2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

dND

@Moorviews I have some of that primer as last resort. As you say, expensive hence trying the cheaper options first 😁

@weenancyinAmerica I hope your computer woes are sorted soon. I get bereft when mine dies as it's a filing system, spell checker, fountain of knowledge etc all in one place even though I have the equivalent hard copy items as well; it's just so convenient. 🤣

It's a lovely overcast morning with the temperature currently around 20C and not rising as I look at the thermometer. The breeze is minimal at the moment so the house isn't cooling as fast as I would like it to. I should be raring to go with the reduction in temperature but somehow I just feel deflated at the moment. I guess what I'm waiting for is a bit of rain. I know that I won't be able to do much in the rain but it will clean and freshen the air. I've really begun to notice how dirty my face is at the end of the day and I guess it's because with all the wildfires hear and on the continent the air is full of fine soot and ash particles that hopefully will be washed out of the air when it does finally rain.

Hugs to those who want and love to you all. Dxx

QueenJess

@Florenceem I think I missed what was happening whilst I was not online for a while and had to read back to understand. Hugs for you and your son.

I tried to inspire myself with some kitchen decluttering videos, then some kitchen minimalist tours. The former ones I felt stressed at the sheer amount of stuff in their ginormous kitchens and the latter I thought they had loads of stuff still! I do have a cupboard with "pending items in" for the kitchen to see if I miss them.

As it's overwhelming to make all the decisions for an area, I've decided to challenge myself today and go through every drawer, shelf and cupboard in my house and try to remove just one thing (excluding the kids and DH's stuff of course). Once I've chosen the thing, I can move to the next.

Just did the bedroom and the ensuite and it was a bit draining still to do, as although some areas were easy, others had a lot less in and I had to answer some tough questions! Managed to find something in every area though and now will tidy up the room a bit before moving to the next area. The bedroom doesn't feel noticeably different, although it's shown me how much I still have and I feel better for having done something.

Digital:
2 - notes deleted

Physical:
Bags and packaging
1 - packaging reused

Kitchen stuff
5 - recipe books (charity bag)
2 - kitchen containers recycled

Books and Paperwork
1 - paper, reused then recycled

Clothes/wardrobe etc
1 - bra completely stretched out (recycled)
1 - pair of leggings that fit and are fine, but I honestly never reach for them and not worn for >1 year (charity bag)
1 - PJ bottoms that ride up my leg every time I wear them and annoy me - this is a challenging one as I only had two pairs… will see how that works out! (charity bag)
1 - pin badge I don’t wear (charity bag)
1 - hair band I don’t like (binned)
1 - guarantee certificate (recycled)
1 - jumper I haven’t worn for years, no longer my style (charity bag)
1 - dress I don’t wear (charity bag)
1 - gym top I don’t wear (charity bag)
1 - winter dress I didn’t wear last winter (charity bag)

Bathroom stuff
1 - bathroom supplies used up
1 - empty packet (recycled)
1 - random thing fallen off something unspecified… (binned)

Random stuff
1 - glasses repair kit never used (charity bag)
1 - cardboard packaging (recycled)

New total 5,328
Use it up total 730

florianatwobob

DSis and I had an early morning start in the garden today.

The garden recycling is being collected today so we wanted to make sure we fully demonstrated our appreciation of the bin men 😉Fairly sure they’ll be cursing us as the bin is full - the wisteria has gone bonkers with this weather. Fortunately next door were in the garden and kindly passed over the ends of some of the tendrils making pruning easier.

The awning has finally been hoisted and DBro2 appeared, as if by magic, tokens a hand. He spent many years camping etc so is an expert in such things.

Part bag of bark chippings spread over a small flower bed and DSis dragged the other bag up the garden where that will be distributed once the bed is weeded. It’s currently like concrete.

More strawberry runners pinned out with the hairpins.

