2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

bit_by_bit

TC77 said:

sorry, worded badly, meant everyone be gentle with themselves, Bala I know you are with everyone I meant a reminder to treat yourself as kindly as you do everyone else.

Sometimes getting through the day is a success...and should be recognised. x

Couldn't sleep so caught up on posts. 

@TC77 you are totally right there. I was so unwell once that I started keeping an achievment diary. The forst entry was to make a cup of tea. 

Don't berate yourself for selfcare or resting. Big yourself up for what you have achieved so far. 

big hugs to all who need it 

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, managed 2 loads of washing today that are drying on the airer. After coffee I decided to phone the bank rather than treck down to them. I was able to deal with the biggest frog over the phone and will try to get there tomorrow to sort out the bits I need to. Spoke to a very helpful and knowledgeable young man, well he sounded young , who also gave me a few things to think about, I might be able to get those sorted tomorrow as well if I get my act together. Finally sorted the bags of stuff from under the sink. 2 bottles of bleach, 3 cans of spray starch, 7 packets of surface wipes, 3 bottles of hand wash, you get the picture a whole bag for life of cloths/ dusters and sponge scrubs as well as a bag of car cleaning stuff which I have given to OH to deal with. I have put 1 of each thing back under the sink and the rest is in bags under the stairs. I did throw out a small bag of stuff so old you couldn't read the instructions . I emptied all the recycling bags I have around the house as the bin is being emptied tomorrow. Helped OH register for online repeat prescription ordering. I am continuing to try to find someone who will sort out the pointing that needs doing but I am not having any luck This is turning into a daily job, sigh. 
@sabsob, the schools might not be able to take the books atm, I know we were not allowed to bring anything in, though this might have changed now.
@roundtuit, you are so right in what you say about it not just being about physical things. Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our self care somehow gets lost. That song, yes
@balabooberlies you have done so much, remember to look after yourself first, the rest will follow. Tomorrow is another day and you can do this, hugs
@Baxtersmum, I love that Dragon statue
@weenancyinAmerica, your influence and perseverance is paying off
@mothernerd, oh once again you are doing so much and you have so much to cope with I'm not surprised you had a little weep. It will probably happen several times, grief has a way of catching up with you when you least expect it. When I was grieving for my Mum someone said to me that the pain never goes away but you learn how to cope with it. I think that is true. My Dad died nearly 30 years ago but I still think of him nearly every day but I remember the good things, how much fun we had and how much he loved me. At some point in the future I am sure you will reach that stage, meanwhile take each day as it comes, put your needs first, there are other people around who can help. Hugs
@Blackberrycurved, I don't really have a rota for cleaning and I certainly don't try to do it all in 1 day. I probably should have a rota as I am sure it would help but in your position I wouldn't be cleaning bedrooms that aren't being used every week. Concentrate on the rooms that you use every day and do 1 room a day, but only if they really need it. If you do as Mrs SD suggests and keep surfaces cleared I find it is quite quick to give them a dust etc. I also think your standards are probably a lot higher than mine
Off to sleep now
Take care everyone

balabooberlies

Nannywindow ,TC77, Roundtuit (I LOVE that song, Kenny Rogers) and all that have been so supportive, once again thank you.

Am just struggling with the loss of my father and awful stuff that has appeared/revealed itself since his death.  Nothing to do with him (he would be heartbroken) but impacts my family significantly.  Finding it hard to reconcile.

