2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

joanie

Another few things out of the door today. To be honest I moved them to our caravan as they are more likely to be used there rather than a full declutter of said items (walking maps and blanket).

I did declutter a gold ink pen - my “fantasy self” was going to do fancy envelopes on the Christmas cards - my “couldn’t be ar3ed self” won the battle! 😜

I did get rid of my old rubber hot water bottle. I saw an article about how they can be dangerous as they perish with age (don’t we all? ) so when I found it I inspected it and found I could just tear the top part where you fill it!  Not quite strong enough to tear the actual bottle in half yet. 🤣🤣🤣

keep going everyone 😘

Radish72

Just ran upstairs and put old hot water bottle in bin as its doesn't have the daisy flower symbol on or the BS reg number

Millie2008_2

Today is a bit of a tricky day for me, as Mum has an oncology appt and I always find on these days that I suffer a kind of paralysis, until the appt is over. It's not until 3.20 either, so lots of time to worry.

Hence, I am not sure how much (if anything) I'll manage to get done, but I just wanted to pop in and cheerlead and encourage you all

If I'm not back later, I'll be back tomorrow....

grandmanerd

SecondStar said:

I hope you don’t mind that I’ve cross posted this to the frugal thread, but I need some help!

I appreciate that not every declutterer may be a minimalist/downsizer/tiny-house-dweller, but I’m sure there might be some overlap of interest, especially for those who are/have decluttered after a relationship has ended, and/or to move into a smaller home.

I went to view the first house I’m interested in, after breaking up with my ex.

It’s a little 1 bed bungalow. It’s 10k within budget, and could be negotiated a bit more. It has a lovely big garden, it has parking nearby, it’s within my search areas. It is lovely, but it is miniature.

31 square meters of miniature.

I have others to view, and I’ll take a second view of this too, but I’m trying to decide in my head if this amount of miniature is ‘bijou, tiny-living, minimalistic, simple-life’ type of miniature, or if it’s just plain ‘too small’.

But too small, for what? For other people’s opinions on it? For the copious amount of craft items I don’t actually use? For the furniture pieces I’ve inherited and would feel bad for getting rid of?

I do want to own less things. I want to buy less things. I want a home that is easy to clean, and not stressful to maintain. But how small is too small, do you think?

Imagine your house burnt down and you are starting from scratch - what do you need? I'm hoping to get a new kitchen this year and I'm currently packing away my own essentials. I have to declutter 2 x 34 year olds, 3 chinchillas and hopefully half of my furniture (and more than half of the appliances and loads of gadgets) before I can start on what I want. I'm choosing to pack away my stuff (6 large white oval plates that I bought in a charity shop last year, 4 blue and white plates that were my grandma's and have been with my mother since grandma died 43/ 44  years ago). 

I'm using the sort of list for students and new home owners as a guide - I have green recycled wine glasses that my mum brought back from Spain for me (originally 6), one broke and I found 3 similar in a charity shop. I needed a pyrex jug, a chopping board (mine was so old I think it's either the one my ex bought when we were still married but probably the replacement butcher block I bought before the current kitchen replacement nearly 20 years ago). I have arthritis in my right shoulder (starting in the left as well now) so I barely use the top cupboards and problems with my hands mean that things like chopping are difficult (it took me a long time to accept that buying frozen ready chopped onions wasn't 'lazy' - chopping onions is where most of my cooking starts and I found the difficulty of chopping meant I was reluctant to start).

Anything heavy causes problems - I lent my 2 cherished le creuset pans (bought at a bargain basement price when our local department store closed many years ago) to DS2 when he moved out, after 10 years they came back when he was merging possessions with his gf (now the mother of his child).

So I would say 
1    start with the essentials - I think my original copy of Superwoman had a list that went bed, alarm clock and 8 others (with reasons). A good supportive bed has always been one of my essentials. I bought one soon after my divorce even though I couldn't really afford it, because I thought whatever my other problems a good night's sleep would help  me cope.To  put it in context I spent my second pregnancy with dreadful backache because my ex refused to look at the base and once I was able to I found one of the 3 slats was broken in the middle, I spent the pre-divorce sleeping on a bed at the end of the landing which was actually a wardrobe turned on it's back with a board and a quilt on top, no mattress (preferable to sharing with my OH) and then after the divorce  on a mattress on the floor (base too far gone, the floor was more supportive).

