2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

CRANKY40

Good morning good people 😊

We have had a few days where decluttering was not possible (too much time taken up doing other things out of the house) but I am hoping to get stuck into it today once I have decluttered the ironing pile. On a Saturday morning I give myself until 10am to read things on my pc and trundle around the house just doing minor tidying before serious housework starts. We've already tidied ds's room, made the bed and put one cushion cover in the bin and one in the wash. The two cushion inners have gone down the back of his bed behind the mattress where there was a gap that his pillows were disappearing into.

I've had a think about what clutter problem we're going to tackle today and I'm thinking that the freezer would be a good start. Meal planning has ground to a halt because neither of us knows what is in there. Today we (me & ds) are going to go through it shelf by shelf and identify things that will never be eaten so that they can go out and make a list of what is left. I'm using the "get rid of it and don't do this again" mindset. Freezing bits of things that didn't get eaten because we weren't that keen on is a false economy because there's no room in the freezer now for batch cooking or for bringing the last of the rhubarb in. I'm currently sticking to the food budget (previous overbuyer) by giving myself a weekly amount to spend on me. if I have used the food budget and still think that I want to buy more it has to come out of my personal spends. It's really making me concentrate because I don't want to part with MY money.  I've never thought of taking before and after snaps but I will try to remember from today. 

I've also sold two hexi cardigans this week. I didn't ask either person for money but they both wanted to give me something (one family member and the other is a neighbour). I haven't counted the yarn for those as decluttering but I will add the finished items to today's total as they have now oficially left the building. I'm keeping the cash given for my works of art (lol) in a separate account as my sister and ds both think we should have a holiday to celebrate my 60th birthday the year after next so I'm trying to stash some money away for "spends".   Total monthly declutter total to the end of yesterday was 160 things.

I've been reading your posts about why clutter happens and I know that my grandparents held on to absolutely everything that crossed their paths as they lived through WWII. Things were hard to come by during that time and almost just as hard afterwards for a long time. There was no such things as credit cards so you either did without, saved until you could afford something or in the case of my grandparents used the "provvy man" which was a doorstep Provident loan with a high interest rate. My grandad used to list what supplies where bought with the loan (childrens school coats and uniform usually) and the date it was paid off.  Yarn for knitting was "put aside" in the yarn shop and paid for at one or two balls a time until a jumper or cardi was finished.  

Time to go and crack on with it.....take care all of you 😊

Moorviews

@CRANKY40  - Very interesting reflections there on why previous generations kept a lot of things. Everything had worth in a way that is perhaps not the case now that inferior materials or even biodegradable materials are used. I will never forget trying to get rid of a million shards of plastic bag that were stored in the loft!
@Muddy_Walker - fantastic news on your PIP award 🎉
@BlueJ94 - great progress already! Getting started is often the hardest part. 

@suzeesu2000 - well done on getting the airing cupboard done! 

I really enjoyed reading all the decluttering journeys and tips- very inspiring thank you 😊 I am on a tidy up mission today. After a busy week things are in disarray. I heartily concur with tidy spaces being much easier to clean. For that reason I do have a 15-30 minute pick up and put away/throw away/ recycle session before getting the vacuum cleaner out. Mr MV is still of the mind that there is no point in putting something away if you are going to use it later/ at some unspecified point in the distant future! I do ask him to take part now though!

vulpix

Excellent news Muddy.xx

Brie, great idea to do a swap shop at art class. I LOVE male pattern blindness. Mr V deffo has it.

Bluej, fabulous result in only 45 minutes.

 Gosh, those biodegradable plastic bags. I found out the hard way after wrapping a dolls house I had been given in charity bags to store it in the loft. When I came to get it down for DD2 the bags disintegrated to the touch and subsequently stuck fast to everything!

I had completely forgotten about laying away wool at the wool shop and buying a ball at a time.

Mrs SD, I would say due to peoples generosity I have a stash of wool like I have never had before. I would estimate I have used 1/4 of the stash which has made a large black bag of a parcel of knitted goods for charity. I have missed postage for it yet again so it will have to go on Monday first thing.
 
 DD1 is on her way back from Shetland today. Mr V has just gone to pick her up as her flight gets in at 1pm. I have been yearning for some real Shetland wool yarn to actually make something for myself. When I took bit by bit to stay with DD1 she bought some real wool and made a small blanket for DD1. When she was in the hospice she got her husband to bring it in to give to me to finish it. DD1 and I decided not to finish it as it was like bit by bits time, unfinished. DD1 has it on her sofa. The blanket is finished but wet felting of a tree is not. We took bit by bit to see Shetlands only wild tree and she was taken with its story. Apparently The Shetlands did have trees in ancient times but people chopped and used every one. Like a very Northern Easter Island!

