@Boogie, if your place is like mine, I suspect the drawer cycle is like painting the Sydney Harbour bridge, when you get to the last drawer, that you go back to the first and start again!!
@Lamb Chopped, that must be a good feeling, not just the reclaimed space, but also the idea that Spring must be really upon you to be able to do that with confidence! I also used to love that wheely smiley when I saw it in posts.
@North East Quine can you regift your alcohol without accidentally returning it to those who gave it to you? Not everything, just enough to reduce the problem a bit.
Not so much decluttering although a few things went as cleaning. I have a screened-in side porch with is filled with the dirt and dust of the winter. Today I cleaned and washed up and down one of the four sides. I started with the worst. It is the side near the road that gets the most grime. My what a job. I expect this will be a week-long project as I have many plants and do-dads sitting on the shelves under the screens. Perhaps it is time to cut back on things to make for faster clean-ups.
That sounds like a really thorough job @Graven Image . I do relate to cutting back on things 5o make life easier. Today I'm venturing out into our garage. We have 2 shelves full of boxes that I know have stuff I wanted to get rid of in them. Problem is, I've forgotten what they contain, so I think there will be some going through them to get rid of the dross.
Husband is taking time away from work next week and we'll get rid of a lot of stuff then (I hope). Went to auction house to discuss and they want us to send photos, or just turn up with stuff on spec. That was unsatisfactory last time we did it as they rejected a few items that I thought were quite fine to sell. Perhaps lack of space on their part, but we'll try again.
I'm doing some church decluttering... for Reasons only explcable to me and our sacristan I'm currently in charge of altar linen washing and ironing. Up until today I've just taken what has been in the bag for collecting, and then returning it.
However, I was aware there was more linen we weren't using, and I was right to suspect it too needed sorting properly. It's now all here ready for a wash, then sorting out into what we can use, what needs some careful mending, (that is not one of my skills but I know people who can) and what frankly needs getting rid of.
I'm doing some church decluttering... for Reasons only explcable to me and our sacristan I'm currently in charge of altar linen washing and ironing. Up until today I've just taken what has been in the bag for collecting, and then returning it.
However, I was aware there was more linen we weren't using, and I was right to suspect it too needed sorting properly. It's now all here ready for a wash, then sorting out into what we can use, what needs some careful mending, (that is not one of my skills but I know people who can) and what frankly needs getting rid of.
I don't want to give you and your people more work and I would not benefit from this suggestion (although I wish I could!).
I've been disappointed in my new congregation with the lack of small purificators to take with me for home communions. I wonder whether some of your non-mendable altar linens might be suitable as the fabric from which to create some small purificators?
@questioning It's certainly an idea but one that's beyond my skill set. As far as I can tell, smaller purificators are not something that our clergy or those taking out home communion have used unless they have some of their own with home communion sets. Definitely none in our collection.
Our lavabo towels are the most disreputable and some are very threadbare.... though I'm still to hit the drawer with the altar cloths in!!
@Boogie, if your place is like mine, I suspect the drawer cycle is like painting the Sydney Harbour bridge, when you get to the last drawer, that you go back to the first and start again!!
Indeed! Although some stay tidy in perpetuity, most get things shoved in them and need the endless cycle of decluttering.
I’m a ladybird - clean and tidy house - messy, messy drawers and cupboards. Ladybirds are pretty on the surface but a weird black mess when they lift the shell!
Ooh, I do love that ladybird term @Boogie, I'm stealing that one!
Yesterday, one trip to the waste centre to drop off some good re-useable stuff. The afternoon was spent shredding. Cheery son was supposed to be doing this but lost interest over a year ago after doing 2 large boxes. When I complete the box at hand - about 1cm of stuff to go, that will be the last of Dad's shredding. We moved to our current house 5 years ago and it came with us, so it's long overdue to have been finished. Yay!
We are hoping to gett all the stuff off the shelves and disposed of. Eventually the shelves holding the stuff will go and we can organise garage stuff a bit more efficiently. I think husband has plans for some racks. I'd just like to be able to park my car in the garage.
