2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

mhagster

Hello
Not done too much today though was at the tip at 8am with a car load of stuff from garage. 

But was out for lunch with a friend and then sat in garden reading in the sunshine…that was so much better than sorting through piles! 

Floss

QueenJess said:

Struggling very much with the kitchen declutttering.  The kitchen makes me feel stressed (which is impractical given I like cooking and spend a lot of time in there) because it is too cluttered, but also probably needs a slight reorganisation.  But trying to weed out the things we don't use seems ridiculously hard (plus I have to pass everything past DH who tends to want to keep everything).  I am hoping some inspiration will strike soon, otherwise I'm just using up some food overstock very slowly.

I do have a pile of books to go, but until I file them into a charity box/bag to go, I won't be counting them.

Would putting those things you feel are surplus into a box & putting the box in the garage for 3 months work? Then if they haven't been needed...you know the rest! 😁

daisy_1571

Queen jess - your kitchen.  

1: is it genuinely cluttered or would a passing Clutter Inspector think it was fine

2: if its genuinely cluttered - keep a list handy and write on it everything you use in a week.  Discounting the seasonal things that are genuinely needed at certain times of the year, you might see some things that are never used.  The log could identify the item and what it was used for.

3:  if you genuinely use everything and cannot find things that do the work of two of your current things then you will either have to live with it, reorganise, put an extension on or flit to a house with a bigger kitchen.


Things that might help: 

seasonal things - get them out kitchen.  Label a box and put them elsewhere. 

If you identify things that are never used do you really need to run everything past your partner?   Is every decision really worthy of a  joint decision?  

If there's space somewhere instead of a discussion could you just label a box and move things there.  Put a bit paper in it and keep a note of the date. Its there, accessible, out of the day to day way but still somewhere on the property.  It might help free up space as well as identifying no one ever goes looking for the item. 

Between you all keeping the log you will identify things that aren't used, you have the discussion and the score ends up one for, one against: could you have an agreement that the person who wants to keep it has to find a place to keep it.  Maybe agree that the place must be out of all communal spaces and the other persons ie one of you can't decide to keep it in the livingroom or the others wardrobe.  If you agree all this prior to starting to keep the log, there should be no arguments as you have both taken opinions and feelings out of it.   

Just a few thoughts 

Daisy xxxx

Eta: started to respond then came back and posted,  only just realised I cross posted with you floss however we are on a similar line of thought 😆 

QueenJess

Thanks @Floss and @daisy_1571 . I would never be able to store anything in DH’s precious garage!

No, it’s not cluttered by most people’s standards, but I have a not 9-5 job and two kids and I never, ever have enough time for anything. I want to maximise the time I have for family and things I enjoy and minimise time cleaning, tidying or generally dealing with stuff right now. The less I have, the more time I have and the less stressed I am. The kitchen always feels messy which means it is too cluttered for us to keep on top of it.

I don’t run everything past DH, but lots of key kitchen stuff I do quickly as it is our stuff and he might use some of it. I did try moving a spare utensil into the back of a drawer behind something to hide it to see if it mattered if we didn’t have it, but sadly DH found it and tidied it back 😂. I have been considering using a box to store upstairs though for the things I’m not sure of. Just need more time really to actually think about some of this stuff as I got rid of the easy things years ago. This last layer of stuff is much tougher.

I did try to convince DH to get rid of a plate warmer thing that we never use. We asked one Xmas to borrow the in-laws one and instead of bringing it with them, they bought us one. It’s very nice, but it only is used once a year and actually we haven’t bothered for the last 4+ years. DH wants it in the cupboard “just in case”. I mean, that’s where it’s been for the last 6-7 years….