Have been mooching and couching on and off for probably over a week.  Will try harder today.

retired-in-france, check out my signature.  Because of you I now have a title.  Am dead chuffed !

bala

x

roundtuit

akh43 thank you,  thank you,  thank you. I thought it was only me. Soooo many frogs croaking away at me. I couldn't get to sleep last night so I decided to mentally list the frogs- turns out it's easier to think of boys' names beginning with B, UK towns and cities beginning with L, US states .... you get the idea. Revving the brain up like that is not conducive to sleep. And the frogs are still croaking and waiting to jump at inconvenient moments.
So, I plan to write them down -  the frogs, not the other stuff (although I would like to know which 4 US states I've forgotten 🙄)

I decluttered a couple more magazines yesterday. And I did some strategic online shopping. On order are: a comb to replace my ancient one whose teeth have started to fall out; a foot measuring guide - my feet have grown (well, one has!!!!) So before I buy any shoes to replace my falling apart, but sooo comfortable (because the big toe is peeping out) ones, I will find out what size I actually need. Cheaper than buying the wrong size shoes to just sit on the shoe rack.....and croak at me; digital scales for weighing me and measuring chubbage loss: so I know exactly where I am. Current scales have served me well but I have to bend down to read the dial.....did you know that you weigh more when you bend down? Said shoes and scales are destined for cs.
I've also ordered a jacket to replace my faithful fleece - which will be consigned to gardening use. Oooo am I going to start gardening, what fun 🤭; knickers to replace the holey ones that I have been binning (literally more hole than knicker - I do like to get my monies worth!) before we have a knickers crisis and have to go commando!; and 2 tops for work to replace the ones with a hole in the sleeve which I have to roll up to hide. 
Bit of a light bulb moment sparked this decluttering of ££££. I am worth spending a little money on and wearing rags is not good for my self esteem. 

Right- I'm going to get up, make a brew and start writing down my frogs so I can begin to swallow them.

Sounds like a plan to me.

I think reading your posts has inspired me. Many thanks 
Rxx

sabsob

@Liverpool_Anne - that's a good thought about not being able to take books, thank you. I suppose they could be "quarantined" somewhere, but will depend on individual regs....I don't mind sitting on them a while longer

Blackberrycurved

Mother Nerd / Bala sending strength. 
Thanks for thoughts on cleaning rota, it plays into the decluttering. If it's not clean or untidy, my head gets stressed and depressed, when my head is stressed I eat more rubbish. Being fatter makes the joint pain worse so it is harder for me to clean. plus with 2 cats who act as mini hoovers any dust results in fur balls. I have students coming to my house two days a week so I can't let it build up.
I work full time. I've tried to get a cleaner and can't unless I get a contract with a company and I can't afford £50 a week. I need a system that works. I've tried a room a day but 3 days a week I work 9am - 9pm so that doesn't work. I've got a system with the bathroom that takes it out of the mix. 
Well done everyone the thread is inspiring.

vulpix

Goodness a lot of posts to catch up with, fabulous.

 BBC just clean where students go and sod the rest until it gets unsanitary! ... and keep looking for a private cleaner.x

 Baxters Mum,is that Baxter in the lovely photo? 

 I just read something on FB which made me think and can be applied to many situations. Embrace the bigger picture. I for one am prone to focusing on the minutiae.

 I am still a bit ropey and fatigued but getting there. I don't intend to join in with the carousel of life until I feel up to it.

 Sending strength to those in need. xxxx

 Vx

balabooberlies

Hope your recovery is speedy Vulpix.

sending hugs

bala

x

retiredinfrance

I will read the posts later because there is so much going on I need to post first and then catch up. Here goes
6 books for CS
1 book in the selling bag
4 scarves to CS - I. focussing on scarves at he moment.
1 uu face cleanser , glad to see the back of it - I didn't like it so was using it up on my hands.
1 shirt (DH's) to rag recycling
7 hanks of wool crocheted into lap warmer for DH
1 bicarb jar emptied into main jar. I've been in under the sink again.Jar to recyc.
3 ood bottles of hand gel to toxic waste at recycling centre. (from2017) made my hands itch.

Total =24+53/365=77/365

I am continuing to use up all toiletries this year. Only bought one item in 2021 - eye cream at the Duty Free on the way back from my UK trip. All very MSE- I checked the full price in B**ts and the DF was only £1.50 cheaper and as I moaned to myself I remembered Martin's mantra about going down to a cheaper level. I did and saved £20- I will now be more canny  in the DF . Actually , eye-cream at my age is maybe something I could do without.And the cheaper version is just fine.

