2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

QueenJess

Just popping in quickly.  It's the weekend, so little decluttering happening here and I actually added 2 items back in as I picked up some really thick slipper socks on Buy Nothing.  I get really cold feet and wear them for about 3/4 of the year, so should come in handy.  I've picked up three for free already!

Physical:
1 - kitchen overstock used up

New total 1,225
Use it up total 102
Net physical things in/(out) +48
Mini kitchen challenge 15/50

I used up some kitchen overstock by making gingerbread men (and unicorns) which are now in the tlc carriage.

Edit: I need to concentrate on damage limitation next week with using things up etc given my sister and parents are coming over next weekend and we are off to a massive car boot sale to see if we can get anything from my big list

oceanspirit

Visitor took away some food items that we won’t use and are too close to bbe to give to food bank.

OH picked up some boxes from his storage unit.  He is going through the books and will take those he no longer wants to CS.  One box of kitchen items sorted - half have gone into use here (found a bowl have been looking for which is now clean and in the cupboard with its set mates; I wonder how many more of my things ended up in OH’s house and will find their way home?) and half binned/in CS pile.

Swapped over my warmest winter clothes for some spring/summer wear and one top now in CS pile.  There are a few others that realistically need to go but am not quite there emotionally with that decision.

TC77

724
Lost my post
Spent the afternoon in Richmond Park with the azaleas in the isabella plantation in full bloom. Decluttered some city stress
.

Dizzycap

TC77 said:

724
Lost my post
Spent the afternoon in Richmond Park with the azaleas in the isabella plantation in full bloom. Decluttered some city stress
.

Fabulous Picture TC77 Nothing like decluttering city stress with a spectacular display of glorious azalea colour. Could I add that to my home made calendar for next year, please? I think it would make a wonderful front page

Fabulous decluttering and free finds on BuyNothing of needed stuff everyone Still nothing new on my local BuyNothing, but plenty on my local freecycle, if I or anyone I know should need anything or want to declutter anything

An unbelieveably busy day here today with garden decluttering complete with little miss helper who decided to fly jump on her ramps when she thought I was chasing her with the lawn mower only for her to crack the underneath of one of them and when it went, her face! The right foot up with "It wasn't me, honest" look! I had to laugh. So now I've got to go and get some marine plywood cut at 7am tomorrow morning and then spend all week sealing, rubber grip gluing, re-metal edging, and fitting a whole set of new ramps, so part of the back garden is out of bounds for HRH babyface at the moment for her own safety, which hasn't gone down too well

All the decluttered sales parcels are ready for postie to collect tomorrow afternoon and I'm hoping to fit in some more decluttering listings at some point as well as a babyface VET visit in the morning. We went out for a late night walk / potter as it's so warm but still haven't seen the fox cubs yet and foxy hasn't been for his food yet, so I hope all is well. It's getting late, so time to see if I can find a half comfy postition to get a couple of hours sleep.

Good night all & sleep tihgt. Ta-ta for now xxxx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks
2. Concerted effort to sort out sleep patterns - Realistic targets: bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 10:00 a.m 
3. Continue dealing 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

Spent Sunday afternoon knitting whilst watching episodes of Murder She Wrote. DH watched the MotoGP races then spent a bit of time in the garden. He went out for his walk about 17:15. I have put the beef joint in the oven & prepped all the vegetables. Back to the cheerleading:

dND, hopefully the blood tests results shed some light & a treatment plan can be put in place quickly  🙏 Great work in the garden on Friday 👏 That is one very creepy spider - so pleased it was outside 😉 What a great idea to buy an incinerator especially as you have to book an appointment to use the Tip. Good luck with the wood filling 🍀 Great decluttering of crafting equipment/supplies 👏 A good start so I will reward you with a medal 🏅 Like you I find it easier to learn by watching than by reading  😊 Good luck selling your Tupperware 🍀 I imagine it would be lovely to have money coming in rather than going out 😉

CRANKY40, Excellent decluttering by you & your DS 👏 Good luck to DS for his last exam 🍀

vulpix, pleased to hear that life is returning to normal after your lovely holiday ☺️ including MrV working 😉 Just wondering what happened to MrV’s retirement 🤨 Re the writing, it is very difficult to go from writing succinctly to padding out a story & vice versa 😉 Presumably as it is a writing course you have been asked to write a specific number of words which is I remember from writing school essays can be difficult 😥 This “ It does help writing here. I have said it before, it’s like having pen friends. There isn’t much opportunity to write much as an adult these days.” is so true 😊 Yah boo to getting all the leftover leaflets 😠 

Florenceem, very brave of your DD to pick up spiders - I resort to a bit of card & a glass although my DSis is usually my first port of call 😉 What a treat for your garden birds 😊 Good work reducing the contents of your freezer 👏

Excellent digital decluttering Mrs_Money_Penny 👏 Two more Gold Stars ⭐️ ⭐️  are winging their way to you🙂