Oh - and on your last point, our kitchen is pretty huge already! Would need to win the lottery for a bigger one. I swore when I moved in here that if I ever filled all the space, then I had too much stuff.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi everyone
@retiredinfrance - i hope you and DH are doing ok; sounds like the French have a good health system.
I have decluttered my huge monthly self employment task, and my invoice has been submitted on time at last yay! I've taken some OOD medicines to the pharmacy for disposal.
I got one lot of washing LDFPA.
I passed my training session so I can work on the elections next week!
I'm going to bed with a hot water bottle and my book now, I'll be glad when spring is here.....
Hugs to anyone who needs/wants one
Deni x

short_bird

I know, what time do I call this...
1339-1667: 29 BG data deleted
1668-1671: 200 emails deleted
1672: windows 11 installed on PC by someone who knows what they're doing
1673: kitchen lightbulbs replaced by someone taller than me, I got to clean the dead moths out of the shade  
1674: binbag escorted to downstairs bin
1675-1679: bags back to the delivery driver
1680-1706: items to recycling
1707-1746: items to bin
3 ring binders, 3 sets of dividers and 3 packs of plastic pockets to someone that will use them, making a total of 111 for old stuff that's been hanging around...

vulpix

Brie,ooh er matron.Carry on de cluttering springs to mind. Jeez,thank goodness my Mother didn't have a barn! We emptied the garage,shed and,greenhouse several years ago,it took all my 6 week holiday from school! I was on first name terms with the men at the tip! I think all our Mothers were of the make do and mend generation, saved everything and looked after what they had.

 I have overload today.Dresser emptied,kitchen cupboards emptied. Lots and lots of things listed free on local fb site, lots already collected. 2 boxes of books to go to book cafe,3 boxes of ceramics to the good chazzer,  a bag of electricals for the tip, a banana box of ancient tins of paint ,tip.a sack of pans and metal stuff for the tip, .one apple box of sewing thread to the chazzer with a craft section etc etc.
It was too much for Mum today too,she cried and she isn't a crier. A house clearance bloke came,he is interested in several big items and the white goods. I have asked the local hospice shop to come and collect anything they want from what is left. The remains of remains will be offered on fb and whatever is left will have to go to the tip. We are going back tomorrow, I just want it done now. I will phone the estate agent I always use tomorrow and get Mum's and my house valued. I think I will do the massive pine cupboard tomorrow, I will have to brace myself to do the cupboard under the stairs.

 I have brought some things home, a chopping board and a couple of tea towels. Mr V set one of ours on fire the other day! I have also brought some very 70's oven gloves back. They will be useless as oven gloves but I am thinking of making them into something else. I just love the pattern.

RiF, if your husband wasn't under the weather, it sounds like he is staying at a nice resort. It is very encouraging that he is getting such good care. xx

 I have found that Mum has so much saved for best. A full drawer of new tea towels. She just used the same half dozen. I just don't think it is worth storing things until the things in use wear out. I think I would rather have the space.

My head is spinning but I had better try to get some kip.

 Vx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Jettison Junk in January

2. Sort out sleep patterns - target bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 9:00 a.m 

3. Deal with mail & email on a daily basis

4. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

5. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter

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

Tuesday was a dark dreary day 😔 There are damp patches on the front path - evidence that it rained before I got up at 10:45.  Currently 8C rising to a high of 12C according to the forecast 😔 Having soaked my tea towels overnight I have a wash load on the go. DSis left @ 12:30 for her exercise session. It is still freezing although a bit brighter now. Dried washing in td. 

DH has just phoned (15:10) & is 10 minutes away from his last landmark. He phoned again 17:30 & is 51 miles from home. DH arrived home 18:50 - bearing gifts - Bakewell tarts 🥳 The scarf is 3 quarters finished. 

Bolognaise sauce with linguine for dinner. Wudupa

641 - 644 Kitchen recycling, newspaper, drinks cans, cardboard box - recycled 

645 - 647 Kitchen, lr & office detritus - binned

Wednesday back to my current normal routine of getting up late - 11:35 to an overcast but brighter day & even though only 11C it feels slightly warmer as there is no breeze. Spent the day knitting & watching TV. DH filled the bird feeders. Dinner was savoury pies (bought in Bakewell) with mash & green beans  & gravy. The gravy was needed as the pastry was very dry. Wudupa.

