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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Decluttering support thread
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Beethoven ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
Is there a library nearby, and are they old enough to be there without you? Drop them off for a few hours. There may also be free summer activities at the library--stories, book-reading contests, etc. (Are they old enough to read Harry Potter? Could keep them occupied.)
Or maybe make helping you declutter a game, an adventure, an archaeological adventure, a treasure hunt? If there are things that it would safe (physically, value-wise, and "OMG!" surprise-wise) for them to go through, at the very least they could label boxes, consolidate boxes, put papers all in one box, make an inventory master list of all the boxes, etc.
YMMV, of course! Just don't list the grandkids on e-Bay--they frown on that! ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
Good luck!
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
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Posted
Fortunately the end is now in sight, and I do still have two children! Teenager-dom is hitting us all hard, and living miles from anywhere doesn't help much... They're both total bookworms - at least when they don't have phones in their hands - but that leads to problems too when books are scattered everywhere. I probably should ask them to have a bit of a sort through soon, and see what we can de clutter from their rooms. And from the bookshelf full of children's games which never get played any more.
It's been a summer of getting new things rather than decluttering, but at least most of the house is actually reasonably tidy at the moment, so I can live with that!
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Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
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Japes
Shipmate
# 5358
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Posted
That's two bags full of clothes for the recycling bin, bags sorted for the new academic year, last change of address stuff done, hymn lists sorted, this month's Evensong music sorted and shopping list created...
I am taking the rest of the last day of the holidays off!
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Blog may or may not be of any interest.
Posts: 2013 | From: Somewhere in the middle | Registered: Dec 2003
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Beethoven - if the kids' games are complete and in reasonably good nick, I'm sure the local Sally Army/Oxfam/whatever would be happy to take them off your hands.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Beethoven - if the kids' games are complete and in reasonably good nick, I'm sure the local Sally Army/Oxfam/whatever would be happy to take them off your hands.
There might also be after-school programs that could use them.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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St Everild
Shipmate
# 3626
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Posted
Clearing the kitchen cupboards out in preparation for a new kitchen being fitted will reveal what I think I already know...that, for a house with only 2 people living in it, we have far too many mugs. (We have about 30 at the last count...not counting the ones which actually match our crockery.)
This will necessitate deciding which ones are going and which are staying. Which will be harder than it sounds, because I won't want to get rid of mugs which were given as gifts or bought for a particular purpose. And he will have similar feelings - the set of mugs which can go will not be the same! Realistically, this will leave us with about 1 chipped mug that can be thrown away, and an interesting discussion about the rest.
Posts: 1782 | From: Bethnei | Registered: Dec 2002
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Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
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Posted
Mr RoS has turned out a pile of shoes & other footwear. Some had to be thrown out, but most went down to the parish church to be taken on the next run to a city charity supporting homeless people.
Another couple of bags of assorted bits & pieces went to a local charity shop.
Small bites, but we are making some progress.
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Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by St Everild:
... mugs which were ... bought for a particular purpose ...
Mugs have a purpose other than being drunk out of? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
We probably have far more mugs than we need too. We have half-a-dozen china ones which get rotated - tea definitely tastes nicer out of a china cup or mug - and a few over-sized ones we use for soup and cold-remedies, or if we're very thirsty.
The ones that match our everyday dinner-plates hardly ever get used at all.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
I have a lot of mugs I don't use. Years ago when I had meetings at my house, it was convenient to have a lot of different mugs, so that when someone wanted a refill, there was no question about which mug was theirs.
My daughter found herself with a huge stash of mugs; she disposed of them by putting small packets of tea or coffee in them and giving them to her kids' teachers as gifts.
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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St Everild
Shipmate
# 3626
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Posted
Some mugs were given as gifts (...my red one covered with squiggly hearts - a present from my completely unromantic DH one Valentine's day...the one with the Vicar skating - a ship Secret Santa gift) or they were bought by me as a reminder to me that I am beloved and have worth. Which I am and still do. So they can't go.And yet others were bought as a remembrance of a happy day/holiday/time.
While others have just...arrived....
I don't have children so giving them to my kids teacher's isn't an option, although I might offer some of them to the staffroom in school as replacements for the motley collection there.
Posts: 1782 | From: Bethnei | Registered: Dec 2002
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
When I moved out I packed a pile of mugs. They were packed till I bought this place. My kitchen is small and a box remained on the floor for some weeks as cupboard space was tight. That was four years ago. One done stood by me and made me go through all I had. I passed area, very few , to sons and he took the rest to his church for morning teas.
