2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

QueenJess

Feeling utterly defeated today.  Everyday I try to do a few things in the day, but honestly it just isn't enough and I'm sick of living in a continuously messy house with stuff everywhere reminding me I need to do something or another.  I don't really know what the answer is, but I definitely need to do more to get everything tidied and under control.

After picking up the kids I tried to tackle the kitchen diner that currently looks like a bombsite.  I did so much that I don't even think I can remember it all, but it included:

• Re-filling the raisin snack boxes and putting them back in the drawer
• Re-filling the massive raisin jar (DS did this for me)
• Move all the kids stuff off the floor/sides and back into their rooms (DS did that for me)
• Put the veg boxes out for collection tomorrow
• Re-organised the veg in the fridge ready for the next delivery (although I really do need to clean it out really)
• Went through all my cooking books, purged a load and put them on Buy Nothing (they are lurking in the library until collection)
• Cleaned out my microgreen plastic thing and sowed more seeds
• Watered all the plants
• All rubbish to the recycling bins, glass went to the glass bank when I picked up DS
• Moved something that had been pending on the side for ages that DH didn't want to get rid of (even though we don't use it), so I've rehoused it in his study
• Rescued the broken flower garland from the side and sewed it back together.  Now in DS's room.
• Finally put batteries in the car on the side to see if DD likes it (otherwise it would go).  DD and DS had a fab time playing (nicely!) with that together.  It's now in DD's room.
• Kids snack delivery filed in the drawer/cupboard (by DD and DS... I'm sure it's a mess, but it is away!)
• Lots of tidying

Still got a pile of washing up and need to stack the dishwasher.  After all that work it merely looks like it's incredibly messy rather than a bombsite.  *sigh*  I would love a clean room for a change.  I really hate cooking and living in a mess.  Maybe I should concentrate on a room at a time as I think I would prefer one room perfect with the others messy than all rooms slightly messy.  In any case the kitchen is a work in progress as I still have lots of overstock items that will need using up.  It is getting better, but it is very slow progress.

I just need more time; I just can't seem to get where I think I should be able to given that I get rid of anything not nailed down and am always doing jobs.  Today I also put all the clean clothes away, returned two parcels, researched and ordered myself some underwear to try (mine is dire now and I have to do something!).

The answer must be less stuff, or at least a big piece of the answer has to be.  I need to have less overall to do for sure.  I keep thinking about the start of a book I saw online which talks about hunter gatherer cultures.  On average they spend only 30 hours a week on jobs (washing, cleaning, hunting, preparing food etc), whereas in the west we work 38+ hours then do all that other stuff on top of that.  I definitely am yearning for a simpler existence.

DS suggested instead of giving him pocket money, he could do chores to earn money.  I know lots of people do this and it's a totally fine method, but in my perfect world I think he should do these things regardless of money.  I told him that and to be fair he asked to help me as I was tidying etc, so I gave him some bits to do.  He's probably of the age I can get him to start doing a few things like setting the table (which he really enjoys and spends ages choosing napkins for us and wrapping them round the cutlery!).

Decluttering list includes a pile of emails I got rid of whilst watching TV last night:

Digital:
13,385-13,488 - emails permanently deleted

Physical:
13,489 - paper (reused, then recycled)
13,490-13,493 - kids clothes too small (charity bag)
13,494-13,505 - paper (recycled)
13,506-13,512 - cooking books (Buy Nothing)

Sorry... bit of a brain dump there!  No answers, but I think I will try and tackle a single room to finally get it all tidied up at least.  Then I can work on keeping it tidy whilst doing the next room.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening

@Floss, hoping your surgery goes well tomorrow and sending love 
@QueenJess - you've achieved a lot! I think all working mums can relate to that sentence - "i just need more time".

Today I nipped into the office after a site visit (got drenched!); while there I added more paperwork to the recycling. 
I also dropped off the Bullworker from the shed at the ex's workplace as he wanted it! 

I have gained a few things - a dress from the CS to take on holiday and 3 x tomato plants - a gift from a former colleague

Love Deni 

2Scratters

@QueenJess I feel for you - running a home and work with children. Perhaps you have identified a couple of things/methods you could try. How about identifying a small area of clearance/calm to work on and will be easy to keep that way once done. 
How lovely that your son wants to help you. Setting the table for tea is a big thing and the need to keep the table reasonably tidy is a focus too. There was 4 of us and we would fall out about setting the table. No-one ever wanted to clear it though! This is probably why doing house tasks are called chores  I would accept the help of your son, even if you think it is not enough or good enough you will need to briefly accept that it is and will be enough till next time. Re DS wanting a bit more money just add little bits of jobs to his offers to ensure it is a win win without putting him off. Good luck and chin up you are doing a great job xx

2 Scratters xx

vulpix

Queen Jess you are very hard on yourself. When my kids were little they had to help from a very young age. Setting the table, putting toy’s away etc without getting paid. I am with you on that one. We all lived in the house so we all had to work together to make it a nice place to be. I always kept the sitting room tidy so if I was knackered after work, making food,etc, etc, etc, I had a nice place to retire to once the kids had gone to bed. It’s hard,working and keeping a house and raising children. You are doing a marvellous job. ❤️

 I am sorry getting thrifty I forgot to say you seem to have managed to wrangle everyone’s advice into a neat explanation of how we do it. I am looking forward to hearing how you get on. 