Must shake my tail. We are going to Nottingham later for a social with DD2.

 Vx

Dizzycap

Muddy_Walker said: 

Helloooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

I have news! I kept quiet about it until the day was over but I had my PIP tribunal today…..and won!!!!!!!!
enhanced daily living and standard mobility……so relieved that is all over. And it will be backdated to Jan last year when I first applied.
After a celebratory lunch I am in bed ready for a kip! Xxxxx

Absolutely awesome & I should think so too! 🎉🥳 🎉🥳 🎉🥳  Disgraceful that the DWP have kept you hanging on with all the shenangigans & delaying tactics    Enjoy your nap 

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

Saturday: a dull overcast & blowy day - high 21°C, low 13°C, humidity 65% & a 70% chance of rain. I was up late 13:00 & now have my 1st cuppa, timer is on & I am resuming the cheerleading from posts dated the 28th

Excellent decluttering diminua 👏 Well done on keeping up with your target of net outflow 🥳

Excellent work suzeesu2000 👏 especially as you were suffering from overdoing it on Wednesday 😕 This “……. and tidying the kitchen a million times (I have one of those husband things!)” had me in stitches 🤣 & I can definitely empathise as my DH (& my DSis come to think of it) both find it ‘difficult’ to tidy up after themselves especially in the kitchen 😞 

Great work TC77 👏 Reminds me that I need to get DH to sort Two crates worth of cables/wires 😦 

Excellent digital decluttering QueenJess 👏

BlueJ94, very impressed with This “……. I've paid my credit card off and I'm going to shred the card so I cant use it and close the account so the temptation isn't there.” 🤩 I can see from your signature that you are doing an excellent job of decluttering debt 👏 Those bread rolls look very tasty 🤤 I showed DH the photo & he has declared that he would like us to make some in the next week or so 😉 Good luck with your listings 🍀

vulpix, what a gorgeous photo 😻 Lifts the spirits & reminds me how beautiful the world is 🥹

TC77, everything crossed that your watch has been found 🤞Good luck sorting out your bedding 🍀

vulpix, we will just have to settle for the photo which is so stunning that I have taken the liberty of adding it to my photos with a note of who took it 😊 Sounds like there is proper movement on your house move 🥳 & hopefully this latest batch of paperwork will mean you get a moving date & can start to plan properly 🙏  I imagine the queue for the shoe bench is rather long already 😉 I looked up Gigha as well - stunning 😊

weenancy, This “suzeesu2000 - with me it is the roommate thing (up to 6 at any given time). I don't think any of them ever learned anything about keeping things clean.” is appalling 😡 especially as you mentioned that 2 of your roommates are ex-Marines so have no excuse 😞 

BlueJ94, hopefully your listings will will garner more sales 🤞

TC77, great news that your watch was found & the hospital contacted you rather than adding it to lost property 🥳  This “I would love to hear tales of how decluttered spaces transform being able to find things and reduce cleaning times ( hopefully dramatically)!” is an excellent request 🥹 Meanwhile it is wonderful to hear that your decluttering mojo has come out of hiding ☺️ Good luck decluttering linen 🍀 This “……. and just taken jumper off and out in cs bag as I love the colour and style is  a wee bit small and would look much better on someone else!” has really tickled me 😅 

Perfect place to stop for a while as I am at the end of another page 🙂 DH just phoned (14:20) he is now ‘homeward bound’ - I bet you all have the Simon & Garfunkel song rattling around now 🙊 I know I have & am very surprised at how many of the lyrics I remember 😉 The sun has put in an appearance 😊 I hope everyone is having as good a day as possible 🤞

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ ⭐️ 🏅 

DSis Awards: ⭐️ ⭐️ 🏅

Decluttering Target 2025: 1572/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £379.00

Roussie7

My DH had a sort out under the sink and decluttered at least five empty and disused containers. 

BlueJ94

Afternoon all,

Not much decluttering going on today! Posted some parcels this morning, just dropped my brother off as hes off out for the evening.. even though it's raining a storm here! 