I could not now tell you which were the ones I gave away. I could probably get rid of a few more, but I do need to have hem for family gatherings.
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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lily pad
Shipmate
# 11456
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Posted
St. Everild, those mugs could be candidates for my favourite way of keeping things I can't keep - consider taking photos of them. If you have room for a framed photo in your kitchen, a collage of all of your favourite mugs would make an interesting and fun way to save them too.
Thankfully, I am rather clumsy and seem to destroy mugs on a regular basis. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
[ 02. September 2015, 22:31: Message edited by: lily pad ]
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Sloppiness is not caring. Fussiness is caring about the wrong things. With thanks to Adeodatus!
Posts: 2468 | From: Truly Canadian | Registered: May 2006
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Beethoven--
Sorry re "grandkids"! I think I picked that up from the post just after yours, which mentioned grandkids.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
Well, I spent the past several days decluttering in preparation for a cleaning service that was supposed to come today. They didn't show up. Since this is the fourth time I've been stood up by a cleaning service, I think maybe someone's telling me I need to clean my own house. (At least the cleaning is much easier with the clutter out of the way.)
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
Beethoven--
Sorry re "grandkids"! I think I picked that up from the post just after yours, which mentioned grandkids.
No worries!
They're both in school now, so my day off is being rather more peaceful! And yet the only decluttering I'm doing is a couple of loads from the laundry basket Oh, and I've put some cupcakes away too... ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
[ 04. September 2015, 12:22: Message edited by: Beethoven ]
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Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Beethoven:
... I've put some cupcakes away too ...
Now that's the kind of de-cluttering on with which I can get. Would you like some help? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
quote:
Originally posted by Beethoven:
... I've put some cupcakes away too ...
Now that's the kind of de-cluttering on with which I can get. Would you like some help?
Help is always welcome! I enjoy baking but try to do it when I can share the results, otherwise I declutter them rather too enthusiastically... ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif) And with Op 2 being a very proficient baker, there is frequent temptation in the kitchen!
On offer today we have vanilla cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles.
[ 04. September 2015, 15:43: Message edited by: Beethoven ]
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Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Yum!
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
As long as the sprinkles aren't chocolate I'll be there doing the quality control alongside you.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
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Posted
Oh no, always multicoloured sprinkles! All the cakes have been successfully decluttered now I think... Still some biscuits to go though (very light, crumbly vanilla ones, for those who care to know!)
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Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
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Lucia
Looking for light
# 15201
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Posted
I am kind of in a state of pre-decluttering contemplation!
We've taken the decision that next summer we are going to relocate back to the UK (not because of the recent terrorist attacks here in Tunisia, we'd already decided before that! But work and family reasons).
So I am looking around the house with some trepidation knowing that every single thing in it is going to have to have a decision made about it. Some will be easy (not planning on taking any furniture back with us!), some will be harder (toys, books, ornamental stuff). Then there are all the files and piles of paper, cupboards full of clothes etc etc...
Everything will need to have its value or significance compared to the cost and practicality of getting it back to the UK. Will it cost more to transport back to the UK than it will cost to replace it at the other end? We have limited funds available for the relocation process so decisions will have to be made.
A family with growing children can accumulate a lot in 8 years!
So we're going to have to start this process sooner rather than later because if we leave it all to the end it really will be a complete nightmare!
Wish me luck! (Or sanity or something...!)
Posts: 1075 | From: Nigh golden stone and spires | Registered: Oct 2009
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
Good luck and good sanity Lucia!
I would start with the 'can't do withouts' and work backwards
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
What an idiot!
That's me that is.
So, I decided to do some housekeeping on my computer and thought I had some folders somewhere else. I deleted from the deleted items.
Now, they are music files which I have had on my iPod. Can I get them from there to the laptop? They are not on my music folder.
Or - is there a hidden place from my computer? I have done a search by the person's name and I just have the thumbnails. I think too it's on my phone but I can't for the life of me find it.
Any ideas?
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
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Posted
If you mean you have music files on your iPod which you want to copy to your computer, yes, you can. But the practicalities of doing this are best left up to a 12-year-old with experience. ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
Bribe them with ice cream.
[ 18. September 2015, 21:32: Message edited by: Lamb Chopped ]
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Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
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Thyme
Shipmate
# 12360
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Beenster:
So, I decided to do some housekeeping on my computer and thought I had some folders somewhere else. I deleted from the deleted items.
Now, they are music files which I have had on my iPod. Can I get them from there to the laptop? They are not on my music folder.
