2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

florianatwobob

A few bits went off to the charity shop on Sunday (DVDs that had been watched and books that had been read), decluttering slightly scuppered as a couple of bits also came home with me and a couple of bits that I’ll pass onto a friend. 

mothernerd

Over the weekend I chopped 3 more sacks of leaves for the green bin, filled 6 metal buckets with compost (huge bag was half price because it had a rip and a bit had spilled out) so my tomato plugs can have new homes on the windowsill - not sure if I'll get as far as sowing seeds this year, 3 trips to the bins with rubbish and recycling, cleared out my handbag (lots of receipts to deal with). 15 non-matching lids and plastic containers (+ stood on 2 on the floor yesterday and binned some of the ones with obnoxious takeaway combinations dried on (life is too short, rinsed lots of the recycling that needed it). 

3 more use ups, mostly just squidges and cut open tubes, replaced with a half full after sun cream, then found another squidge of hand cream which I also finished off - I bought it from a charity shop (posh brand) but really like it so will add it to the suggestions list for festive presents. been working on my 'bedside' items - I'm finding it hard to access things on my right and thinking about moving the bed away from the window wall (will make it easier to make the bed 'properly) and putting the bedside trolley there. I have a large wooden tray the CPAP machine and other things sit on (on the left half of the bed). If that sits on top of the trolley, it gets the CPAP off the bed, so taking sheets off the bed to wash will be less onerous.

Yesterday I did another book reshuffle. All the picture books (from a variety of sources, 10 for £10 a couple of weeks ago, some favourites bought second hand and some from a library sale 4 or 5 years ago) are now in the bottom of a cube box (listed in the back of my diary so I know what I have with the ones I need first on the top). The box was big enough to hold some festive items (dotted about on shelves, in bags and in drawers) and accessories to a kitchen gadget that neither beloved nor myself has got around to using (and probably won't any time soon, given the state of the kitchen).

I went out at least 3 times to each of the bins (paper, cans and bottles, rubbish). First bag or sack was full/ part-filled, 2nd and 3rd went round collecting things. I emptied a drawer (duvet can go in the newly found and washed cover, will fold at the bottom of the bed when it gets too hot or push or fold it and put it in a pillowcase until needed) and put the items I'd already decided on in it (bottom drawer so again, contents listed so know what I have/ still to buy and added a few cs fines and posh packaging - will need that soon but only need to open the drawer a few inches for it).

My couch in the front room is nearly clear (I have 2 couches, they're both mine but I lent the large one to DS1 until he and his wife could buy the sofa of their choice). DS3 has claimed the large one - he does most of his work from there. Mine has become a dumping ground, DS3 lets me sit at the end of 'his' when I'm taking a break (actually he's made such a mess of it whilst I've been at mum's, I'm not sure I want it back. The largest thing left on the small sofa was a bolt of blackout/ insulating lining material. I bought it to make linings for all the curtains but found heavy quality cs curtains with linings, so mostly used for cleaning cloths. Cut 5 strips off, cut each into 4 good sized cloths. Bolt was then light enough for me to carry to DS3's desk and found I could lift it to getting a corner on top of the cube shelves and then pushing it the rest of the way.

Cleared the area around the couch, had more food then came back upstairs. Cleared the rest of the floor (gradually working through stuff hidden in the bottom of the wardrobe etc over a fortnight). Useful stuff piled on the bed. Started to move the bed. First option, moving the bed away from the wall would have left too little space to work round the bed so started to turn the bed, a bit at a time until it stuck, diagonally across the room. Gone 9 pm so concentrated on making enough space on the bed for me and setting up the CPAP machine and charged the laptop (both unplugged so they didn't get dragged off the bed .

Today most bits ache, some hurt, my world is restricted to this room and can't reach parts of that (can get to the bathroom, hurray). Glad the bed got stuck as keeping going might have caused serious injury (rather than a day or two of limited activity). Realised that option would not have worked and done another two in my head which also had drawbacks (best option is the most work and definitely on my agenda anytime soon). 

