2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

QueenJess

Last night I was too tired for physical decluttering, but I wanted to do more so I did a lot of digital decluttering.  So much more to do of both and hoping to do some serious decluttering today as I need to get things back under control.  I'll definitely be back later!

Digital:
29 - notes deleted
369 - photos/videos deleted
45 - download files deleted

Physical:
1 - bathroom bin we never use (Buy Nothing)
New total = 10,944

May/June mini clothes declutter challenge = 163/200

QueenJess

I decided to tackle bathrooms/medicine cabinet etc altogether since I already got rid of the bathroom bin.  I have a large cupboard on the upstairs landing for bedding etc, but it also collates various other things that don't have a home.  It has bathroom "overflow" things which I've slowly been whittling down (by using up and giving away) and am almost at the stage where I can just put it all in the drawer in the bathroom now.  That is for my stuff... DH still has 3 baskets of stuff in there and I can't seem to get through to him that you can't buy a miniature say toothpaste, use it for a night you are away and then use it again the next year for a night etc forever.  Not sure if I'll ever get him contained to the half bathroom drawer he shares with me (he already uses the whole drawer in another bathroom) *sigh*.  As he's unusually away a few times this year I am at least hoping he will use stuff up and maybe get the hint whilst I declutter the rest of the cupboard.  I did declutter them with him a few years ago and found it very stressful.  He just doesn't want to get rid of anything and I just don't understand why you can be that bothered about toothpaste and soap.  It was even difficult getting him to get rid of out of date medication

Anyway, one of the baskets had a few medical bits in and I had a good idea a few weeks ago that I could consolidate it into the metal first aid box as there was probably room in there.  1 basket down.  Now I'm looking at it again, I am wondering why I have some medicines high up in a cupboard in the kitchen, 1 zip up first aid kit where we can grab it in the hallway coat cupboard and a first aid box upstairs which has a weird mix of the two.  If I really decluttered what I don't need, I should be able to consolidate the first aid box upstairs into the other two containers and free up my cupboard.  It feels like such a radical idea, but I'm sure very silly and possibly obvious to people here.  I guess this is why people hire decluttering experts/organisers as other people see what you don't anymore as you get used to it.  Not sure if I can get away with it entirely as DH hates it when I move things round and we both love the metal first aid box.  Might do a slow move of things out of there and see if he notices..

Enough waffling as I need to tackle some other areas for today.

Digital:
3 - photos deleted

Physical:
2 - bathroom supplies used up
4 - empty bathroom packaging (recycled)
6 - medicine not needed (pharmacy)
New total = 10,959

May/June mini clothes decluttering challenge = 163/200

Edit: I should add that although I never get rid of DH's stuff, he doesn't notice things disappearing in the house.  He knows I am decluttering and trusts I will ask if it's something I need to consult him about.  I asked him yesterday about the 6 boxes/bags of things we took to charity and a large pile of things I decluttered onto Buy Nothing that I did without him.  He hasn't noticed anything has even gone from the house, so I pointed out that we clearly didn't need it.  Hopefully it gives him food for thought..

vulpix

 Hi,
 Way to go QueenJess. That is what I have done with Mr V, plant a seed. Softly,softly catchee monkey. It's worked but it's taken 15 years or so.

 Sorry I haven't caught up yet. I am just coming round after a disturbed night sleep. Was woken at 3:30 by what sounded like next door slamming their front door. Went back to sleep about 7am. I do have a strange dry cold. Razor blade throat and earache. 

 So, a lovely time had in the Scottish borders, all over far too quickly.

 The plan is to get in the garden today. I will empty my sentry box again. Someone on thrift asking for garden equipment for their Nephew who wants to start a little gardening business. I have some bits he can have I think. When DS was a teenager he used to cut peoples lawns. He had more work than he could handle and a lot more disposable income than me! If I am feeling energetic I will paint the sentry box. Only a giant shed and 2 bike sheds to do in operation paint anything that stands still. I think I am just putting off starting the "top" garden. It is a mammoth task. Perhaps I should get the young lad to help me! Hmm ,worth thinking about. As it isn't actually my land I don't want to spend a deal of money on it or make it gardened iyswim. I will just put a patio in, a seat and bit by bits tree. Well in honesty a bit more because it would be nice to uncover the stream and I must pull up the Himalayan Balsam. I was thinking of building a semi circle bank behind the circle patio and planting it up with primroses,snakeshead fritillary, English bluebells and wild garlick. The rest I would let go wild and just have a path through. Simple, I could do that in an afternoon. Hahahaha.

