2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Millie2008_2

Florenceem said:

I think I last posted on Monday when I got home from the hospital. I slept for nearly 12 hours that night.
I went back to the hospital on Tuesday at 11am and when I went to A & E - Mr F had gone onto a ward. The visiting time was 2 - 8 but they didn't throw me out - Tuesday was Mr F's Birthday.
When I got there - he was brighter and sitting in a chair. He ate his food and was doing well. Our friend came - she is tiring - talks non stop. Mr F got tired about 6.30 so got into bed. He started to get confused then - said he had messed the bed - he hadn't - went on the commode and said - what a mess - nothing - sorry tmi. I am starting to think that there is something seriously wrong.
My friend took me home again - I was so tired after being in the hospital for 9 hours.
Our SA officers came and prayed for Mr F.
I hadn't done any decluttering as not been home for much of the time.

That sounds very stressful and worrying for you, be kind to yourself, the decluttering can wait x

Millie2008_2

I have been plodding on, juggling work and childcare over the hols, as OH has been away. DD is an absolute doddle, I am so lucky I am now off work until Monday, we are going away for the weekend, I can't wait!
I have recently decluttered:

219-225- Items of DD's clothing- to friends
226- various bits from our final pet rabbit who died last year- hoping to adopt a couple more this year though, just need to build a huge enclosure for them!
227- some slime stuff of DD's that had gone manky!
228-233- Easter bits- donated
234- DD's outgrown leggings
235 a duplicate Horrible Histories book to donate
236- DD's outgrown swimsuit to friend
237-242- old t shirts to fabric recycling
243-251- various items from our ensuite bathroom- recycled
252-254 (this pains me!!!) out of date chocolate bars (very out of date, or I'd have eaten them!)
255- magazines- recycled
256- work paperwork- to be shredded
257- DD's lovely candy striped sundress (sob) to friend
258- handbag declutter ready for going away

I'm way behind,  but in terms of actual items, I have decluttered way more, I'm just counting some stuff as lots rather than individual items- like the magazines. Maybe I should start counting the individual items!

Keep going everyone, you're doing great!

Florenceem

I didn't count what I took to the charity shop today but did an estimate of 20 items over the last few days.
I have more ready to take tomorrow.
I am worrying that the clutter added to Mr F's worries.

Floss

@Florenceem please don't think that - it is extremely unlikely that a cluttered home can cause symptoms such as you describe, especially so suddenly.

Would you consider asking for help from the SA to visit if MrF was moved to a more distant hospital? You have both done a lot to support them and now it's your turn for support - what goes around, comes around.

florianatwobob

@Florenceem I’m sure the clutter had no impact on Mr F’s current troubles. Don’t beat yourself up about it. 

Having been through the wringer myself recently your primary responsibility is to yourself. If you aren’t well, and as rested as possible in the circumstances, you’re not in a position to support Mr F to the best of your abilities. 

Now really is the time for friends and the SA to step in to support you, and be allowed to help. In the meantime Mr F really is in the best place possible for his health. Although he is a worry to you at the moment things will improve.  

QueenJess

Not having a good week at all.  Had a tiny piece of time and packaged up all the charity stuff from my room and gave it to DH to take tomorrow.  I also put a couple of things in the attic, rearranged some boxes up there, got rid of a few things and then became overwhelmed and just packed away.

Digital:
11,976-12,000 - emails permanently deleted

Physical:
12,001-12,007 - packaging (used)
12,008 - bag (buy nothing)
12,009 - box (recycled)

On the plus side I award myself a diamond 💎, but not feeling it at all today.  Need to give my brain a break and come at everything afresh tomorrow.

Florenceem

I like to be independent but will have to ask for lifts if he goes to another hospital. I went to the hospital by bus today and would have got a bus home but they offered and it was tipping it down.

TC77

@Floss and @oceanspirit thank you for great advice and inspiration that you're finding it so much easier with less stuff. It sounds like you've really made a difference in a short space of time.  I don't buy lots of clothes but have clothes I bought it sales before Covid that now don't fit but are my style and I want to wear. Many of the too small clothes are away but more should go away. 

Just tidied the kitchen abit as dd2 seems incapable of anything and super stressed about A levels which start in 5 weeks, over in about 9 weeks so in the scheme of things not long to wait. I'm focusing on frogs and paper clutter, work has been difficult but have someone new starting next month and recruiting for others so by the summer hoping easier.

Guilty when at my dad's someone was getting rid of some coloured glass crockery (some may know I have whittled down my collection) and couldn't resist. Didn't realise so much 2 boxes which were too heavy for me to lift, and left at my dad's   Think I will keep a few bits and rest to CS.

Posting a few things on freesites and some small storage boxes as need to put more like with like.

@fritzie-65 hugs to you and that little girl x 

@Florenceem please accept offers of help and lifts, you have supported so many people, and people do like to help and feel they can provide some support. Please do look after yourself and don't think about the clutter, it can wait focus on yourself as Mr F is in good hands and the consultants are working hard to explore all avenues. 

Floss

Florenceem said:

I like to be independent but will have to ask for lifts if he goes to another hospital. I went to the hospital by bus today and would have got a bus home but they offered and it was tipping it down.

There is a difference between being independent and struggling with public transport for the sake of appearing not to be managing & not wanting to ask - why not make your own way to visit, but accept a lift home when buses are less frequent?

Millie2008_2

Floss said:

Florenceem said:

I like to be independent but will have to ask for lifts if he goes to another hospital. I went to the hospital by bus today and would have got a bus home but they offered and it was tipping it down.

There is a difference between being independent and struggling with public transport for the sake of appearing not to be managing & not wanting to ask - why not make your own way to visit, but accept a lift home when buses are less frequent?

Echo this, if I have learnt anything from the past year, it's that people genuinely do want to help those in need. Asking for help when you are so independent can be tricky though, I do get that x