I need more room. If I can't buy next door or obtain another suitable property (Mr Builder suggested a one bedroom, ground floor flat but the only ones I saw in my price range weren't what I wanted, others tend to be more remote) I will need to build a proper extension with a ground level bedroom and bathroom for me. However everything is in abeyance until probate comes through (some urgent repairs needed for starters).

So for now it's just me and this room (no shortage of things to do). I have drinks (water and a caffeine and sugar free drink), yoghurt and porridge oats, some fruit and baby carrots. I've washed the important bits and put on my clean nightie (other one added to the wash pile). It's raining heavily so little outside work even if I could get downstairs. Think it's only the blue (paper) bin this week so won't go to put mum's out - not worth the effort of getting fully dressed, walking to the bus station, walking to mum's bungalow when I get off and then doing the whole thing in reverse. Will sort through loose papers and notes, transfer stuff to be kept, I have a paper sack and a bin bag for rubbish. Start where you are, use what you've got, do what you can. I also have a reading book and some sewing for entertainment (bump up my MH).

Not sure what to add to my total. I'm aware that most of it is not leaving the house, just condensing and putting in order. I think there are 10 more books that could go and a handful that will go to the cs if not started within a month. Dirty pots were rounded up and DW set off, clothes were line dried, WM ready for next load - threw things down last night as I went round the room, kitchen items taken to the kitchen (including food). Meant to sit and prepare food which didn't happen but most of the food was use- ups. Ahh thinking time.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, the trip to the hospital yesterday was a bit of a mix up. Left the house at 8.30 for a 10.00 appointment as it was a bit of a treck, through the tunnel and down the mway. We weren't sure exactly where we were going as I have only been to that hospital once a good while ago to visit a friend who had had a hip replacement. Anyhow just as I got to the junction for the hospital OH rereads the appointment letter to see if there are directions to where to go and discovers the hospital has a clinic on our side of the river and that is where the appointment is. . So around the roundabout and back down the mway at speed while OH way checking the online map so we know which way to go when we get through the tunnel. I refrained from saying it would have been useful to have done this before ! Anyhow we got there in time and I threw OH out of the car and went to find somewhere to park. I ended up on single yellow lines in the middle of a whole row of parked cars. I saw several obviously quite ill people arrive while I was parked. The hospital specialises in cancer treatment, but there is absolutely nowhere to park near the clinic as it is next to the new hospital that is being built and any available parking is for hospital staff. I got quite angry about this as I think people who are having treatment have quite enough to deal with without the stress of finding somewhere to park that is in walking distance. Well I was moved on by a traffic warden after about an hour, drove around for a bit and then ended up on double yellow lines with some other cars. Luckily OH had texted, made the appointment and was in a queue for a blood test and shortly appeared. OH does not have cancer but they do deal with other things. So off we then went back through the tunnel to meet up with the friend, we were both starving by the time we got there and I had a lovely veggie scouse and OH had fish and chips. The cafe is a favourite as it has great views of the Dee estuary and Hilbre island. Then we went for a little walk along the beach and ended up at the friends camper van parked by the lake and sat and chatted for a couple of hours with the bonus of another cup of coffee. We didn't get home until gone 5 , tired but relaxed. I really enjoy just sitting by the sea shooting the breeze   Absolutely nothing done after tea
Today I have dealt with the post and been to collect meds for OH from the chemist. I am now heading out to the garden for a coffee over the fence with lovely neighbour who is back from her travels before the forecast rain arrives.
Take care everyone