QueenJess

Wow, it's hot. I only operate between temperatures of 15 and 25 degrees 😂

Feeling overwhelmed this afternoon and it's just too hot in my kitchen (south facing with the glass patio doors), so I decluttered one thing and escaped out of there! Part of the overwhelm is because I need to tidy rather than declutter, so I decided to try and tidy up 10 things in each room. I did the bedroom and the library, which are now so much tidier (not perfect) and as usual I found more things to go whilst I was putting things away. So yes, I chop and change methods all the time and it is completely up to how I feel in the moment :) But any progress is progress, so whatever works!

Might venture back downstairs later..

I got a huge box with my one casserole dish I ordered and I've almost filled the whole thing with charity stuff, which also cleared the library significantly as it's the holding place for things exiting the house. Once it's full it moves to DH's room as it's his job to physically remove them from the house.

Kitchen stuff
1 - baking beads (fantasy self item, despite the fact I’m not a big fan of pastry as a rule and I’ve never used them!)(Buy Nothing)
1 - recipe book (charity bag)
1 - recipe card (recycled)

Books and Paperwork
4 - paperwork (recycled/shredded)

Clothes/wardrobe etc
1 - jeans I never wear (charity bag)
1 - jogging bottoms completely worn through (already sewn up multiple times as I love them)(tip tile)
1 - bra that isn’t comfortable (recycled)

Random stuff
1 - empty packet (recycled)
1 - magazine (recycled)

New total 5,340
Use it up total 731

I also saw a You Tuber earlier who said they found the kitchen the hardest place to declutter as well (despite loads of others saying it wasn't sentimental so it was the best place), so we aren't alone! I need to collect up the remaining cookbooks at some point and decide which ones to keep as I think I have lots that overlap with each other, but I find it so hard to get rid of them despite the fact I'm pretty sure I only use 2-3 of them on repeat. I shall never be parting with Paul Hollywood's Bake book - it's my bread making bible!

Happy_Kitties

@vulpix i was so sorry to read about Fomo, i always say when we lose an animal, they always take a little piece of our heart with them.

I hope Mr V is getting better with the cellulitis, i had it with my recent stint when going into hospital but because of being on another planet with the sepsis and a lack of feeling from the spinal damage, i have no idea to this day what cellulitis is like. Currently having compression bandaging for the lymphoedema who also now monitor for cellulitis.

@Florenceem i cannot imagine what you are going through, such a tough time for you. My thoughts are with you.

13 items sold on Vinted = a total of 180 items decluttered

3 x rags worse for wear from outside storage (which is now falling apart)-binned

1 x rusty paintbrush - binned

1 x rusty roller holder- recycling

1 bag of soft plastics taken to supermarket recycling point

1 bag of coffee pods also taken for recycling

1 frog dealt with

large amounts of cardboard into recycling

=189 total number of items decluttered so far

TC77

So some more unsubscribing and have made a list of frogs for the weekend. Emails, phone calls, cards, digital transfer 36! Have written 2 cards which i'll count as from.my stash.

Can't access one drive so don't have somw photos and many copies of others. Oct is earmarked for real photo decluttering now just hoping to not lose any and create space for taking more !

Also have some social activities so need to focus tomorrow.

Looking forward to cooler weather !

EnergyShifter

Day off today. Up & out early before it got too hot. Returned 2 x items to Amazon.

Continuing working in the garden - i've taken things easier for the last couple of days. In spite of the heat was able to potter about at the end of the garden as its shady down there.

I've stopped counting items decluttered as I am so focused on the garden - with the exception of a dead solar light, mostly things out have been green waste. Pretty much everything that has been coming in has been garden-focused - a few hand tools and the cute tool-cabinet.

I really do need to face work admin tomorrow. I'm off work next week so maybe tomorrow I could focus on making a "to-do list".

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend ☀️

vulpix

Thank you Happy Kitties, I hope you are on the mend too. I am making goods for your charity collection, though much slower than last year. When are they needed for? I have forgotten.

I hope you manage to resolve your computer issue Wee Nancy. I know how much work you use it for.