Most of my garage clearance stuff has now been sold at auction. Not for huge sums, but so far has netted over £1200! Well worth the effort. And to think that one person took one look and told me to just get a skip!
No prospect of ever getting the car in though, not without major help, as Mr P had constructed elaborate storage arrangements which actually prevent the main door from opening.
@Puzzler, I am pleased to hear your clearance stuff has gone so well. I wonder if the skp person just thought the quantity was overwhelming? Sister and I found the same thing when we cleared Dad's stuff. He had some interests and objects that did not appeal to us, but based on Dad's weekly garage sale-ing we knew that we couldn't judge just based on our own tastes. We were surprised at how much our two garage sales raised and the things we sent to auction house also sold well. Like you some things not for huge amounts, but other things were surprising. It really is a case that one man's trash is another man's treasure.
I am doing what I think of as a minimalist declutter. I'm collecting up odd bits and pieces in my backpack before I go shopping and dropping then off at the Op Shop (Thrift Shop) run by the Sallies which is just over the road from the supermarket.
It's an interesting exercise, some things like the extra metal rulers I gathered to teach a group some craft skills are easy to let go of, while others, like the mugs that have been given to me over the years evoke memories of the givers, some of whom have since died. I have a Ship of Fools mug, given to me by a friend who bought it for his adult son. There was a mishap with his order, he wanted the hell mug, but received the generic Ship of Fools mug, so gave it to me as he knew I frequented this place.
That sounds great @Huia, we are very fortunate to have a charity bin in the grounds of our church. It's not visible from the road, so we don't get dumping there (that I know of). When I get 3 or 4 supermarket bags full of things, I'll do an outing and swing past to drop off. Doing it of a Sunday is not so successful because quite a few people decide to do their drop off then.
I finally collated a list of things for the auction house and sent it to them today. They indicated they are happy for us to drop off next week and husband will help me to do that, so that's good news. The plan was to do it earlier this week, but a work deadline has been looming for husband, so we're doing it next week instead.
I now have a date two weeks hence for books to be collected for a missionary charity. Even better, they will take not only those they feel will be relevant to the “majority world” pastors and colleges, they will also take others which they can sell to raise funds to cover transport costs.
I now need to gather more boxes.
Glad to know the books will go to good use @Puzzler. @Huia, I can relate to having an excess of some things. Due to the husband and son having a good quantity of Lego, I joke that our house is a shrine to the God of Plastic.
A visit to our local tip this morning with the results of our Saturday Sort Outs that couldn’t go to the charity shop.
Mr Bee had organised and sorted it all according to the different areas of tippage, like wood, general waste, electrics etc.
Satisfying to get that done.
My personal collection of pens is going into work today for sorting by my (multiple additional needs) students who need a quiet job to do whilst their peers are completing assessment work! One of them in particular loves testing pens and is ruthless at throwing out ones which don't work.
If I need more for this purpose, I'll be tappropriating the Messy Church collection of pens as well. That's always good for a sort out/de-clutter and it's probable not been done since I stopped helping regularly.
Very excited to say husband and I will collect ute (pickup) from car hire place in an hour or so, this will be followed by mad loading and drop off at auction house. Any rejections from there will go straight to the recycling centre. This will leave us with 2 free shelves in the garage that we will offer to friend if they can collect tomorrow. If not, they can go to recycling centre too! We will also gain some floor space where we've been sorting all the items. I think we'll be knackered, but relieved to have the stuff gone!
Oh, a most excellent achievement, @Cheery Gardener. I’m afraid my declutterring achievement in the past few weeks is the delivery of nine pairs of non-current prescription spectacles to SpecSavers who pass them on to the Lions club, who in turn refurbish them and send them to third world countries.
@WormInTheGrass - I'll bet the final recipients won't see this as small achievement. I must check if Spec Savers here do that. Thanks for mentioning it.
Some of the charitable society groups (Lions, etc.) do that sort of thing too, as well as some Christian mission societies. (Must get my own together...)
