Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

FreetodoasIlike

Sorry - that should have read sc-on - not scon-on😁

thepurplepixie

FreetodoasIlike, I envy you, my husband just keeps spreading it.  We have a large double garage  - was full to bursting but now under control, loft over garage - don't ask.  He has an office, large room behind the garage - was chaos but marginally better now, house loft - don't ask.  In a final effort to contain it we bought a large shed, it is now choc a block.  I despair some days, I suppose his condition and pain mean I haven't pushed hard enough to keep it under control but it does spread through the house even with all those places.  Anyway on a positive note I took a full carload to the tip today.  I've booked a bulk collection for the old bed which I've managed to dismantle and get it downstairs.  It is improving and I think he is beginning to see the benefits which gives me hope.  
Tomorrow I'm hoping to get the bedroom carpet cleaned, would be nice if it comes up well and we don't need a new one.
I am so tired and ache but for the first time in years I feel we are making progress with it, the house is chaotic at the moment with piles of things I'm sorting or planning where they go but hey no one is visiting at the moment, some family waiting for covid tests but can't get them yet, so hopefully by the time people do visit it will all be  a bit more organised.
One of the biggest issues is I am allergic to dust and of course with all his "stuff" dust is an issue and now more than ever as it is all being moved so I am struggling with that but hopefully it will be worth it, I think most of the dust is gone now so I should start feeling the benefit of that soon.
I really am a minimalist, I have one small wardrobe (he has 4) and one small set of drawers.  I have photos and important documents in a case, in an emergency I'd pick that up and go - he'd burn to death while trying to work out what to take.  I hate lots of stuff but my dust allergy might be at the root of that.
I'm trying to decide if I have the energy to run a nice bath and have a soak or if I should just make some dinner and have an early night.  Such major decisions I have to contend with.

Wednesday2000

helensbiggestfan said:

hi Wednesday.  

 Yes I have been hearing stuff about Covid still being with us well into next year.  Depressing thought isn’t it. I think you are wise to be fluid in your plans to move house. Maybe next year won’t be a good time, not just for Covid but the end of stamp duty holiday might depress the market and who knows what the economy will be like.  No point trying to second guess everything.  

Yes, it is worrying. Just such a bizarre time for all our lives at the moment.x

Maybe that is why I am drinking white wine and my husband has ordered us takeaway pizza tonight. I have to find comfort somewhere.

FreetodoasIlike

Oh pixie - I feel for you!  Have a nice soak in the bath and then get something simple for dinner- like beans/cheese/egg on toast and pour yourself a glass of something.  I’m like you and if I had to leave my house in an emergency I could leave with all my important documents and the few things that are dear to me.  We sound very similar. Before we got the loft conversion, my OH, who is a radio amateur with all his “gear”, occupied our second bedroom (which also housed a bike which he had built from scratch and was too “precious” to live in the garage). Not that there was room for it in there as the garage was full of “important” stuff that was too good to waste (i.e. think of old kitchen cupboards which were used to house tools etc.).  I LOVE looking at my clothes in my wardrobe knowing that they are all worn and loved (even if I’ve replaced them via eBay which I’ve mentioned before).  To be fair, my OH doesn’t have a lot of clothes as he has no interest in them and I tend to buy what he needs, but his problem is “gadgets”.  The guy who came to look at our electrics recently was totally dumbfounded at the “man cave” my OH has.

I‘ve watched programmes on TV about hoarding and I get really upset when I’m see how some people live, to the point when I’ve had to switch channels.  These people have a real problem - luckily your husband doesn’t but I totally get how you feel.  I feel calm and can connect with my inner world when I sit in a totally uncluttered environment and feel peace with the world.  OK, that was probably a bit OTT but I’m sure you get where I’m coming from😁

Keep up,the good works!  Rome wasn’t built in a day remember 👍

sugarbaby125

Pixie, you have made real inroads with your decluttering so well done to you   

maman

Whatever you decided, I do hope you get a quiet end to the day pixie. It sounds exhausting. My DH has lots of 'stuff' but fortunately not out of control. It's mostly books and antiquarian maps and loads of paper from various bits of research. He's got most of it confined to two rooms and he always apologises and sorts it out ASAP when it spills over temporarily. 😉

helensbiggestfan

Well done Pixie, you are doing really well.  You'll get there.  

I think I would call my style "cosy minimalist".  I don't like clutter but I do like a nice sofa throw to snuggle under on a winters night. And tbh I probably have too many cLothes to be considered a true minimalist but I do edit them and have the occasional cull.   So I'll call it a curated wardrobe.😂🤣.   

Those hoarding programmes are terribly sad arent they.  I always think what a terribly sad situation to be in when your possessions rule your life. When you hear their stories their hoarding often seems to have been triggered by an emotional trauma.  It's almost like a form of PTSD.  

Well I have cancelled my chiro appts and put my treatment plan on hold for now.  Tomorrow I will go shopping and do a final stock up and then probably Wednesday I shall start my lockdown.  I'm OK with it.  I shall be able to see at least one of my sons, my Dil and grandson.  The other son is aware and understands. He bears me no ill will for not seeing me for a few weeks. 😂. He knows I love him to bits. His girlfriend is a nurse so I just can't take the risk.  It's not for long.  Hopefully.  

helensbiggestfan

Wednesday2000 said:

helensbiggestfan said:

hi Wednesday.  

 Yes I have been hearing stuff about Covid still being with us well into next year.  Depressing thought isn’t it. I think you are wise to be fluid in your plans to move house. Maybe next year won’t be a good time, not just for Covid but the end of stamp duty holiday might depress the market and who knows what the economy will be like.  No point trying to second guess everything.  

Yes, it is worrying. Just such a bizarre time for all our lives at the moment.x

Maybe that is why I am drinking white wine and my husband has ordered us takeaway pizza tonight. I have to find comfort somewhere.

Why not, I had a plate of chips tonight.  I was too shattered to cook or even assemble a salad.  Just couldn't be bothered. 😂

savingfortomorrow

We have to gentle to ourselves selves sometimes we can not be bothered to even open a tin of beans. 
I had a ready meal- albeit a healthy one but a ready meal none the less. I had half a bag of frozen veg to improve the impact. Is this possible?

I read LL that hoarding will increase due to the COVID. Hoarding is associated with unprocessed grief and the processes and changes with COVID. A lot of people could not grief normally or have normal social and religious ceremonies.  Hoarding starts with being unable to let go of an object and in a way the feelings. 

I am a small bit cluttered but really am improving. I accumulated a certain of junk but got rid of a lot.  Constant editing is important but we wax and wane with the process so I try and see it as a process.  
I did a great edit of the wardrobe during COVID and will re-edit because there were a few items that I didn't wear in the summer and honestly will not going forward. I swear by the deadline process- one day off start at 10 or so and work till 2 pm. Using quick decisions and keep or go- toss into the charity shop at 2 pm. job done.

chanie

purple Whatever progress you make is a step in the right direction.  

Helen good luck with the next few weeks. I’ll be looking forward to your updates on the new addition to your family.
Wednesday It’s a shame about your plans, but at least you aren’t in any rush to move.

i was in The Range today and they have started putting out their Christmas decorations.  It got me thinking about Christmas this year.  I shop for Christmas throughout the year, so much of my shopping is complete.  It will be hell on earth for shops to maintain social distancing in the run up to Christmas.  I was saying to my Mum that it will be impossible to enforce a lockdown over Xmas as most people will ignore it.