 Thanks fox and flowers. I may have called it scrapbooking in my past. I have no idea what happened to the scrap books I made with all the treasures from my travels. I was wondering really about the crow part. I can’t find an explanation online. I am a curious type who needs to know these things!

 Wishing you a very happy birthday tomorrow 2scratters. 💐🍾

 sitting room done. Ousted more than I thought. After speaking to the manager of the chazzer I am sending the baby nightdresses and an old Victorian doll which is in a bad way. Her body is material and it is rotting away and all her sawdust is coming out. Her china head arms and feet are in good condition though. They will put them on eBay. A collector will own them and my children won’t have to feel guilty about throwing them away when I am gone. 

 New total 414

 Kitchen tomorrow. I am expecting the mother lode. 

 Vx

vulpix

Ps Queen Jess, I was a single parent and my rule for myself was I don’t do anything after 9pm. Vx

Floss

vulpix said:

Ps Queen Jess, I was a single parent and my rule for myself was I don’t do anything after 9pm. Vx

I had that rule too, at my mum's suggestion.

QueenJess

Thank you everyone.  I think it's just been a really long couple of weeks.  There's nothing more depressing than putting the kids to bed and having to go back to the computer to work until I have to sleep.  Normally I sit down after DS is in bed and watch something on TV with DH and/or chat.  Can't wait for this silly project to be over so I can get more of a balance back.  Plus I am in the system to drop to 4 days a week... it will happen as managers have agreed, just have to tick all the boxes.  Can't wait for a bit more balance.

I went back to the computer tonight after DS was in bed and I just couldn't do it.  So I turned the computer off and will worry about it tomorrow.  Instead I cleared up most of the rest of the kitchen.  Only a couple of things left out and the washing up to do (DH normally does it as I am too short and find leaning over the sink just hurts my back - he's out tonight, but is home working tomorrow so hopefully will do it then).  It looks a million times better already.  I also challenged myself to find 10 things to declutter from there by just opening random cupboards and just looking (not even rummaging through them) and it was ridiculously easy.... I think that probably tells me something about the level of decluttering that needs to continue in there!

Just tomorrow daytime to get through and I will be having a break.  Every Thursday is my night off and no matter what is happening (unless me or the kids are ill), I am at gymnastics not thinking about work and chatting with friends.  I look forward to it all week!  Hopefully things will all look better soon.  Must start thinking of the list of things for DH to do on his day off on Friday (although it would be more helpful if he took any of the "mental" load...).

I will start to get DS to do more as he is always willing.  Trouble is I have to be the enforcer as DH won't take the lead in it and has to be trained up for longer than the kids!  DS does tidy his room every Sunday, but he does need to do it daily.  I don't care if its perfectly tidy, but I do want things off the floor so I don't break my neck in there.

Decluttering:
13,513-13,514 - medicine spoons/syringes (binned)
13,515 - water mister
13,516-13,519 - random cards (recycled)
13,520 - jam jar I kept but have never used (recycling)
13,521 - empty packet (recycled)
13,522 - empty jar (recycling)

I'm exhausted, so off to bed now.

TC77

@QueenJess I do understand and think sometimes we have to let things go, and lower our standards accepting some things won't get done. Although just finished cooking and mopping the floor which is daft time but otherwise doesn't get done.
My kids helped when young and became more difficult as teenagers

Using a list again, and really helped use my  time at lunch , and before /after work. No of frogs moved along, call made and emails. Think I've found someone to move DD1s sofa and possibly other things back - she wants to get rid of other furniture (but then has to look again and has no money) so going to suggest all comes to me and then if she wants to sell anything to then replace can do from here or I can help, and also found potential end of tenancy cleaner (arms and legs come to mind with the cost). DD1 has kidney infection and mh not good so hoping she's talking to uni about deferring /extension of some work/exams.
Haven't picked up new sewing machine - worried for ££ may not work but do need it (procrastination) renewed broaodband at dad's house as will be clearing a few more months , chased DD1 meds and DD2 collected hers, got a cancellation for hospital tests and moving forward with getting new carpet (again). About to make another list. No physical declutter apart from very dirty floor, a little gardening and some paperwork organised. Will be generous with my new total tomorrow.