I hadn't realised how much stuff our cat had, until now that I am having to clear it all away. Her litter tray, water dishes, food bowls, the perspex guard around my computer, the sets of steps to let her climb onto our settee and my bed, the anti-cat spikes to keep her various enemies (Big Ginger, Fergus, wee Violet) from sitting on our widow sills looking in, the perspex guard in front of our DVDs, the nail clippers kept handy on my desk, the bags of cat litter in the hall cupboard, the boxes of food pouches in the sideboard, the cat shampoo in the bathroom, the many, many jangly balls in corners and under furniture.....
No cat beds, though. She wouldn't go near them, preferring to snuggle up to a human at night.
I was getting a lot done this week, with somebody coming for a few books this afternoon. She has just cancelled, so I have lost my incentive to keep going. Not just with books, with everything else.
Puzzler, your decluttering progress has inspired me, you have been working so consistently. It may be time to take a short break, to have a rest or maybe do something you enjoy.
Today I am tackling my kitchen. It's cold and wet outside, I have the heat pump going and some of the soup I've made recently defrosting for lunch.
I've finished my latest library book, thus lessening temptation and am hoping to sort out more stuff to donate to the Sallies or take to the dump. I have the black rubbish bags ready.
Junk has gone. Auction house took just about all Dad's audio/camera stuff and an art piece we had. It would be described as vintage and I thought nothing exciting. Surprisingly they rejected our oak chairs and a pair of large decorator prints that were clean and I thought attractive. Not to mind, off to local recycling centre, where I am sure someone will love finding them and getting a bargain.
I have on my hall table 3 small boxes of books to be taken to collection centre. In our city there is a twice yearly book fair that raises funds for a mental health charity and is very well supported. We take books to them periodically and also enjoy their fairs, but not in recent years, too crowded for us (which I am sure other half is pleased about).
The lady has rearranged for tomorrow, so I have hastily completed my preparations. I am back on target.
Really, I do have lots of breaks. Those when I just mess about online, or sing, either at home or at choirs x 3. Or nothing much at all. April was treats and a holiday. May is getting things done month.
Soon there will be bookcases to get rid of, Ikea Billy bookcases. No ideas, as they will need dismantling.
Ah, @Cheery Gardener do you know that the book fair charity has a small shop at the Fyshwick fresh food markets? Ideal for those who find the big one either too overwhelming or too tempting. It’s open the same days as the market but shorter hours.
Ah yes, @WormInTheGrass , I have deliberately not gone there as it would be too tempting to leave with as much as I have brought!! Good to know about their opening hours though! The large collection centre is closer for me to do my drop off, I am contemplating whether to go today, or leave for tomorrow. I might have a little nap as I've been up early and then take them after lunch.
@Puzzler I like the idea of trying to get rid of the bookshelves whole, to save yourself the work of dismantling and perhaps there are those like me who would want a fully assembled bookcase rather than a dismantled one that I have to reassemble myself - I am not skilled in that way at all!
I love the sound of your soup @Huia, it's really almost winter now!
@North East Quine a hug for you as you work out what you want to do with your pet things.
I think the Billy bookcases are somehow attached to the wall or floor- not sure which - and to each other. They are in Mr P’s study- a clearing work in progress.
I have books all over the house. I have already sold three wooden bookcases. Their contents mostly went to Oxfam, but those I kept, including my music scores have yet to be re-housed. In the kitchen I have not yet filled the small bookcase which had cookery and other useful books. In the sitting room there are five bookcases, mostly with reference books and non-fiction, which my children say I don’t need as I can get all the info online. Then there are shelves of CDs, LPs…….and the equipment to play them. Do I want to keep them, or just get an Alexa?
It depends how comfortable you are with doing the online stuff really - it might be the most familiar and comfortable method for your children, but is it right for you ?
I often access information online, but you can’t beat a book. I can sit with a dictionary or an atlas for ages, or a book about plants, or Yorkshire abbeys, or silver boxes or …… need I go on?
Keeping favourite books is important, I think, Not all are easily obtained again once gone and that can be a source of grief.
