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Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD
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Suffolk Sue, when my Mum researched our family tree many years ago the funeral memorial brochures, what ever the correct term is were very helpful. She acquired some Victorian ones which helped fill in some gaps. That was long before the internet though, in the days of travelling to churches and microfiche. Not saying that is a good reason to keep them though. I keep them a while and then guiltily recycle them.Well DD1’s airline decluttered her suitcase on her flight home. It only contained all her Christmas gifts and her car and house keys!!!!! She makes house calls for her job. Will be difficult with her car parked at the airport. 🤦♀️
Spare room cleaned and shelves put back. Spare bed double bedding washed. Guest towels washed. Spare duvet and pillows in a vacuum bag and stored in a box on the top of our wardrobes.Had an unexpected tidy of the office. Mr V looking for something to do with power of attorney for MIL. Not there. Not in his briefcase. Can’t help him. Don’t know what he has done with it.Spent my 23 minutes sorting out Christmas papers and gift bags from our late festivities. Noooooo. I have ended up with even more than I started with. Put them in the gift wrap drawer in my chest of drawers for now.Our bedroom is still a tip. Ornaments from the spare room. All the different shoes and clothes I have briefly worn during our festivities. Tomorrow is reassemble the spare room and bed with clean bedding then a washing marathon possibly take the Christmas decorations down.Loving the energy on the thread.
Vx:16 -
27-29: recycling
30-36: unrecyclable stuff to bin bag
37-42: 6GB data deleted from computer including 4GB from the external hard drive.
That's it for today... hot water bottle and an early night!‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ David Lynch.
"It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.” David Lynch.16 -
23 minutes spent packing clean clothes away - some have been waiting patiently since November.
One little corner of the bedroom looks so much better.Declutter 2023 110/520
Jan grocery challenge 324.44/350 25.56 spare
Feb grocery challenge 204.45/280
March gc 0/310
23 minutes a day self care, decluttering, tidying or cleaning16 -
Gave a deep fat fryer to someone who wanted to try it. Also binned 6 dried up pens from my desk clearout.Magnolia Stellata17
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Wow, high speed train. Impressed by all going on. A few small things out from my dad's but only counting bigger things from there. Back home to chaos DD2 didn't keep word for tidying. Counting 1 for every 10 or so items away as still declutters the house!
1. All my new socks neatly put away and packaging out.
2. Retired pair of bed socks ( got new cosy one for xmas) .
Baby steps18 -
Some great ideas here, I love that there are a whole range of ideas and plans and that there’s no “right” way to do this.
Out yesterday: 2 pepper mills, neither of which worked properly, 2 remaining shop bought mince pies that won’t get eaten since I finally got round to making some, big bag of recycling from Xmas presents.
Made mincemeat and apple turnovers using a jar of OOD mincemeat, plus 3 past-their-best apples, so counting that as a win.
Also encouraged poorly OH to look into benefits he may be able to claim, as we’ll be down 2 salaries in a month or so, and he’s got a year before he gets his state pension. I’ve got a 3 year wait, so may need to look at getting something part-time at least. In the meantime, we’ll be decluttering the limited savings we have - eek!
Ive decided I’ll count the following:
1. items leaving the house, whether donated, rehomed or binned, that aren’t day to day rubbish.
2. items used up from food and toiletries stashes.
3. books read and then donated, from my gigantic TBR pile (and I’m not counting those I have on the kindle - that’s a whole category of clutter in itself!)
4. Frogs, both small and large, with some of the larger ones broken down into stages - I love the idea of Frog Fridays!
And hello to Caramac - I can see this might get a bit confusing!
2023 Decluttering: 15/20232023 Decluttering Campaign: 89/202319 -
Could I join again please Mrs SD ? I’ve missed you all in my Long Covid absence and when I’ve been well enough to read but not post, you’ve kept me going.
I’d like to try aim for 52 bags again this year and adjust if necessary as I’ve done in previous years.
Once the children go back to school on Thursday and I can finally start to try and get stuff done, I’ll post my “Good Intentions”.