648 - 649 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled 

650 Kitchen detritus binned 

Great decluttering GrannyKate 👏 Like you I am rather behind but I am sure we will both catch up 😉

Soontobeoap, well done on getting the decorating done. Remember that completing tasks can also be classed as decluttering 😊

Excellent decluttering Siebrie 👏 Great news that DD2 likes ironing 😊 Hopefully she will continue to do her own ironing 🤞so I am awarding her a medal 🏅 as encouragement 😉

2Scratters, absolutely you should feel proud 🥹 Great that you could help out your neighbour & now the two of you can encourage each other on your decluttering journeys 😊 

Liverpool_Anne, sorry to hear that you have been feeling under the weather 😔 I think you should definitely spend some time in the TLC Carriage 😊 Shame about the spring fair on Saturday although well done on resisting the lure of bric a brac 👏 Sunday sounds like a lovely relaxing day 😊 & firming up decisions about your upcoming holiday was a bonus 😊 So sorry to hear about your friend 😔 Lucky that her dad was home & her sister turned up.  Although having discharged her too early first time around, the hospital doctors will make doubly certain that she is fully recovered this time around 🙏 As usual a lovely supportive cheerleading post 😊

Crazycatlady2 you have probably already thought of it but if not, it might be an idea to do a full clean of your washing machine - it might help.

Good luck with your bedroom/sewing room decluttering machasraven 🍀 It will be lovely to get back to sewing 😊 

vulpix, I was curious about Suffolk puffs so spent a happy 10 minutes googling 😉 Some good decluttering especially the plants etc to your friend 👏 Wishing her every success in her endeavours 😊 Good luck with the top garden 🍀 Like daisy_1571, I am also thinking about both you & bit_by_bit & sending cwtches 🤗 

machasraven, I can see that your situation would make it rather difficult to declutter 😔 Now I am imagining you dancing around your bedroom & getting a really good start on the decluttering 😊

Lovely post daisy_1571 ☺️ Such a great P.S. “PS any time we comment, make suggestions or ask questions on this thread no one minds if you ignore, side step or deviate.  You absolutely do not have to answer anything or elaborate, just be aware.... we are a gently nosy lot lol    ”

Floss what a beautiful comment “And we care... and some of us have been in similar situations so may have experience we can share to help x” 😊

Pennypincin, I do love the smell of sage 😊

Good luck machasraven 🍀

Great work TC77 👏

Excellent decluttering mhagster 👏 & what a wonderful partner your daughter has 😊

Excellent decluttering ilovetea 👏 Not too much more to declutter before your next award 😉 

Just noticed the time so will post & go to bed 😉

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 🏅 💐 🎖️ 💐 ⭐️ 💐 💐 🥇 ⭐️ 

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 650/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.85

Wooly_Mammoth

Spurred on by comments on here, I decluttered over 70 items from the bathroom drawers. I am not talking anything salvageable here, half used bottles of various stuff (mostly body cream) and various out of date medications. I need a further sort but it was an hour, after work, and today is my declutter event of "the bedroom cupboard" I will do as much as I can and not judge myself if it isnt completed. After all, 2 steps forward each day is better than standing still isnt it. 
Hope everyone and their families are well, and I did choke up reading vulpix post, I know how it is to carry your own and others emotional load and it is heart rending. We form an attachment to things dont we, an example,my first holiday with my husband I bought a tea towel ( I always buy a holiday teatowel) and that teatowel became very compromised. Its still serviceable, and now is 2 cleaning cloths. The embroidery still makes me smile in reminder of that holiday. When the cloths become unusable, they will eventually leave! But it was very difficult taking the scissors to that teatowel!

retiredinfrance

Thanks Deni and Vulpix. Yes, I’m so glad the health service isn’t under pressure here. I laughed at your resort comment, Vulpix. The food is also very good and real coffee! The downside for DH is that he doesn’t have much French, but the upside is that there is excellent communication between the staff and myself. This thread is a great comfort and an escape route for me at the moment.
Yes, I think wartime had a great impact on our parents. My MiL had so many unused towels and sheets that when I got to my DM’s stash I put the used lot out neatly on top of the bin for the bin men. When we took what we wanted the rest was collected by St Vincent de Paul Charity to help bombed out families in Belfast. (Troubles era)Mum would have liked that. 

I am now looking for 10 books for the CS which I will visit for a cake , apple and banana lunch before visiting starts. I may as well get out and about instead of frying my brain and emotions with looking up symptoms on the internet. Hugs for everyone and thanks for your support.x