2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

EcoIntent

Oh my goodness went away for the weekend and what a time catching up!!! The EDT is def speeding 🙂.

I’ve actually bought a few things the last few days but carefully considered things. 

OH has bought a PS5 after a period of saving and Christmas and birthday money (we have a set budget each month for personal spends). He listed his PS4 and all its various things plus a game that came with his PS5 he didn’t  want and it has all sold on eBay within a week. So at least it’s equated to one in one out. 

I’ve had a flurry of eBay sales too, so delighted about that as made more than what I bought while away 🙂. Good to swop unwanted things with wanted ones without spending loads. 

I used my eBay balance to buy a Spode strawberry thief table runner I have been eying up for months! 

Hear us to a good upcoming new week decluttering 😀. 

Brambling

CRANKY40 said:

@Muddy_Walker if you want some youtube tutorials then Bella Coco is good and thorough. When I was learning to make things (instead of blankets) I started with Toristory Creations who has made some of the slowest, easiest to follow tutorials ever. your green blob is very fetching 😊

I can second Bella Coco I taught myself during lockdown following a recommendation from Cranky for this lady 🙂

I will admit to open a wardrobe door staring aimlessly before closing it again 🫣 I have too many clothes of various sizes so half are either too big or too small, a chore for when I've had a better night sleep, achy hip kept me awake last night 

I did sit down with some files of paperwork and the shredder and watched some of the first episode of Lockerbie but found it a difficult watch will finish another day now that the crash scenes are done.  

Finished my book afterwards so that's in the pile for my sister

sqwiffy

I don't know if this forum is for me but I definately need to deal with my cluttered life! I started to read through the posts and got to page 20 before jumping to page 87 as there are sooo many posts.... I admit to being somewhat confused as it sounds as if the forum is not just about decluttering? Some people are mentioning all kinds of goals or new resolutions, and I don't understand what most of the initials stand for, and what are the frogs about?? 

While I wait for some clarity, I'll let you know why I'm a bit late starting in 2025. My mum, who already had dementia, had a big stroke on Friday 13th December but we managed to get her out of hospital by 19th December. My family and I have been caring for her between us and we are still having very mixed days. Today mum was 89. This has kept us very busy and lots of things at home have gone on the back burner for now. Prior to this, I had been trying hard to work on decluttering mostly by myself, and very slowly making some progress. What I've never done before is try it with others on the same journey. I know I've been reluctant for others to physically "help" as I've felt pressured to get rid of things when I wasn't ready. Last year, one thing that has helped me has been giving things away to a family member to sell who needs the money. I was often worrying about not wasting things, being frugal and saving the planet but this feels like a win, win as it's helping me just let stuff go and it's helping someone else I care about.

I want 2025 to be a year with less stuff. I haven't really set myself any numbers this year yet but Iast year I was trying to go in small areas at a time and set some mini goals like clear one thing a day at least, which was working pretty well. I've noticed that since what's happened with my mum, I've spread out a lot mess at home. Is that because I've not been there a lot or because I feel a bit all over the place right now?

I'm stopping now as I'm waffling. Hoping to get some support and insights from some of you as you seem like a kind crowd of individuals. Sqwiffy.

TC77

Quick gallop through all the posts, recall someone refusing permission  for vulpix to leave, I know there can be hardly anything left in her home with all that is there very beautiful and /or useful! But hope you stay for the journey.
Welcome more new folk.
In office most of the week so made trip to cs ( the one that takes electrical is closed today) added another 8 items, clothes and household, oit v old toiletries x 2, ood food x 2, small bits out (.counting as 3) and some unsubscribing
202.
Hope everyone has the best start to the week possible

weenancyinAmerica

@vulpix - we need you here.Even if it is just to know that the end is possible. 

Trying to clean so my sisters won't have to. Not making much progress, but two bags of clothing to the neighbors, two boxes of books to the library and a bag of books to the nursing home, plus a stack on cardboard boxes out so far this week. 

I have been keeping up with the middle and little goals but need to tackle a couple of major frogs this week as well as get the house ready for roommate Di to come home. I go to bed crying a lot. Just keep telling myself to keep going, but it looks so overwhelming. It wasn't like this when I had no roommates and I had better health. I have three more boxes of books ready to go to the library and another to go to the FamilySearch Center. Just need to load them up on the walker and move them to the car. We will be taking the cans and bottles in on Tuesday. Right now it just feels like it is one step forward, ten steps backwards. 

vulpix

Thank you, lovely people. I do suffer with imposter syndrome at times.

