A load of old rubbish

Clive Long · 27th-June-2005, 03:18 PM

I am trying to clean up my act in many ways, and one of them is to "de-clutter" - if you have spoken to me in the past 3 months it's pretty much my only topic of conversation.

This obsession has been driven by spending too many years in a small flat surrounded by boxes that contain things I have long since forgotten about.

I'm interested to find out if there is a "gender divide" on tidying up.

Could you vote?

Clive

**El Salsero Gringo** · 27th-June-2005, 03:38 PM

Throwing things away is like having a dump. It can be a strain, but so satisfying afterwards.

ChrisA · 27th-June-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

Throwing things away is like having a dump. It can be a strain, but so satisfying afterwards.

Except that in the latter case, you never find yourself thinking,

"Damn. I wish I hadn't got rid of that".

**Dreadful Scathe** · 27th-June-2005, 04:59 PM

ChrisA comes back from the wilderness that is the sensible threads and posts a damn good punch line.

Purple Sparkler · 27th-June-2005, 05:03 PM

I try desperately to keep things in order but it just doesn't happen. I need a bigger room- I have too much stuff for a single, even though I'm pretty ruthless about throwing things out. This is what happens when you're
a) A dancer- thus many dresses and shiny things and shoes
b) A bookworm- lots and lots of books
c) A bit of a film buff- lots and lots of DVDs
d) Into music- lots and lots of CDs.

**stewart38** · 27th-June-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive Long

I am trying to clean up my act in many ways, and one of them is to "de-clutter" - if you have spoken to me in the past 3 months it's pretty much my only topic of conversation.

This obsession has been driven by spending too many years in a small flat surrounded by boxes that contain things I have long since forgotten about.

I'm interested to find out if there is a "gender divide" on tidying up.

Could you vote?

Clive

I can win the hording. I have 4 sack loads of crap in bin bags i occassionally take out of hiding tip on the floor throw 1% away and then put all the 99% of crap back in black sacks

Im the guy who nearly kills himself pushing a 3rd television set into the attic which i havent used in 5 yrs (why not bin it ?)

Im the guy who keeps red reminder gas bills from 1994, im not joking

The sad thing is my new house has relatively a great big attic

I dont like not being able to find stuff im as dis organised at work and its not nice !

Apart from pension stuff etc i could throw 95% of my stuff away but i hoard crap and its not easy for me to get rid of it.

I have recently tried again to make progress

**Rhythm King** · 27th-June-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Sparkler

I try desperately to keep things in order but it just doesn't happen. I need a bigger room- I have too much stuff for a single, even though I'm pretty ruthless about throwing things out. This is what happens when you're
a) A dancer- thus many dresses and shiny things and shoes
b) A bookworm- lots and lots of books
c) A bit of a film buff- lots and lots of DVDs
d) Into music- lots and lots of CDs.

, well not the dresses obviously, not being of the McGregor ilk, but outfits certainly. And pictures and gadgets for various hobbies (flying gear, motorcycling gear, etc, etc) and collectibles of various kinds... Help!

Purple Sparkler · 27th-June-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythm King

, well not the dresses obviously, not being of the McGregor ilk, but outfits certainly. And pictures and gadgets for various hobbies (flying gear, motorcycling gear, etc, etc) and collectibles of various kinds... Help!

And of course you have to leave some cupboards free for Cato to hide in...

MartinHarper · 27th-June-2005, 05:56 PM

I de-clutter my possessions, in that I try to own as little as possible, and give stuff away via charity shops. However, I manage to create a lot of chaos with what I do own. I'm kinda ok with that - it just means that I can't invite anyone round to my place without taking a week off work to clear up.

jivecat · 27th-June-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewart38

Im the guy who keeps red reminder gas bills from 1994, im not joking

I think I've got some of those too!

Despite being single I've filled up a semi designed for a family of 5 or more.

As well as keeping junk of my own I love going to car boot sales to collect good bits of other people's junk.

If you keep junk long enough it might turn into a valuable collector's item, but that usually doesn't happen until the week after you finally get round to chucking it out. It doesn't apply to jumpers that I started knitting in 1995 and have no intention of finishing or wearing even if it was to be finished by miraculous divine intervention.

Visitors are good because they're a good motivation for a clean-up because I actually hate living surrounded by clutter.

**Aleks** · 27th-June-2005, 07:18 PM

We used to invite friends over on a weekly/fortnightly basis just so we had to clean up. I'm just not motivated enough to clean up for myself.....