I know I've been the child who wanted to get rid of the parental books due to the quantity, but am not anxious to part with my own!! Perhaps they can be culled by keeping those which are "can't do without". When the aged Aunt and husband were downsizing, he got his books down to his Top 100, which was impressive. I don't know if I could do it myself, only if push came to shove!
I don't think non-book people get that books are not just all about the content. They also mark important occasions (gifts), also life changing events like becoming a parent, or dealing with an illness. They are also an expression of self and reflect our interests and search for knowledge/information. I have some of my Dad''s books from his childhood and I feel close to him when I read them, or even see them on my shelves. I also have a bookcase he built with his Dad, which has pride of place on our bedroom.
I have heard the quilter's motto - she who dies with the most fabric wins. I feel the same except, for me it's all about books!!
I hope that's gone well @Puzzler. 400 in one go is admirable! I've been watching some of my junk on the auction house website. A couple of things are doing better than expected, others meh. It's all swings and merry go rounds and at least I can see the floor in the bedroom again!!!
Yes, there is lots of space on the shelves now, but still lots of books left.
Still waiting for lots of things to come up for auction.
I am really struggling to find the impetus to sort MY stuff, especially things that I have selected to keep: books, memorabilia etc.
A really positive week for decluttering, as more than 500 books have gone to good homes and someone is coming for other things tomorrow. Estate admin is progressing in the right direction too. It is still a massive task though. Family members have all signed an agreement on a particular thorny issue, thanks to my hard work and easy communication via email+ Royal Mail Special Delivery. Another box ticked. Phew.
Puzzler that is great news! Glad to hear the good news about the Estate Administration, that's not an easy job, so having the thorny bit agreed to must be a load off your mind.
Quick note to say friend came at the weekend to collect shelves. Husband has now attached baskets and railing to the blank wall to store some smaller things more efficiently. Still looking a bit messy at present, but am sure there is more tidying up to be done in the affected area. I hope so anyway!
I made a big step in decluttering today by NOT going to the Estate Sale just two homes down from mine. That is even though I have long admired her yard do-dads.
Comments
And how long ( weeks? months?) before the process starts again?
@Lamb Chopped, that must be a good feeling, not just the reclaimed space, but also the idea that Spring must be really upon you to be able to do that with confidence! I also used to love that wheely smiley when I saw it in posts.
@North East Quine can you regift your alcohol without accidentally returning it to those who gave it to you? Not everything, just enough to reduce the problem a bit.
Husband is taking time away from work next week and we'll get rid of a lot of stuff then (I hope). Went to auction house to discuss and they want us to send photos, or just turn up with stuff on spec. That was unsatisfactory last time we did it as they rejected a few items that I thought were quite fine to sell. Perhaps lack of space on their part, but we'll try again.
However, I was aware there was more linen we weren't using, and I was right to suspect it too needed sorting properly. It's now all here ready for a wash, then sorting out into what we can use, what needs some careful mending, (that is not one of my skills but I know people who can) and what frankly needs getting rid of.
I don't want to give you and your people more work and I would not benefit from this suggestion (although I wish I could!).
I've been disappointed in my new congregation with the lack of small purificators to take with me for home communions. I wonder whether some of your non-mendable altar linens might be suitable as the fabric from which to create some small purificators?
Our lavabo towels are the most disreputable and some are very threadbare.... though I'm still to hit the drawer with the altar cloths in!!
Indeed! Although some stay tidy in perpetuity, most get things shoved in them and need the endless cycle of decluttering.
I’m a ladybird - clean and tidy house - messy, messy drawers and cupboards. Ladybirds are pretty on the surface but a weird black mess when they lift the shell!
Yesterday, one trip to the waste centre to drop off some good re-useable stuff. The afternoon was spent shredding. Cheery son was supposed to be doing this but lost interest over a year ago after doing 2 large boxes. When I complete the box at hand - about 1cm of stuff to go, that will be the last of Dad's shredding. We moved to our current house 5 years ago and it came with us, so it's long overdue to have been finished. Yay!
We are hoping to gett all the stuff off the shelves and disposed of. Eventually the shelves holding the stuff will go and we can organise garage stuff a bit more efficiently. I think husband has plans for some racks. I'd just like to be able to park my car in the garage.
