2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

_Dolly_Rocker_

@Muddy_Walker - Makes perfect sense - just need to get the place in order and then keep to the don't put it down put it away mindset. 

I'm off to clean off all my kitchen counters and put things away in their rightful places - be back soon with a progress report and also will see if I can declutter anything will I'm at it!

Brie

_Dolly_Rocker_ said:

Anyone else really struggle with housework? I live alone so have no one to blame but myself but I just can't keep on top of it then before I know it every counter is cluttered, there's piles of clean washing all over the dining table, everything all needs done at the same time and my brain is like aaaaaaargh!

This is me.  And the OH.  Neither of us will ever win a blue ribbon at housework.  That said at least I know how to read the manual for the washing machine and so can put the soap in properly.  I've been trying to get better and tackling bits at a time - it's a case of "what bugs me the most?" 

So a couple of weeks back it was the bedroom - OH was told to tidy up his corner and then anything that was left there was escorted from the room and the whole room was thoroughly hoover - which took 2 days  - the hoover battery went flat after a few hours and needed to be recharged!

Yesterday it was the upstairs bathroom - sink, cupboard beside the sink and the shelf above all thoroughly scrubbed.  The sink needs another go and the floor needs mopping and OH needs to tackle the toilet (it's one of the few tasks he is 100% responsible for).  

Meanwhile on the proper decluttering front - yesterday I had 2 charity bags mostly full - OH's shirts in one and some of our shoes in the other - plus an empty suitcase all delivered to the charity shop.  Fortunately they had nothing of interest for me to drag home which is a win.  Today we took the leaky water butt and the rusty chiminea to the tip.  I had visions of it all making a complete mess of the back of OH's vehicle but fortunately that didn't happen.  OH offered to take me shopping afterwards but I stayed strong and said no  - I didn't want to go in any case but told him I want to keep getting rid until I knew there was something that I actually really needed.  Unfortunately that made him a bit grumpy as he really enjoys shopping.  

_Dolly_Rocker_

@Brie it's a daily battle isn't it. Today I am tackling the kitchen, currently a work in progress. 

Muddy_Walker

Helloooooooo
Having been with the general public on Saturday in town (shudder) I slept 2 days solid….. so hauled my fat bum out of bed and had a shower and decluttered the following (there is PIP appeal prep in there from last week):
269 a pillow
270-275 5 bras (obviously made for stick insects with teeny b00bs)
275 a pack of clear bra straps
276 did some money shuffling and bills
298-306 many pairs of ill fitting socks
307-308 tights
309 dog bandana (in the sock drawer why???)
310 small t shirt 
311 bath thing
312 UU baby bath
313-321 PIP appeal prep

Time for a cuppa painkillers and a bear cwtch!

London_1

DollyRocker when we downsized in 1995 from our larger house to a smaller one my late husband used to say 
‘Think caravan’ meaning if you were living in a caravan you would have to put things away or hang them up straight away or you would be in a dreadful muddle 🤣
I did this and it soon became a habit and after moving last year I’m still doing it and automatically never go upstairs empty handed or pass anything that needs to go away in a cupboard or drawer. I must drive my DD mad as I just hate unecessary clutter or mess
i actually said at lunchtime I’ve got a spare zipped up square bag left over from the move on top of my wardrobe and by the end of this month all the summer shoes,sandles, beach shoes can go into it and get zipped up and put in the loft until next spring We live 10 minutes from the beach on the Isle of Wight so seem to have a collection of beach junk to get tucked away before winter sets in 🤣

_Dolly_Rocker_

@London_1 - Oh that's a good idea! 

Right kitchen almost done. All the counters cleared and wiped down. Hob wiped down, just need to add the top bits back on when I've cleaned them and do the floors. 

TC77

@_Dolly_Rocker_ me too,  I now live on my own and can see that chaos is mine! Still have DDs stuff. And I work very hard at clearing up after myself but get distracted and maybe get 10 things out and put 8 away and this goes on.
@BlueJ94 is this anything you can do with the chair which would make you use it? as someone said use it to display something for as a launchpad for things to take out of the house or for things to get ready for the next day. I like the idea of asking you grandpa (I think it was) what they would do with it.
Took parcel to shop as not picked up, cardboard box out, dropped of CS bag and added a straw tote bag.
I am really the last person about family stuff.
Who mentioned the Mindset Mentor - listened to a podcast and liked it although 24 hours to declutter my life or probably anyone abit ambitious but I like the idea of how we can change our thinking and then our life.
So off to see if I can improve any area -maybe clear the sides and trip hazards!

BlueJ94

Thanks all! I think ill do as suggested and make use of the chair!

vulpix

Bluejay, you have several options for your chair. Put it in your living space or your bedroom and get rid of something to make space for it. Sell it to a trader or sell on Fb or similar. You don’t need a fire certificate to do that. Or give it away. You must have liked it when you bought it but goodness knows how I know what it’s like to want a change!

 Tales of mystery freezer contents remind me of when I worked in an outdoor pursuit centre many years ago. My boss (she of don’t put it down, put it away fame) was very keen to minimise waste and we had to freeze any leftovers. It was international week and we had 100 people to feed from all over the world. She had us make mincemeat pies and found a couple labelled in the freezer. All pies cooked and served with custard. An American came up and asked if they should be eating meat pies with custard. 🤣 only the Germans at the next table had finished theirs!

Vx

BlueJ94

Evening all, I've been oooone busy bee this afternoon! 

Straight in from work, changed straight into comfy clothing, wash load on, emptied recycling, emptied rubbish bin, cleaned both bins, wash load onto airers as its STILL raining! I then made a start on room of doom which I stopped half way, I've decluttered another 136 items and gained another black bag full!! Just walked the dogs, was a short walk 31 minutes, 1.35 miles. Total steps for the day 18k. Going to finish sorting room of doom, have my dinner (OH is making) then have a bath and bed time!