**Minnie M** · 27th-June-2005, 07:45 PM

Gosh and I thought I was the only slob on the dance scene ...........

We could have an annual "bring and sell for charity dance" have couple of muggle mates selling the stuff so it moves around so the following year we can sell the stuff we bought again

any stuff will do, but if the forumite girls are anything like me, I have about 30 pairs of dance shoes (25 pairs I hardly wear these days) a wardrobe full of skirts I never wear and dresses I am bored with and I could open a market stall with the tops I have bought (God bless George of Asda)

**El Salsero Gringo** · 27th-June-2005, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Except that in the latter case, you never find yourself thinking,

"Damn. I wish I hadn't got rid of that".

Speak for yourself...

**philsmove** · 28th-June-2005, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythm King

:......................
. And pictures and gadgets for various hobbies (flying gear, motorcycling gear, etc, etc) and collectibles of various kinds... Help!

Through it all away

There simply isn’t space for dancing and other time consuming interests

Bet your copy Pooley’s is hopelessly out of date

OK I admit in a recent clear out -I could not bring my self to get rid of my crash helmet or my wet weather sailing gear But my 10 year old copy of Reeds went in the bin

**David Bailey** · 28th-June-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleks

We used to invite friends over on a weekly/fortnightly basis just so we had to clean up. I'm just not motivated enough to clean up for myself.....

Thank God I'm not the only one to do that ...

**Tessalicious** · 28th-June-2005, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Sparkler

I try desperately to keep things in order but it just doesn't happen. I need a bigger room- I have too much stuff for a single, even though I'm pretty ruthless about throwing things out. This is what happens when you're
a) A dancer- thus many dresses and shiny things and shoes
b) A bookworm- lots and lots of books
c) A bit of a film buff- lots and lots of DVDs
d) Into music- lots and lots of CDs.

Y'know, I read that and thought 'thats funny, I don't remember posting on this thread' - then I realised it wasn't me at all, it was PS. Not surprising we get on so well, we're so similar...

Stuart · 28th-June-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewart38

Im the guy who keeps red reminder gas bills from 1994, im not joking

I used to do this until I went out and bought a shredder. I had loads of fun feeding all of these into it and it felt so liberating.

**Lynn** · 29th-June-2005, 11:58 AM

This is so topical - I visited a friends lovely new luxury apartment on Sun evening - looks so nice - but realised that part of the reason was it was all so tidy

I really, really have to have a declutter and clear up - its not that I just don't put things away, I'm running out of places to put them!

Clothes - way too many - mostly charity shops and Primark sale - really need to clear out. (But I tend to do that and put out stuff I never wear anymore then 2 months later go looking for it to wear it!) Dance shoe collection lives in the spare room (along with suitcases, tins of paint, old computer etc)

Books/files - need to tidy up. Lots of lecturing stuff to be filed - builds up every year. I don't throw out or give books away as I always re-read them.

And anyone else got lots of paint tins/brushes/tools/bits of wood etc? Maybe the solution is to get a house with a garage!

**Rhythm King** · 29th-June-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsmove

Bet your copy Pooley’s is hopelessly out of date

COPY? - ONE!

- I have just thrown them all out this morning as a result of your post. The resulting space on the bookshelf was immediately filled by several other books which had been lying around, looking for a home. At least I have an on-line subscription to Jeppesons now - no manuals lying round the house, just print off what I need that day, scribble on it without feeling guilty and chuck it when I get back- bliss!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jivecat

Despite being single I've filled up a semi designed for a family of 5 or more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Sparkler

And of course you have to leave some cupboards free for Cato to hide in...

Cato, you imbecile - not now!

Purple Sparkler · 29th-June-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythm King

Cato, you imbecile - not now!

Well I suppose there's always room in the fridge!

View Poll Results: My atttitude to personal space and clutter
I'm male: I'm a hoarder, I live in chaos and am proud. People who tidy up are just anal.	4	14.29%
I'm male: I live in chaos and hate it. Help !!	4	14.29%
I'm male: I can't bear a thing out of place, I ruthlessly de-clutter.	1	3.57%
I'm male: I have one room that contains my mess but the rest of my space is "controlled"	2	7.14%
I'm female: I'm a hoarder, I live in chaos and am proud. People who tidy up are just anal.	2	7.14%
I'm female: I live in chaos and hate it. Help !!	4	14.29%
I'm female: I can't bear a thing out of place, I ruthlessly de-clutter.	1	3.57%
I'm female: I have one room that contains my mess but the rest of my space is "controlled"	4	14.29%
For the rest: I'm gender non-specific and intend to keep DavidJames guessing.	6	21.43%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll \| Withdraw Vote

