Decluttering discussion thread: share your wins, ask for advice, inspire each other!

Before:


After;

48 items removed. Hung up some of the sweaters that were folded.

14 Likes

all packages are mailed out. this time the clerk didn’t scan any of the qr codes. idk.

electrician didn’t actually come by for the boxes, so we’ll leave them in the basement for a bit

5 Likes

DH got the plywood pieces cut for the soffit over the kitchen window up, finally. Yay! Decluttered but not purged.

He bought a new ladder to do this, but is already talking about selling one or more of the old ones for the space and to help defray the cost. Yay!

I have decluttered so much stationery that these days I haven’t got enough envies, notecards, etc. to send out a holiday note. Wrote a Thanksgiving note, intend to send it via email. Nothing to store, take to the post office, etc. and it still keeps us connected with our extended family, community, etc.

5 Likes

Does digital decluttering count? I closed two bank accounts, which I have been putting off for 6 months. It took me 5 min and 27 seconds. There is a lesson in this I’m sure, but I’ll do it again!

24 Likes

YES!!!

5 Likes

Huge!

Two bank accounts is more than just a few files

7 Likes

You inspired me to go through my photos…still a ways to go, but making progress!

2 Likes

Ruthless with the sock drawer. 35 pairs in the trash. I still have lots to wear which tells you how many too much I had. I was going to save some golf socks and then I thought, I have a golf town gift card to use up, I can buy brand spanking new ones when I need them!

For the donation bin at the Y:
3 brand new pairs of socks
1 blanket
1 new branded Jenga game
1 5 pack of panty hose

So 41 items leaving the house.

16 Likes

I went through the linen bin in our closet. So many mismatched sheets and pillow cases. 21 items will go to textile recycling next time I’m out that way. I’ve thinned so much from the closet that all of the textiles fit on the shelves now! I will move our backup shoe collection into the closet. (perhaps that should be the next category to go through)

10 Likes

I cleaned out the ā€œjunkā€ drawer and recycled 4 years worth of takeout cutlery that I was pretending didn’t exist. and now all my kitchen linens fit in a drawer and not in a overflow basket on the counter! hallelujah!

14 Likes

Let the universe tell me to declutter. There was a diaper drive covering personal care stuff, so I dug out the panty liners I accidentally double ordered, the spare mini tubes of toothpaste from the dentist, stuff like that. Then there was also a toys for tots drive. I had diverted some of Latte’s many, many birthday gifts from friends and had them in a quarantine bin. She asked for/remembered none of them, so off to other children they go.

17 Likes

Local real charity thrift shop (as compared to the four or five 2nd hand shops and the questionable charity chain) had a sign out today that they were taking clothing donations, so a full bag is out of the house.

(3 pairs of pants, a sweater, a top, 2 scarves, unworn sushi roll socks which would be a great gift, probably something else I am forgetting)

9 Likes

Is anyone up for a decluttering challenge in January?

The one I have found to be the most effective is for each day of the month you declutter that many things (1 thing on Jan 1, 2 on Jan 2, 30 on Jan 30)

It feels really easy at first and kind of escalated quickly but in a good way! I’m going to be doing this and I would love if others joined me!

The rules are loose though, if you find 6 things to declutter on 1/2 that’s awesome and if you only have 11 things but it’s 1/14 that’s cool too. It’s a vibes game. You can count a pair of socks as 1 or 2 things whatever floats your boat. Not trying to be the police, just trying to declutter and have some fun, it’s not that serious!

15 Likes

Yesss love a good game/challenge

4 Likes

In!’

4 Likes

the shadowy one went through the pile of ā€˜free comic book day’ from a decade ago and ā€˜I liked them at the time but now have feelings because some of the core people associated with them turned out to be super problematic’ graphic novels (this is after we pulled the main set).

About half were put into a time out bin in the basement, and the other half are now in the tiny library down the street because I think it’s ok to not be ā€˜burn with fire’ since the illustrators and lettering people and others also contribute and afaik they are fine.

Oh, and for the free comic book day things, I’m not sure how many stayed, I’ll find out in a few minutes when I go upstairs.

8 Likes

Yes!

1 Like

Decluttering kids clothes

Soooo many footie pjs. Like 14 regular ones, 2 fleece and 3 snap.



Lots of onesies too


11 Likes

took a whole hamper full of clothing to a clothing swap today, and only brought home 3 new-to-me garments

15 Likes

went through J2’s dresser yesterday, top to bottom.

This prompted by winter camping last weekend, when he was severely underdressed - me: ā€œwhy didn’t you pack base layers?ā€
him: ā€œI don’t HAVE any!ā€

We got rid of a number of too small t shirts and shorts.

We got rid of two base layers that were too small.

We folded neatly the six, SIX! base layer shirts that we found that still fit.

We need to buy base layer pants.

13 Likes