Hoarder's Anonymous, Part 6

[Solo]

Well, here we are embarking upon part 6 of our epic journey of sorting out our homes.

We are a varied group of likeminded householders that are leading somewhat challenging lives; be that living with too much 'stuff' that we find difficult to deal with, houses that are falling apart (mine included), health issues within the family unit, wider family, or ourselves that makes sorting out our households challenging, to say the least. So...

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us for support, adding their own ideas to help others out, storage ideas, even tips on actually getting those items out of the house which sounds so simple when you say it. Encouragement abounds here, and we do not criticise. EVER! We even try not to criticise ourselves as it's not helpful to anyone.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't know where to start, can't be bothered but really do want to be bothered...think you are lazy, just need to see it in print here...we'll help. We'll virtually fist bump your achievements - small or large, and virtually hug you when the need arises, and if you want a hug, just ask because we are here for you. Here for one another because we get it - the highs and the lows, the art of washing up is sometimes our great achievement of the day, but it's still an achievement.

Welcome to thread #6 of Hoarders Anonymous - Carrying On Sorting It Out

HERE

I’m pretty much on top of laundry, dishwasher and groceries/cooking, but no major progress on dealing with the general mess. My kitchen cupboards are so much clearer - I still have the urge to buy weird sauces and ingredients for new dishes that never get made but I’m trying to stick to tried and tested stuff for a while.

I’m reading another book about clutter (Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp) and found this gem “when you save everything, you can find nothing”. So true. I need some papers for a meeting that’s coming up - I know I have at least one and possibly two copies of the lengthy document somewhere in my house. I expect I’ll end up printing off a new copy before the meeting, which will then get dumped on one of the piles once the meeting is over. No wonder I can’t find anything.

I’m finding this new clutter book very interesting but there’s a lot of God talk which I’m finding quite off putting. I’m going to keep reading.

I've had a go at some clearing and tidying jobs this morning. I felt so unsure where to start. I really annoy myself when I feel like that. I get all muddled. But I forced myself the try and tackle something, anything! It's easier when I've decided the night before what job I'll do.

I tidied up a big messy pile of artwork from the kids. I filled it in a folder.

I've dusted a bookshelf and wiped it down.

I swept a section of the floor. It was very dusty.

After dropping the kids to school this morning I got distracted by a chair someone put out for rubbish. I looked at it closer and decided I didn't want it. I find it so hard not to look at other people's household junk!

I rolled up three sleeping bags and packed them away in a cupboard. I rolled up three yoga mats and also managed to cram them in a cupboard. The kids had been playing camping, ages ago actually. So those darn sleeping bags haven't been cluttering the dinning area for weeks.

I'm happy that have made progress. I listened to podcasts as I did it so that was enjoyable.

I'm catching up on laundry and I don't feel so out of control with it. Phew!

I dropped the car off for a service this morning and picked it up three hours later.

I've tidied up another bookshelf, dusted, decluttered. Wiped it down. Organized one area of chaos.

I need to get the dinning area neatened up and tidied and cleaned, then I can decorate for a birthday. It's not too bad. Just a few areas of chaos that need sorting out.

I've got a big load in the washing machine.

I’ve emptied the dishwasher, reloaded and put it on again, then emptied it again.

I folded some dry washing (but have not yet put it away).

That freed up space on the airer to hang out my wet load of laundry and I’ve just put on another load.

Apart from that I’ve been reading a good book and ignoring the mess.

I've got laundry in washing at the moment.

I've been out and bought birthday and Christmas wrapping paper.

Cleaned bathroom sink and bath, and some of the tiles. Cleared the window sill in the bathroom, cleaned it and the window and frame and all the stuff that was on the sill.

I've got some towels in the washing machine. It feels good to be slowly getting the laundry mountain under control.

It’s motivating to read about other people’s successes so thank you for sharing!

All terribly unproductive here. I’m about to go into a meeting but hopefully will Get Things Done after that.

Today I've been doing housework. I'm pretty slow I'll admit that. But progress is progress.

I packed away a jog saw that's too difficult, it's been in the way for ages!

I've managed quite a few jobs, but not quite everything I'd hoped to achieve.

I'd wanted to clean and tidy and then get birthday decorations up. But I'm not quite ready to decorations up. So maybe I'll do some more tidying later. I gave myself plenty of time, so I've still got time to do things tomorrow as well! I guess I already knew I'm slow.

I've dipped in and out of this thread a few times, sometimes getting my act together and sometimes not. Lots in common with many of you - DC with severe SEND and unable to let go of things due to hope, uncertainty etc.

