Wednesday 13 February 2013

Fifty-five Bags - Week 5

Tagxedo - 55 bags in 55 days - JimjamsThese posts are getting later and later in the week :o(  It's entirely symptomatic of my loss of enthusiasm with what I am tackling!  However, today, being the first day of lent i.e. when the original 40 bags for 40 days is meant to take place, I am determined to get back on track.  Whether two nine-and-a-half hours shifts at work will allow this is another matter ... check back next week to see!!!

This week involved a LOT of shredding.  I tackled some piles of paperwork lying around, but discovered that before I could file it away I had to make room in the files.  There were at least 3 bags of shredded bills, insurance documents, and bank statements in our recycling last week.

The other major de-cluttering was clothing, curtains and bedding.  Child No.3 is off to Nicaragua & Costa Rica in the summer and part of her team's fund-raising efforts is a charity bag collection - supposedly for collection this week.  Hubby and No.2 Son also got involved (along with Granny & friends & neighbours) ... only to discover that we now have to hang fire until March 7th.  We are now extra-cluttered with piles and piles of clothes, curtains and bedding on our landing plus other people's bags of clothes, curtains and bedding in the guest bedroom!

Photo collage - De-cluttering Week 4

Are you (still) playing along?  Stacey seems to have the same problems with her towels/Hubby as I do but  Lesley has tackled her make-up at last! {There was so much that I reckon she could have opened her own beauty shop with it all}and Melissa had a great idea for sensible wardrobe de-cluttering:
I haven't done much with the new job, but I am decluttering my wardrobe as I choose outfits each week. I'm working my way through all my slacks & blouses & shoes - if I can't/won't wear them, they immediately go in the donate box. If I wear them but it turns out it was uncomfortable or I just didn't like the way it looked or fit, it goes in the box. That counts right?
It certainly does Melissa :o)

15 comments:

Sian said...

Good job! I love shredding..and now that I've written it down, I realise that sounds a bit weird coming from someone who likes trying to make paper look nice..

Sandra said...

Did I read the word de-clutter? Oohhh then I'm on board, ok off to check out the link. This year getting on top of the clutter and organising myself, home & family are on the top of my list

Ladkyis said...

Mr M has just spent a happy hour in Staples examining shredders. Not your domestic type shredders that work for three sheets of paper and then need a rest and a cool down but the hefty commercial strength 12 sheet shredders. He did then move on to A3 printers but was warned that some of the old electrical stuff stacked in the corner of the study will have to go first. He moved on out the door. He did let me go into the free book shop though

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Every so often I give DH a pile of stuff to shred at the office but now most of our stuff is digital so it hasn't been much of an issue.

I assembled 5 more boxes of book to get rid of n Sunday. I have 12 more shelves, plus the boys' room to go & then I will be done with the books!

Mary B said...

wow mammoth job with all the shredding. Something I ought to do but all I want to do is shut the door on it.
I have got half a charity bag to go up tomorrow but that is much less than it has been so mine is slowing down too

Jennifer Grace said...

It looks like you are back on track - those are some big piles of clothes! You have certainly managed a lot more decluttering than me so far this year! x

Melissa said...

How fun to stop by today & see my quote! :>) I have one bag full of clothes to donate, so I'm making progress with this system of decluttering.

AND I even did a little decluttering in my craft room this past weekend - not much, of course, but a few things that I'll be sharing about soon.

Love these posts - they remind/inspire me to tackle one more thing.

Missus Wookie said...

I've been tackling part of a drawer or shelf but the 50 hour weeks have knocked me sideways. BUT will be having a go, nothing like realising you have to pack your house to have it rewired to encourage your decluttering.

Oh and I used to shred at my Mom's, now I get the kids to burn it in the incinerator and then put the ashes in the compost heap.

Lesley G said...

Jemma, you're doing a grand job, there'll be nothing left in your house soon!!!
I gave my Mum two full bags of clothes for the charity shop at the weekend and I've already started filling another bag. Six brand new lipsticks have a new home with my Mum - just remind me NEVER to buy lipstick again.

Beverly said...

You are still way ahead of me, one each day for Lent is a bit overwhelming. I think I am at 5 in 2013. Melissa does have a great plan.

Unknown said...

I just shredded almost 8 years of paperwork the other week. Boy did it feel good! The local tax laws only require that we keep 7 years worth so I finally disposed of the rest (15 years old!) :-) Amazing how much space that stuff took up!

Alison said...

You are doing so well Jemma..maybe one day soon!
Alison xx

Tracie said...

I want to join in but I get soooo attached! Might start small with a bit of shredding and work my way up to my wardrobe! The last bag of stuff I put out, half of it somehow found it's way back in, when I went through it again whilst not feeling quite so ruthless, that was a mistake - what goes in the bag should stay in the bag!!

alexa said...

I am in awe of your energy to keep going despite the piles of things! It will so be worth it ... I'd like to take six months off to declutter my whole life!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Clara and I did a bit of cleaning out last weekend. Maybe I can do a bit more this week with her in her room.
And I'd really like to get after the garage!
Rinda