27th-June-2005, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Clive Long Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London-innit Posts: 1,465 Status: No Status Rep Power: 3	A load of old rubbish I am trying to clean up my act in many ways, and one of them is to "de-clutter" - if you have spoken to me in the past 3 months it's pretty much my only topic of conversation. This obsession has been driven by spending too many years in a small flat surrounded by boxes that contain things I have long since forgotten about. I'm interested to find out if there is a "gender divide" on tidying up. Could you vote? Clive

27th-June-2005, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
El Salsero Gringo Ceroc Teacher Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London Posts: 4,881 Status: No Status Rep Power: 4 Rep.: 2374	Re: A load of old rubbish Throwing things away is like having a dump. It can be a strain, but so satisfying afterwards.

27th-June-2005, 04:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dreadful Scathe Papa Smurf Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Scathe Posts: 10,418 Status: one of Drathzels smarties Blog Entries: 4 Rep Power: 8 Rep.: 2537	Re: A load of old rubbish ChrisA comes back from the wilderness that is the sensible threads and posts a damn good punch line. __________________ "defiantly a pork soared" -fletch "This is a discussion forum, not some sort of hippy poetry-reading commune" - TAFKADJ

27th-June-2005, 05:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Purple Sparkler Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melée Island (tm) Posts: 1,015 Status: No Status Rep Power: 2 Rep.: 223	Re: A load of old rubbish I try desperately to keep things in order but it just doesn't happen. I need a bigger room- I have too much stuff for a single, even though I'm pretty ruthless about throwing things out. This is what happens when you're a) A dancer- thus many dresses and shiny things and shoes b) A bookworm- lots and lots of books c) A bit of a film buff- lots and lots of DVDs d) Into music- lots and lots of CDs.

27th-June-2005, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
MartinHarper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Worcester, UK Posts: 4,118 Status: No Status Rep Power: 5 Rep.: 1869	Re: A load of old rubbish I de-clutter my possessions, in that I try to own as little as possible, and give stuff away via charity shops. However, I manage to create a lot of chaos with what I do own. I'm kinda ok with that - it just means that I can't invite anyone round to my place without taking a week off work to clear up.

27th-June-2005, 07:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Aleks Taxi Dancer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tarbrax Posts: 2,396 Status: No Status Rep Power: 3 Rep.: 906	Re: A load of old rubbish We used to invite friends over on a weekly/fortnightly basis just so we had to clean up. I'm just not motivated enough to clean up for myself..... __________________ "Everything that happens to you is your teacher. The secret is to sit at the feet of your own life and be taught by it." Mahatma Gandhi

27th-June-2005, 07:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
Minnie M Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hove Actually Posts: 6,842 Status: Recycled Teenager Rep Power: 5 Rep.: 2047	Re: A load of old rubbish Gosh and I thought I was the only slob on the dance scene ........... We could have an annual "bring and sell for charity dance" have couple of muggle mates selling the stuff so it moves around so the following year we can sell the stuff we bought again any stuff will do, but if the forumite girls are anything like me, I have about 30 pairs of dance shoes (25 pairs I hardly wear these days) a wardrobe full of skirts I never wear and dresses I am bored with and I could open a market stall with the tops I have bought (God bless George of Asda) __________________ --ooOoo-- Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982) Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928. That date is recognized as her official birthday.

29th-June-2005, 11:58 AM	#18 (permalink)
Lynn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Belfast Posts: 8,053 Status: Looking forward to new challenges. Rep Power: 7 Rep.: 2636	Re: A load of old rubbish This is so topical - I visited a friends lovely new luxury apartment on Sun evening - looks so nice - but realised that part of the reason was it was all so tidy I really, really have to have a declutter and clear up - its not that I just don't put things away, I'm running out of places to put them! Clothes - way too many - mostly charity shops and Primark sale - really need to clear out. (But I tend to do that and put out stuff I never wear anymore then 2 months later go looking for it to wear it!) Dance shoe collection lives in the spare room (along with suitcases, tins of paint, old computer etc) Books/files - need to tidy up. Lots of lecturing stuff to be filed - builds up every year. I don't throw out or give books away as I always re-read them. And anyone else got lots of paint tins/brushes/tools/bits of wood etc? Maybe the solution is to get a house with a garage!