An Example - My kitchen essentials list - 6 plates, 6 bowls, 6 mugs, 6 glasses, good basic pans, 1 fry pan and 1 milk pan (pans all from mum's), 1 lightweight chopping board, 3 good knives, 3 wooden spoons, other utensils as needed, basic cutlery, a mixing bowl and a smaller one, pyrex jug, a couple of dishes that go in the oven, storage jars (I have quite a lot as I've bought them with birthday and other gift money), a proper hand whisk, Billy blender, a sieve, a 2 handled stock pot and one or more steamers. I'm thinking of downsizing to a mini oven as I don't do much in the oven and won't bake much (too tempting and I need to lose weight).

2 Anything you love and can't bear to part with. A piece of furniture, photos, music, your laptop. It doesn't matter what it is, if you need it in your life.

3 Once you have your essentials and the things you love, you need to ruthlessly edit what else comes with you into your new life:

a)   Ditch the guilt I used my grandparents couch and the chairs they had in the kitchen until they fell apart. The only antiques we had in our house were because no-one ever had the money to replace things. My grandmother died as I was buying my house so I had my pick of most of her things. Some were used until they fell apart, some had to go (my husband left a jar of jam in the 'kitchenette' when I was in hospital giving birth to our second son and it was ant infested when I got home - he'd already been mystified by DS1 running across the kitchen and doing a clog dance on the ants coming in under the back door). Some were repurposed - DS1 wanted a 'midi bed' and I used the drawers from my grandma's bedroom set (second hand when they married in the 1920's) with a single bed (solid wood 2" frame) slung across them (one set had already been damaged from holding all my ex's heavy camera gear. But this is your home, not a museum to your family.  If you love it and have space for it, fine, otherwise let it go.

b)    New life divorce is difficult and emotional (there were favourite songs I couldn't play for years after my divorce but I eventually reclaimed them) but things are going to be different so make it a positive difference. A word of caution - once word is out friends and relations may offer you items from their houses. Start as you mean to go on, say a firm 'No' to anything you don't want or are unsure about. If you take every bit of tat (I'm sure it's not but we're being ruthless) from your old life to your new life, they will see an opportunity to pass on their stuff (wonderful/ tat - you decide)

c)    Get rid of anything that will cause problems - now or in the future. Weed out items that are going to be difficult to get into your new home, or move to another room if you decide to change the layout. A large couch may dominate your space or even overpower it and if you have to block off a doorway or struggle to get round your space it just won't work. I don't know what age you are but I'm starting to remove furniture that is too heavy for me to move and things I've never liked. I might be over sensitive on this point because my mother was always claiming other people's cast offs for me - she'd phone and tell me someone was getting a new couch and I was having their old one and it would be arriving at x o'clock. I put my foot down eventually. I was 50 years old before I got to go in a store and choose my own couches, table and chairs.

d)   Sell or give away any items you don't need. Use any money to buy things you do need - who gets the tv, the basic tool set (I'm setting aside any duplicates for DS3 and Beloved to take with them as a starter set). They will also take my big 3 seater couch - it went to stay with DS1 and his wife until they could afford the one they chose and then it came back. Whilst I was looking after my mum at her home, DS3 has ruined it but it's still comfortable so hopefully they're taking that (he spends most of his time working from the couch) and I will have the 2 seater couch and will choose an armchair at some point.

Millie2008_2

@Siebrie, yes, Mirena. I've known a few people who have/had it- most seemed to tolerate it well, but the odd one didn't get on with it...we shall see <fingers crossed>

@Liverpool_Anne, do you still live in L'pool? I was reminiscing the other day about trips there on the train with my grandparents- lunch in George Henry Lee ( I was scared of the cage lift) or Casa Italia, a trip to Cavern Walks to buy those stickers on a roll and a wall down to the docks. We'd sometimes catch the Ferry over to Birkenhead? Wallasey? I always wanted some or other hideous red patent shoes in Ravel

Happy times, love Liverpool!

grandmanerd

Liverpool_Anne said:

Hi all,
@SecondStar, I am sorry I can't visualise square meters but what I would say is that you should look at the furniture and decide if you love it regardless of where it came from and does it work for what you need or are you just keeping it because of where it came from. As for the house I would suggest looking at a few more before you decide. I feel because you are questioning it you may be settling for it because it ticks a lot of your boxes. I know when I bought my house as soon as I walked into it I knew it was the right one and I had looked at quite a few so if it feels right go for it.
To add
131 dry washing folded and put away
132 some ribbons and bows sorted through and some binned, the rest stored properly
133 hand cream used up and binned.

