2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

ionafan

_Dolly_Rocker_ said:

Need to get the house sorted as my Mum is coming to me for Christmas so want it to be nice for her then my plan is to start having a better routine to keep on top of it. 

Also still got a LOT to declutter from my life. 

Meh 2025 was a bit of a fail for me but we keep going. 

@_Dolly_Rocker_ please don't use the F-word: you have survived all that 2025 has thrown at you, and that is a definite positive!   Take things one day at a time, one spot at a time, one person at a time, and you will eventually get to the point where you want to be.  Routines are all very well and good, but in my experience decluttering comes first, then organising what's left, and only after that will you be able to see what you've got and how you want it, and have enough energy to set up some sort of routine to keep it that way - but definitely one that allows you to be flexible and enjoy life.  

Keep going, and keep posting here when you can.  This is a wonderfully supportive thread.  Several of us lurkers on this decluttering train also follow the Weekly Flylady thread, and some day you might like to visit us for help and inspiration with your maintenance routine. There's absolutely no pressure, and you'd be very welcome.  We occasionally have the pleasure of @Mrs_Salad_Dodger popping in to say hello

This morning I've thrown out a small handful of my magazines, and while I was helping my DH look for his phone I put everything off the small table next to his armchair onto the seat so that he can see exactly how much rubbish he's got on there, and will have to move it before he sits down  

Green_hopeful

We are having my mum and her best ex husband (she has two ex husbands and he is definitely the nicer of the two) round for lunch on Sunday. He is a kiwi and his party dish is colonial goose, which is a leg of lamb stuffed to look like a goose. We are going to make colonial goose between us but my sister in law is vegetarian so i looked up vegetarian colonial goose. I found a recipe for vegetarian goose. It needs a steamer and I thought I had decluttered all of our steamers. I think we had at least 4. Turns out the last one was still in my freecycle box having not been collected in March 2025. So i got it back out for a wash. Hopefully it will be ok. I am going to test the recipe tomorrow. 

daisy_1571

Lovely post ionfan, I agree with how you see things for dollyrocker

Keep going dollyrocker, definitely not failed

Dxx

TC77

@_Dolly_Rocker_ echoing others and surviving sometimes require all our efforts. I'll be with you in 2026 trying to develop some good habits and leaving somethings behind / decluttered as I wade fully into a new chapter. 
Tested for covid and decluttered 3 packs of old tests keeping the little plastic bags which I'm sure will come in useful at some point.
Adding in nos from the other day, tis the season to be generous so may be optimistic on nos 1883.
Resisting temptation to keep items to declutter with dd1 and cousin when they help to avoid having to tackle more difficult areas. 

vulpix

TC, wise words. Imagine you are moving to a much smaller house and just save what you really need and love.

Also wise words to you Dolly Rocker from ionafan. we will all be with you next year, doing our thing. Xx

Here you go weenancy x



 Gardener has jibbed. I wanted to help the guy out as he is new to the country and doing his best to work hard. He doesn't have the equipment it needs for such a big job.

 Today I have changed and washed our bedding, and wrapped the Christmas presents. Swapped the butlers tray in the porch for a stool. Also mended the hole in the pocket of Mr V’s jeans. I have also sewed in the ends on a shawl I have knitted for my Mum. 

Pleased with progress today. Need to leave some jobs for another day! 

 Vx

 

Floss

TC77 said:

...Tested for covid and decluttered 3 packs of old tests keeping the little plastic bags which I'm sure will come in useful at some point.... 

I kept about 10 of those bags from expired tests. I've never used any, as they are an odd size... mine went into the soft plastic recycling last time I dropped it off at big Tesco!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Thank you all. 

Muddy_Walker

Dolly Rocker I completely understand where you are coming from. So repeat after me….(this is usually done after a parental visit which drag up very unwelcome memories and situations).

I will allow myself to be sad/unhappy until bedtime and force a smile in the morning. Hopefully brain won’t be awake enough to realise it’s forced 😊

I will plan to clean/declutter/tidy up 3 things 5 out 7 days every week. Even if it totals 10 minutes.

On the 2 remaining days I shall admire what I have done so far and do something for me. And if that means eating cake for breakfast so be it.

There will be times when I really can’t face anyone or anything….and that is ok. 

No one is perfect. Especially those who think they are 😋

I hope this helps a tiny bit - there is a lot of pressure in the world more so this time of year with the festivities and a new year coming up where you feel like you need a clean slate. 

MW xxxx

suzeesu2000

Quiet day here as had an unwell (again) one. I have a stomach issue which has been around for 20+ years. Does flare up and leaves me feeling pretty awful BUT, tomorrow is another day and I won’t die, so all good😁
Still managed to declutter some packaging. 

Stuck the white board on 2nd freezer door. Magnetic tape is pretty useless so got to utilise something else…..and I do have some fridge magnets that could be repurposed. Hope DH has some glue.
No dinner today.
Have a good night all, sweet dreams xx

florianatwobob

Dolly you have a 100% success rate in surviving every day so far. That is the furthest thing from failing that there ever was. 

DSis took a bag of bits of to the CS last weekend. Have decluttered some Christmas pressies and cards to their respective recipients today and gathered in some pressies too which was lovely.