Any ideas?
When I did this I went to Apple Support, I think I did a live chat, and they were very helpful and gave me the instructions.
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The Church in its own bubble has become, at best the guardian of the value system of the nation’s grandparents, and at worst a den of religious anoraks defined by defensiveness, esoteric logic and discrimination. Bishop of Buckingham's blog
Posts: 600 | From: Cloud Cuckoo Land | Registered: Feb 2007
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
There is a lovely little bit of free software called Recuva™ which can find deleted files. There are other similar ones but this in the one I use. Load it and follow the remarkably simple instructions.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
Thank you so much! I've managed to find some of the files elsewhere. Some of them - music files - I can buy again if I fail in my attempt to recuva. I will keep you posted. All annoying but nothing more. Really appreciate the input. What is it about decluttering which is so dangerous?
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
WW - that recuva thing was genius thank you. i got most of the deleted things back, not quite sure why not all of them were there but it doesn't matter.
I checked my iPod I hadn't backed it up for a while so not all the files were there.
But, I feel happy! Thanks for your input. I appreciate you taking the time and trouble to help out this numpty.
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
I only knew about it because I had a similar incident and somebody, possibly here, pointed it out to me.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
I think I might have been Wodderwick's source and guess why I knew about Recuva! Yeah got it in one, important file for my thesis was deleted.
In other words, all the publicity for Recuva comes from people who are Numpties and had to use it.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
I'm not sure about being a plain Numpty - I think I'm now in the realm of the Super-Numpty!
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
I managed to delete my trash basket once. fortunately I had a geek visiting who put it right
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Lucia--
Re moving:
The "Unf*ck Your Habitat" site has a guide to moving.
YMMV, etc.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
In a moment of weakness, I invested in Marie Kondo's book on tidying. It is slightly mad, but also quite simple - I like her mantra of 'discard first' before tidying anything away. This is why all my clothes are currently in various piles in the spare room. I have spent half the evening sorting through my tops and muttering to myself, Does this give me joy?
So even though I have now started talking to my clothes (You I have hated from the start), I have nevertheless thrown out one bin bag and have a boxful for the charity shop as well. And that is just the tops.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Lucia
Looking for light
# 15201
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
Lucia--
Re moving:
The "Unf*ck Your Habitat" site has a guide to moving.
YMMV, etc.
Thank you! Some good practical advice there!
I am trying to follow the 'start early' advice and tried sorting through one shelf of one cupboard today. OK it's not much but it's a start!
The problem is I immediately get bogged down in a pile of artwork and cards made by our children when they were younger. Maybe I just need to take photographs of the best of it and keep just a few examples for posterity! Then I'm sorting through old Christmas and birthday cards. Do I keep some from relatives who one day will not be here any more to send them? Do I keep the ones husband and I and the children have sent to each other? Can I bear to part with the ones written by my friend who died last year? Sigh - I'm not very good at this kind of clearing out that requires emotional decisions. Thankfully there was also a pile of old magazines and papers that I could throw away without any stress!
Posts: 1075 | From: Nigh golden stone and spires | Registered: Oct 2009
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
I have a small success story. The North East Man and I were having one of those "What if we had a million pounds to spend?" conversations. Rather wistfully, the North East Man said that he would love to have a wardrobe full of clothes which were not torn / threadbare/ frayed etc.
I pointed out that if he just binned clothes when they became torn/ threadbare / frayed, he would have a wardrobe full of such clothes. We went through all his shirts (all 45!) and binned 14. Result! He has a wardrobe containing 31 unfrayed shirts ! Pretty much what he had regarded as a distant dream.
I am hoping that this might be the start of something bigger.
Meanwhile, I have many boxes of clothes in the loft, carefully packed, neatly labelled - 10 stone, 11 stone, 12 stone, 13 stone, 14 stone...
They're not getting in the way in the loft, but at what point do I accept that I'm never going to be 10 stone (or 11 stone, or 12, or even 13 stone again? 10 /11 stone is such a distant memory I have no idea what is even in those boxes. Sigh.
What does Marie Condo's book say about clothes which are tidily packed in labelled boxes, in the loft, Cottontail?
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
What does Marie Condo's book say about clothes which are tidily packed in labelled boxes, in the loft, Cottontail?
She hates 'storage solutions', because they too are soon overflowing, and are just a way of hiding your excess stuff. And clothes that are packed away feel unloved and get depressed. (my paraphrase!)