No prospect of ever getting the car in though, not without major help, as Mr P had constructed elaborate storage arrangements which actually prevent the main door from opening.
It's an interesting exercise, some things like the extra metal rulers I gathered to teach a group some craft skills are easy to let go of, while others, like the mugs that have been given to me over the years evoke memories of the givers, some of whom have since died. I have a Ship of Fools mug, given to me by a friend who bought it for his adult son. There was a mishap with his order, he wanted the hell mug, but received the generic Ship of Fools mug, so gave it to me as he knew I frequented this place.
I finally collated a list of things for the auction house and sent it to them today. They indicated they are happy for us to drop off next week and husband will help me to do that, so that's good news. The plan was to do it earlier this week, but a work deadline has been looming for husband, so we're doing it next week instead.
I now have a date two weeks hence for books to be collected for a missionary charity. Even better, they will take not only those they feel will be relevant to the “majority world” pastors and colleges, they will also take others which they can sell to raise funds to cover transport costs.
I now need to gather more boxes.
Mr Bee had organised and sorted it all according to the different areas of tippage, like wood, general waste, electrics etc.
Satisfying to get that done.
If I need more for this purpose, I'll be tappropriating the Messy Church collection of pens as well. That's always good for a sort out/de-clutter and it's probable not been done since I stopped helping regularly.
No cat beds, though. She wouldn't go near them, preferring to snuggle up to a human at night.
Today I am tackling my kitchen. It's cold and wet outside, I have the heat pump going and some of the soup I've made recently defrosting for lunch.
I've finished my latest library book, thus lessening temptation and am hoping to sort out more stuff to donate to the Sallies or take to the dump. I have the black rubbish bags ready.
I have on my hall table 3 small boxes of books to be taken to collection centre. In our city there is a twice yearly book fair that raises funds for a mental health charity and is very well supported. We take books to them periodically and also enjoy their fairs, but not in recent years, too crowded for us (which I am sure other half is pleased about).
Really, I do have lots of breaks. Those when I just mess about online, or sing, either at home or at choirs x 3. Or nothing much at all. April was treats and a holiday. May is getting things done month.
Soon there will be bookcases to get rid of, Ikea Billy bookcases. No ideas, as they will need dismantling.
@Puzzler I like the idea of trying to get rid of the bookshelves whole, to save yourself the work of dismantling and perhaps there are those like me who would want a fully assembled bookcase rather than a dismantled one that I have to reassemble myself - I am not skilled in that way at all!
I love the sound of your soup @Huia, it's really almost winter now!
@North East Quine a hug for you as you work out what you want to do with your pet things.
I have books all over the house. I have already sold three wooden bookcases. Their contents mostly went to Oxfam, but those I kept, including my music scores have yet to be re-housed. In the kitchen I have not yet filled the small bookcase which had cookery and other useful books. In the sitting room there are five bookcases, mostly with reference books and non-fiction, which my children say I don’t need as I can get all the info online. Then there are shelves of CDs, LPs…….and the equipment to play them. Do I want to keep them, or just get an Alexa?
I know I've been the child who wanted to get rid of the parental books due to the quantity, but am not anxious to part with my own!! Perhaps they can be culled by keeping those which are "can't do without". When the aged Aunt and husband were downsizing, he got his books down to his Top 100, which was impressive. I don't know if I could do it myself, only if push came to shove!
I don't think non-book people get that books are not just all about the content. They also mark important occasions (gifts), also life changing events like becoming a parent, or dealing with an illness. They are also an expression of self and reflect our interests and search for knowledge/information. I have some of my Dad''s books from his childhood and I feel close to him when I read them, or even see them on my shelves. I also have a bookcase he built with his Dad, which has pride of place on our bedroom.
I have heard the quilter's motto - she who dies with the most fabric wins. I feel the same except, for me it's all about books!!
Still waiting for lots of things to come up for auction.
I am really struggling to find the impetus to sort MY stuff, especially things that I have selected to keep: books, memorabilia etc.