In the office tomorrow so also getting things together ready.

Mrs SD , glad to hear G being discharged, it's been a long stay in hospital. 

Just realised that I've picked up the easier frogs and there are some v important ones I haven't done - abit more tricky so been left behind!

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, very tired again the past couple of days but yesterday the sun was out so 2 loads of washing done and line dried. Nothing urgent but as it was the only dry day before we go on holiday I thought I'd do it rather than face 2 weeks worth when we get back. I also finished my ironing yay so pleased that is done and I now have loads of clothes to choose from. I had a coffee over the fence with ln as she is away today for her grandsons wedding and is staying for over a week. I have the job of checking the post until we go and watering the plants in pots if it doesn't rain . Her daughter is back on Sat so takes over those jobs then.
Today I had to do a trip to the sm for bits and OH asked me to pick up some alcohol free wine, then round to the chemist to collect meds for us both so that's all sorted. I have also sorted out the towels we need to take as we are in a caravan and near the beach. I have asked OH to check on the bedding situation as OH booked it and the site has private owners who seem to have different things in their caravans. I will remind OH tomorrow as if we need to take pillows and sheets etc I will have to sort them on Friday. I also had to have a rummage to find OHs swim stuff so the bedroom is still a mess.

Sorry I can't remember who posted but I couldn't agree more about OHs not seeing things. I have had the conversation about not wanting to spend my time clearing up after other people and am told you don't have to clear up after me. So I don't for a while until I fall over something in the middle of the floor or have no space on the kitchen surface to prep and just have to do it I rant to myself frequently

@QueenJess I love that you rehomed something in dhs study

@Vulpix you can make vegan lemon curd. I googled it but sorry I can't do the link. I love the teddy. What a great job they did, looks like a completely different bear . Glad you have sorted out your B12 jab and hope you start to feel the benefit soon.

Tomorrow I have a blood test and have to go to the bank. I also have to renew my and my nephew's footy season tickets which I do online but is always a stress in case I mess it up. I usually phone them to check it has worked properly

Right time for bed, hugs to anybody who would like one
672 & 673 loads of washing sorted
674 ironing
675 meds collected
Take care everyone
675/2023

weenancyinAmerica

@QueenJess - I feel your frustration. No space in my kitchen to cook and looks like the tornado hit here instead of 30 miles away. I have no strength to do it myself, but no one here willing to help even though they created the mess.

Saturday I took roommate G shopping for groceries. He mostly keeps these in his room where he has more room to cook. Picked up another Friends of the Library board member and roommate Di and I took her to the "Reveal" of the new children's library at the branch near us. Over 200 children and their parents came. Had my picture taken with the bigwigs of the library and the city council and told everyone about the book sales. Lots of fairy wings and mushroom hats on people as it was to be an Enchanted Garden theme. Bought 4 books in their Book Nook (which we also run) for $1. Read 1 over the weekend and in box ready to go to our book sale which is coming up sooner than expected - next week already.

Spent Sunday doing family history for my family and others until my eyes crossed. 

Monday did a couple of frogs, got roommate G to the doctor's office, cleared box of family history books out of trunk to go to another Center, took another roommate shopping. Decluttered the last of my Easter Candy (bought for 75% off after Easter). Helped roommate J to get the new tag on his car license using my magic razor box. It is a metal cough drop box we have had for over 50 years where I keep razor blades to get the old tags off. Have a special spot for it in china cabinet drawer (no children can get to it). Trash Out day and had to use 2 of the neighbors trash cans - with their permission- to get our trash out as roommate J had cleaned his room of 4 bags of trash. Cleaned some of the floor in the living room near big chair and found roommate Di's missing Auto Association card finally and got her to put it in her purse. Then cleaned up ready for the dog to come on Tuesday.

Tuesday while I was getting rest of school work done had Husky come in while the person came to clean the pool. Just wish it was warm enough to use the pool soon but we are having cold weather here still. Husky helped me with the kitchen cleaning by upending the water bowl for the cats. So I got to mop the kitchen floor. Finished my PowerPoint program for class and am working on a big one (40 minutes) for a program I am doing next month. After dog went back out, roommates G and Di took 15 bags of cans in for recycling. Obviously we are using too many canned drinks here. Did more family history and then worked at the Family History Center for 3 hours. 

Wednesday we have 2 classes on Zoom. Husky had to come in again as they were tearing up the street behind us and the noise in the yard was terrible. Too loud for the dog to be out there. In between, did more work on computer (including coming on here to read), then took a young man we have helped before to the doctor - involved about 20 miles driving. Had remembered to do a printout of the PowerPoint program for next month's speech so I took notes on the printout to add to it while I waited for him. 

Then came on here. Hope all of you are keeping as busy as you want to be and not too much. Have a good week.