 Hi sqwiffy, welcome. Yes we are a de cluttering thread but we also support each other on lifes journey with all it's ups and downs. Our frame of mind can so often be affected by having more stuff than we a re comfortable with. We don't judge or compare and accept all comers onto the imaginary electric de cluttering train. (yes we are possibly a bit bonkers.) If anyone asks for advice, they will get some and of course the amazing Mrs SD acknowledges everyone,There's no right or wrong way here, just your way and what works for you.
  Eating a frog originates from a Mark Twain quote. We use it loosely to mean when we have completed a job or something that we have been putting off, sometimes for years! Mark Twain suggests eating the biggest, ugliest, noisiest frog first in the morning, then with that out of the way your day can only get better.

 Vx

Muddy_Walker

I’ve been dozing on and off as I am freezing and my bladder is having its own party….i will be shattered come morning.

Weenancy hang on in there xxxxxxx it’s a wierd time of year where Christmas is a distant memory and Ianuary has the longest amount of days going. I am sorry you are so overwhelmed I just wish we could pop over the pond and help. Xxxxx Your housemates sound as if they need a bit of a head wobble or failing that a good kick up the bum. Current media probably isn’t helping either if you know what I mean. Stay strong!!!!

Crochet - I have been following Bella Co Co and it’s a case of follow along, crochet a bit, have a fight with the yarn, pause Bella, swear a bit, rewind and repeat! 🤣🤣🤣

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

Apologies for not coming back earlier. Dinner was pork steaks, mash & green beans. Wudupa. I have had my 2nd treatment 😉 DSis & I are currently watching episodes of Grimm.

117 - 118 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled

119 Kitchen detritus binned

What a busy day you had yesterday Liverpool_Anne 👏 Good luck finishing the ironing or at least making a huge dent in the pile 🍀 Lovely cheerleading & some great tips/ideas for julie777 😊

CRANKY40, how kind of you to help your friend 😇 Great work keeping up with your 5 a day decluttering & well done on dealing with the frog 👏 This “……there are "things" on top of the ottoman waiting to be sorted so I kept putting off moving them. I did it this morning though and the junk pile is back in situ awaiting its day of glory.” sounds horribly familiar 😂

Excellent decluttering Tjh1412 👏 At this rate I will soon be awarding you your third gold star 😉 

vulpix, “retire from the thread” Nooooooooooo 😳 now that I have got that out of my system, I have read on & see that you have decided to stay 🥳 🎉 😮‍💨 Pleased to hear that you would like some more yarn - will help with my decluttering numbers 😉 Although more pleased to learn that you still have all your ‘knitting gang’ members 🥳 You are obviously a great teacher 👏 Definitely up for another meet up ☺️ especially when the weather is warmer 😉 Shame about the ‘bodge jobs’ in DD’s house 😡 Whatever happened to trying to do as neat & safe a job as possible - just in case you can’t move out & make it someone else’s problem 😰 Well done the 4 of you for sorting out the issue with the floorboards 👏 Now I just need to send out lots of positive vibes that your DD will soon find both a plumber & an electrician 🤞That Indian takeaway sounds delicious 😋 DH & I were lucky enough to sample Indian food with no British influence when a friend took us to dinner & did all the ordering 😋 Sadly that was probably about 30 years ago & now I play it safe & only ever have a chicken korma although I do partake of various side dishes that have a bit more oomph 😉 

Florenceem, now that is taking liberties 😠 I hope you have managed to find out who it was 🤞

Brie, re This “I didn't seriously think you'd award me for thinking of decluttering!!  If you did then we'd all be Nobel prize winners!!! (assuming they gave a Nobel for decluttering of course)” you might not have thought it but I was seriously tempted 😂😉 As to This “I did however finally bin the foot sanding thingme that has been not working properly for the last year.  Why do I hang on to things that I know are well past their best and can't be passed on to someone else or repaired in any way? ……” you are not alone in hanging onto items that are broken 😉 

basketcase, very droll 😂 Although I might slightly amend the title to “Ho(o)vering at the Edge of Doom” 🤣 although I see Soontobeoap beat me to it 😊 That’s what comes of being behind on the cheerleading 😉