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

I will go straight into cheerleading mode:

Excellent work oceanspirit 👏 Good luck completing the rest of the frogs 🍀 This “OH is out all morning so the place will be quiet enough for me to get properly focussed.” made me grin 😁 A good idea to leave sorting out/replacing the broken appliances to a later date especially if you can manage without them ☺️

Thank you for sharing your decluttering journey QueenJess 👏 You are an inspiration 🥹 Excellent decluttering 👏 I am especially impressed with your digital decluttering “80 - wish list items deleted” 🤩

Light drizzle 15:10 & has got so dark that I have had to turn the light on 😞 

Soontobeoap, probably a pleasure to have your Granddaughters staying 🥹 but it does sound like hard work 😉 You would have thought that 3 weeks would have been long enough for the plaster to dry 🤨 unless the weather where you are has been particularly damp & cold - very odd 🤔 Re having most of your furniture built in, what a great idea & definitely food for thought when we finally get around to decorating 😊 You are definitely making enormous progress & so gratifying that everything is coming together 👏 “Leaps & bounds” indeed 🥹

BlueJ94, thank you for sharing the photos of your spare room 👏 It sounds like  QueenJess’s post has inspired you 🥹 Now that you have grabbed the bull by the horns, I wish you every success ☺️ I know you will succeed 😊 Good luck 🍀

Thank you for sharing your decluttering journey vulpix 👏 As you say completely different from QueenJess’s journey but with the same result 🥹 & you are also an inspiration 🥹 I especially liked the mention of “fantasy life syndrome” 😅 The other thing that stuck a chord was This “I don't regret giving things that cost a lot away as they gave me pleasure at the time and now someone else can have the pleasure of owning them. I would rather give something away so it has a new life elsewhere than keep it until it is useless.” so I will be trying to follow your example 🤞 Lovely cheerleading for TC77 & BlueJ ☺️

suzeesu2000, Thank you for sharing your decluttering Tips 👏 I especially loved This “I am not sure how it happened, but I have had a complete mind change. I used to have the "just in case", "I might need that", "that could be useful" type of thinking. Now I don't. Now I think "I don't need that", "I've had that forever and never used it so I obviously don't need it" way of thinking and boy, has it made a difference.” is a game changer 🤩 I am still working on that but seeing it written down might just help me make the leap 🤔 Excellent decluttering & tidying 👏 very impressive & looks perfect to me 😊

Almost at the end of another page but have started to flag 😞 The drizzle didn’t last long but it has stayed dark. I need another cuppa so will post this & possibly watch a bit of mindless TV before I return to continue with the cheerleading 😉

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ ⭐️ 🏅 

DSis Awards: ⭐️ ⭐️ 🏅

Decluttering Target 2025: 1572/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £379.00

TC77

Just popped in as been sorting DVDs and CDs (and still have vinyl but that will be another year). 
I think it was @daisy_1571 who sorted some a few months ago. Films are in thin cases in a drawer - inherited many many from my dad- mainly european and others that you don't get on streaming services and CDs in thicker ones with names on the side and stored neatly - before they didn't fit in the case as were in thin cases. 2 for CS, several broken cases out and some Cds not recognised so binned. 
Now have sympathy for DD2 who took forever helping with washing up and I'd catch her with her headphones dancing round the kitchen. As I 'tested' CDs found I was having an impromptu boogie to James Brown, Booker T and a few other vintage tracks.
2 more never used sheets in CS bag ( not sure why bought but could stock a medium sized hotel). and put crockery and things I don't use now but DDs or me may in boxes - have storage high in kitchen for light things and in box stored elsewhere for the la creuset casserole dish  ( think could be the inheritance after seeing how much they cost now! ) but think I will revisit all these at some point. 
Also out phone connectors, plastic lid to ?, broken curtain hooks and a couple of piles of paper. 
Keeping record and will update nos later!
No start on the front of the house and looking could be a couple of weeks, and then scaffolder on holiday for a couple of weeks but not an issue.
Hope everyone is staying dry and popping into the tlc carriage now and again. 

Wednesday2000

I'm glad yu got your Pip Muddy Walker. My husband had to have a tribunal last year and he got Pip finally.

We had a thunderstorm here yesterday and the sky was a strange yellow colour beforehand. It has just started raining again now.

My husband took a donation bag today with two cushion covers, two jumpers and a few pairs of sunglasses. I bought a proper pair of Ray-ban sunglasses from an optician the other day as I decided to get rid of my old ones as they never fit properly. He bought us cakes from a local cafe that will be decluttered soon.