I take too much on and over extend myself. I am very tired and I ache. Been painting most of the day. I will have to get up early tomorrow to give the bunk bed parts another coat of paint. It is paint I have had mixed, it isn't impressing me with it's coverage. I do like the colour though, a very deep red. I didn't count on having to do so many coats of paint.

My stepson will be here mid morning tomorrow. Mr V and SS will take a big planter with plants to my friends house in the next town. Me n Mr V couldn't lift it. Hopefully that will give the bunk bed parts more time to dry. I also need to take down the pictures in the room and touch up some scuffs on the walls before the bunk bed goes in.

Soft plastics recycled today.

Queen Jess, I found the kitchen the hardest to declutter. Cooking and hosting a re my love language, plus I had fantasy hosting tendencies. Shortbread press anyone?

Vx

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

Friday is another scorcher with a high of 34°C feeling 1°warmer due to NW wind & a low of 21°C It has been way too hot 🥵 to do anything requiring brain power let alone physical power 😉 DSis had her current favourite Friday meal of tuna pasta bake whilst DH & I had salmon fillets, boiled potatoes & tomato salad. Wudupa

1377 - 1380 Kitchen recycling, glass bottle, plastic bottle, 0.5” paperwork - recycled 

1381 Kitchen detritus binned 

dND, it is surprising how quickly my brain is turning to mush in the heat 🙁 Hopefully the weather forecast is correct & it will start cooling down from Saturday 🤞 Well done on solving the issue with the sooty garage wall 👏 & good luck with the rest of the garage renovations 🍀 I will keep everything crossed that the Tip run goes ahead on Monday so that you can start your work in the garage 🤞 Looks like you had a wonderful time on Wednesday ☺️ not only seeing the eclipse but also seeing a meteor 🤩 Like you I miss seeing the Milky Way 😔 it was always a highlight of visiting my parents & then my DSis when they had the house in SW France. 

Miss_BaLu, it was very hot here too & never really got cool 🥵 

Brie, I googled the words & came up with this Nelly “Hot in Herre” - is that the one 🤨 

florianatwobob, the freezer in the shed must be working really hard to cope with 38° temperatures 😧 

suzeesu2000, an asbestos check seems very odd 🤨 Yikes to the phishing on your debit card 😱 hopefully it is all sorted out now 🙏 Not quite sure I would be up for a curry in this hot weather 😉

weenancy, sorry to hear that your computer is kaput 😞 A new computer is an expense I imagine you could do without 😞 Love your resourcefulness in getting back online 😊 Fingers crossed that the forecasters are correct & temperatures will go down 🤞 & I imagine some rain would probably be rather nice as well 😉

Finally starting to feel sleepy so will head off to bed & finish the cheerleading later today. Sleep tight 😴 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️⭐️🎖️🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️😇🏅💐🌻💐💐🌻🥇 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐️ 🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅

Decluttering Target 2026: 1381/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £297.61

SpikyHedgehog

Sitting down to eat an apple and drink a bottle of cold water.

I've been in the garden for a couple of hours. Watered the pots, filled the bird baths. Removed the junk from on top of the bench, so it's now usable. Filled the empty garden waste wheely bin with small dry sticks from the buddleia, trimmings from the cotoneaster and yellow jasmine. Dead headed lavender, rose and cut out the dead bits of hebe. Oh, and swept the path. The goal of cutting stuff back today was to expose Elder Son's stuff in the garden, to minimise "Well, I couldn't see it so I forgot about it"... 🙄

2 loads of washing on the line, 3rd in the machine. We have light rain forecast today, which I will believe when I see it. But I've brought the clothes horse holding the sofa cover back into the kitchen in case.

Elder Son had got a unit downstairs but couldn't fit it in the car, so he'd left it in front of the small sofa. So we moved it yesterday and it's now where the dog bed used to be, in front of the radiator and window. Some of the stuff on it is his, but some is not...

Today's plan is to put the cushion covers back on big sofa, finish turning up the last curtain (for now) for Elder Son, and deal with the not- his stuff on his unit. Various bits of his are appearing as I put the washing up away, etc, so I need the space on the unit to fill with his stuff 😁.