muffin_man_7

Mothernerd Wow where do you get your energy I'm exhausted just reading what you've managed to get done.
   I'm struggling atm if I go to the shop I walk there cheapest option that takes 45 min almost a mile  then I'm lucky if I've got 1 hour before the oucies kick off that tells me to finish up the shop and head home, some days I can walk back if I know I cannot walk home I do a month worth of heavy  Items and get a taxi  I put the frozen in the freezer the chilled in the fridge and then that's me done, the rest waits up to 4 days for me to recharge  my energy and reduce the ouchies.
      I'm waiting to move to a bungalow. I have boxes in every room almost all are full and I'm still not completely packed yet need the adult kids to go in the loft and take junk to the tip  I've redone some of the boxes over the last 2 years during lock down  gave me something to do I have managed to have a few empty ready to pack up the kitchen but I can't see 80 plus boxes fitting in a 1 bed bungalow so round 3 of decluttering will begin after the 17th that will be monthly shop day its only me and the staffie so not that big need big bag of food for him so  might as well do mine at same time  but I like having extras and I'm out of most of my favourites and he's low on his biccys too.
 Grandkids have planted up some pots flowers and sunflowers next time it will be veggies all in pots so ca move with me if need be
Int the last month I've managed to clear out 10 item  to go to the tip no working  stuff and I'm slowly getting a bag of clothing together  no longer f since I managed to loose 25 lbs in 2021  not sure if I cout by bag or by item? I think  that's it
Oh I have started to use up frozen foods cos freezer needs defrosting and the short dated tins are  slowly getting used up  
   I'll try and post more often than monthly 

QueenJess

A small attempt during my lunch hour to declutter.  I've had to order a number of things in the last week or so (kids clothes, kids shoes, kitchen containers etc), so I do feel if I don't get rid of a similar amount, the stuff will keep increasing.  So I raided some of the kitchen drawers I dislike opening the most (i.e. they are messy!) and re-checked DD's clothes as there is almost always something I've missed that she's grown out of.

I discovered my four containers I bought a very long time ago to organise my fridge, but stopped using them.  I have put one in the fridge, but will be getting out more of them to try and use them.  If they don't work for me then I will get rid of them.  They are doing no good sat taking up space in a drawer.

Today's decluttering efforts:

467 - shoes that are now too small (either buy nothing will take them or will send them to charity)

468 - 473 - notepads for shopping lists from the kitchen drawer, but we never use them and just use digital lists instead.  If we really need one we use back of envelopes or paper I save that has only been printed on one side.

474 - 488 - dribble bibs - we were given loads, but never needed them with DD so I doubt I'll start to use them now!

Nearly at my arbitrary yearly target!  I think I might do something crazy and double it for the end of the year now.  I know I still have tons of digital things to go through (bookmarks, I am looking at you...) and with two kids growing out of clothes every 3-6 months, there is ample opportunity to declutter!

EnergyShifter

EnergyShifter said:

789  bin of paper shredding

790. Brass Buddha packed for me to give to friend in Liverpool

791. repaired zip on rucksack

DS & I are back from our trip to Liverpool -  we had a great time and it did us the world of good to get away - we clearly both needed a change of scenery. We visited the Albert Dock and took long walks along the waterfront, City Centre wandering, both Cathedrals, Mersey ferry (of course), did a lovely walk along the Coast from West Kirby & went out for lots of meals.  I did end up decluttering  some things as my ex returned lots of clothes & other bits I'd left at his flat 3 years ago and I gave most of it straight to a Charity Shop (after he'd gone)  I did however keep hold of a lovely pink Patagonia fleece, T Shirt, some leggings and a beautiful decorative pill box.   I'd pretty much forgotten about them so it is like they are new to me & for free !  Which is just as well as I decluttered a fair bit of money while I was away - it was worth it though).  

792-4 - 3 x travel toiletry containers that were not functional
795 & 6 - 2x shoes
797 - slippers
798. Top
799. Trousers (too short)
800. Vanity Case
801. Endless emails to property company - problems with the apartment - didn't let it spoil the stay though. 
802. DS' socks (more hole than sock)
803 - bag of cosmetics

short_bird

2149: card recycling to correct bin
2150-2158: 8GB data and 50 emails deleted.

need to be leaving for work in 4 hours so better crack on: great short trip to Bristol but the pollen was hellish!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 5 tasks