But yesterday I made huge progress and sorted out my utility room. Cleared out old sports shoes and wellies that the DC had grown out of, as well as swim things that they won't sue anymore like arm bands, floats, noodle etc.Advertised it all for free on my local facebook free group, and its been collected already.

I am really pleased.

Need to do the freezer tomorrow. We have a tall 6 foot one and a normal size one. I would like to have one drawer for meat/fish, one for veg, one for bread products etc. And also know how much space there really is to buy and freeze for Christmas.

I washed up today and cleaned the cooker top. I've also started a new charity bag.
Much to do. My back is playing up again.

Well done Down and WellTidy and how's it ging Miaowse ?

It’s not going at all today I’ve fed everyone and bought some groceries and that’s it. No motivation. Hope your back feels better soon.

Didn’t do the freezer today, surprise surprise. Had a full on day at work (long day) and then no motivation once I’d arrived home. Still congratulating myself on the utility room, truth be told.

Clearing the Utility room sounds great @WellTidy

I've had a day of cleaning and tidying today. I hate it! I don't get any pleasure out of it.

I've done heaps. Hoovering, sweeping. Wiping. Laundry. all sorts.

I'm really feeling tired.

I need to wrap presents this evening. One year I wont leave it till the last minute.

I still need to get decorations up.

DH had a good go at tidying up dd's room. He's done a pretty good job. I'm thankful that I don't have to do it.

I have thrown my already disorderly house into a rearranged disorderly house today looking for Dd's knee pads for her dance. I kept thinking "maybe they're in the drawer" but carried on throwing stuff (especially clothing) into big bags. Finally, I looked in the drawer...Yep!

good you did find them though solo.

laundry drying everywhere here to be ready for school on Monday.

been composing emails

need to get a lot more done tomorrow.

I’ve finally sorted the freezer. Now have one drawer for meat, one for fish, one for bread type things etc. We had so much more than I thought. I’ve realised that I only really need fresh fruit and veg in my supermarket shops for maybe the next month. Worth doing! A small job but I can’t contemplate the bigger ones just yet.

Laundry is done. DH was running out of pants

I'm really trying my best with laundry. Just getting a load on every time I mean to, instead of just thinking about it. I've got a load on now, then I'll try to get more on when it's finished.

Hi all. I'm sorry I'm not really here much at the moment. I'm full of cold and really not feeling well.

No great achievements right now. No small ones either.

Made some progress on our bedroom today. I’ve put away lots of clothes that were hanging on the backs of doors and wardrobes etc. Unfortunately I had. Where to put them (wardrobes already full) so I’ve taken my summer stuff out and now need to bag that up tomorrow. Also need to do the same to my shoes tomorrow too.

I'm back from outer space
Lost you all but whilst looking for tips on the housekeeping board /AKA procrastinating I found you all.
I'm having the declutter to end all declutters and have managed to get OH on board at last.
I've got some lovely pine Bisley filing cabinets and he's made me a top so I've got a desk at last. He's currently in his man cave making me shelves to go above it. I've "Kondo'd" my books, but my bed is still piled up with books waiting for their new home.
Sorted my paperwork but there was only a tiny pile, so either I've recently sorted it or somewhere out of sight is a humongous pile waiting for me
I gutted my front room a week ago and it has stayed tidy since woohoo!
I've got two empty chest of drawers which really makes me happy!
My wardrobes are half empty now, my spare bed is piled with bags of clothes. I'm wavering between gritting my teeth and sending it all to the charity shop or selling what I can, I could do with the money but the toll on my mental health of an untidy house has been huge.
Next step is another whittle through my linen cupboard and then pull out the cupboard in my dining room which is the last hiding place of my junk collection.
Then comes the deep clean....
I haven't caught up with all the past posts, so apologies for jumping on and being all me me me, I don't have anyone in real life to chat to!
Hope everyone is doing well, and big hugs to anyone who's struggling