I hope everyone is well and has had a Good Christmas and Happy New Year.2025 Decluttering Campaign Mrs SD –The joy of decluttering 45.5/104⭐️
#3 Make £2,025 in 2025 £244.34/£2,025
2024 Decluttering🏅 121.5/52[/b] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️2023 Decluttering 53.5/52 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 2022 Decluttering 84/52(72) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2021 Mission Declutter 56.5/52(85) ⭐️ 2020 Banish the clutter 45/52
#25 Make £2,024 in 2024 £684.05/£2,024 #? Make £2023 in 2023 - £331.75/£2,023 #31 Make £2022 in 2022 - £489/£2022 #96 Make £2020 in 2020 - £1,307.72/£202019 -
Hi all, oh my goddess 4 pages since I last posted
@vulpix good luck with the builders. I got to the point when I couldn't take any more and had a break, just the kitchen and bathroom to do but when I was ready to forge ahead covid landed and I have struggled to get workmen though I am determined to get the kitchen done this year
@CMD79 wow, just wow
@Florenceem, don't get down, it will happen, you can do it
@Keiths_Mum, sorting out paperwork is definitely decluttering, it might even be a frog
@Muddy_Walker I don't think we do kicks up the bum herehugs
@Suffolksue, re funeral service things, like you I had quite a few. I chatted to a friend whose father had died just over a year ago, I had known him quite well and attended the funeral and she said bin them. The thing with them for me are the lovely photos on them so I took a photo of them and recycled them. The only thing I have kept is a card made into a bookmark, which I think is a lovely idea, and has a really lovely photo on it. I know I will use it, I will probably laminate it to extend it's life
@weenancyinAmerica, I'm sorry but the dog really has to go, surely someone can take it? I don't know what to say about the drunk roommate, I had a friend who was an alcoholic and even though 4 of us tried to support her and get her to accept some help she refused. We watched over her as best as we could but she lied to us constantly and was very clever at hiding it. Eventually she died and only then did her live in partner realise what had happened when he found the bottles hidden away. It was very sad and I still miss her dreadfully but what I learned was that there are lots of places that can help but the person has got to want to be helped.
@EnergyShifter, I am not sure what you do but OH is a driving instructor and has a very clear policy that if 48 hours notice is not given for a cancellation they will be charged. This is based on the fact that it is a business and time is money and less than 48 hours notice means that slot can't be booked by anyone else. Obviously exceptions are made at OHs discretion but it is surprising how quickly people get the message. The worst offenders are students who have recently moved out of home and seem incapable of organising themselves without parents to sort them out. It is a life lesson for them. Maybe you could try something like that.
@charlies_tribe, I seem to remember someone told me poodles have wool not hair/fur which is why they are often good for people who have allergies to dogs.
@andyad, welcome aboard, those Christmas advent calendars are very sneaky. I got 1 from m&s a couple of years ago. I gave some stuff away as I knew I would never use it but I still have some bits in a draw that I am not exactly sure what they are: but I have used some and this year they will be used for something
. As for the car boot could you negotiate a time limit with OH to at least do 1 car boot. If the garage is that full it might take more than 1 and it will either be massively successful and will spurn him on to do the rest or it will be terrible and he'll just tip it or give it away?
@-taff, thanks for the tip about onions, a1d1s are the same
@vulpix, I hope the suitcase arrives soonI used to keep and reuse nearly all wrapping paper but now I only keep what I really love but I am sure it breeds
Well done everyone, amazing work and a big welcome to all the new posters
So this afternoon
23 pair of sunday knickers into the rag bag
24 pair of socks that won't stay up into the rag bag
25 2022 calendar into recycling
26 - 28 food items found lurking in the fridge that are unusable
29 more packaging from Christmas gifts into bin and recycling
30 bank statement arrived and checked, budget examined, some hard decisions will have to be made
Also continued to wander through the house randomly chucking various bits into the bin and recycling but bags not full yet.
I am currently sitting here on the look out for the meteor shower but as predicted it is a bit cloudy and the light from the nearly full moon is making it difficult. I am drinking a cuppa made with a Christmas tea blend which is quite strange as it smells of Christmas spices but doesn't taste much different from my usual Yorkshire.
