2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

Yorkie1

Doing some tidying up of paperwork, but not making many effective decisions about getting rid of stuff I haven't looked at for years.

Moved some things around on some shelves. Theoretically, there should be the same amount of shelf space … but somehow it's taking up more space!!!

Thoroughly enjoying the grand prix highlights too 😊

weenancyinAmerica

Winter is having a strange ending here - it will be 32C for the next five days! Hopefully it will cool off for Spring. It is really hard to declutter in this heat. Mostly I have been reading alternating with crocheting. Have 2 MRIs on Tuesday - one of my neck and one of my lower spine. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to tell if the surgery will work and I can get back to walking or at least moving around a bit more. It is really hard to clean fingerprints off of walls when you can only stand up for two minutes at a time. I want to move boxes around, putting small books and CDs on my paperback shelves, to clear off part of the other bookshelves so I can get a couple of boxes of books unloaded onto the taller shelves. Then I will be able to decide which books to sell and which ones to give away. I already have ten boxes of books ready to sell, will divide them between Amazon, e-Bay, and Abe books. I am still taking a bag or two of books to the library every week. This week is our book sale so I am going to try and take some other things as well - mugs, puzzles, etc. but I will need help getting them down. Halfway through March already and don't feel I have accomplished much. Mrs. S_D, I am making my first crocheted hat in class and it is almost done. Only ten rows left to go, then sewing it up. The teacher is going to help make a pom-pom for the top next week.

Hope everyone can stay sane, dry, and warm over there. Wish I could share the heat with everyone.

QueenJess

Apologies for being very far behind in this thread (25 pages behind!), but work is crazy right now, so I shall probably continue to be intermittent until things hopefully calm down slightly in mid April. I do come bearing hm apple and blackberry crumble with custard in the tlc carriage though :)

As I've felt out of control work wise, it makes me want to simplify the rest of my life as much as possible. I continue with a battle to reduce apps on my phone as generally I prefer not to really use it much bar texting/phone anyway, but still seem to struggle with deleting things (partly because too much seems to require an app). I can't get the kids into swimming or myself into the office without an app 🙄. It's a bit of a work in progress. At the same time, I've been asking myself if I really need to see an email for every one that comes in. If I can eliminate it that's great, if I can't but don't need to see it I've been setting up automated rules to send it straight to the bin so I don't even need to click the delete button.

I've set up shelves in DS's room so he can display his stuff and it isn't on the floor. That's it now - there is no more space and I've made it clear to DS that it's all the room he can ever have. As a result he's considering whether to sell some of his less used things (yay!) to then buy things he wants.

I am making feeble progress with clearing down the freezer. I wanted to get it low enough by around Easter to defrost, but it is still full. I did spend every lunchtime this week using something from the freezer, but as it was only me at home, progress was limited. We are on holiday soonish though and get back on a Monday (shopping is done on a Sat). I'm going to see if we can just not shop until the Sat in the hope I can get some things cleared down (and also helps the finances).

I have been so busy I've not tidied the house for weeks. Just now I went around dealing with stuff I have put off for ages. Probably spent 30 mins and the house is so tidy now. Could never have done that before the big declutter I did in the last few years and is a big incentive to keep clutter free! In fact, I am about to sit down with a massive stack of cooking magazines I picked up free to see which ones I actually want and which I don't. I won't get through them all now, but I am trying to sort through them regularly so I just end up with the recipes I really want to keep. When I have too many I get overwhelmed.

I have of course been keeping track of the decluttering in this time… lots to declare:

Digital:
5 - emails unsubscribed from
7 - online accounts deleted
12 - emails rules to automate certain emails to the bin
8 - apps deleted
2 - notes deleted
3 - text conversations deleted

Physical:
18 - paper reused then recycled
1 - DD paperwork recycled
1 - OOD medicine (back to chemist)
1 - magazine I don’t want (Buy Nothing pile)
1 - gift wrap supplies used up
4 - unneeded DS furniture/accessories (Buy Nothing)
15 - DS clothes grown out of
1 - craft supplies used up
8 - DS tat (charity shop)
6 - packaging reused
6 - freezer overstock used up
2 - books (charity box)
1 - DD clothing completely used up (recycling at tip)
2 - bathroom supplies used up
7 - DS tat sold

New total 820
Use it up total 244

Hugs to anyone that needs it. Sorry for being awol!

weenancyinAmerica

@QueenJess - I am going to climb into the TLC - apple and blackberry crumble with custard is my favorite. Everywhere I would go when I was traveling, I would order it to see how they compared. My favorite was at a pub near Paddington Station in London.

