2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

WickedLady4

DH is doing the decluttering today. He has gone up the road with 2 books to put on in the free library outside one of the community halls. He also decluttered the Christmas lights from the porch and they are awaiting going up into the loft.

I'm about to declutter some pain au chocolat via the new air fryer!

kiss_me_now9

PollyWollyDoodle said:

@ruby_eskimo I’m not sure about the vent, how likely is it that anything will come out of it? 

I wouldn’t bother with baskets, I put the duvet cover, pillowcase(s) and sheet for each set inside one of the pillowcases, it makes a nice tidy bundle and ensures that when you come to change the bed, you’ve got the complete set there.  

I roll towels into a nice firm sausage (there are various folding methods online) and stack them in pairs, I have sets of bath/hand towel in different colours. 

I don’t know if that helps, I find it easy to organise the airing cupboard this way, and I know which ones are single/double by the design. 

We started doing the pillowcase/sheet/duvet inside one pillow case a few years ago after - long story short - we ended up stuck in the snow and stayed over night in a very kind but quite random farmers spare room. They presented us with the bedding for their spare room like this and we've done it ever since! It makes life so much easier. My only issue is that we often wash half the bedding on one day and then the other half takes a little while to work through to the washing machine, so can sometimes end up with half a set hanging around. 

Decluttering our bedding really helped too - I got rid of about 6 sets at the time we swapped over to this system, so now we have a thick winter set, a thinner winter set and 3 summer sets (but could also be used in winter). As much as I want themed bedding like Christmas sets I have resisted because they wouldn't be used 11 months of the year and they would take up too much space. 

On the bedding front, if anyone has a toddler/baby and struggles to store cot sheets, we put all of ours in a reusable canvas tote bag and then hang it on a hook on the back of the airing cupboard door. Means we can just pull one out when we need one and know it's the right size.

vulpix

Found glasses from a few years ago to be recycled 

a very bashed brass bangle 

a book to pass on to DD1

 Did a bookcase tidy. Mostly books I used at school in KS1. I have kept them this long they may as well stay to see if dgs will be interested. I also found a lovely diary I got unused from the charity shop. I have bought one now but will put it in a more obvious place for next year. A pile of books borrowed from DS to read and return. 

The sofa seat covers are in the wash. 

I am just about to empty my wardrobe onto the bed. 

We are currently having a heavy snowstorm. It reminds me of the excitement of sitting in school and watching it snowing. There were never so many requests to go to the toilet. They were outside at the top of the playground. 

 Quite a few of the higher roads are closed here. Best to stop at home and tidy the wardrobe!

 Vx

Wednesday2000

It was frosty here this morning, but now it looks quite bright and sunny. I got up early as I read an email wrong and thought my parcel was being delivered today, but it is arriving tomorrow morning instead. I did order three Lazy Susans from Amazon just now as I have to get up early tomorrow anyway. I will reorganise the thre shelves in the large cabinet in my kitchen when they arrive. I'm quite looking forward to doing it, I need to get a life. Lol.

As I was up I did a load of laundry and it is all dry and put away. I did notice that the front door mat inside the porch had developed mould underneath it so I cleaned the porch out today and replaced it with a clean mat. I was putting that off too so I am glad that is out the way. I don't know why I put things off as they aren't that bad once you get around to doing them! My Fitbit thought I was doing intense exercise which was a bonus.

Nothing much decluttered apart from the old gross doormat and a spare sock I found. The rubbish is out tonight so I will declutter the xmas tree.

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

DSis & I watched the Worlds Strongest Man late last night & very pleased to say it was won by a Scotsman ….. for the 3rd time in 4 years 🥳 Managed to catch the milkman & paid him up to & including Saturday. 

Tuesday: up later today 11:30 but have put a load of washing on & also rescheduled an Opticians appointment. Currently there is a blue sky with white clouds & the sun is out 🙂 However it is chilly with a forecast high of only 5°C I have my first cuppa & will continue to reply to posts dated the 4th: 

Lovely post Duchess2 😊 Great work mending, decluttering & dealing with a frog 👏 I feel for you re the distance to your CS & quite understand why you need a decent amount of donations to make it worthwhile 🙁 Unfortunately the CS I previously used (which was within walking distance) shut down a few years ago. Now it is a trip on the DLR & a 10 to 15 minute walk. DH took me by motorbike once, but the road system doesn’t lend itself to dropping someone off & we were lucky to avoid a fine 😮‍💨 I did sing along 😉

Liverpool_Anne, not really convinced that the 3rd was a slow decluttering day 😉 as you managed physical & digital decluttering, dealt with a frog, did some laundry & went shopping 👏 Pleased to hear that you finally managed to find some warmer trousers 😊 

I am enjoying following the conversation about moving 😊Lots of handy tips from people including daisy_1571, SuperLooperSaver, GrannyKate, regnbue & vulpix 👏 Apologies if I have missed anyone 😞 

