Decluttering Commitment for 2011 - January

Amy from The Finer Things in Life has passed on the gauntlet of the decluttering linky to "Nony the Slob" of A Slob Comes Clean.

Thanks for hosting this year Nony and well done for all your decluttering this month!

Go here to link up or just go read up to see how everyone else did this month with their own decluttering goals.

My goal has had to be upped since last year's goal to declutter 1095 things (an average of three things per day) was met and since I did so darn much this month!

This year my aim is: To Declutter 1825 Things in 365 Days, an average of five things a day!

My house is NOT too small, it does not NOT have inadequate storage only TOO MUCH STUFF!

I realise no one will want to read my way too detailed list - but the details are for me - they are a big part of the letting go process.
Here are my January listings (feel free to skip to the end):

Charity = 240
60 VHS videos (now obsolete – alas and alack)
31 pair tights (pantyhose)
27 pairs of unmentionables
16 t-shirts/tops
12 promotional CDs
7 piece pencil box (I could never bring myself to use)
5 pyjama tops and bottoms
4 piece summer-y plastic serving set (love this but we have so many “nice” dishes that it’s time to let this go)
4 pairs of slippers (how did I have so many?!?)
4 booklets
4 casters
3 pairs of knee-highs
3 paperback books
3 pairs of socks
3 bras
2 sets unused plasters (band-aids – I just had far too many)
2 over-bright cushions I haven’t used for eight years
2 pairs (too-small) tracksuit bottoms
2 piece set of “Barbie” hinged boxes
2 exfoliating gloves
2 charity badges
2 musical books
1 Cello music book (I haven’t played for over a decade and don’t even own an instrument)
1 never-could-see-the-point-in-it-got-it-from-my-sister-originally-v-tech toy
1 blender (we got another for our wedding and I haven’t used this one since)
1 umbrella-shaped cookie cutter (because amazingly I already have one)
1 rattan blind I had on my window as a teenager and had kept ever since
1 well-loved “hoodie” (hooded sweatshirt) from my only music festival
1 beautiful lavender soap cube that was a gift (I prefer bars)
1 Halloween sign (that was left here by a party-goer)
1 star-shaped cookie cutter (too small for my liking)
1 pink polka dot sandwich tray (that we never use)
1 pair green slippers (that I’ve never really worn)
1 decorative tin plate that I’ve sadly outgrown
1 pink flip-top bin with heart-shaped opening
1 beautiful silk scarf (I never wear)
1 small Mother-of-pearl inlaid box
1 wrap-around pyjama cardigan
1 bowl from an old set of scales
1 musical jungle tree house toy
1 potato masher (have another)
1 week’s tablet organiser
1 overly flexible spatula
1 shower puff (unused)
1 cool dude beanie toy
1 fake rose decoration
1 pair of slipper socks
1 “Tinkerbell” anklet
1 set of headphones
1 empty video box
1 “pez” dispenser
1 small floral box
1 jack-in-the-box
1 roll/crawl toy
1 ballet jumper
1 Claire's ring
1 card-holder
1 fitted sheet
1 badge (pin)
1 wash-bag
1 sun-mat
1 necklace and earring set I got from my birthday (and hated)
*Feel bad donating this but at least this way someone will make use of it*

Mum = 10
4 reusable doilies (lovely but I’ve just never gotten around to using them)
1 “megablocks” children’s boat toy (for use by the grandchildren)
1 beautiful heart-shaped papier maché box
1 gorgeous red hat (that makes me itch)
1 jar of garlic powder (that I won't use)
1 beautiful dolls house cardboard box
1 roll of freezer bags (I prefer boxes)

Dad = 8
5 plastic pegs/bag grips
1 paperback (Nurse on Call - not quite what I'd expected but a good read nonetheless)
1 not really fit for purpose guillotine
1 jar of decongestant lotion

Sporty Sis = 13
10 "jiffy"envelopes
2 piece candle lamp
1 slightly broken laundry basket (that she can still make use of)

Miss Thing = 1
1 jar of garlic powder (that I won't use)

Auntie TLC = 11
10 Purses and Dress-up things for her grand-kids
1 top-up voucher I couldn’t use for my phone

The Robinsons = 157
145 multi-punched plastic file (binder) pockets and holder
11 glow-in-the-dark stick-up stars
1 roll of sandwich bags (that I would never use)

Mimi = 6
6 Travel Size Toiletry Bottles

Miss Jewellery = 13
5 gift boxes
4 small jewellery pouches
4 children’s posters

Gerta = 3
2 sets organic teabags (chamomile and peppermint – I had too many)
1 packet cinnamon and orange rooibos tea (I had too much)

Miss B (my parents' dog) = 3
2 out-of-date stuffing sachets
1 packet of chicken gravy granules (out-of-date remnants)

Miss Kitty = 2
2 Hello Kitty gift bags

Recycling = 181
105 magazines/catalogues/university booklets/theatre programmes (that had been gathering dust)
14 plastic containers (that I was hoping to reuse but never did)
9 glass bottles (that I was hoping to reuse but never did)
8 Plastic Bottles (I was able to empty out/had no more use for)
8 plastic spoons (that I’ve never found a use for)
8 herbs/spices containers
4 Perfume Bottles
3 Pink Cardboard Boxes (cute set I’d used for toiletries that were broken)
2 lbs of puzzle pieces (kept for crafting and never used)
2 pairs linen trousers that had given out (into rags)
2 glass dishes (that are too small to be useful)
2 plastic place mats (hearts and strawberries)
2 sauce containers
1 huge pile of recycling from my university thesis/dissertation (an emotional load off)
1 pile of “starter choices” slips from our wedding (September 09)
1 hand wash container (from my bathroom to the bathroom in our barn)
1 huge pile of recycling from a university teaching file (binder)
1 huge pile of recycling from a university ethics class
1 huge pile of recycling from a university maths class
1 book of vouchers (that I’ll never use)
1 unmatched plastic “Tupperware” lid
1 big old pile of papers and packaging
1 pair of jammy bottoms (into rags)
1 empty video box
1 mug storage box

Dumped = 11
3 sheets packing material
1 destroyed laundry basket (not sure how I break so many of these – am starting to think tripping on my steps and landing on top of them is not good for their health – alas I’m a klutz)
1 sachet mini-marshmallows (out-of-date and very unappetising)
1 cinnamon soap that didn’t clean well
1 packet raw quinoa (out-of-date)
1 worn-out fake flower spray
1 gold elasticated-hair-band
1 storage bag (broken)
1 broken storage box

659/31 Total for the Month/Total No. of Days

January Average = Just over 21-and-a-quarter things/day

*659 Down, 1166 to Go!*

Whew I decluttered a LOT this month, especially lots of emotionally draining, drag-me-down STUFF!
 
I'm finally starting to clear the years of clutter - the piles of theatre programmes, magazines I'll never re-read, university files and my thesis which remind me of a very emotionally bad time in my life. I'm getting rid of the crud, the gunge and this year I will find the space in my HUGE for only two people apartment.
 
You never know I might be able to see enough of my apartment to clean it soon too!
 
Hope youse (Norn/Northern Irish for you plural) were able to make a good start on your decluttering this month too!
 
Gx