+++ Divide By Cucumber Error. Please Reinstall Universe And Reboot +++

redofromstart

@badmemory I have to admit that it doesn't always work out with the tweaking. I used to have a copy of that book too, it eventually disintegrated from excessive use!

redofromstart

I am struggling again with overwhelm because of the sheer scale of everything that needs to be done. I was reminded that I have sorted this problem before and that I had documented it via the Flylady thread all those years ago.

Back in 2006 I lived in a very messy and cluttered tiny terraced house with the OH, part time teenage stepsons, two toddlers plus the inevitable animals. When we outgrew the space it had to be tidy to sell and I spent many months decluttering and tidying, and I achieved that thing of legend on the flylady thread in those days, a house that was completely clean and free of clutter. I kept it that way till it sold as well. I tracked my triumphant post down:

I may be 20 years older but this time I am not having to work round a part time job, navigate the resident hoarders views on 'stuff', or try to balance the needs of various children and a dog. I can do this. I want to do this. I do not ever ever want to live again surrounded by stuff. I have a vision and now I need an achievable plan.

On which basis this week I have:

Watched an episode of S0rt Y0ur Life out daily whilst hard clearing an area

Cleared the patio of plants, plant pots, random things left by cats, etc

Taken lots of ancient electrical things for recycling

Rehomed several things via the village free page

Made some major inroads on tidying the garden and spring pruning

I have been utterly ruthless. It feels good.

KajiKita

I’m admiring your focus. 👏 Wish I could do the same … 😉

KK

beanielou

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81930054#Comment_81930054

Well done you.

Cheery_Daff

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81930068#Comment_81930068

Also very much admiring your focus (and impressed at you finding a specific post from 20 years ago 😂).

I'm feeling drawn to a spring declutter too, and even Mr Cheery (who is a complete magpie) has expressed a desire to do 'Oy-pril' again (apparently 'oy out' is a phrase meaning 'to throw things away' - I am pretty sure he made this up himself although he insists he didn't. We did make up Oy-pril though😂)

Anyway, I shall join you in some decluttering and spring cleaning. You may have seen I've started on my bathroom drawers 😬 I am working round a job though so may not make as much progress as you 😬 But I shall be cheering you on! 😊

Sun_Addict

You’ve definitely come a long way in the past year or so. Mr SA is a hoarder and it’s a constant battle to make him part with anything. Well done on making inroads into the clutter, every bit that goes is a step forward. Well done!

Cherryfudge

I've come across 'hoying' things, as in 'She hoyed the rubbish'. I expect it's regional which, in my family, means Lancashire or London.

You're doing an amazing job - and it's lovely to see your post from all those years ago!

redofromstart

last night ended up with early Epsom salts bath which took the edge off the ouch.

Todays plan in order of priority:

Shift the cars off the drive as it is being repaired and resealed today

Do some washing and change bedding

Work out what I am feeding tonight's visitor with and make a list of things I need help with tomorrow

Do the very outstanding admin OATS before I put a new planner up in the kitchen (dentist and bank account)

S&S of kitchen, bathrooms and hoover

And if I have any energy left sort the outdoor stuff that is still all over the Snug. I think it is all rehome stuff now.

Maybe spring clean the summer house so I can start sitting up there again.

KajiKita

Please prioritise the summer house a little further up that list, so you have a nice 'you' space 😊

KK

greenbee

Good idea to get the summerhouse sorted so you can escape all the work you're doing in the actual house. Well done on getting motivated again.