Brie

yet another take on how to declutter - the move out method. I don't think it's that different from some others - basically look at something and decide whether you'd take the time to wrap it up to take it with you when you move. What I do like is the idea that if something is of value then treat it well. So all those electrics that are a tangled mess, straighten them out so you can actually use them when you need them. BTW - the title is a lie - like anything this is going to take more than an hour.

The 'move out' method cleared my living room clutter in under an hour – here's why it works

Yorkie1

Good luck with the scans @weenancyinAmerica

Well done for achieving that, @QueenJess

If anyone wants something to watch in the next few days, The Importance of Being Ernest from the National Theatre is free on You Tube until about the middle of the week, I think. Can highly recommend it! It starts a little weird, but then becomes what you'd expect. Very well acted and funny.

Floss

Thanks Yorkie1, I've subscribed to YT 😊

dND

@weenancyinAmerica I feel for you; I only have mild back pain that I can control with rest and occasional painkillers, (most of the time). I do hope all goes well with your MRI's and a successful outcome can be found.

Today was a much better day. 😁 The shingles jab side effects added to what I was already feeling and poleaxed me a bit yesterday. Some anti-inflammatory/pain relief last night meant a good night's sleep for the first time for a few days, even after a 2 hour 'nap' after my lunch yesterday. Thankfully with the daylight hours being longer now there is time to get stuff done both sides of my recovery naps.

That said I managed to refill 2.5 of my garden waste bags and made a good inroad into the rear hedge to remove yet more bramble. The wood heap is reduced as well: I now have to figure out where I can dry out all the rotten bits of old fence that will have to go to my son's tip. I though about moving batches of it into the greenhouse but it's so full of slugs and snails that I really don't want to introduce into the greenhouse area as my seedlings are starting to go in there.

Today I decided to take it a bit slower so started to put up the shelves. Hm, the repurposed wood isn't working. It doesn't have enough integral strength so sags under its own weight and because it has to span windows, extra brackets are not an option. So, back to looking at solid wood it is but I do have 2 pieces of painted wood that I'm sure will eventually be useful in a non load-bearing place. 😁

I then tackled one of those 'get round to it' jobs. Whenever I buy plants I put the packet/label in a bag as I want the picture so I can identify the plant in the garden and to remember what I've bought/planted. The bag was full to bursting! I've now listed all the plants on a spreadsheet, removed all the plastic bulb packaging on the back of the cardboard packaging of the plants and put the cardboard bit, (the pictures), in plastic wallets and filed them in a folder. That, along with all the seed catalogues that I'd also thrown in the bag, half filled a paper recycling bag and a black bag!!! 😱 Overall only a moderate reclamation of space but the file will take more in the future and the tidiness of it feels much better. It made me feel I wasn't slacking while watching the GP highlights. 🤣

As for tomorrow, who knows. I think it's due to rain here - surprise, surprise 😁- which is why I end up working too long in the garden on the days it doesn't rain.

On a positive note, way back last June/July, my doctor mentioned something about get me a bone scan. I'd long forgotten about it but an appointment came through on Saturday for 10 days time. I'm intrigued as to what it's going to show. 😁

Hugs to all that want them and love to you all. Dxx

Florenceem

J helped me move my Horn table into the garage.

I have taken photos and put a wardrobe on Freegle - 2 people have asked about it - One said about dismantling it - I am not sure it is meant to be taken apart.

My Sil picked me up and all the bits for my daughter. We had a lovely meal - most I have eaten since I lost Mr F. I have been invited there on Easter Sunday.

My youngest son came round with wife and children.

I didn't hear from my eldest son and no card - most unusual.

