Last weekend I cleared out the storage space/random stuffage area behind an armchair in a corner of my living-room, and threw away almost all its contents, making space to properly store my fluffy leopard-print blanket (which I love) and the cargo net (don’t ask :-p ). I also discovered, to my utter horror, that I owned no fewer than twenty-one handbags/purses. Twenty-one!!! I knew I had too many I never use, but that’s ridiculous. Several were very old ones which I apparently thought were cool as a teenager, but wouldn’t use now, so they went straight in the donation bag. Many were little evening bags I’d bought to go with outfits for special occasions and used only once or twice; I kept a basic selection and donated the rest. A few were damaged, and if I haven’t mended them in this long, I obviously don’t want them that badly – into the trash with them. My handbag collection now stands at a much more reasonable eight.

I then made a start on going through my linen drawers – towels, sheets etc – but got hijacked by more important issues before I was done, so they’re still pulled about all over the floor. I’m finding it quite surprising just how much emotional energy all this takes, but at least I’m realising that there’s no point trying to get much done while I have other things on my mind, cos I just get frustrated by my inability to make progress. So I’m letting myself put the major decluttering out of my mind for a few days, and just trying to do one small thing when I get home each evening to make things a little better, or at least not make it any worse. It’ll all still be there when I have the headspace for it again.