2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Brie

Am looking at the 2 paintings I did at an art class yesterday and wonder if they should go in the recycling.  It was mentioned in the class that one of the most expensive things we use in art is the paper we paint on so they suggest if you don't like a painting then turn the paper over and use the other side.  I just don't like the idea at all - what if the second one is a masterpiece and I want to give it to someone (or even sell it!!! LOL)??  If they ever saw the horrid first one I'd be embarrassed.  So need to think this through.  Also there's the problem of hanging on to allllll the paintings one does, good and bad, and where to store them all. 

On the plus side (or should that be minus?) I finally threw out the net curtain from my office room.  This thing has fallen down too many times as the rod it was on was a spring loaded one that a strong breeze through the window could dislodge.  Also it had some tears/pulls in it and it needed to be washed.  And I HATE net curtains.  So into the bin.  That just leaves the nets in the front room which I would love to lose but means anyone could look in easily.  Of course as that's our dumping ground room it would likely frighten away any potential burglars!!!

Siebrie

@Brie If you hate net curtains that much, maybe opaque sticky plastic is something for you? There are many different designs and colours available.

short_bird

Afternoon all, wherever you are.
Haven't been home much so not a huge amount to report on the decluttering front. However, I will recommend A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, London - didn't realise it was a yearly event. Liked it so much I've booked to go again in January. 
4107-4112: carriers to delivery driver, kerching! 
4113-4114: 2 GB data deleted
4115-4118: 200 emails deleted
4119-4136: items to bin or recycling... 

oceanspirit

Back back from hospital.  Didn’t manage to get any electronic decluttering done as it was so busy and I was worn out most of the time - hospital is not the place to be when you are ill.  A car alarm went off at the same time every morning and the bed very uncomfortable so am very pleased to be home in my own bed and catching up on much needed sleep.

I definitely need to get the physical decluttering finished as it has been difficult to unpack with stuff lying about everywhere.  Also was told by physio to reduce stress levels and make more time for me in order to have better quality of life moving forwards.  They will either call me or ask me to go for an outpatient appointment in 6 months.

So, my first priority is to make a plan that I can keep to which will include some form of daily exercise, relaxation and decluttering.  The decluttering will start in the bedroom as this should be relatively easy and a clear bedroom will hopefully aid good quality sleep.

I will catch up with the thread over the next few days.

TC77

@Brie if you use the other side of the painting and want to give to someone else can you not cover the old side with some sort of paper or card backing? 

QueenJess

Trying to slowly catch up with house stuff and started with 5 loads of washing this weekend , tons of tidying up, baking shortbread and flapjacks, applied for next school for DS, prepped for my interview tomorrow and bought the last of the xmas presents (I think... need to take everything out and double check).

Busy week next week at work, but hoping to get myself back on track and ticking off a massive list of things to do and get the house 100% tidy before Xmas.  It's slowly getting there..

@weenancyinAmerica my kids are pretty young and so won't be eating without me/DH getting them something at least.  They don't snack too much, but my 2 year old eats more than I do in a day!  As I make pretty much everything from scratch and usually DS and DD have lunches (and DD has dinner as well) at school/nursery, having them at home 24-7 means I need to be more organised than usual.  Just want to prep some extra things in advance and bung them into the freezer (I'm currently building a small store of homemade bread which the kids love).  They do love popcorn and I make it regularly for them, although they don't watch TV at all.  I sometimes wonder if my kids are weird in that respect, but they actually would much rather be running around outside, building Lego, or making forts out of sofa cushions.  Who am I to argue with that?

Lots of stuff to declare:

Digital:
34,170-34,194 - photos deleted
34,195 - emails unsubscribed from
34,196-34,198 - automated email deletion filters
34,199-34,228 - emails deleted from folders
34,229 - app deleted

Physical:
34,230-34,235 - craft supplies used up
34,236-34,238 - paper reused, then recycled
34,239 - magnetic board (Buy Nothing)
34,240 - game (charity bag)
34,241 - bag (Buy Nothing)

Floss

QueenJess said:

....  Just want to prep some extra things in advance and bung them into the freezer (I'm currently building a small store of homemade bread which the kids love).  They do love popcorn and I make it regularly for them, although they don't watch TV at all.  I sometimes wonder if my kids are weird in that respect, but they actually would much rather be running around outside, building Lego, or making forts out of sofa cushions.  Who am I to argue with that?

Sounds fab, when can I move in?!

retiredinfrance

Hello declutterati chums. 

Thank you so much, MrsSD, for my gold star. That’s 364/365 and my third year, so over 1000 items out. Of course, a lot comes in, especially books, but as they are 99.9% secondhand they are very MSE.
First review of buying is to use the Library more. I do use it but need to increase borrowing. 

Second is to buy less in the CS.I’m doing reasonably well with this and there’s a lot more space in the dressing room.( Free language lesson here for anyone interested -the French word for a dressing room is  un dressing !
Third is not to be sidetracked by a fantasy life. Fourth is not to see a nicknack from the CS as a saleable object- it is clutter and I will never sell it -I just move those things into a drawer and then later off to a CS.
RL has inadvertently started me off again with decluttering. Two weeks ago DH broke a bone in his foot and it is not fun, as many of us know . I’m full of admiration for you @Florenceem for how you managed. One thing we learned on day one is that it is impossible for an elderly man to get about with crutches and only one foot allowed on the ground. The one with the break is in a boot thing. Won day two we got a walker, affectionately known as my Zimmer. We’re not so bad now with a new routine but I’m worn out most of the time.
However I got access to DH’s bathroom cupboards and outwent
3 very old hot water bottles- never used in 20 years.
I pile vood creams years again 
1 pile medical leaflets
1 pair pants 
to these I added 
1never used Advent calendar with pockets 
1 scarf
5books
New total-13 out.
I love the idea of an International Conference- the idea brings me out in smiles. 

Weather here rain and more rain with rivers locally very full.
so hugs for anyone who would like one or more.I’m very aware that many people out there are struggling with troubles of all sorts and thank goodness we have a modernized bungalow!

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening everyone

Been AWOL as RL has been busy and stressful.
DD1 has decluttered an operation. I stayed at a Premi Inn near the hospital while she was an inpatient and decluttered my hot water bottle by leaving it behind in the bed  
I decluttered a 2024 diary to DD1 which I was given as a gift - although it was lovely, I already had one which I've written in and I don't need 2 diaries!
I've dropped off 2 large bags to the CS. 

Love to all
Deni x

weenancyinAmerica

@QueenJess - wonderful about the kids enjoying going out to play. I was like that too - unless I was reading a book. 
Then my family usually couldn't find me - I built a tent with blankets in the backyard and hid in that or I would go up in a tree to read. But I spent a lot of time roller skating all over town or hiking. I still wonder what happened that I can't walk as much now. But will be seeing a couple of doctors over the next few weeks and hope to be able to at least find out why.