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Pre Xmas De-cluttering Pledge support requested

(317 Posts)
newnanny Mon 14-Oct-19 13:31:53

I am today making a pledge to throw something I don't want or need away or give to charity every single day from today until Xmas Day. I know I hoard too many thing.

Yesterday I threw away 26 folders of degree notes and teaching file notes. I have been retired two years now so do not need them anymore.

Today I have been looking in my wardrobe and found a blu ray player box that has been there for 3 years. I know it is shameful.

Will anyone join me in a pre Xmas de-clutter and try to throw something away, even if something small every day?

Sara65 Mon 14-Oct-19 13:37:57

Okay newnanny, I’m with you.

Have to wait till I get home though, to see what I can part with.

newnanny Mon 14-Oct-19 13:42:53

Oh good, the more the merrier. I know I hold on to things for far to long and it makes so much dusting. I have literally hundreds of books and I am getting started on sorting out the ones I have read that can go to charity shops. I am going to take them 6 at a time as heavy to carry. I am only going to buy books for Kindle in future.

glammanana Mon 14-Oct-19 13:47:13

I will certainly try my hardest newnanny this morning I through out an old bath mat after changing my bathroom colours 12 mths ago so there is a good start.

newnanny Mon 14-Oct-19 13:50:40

Yes, it is just crazy the things we keep just in case.

KatyK Mon 14-Oct-19 14:09:03

I've just taken a handbag and some boots to the charity shop, so I've made an effort. Both were in good condition.

gt66 Mon 14-Oct-19 14:30:19

Yes I've already made a start. Got far too much 'stuff' and worry about leaving it all for someone else to sort through, if I were to pop off in the near future!!

I sent lots of clothes to a local jumble sale at the weekend and now sorting through the rest, to either sell on ebay or take to the charity shop. Going to try as hard as I can not to throw anything away, but realise somethings are past their best and no good to anybody.

sf101 Mon 14-Oct-19 14:45:01

I love clearing out stuff, just got rid of an old double bed that had 4 drawers of stuff, most of which has been given away. I find having a good old clear out very therapeutic.

Greenfinch Mon 14-Oct-19 14:52:22

I will join you.Today I got rid of some board games that haven't been played with for years and tomorrow I am going to sort through my baking tins some of which I am sure will be a bit rusty as they haven't seen the light of day for some time.

tanith Mon 14-Oct-19 15:01:54

I’ve been meaning to sort out all the stuff in my kitchen, I don’t need steak plates, a whole set of white plates and dishes, various glass bowls etc I’m sure half of what I have can go to the charity shop.

Juno56 Mon 14-Oct-19 15:03:07

I will join you newnanny. I have sorted out some CDs and books to go to the charity shop today. I will report back tomorrow.

Auntieflo Mon 14-Oct-19 16:00:34

I will try .
Today I made a start, by not buying a cake tin. (From Emma Bridgewater) lovely but expensive. So saved a bit as well.
I often make a cake in a loaf tin, and haven't got one that suits.
Or at least , I thought I hadn't, so dug out one that had just got filled with odds and ends, decanted those into a couple of plastic boxes, while they await thinning out.
The cupboards, drawers, will have to wait until my back feels up to it.

ninathenana Mon 14-Oct-19 16:02:17

I saw something on FB today suggesting people make up a "reverse" advent calendar.
Every day from 1st December you add a small gift to the box for a homeless person i.e. new toothbrush, soap, woollen gloves.
I intend doing this, and will probably find a few items in drawers and cupboards.

Liz46 Mon 14-Oct-19 16:16:23

I'll try. I emptied out my wardrobe yesterday and had a good sort out but am too exhausted today to carry on. Maybe tomorrow?

Lazigirl Mon 14-Oct-19 16:33:42

Good idea newnanny.

If I start today that's 71 items by Christmas Eve, I think. Have been procrastinating for a while. Moved to a new house 10 years ago and got rid of mounds of stuff then, but it's gradually crept up again, mainly books and clothing.

I love the feeling when I clear some clutter.

newnanny Mon 14-Oct-19 16:45:47

Auntieflo excellent idea, I will look through my baking tins, I had not even thought about those. I am sure I shall find a few either a bit rusty or never used.

Grammaretto Mon 14-Oct-19 16:48:59

I'm definitely up for the challenge. I have disposed of a too big bookcase but unfortunately the books are still all over the floor so I have now bought, from the charity shop, a smaller bookcase which will be delivered on Wednesday.
It won't hold all the books so there will need to be a serious cull.
Then there's clothes and linen. It can be difficult to know which pile to put things in. Charity, textile recycle or posssibly ebay? or compost!

Daisymae Mon 14-Oct-19 16:59:38

Actually that's a very good idea. I will have a go too. I have too much stuff, but I come from a line of hoarders!

Pudding123 Mon 14-Oct-19 17:06:13

Yes,I am with you I cleared the top shelf of my daughters wardrobe yesterday ( she has only left home 10 years ago) and I took 3 lots of things into the charity shop.I intend to have a try on of my clothes and intend to be ruthless .
.

Sara65 Mon 14-Oct-19 17:31:08

Newnanny

I fear I might struggle with this challenge, because I’m not one of life’s horder

However, I have thrown away a plastic bubble machine, that’s been on my kitchen mantelpiece for about a year, it’s never going to work because the back of the battery compartment is missing!

newnanny Tue 15-Oct-19 11:49:44

I have been through medicine chest today and thrown out 2 bottles of cough syrup that look all stickey and very old and any medication out of date. I have also binned 2 old bun tins and a lampshade that is faded. I have also thrown out to recycling 17 plastic takeaway cartons and lids and just kept 3. I am going through my linen cupboard next. I am going into spare bedroom this afternoon where we tend to store stuff. I dread to think what we will find.

JenniferEccles Tue 15-Oct-19 12:17:47

I LOVE having a clear out! I hate clutter generally so I don’t have much but it is so therapeutic creating space in wardrobes and cupboards.

Nannyxthree Tue 15-Oct-19 12:51:54

I've been trying to declutter bit by bit for several years but have yet to see a significant difference! I think I will try this one a day idea and write down what is going out so I can look at the list and know what I've achieved. However, I may need a list of what's arriving too as a book arrived today which I'd forgotten I ordered!!!

Cotswoldslass Tue 15-Oct-19 12:59:03

I am with you as well! Started last week by going through my books which had overflown the bookshelves and were marching up the stairs...........so that was 420 of them to the local Oxfam book shop. They seemed really pleased if a bit overwhelmed! I still have about 100 so I will start reading those at the weekend.......next stop are my clothes - I love the idea of 1 item a day so have positioned a small suitcase outside the spare bedroom and will put 1 item of clothing (or more) each day for the charity shop.........

Sara65 Tue 15-Oct-19 12:59:50

I’m making a charity shop pile.

Added today some necklaces and scarves I know I’m never going to wear again, as I haven’t worn them for at least ten years!