Sorry for the long post
30/2023
Take care everyone
22 -
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
Caught up on Death in Paradise Season 8 & did some knitting. Dinner was an HF meal - unfortunately the selections DH had made didn’t register so we got the 3 meals selected by HF 😔So tonight DH & I had Chermoula & Harissa Spiced Lamb & Rice with mint yoghurt. Took a third of the lamb mince before the spices had been added & set aside for DSis & made mashed potatoes & peas for her. DH & I were singularly unimpressed. DSis did enjoy her dinner 🙂 Wudupa.
19 - 20 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled
21 Kitchen detritus binned
TC77, your dad was an eclectic collector - sounds like a very interesting man 🙂 Shame your DB is finding it difficult to participate in the decluttering & seems to be hindering the entire process 😔
Sorry to hear that both you & DD3 have been so unwell charlies_tribe 🙁 but hopefully both now in the mend 🤞 Shame about the food waste but these things happen. Great decluttering of emails 👏 but I would go doolally if I received 100 emails in a day 😬
daisy_1571, I think Keiths_Mum should definitely go with your timeline 😉 Thank you for such a thoughtful & considered post which will hopefully help Keiths_Mum in dealing with her brothers reluctance to declutter 🤞
bit_by_bit, a successful day all round 👏 For such a lovely unsolicited action by your DH I am awarding him a medal 🏅 It doesn’t sound like your MiL & FiL have done much by way of preparation & they are leaving it a bit late if they are heading off on Friday 😥 Fingers crossed that you & DH have enough time to sort everything out for them 🤞
cinnamon123, a wonderful plan using the S.M.A.R.T. methodology - I foresee success at every turn 🔮 The Frump-to-Fab challenge sounds interesting 🙂 All in all I am now picturing a woman about town 😊 Good luck with your candle challenge 🍀
Cats have no appreciation of Federal holidays weenancy 🥲 I looked up the Rose Parade - it looks absolutely marvellous 😊 Excellent decluttering especially the mending jobs 👏 Good luck with dog proofing or should that be husky proofing the house 🍀 Fingers crossed that the rain is not as heavy as forecast 🤞
Sorry to hear that your bug is hanging on grandmanerd but the silver lining is that you have dealt with so many emails 👏 Excellent decluttering especially being so heavily influenced by your current state of health. You are amazing & I am so impressed by how much you have done that I am awarding you a Gold Star ⭐️
Of course you can join gm2917 😊 you are very welcome 👋 Hop aboard the EDT & join us on our Decluttering Journey. I am looking forward to learning a bit about you & your clutter 😉 & helping you take the next step 🙂
Excellent decluttering Karamac 👏 Shame about the perfume sadly you are not alone as I have had the same problem in the past 😔 So sorry to hear that your OH’s illness means that you have to close your business🙁
Keiths_Mum, nothing wrong with keeping deeply personal items & I have to say that your reasoning makes perfect sense. I will keep everything crossed that you can make some progress on the decluttering when your DB visits later this month 🤞Sorry to hear that Christmas is not a good time 🙁
TC77, no such thing as taking too much - there is time enough to make permanent decisions about items so that you don’t regret the decisions you make 🙂 What a thoughtful sister you are 😇
SecondStar, no need to feel jealous after all you are picking up lots of ideas & strategies for when you do start decluttering 😉 Good luck with decluttering the car 🍀
So exciting Madbat60 - your new kitchen almost finished 😊 I bet you can hardly wait to restock it & use all the appliances 😉
Maintenance Mode wort - something we are all aspiring to 😊 I will be around later to share your Camembert 😉 Hopefully the warmer days are just around the corner so you can complete your painting 🤞
Excellent work joanie 👏 722/2023 merits a Gold Star ⭐️ which is winging its way to you 🙂
Sometimes it is so nice to have a day to yourself GrannyKate - you can get so much done 🙂👏 No such thing as failure - just an excess of optimism 😉
Welcome aboard the EDT Moorviews - lovely to meet you 👋 An excellent plan for tackling your clutter - dealing with small areas every day means that eventually they all join up to create a large clutter free area with a place for everything & everything in its place 👏 Well done on getting your husband on board - it is always far easier if there are two of you sharing the Decluttering Journey 😊