Just keep going everyone, the days are getting longer and hugs for you all. This thread is keeping me on the straight and narrow.
Thanks, Mrs SD for my medal and gold star , they are much appreciated and thanks for all the encouragement. 
And keep safe, I'm afraid that so many people are thinking that things are getting better, but we are not out of the woods yet. 

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

Wednesday ended up quite productive - I did go shopping and started on my exercise by walking to next bus stop before catching the bus. Managed to do several other small tasks so am back on track 🙂 DH & I finished the hm potato & Stilton soup. Dinner was Chinese delivery. Wultd. In bed before 3:00 a.m.

53 - 55 Kitchen & office recycling & kitchen detritus disposed of appropriately 

Thursday is a blue sky day with weak sunshine & oh so cold 🥶 Managed 5 hours sleep with just the one bathroom visit 🙂 I put away last nights washing up whilst making my first cuppa. Now on my third cuppa whilst clearing down TV programmes from planner & playing AB2. I will start on todays task list once I have finished cheerleading 😉

I see The EDT is moving so fast I can barely keep up 😱 but here goes 😉

sabsob, Anything to help us along on our decluttering journey 🙂 and as the rewards are virtual I am not creating clutter 😁 Great work on selling books 👏 A thousand plus books 😱 - maybe a car boot & donation to schools 🙂

GrannyKate, sounds like it was a lovely birthday meal 😊 Well done on persuading the children to declutter & tidy 👏 Perhaps a small reward system if they keep their rooms tidy in between visits 😉 As to BG, you have given them plenty of chances - so they obviously don’t care. Perhaps worth a complaint letter to the relevant ombudsman even though you are cancelling? 

roundtuit, I like the idea of a read a magazine day - need to persuade my DSis to do just that 😉 I get one magazine a week, read it, do the competitions & post off my entry. The magazine then gets passed to DSis but she ends up with stacks of them part read all over the house 😡 I discretely get rid of 2 or 3 when a pile gets too large doh 🙄 Well done on ordering the Gift Aid tags & planning your trips into town 👏 Thank you for sharing the following - an exceedingly good reminder that decluttering takes time - one Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way 🙂👏

“I think I'm about half way through my declutting journey- definitely a marathon and not a sprint. The hall, stairs and landing are totally clear, and every room is about half done....oh, apart from the cupboard of doom under the stairs. Hmm, perhaps I'm a third of the way. But, you know what, there is floor in every room and I can eat at the table....the journey began in 2010. I'm better at letting things go now. And if I get stuck on something,  I put it back and move on, so the forward motion isn't derailed. I was inspired by someone who was honest enough to say that they were 15 years into their journey- it sort of freedme to take as long as it takes rather than set unrealistic time limits. Because it's not just about the hoard and the clutter, it's about mental health issues and learning how to love myself.

No idea where that came from- but I'll leave it in the hope that it helps someone else ❤” 

Balabooberlies sorry to hear you are so low ☹️ but pleased that roundtuit’s post has helped 🙂

Lovely supportive post florianatwobob 👏 

Excellent work dollypeeps 👏 I do love the alternative names for the Room of Doom 🙂👏

Not waffling nannywindow but instead a supportive post for other declutterers even though you have been in the wars 👏 You have a choice in The TLC Carriage - dishy masseurs employed but also a few of the larger lady masseuses 😉 Excellent work dealing with frogs 👏 and well done to DH for getting on board 👏

Great work Liverpool_Anne 👏 - keeping a room clear of further clutter always make one feel good 🙂 What a great result re tax frog - serendipitous indeed 🙂

Lovely post roundtuit 😊

Gorgeous picture Baxtersmum 😊 You have actually dealt with two frogs - the blue badge & the bathroom 👏 see short-bird’s very succinct explanation as to what constitutes a Frog 🙂

Great work mehefin 👏

Thank you for the succinct explanation of a Frog, short_bird 👏 & good decluttering 👏

Well done on clearing a frog, florianatwobob 👏

Excellent work Guineapigsqueaks 👏

Lovely supportive post retiredinfrance 👏 & I love balabooberlies new title 😊 

weenancyinAmerica, Excellent progress on getting a couple of your roommates partially on board The EDT 👏 I think you must be related to Amerigo Vespucci 😉

Excellent decluttering Suffolksue 👏

Good work EnergyShifter 👏 Happy Birthday 🎂 - I have booked you into The TLC Carriage for a spa afternoon & the champagne is on ice 😉

We are definitely moving quickly ilovetea 😉  Excellent decluttering 👏

Great work on dropping off the CS donations, mothernerd 👏 An epic shopping trip but am rather bothered by the fact that no-one bothered to ask if you were OK but my faith was restored at the kindness & care shown by your taxi driver 🙂 You are a force of nature mothernerd but you must remember to take care of yourself 🙏 I am sending copious hugs & a shoulder to cry on - wish I could do more 😔

Good work shangaijimmy 👏 bye bye socks 👋 

Sorry to hear you are in pain Blackberrycurved 😓 I am notoriously bad at cleaning as well as being rather lazy so cannot offer any suggestions 😔☹️ Hopefully some of our fellow declutterers can help 🤞🤞

What a lovely post TC77 😊 hopefully Blackberrycurved can find a few ideas that might help 🤞 Excellent decluttering 👏 & well done on standing firm with DD1 - a medal 🏅 is on its way 👏 Your comment “House chaotic but instead of stressing trying to say its not a priority and focus on the priorities” is something I think we should all try to do 🙂 
Lovely 2nd & 3rd posts 😊

Excellent work charlies_tribe 👏 especially the decluttering of the unit 👏 I think we probably all have those type of boxes/bags that are mostly full of actual clutter & then wonder why we didn’t get rid at the time we bagged them 😉 Either didn’t have the time or were kept as Justins (just in case) or Rons (later on) 😉 Well done on dealing with them now 👏

akh43 I was exhausted reading about all the decluttering and very proud of you 👏 for tackling everything head on - Gold Star ⭐️ on its way. When I retired I was going to do lots of decluttering, cleaning & decorating but unfortunately DH had a motorbike accident & when he eventually came home from the hospital it all went on the back burner 😔 I must say I particularly admire that you have so many people/places/charities that are benefiting from your decluttering 👏🙂 

What a lovely supportive post bit_by_bit 😊👏

Excellent decluttering Liverpool_Anne 👏 As to the 2nd part of your post what a caring, wonderful and supportive person you are - both empathetic & sympathetic 🙂 One Gold Star ⭐️ coming your way as well as big hugs 🤗 

balabooberlies please just take care of yourself 🙏 Take the time you need to process the information & if there is anyone you can ask to help you please, please don’t be afraid to ask them.

I do love a list roundtuit 😉 Hopefully once you have your list of frogs you will find it easier to deal with 🤞 Re the US states - Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Alaska, Hawaii, North & South Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Iowa, Ohio, Idaho, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Nebraska, Kansas, Delaware, Georgia, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota  - now I’m stuck 😉😉 nowhere near as successful as you 🙂 Well done on the decluttering 👏

Blackberrycurved, the decluttering/cleaning/tidying is a conundrum a bit like which came first the chicken or the egg 😉

Lovely post vulpix 👏 Very pleased to hear that you are taking the time to recover fully 🙂 ‘Embrace the bigger picture’ 🤔 

Excellent decluttering retiredinfrance 👏 I especially like that you are being very canny in using up toiletries 👏. Sad to say I agree with your thoughts - we are definitely not out of the woods yet ☹️ You only have to read a few of the other threads to see that ☹️

Off to do something, anything 😉

MrsSD  🏅🏅🏅 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target: 55/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Jan £5.00; Feb