2. Deal with Old Frogs & potential frogs ASAP but at least one on FROG Fridays.

3. Reduce/Restrict time watching TV and playing AB2 during daylight hours 😉

4. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Tuesday was a dull overcast day until 4:00 p.m. when some blue sky appeared but the wind got up. As we will be away when my CC bill arrives, I totted up my spends, phoned my bank & paid up with a bit extra tacked on + checked my accounts. Dealt with my post, then sorted out the remaining 3 shelves of my wardrobe & made an initial selection of holiday clothes. DH & I both need to thin out our initial selections as we also have to pack some waterproofs & our crash helmets. I have a small pile of items for the cs. Lovely chat with neighbour J who is currently doing a big declutter of garage & bedrooms (3 trips to Tip so far) 👏 - I am still trying to drum up any enthusiasm for our holiday & talking to him helps 😉 Dinner was pork steaks, mash, broccoli & the last of the cabbage 🤤 Wudupa
Wednesday is overcast, chilly & trying to rain - just started. Plan for today is to retrieve the suitcases from the loft, sort my 3 small drawers of undergarments (make a selection), find our waterproofs & do an initial sort out of toiletries, pills & potions. DH has just fed the worms.

809 - 811 Kitchen recycling, paper packaging, cardboard box - recycled 
812 Kitchen detritus binned

Nice to see you stellata 👋 Now, now - no such thing as ‘sad’ number of items decluttered 😉every item out is a win 👏 Hope getting the car back on the road is not ‘too’ expensive 🤞

As long as more went out than came in florianatwobob 😉😉

Wow mothernerd just 🤩 You have an inordinate capacity for work & I am always exhausted reading about how much you do. Very pleased to hear that you have a cut off point which leaves you aching but at least able to function 🙂 and as you say it does give you thinking & planning time. Is there any way at all that DS1 & DS3 could help out with the bedroom rearrangement - once you have reached a decision? I am keeping everything crossed that probate is granted promptly 🤞You definitely deserve some good news. 

Liverpool_Anne, oops to the sorry saga of OH’s hospital appointment but well done on managing to get everything sorted. Your perseverance was rewarded by a lovely afternoon with your friend 🙂 I am in full agreement with your anger at the scandalous parking arrangements 😖

Welcome aboard the EDT muffin_man_7 👋 Sorry to hear that your health is not so good ☹️ I hope you are very proud of yourself for such a significant weight loss 🥲 I am keeping everything crossed that your move to your bungalow occurs sooner rather than later🤞especially as it sounds like you have most of your belongings already boxed up. Counting is entirely a matter of preference - each of us chooses a numbering system that encourages us to continue on with our decluttering journeys 😉 e.g. 365/365, 52/52 or if counting individual items 2022/2022 which equates to 6 items a day & includes daily recycling & detritus (keeping the clutter out 😉) Looking forward to reading future posts 🙂 

Sounds like you have everything under control QueenJess 👏 Declutterer extraordinaire 😉 One in, one out will definitely prevent new clutter building up 🙂 I have made a note of your new target & have every confidence that you will reach it & probably well before the end of the year 😉

Excellent work short_bird 👏

MrsSD  🏅🏅🏅🏅 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

I AM A STAR 🌟 

Decluttering Target: 812/2022

Excellent 2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £117.12

QueenJess

Nothing much happening today as I am looking after a slightly sad DD who is having a tough time teething. Copious amounts of ice cream is being deployed, much to her delight (and slightly mine as I seem to have 5 tubs in the freezer I need to declutter a bit!).

 Last night I managed to find a few more bits to declutter and now feel I’m about even with the stuff I ordered. So back to digital decluttering and other little bits and pieces as they come up. I did also send a big bag of clothes I’ve been collecting for ages to charity. I still need to get the other three fridge containers out the drawer And into use. Maybe that’ll bring a bit of control to the fridge, which is slightly haphazard at the moment! I also completely cleared my computer’s download folder - it is completely blank 😎. Must get through all the other categories on my digital lists now!

I also seem to have a continuous collection of listing of things on my buy nothing group. Hopefully I’ll get to the end of that pile one day and will enjoy the emptiness of it! I have also got about 75% through tidying the room of doom. Must get back to doing a bit more sorting out.

489-497 - baby spoons/bowls
498 - digital file no longer needed

weenancyinAmerica

Mrs. S_D - what will you be doing on your trip that needs waterproofs and crash helmets? Sounds interesting.