Excellent work over the Christmas break, Beshki 👏 I remember when I managed to sort out several of my kitchen cupboards (pre stocking up for Brexit & then Covid) - I had several half empty shelves & would find myself frequently opening the cupboard doors just to remind myself that I could be a successful declutterer 😂 Before investing in any new storage, is there anything you can declutter from the conservatory? Once you know how much you have to store, then you can decide on how many storage boxes you need 🙂
Excellent work on the area under the sink, Frogletina👏 I think you prefer your old cloths & tea towels because they are probably better quality 😉 I find that my new tea towels don’t dry very well 🤔
ruby_eskimo, I can confirm that I have noted your two Targets - SIMPLIFYING & 365 🙂 What an excellent start re your 365 target - already at day 18 👏 Perhaps you can count decluttering emails & unsubscribing from email lists in batches? e.g. Deleting 50 emails = 1, unsubscribing from 10 email lists = 1
Not weird at all Wednesday2000 😉 I like the blue ones 😂
Wow you have been very busy Liverpool_Anne - excellent decluttering & tidying & planning👏 You are on a roll 😊 I do love a nice tin - round or square with a lovely picture 🥲
The excitement never stops vulpix 😉 Christmas & New Year with builders coming in next week 🙂 You have reminded me that we really need a new bathroom but we keep delaying as we will have to replace the bath with a shower to account for old age 😭 I will miss the long soaks 😔 Like you I have enjoyed reading about the different approaches to decluttering & especially the 23 minutes a day 🙂 Someone else in Maintenance Mode - I can but dream 😊
Excellent work CMD79 - 44.5kg 🤩 There are various things that will help - decluttering a washing machine for example 😉
Nothing to be mortified about, mhagster 🙂 After all, the extra 12 plant pots were probably hiding behind cleaning products 🤣 Excellent decluttering 👏
Excellent decluttering QueenJess 👏 There was you thinking that wrapping presents was done & dusted once Christmas was finished 😉 Surely you have trained your son & daughter to put away their own toys 🥲 Here’s hoping that you will be over the moon 🤞
Excellent decluttering avscomps 👏 At the rate you are going you will have reached your target by about the 15th of this month 😉
gettingthrifty, love that analogy re the cumulative effect of decluttering small areas 👏 Nothing wrong with being the tortoise - after all Aesop’s fable does say that the tortoise wins 😊 Well done on the decluttering & reducing your frog list 👏
No need to be down, Florenceem - you are ahead on the 30 day challenge 👏 Regardless of where the empty bottles came from they are in your garage so can be counted when they are taken to the bottle bank 😊
Excellent decluttering Ginmonster 👏 If you can manage 8 items a day you will hit your target well before the end of the year 🙂
Excellent work Keiths_Mum 👏 By the way, sorting out financial stuff relating to your late Uncle feels like decluttering because it is decluttering 🙂
Just seen the time, so I am off to bed & will resume cheerleading when I get up 🙂
MrsSD
Decluttering Target 2023: 21/2023
1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5:00
Be Kind. Stay Safe. Break the Chain. Save Lives. ⭐️2025 Savings Pot Challenge: As a monthly amount, running total = £379.00
Jan £5.00 Feb £12.74 Mch £23.26 Apr £32 May £43 Jun £50 July £62 Aug £71 Sep £80 Oct Nov Dec Grand Total £22 -
I seem to have decluttered my sleep this morning as I was in bed at midnight then wide awake again about 3.30 and decluttering emails ! I've also thrown out the "gifts" from the xmas crackers ( curly fish, mini comb, jumpy frog etc) which were hiding behind the fruit bowl, although DGD did take home the marbles and the star cutter 🤗
Thanks taff but some are sprouting or going soft and some are doing both so I will just peel, slice and freeze those as I don't want to waste them. I think I panicked a bit when I saw how much veg we haven't eaten 😱 I'll leave the others for now as per your suggestion though.
I need to sort my freezers out too and eat from them for a while as they are stuffed, so only milk and bread will be needed. I really should be baking my own bread though as I have quite a lot of bread flour ! I need a darn good shake before I become a food hoarder too 😖😵
Anyone got any Ideas as to what meal I could make with lo turkey bits and assorted bits of fancy cheeses ? Nothing too difficult to make but any ideas will be welcomed. Sorry if it's off topic and feel free to disregard.
Have a good decluttering day everyone.
nanFailure is simply the opportunity to begin again, but this time more intelligently20
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