Decluttered - tub of glitter glue, decopatch glue, glasses chain, post office prices leaflet, bookcase x 3, paper, wipes, box of card x 3, pack of paper, 2007 diary, envelope x 2 + lots of dust bunnies.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Daily To Do List - written the night before
2. Sort out sleep patterns - initial targets: bed by 03:00, up by 10:30
3. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc.
4. Commence ‘Operation Financial Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter
5. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed
6. Plan & Execute ONE Major Project - 2026 New Bathroom
7. Target 2026 items out

Sunday is a dull overcast day & very windy. Forecast high is 12°C (feeling 7° colder due to a strong SW wind) with a low of 3°C 

Forgot to mention that there is a new series of Sort Your Life Out - 2nd episode is on Tuesday 8.00 pm BBC1. 

487 Cardboard packaging recycled

488 - 489 DSis bedroom & lr detritus - binned

It has rained on & off from 17:00 to 22:00 😞 

GrannyKate what a lovely Saturday 🥹 I love that you & DD went out & left DSiL at home working 🙊 Then dinner at DS2’s 🥹 I do hope you have enough vases for all your flowers ☺️

vulpix, I am with you - “petticoat” is such a lovely word & takes me right back to my younger days 🥹 I think you should definitely treat yourself to some new pillows ☺️ DH & I are so pleased that we treated ourselves 😊

Florenceem, more excellent work by both you & J 👏 A pity that you couldn’t find the jar of curry sauce ☹️ Hope you have a lovely time at your daughter’s house 😊

Excellent work oceanspirit 👏 Remember a slower pace means no mistakes 😊 Very pleased to hear This “The food deliveries were so much easier to put away now there is more space and the systems for using things in the right order are working well.” ☺️

Yorkie1, well done on at least tackling the paperwork 👏 even though you are not making as much headway as you would like 😉 As to the reorganisation of the shelves, I imagine that everything is more easily visible & accessible 😊

I stopped here to make dinner - finished off the bolognaise sauce with conchiglie. Wudupa.

490 - 492 Kitchen recycling, plastic bottle, drinks cans - recycled 

493 - 494 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned 

weenancy, that certainly is an odd end to winter - 5 days at 32°C 🥵 I do hope you can spend time somewhere with air conditioning 🤞Firstly good luck with the scans 🍀 I will be praying that the doctor will confirm that an operation will have a positive  outcome & that you will have someone who can look after you whilst you recover 🙏  I will also be keeping my fingers crossed that you can enlist some help with putting books on shelves so you can start selling and or donating. them 🤞 Wishing you every success with your current selection of books for sale ☺️ A Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way for the regular weekly donations of books to the library 😊 Good luck with this months book sale 🍀 I am putting in a request for a photo of your first crocheted hat once it is completed 😊 Don’t forget to pop into the TLC Carriage 😊

Lovely to see you QueenJess 👋 Sorry to hear that work is so busy/hectic ☹️ Thankfully, despite it being her favourite, weenancy did save me some apple & blackberry crumble & custard 😋 Good luck with your continuing efforts to reduce the Apps on your phone 🍀 Excellent decluttering 👏 with your new total of 820 I am awarding 3 more Gold Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️  I am keeping everything crossed that DS will sell some of his less used things 🤞 & then decide that he prefers having a little more space on his shelves & in his room rather than buying new items 🙏  Very impressed that all your hard work over the years is being rewarded by being able to tidy up so quickly 🥳🤩 Good luck with both decluttering the cooking magazines & using up freezer contents 🍀

Brie, thanks for the link 👏 I have saved it and will read later 🙂 

dND, so pleased to hear that you got a good nights sleep & felt a lot better today ☺️ More excellent work in the garden 👏 & very impressive work sorting out the plant labels & pictures 🤩 deserves a medal 🏅 which is on its way 🙂 What a pity that the repurposed wood didn’t work as intended  ☹️ but hopefully you will find a use for it 🤞Hope the bone scan goes well 🙏

Florenceem, very pleased to hear that you had a lovely day & that you managed to eat a good meal 🥹 I am hoping that this is is the start of your appetite returning 🙏More excellent decluttering 👏

Sleep tight 😴 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2026: 494/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £73.00