Floss, how wonderful 🥹 You are obviously well thought of by both management & colleagues ☺️ such lovely gifts. Enjoy your new chapter 🥹

Thanks ionafan 👏

Lovely post Dizzycap 😊 You had a very busy Saturday 👏 & it sounds like babyface has not only commandeered the new spare room but also deprived you of your ice lolly 😂 cheeky little minx 🤣

weenancy, how typical that the weather should prevent your helpers from turning up 😞 I do know who to blame 😉😉 

TC77, love This “I was so busy reading the thread this morning that I missed my bus stop for the mending workshop but a nice walk back.” 😂 Although a bit naughty of whoever donated the shorts 😾 Excellent decluttering - it seems that listening to podcasts about Japanese minimalism is working very well 👏 Hope you find some time to sort out your photo storage 🤞

In between cheerleading & watching episodes of Murder She Wrote, I cooked dinner. It was delicious 🤤- roast beef; roast potatoes, parsnips & carrots; cabbage, Yorkshire pudding & gravy. The only trouble is there is so much washing up ☹️ Wudupa

755 - 756 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled 

757 - 758 Kitchen & office detritus - binned

Lovely post Dizzycap ☺️ Very impressive shredding last year - burning out 2 shredders 😉 

weenancy, good job you are on the ball with Di 🥹

Pennypincin, at least you have attempted to sort out your wardrobe 👏 I am still at the stage of just shoving things in 😞 Fingers crossed that the tall lamp & lightbulbs are picked up tomorrow 🤞

Excellent decluttering Happy_Kitties 👏 & well done on completing your sales challenge 👏

TC77, good luck with your email chasers & finding the paperwork for DD1 🍀

Lovely post Dizzycap 😊 Sounds I like you have had a very busy & successful Sunday 👏 I just hope you don’t suffer too much tomorrow 🙏 Hopefully babyface will persuade you to have lots of rest & naps on Monday 🤞🥹 

Florenceem, pleased to hear that you are still enjoying the Margaret Rutherford films ☺️ I have seen Murder Most Foul but not the Runaway Bus. A busy Sunday  so I do hope you managed to get some rest in the evening 🙏

Excellent decluttering Willowtree222 👏 I do hope you had a proper celebration of the bed leaving after 2 years in the garage 😉

Excellent decluttering florianatwobob 👏 & well done getting all your holiday washing done 👏

QueenJess, you might have brought a couple of items in but you are still under 50 on your net number 👏 The gingerbread men & unicorns were delicious 🤤 I had one of each 😉 I am keeping everything crossed that next weekends car boot sale doesn’t cause too much damage to your numbers 🤞🤞

oceanspirit, loved This “OH picked up some boxes from his storage unit.  He is going through the books and will take those he no longer wants to CS.  One box of kitchen items sorted - half have gone into use here (found a bowl have been looking for which is now clean and in the cupboard with its set mates; I wonder how many more of my things ended up in OH’s house and will find their way home?” - hopefully you will find other items that seem to have disappeared 🤞I am awarding your OH a medal 🏅 as he has started sorting out boxes from storage 👏 Hopefully he will keep up the good work 🤞

Gorgeous photo TC77  😻  

Excellent work in the garden Dizzycap 👏 Are you sure it wasn’t you who damaged the ramp 😂 as it sounds like babyface thought it was your fault 🤣 Sounds like a lot of work to replace the ramp & I have this picture in my head of babyface ‘nagging you’ to hurry up 😉 Hope babyface’s VET visit goes well 🙏

All caught up 🥳 It has been a lovely sunny day & is due to be warmer on Monday with temperatures gradually creeping up to 26°C by Thursday 😊 Sleep tight everyone 😴 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 💐 💐 💐 🏅🥉🏅 🎂 🌟⭐️⭐️❤️ 🍫🐾 😍🥇

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 758/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.00

sqwiffy

Dizzy, loved the Valerie story.

Dnd , that puss is a cheeky one, getting under the plastic!

Queen Jess and Suzysue2000, well done as clearing kitchens is hard! I've recently been thinking that if I kept a list of all my food, including what's in the freezer, I could be be more efficient in what I buy, and planning meals and have less waste but it will be a big job and I need to be home long enough to do it, hmm, it might have to wait a while!! Mrs SD is great for her precis and keeping us all going.

Brie, cute eggs? I sometimes leave my excess art out for strangers to find on Free Fridays.

Hi, Maikdonmend and welcome. I've not been here long but everyone is lovely and really helpful in our decluttering journey.

TC77, liked your ramble but bit confused as to the connexion between D going to Oz and you travelling? How about a wild area at the back of the garden and perhaps mixed fruit trees? Save you money on fruit? And Florenceem, I think spiders are amazing but i also got a small nip from one of those whiteish spiders once so usually use a card and glass now to put them outside and bit more wary in the touching although it's very tempting.

