2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

Floss

daisy_1571 said:

B@q partner have an offer just now of home delivery of 10 packs of chipboard loft boards but its a bit more expensive than if you just want a couple of packs and can pick them up yourself (£40 delivery charge basically so check what your proper b@q locally would charge for delivery).  Single packs are £15 and if you don't mind osb its only £13 a pack.  They are fine in all respects unless you want the smoother chipboard which is much easier to slide boxes over.

Separate the packs out downstairs (you get 3 boards in each pack) and hand each board up individually.   They are tongue and groove so you can organise them around the hatch in a pattern to suit the things you want to store.  Its the kind of thing you can do piecemeal getting a pack a month to spread the costs out and stop when you have done as much as you want

Dxx

Thanks Daisy, this is something I want to ask Youngest to do for me, now my roof doesn't leak!

grandmanerd

Decluttered 1 mess (you don't want to know) and returned 8 bags to the food delivery driver. 9 items added so 16/2026 is my current total.  The returned bags may not seem important but when sorting before Christmas (still trying to get things rehoused after renovations) I found more then 30 bags in 3 separate piles - I'd obviously gathered and started to get them in one bag to be collected and then the bag had been lost in the 'swamp' of stuff. I need to re-establish the habit of rounding them up as the food is put away and hanging by the door until the next delivery (they give me 10p per bag back in credit).

I'm also working on putting food away as soon as possible. I had 2 food deliveries yesterday. The one done a week ago (not paying £7 for delivery) was half food and half from the 'home' sale (hankies, wooden washing up brushes and plastic containers - recently had a 3kg paper bag of porridge oats delivered and was terrified it will fall off or get attacked by weevils). I attempted getting the delivery into the kitchen (only the ice cream went away) but lifting left me out of breath (trying to go too fast) and I went dizzy bending to pick bags up so I got my broom and pushed the bags through to the kitchen (new skill to be added to my list of 'hacks').

Most of the food has been unpacked. I tidied the fridge first, evicted a couple of pre-Christmas items (yoghurt dip with added mint, made with ancient yoghurt) and listed the contents as I went. The older stuff is nearly all in the fridge door (2 baked potatoes were consumed).

I had a shower and washed my hair yesterday. Hair washing is an 'extra' - tasks I can only manage on 'good' days. Still feel wobbly but reminded myself that a week ago I was holding onto any available handles to get myself in and out of the shower and whilst standing. 

I made a minimal to do list for yesterday, only half done. Today I will start 'gentle sorting'. Mrs Builder and I did a full room sweep of the front room. Rubbish was binned and useful items kept but there is a mix of pens, diy, small toys etc. I have brought through several long wooden trays and want to sit with the useful items and divide them into categories. Lots of pills, pens, scissors etc are already on my trolley (a 'raskog') which will function as a bedside table - it's on wheels so can be by the bed at night and by my chair in the daytime.

I want to put a kallax unit under my new sofa bed to give more support. This is a heavy duty task and probably will not happen today but sometime in the next week/ by the end of the month. If I do a good job of sorting and can make more space (the bottom 2 tiers of the trolley have some space and moving all the small boxes across will free up some chairs) hopefully I might be able to move some of the books and filled boxes (3 are bedding for the bed including the new duvet cover and pillowcases).

I have found a list of 5 minute habits so will pick the ones most useful to me and adopt them.

GrannyKate

A quick post.  Celebrating the departure of the mattress which has sat in garage 4-5 months.  DS2 came early this morning and put it against front garden wall and the council had collected it by the time I got back from school drop off and shopping.  Had to do a shop as children here unexpectedly early so stocked up on detergent etc which was on offer at Mr M.  I had to get another charging cable as DGD4's new phone is different. I have a meeting at 1 in town but may pop to M&S on the way.  Not so cold now although road is very slippery.  

This week's plans have gone to pot but that's life. I've managed to stick to diet for first week and I'm ahead on the 1p challenge. A more useable loft ladder and possibly some boarding are on my list for this year.  Next week I will contact builder about plaster in bedroom 3.  I asked DGS4 if he would part with any of his plushies etc but he said no - he has an equal number at both parent's homes!  I also need to order remaining furniture for bedroom 2.  

64 Mattress has gone - too damaged to rehome

maggiem

Long time reader. So sorry to read about Mr F, sending condolences to Florenceem. I hope her family and SAfamily re helping and supporting her. 

QueenJess

Condolences to Florenceem.  We will look forward to her posts whenever she feels able to return.

I am attempting to keep on top of everything (even with work being busy).  I'm sure it'll all fall apart at some point  I give myself the task of dealing with/putting away 10 things every day that otherwise get ignored.  Hopefully stops piles of stuff appearing.

I received some little wooden drawers in the post this morning as my cupboard of general stuff felt a bit random and inefficient for the space with loads of little cardboard boxes.  I opened the parcel immediately and filed it all away rather than my usual procrastination.  The cupboard feels loads better now and I can keep like things together and find stuff a bit more easily.

Every time I open a drawer or cupboard I've been casting my eye over the contents for a few seconds to see if there is anything in there that isn't being used.  If not, why not, can it be used from now or will I never use it?  Hopefully it means everything will get used and if not, it can be ejected from the house.  Again, just a tactic to maintain what I have and stop things building up.  Lots of things destined to be used up for sure, but that is going to be a long game!

