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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:
mathanxiety · 07/05/2021 03:25

Cleared a good few items out of the kitchen - stuff I haven't used for years.

Also cleared a multitude of supermarket plastic bags out of the kitchen for recycling at the supermarket. Resolved to stop forgetting my reusable bags when I go shopping.

Made pumpkin bread with choc chips.

Made a dinner for DS and his GF who have finals, also dinner for me and two DDs to last a few days.

Tomorrow - the laundry mountain!

FearlessSwiftie · 07/05/2021 07:45

I absolutely love the idea! I've been eyeing some Photoworks guides on recoloring objects in photos and definitely needed some push to finally start working with them.

apricotparfait · 07/05/2021 08:44

Please can I join in?
I've been procrastinating forever. Single parent with umpteen household jobs that I've been putting off for literally years. The clutter is becoming a problem and I have lots of 'dumping grounds' that I need to clear.

I'd promised myself just this week that I would clear one 'dumping ground' a day. So far I've reclaimed the breakfast bar, top of microwave and the top of the bureau - 2 bags of stuff already been taken to charity shop! Smile

This thread sounds like just what I need for inspiration for the decluttering & diy jobs. I get so overwhelmed with it all and the house is such a trigger for me with regards to stress, anxiety and MH. I also am trying to move more - I'm doing 100 skips a day and plan to increase that amount every week or so too which is kind of the same theory - the 1% improvement rule.

frugalkitty · 07/05/2021 09:09

Happy to report that both bunnies are where they should be today, so that's a good start at least.

My project today is to sort the car and pet insurance which I've been putting off because I hate having to deal with idiots people on the phone. I will come back later to report success, there, I've said it. Now I've just got to do it.

Divineswirls · 07/05/2021 10:18

@Sparklynewname

DH put the door stops on and the handles on the door this evening. You are all making good progress too 💐
Isn't this meant to be about what we are doing personally with tasks we have been putting off to support each other and not other peoples achievements. I'm confused Confused
Original poster
BlueLobelia · 07/05/2021 10:20

Morning!

I am planning to sort out 1 washing basket that has been sitting untouched for a week.

OP posts:
Divineswirls · 07/05/2021 10:25

spurned on by apricotparfait I'm going to reclaim back half of my kitchen table which has become a dumping ground and rehime various items like sacks of flour

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 07/05/2021 10:35

Ooh can I join? This is a great idea! Today I’m going to pull down a bathroom blind and work out if it is salvageable. It’s an odd size and location but is has some mould stains on the edge.

apricotparfait · 07/05/2021 10:45

@Divineswirls

spurned on by apricotparfait I'm going to reclaim back half of my kitchen table which has become a dumping ground and rehime various items like sacks of flour
@Divineswirls - excellent! I hope you find it as liberating as I did! I'm going to do the sidetable in the dining room today Smile
Divineswirls · 07/05/2021 10:52

@apricotparfait I've also got an increasing pile for some reason collecting behind my dining room door - it's half hidden when you open it but it's clearly there and I've been brazenly adding more to it - I just can't help myself Hmm I've actually tried to cover it with a blanket Blush what's wrong with me Grin

apricotparfait · 07/05/2021 11:07

[quote Divineswirls]@apricotparfait I've also got an increasing pile for some reason collecting behind my dining room door - it's half hidden when you open it but it's clearly there and I've been brazenly adding more to it - I just can't help myself Hmm I've actually tried to cover it with a blanket Blush what's wrong with me Grin[/quote]
Can totally relate! Each pile in my house will literally take 20-30 mins out of the day (tops an hour if it's bad) and yet I leave it there to annoy myself! I can't house the clutter, then when it gets me down I escape and rummage around the charity shops......and bring more junk home!! Its not normal! Grin

drspouse · 07/05/2021 11:19

I have not been doing too well but I've ordered a charging cable for my fitbit (can't reset it at the moment) and one batch of winter clothes is ready to go in the loft.

frugalkitty · 07/05/2021 12:47

I have conquered the car insurance. 40 minutes on the phone but saved £90 on the renewal quote so totally worth it. Pet insurance also sorted. So that's my job for the day done. Just need to cancel the direct debits ad I've paid both up front this time round so as soon as that's done it's a 'project' complete!

mamakoukla · 07/05/2021 13:15

I was having a very meh day yesterday and did do laundry and ironing but don’t feel it was a task I was avoiding so perhaps didn’t quite hit the spot, Today I will clean the kitchen cupboard doors as they are grubby and long overdue. I know it will give me a sense of satisfaction when I am done. I will also do my exercises.

Devlesko · 07/05/2021 13:15

Cleaned the top part of oven, will have to wait for bottom part as can't rattle about atm, due to nurses. Grin

Searching for a product to take the yellowing off the inside strips inside the cupboards.
Any suggestions gratefully received

AndddddHerewegoagain · 07/05/2021 13:46

Just found this thread and hopefully it will give me the kick i need. I've been trying to do one thing a day but like others get so overwhelmed!!

Im at work today but this evenings job will be to put all the books back on the bookshelf and off the sideboard. If time allows I'll put the new ink in the printer as well

LlamaGiles · 07/05/2021 14:45

Toddler vomited her entire dinner over our bed last night so spent a bit of time on the clean up this morning (having dumped everything contaminated in massive pile in the hall at the time), lovely. Also managed to book pick up of an old printer and cement over a hole that I think the ants are coming in through, fingers crossed.

drspouse · 07/05/2021 15:47

Also hoovered and tidied the living room. So much nicer when we can sit in there in the evening and pretend the rest of the house is tidy!

Catname · 07/05/2021 17:11

Today, more of FIL's belongings have been sorted out. We're now into the clothes that he might need or want and there have been 3 bags packed to go to charity of things he won't use. I'm not sure anywhere near me is taking clothes again yet so they've been moved off into a room that we don't use so they are not a constant irritation reminder when I walk into the house.

TenCornMaidens · 07/05/2021 17:35

You'll be pleased to know that a couple of pairs of shoes fit. Next week's project to return the others!

Also making dinner now which you might say is literally the bare minimum but I still give myself a pat on the back for it.

Fnib · 07/05/2021 17:58

I finally declared a pair of jeans FUBARed and binned them today. Shredded some papers and am up to date on that. Thoroughly hoovered spare room and stairs

Chunkymonkey123 · 07/05/2021 19:07

Well done everyone!!
I have done nothing so far today. Going to strip and wash the bed tonight. I am also going to spend a bit of time doing my photo book while watching tv.
Actually the oven needs a clean so might do that tonight, can’t do it when the children are awake.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 07/05/2021 19:08

I did my one washing basket. ironed and out things away, but that was it.

Hope to be mroe productive tomorrow- some garden projects planned. Incouding planting out sweet peas (I hope).

OP posts:
mamakoukla · 07/05/2021 19:40

I so enjoy reading about everyone’s accomplishments! I did clean the kitchen cupboard doors, so thank you for the motivation. The finish on them isn’t brilliant and I never get them quite right but they are better than before. Next week I will clean the insides and drawers. I also washed bed linen and have put it back on. Looking forward to the simple joy of fresh sheets!

Sparklynewname · 07/05/2021 19:43

@Divineswirls , I counted it as it was a job done on our house and I had to go with him to choose the handles and I had to order the doorstops. Was trying to save typing 😝
This evening we have put the pelmet up above the sliding door and I have hoovered up all the sawdust (again).
Am working an extra list tomorrow so don’t know when I’ll be home. Achievements will be dependent on timings.