GrannyKate, oops, no dancing for you for a bit me thinks...

dND, the Tupperware should sell well as it's such good quality compared to anything now.

Floss, good luck in your new future.

Managed to go through 2 underwear drawers and tidied them up, and threw some older pairs away. Started to clear my drawer in the coffee table which is a complete mish mash of stuff. There were about 10 notepads, books,and old diaries in there so I've moved those up to the loft(ROD) for now. I then took out 8 pens and put them in the pen drawer and I've put all the waste paper, and bits of rubbish in the bin. Finished another book so that can go. Weeded my front garden planters DH made as the dandelions were all started to seed. I like to leave them for the early bees but then they root right down! Still have a sage, and parsley growing from last year! Now ready to plant a few salad veggies.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, popping in for a quick update, not a lot done as I have been so tired. Realised I was knackered while waiting for the B12 jab but feeling better today. 
Friday night was quite late as even though the birthday girl did leave at a reasonable time I and another ex colleague stayed much later chatting. She has decided to retire at the end of this school year and we had had lots of phone conversations since Christmas about the pros and cons as she is a few years short of state retirement age but she is convinced she can cope financially so lots to chat about.
Saturday morning I was up early for my B12 jab but when I got home I am afraid to say I went back to bed and slept for several hours 😁. I must have really needed it.
Yesterday was the footy and even though I was still tired I wouldn't have missed it 😁. It was a quite amazing day as not only was it a good match we won the league and I am a bit hoarse from singing and my back and dodgy knee are complaining from the jumping around 😂 but it was worth it 😁. I will have to move slowly today 😁. It was utter madness outside the ground with thousands who couldn't get tickets gathering to celebrate and it took ages to get to the bus stop and get home 😁.
The only decluttering done in the past few days were the bathroom bin, the bedroom recycling and lr bin so my numbers are falling even further behind but hopefully I can get something done today 😁

Well I suppose it's time to get weaving 😂.
Hugs to everyone who would like one

528 bathroom bin
529 bedroom recycling
530 lr bin
Take care everyone
530/2025

Florenceem

Mr F and I went back to SA yesterday afternoon and sorted sacks of clothes. Mr F packs the sacks while I sort and carry out to the crates. He used to carry out bags too but can't now but still wants to help me.
We were exhausted after an hour and a half of hard work so sat and had a cornett. from the freezer before we left SA. I am sure C will say that we had earned them when I next see him.
We watched an episode of The Chosen together.
In the evening we watched a film - Alive and Kicking - harmless - no violence or swearing just a jolly plot.
This morning I started to tackle a huge frog - replacing an invisible zip in Granddaughter's trousers. I unpicked the broken zip and got the new one in place. However I have never seen a waistband like this one - I think it will be a hand sewing job from now on - I have already had a go on the machine and had to unpick. I will try to finish it off tomorrow morning when I am fresh.
Mr F and I walked into town this afternoon - took some boots to a charity shop. On the way we fed the birds.
Stocked up on sweets and chocolate bars at £lan..
I had donations in my shopping trolley for the £2 charity shop but there was a notice in the window - saying no donations accepted today.
We stayed on the bus home to visit Lid. - 2 items I wanted were not available.
oceanspirit - we get lots of OOD stuff given to the SA food bank.
TC77 - beautiful photo.
Liverpool_Anne - congrats to your team.
Disappointment for my Sons and Grandson at Wembley yesterday.

Gers

This is a radio 4 programme about decluttering. I thought that all those who are doing such a great job in their homes can take a rest and listen.

QueenJess

Still in operation "kitchen use up" over here and it's spilled into using up fridge and freezer stuff although it wasn't on my list right now.  For dinner I used up all of the following: the last of the frozen sausages, dijon mustard from the fridge, a pack of potatoes, a pack of carrots, a pack of purple broccoli and a head of greens.  I shall be using up custard with my crumble later.  These don't actually count as they weren't on the list to use up, but it's still good to make sure everything is getting used.  All the leftovers were also cleared out for the fridge earlier and used for lunch for DH and I. 

@sqwiffy it is embarrassing that it's even a thing to try and use up food in the house and I feel very guilty about that.  The plan is to minimalise food products as I cook most things from scratch so only really need a standard set of ingredients hanging around at any one time.  Hopefully it'll be easier to keep it under control that way.  I know I would never keep up with a list of what's in the cupboards/freezer.  DH is even worse than me as if he can't see it in front of his face, then it doesn't exist and even then he often doesn't notice!

2 things in today; car booster seats from Buy Nothing.  Should save a bit of money given I was about to buy some (I couldn't believe it when they appeared this morning and I walked round and grabbed them at lunch!).

2 - sticky tape that doesn’t actually stick (binned)
3 - paper recycled
1 - kitchen cupboard overstock used up

New total 1,231
Use it up total 103
Net physical things in/(out) +47
Mini kitchen challenge 16/50