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Original poster

'One project a day' thread

975 replies

BlueLobelia · 18/04/2021 12:51

... many years ago when i was first on MN I started (or maybe just actively participated in, cannot quite recall) a one (house) project a day. It made the most profound difference to my home. The project could be time consuming or not. It could take seconds, minutes or hours. I recall things like changing the lightbulb and lampshade in a hallway table lamp for example as a single day project. One day i also threw away holey and raggedy cushion covers and bought news ones. Little things, that really mattered.

If anyone is interested I wish to start another thread.

Today, as my one project a day, I cleared out my dehydrated and weed-ridden window boxes (2 of them). I put new compost in them and planted them with lobelia (obviously!); red geraniums and some dianthus. I am happy looking out (and in!) my front windows now. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueLobelia · 21/04/2021 14:10

That;s my issue also LlamaGiles. I feel exhausted looking at my huge list of things to do.

Tomorrow I plan to clean the area around our waterbut. I have blanked it out of my mind but realised yesterday I have loads of broken pots and empty compost bags there.

OP posts:
Zancah · 21/04/2021 14:15

Thanks for the thread! It's such a good motivational idea.

Today the telephone engineer finally came with a part we needed (waited close to 2 months!) so after he went, I went and readjusted all of our internet enabled electronics. The kids will be ecstatic that our internet is fully back up to speed when they get home.

Yesterday I sorted all of the paperwork in the office (own business) I filed away year end stuff and properly sorted all my "new year" things. A real weight off.

Tyredofallthis1 · 21/04/2021 14:53

@BlueLobelia sending hugs for you and your DS.

I'm pecking away at the textile mountain though I keep getting diverted. It's great to come back here and keep the motivation going. Thank you.

One issue I'm having is that the school run is currently taking up to around five hours a day. Even on a good day, when I don't stop off for groceries or even exercise, it can take a minimum of two hours. I need to keep on at stuff because I need to use my time well, and this thread is really helping. Thank you.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 21/04/2021 14:55

I've cleared the drawer I wanted to tackle today, and tomorrow's too Grin Time to have a look at the master to-do list I made yesterday, cross them off it, and see what I might tackle tomorrow.

Breathmiller · 21/04/2021 15:56

All hands on deck this afternoon clearing out under the eaves cupboards in the attic. So much stuff thrown out and the space for the stuff we're keeping. Feels so good.
I'm yet to brave downstairs though and see where all that junk is piled up at the moment. But it's all a step closer to the door.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 21/04/2021 17:03

Thanks @Tyredofallthis1 Thanks

OP posts:
Breathmiller · 21/04/2021 17:15

This has been such a great thread for motivation.

I went to put some clothes away and saw my messy shelves in my wardrobe. I just thought no time like the present and got a shelf of stuff out an put it on my bed. Just folded nicely and put back in with a couple of warmer jumpers away in the storage under my bed.
It's the kind of thing that would stress me out as it feels such a huge task. But one shelf! That is manageable. And it was done so quickly that I ended up doing the other shelves too. Must have taken me 10/15 minutes tops. But I have spent so much longer than that thinking about it and getting stressed about it.

Feeling very accomplished today...
3 washings
House tidy
Hoovered
Bathroom cleaned
Under stairs cleared out and shoes sorted
Under eaves cupboards sorted (admittedly dh did all the scraping around in the crawl spaces)
Loads of stuff we no longer need gone.
Shower curtains washed, dried on the line outside and back up.
Admin for starting back my business caught up with a bit.

Shelves in wardrobe tidied.

Some winter stuff away and lighter summer clothes swapped.

It feels very good. And I know this was a really productive day but if I don't get so much done another day thats fine. A tiny job every day is still the going in the right direction. It's amazing how giving up the idea of having to do it all and then being overwhelmed, actually makes it easier to do more. All these little jobs add up.

TenCornMaidens · 21/04/2021 18:28

Jumping in!

Changed my son's sheets today. Bunkbed so loathsome and he usually does it, but am glad it's done.

Iceisnice · 21/04/2021 18:34

Sorted out my pile of papers on the microwave and another pile in a kitchen cupboard which I was hoping to get done for the days project, also put on the scratch protector on my phone.... been meaning to do this since October....

rosegoldwatcher · 21/04/2021 18:40

This is getting strangely compulsive. Grin

Well, Amazon delivered my thread 24 hours earlier than estimated so I was able to finish the snuggle seat cover. It fits!

Stripped and sanded the awful red pine picture frame then painted it, sort of pale greige. Not sure I like so have ordered some acrylic size and silver leaf...

Wildernesstips · 21/04/2021 18:56

Tried 2 local garden centres for potato bags but have now ordered some on Amazon, so still haven’t finished that job. However have booked a Dr appointment for which I have been sitting on the letter for 10 days.

wheresmymojo · 21/04/2021 19:51

Today my project was to sort out the pile of crap on the side table where I sit in the lounge.

Tomorrow's will be to clean that table and set up TOMM in my diary so I start to do a room a day from next Monday.