So she says take all your clothes, wherever they are stored, and sort them into piles - tops, bottoms, suits, accessories, etc. Only then can you see how much you have, and what items you have forgotten you have.
Then go through each pile one by one, handling each item, giving it a bit of love and asking if it is giving you love back. The question at every point is, "Does this give me joy?" If the answer is 'No', bin it immediately. If you hesitate over something you have not worn for years, you may need to thank it for the good times. The purpose of that size 14 top was to make you feel good when you were size 14. It has served its purpose, and now it wants to be thrown away, because it is no longer serving any purpose or giving you joy. And if they are in boxes in the loft, she promises that you won't miss them, but will feel cleaner and lighter and more in control of your environment!
Yes, it is all very idealistic. But it makes sense too. Though I admit that I am keeping some size 14 dresses, which I love, and whose purpose right now is to motivate me to lose weight. The size 14 T-shirts, etc, are already gone.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
It feels like an admission of defeat to get rid of them. Although some of the stuff in the boxes must be 30 years old, and I probably wouldn't want to wear the same clothes in my 50s as I did in the 1980s, when I was in my 20s. I regard those boxes as a wee beacon of hope.
Mind you, a quick check of old photos confirmed that some of the North East Man's shirts date back to at least 1991. For some strange reason they looked different then - looser fitting for one thing. At least he can still squeeze into his 1991 clothes.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
It feels like an admission of defeat to get rid of them. Although some of the stuff in the boxes must be 30 years old, and I probably wouldn't want to wear the same clothes in my 50s as I did in the 1980s, when I was in my 20s. I regard those boxes as a wee beacon of hope.
Get rid of them ALL, come over and join me on the new diet thread - then treat yourself to new clothes when you've lost the weight.
The boxes of clothes haven't worked thus far - so try an new tack
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
It feels like an admission of defeat to get rid of them. Although some of the stuff in the boxes must be 30 years old, and I probably wouldn't want to wear the same clothes in my 50s as I did in the 1980s, when I was in my 20s. I regard those boxes as a wee beacon of hope.
Get rid of them ALL, come over and join me on the new diet thread - then treat yourself to new clothes when you've lost the weight.
The boxes of clothes haven't worked thus far - so try an new tack
She's right. You probably don't even need to sort through them. You've already lived without them for years. You can live the rest of your life without them. They sound not so much like beacons of hope as beacons of guilt.
If you need a replacement beacon of hope, why not go out and buy just one gorgeous item in a size that you might realistically be able to get to for Christmas or spring (not Size 10). Hang that up in your wardrobe and gaze upon it from time to time.
I will join you on that diet thread, Boogie.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cottontail:
... I am keeping some size 14 dresses ...
I have several dresses (I'm not telling you what size they are ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) ) that are Not Currently Viable™, but some of them were so comfortable when they did fit that I haven't had the heart to throw them away.
Perhaps I ought to put them nearer the front of the wardrobe and use them as an incentive ...
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
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Posted
Lost a lot of weight between five and two years ago, joyfully threw out all the big clothes and started wearing those clothes that had been in a box in the loft for years (even some of the clothes from those boxes were eventually too big) and bought lots of smaller clothes. I even bought some that were still a tad tight, expecting to continue losing weight.
Then I had, in sequence, a health problem, two lots of surgery, depression and the return of a health problem of thirty years ago.
Am now nearly as big as I was five years ago, with next to nothing that fits.
Still hoping to get my weight and fitness back under control, but I'm not sure how to deal with the clothing, bearing in mind that we are preparing to move to a much smaller house. Do I throw out all the recently acquired smaller sizes, including those I've never worn, and buy a whole new big wardrobe to move house with?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
Rose of Sharon, that's really tough. I did something similar myself a couple of years ago, but with only myself to blame for putting back on all the weight I lost. Luckily (in one sense) I hadn't thrown out all my big clothes, mainly because I was still wearing them - or the tops at least. I like loose-fitting clothing anyway, and found that nicely-cut tops still hung well even when I lost weight. Trousers were trickier, but I find these tend to wear out more quickly anyway.
When I was losing weight, my counsellor had a few useful tips. Like, buy shirts that are a little too small and wear them open over a vest top. Then as you lose weight, you can wear them buttoned up. A belt will keep trousers and skirts wearable for longer, and you can use one to give shape to a larger blouse as well. If you can sew a little, you can add some tucks to larger items - this is easily done with skirts, even for non-experts. So there is no harm in you investing in some larger clothes, because you will be able to wear them even when you lose weight.