Cherrytree63, my vote is for donating all those clothes in bags and getting rid of them as soon as possible ! Then moving onto the next jobs now that you are on a roll . Don’t leave things hanging around after you’ve made the decisions just move on ! I seemed to fallen off the thread ages ago prob around our move haven’t read back to check but have been keeping reading others posts . I’m on a few other threads and keeping at it . The new house is getting there bit by bit . We are about to get rid of the rental house end of this month and hoping we’ll get most of our deposit back after the puppy did cause one carpet stain in a spare room and chew the bottom step a bit but that can be painted . Still decluttering more going through the attic contents etc and have been looking through my boxes and boxes of kids clothes from our storage locker . emptying that will be the next job besides sorting out our new house . Our garage storage delivery has been delayed twice and DH is waiting for his big machines to arrive so that’s a mess still aaaarghhhh . I’m sure a bunch of stuff from there can go once we see what fits where in the cabinets and shelves . Electrician did come on this fri to put in more sockets for DH so that’s one thing done . The landscapers haven’t gotten back to us about plans for trees in the garden so that’s not done yet ,in the spring we’d put in more other plants and do the flowers in the front garden plus put in a kitchen garden in some raised boxes . Also need to put in a secure shed / bike storage ( DH managed to sell the old one for good money despite it being 10 y old , next to sell will be the bugaboo buggy ) ,shutters will arrive in jan earliest , still need to get some more furniture for the formal dining room and the top floor guest room and we’re waiting for the tv room sofa to see what else we’ll put in there . Water softener is being installed on Monday , then need to organise attic room after more decluttering and emptying our storage locker and possibly put in a dividing wall so we can have the storage side and a gym on the other side . Looking into a swimming pool too the garden is big enough for a small one we’d love to have . Right now I’m just trying to keep up with the new school run and dog routine and all the house work (we don’t have a cleaner yet and this house is twice the size of the one we sold )while DH is back in the office 4/5 d after home for the last 1,5 y . I’ve been struggling because of my illnesses I’ve been in horrible pain a lot never mind just dead tired . School runs have been stressful too since I depend on Ubers ,we will try to arrange something else a regular driver for me or someone else to do the school run .Also waiting for the doggy daycare bus to have space for our dog. He used to do 2 days with the transport there and back which was great now just one day with DH driving him and DD in rush hour which isn’t ideal. We are trying to go see my family finally after 2,5 y so am getting ready for that , dogs first ever boarding and Christmas all at the same time and I’ve got just 4 w left which will go in a flash with the school ,work ,lots of medical and other app for all of us (and have more to book )and a few prechristmas outings are in the diary too so am very stressed and just exhausted . Am alone this weekend hurrah and can actually get something done without anyone needing me or constant noise . I’ve forged on with kids presents yesterday and packed and sent all DH relatives ones ( except his moms she’ll come here ) today .am trying to get all the other peoples ones done asap so only ours left .also doing cards early and mailing them hopefully after 1.12. so they’re out of my mind and this house . We have managed to unpack most rooms . I just reorganised my food cupboards as well with storage bins and containers ,it was a big job alone in pain but now done . The other week we finally finished the big open plan kitchen dining family room and I’m so glad about that ,DH did his study and yesterday a new piano arrived there . Bedrooms have all their furniture except will later on furnish top floor spare room with new stuff now it has a few old things we had . just one new chest of drawers to decide about where it goes . DH made to measure bed arrived recently so that room is looking nice with zero clutter . We have some storage boxes still on first floor landing from organising and boxes of dishes and ornaments in the dining room to unpack but other than the awfully messy garage that’s a work in progress and the attic room that needs sorting ( it is just labelled boxes though pretty much ) we’re doing pretty good after a month and a half here . I have to say I can see my decluttering efforts paying off ,we have so much less and have managed keep on top of the cleaning and tidying but it’s taking me doing a quick clean of the whole downstairs and first floor daily, if I stop that things unravel quickly , the only way to keep kids rooms tidy is for me to be in them everyday and make sure stuff is tidied right away . Less stuff and more space and storage makes it much easier . DH and DS help with the weekly cleaning until we’ll get a cleaner The dog somehow drags in bits of grass ,dirt etc all the time what ever we do and we always clean his feet every time he comes in so we vacuume twice a day downstairs now on these tiles and the wood floor in the tv and dining rooms every few days since they’re not used much yet and the doors are kept closed for him . Then I walk around with a wipe under my foot scrubbing marks off in the morning after vacuuming and get DH to wash with the new floor washer or mop properly weekly . We don’t ever even wear shoes inside except in our hallway . It’s relentless so today I haven’t even gone down yet . DH brought me breakfast in bed then I got kids bags ready and we did jobs and errands until they left mid day . I’d ordered a pret and a Starbucks for lunch so I didn’t need to go do lunch and just ate upstairs watching tv . Had enough of polishing downstairs I do all week long while keeping the dog company every morning . I’m in no hurry to go do anything but will do a later dinner . I did tell others to leave it tidy and clean so hope they have I needed a day off and already cleaned upstairs that’s kind of enough .
Hope you are all doing well ! I had sad news about another old auntie ,my dads sister passing away today in my own country but it was expected and she was 87 and unwell . Trying to not start thinking about things but we’ve both had a lot of loss in the last few years and it’s mentally wearing me out . Feeling sad for my dad I’m glad he’s got my mum and isn’t alone there when I’m this far !!!