GrannyKate, I hope the roofers turned up on time on the 4th 🤞

Moorviews, hope the Christmas decorations sort out went well 🤞 Great work decluttering books 👏

charlies_tribe, excellent work sorting out a big part of the kitchen on the 3rd 👏 hopefully you have managed to get the rest finished 🤞 Shame about the food wastage but at least you are now aware & won’t let it happen again 😊 Good luck with the bedrooms 🍀 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer, 🤩 you got a lot done in 30 minutes in your spare room 👏 Good luck working on your self assessment 🍀

vulpix, I had a quick read of a couple of articles about merging High Peaks with Manchester 😱 The whole plan seems to be designed to annoy as many people as possible 😡 With the vague ‘promise’ of more money even though the whole thing seems to be centred around saving money 😔 No wonder the MP is getting a roasting from his constituents - all I can say is serves him right 😅 Well done on dealing with the squeaky hinge 👏 reminds me that DH sorted out the squeak on our bedroom door. He was most miffed that he had to mention it 😅 Nothing wrong with spending a day knitting 😉 Love that you are are referring to your knit & natter group as a “gang” 😂 Just wondering if you still have 3 members? Now that is what I call a lovely neighbour - flowers & chocolates 😊

Lovely post basketcase 😊 Pleased to hear that the heavy snowfall of the 3rd was not repeated on the 4th 🥳 I tend not to notice my feet getting cold but oddly I really notice when my ankles get cold 😟 although my new slippers have taken care of that particular problem 🥳 Great work keeping up with your container a day decluttering 👏 I will have to ponder This “Or, although it sometimes feels like it, do you think “Decluttering the Entire Planet” might be a tad ambitious?” 🤔 🧐……….. nope, not too ambitious IF each & every one of us did our part 😊 

 What a very busy 4th January florianatwobob 👏 I was exhausted just reading about all the moving of furniture, decluttering & cleaning 🤩

Excellent decluttering Happy_Kitties 👏 & you are really doing well with your neutral items 🥳

EcoIntent, please don’t be too hard on yourself 🙏 It is always difficult to balance decluttering (to save one’s sanity) & minimum waste to landfill (to save the planet) 😞 Excellent work with the recycling 👏

CRANKY40, the EDT is certainly speeding along this year. I think our drivers are trying to go supersonic 😉 Excellent decluttering of your craft room & various drawers on the 3rd 👏 Really liked this “……disposed of a few other mystery items (either a mystery where they came from or a mystery why I kept them)” - are you sure you weren’t reading my mind 😅

Foofoopuppy, sorry to hear that your parent’s house was hit by the floods 😔 Hopefully the council quickly supplied the promised skip so that the clearing up could be completed 🤞Now that you have sold a few of your mum’s things on Vinted & earned her a decent amount of cash, will she be taking over the listings etc or just providing you with the items to sell 😉 

GrannyKate, the road conditions on the 4th sounded appalling 😥 DIL’s ‘spin’ in the car must have given her quite a scare 😰 Very impressed with the “Young lad living up the road” - what a very neighbourly action on his part 😇 A new cat …. potentially 😊 Good luck with the 1p Challenge 🍀 Talk about being busy - you got more done in a day than I get done in a month 👏 Such sad news about the twins 😢 condolences to your great nephew & his wife. 

Love the windowseat machasraven 😍

BlueJ94, Snow always look so lovely when it is pristine & you can see it from the warmth & comfort of your own home 😊

daisy_1571, those hot water bottles sound interesting 🧐 

I have almost finished my cuppa, so will post this & come back in a few minutes. I hope everyone is staying safe & being very careful if they have to venture outdoors 🙏

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 

DH Awards:

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 36/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

MadamMim2013

A busy day so far..
I’m going to have to jot things down as it’s been so speedy on here that by the time I start to write to reply to things my brain is a bit 🤯🤣

Hugs for those in need and I’ve left some blackberry & raspberry jelly in the TLC carriage.. one of my go to’s when feeling below par! 

Some decluttering has occurred..
A large sweetie container full of tea lights taken by DS1’s gf..
3 empty CD containers in the bin as broken..
Another item sold on Vinty.. 🥳
Medications for OH sorted into various pots.. packaging de-labelled and in recycling..
Rubbish and recycling out the house..
Soggy wet leaves picked up and now in garden collection bin..