A few more bits gone and paper will take a hit whilst I'm busy at work as I think on paper and take a lot of notes (just as well I have a big pile of paper to reuse!):

Digital:
1 - filed emails deleted

Physical:
1 - expired medication (back to chemist)
1 - paper, reused then recycled
1 - gift wrap that couldn’t be saved (recycled)

New total 53
Use it up total 24

Ooh - just noticed I've reached my first target already!

Brie

Floss said:

BlueJ94 said:

Quick one, I have two store accounts open next at £300 and Very £1050, nothing owed on either. Would you close them or keep them open?

Close them down, even though you aren't using them they are effectively holding that value in your available credit.

Agree - this might stop you from getting other offers of credit of various sorts.  Also - if you buy something from Next or Very using a credit card instead you likely have more protection should your items not arrive. 

Matty246

Delurking to offer my condolences to Florencem. No-one could have given more care.

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 oil 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

Wednesday is a bright sunny day although it rained during the early hours. High of 5°C (feeling 6° colder due to a gusting W wind) & a low of 2°C. Back to normal with household waste collection which was this morning & they even managed to leave the black sack in place 🙂 I got up very late so have fallen further behind with the cheerleading but I will keep plugging away. Starting with posts dated the 3rd:

grandmanerd, sorry to hear that you are still suffering from the lurgy 😔 Great  work clearing the fridge 👏  I like the idea of ‘identifying problems’ which are roadblocks to the smooth running of day to day life 🙂 Good luck especially with the paperwork 🍀   

boultdj, the cheese & tomato pasties sound yummy but sadly I missed out ☹️ A cake made using lime marmalade 🤤 but I will probably miss out again 😉

Fizz2015, you can absolutely count finishing an assignment as decluttering 😊 Well done 👏 & good luck with the rest of the studying & assignments for your Project Management qualification 🍀

Deb4, great work decluttering receipts & emails 👏 & well done on the selling 👏

pavlovs_dog, well done on tackling the candle making 👏 Remember it might not make a huge difference towards physical decluttering but it makes a huge difference to your mental well-being ☺️

vulpix, for being easily distracted you don’t half get a lot done 😉 Sounds like MrV was correct about the fire surround not fitting IN the car 😉 but pleased to hear that you managed to get it home 😊 English oak, never been painted - you have discovered a real gem 🤩

Jellybaby, sounds like DS1 is also on board with decluttering 😊 he has obviously been inspired by you ☺️

Pennypincin, good work starting the charity bag 👏 Being mindful of what is coming in will definitely help to keep the clutter down 😊

Welcome aboard the EDT I_love_comps 👋 A good start to your decluttering campaign 👏

EcoIntent, you might have more coming in than going out at the moment but all the items sound useful 😊 Good luck with your ‘low buy’ project 🍀 

One page caught up & time for another cuppa. I hope everyone is having as good a day as possible & keeping both warm & dry 🤞

MrsSD Awards: 💐🙏💐

DH Awards:

DSis Awards: 

Decluttering Target 2026: 35/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £0

florianatwobob

@Fizz2015 as one PM to another if you ever want to bounce ideas around my inbox is open. 😉

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 oil 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

Wednesday continued: DH is finally up - he has been watching the Test match so not coming to bed until 07:00 or so 😉 Although he has filled the bird feeders 😉 Back to it: 

GrannyKate, I loved This “Got off to a slow start as I overslept and woke up at 9.15.” I dream of 09:15 being a slow start to my day 🤣 Thank you so much for sharing such an inspiring story about your educational journey 👏 Also a huge thank you for your very warm welcome to the new members of our Declutterati Family 🥹 💐 I still haven’t got around to writing my comprehensive ‘To Do List’ but will try not to stress about it until I have caught up with the cheerleading 😉 🤞What a stunning start to your 2026 Decluttering Campaign 🤩 I will keep my fingers crossed that DS2 turns up soon to put the boxes in the loft 🤞

Happy_Kitties, I have made a note of your targets & am already polishing up the medals & gold stars 😅 Talk about a stupendous start to your Neutrals decluttering - already a tenth of the way to your target in the first 3 days of the new year 🤩👏 If you keep that up you will be done by the 2nd of February 😉

Of course you can join in Esmeralda2662 😊 Welcome aboard the EDT & well done on managing to catch it, as it is moving so fast 👏 Good luck with your ‘clutter redistribution’ 🍀

Moorviews, love the idea of you & DH “sneaking up on the loft” 😅 It has definitely worked as you have both made an excellent start 👏 I am assuming you adopted the same tactic in the kitchen 😉, as you have made a great start there as well 👏

Great decluttering QueenJess 👏 & very impressed that the packaging is already out of the house & at its final destination 😊 I will let you off the ‘recluttering’ but just this once 😉 as I know that everything will get used 🙂

Excellent work sorting out the pan drawer CRANKY40 👏 Good luck with the remaining kitchen cupboards etc 🍀 Also good luck to DS with his revision 🍀 

purplevamp, steady progress 👏 Remember decluttering/redistribution is a marathon not a sprint 😉 I will keep my fingers crossed that either the working drill or the charger for the other drill come out out of hiding 🤞 As to the dressing gown, please send it back 🙏 you deserve better than a dressing gown with too long sleeves. 

Another page done & ready to post 🙂

MrsSD Awards: 💐🙏💐

DH Awards:

DSis Awards: 

Decluttering Target 2026: 35/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £0