2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

Willowtree222

The clothing's bins had been emptied so the bin bags were given to them this morning.

I then remembered to take batteries to the supermarket so that was another small bag of things removed from the house. I always forget batteries so this feels like an achievement for me.

I found a huge box of unopened pencil crayons as well hidden behind the office desk. DD already has hundreds so these will be donated to her scouts group tonight. They are desperate for things. 

suzeesu2000

Afternoon all.

Its a day for being indoors as its pretty miserable out there today.

@London_1 - Jackie have you tried selling your CDs on one of the buying sites? They arrange collection as well. You might not get much individualy but it soon adds up. 

I have tackled the inaccesible cupboard - wasn't anywhere as bad as I thought it would be. I now know exactly whats in it and its easier to get to.

Moved the soup mugs to a better cupboard. 

Decluttered 2 china soup mugs which we dont use as they were chipped. Found a broken bowl which is now in bin.

Decluttered a stack of CDs & cassettes for CS - only have a few so not worth selling.

Decluttered a small plastic drawer unit that was on the counter holding CDs, cassettes & scales. Freed up space on counter which is always a win.

CDs & cassettes I am keeping are now corralled into one of the small drawers of plastic unit and in the bottom of the cupboard with scales on top.

Big cardboard box covered in tape so very difficult to get broken apart, now in yard to get wet so I can squish it.

Bubble wrap I don't need in yard bin too.

DFriend collected a parcel (Vinted sale) as she posts for me, bless her. Both her & the pooch were very soggy.

Found 3 brand new still in the boxes mugs, 2 tops & a gilet to list on Vinted too.

Enjoying today, hope everyone is okay. xx

Brie

Trying to balance things out a bit.  I realised I have no jumpers or cardigans.  I have lots of fleeces, some of which are sllllloooowwwly getting too thin to be good for anything. 

Anyhoo, January sales, had a look and found 6 jumpers on one website (WhiteStuff which I've heard is good).  Now I know I don't need 6 jumpers but there was free delivery to a local shop so what the heck.  Went in when they had arrived and tried them all on - and despite being all the same size (huge!) in reality it was a bit Goldilocks - some too big, some too small and frankly some just too fluffy or weirdly designed.  But one was pretty much all right, a bit large but cotton so will likely shrink with washing.  So I took them all back to the counter where the pretty young thing serving smiled and asked how I got on.  I let her know I didn't need 5 of them but would keep the 6th.  And then I asked my cheeky question "I notice you've got big signs saying 10% off on all sale things, can I return the 6th one too but then buy it and get the extra discount?"  She looked surprised but said she didn't know why not.  Turned out that the price was a few pounds lower than what I had paid so I got it at the lower price plus the 10% off.  Well as I say, you don't ask you don't get!!

OH was also on a jumper hunt and ordering from another site that had a nice bright green and orange cardigan for about £13 so I thought I'd get that as well - fortunately it's a perfect fit and well jolly looking. 

Meanwhile I went to put on a clean top to go out on Monday only to discover there was a big oil spot smack in the middle of the chest area.  Straight in the bin as I doubt anyone would buy it at a charity shop.  I had another similar top (cuz I have lots of dark green tops apparently) so popped that on instead.   Realised the next day that a quarter of the front was shaded a bit - likely from having spent a few months on the top of the shelf of the clothes rack in direct view of the sun whenever it's been shining.  So it's in the bin as well now.  

So 2 in and 2 out.  Plus a book I got from the Tesco charity shelf has been read and so will go back there too.  (Eleonor Oliphant is completely fine - excellent book, read it 3 times now, a bit shattering but well worth the time spent on it)

Post opened (a rare occurrence as we're short on posties so only get deliveries once every week or two), some immediately binned as useless, bank and credit card statement semi filed (proper filing happens once a year) which leaves me with a consolidation statement which will be used to update my tax info before filing and a reminder for house insurance which needs investigating and remains on my desk until sorted.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Quick 15 minutes between meetings so repurposed an old coffee jar which is now a bank for my £1 and £2 coins. 

I was online last night looking at clear acrylic ones but was sure I had seen an old jar somewhere. Found it in the cupboard with all the candles so made a lid, sellotaped it all together and added my first few coins. 

Not much else achieved yet today but determined the kitchen will be spick and span before I go to bed tonight. 

I shall update later.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, long post alert so feel free to scroll past 😂, reasonable day yesterday, late posting because I was shattered last night and by the time I got to bed time I went out like a light. Some things done this morning already but I am now sitting with a cuppa so will catch up with posts 😁

So yesterday was porch and hallway and the top of the gas cupboard 😂. So hoovered the porch now all the builders stuff has gone and gave the door mat a good beating 😁. Loads of muck and dead leaves walked in were decluttered. The porch needs a lick of paint but it can wait until the weather improves and the plants can go outside and the builders have finished the kitchen so probably end of March 😂. 
The top of the gas cupboard yielded a dead reed diffuser, recycled, 2 cans of de-icer which were relocated to the porch, a leaking water spray bottle into the recycling, various car cleaning cloths moved to the top of the washing machine, several bottles of hand get corralled into the corner, a vase thing from OH's sister's grave that was covered in mud moved to the kitchen sink, OH's post put on OH's couch, a tin of sweeties put on OH's couch, 2 packets of coffee put away in the cupboard where it lives, 2 Christmas cakes OH wants to decorate for birthday cakes later this month put on OH's couch and a chocolate lolly pop also put on OH's couch. OH has kept 2 plastic sweetie tins to put the cakes in, sigh. Lots of other bits of carp and rubble binned and the top was cleaned. Then I damp dusted all the dado rails and the skirting boards, lots of muck decluttered and the cleaning rag binned. Moved the remaining bags and a box from the car boot into the lr, 2 empty shopping bags put where they live. Moved the shoes onto the stairs. Got the hall hoovered and emptied the hoover then got it all mopped and had to scrub a few places to get rid of some stubborn plaster. Then I put together a shoe rack from the Swedish shop that has been a my list of things to do for absolutely years. I think this counts as a cane toad 😂. Shoes relocated to the shoe rack. Only has 2 shelves but only used the bottom shelf so my handbag can sit on the top. I have decided I like this shoe rack as I can get the swiffer mop under the bottom shelf quite easily so should be easier to keep that area clean 😁. Finally as I had time a session of ironing was done before I headed out for the football 😁. 
Today I have emptied the bathroom bin and the lr recycling as OH has sorted the post and the last bags and box have been sorted and put back in the car , YAY 😂. The vase thing has been washed but no place found for it yet so it is lurking on the draining board 😂. I had to pop to the sm for toilet roll, now we have 2 toilets  it is more difficult to keep track of them 😂. 2 LDFPA and after I have finished my post I will have another cuppa and survey the lr to see what I can do 😂, probably not much as it is still full of kitchen stuff but we live in hope 😂. Should have been heading out to the dentist but they phoned this morning to cancel as the dentist isn't in so have rearranged for next week. He has officially retired but still works as I think he's trying to sell the practice but carry on working but I think he has a few health problems that mean he's not always able to work. @Mrs SD he hadn't charged me for the last 2 filling replacements so I shouldn't complain but it still needs sorting 😁.

@Vulpix maybe you could start doing some things on the table now you have room for one to save you having to sit on the floor though I understand as I also like to sit on the floor to do stuff, a trip to the Dr might be needed as this is a new development, hope the cold improves soon, there seem to be a few real humdingers around atm, mine has lingered but I think it's finally leaving. Hope the ct scan goes well, hugs

@London_1 your description of grief is so true, I always say the pain never goes you just learn to live with it. I still 35 years on have times I cry for my Ddad and Dmum, you just have to go with it.

@SpikyHedgehog moths! Aren't they just the worst thing. I had an attack during lockdown when I was wfh so didn't open the wardrobe for a few months and lost my lovey cashmere cardigan. I now use moth things from the land of lakes all the time in my wardrobe and draws. It does seem to have helped as I have found no evidence since I started using them.

@Deb4 I never really knew what I wanted to do although I was always working but at age 40 I went to train for teaching and fell into working at a special school which I loved but it was just luck really, OH still says "no idea what I want to do when I grow up" at age 64 😂. I think lots of people are like this and if you find a job you really love you are very lucky .

@jivjules1 not bringing more stuff in is a good place to start 😁

@Mrs SD well done on the early, for you, night 😁

@Brie nice work with the jumper purchase, love it 😁

Right time for another cuppa and a survey of the lr 😁, might be back later if I get anything else done 😁
Hugs to everyone who would like one

83 reed diffuser
84 various items rehomed
85 water spray bottle
86 carp from porch and gas cupboard binned
87 hoover emptied
88 rag binned
89 shoe rack put to use, cane toad 😁
90 ironing
91 bathroom bin
92 lr recycling
93 bags and box back into car boot 😁
Take care everyone
93/2026

Willowtree222

Found a box of mince pies out of date at the back of the cupboard. Put in food waste and box recycled. 

Also found one of the budget supermarkets had dehumidifiers and so I purchased one. 

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

Tuesday is a wet, miserable day with a high of 11°C (feeling 3° colder due to a gusting SSW wind) & a low of 6°  I was up earlier than yesterday almost in the morning (12:15) 😅 I finally had a bowl of the hm soup which was delicious 😋 I am now settled with a hot drink ready to resume the cheerleading from posts dated the 10th:

Florenceem, you had a really busy day & got such a lot of tasks & decluttering done 👏 but please remember to incorporate some rest time during the day 🙏 No wonder your builder friend wore you out 😞 it sounds like he really wants to be helpful but has a distinct lack of organisational as well as plumbing skills ☹️ Hopefully he will do a lot better the next time 🤞

DawnW, remember every item out is a win 👏 The soup sounds delicious 😋 & worth all the fiddling about with tomatoes 😅

suzeesu2000, well done on getting so much “stuff” done 👏 I especially like how you deal with your financial affairs 😊 & totally understand This “DH thinks I’m daft as I like a savings account for each reason I’m saving. I said it’s like having a row of jam jars like mum & dad had. He shook his head and went and made a cuppa🤣”  as my DH has the same reaction to how I conduct my financial affairs 😂