 Well it's no use talking the talk if I don't walk the walk. laters Vx

 Oh DD2 got her job and starts in 2 weeks. DD1 has an interview and presentation next week. That would mean coming back home if she gets it. Fingers crossed. Not cos I miss her, just want all her stuff out of the spare room and loft ! 

Florenceem

I did get 3 sacks down to one yesterday when sorting yarn. I sewed 6 fabric sacks for yarn storage when I assembled my downstairs craft room.
Dull and chilly here. My washing is out as it is very breezy.
Mr F has gone out with a shopping trolley of yarn for the charity shop.
I have pulled another sack of yarn down from the top of a unit in my craft room - I have kept some of it as it is dk which I can use for crochet.
I have made a good start on my numbers this month.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Mini Mission in May

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

Saturday & another overcast day with a stiff breeze & the threat of rain 😔 DH is up & watching MotoGP qualifying. I managed to get out of bed by noon but am wearing a dressing gown & will have a bath later. New people are moving in next door but not sure how many - I have seen three so far. 

Florenceem, fingers crossed that MrF is OK 🤞Excellent decluttering & very well done on starting to tackle your yarn stash 👏 Very impressed that you have already sent a bag full of yarn to the CS & am awarding you a medal 🏅 in recognition of such great work 😊

Good decluttering Wednesday2000 👏 Fingers crossed for confirmation of your husband’s pension so that you can firm up your plans 🤞Good luck with the house hunting 🍀

Floss, you may not be a minimalist but it does sound like you have decluttered so much that you must be in Maintenance Decluttering Mode 😊

Good luck florianatwobob 🍀 Cooking without tomatoes sounds like a real challenge 😔

QueenJess, I love the way that you keep the momentum going on your decluttering by setting yourself mini challenges 🤩 More excellent decluttering 👏 and I think that you can leave the kitchen out as you have already decluttered so many items from that room 😊 Good luck 🍀

Brie, hope you manage to get some pictures of the fledglings before they are all gone 🙏 

machasraven, forget how quickly the weekend has arrived, I am in a state of shock at how quickly June has arrived 😱 Hopefully you will be able to wear your ‘new to you’ dresses quite soon 🤞

Florenceem, enjoy your smart watch & what a result that MrF has offered to pay  for it 😊 

GrannyKate, shame about the torrential rain but lovely to spend time with DGS4 😊

I broke off from the cheerleading to chat to the new neighbours for a few minutes 😉 An English family - mum, 2 daughters & their uncle - they have moved from Walthamstow. Back to the cheerleading 😉

QueenJess, hopefully you got the computer issues sorted 🤞Congratulations on completing your challenge 👏

Nice to see you charlies_tribe 👋 No wonder you are exhausted - moving 8 tonnes of soil + the sand 🤩 Excellent decluttering & your new total of 1583/2024 has earned you another Gold Star ⭐️ Only 5 months into the year & you are already 3/4ths of the way to target 🥳 Good luck with Project Create Space 🍀

QueenJess, not surprised you were tired 😉 Great digital decluttering 👏 There is no stopping you - you have almost reached another milestone 🤩 Reading your 2nd post I was struck about how easy it is to get used to the clutter in certain areas 😔 I wish you success in your ongoing challenge to persuade your DH that “less is more” & that the world won’t end if old unused stuff is decluttered 🍀 

vulpix, I had to smile 😃 - “That is what I have done with Mr V, plant a seed. Softly,softly catchee monkey. It's worked but it's taken 15 years or so.” Is your trip over already 😔 Although I am pleased to hear that you had a good time 😊 I am hoping that you gave yourself some TLC before you started working in the garden 🙏  The idea to have the young lad help with the top garden might be beneficial to the both of you 🤔 You could teach him about identifying plants etc + a small amount of cash & he could provide the muscle ……. 😉 Congratulations to DD2 on her new job 🥳 Good luck to DD1 for next week 🍀

Florenceem, congratulations on getting 3 sacks of yarn down to one 🥳 & more importantly getting the decluttered yarn out of the house immediately 👏 MrF is a gem 😊 Good luck with your ongoing challenge of reducing your yarn stash 🍀 

All caught up 🙂 DH has filled the bird feeders. DSis is up & about & will soon be heading off to the hairdressers. Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday 😊

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 869/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £166.85

Brie

Mrs_Salad_Dodger said:

Brie, hope you manage to get some pictures of the fledglings before they are all gone 🙏 nge 👏

all on here......

