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'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:
Tara336 · 27/04/2021 13:29

I’ve managed to add a couple extra jobs into today’s plan, I have paid some cash into the bank been meaning to do for ages, finally bought some more tealights and some matches. The birds have pooed all over my freshly valeted car so will have to hose that off as well.

Catname · 27/04/2021 13:33

Last night, I tried out my new tiller and made real progress improving the soil. It really made me understand what Monty Don means about working your own soil. Sadly, once I’ve planted the beds I’ll have to use a spade again as it’s too large to get between plants. I had to stop when I ran out of compost and grit but managed to plant 7 things before stopping (in my head I want to do a minimum of 7 a week and sometimes that’s been really hard going because of the soil). I also managed 5000 steps doing this gardening so I was pleased about that too!

This morning, I’ve sorted 2 bags and 2 boxes of things from FIL’s stuff to go to charity or recycling. The hall now looks vaguely tidy.

TheHoneyBadger · 27/04/2021 14:53

I have given blood and applied for a mortgage in principle. Blood donation and the long walk back has wiped me out. So not much else is going to get done other than more chipping away at the laundry mountain. I’m a fail so far Blush

Divineswirls · 27/04/2021 15:53

Drink lots of water

mamakoukla · 27/04/2021 16:18

Love this thread, reached page 4 and was really motivated to make my own one project a day list. If I might join in please - yesterday I did the ironing, today I finally put the pile of paperwork through the shredder. Tomorrow I will collect my library book.

The absolute joy of accomplishing tasks I have been avoiding is priceless! Thank you

LlamaGiles · 27/04/2021 16:32

Like you @mamakoukla I finally did a job today that I've been putting off for ages and cleared out our wardrobes. Put a few bits on eBay, bagged up baby clothes for a local woman who collects for charity and also have two bags for charity shop. I also ordered all the clothes so I don't waste 10 minutes every morning digging through to find what I want! Really pleased with the day's work.

Breathmiller · 27/04/2021 16:38

TheHoneyBadger I'd say you had an epic giving day today. Giving blood is an amazing project in it's own right. Well done.

I emailed the person to help figure out what we need to do with our building warrant. Next stage tomorrow.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 27/04/2021 17:38

I booked a hotel for a wedding we are going to (fingers crossed) in August.

I bought a hosepipe so I no longer have to do 7 watering cans every day round all the pots in the garden.

ShinyHatStand · 27/04/2021 18:20

I've failed again.
This just doesn't work for me on weekdays. It's all I can do to keep on top of work, exercise and routine chores.
Think I'll make this weekend only from now or it'll become just another source of guilt.

Breathmiller · 27/04/2021 19:01

shinyhatstand I think that's a good idea. Although your exercise is self care which I am adding in. And I bet within your work you are doing things too that could count.
But, I agree, these things are great but not if it feels onerous or makes you feel guilty.

Sparklynewname · 27/04/2021 19:01

DH has filled and sanded in the loo and has done the cutting in. I have done nowt 😳

ShinyHatStand · 27/04/2021 19:29

Thanks Breathmiller

DeathMetalMum · 27/04/2021 19:32

I did a few small tasks today. I cleaned the kitchen window outside. I also got rid of some kids toys that have been lingering for a while.

@shinyhatstand I agree I do find it difficult on days I'm working I usually try and do a really small 5 minute task, but it doesn't always happen. The other day my task was putting away winter boots, basically taking them from downstairs to upstairs and putting them in the wardrobe.

mathanxiety · 27/04/2021 19:40

Great thread!

Today I'm going to pull the plug on the exercise ball (lol, what was I thinking?) It's destined for the charity shop.

Chunkymonkey123 · 27/04/2021 20:23

Today I have planted my sweet peas and picked up some wood that we need for our new shed. I’ve also made my packed lunch for tomorrow.
I’m really tired all the time though! I think it’s stress or mild depression as I’m sleeping fine but just feel tired. (I do have two preschoolers and work) It has got better now the clocks have changed bit really need a burst of energy.

TheHoneyBadger · 27/04/2021 20:28

ooh send it here math.

RunningKatie · 27/04/2021 20:39

Today I've possibly found a structural engineer for knocking 2 rooms together! I'm also going to change the sheets before bed.
Tomorrow I'm got to check ingredients and do a quick shop for dd's zoom baking session. Also going to sew names into school jumpers, i'm labelling nothing this year apart from jumpers!

2020nymph · 27/04/2021 20:44

@ShinyHatStand

I've failed again. This just doesn't work for me on weekdays. It's all I can do to keep on top of work, exercise and routine chores. Think I'll make this weekend only from now or it'll become just another source of guilt.

Not failed. Just reprioritised.

Breathmiller · 27/04/2021 20:49

Ooh RunningKatie good luck with the wall being knocked down. We have just had that done between our living room and kitchen. It looks sooooo much bigger. We love it.

2020nymph · 27/04/2021 20:49

Today has been bonkers.

My ikea order has arrived and I decanted the huge sack of flour I bought in lockdown 1 into two large containers. I also bought a scoop for the flour to make cooking with DS1&2 less painful.

Wrote and posted a birthday card.

And that's it.

Iceisnice · 27/04/2021 21:22

Today I decluttered my husbands magic catalogues, with permission, that he had when he was a kid. There were 2x huge orange sainsbury's bags (long life with the elephant on). So happy to see them gone. Also booked an 8 week check for baby ice and myself. No idea what to tackle tomorrow but is it wrong to feel this excited about it?!

TenCornMaidens · 27/04/2021 22:15

@RunningKatie definitely use Stikins! Don't waste time sewing in labels, life's too short.

Tara336 · 28/04/2021 06:11

Today I’m going to clear out and clean the two basket drawers on my kitchen island, dig out the leftover roots from a shrub I cut back months ago and put some bark down on the flower bed. Self care I’m going to give myself the day off from exercise and have lunch with my DD

TheHoneyBadger · 28/04/2021 06:30

Work one for today. I need to track down yr 9 textbooks from wherever they’ve disappeared to and sort into class sets in the right rooms.

I really must do a bit of cleaning too as a friend’s child is coming after school so at the very least clean the sink and toilet and hoover stairs and landing

Fnib · 28/04/2021 06:46

@Iceisnice I get excited too!

A fitting on my oven door has broken off, leaving the glass inner bit to slide about. I've been working around it but today I plan to see about getting it fixed/replaced.