Have got a lot of work tasks done today too so feeling productive Smile

17bluebirds · 21/04/2021 19:54

Ive not done anything useful today. I feel.a bit disappointed.
Work was full on, got home at 7, and won't be able to do anything till DS is asleep at around 9, when all I'll want to do is sit and watch TV.
So I'll have to do 3 projects tomorrow or else I'll feel like I'm failing and I'll just give up.
So tomorrow's jobs are: sort dentist appointment for DC and get the cat a new flea collar.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 21/04/2021 20:02

@17bluebirds

Ive not done anything useful today. I feel.a bit disappointed. Work was full on, got home at 7, and won't be able to do anything till DS is asleep at around 9, when all I'll want to do is sit and watch TV. So I'll have to do 3 projects tomorrow or else I'll feel like I'm failing and I'll just give up. So tomorrow's jobs are: sort dentist appointment for DC and get the cat a new flea collar.
Don't give up! It does not matter what you do as long as it is something. I only cleaned the glass on our front door today (never got around to the mirror). It is still something. :)

@wheresmymojo I do TOMM although I let it slide today. Only been doing it about 2 - 3 weeks and it has alreayd made a huge difference.

OP posts:
rosegoldwatcher · 21/04/2021 20:25

So I'll have to do 3 projects tomorrow or else I'll feel like I'm failing and I'll just give up.

@17bluebirds - no, you absolutely don't have to do 3 projects tomorrow - just the one if you can manage it. And it can be a very tiny one. A door cleaned of mucky fingerprints is a 3 minute job but a clean door is a joy to the soul! (In my life anyway - DH and his dirty gardening fingers! Angry)

wheresmymojo · 21/04/2021 20:30

@BlueLobelia

I had a bit of a false start with TOMM a few weeks ago - hence popping the focus of each day in the calendar on my phone so I don't forget what I'm supposed to be doing Grin

I think I also felt a bit overwhelmed at the idea of trying to clean a room every day so this time for the first week I'll just try to do the 'thing' that needs to be done most. So hoover or dust for example and then build up from there...

Baby steps! Progress not perfection and all that.

Sparklynewname · 21/04/2021 20:32

I finished cleaning the oven this evening and DH has put some plaster on the walls in the downstairs toilet. He’s used ready mixed as we just needed to feather out where we had taken off a huge amount of paint which left a sharp edge.
I have cleaned and reassembled the oven. It’s not perfect but it was horrific so I’m happy- it’s a million times better than it was.
Tomorrow I will be collecting my new crockery so I need to see if it’s black bin day tomorrow or next week- if it’s tomorrow I need to put the stuff in the bin tonight.
DH’s car in to garage tomorrow and I will try to get some more pots potted up.

17bluebirds · 21/04/2021 20:33

I did try sort the vet and dentist at lunchtime today, but they were both closed. So I will inevitably have the same problem tomorrow. So I'll have to think of other projects, and defer those till next week when I have lunch at a different time.

17bluebirds · 21/04/2021 20:34

rosegoldwatcher that's a good idea, I do have a door that needs a good clean.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 21/04/2021 20:56

[quote wheresmymojo]@BlueLobelia

I had a bit of a false start with TOMM a few weeks ago - hence popping the focus of each day in the calendar on my phone so I don't forget what I'm supposed to be doing Grin

I think I also felt a bit overwhelmed at the idea of trying to clean a room every day so this time for the first week I'll just try to do the 'thing' that needs to be done most. So hoover or dust for example and then build up from there...

Baby steps! Progress not perfection and all that.[/quote]
I could not cope with 30 minutes dedicated to a room. So i set my alarm and just did 5 minutes at first. Even now if overwhelmed (every day...) I say 'just 5 minutes'. I have never gone longer than 12 minutes and still has made a difference.

I also adapt to my needs. So on Mondays I cannot cope with washing all the animal blankets (we have 4, two of whom are elderly. So i wash one animal blanket a day on a rotation. Just a quick wash with some fabric softener.

OP posts:
RunningKatie · 21/04/2021 21:02

So frustrated, i can't get the lights down to clean them Angry i am sure I've done it before.
Rather than break them in frustration I'm moving onto the ironing. Will ask dh to try and look at them tomorrow.

Blackjackontherocks · 21/04/2021 22:34

My project today was to sew pinch pleats into a pair of curtains that have been hanging wrong for at least 3 years. Tomorrow I will hem them!

Also had a handyman in to put up two blinds which have made such i difference in the rooms.

Ellieboolou33 · 21/04/2021 22:49

I'd love to join! My house needs everything doing as we brought a doer upper, these last few weeks I've painted all the skirtings and dated bedroom furniture.

I get overwhelmed at the amount of work to do!

Tomorrow I am going to sort out our porch, put the winter shoes away etc and give it a good clean up.

DeathMetalMum · 21/04/2021 22:57

I didn't really manage a project on Tuesday I half tidied a shelf in the kitchen, which we are painting at the moment. I did book an appointment at the hairdressers though.

I managed my project for today which was to sort out my sock drawer, just need to do pants. I will do that Sunday. Tomorrow is undecided again.

2020nymph · 21/04/2021 23:40

@rosegoldwatcher

What do you use @rosegoldwatcher I have a silver necklace that has tarnished I would love to save.

@2020nymph - It is Goddards Silver Polish Foam. A pot of brick coloured paste and a sponge. Wet the sponge and dab it on the paste. As you rub your silver item with the sponge the 'foam' is able to get into crevices...

You would probably have better results, though, with a silver dip for your necklace.

Thank you, will add that to my to do list! Smile