Slow Living 2024 - Doing It Old Style! - Page 73 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Florenceem

Mrs SD - I have my shopping trolley packed full of yarn again for Mr F to take to the charity shop.
His last visit was to the £1 charity shop. It was part balls of yarn.
The next lot is full balls so will go to a charity shop that charges more - I will feel better that my yarn is making money for a good charity cause.

short_bird

Afternoon, all: a quick wander through before I get ready to go to work via the cricket traffic and parking...
Best wishes to those who are ill and with poorlies in the family. Waiting on tests and diagnoses takes its toll so look after yourselves..

1701-1705: 250 emails deleted or unsubscribed
1706-1713: 8 GB data deleted
1714-1720: 7% storage cleared on g00gle
1721-1760: items to recycling
1761-1795: items to bin
1797-1804: bags of recycling and rubbish to downstairs bins
1806: shredding
1807: meter readings submitted.

177-207: old stuff from storage to charity shop bag
208-221: old stuff from storage to bin...

QueenJess

Well I started my slightly random decluttering and picked up bits and pieces I was putting off as they required slightly more effort (such as digging to the back of the coat cupboard to get out DD's next size up coats, compare to current coat size and other coats I seem to have stored in other places).  Does anyone else find clothes decluttering really hard?  I just dread it with the kids clothes as they change size so often and really am trying to just have a minimal wardrobe for them. I can't do more than 10 mins of anyone's clothes decluttering before I get overwhelmed and need to do something else.

DS is here with me and noticed me randomly decluttering, so partway through started getting rid of some of his stuff.  This is the problem with decluttering at the weekends as I only ever do tiny pieces of the rest of the house, then have to deal with all the stuff DS is decluttering and don't finish anything in the rest of the house.  I don't want to discourage him though and his room is looking way better.  Before I was distracted I was doing ok and have got rid of quite a bit today.  Just a long slog though going through everything and can't see the end in sight yet.  I know these people on YT generally are stay at home mums, but I literally have no idea how they manage to declutter everything in a few months.  I've been decluttering on and off for a while, but more seriously from 2021 and still have a way to go!  I mean I am using things up in some circumstances and not replacing (shoes, bathroom, kitchen) rather than just binning, but still..  I guess I should take into account that I'm also decluttering the whole contents of my parents loft which has found it's way into my house and they've hoarded it all for 40 years!

I did take the first aid tin out of the cupboard and redistributed the contents.  I got a spare small container which I put in the cupboard for the kids plug in vapour things which make sense to be upstairs.  Everything else fit in the medicine container and first aid kit downstairs.  Will see if DH notices before I get rid of the tin (currently hanging out in the mess that is my library).  I did manage to pack up 1 large box and 1 large bag for charity, which means the junk moves from my library into DH's room as it's his job to take it.  I've also got another 6 spare small boxes from the loft in my library ready to pack up more stuff and then that's the end of any spare boxes that I was keeping.

My decluttering list is a bit random and slightly repetitive as you can see the point at which DS started to interrupt!

Digital:
1 - emails unsubscribed from

Physical:
2 - medication not needed (pharmacy)
10 - DS tat recycled/binned
22 - DS toys (donated to school)
7 - DD hand me downs I know she won’t like/have too much of
(charity bag)
12 - donations to school
2 - random stuff (recycled)
3 - crafts (charity bag)
9 - DD clothes she’s grown out of (charity bag)
1 - packaging reused
1 - leaflet recycled
1 - books (charity box)
7 - DS dud pens (binned)
1 - plastic bag recycled
10 - DS tat binned
4 - DS tat recycled
1 - DS random tat (charity box)
2 - jewellery I don’t want (charity box)

New total = 11,055 (over 100 physical things decluttered today)

May/June mini clothes declutter = 179/200

Having a sit down now after doing my daily tidying of 20 items (needs to be small as everything feels a bit overwhelming at the moment).  Will then consider my next move, but may go back to some digital decluttering for the evening.

Two wins for minimalism/MSE today to speak of:

1. I needed a small container for the vapour plug stuff in the cupboard, otherwise it looked untidy on the shelf and easier to chuck it all in a container (plus the boxes keep slipping through the holes in the shelf!). I realised I had the perfect one in the loft and so nothing needed purchasing there.

2. Whilst looking in the library (and being distracted by DS), I realised I had an antique wind up clock in there.  DS's clock died a while ago and I was having trouble finding a replacement (why is it so hard to find a decent bedside clock?). I don't actually use the clock, although I do love it, and so DS is now trialling it out in his room.  The ticking is quite soothing, but I just need to remember to wind it up!

dND

@QueenJess It's easy to declutter in a couple of months if money isn't a consideration and you just throw everything out without a thought. 🤣