So it begins.....

So the declutter process begins. The first evening I was super revved up about decluttering and even managed to rope in my husband. (By rope in I mean he was sat in the same room working on his laptop and I interrupted him from time to time by holding up a book and shouting "Keep or give away?") And I ended up with a good ole pile of books released from their prison of the bookshelf. Then I got tired and the books stayed on the floor for a few days.

Which brought me to my first learning lesson; it's all well and good decluttering but that isn't the end of the process, you have to then do something with what you have decluttered! I don't really like binning books, they're precious texts of information to me. Though some did have to go to the recycling box as they were in no shape to give away.
I put some on Facebook and some went to friends, some went to the charity shop and the rest? Well they're still in a box under the stairs but at least they're out of sight for now!
And it did make a difference:

Before and after
book corner -

(Though I am not posting a photo of what the rest of the living room looked like while I was taking that photo!!)
I would definitely recommend if you're starting the decluttering process to take before and after photos. The decluttering process can be a slow process especially when you have kids, working etc. So it may feel that despite your best efforts nothing has changed as you get used to the change. So taking before and after photos will let you see how far you have really come.

I have also learnt that we have a huge amount of stuff, and I didn't think we were a particularly stuff focussed household. However 4 trips to the charity shop later and I feel I've barely scratched the surface. Still onwards and upwards!

Hopefully I can post more before and after photos soon, though having 2 small whirlwinds at home during the school holidays does seem to be hampering my efforts slightly.