Hope that everyone is doing ok what with the cold weather and just life in general, it seems that there’s a whole lot going on for so many..😕  I have always been inspired by just how lovely everyone is on this thread..the way support and advice is given with such care is wonderful.. ☺️

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

The wm has finished, so have removed a couple of large items of clothing & started the td. DH has had a bath & DSis is up & dressed. The 2 of them have consecutive dentist appointments (17:00 & 17:30) so will need to set off about 15:30 as our NHS dental practice is in West London. I have my 2nd cuppa & am settled again so will continue with the cheerleading - still the 4th January 🙂

Florenceem, so sorry to hear about MrF 😔 such a worrying time for you 😞 I hope you managed to arrange an emergency appointment with the doctor & that MrF is now undergoing some form of treatment 🙏

florianatwobob, I trust that the rearrangement of furniture on the 4th has resulted in a better layout 😉 & that you are happy as well as exhausted 😊

redofromstart, sounds like a very successful 4th January 👏 Pleased to hear that the roofers have finished the job 🙂 & well done to them for clearing up their mess & also doing the heavy lifting re the patio & garden clutter 😇 I imagine that by now (7th) your skip is filling up nicely 🤞

Excellent work on the 4th, Blue_Doggy 👏 Not sure how far the village is from your house but it does sound like a lot of walking especially as you had already walked the dogs 😩 no wonder you needed a nap 🙂 Regardless of feeling ‘thick-headed’ when you woke up you managed to get a lot done in the afternoon 👏 Hopefully you slept well that night 🤞

Excellent decluttering DundeeDoll 👏 & well done on dealing with another frog 👏 Any chance you could send some of your ‘frog clearing’ mojo my way 😉

Lovely post basketcase 🥹

A very worrying time for you Florenceem 😟 At least MrF has been seen by a doctor who actually knows him & understands how much worse he has got 😥 so hopefully can stress the urgency of an MRI 🙏 Please, please remember to take care of yourself 🙏

daisy_1571, very droll 😹 

Great work Janeryan 👏

Tjh1412, fingers crossed that the sale of your old home will go through on the 9th & that your offer on the new house has been accepted 🤞I am hoping to read good news when I get to the posts dated 6th January 😉 I am also hoping that you have found plenty of items to pass on to all the ‘mothers to be’ 😊

Now, now gsdloopy - none of that 🙂‍↔️ There is no such thing as This “….. that you are putting me to shame!” or This “Today I didn't do anything except use up two bottles from the bathroom”  (I looked ahead & saw basketcase’s post so will forego ‘The Emoji’) Remember every single item out is a win 😊 & some days will be slower than others plus you had more important things to do 😊 Well done to DD2 🥳 Player of the Match 👏 It sounds like she is an England player in the making 😊 & double the chance of being selected as she can play defence & offence 🤩 

Not quite pristine snow BlueJ94 but at least it hasn’t been spoilt by cars 😉

Muddy_Walker, you do realise that once you are happy with your terrarium you will probably decide that it needs company 😅 possibly two mini terrariums 😉 A snowball fight with your dogs - how wonderful 😍 although a bit one sided 😂

basketcase, I resisted the temptation to invoke ‘The Emoji’ for gsdloopy - I still miss the actual emoji ☹️ Although I was sorely tempted to bring it out when I read This “So, what have I been up to today? Not a lot really. Or at least, I can see evidence of someone having done stuff, which has to be me.” 😂 Having read the rest of your post I am even more befuddled as to why you classed the amount of work you did sorting, arranging & decluttering your kitchen as “Not a lot really” That amount of work has earned you a medal🏅 Congratulations on another NSD 👏

Excellent decluttering SuperLooperSaver 👏

A double celebration for me - reached the end of another page & more importantly have reach the last of the posts dated 4th January 😊 💃 On that note I will post & get ready to go out as I need some mushrooms for tonight’s dinner 😉 See you later 👋 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 

DH Awards:

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 36/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

Florenceem

This thread is speeding along again.
MadamMim2013 - I was only at the Doctors with Mr F on Friday. I rang the mri dept - automated message told me - could be up to 10 weeks wait.
Liverpool_Anne - It isn't just the tiredness that is a concern - he is so wobbly on his legs.
I had a very bad evening and night with Mr F. First he sat on the toilet for 2 hours and 20 minutes and refused to get off - saying he hadn't finished! tmi.
We went upstairs at 10.15 - I was so tired. I laid down while Mr F was getting undressed for bed - he sat on the edge of the bed until 1 am. I had little dozes but kept saying to him - get into bed - his reply - I am getting undressed. When he finally got into bed - I was over tired and he started to snore so I struggled to go off to sleep. I had told him that we had to be up early this morning.
This morning I had been up a while and told Mr F to get up - heard a crash - he had fallen and there was blood on the carpet. I couldn't see where it was coming from - it was his foot. So I started the new box of antiseptic wipes that I bought yesterday.
I was counting with C this morning and took Mr F along with me. He didn't want to go but I insisted as I would have been leaving him for over 3 hours.
One of our Ukrainian ladies was at SA and hadn't seen Mr F for 3 weeks - she was shocked at the decline.
I am so tired but want to stay awake and go to bed early hopefully.
I have been advised to contact social services. 

WickedLady4

@Florenceem Poor Mr F seems to be falling daily and sounds very unwell.

Have you considered taking him to A&E at all? 

I don't want to sound unkind but surely he ought to be seen and checked over.

BlueJ94

as I threw my plastic tubs out the other day I decided to walk to Aldi on lunch break and I picked up a little set for £4.99, Oh bought me an electric lunch box last year and a new shiny luchbox for Christmas!