I have started a plastic container bag to take to the tip. Only bottle shaped plastics can be put in the council bin but I seem to have loads of take away tubs. They are useful for putting things in the freezer but I seem to have enough to stock 5 big freezers . This is something I used to take into school and they got used for all sorts of things but I don't have that option now so I will start sorting tomorrow. I also have quite a few washing pod containers, same story I just save them automatically but this has got to stop so it shouldn't take long to fill the bag , getting to the tip might be tricky as the snow has settled and it's now freezing. 
Take care everyone
133/2023

When I was at mum's and we had a proper milkman again, I found myself looking around for the bag to put the foil bottle tops in - we used to pass them on to someone who passed them on to someone else and they raised money for guide dogs. The 'aunt' we passed them onto died when I was 17 but old habits die hard.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks

2. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ I have an acronym - I.R.I.S. being Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off

3. Implement a new sleep/wake up regime - start going to bed earlier (target before 2:00 a.m.) get up earlier (target by 9:00 a.m.)

4. Deal with daily mail immediately 

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. If I spot a mini task deal with it immediately e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

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

Well that didn’t go to plan 😉 Thought I would have a couple of hours & get up properly about 11:30 but instead DH & I have just woken at 12:45 😬 Oh well I obviously needed the sleep & hopefully won’t nap on the sofa today 🤞 Now dressed & having my 2nd first cuppa 😉 At least I have done something - emptied the office rubbish bin 🙂 

240 Office bin emptied

QueenJess thanks for the description & explanation of Buy Nothing 👏 Sounds like a wonderful idea & from what you say works very well 🙂

Nice to see you back from the TLC Carriage, gettingthrifty 👋 Pleased to hear that you have benefited from the ‘self care thing’ 😊 I love that you have jumped straight back into a couple of the conversations - namely “the mover of clutter” & the “hedgehog garden visitors”  You are sooooo lucky to have both a ‘hedgehog Highway’ & visitors to your feeding station 😊🍀 & I am ecstatic to see the pictures you have posted 😊🥳 Also thank you for the great tip - ‘to have a vision for the space you are creating by decluttering’ Congratulations on attaining your vision  👏🥳 & what a great compliment from your friend - you must be on cloud nine 👏😊 + one medal 🏅 coming your way for sharing your success thus proving this method can & does work 👏

thriftyscotslass, the EDT is certainly motoring 😉 Remember on really busy work days the main decluttering task is to ‘Stop Any More Clutter Coming In’ 😉 Now, now thriftyscotslass ‘wagging finger emoji’ Everything you listed classes as part & parcel of decluttering - so excellent work 👏 Remember also that each time you ‘declutter’ any of these tasks it is also an opportunity to check for damage - a chipped plate, a missing button etc which can then lead to physically decluttering an item 🙂 🥳 So please stop fretting 🙏

Excellent work oceanspirit 👏 I love your idea of keeping the lights out to brighten up your home UNTIL the batteries run out - a bit of cheer on these long, dark chilly nights & anything that can lift our spirits (I am smiling 🙂) is worthy of a medal 🏅 which is on its way 😊

Lovely comment to mumf, bit_by_bit 😊 Good luck with all the sorting 🍀decluttering at its finest 👏

daisy_1571, maybe you should contact Liverpool_Anne 😉 Fingers crossed that the hedgehogs find your garden again 🤞

First session of cheerleading done. Now will deal with my mail & start writing a few birthday cards.

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖 💐 🤩 🏅🦸 🏅💐

Decluttering Target 2023: 240/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

QueenJess

@grandmanerd excellent advice. It’s funny that it’s so hard to get rid of things, but if I was starting from scratch I would definitely not buy quite a lot of things again. Thinking of decluttering in a different way is definitely the way forward.

I’m currently imagining what the rooms would look like without the declutter as my motivation. When I start to slide I like to view some more extreme minimalism videos or blogs to make me realise I don’t need all this stuff still. Just helps me get to the next round of decluttering until I feel like I’m on top of all the stuff.

Can’t do anything today as am trapped at work and it’s DH’s birthday. Will be catching up tomorrow by arranging DD’s room based on the furniture I will have left. If it works I will be purging actual furniture!

For people with young kids especially, the mimimal mom said something which resonated with me. You cannot predict the future and it’s impossible to know for sure if you will need something or not. All you know is what you use today. By keeping all this stuff you are making yourself stressed and unhappy and that’s not worth it for stuff you may well never use. You are worth it! Plan for today and what you use. Worse case is you buy something later, but it is unlikely to be much at all. If you are still wavering then make a box of things you are not sure of and put out the way in the attic and come back to it in a few months. You’ll have probably forgotten all about it and be able to purge it then.