I think there is something to be said for the capsule wardrobe, where all you really need are a few well-chosen pieces. It might be worth doing some reading up on this - and Telepath on the Ship is a bit of an expert, who has given me good advice in the past.
Lastly, I find that I have far too many clothes anyway, even for my current size, and at least half of them I almost never wear. So if you are similar, maybe you can sort through your different-sized clothing, discarding:
(a) the stuff you never liked anyway because the cut is unflattering or the fabric is horrid;
(b) the stuff you like but that is pilled or stained from much use; and
(c) the stuff that you somehow never wore.
Then keep only the most versatile and beloved items. Even with all the different sizes, you can probably reduce your cache by half or more.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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St Everild
Shipmate
# 3626
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Posted
I can identify with your predicament, RoS...I am in a very similar one myself. I have no words of wisdom to offer...
A new kitchen has forced MrStEverild and I to reassess all the "stuff" that lives in a kitchen. I knew there were a lot of mugs in the cupboard, but did we really need 79?
There are only 2 of us...
We have rationalised somewhat, but even so we still appear to have 34 or so mugs (that figure does include the 4 "best" ones that match our crockery, and 4 "builders" mugs that I don't mind getting covered in paint or broken).
The criteria used so far to justify the keepers have included "That was my work mug", "That was a present from so and so", "That is bone china and I like drinking from bone china" and "We bought than when were were in..."
The ones to go to the charity shop are the ones that we aren't particularly fond of and that have never been used. And a set of perfectly nice ones which might possible sell as a set.
The ones for the tip are the chipped and the stained.
Now for the rest of the house...
Posts: 1782 | From: Bethnei | Registered: Dec 2002
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
I have been clearing my bedroom, mainly by throwing out everything that is either two sizes two big or worn out. However, I have run into two difficult spots.
Sock draw
Full to overflowing but all of them fit and few show much sign of getting holes in. Actually I chucked those out but it is still overflowing. I probably need to make some big decisions.
Wardrobe
Actually it's two but I am pretending the one in the back room does not exist at present as it contains the dresses I wore as a bridesmaids and my degree robes.
No,the problem is my bedroom wardrobe which has a selection of semi-smart clothes in it. Some are of sentimental value (my Grandfather's best suit jacket which I wore with jeans for several years after he died and the designer shirt I bought as a student). However most of its contents are just collecting dust.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
The thing with socks is that you can easily reach critical sock mass. The more you have, the less each pair gets worn, the less the chance of any one pair getting worn out. If somebody usually gives you socks each Christmas, then incoming new socks can outnumber exiting worn socks, further reducing the chance of any of your socks actually wearing out.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
I think, if we ask Alan Cresswell nicely, he can probably come up with a mathematical formula for that.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
The thing with socks is that you can easily reach critical sock mass. The more you have, the less each pair gets worn, the less the chance of any one pair getting worn out. If somebody usually gives you socks each Christmas, then incoming new socks can outnumber exiting worn socks, further reducing the chance of any of your socks actually wearing out.
Indeed yes. I have on this morning a pair I made about fifteen years ago. There is a darn but it is from a thread I pulled, not from general wear. I wear only my hand knits, my feet protest if I use commercial socks. I find that thy last for years and years.
So pleasure from knitting and from wearing.
[ 28. September 2015, 03:29: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
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Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cottontail:
I think, if we ask Alan Cresswell nicely, he can probably come up with a mathematical formula for that.
It doesn't really require such high levels of intellect - Piglet's Sock Theorem goes somewhat thus-ish:
Comfort of socks is in direct proportion to probability of putting one's toe through them.
but I'm sure AC could work out a formula to suit. ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
My experience is that once you've put your toe through one sock, you keep repeating the process until you have to beg your mother-in-law to do a raid on Marks & Sparks followed by a trip to the Post Office.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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The Intrepid Mrs S
Shipmate
# 17002
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Posted
I remember reading about a lady in the Borders who kept alpacas, and made socks etc from their fleece. She sold one pair to a Scottish farmer, who came back after a year for another pair.
He'd worn them every day except Sundays, when he washed them but after a year they were wearing a bit thin, so he was going to save that pair for summer! ![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
Mrs. S, who would love a pair of alpaca socks
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Don't get your knickers in a twist over your advancing age. It achieves nothing and makes you walk funny.
Prayer should be our first recourse, not our last resort
'Lord, please give us patience. NOW!'
Posts: 1464 | From: Neither here nor there | Registered: Mar 2012
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