and the endless visits to charity shops and packing boxes is a chore, but the getting rid of stuff is great.

I am not a clutter person, DH is much more so and it is excellent having an opportunity to get rid of stuff from both of us.

Good progress Monica

I had to do at least two sweeps of kitchen drawers when I moved house and also downgraded from 12 of everything in my china. I now have 6 of everything plus a few useful extras eg bowls that will do nicely for salads/soups/puddings/breakfast.

I think dishes are on an even keel at the moment. For my last family gathering I simply bought bamboo disposable plates. I did not get rid of any of my nice cutlery but gave special sets to DDs, steak knives etc

This weekend I have got rid of two stashed fabrics and several heavy purchased cushion covers, including some printed velour types by Liberty. They have been under my bed for years. I don`t like them enough to ever use them. I am using all the feather interiors, the more I use them, the squishier and nicer they will become

Taking the cushions out of the bought covers was like releasing a body from a corset

Today, I had a second run at thinning out the kitchen drawers. I got rid of a lot of stoff when we first put the house on the market at the start of last year. but then lost interest when it did not sell. 2 more casseroles and several other dishes are on their way to the charity shop.

The men come for the stuff that is going to auction on Monday and next weekend we are having a family weekend with a hired van to move all the stuff we will need while we are living with DD and camping in the 'new' house while getting it rewired and decorated.prior to moving in properly.

Monica, I hope everything is proceeding according to plan

I had a good de-cluttering day yesterday, in the garden, nothing new in but several big planters and old lavenders out

Today I am in the mood for a living-room makeover which I intend to achieve with my big cushions. One by one the covers will come off for disposal and I am going to make rustic ie ginghams, plains and one patterned, all Indian cotton types but some will be rustic linen. For too long I have been living with bought man-made lined cushion covers, which have made the feather cushions non-squishy

I will be unpicking zips as I don`t want to spend money. I can re-use in my new squishy cushions

Result will be a considerable de-cluttering process and today is rainy and a good day to start

I sorted essential oils yesterday because I decided to make my own moth repellant mix. Easy to make from any combo of oils listed on google. I used cedar, lavender and may chang but any three would have done

I prised the top off an empty 10ml bottle and made a little hole in that white top, stuck a thin dowel in and put a wooden ball on the top. It is now hung up and diffusing a lovely scent into two wardrobes

I have not thrown any of the oils out but have started using the sprays, this morning palo santo downstairs. I feel that using these is equivalent to de-cluttering. 3 bottles of palo santo will eventually become just one

Btw, the spin off last night was a full 8 hours sleep, I don`t usually get more than 6 hours

Having exchanged contracts on the sale of our house and moving out of quite a large house to a smaller one. I have been pleased to find out just how little 'clutter' I have. very little of what we have is going to the tip. No drawers full of papers and this and that.

In fact, having filtered out the furniture, which is going to auction, and culled our books, most of what we are getting rid of, is stuff we brought back from our French house last year, ready packed to go to a charity shop, and the last stock from our antiques stall. I took, now, surplus bedlinen and towels to a local charity that furnishes homes for those rehoused from homelessness and abusive relationships.

We have a lotin the hosue, because it is a big house, but little of it is clutter.

Good morning all!
I see someone upthread took towels to the recycling. I take mine to my local vet who is always glad of them for all sorts of reasons when dealing with sick animals.

Very well done Tanith, I know how hard it has been for you but a new slate now and a new beginning. Feel proud, you deserve to

fancythat 💐

tanith - that all sounds excellent.

Running out of time in what way Georgesgran? The normal way like us all, so to speak?

I thought I had posted on this thread but possibly the previous one. I’m due to move in 2/3 months and my garage is now only containing what is coming with me apart from a ladder and a bench which hopefully ex son in law is taking those.
I took the last of the stuff to the dump yesterday and 2 folding chairs I left in the driveway were gone by the time I came back.
I’m well pleased with my progress and after I thought many times I CANT DO THIS ALONE I’ve now got the house cleared of lots of things I no longer want and my new house won’t be filled with ‘stuff’.
I wish you all well in your endeavours.