Florenceem please have some gentle cwtches 🤗 

Lovely sentiments Moorviews ☺️ Great work sorting more stuff from the loft & getting everything out of the house & to its final destination 👏 Thank you for my 🌟 which I have already added to my signature 😊

Elisheba, an excellent day of decluttering especially the books 👏

Good work sorting the under-stairs & over-stairs cupboards florianatwobob 👏

Great decluttering of mugs & glasses oceandreamer 👏

Good decluttering purplevamp 👏 A pity about the curtain pole ☹️ Please remember to measure at least twice before you do any cutting with your new pipe cutters 😉 Potato cakes for lunch sounds yummy 😋 

GrannyKate a goodly amount of decluttering & an afternoon spent entertaining the DGCs - made it a full & productive day all round 👏 Belated happy birthday to your DS 🥳 🎂 

TC77, 😖 to losing your post. Well done on making a start on decluttering clothes as well as chasing a frog 👏 A pity about the fancy soap but at least you know now ☹️

Yippee, just about to start cheerleading posts dated the 11th 🥳

Of course you can join in crazybeautiful  😊 Welcome aboard the EDT 👋 I like that your main focuses for 2026 are “intentional spending & your health and well-being” ☺️ I am looking forward to following your journey 😊 Good luck 🍀

vulpix, I was quite amused that TC77 went straight to her wardrobe & started decluttering after your “tough love” 🙊 I am a bit taken aback that you think This “Not much done today. The little I did do took ages…….” 🤔 bearing in mind you sorted out 3 cupboards & then planned & prepped for the current week’s tasks 👏 Pleased to hear that you are getting on so well with your knitting 😊 any chance of a photo of the balaclavas 🙏 Good luck sorting out your wardrobe & drawers 🍀 However as your knee is getting worse I will dispense my tough love & instruct you to book an appointment with your GP “wagging finger emoji” Btw This “Mrs SD, I like to think of the removal woman riding round in her van, windows down,blue fluffy dressing gown flowing in the breeze.” had me in stitches 🤣

Lovely cheerleading Liverpool_Anne 🥹 A good day of decluttering tasks plus the digital decluttering 👏 This “We got a voucher for Christmas for our favourite restaurant, OH wanted to go tonight but I said no I want to save it for when we have no kitchen. OH agreed this was a good idea but still sulked 😂” made me laugh out loud as I was reading it 😹 & left me wondering how old your OH is 🤭 😉

Time to post as I have finished another page & my cup is empty 😉 Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible 😊 See you later 👋 

MrsSD Awards: 💐🙏💐💐🌟

DH Awards:

DSis Awards: 

Decluttering Target 2026: 72/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

Brie

saw this on FB and thought that 49 in particular was important.

SpikyHedgehog

@Liverpool_Anne well done!  The hallway must feel a lot better now. 

😕 sorry for your cashmere cardigan.  I've got moth traps in my room and Elder Son's room,  and I'd seen 1 moth in the trap,  which prompted me to look throughly at the yarn.  Land of lake has left my town,  so an online order is needed.  This is irritating,  as I'll have to be stern with myself to only get their moth things! 

Mum came round for coffee this morning,  so I made vegan chocolate cakes using the autumn themed silicone cases I'd got from M0rris0ns reduced to not much.   They looked so cute!  And this is using up flour from the baking cupboard,  which is always good.   I've put oak leaf and acorn cakes in the TLC carriage,  and 2 oak leaf cakes in a tub in Elder Son's room before Younger Son declutters them all 😁

And mum bought me some lovely flowers,  which went into 3 vases.  I say 3 vases, I only have 2 vases,  so the short flowers I'd trimmed off went into a glass of water.  Sshh,  don't let the family know,  or they'll give me more vases!  And I don't have room for any more. 

Mum took away: 1 chocolate tub for a GK pub;
1 food saver clip returned to her;
3 clean and empty margarine tubs for the food refill shop (they like to have spare tubs for people who don't have a spare tub for impulse vegan brownies.   Other things are available,  but it's the brownies that catch me out!) as she's going there soon;
about 8 clean flower pots for when she does planting;
2 bags of stuff for the hospice shop.
Super mum! 

This then created space in the hallway for me to move Elder Son's golf clubs and large metal tray to under the coat pegs,  and when I called Younger Son to admire the 'new spacious hallway', he grumbled that it was still hard to get past all the coats... so I asked him whose coats they were?   He took the bulky winter coat off to put in the cupboard in his room ☺️ which made even more difference. 

I thought I had a tub of banana in the freezer for banana ice cream,  but it's actually chopped pear.  Currently defrosting for pear sponge pudding later. 

@Brie what am excellent list!   Yes,  49 is very important! 

florianatwobob

@Brie love item 49 on the list and I’m a fan of WS jumpers but sizing can be erratic. 

I currently have a very tall hot dog jar doing duty as a vase for some impulse purchase daffs.