Excellent decluttering Spendywendywoo 👏 

Muddy_Walker, This “My tips for those with nasty illnesses that suck your energy is I keep a little box on the landing bookcase that I use for bringing more than 1 item downstairs and then anything that can be decluttered is….decluttered straight away! I then use the same box for taking things back upstairs.” is a brilliant tip - thanks for sharing 😊 As to This “Vulpix I refuse you permission to ever leave. I’m afraid that I count you as a very good virtual friend along with many others…….so you have to stay 😙😙😙” well said 👏 Decent decluttering numbers especially as you have been concentrating on frogs 👏 Sorry to hear that your terrarium is “not looking too happy” ☹️ Hopefully one of our Declutterati family will have some experience & can offer revival tips 🤞Congratulations on learning a new crochet stitch 😊

Wednesday2000, of course you would be welcome 🤗 Nothing planned as yet re the London meet up but I have made a note & will revisit soon 😊Great decluttering 👏

_Dolly_Rocker_ lovely cheerleading post 😊

Soontobeoap - great minds think alike ☺️

Florenceem, sounds great - I do hope the CS fulfils your vision 🙂 That does sound like better news about MrF especially if he is asking for his glasses 🙏 Everything crossed that the EEG results provide the information needed to make a diagnosis & start effective treatment 🤞Your daughter & son-in-law’s holiday sounds wonderful 🤩 The mystery person probably knows about all your work for SA but still a cheek to leave bags in your porch 😠 

Willowtree222, 🤩 to This “Unfortunately DD has an emotional attachment to everything. She can come up with a story of why it needs keeping for probably every item she owns!” I am not quite up to your DD’s standard but there are certain items that I find very difficult to let go 😉

QueenJess, very impressive action by your DD 👏 She definitely deserves a medal🏅 which is on its way 🙂 We can learn a lot from your DD 🥹

Florenceem, an excellent & successful afternoon of decluttering & all in the garage ready to be moved on 👏 Sorry to hear that your daughters have fallen out 😞 very inconsiderate of them when you are already going through so much ☹️

Lovely cheerleading post charlies_tribe 😊 Curious to know what DD1 comes up with for her daughter’s birthday party 🧐😅 Very pleased to hear that DGS is on the mend 😊

Excellent decluttering SuffolkSue 👏 Isn’t it great when something you read or hear strikes a chord & you are inspired 🥳 

MadamMim2013 what a lovely & considerate OH 🥹 Sounds like a perfect day 😍 

Excellent decluttering Happy_Kitties especially the neutral items 👏

Muddy_Walker, I thought it looked like a finger warmer 🙂

Well said daisy_1571 😊

Excellent decluttering suzeesu2000 👏 Glad to see that your sales going so well 😊

_Dolly_Rocker_ you are really good at cheerleading 😊

oceanspirit, great work & steady progress with your decluttering 👏

CRANKY40, thanks for the recommendation 👏 I have bookmarked her name & might even give learning to crochet one more try. 

Still didn’t quite catch up but I am close 😉 I am nodding off so will post & head off to bed. Sleep tight 😴

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 💐 💐 💐

DH Awards:

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 119/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

Dizzycap

I hope everyone has a great decluttering day!

Today's decluttering list:

Empty all bins & put household & recycling waste in wheelie bins.

Declutter cardboard packing leftovers & recyle.

Open snail mail: file & recycle

Collect free packaging boxes ready to send off sold decluttered items

Declutter / return unused medicine to chemist - medication changes

Schedule listings to sell decluttered items

Declutter several cups of coffee & a couple of biscuits in the morning.

Drop off small bag of decluttered items to local charity shop.

Put away clean clothes, bedding, and other items in their rightful place

Delete useless daily emails

Declutter inpost, Royal Mail, Evri Apps

Anything else I can think of decluttering

Florenceem

Mrs SD - I found out the mystery of bags left in my porch - a friend from my old Church who likes to support the SA. Everything is sorted and bagged ready to leave the house so won't be a long term resident.
Eldest daughter knew about her quarrelling sisters but didn't tell me so she was considerate. The squabble is still about not being invited for Christmas - I have told them - that was last year - in the past - get over it! I think menopause is partly to blame.
weenancyinAmerica - time to start thinking of you! You can't do as much as when you were younger - none of us can. You seem to do it all on your own - no need to feel guilty. I have sent a dm.
sqwiffy - welcome aboard. I struggle with waste, landfill and being a crafter - keeping stuff - I can use for something. We are all on a journey to have less in our homes. I had a big declutter in 2023 but things have built up again after me telling myself that I wouldn't reclutter. 
Going to have another cup of tea and do my upkeep jobs then go to the charity shop at 9.