Edit: I forgot that at work I tried to declutter work stuff by discussing sending/receiving fewer emails and decluttering an unneeded meeting. It all helps right?!

Liverpool_Anne

@Millie2008_2, yes I am still in Liverpool . I was born on the Wirral but moved away when I was very young but returned to attend college and apart from 3 years in Kuwait I have stayed here right through the dark years as I couldn't see myself living anywhere else   You'll be pleased to hear that Casa Italia is still going strong and is one of my favourite places to eat in town George Henry Lees has moved and morphed into John Lewis but the building is still there and being used well. Cavern Walks still going strong and the Albert docks is thriving. Naturally the ferry is also an integral part of the public transport system and I sometimes take the trip just for the joy of being on the river and it's free with my bus pass so a win win

grandmanerd

Okay I've been reading along but still in the care carriage, resting (does it have a isolation room as I really don't want to give anyone else 'the bug from hell'. I had to sleep sitting up for the last 2 nights I spent at DS1's and have spent most of the time since in my room. I went as far as the library last Wednesday (my house shares the car park with the library) to return 7 books) and that put me back in bed on Thursday. The completion date for mum's bungalow was last Tuesday but had a phone call from the solicitor on Monday to say that wouldn't happen. The new plan was to exchange contracts later in the week, with completion on the 20th (this Friday) BUT could they have a key when contracts were exchanged so they could decorate and have carpets fitted. 

After a lengthy conversation with my brother (he added nothing but brought up several real and imaginary problems of his own) I gave a firm 'No' to the key - they've messed me about (solicitor is angry on my behalf), asked stupid questions, had me running about and paying out more money, no, no, no. 

So on Thursday I had a phone call from the EA about the gas safety certificate - could I get it to them/ my solicitor's/ take a photo on my phone and e-mail it. I was genuinely too ill to get out of bed and only have an old lady phone with big buttons, no fancy stuff so I declined and said it might be possible on Friday. She went on about them wanting to exchange contracts - I have had this certificate since 9th December, why wait until exchanging is imminent to ask about it (I'm cross because being dragged out to do stuff for them on days I hadn't planned to leave the house, is setting back my recovery).

On Friday I took the certificate to my solicitor's, gave it to the receptionist to copy and e-mail (my receipt is on the back although I also have one I'd handwritten fro the plumber to sign), then called at the PO with a letter to a friend - she has cataracts so I rewrote it, doubled spaced (3 of us in the PO trying to explain to the man behind the counter where and what the Isle of Man was - well it's a part of us but has some of it's own laws and things) and then onto the library to renew the 2 books I hadn't taken back and to update the Council people about mum's Council Tax (I'd left it because of completion day being the 14th December/ 10th January/ 20th January?) Then home and back to bed.

Rested lots over the weekend (just did bits once I felt up to doing something). I thought I was getting better but didn't want to jinx it. I only went downstairs yesterday to gather food for lunch (was so proud to sit up  chopping peppers and tomatoes whilst 2 wraps from the freezer softened and it was absolutely delicious) and about 6 pm I decided I should eat again. Did bung it in the oven food, used a couple of fridge bits to go with it, sat on the couch reading whilst it was cooking. Again absolutely delicious (my taste buds have come back). 

Less than an hour later 'what fresh hell is this', I sat up to go to the bathroom and deposited what felt like everything I'd eaten for the past 3 days on the floor (pizza boxes were useful for once). Made my way to the bathroom and filled another half bucket (keep telling myself it's all the poison - bugs and medicinal drugs - leaving my system). When I'd finished and showered both myself and my clothes, I had to go back to the front room to clear up there. The bin bag went outside the back door and I gathered my stuff and returned to my bed (sorry way tmi) so I'm proceeding very carefully today - nibble something then wait to see if my body rejects it and I'm okay so far. Then it snowed but all clear now.

Nothing has gone out except rubbish and recycling (useful bits of 2 old towels were turned into rags and dress binned as being unsalvageable) but only Friday and next week's  funeral to get through. All the work I've done over the past year is coming into it's own - my new pills were in the drawer they should have been in, found clean dry clothes in the drawer, lots of other things where they should be. Some things semi-sorted and other categories to refine once they've been gathered but that's happening in spaces in drawers and I have been able to break up small boxes (roughly 9" cubes - shoebox size) that were 'holding' stations. 

How many points do I get for selling a bungalow?