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Honestly, my house is such a mess

(55 Posts)
JaneJudge Thu 16-Jul-26 14:00:40

and that is it really. I have 2 weeks off work and thought I'd try and organise my house a bit. Well I started on the larder cupboard in the kitchen this morning and I still haven't finished.

I've:
- filled up two bags for the charity shop
-have a mound on the stairs to take up (handbags etc)
-have filled a black bin liner
-have filled a big bag for recycling
-have water bottles fro m the under stairs cupboard now in the hall, as I've filled the under stairs cupboard with the dogs stuff
-have a pile of paperwork all over the kitchen floor

still the larder unit is done sad

Why do I get in such a mess? I really haven't lived here that long and I got rid of loads of stuff before I moved..still here I am again

My husband said I just hoard too much stuff and he's most probably right

I really need you to tell me to just get on with it

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 20:21:21

JaneJudge

Are they all the same type? I just wondered if putting them all into one bottle might work

No, not all one type.
Though it has been a while since I relooked at them properly.

I think in my situation I may have to ditch them.

Shel1951 Thu 16-Jul-26 20:05:27

Sounds like you're getting there, you work at your own speed, you will get to where you want to be

Plevey08 Thu 16-Jul-26 20:04:34

I love the way we all live...and Dust if you must and warning Cossy. And Luckygirl your kitchen/diner come art room and music room sounds very interesting 🤔

Sago Thu 16-Jul-26 19:41:02

NotSpaghetti

Oh Sago
Always finish one job before you start another
🤔

How do you do this??? 😫

I know it’s a bit sad.

I also make a list every morning.

JaneJudge Thu 16-Jul-26 19:06:59

Are they all the same type? I just wondered if putting them all into one bottle might work

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 18:53:51

How long do they last for?

Again, as I have written elsewhere, I have had a skin condition for a while.
Kept the lotions and potions until now[my skin is finally getting better].

But especially as had a skin condition, I am a bit reluctant to use up 2 or 3 year old shampoos etc . I may buy all new.
Not totally sure what to do in my situation.

HelterSkelter1 Thu 16-Jul-26 18:21:00

Personally I blame 3 for 2 or buy one get 2nd at half price. I have unworn MS tee shirts from a few years ago on this offer and so many bottle of shampoo or body lotion from Boots. Irresistable at the time, but I get bored with them and they are too good to throw away and take up too much room.

But I will not buy any more shampoos etc till they are all used up. They will probably outlive me.

Lesley60 Thu 16-Jul-26 18:18:21

As I say to my husband I don’t hoard i just know things will come in handy for someone someday, and you never know it may be us

MayBee70 Thu 16-Jul-26 18:18:04

fancythat

Books that is.

Books are my friends I think. I surround myself with them. I tend not to read these days [prefer podcasts] but still buy them.

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 18:07:07

Books that is.

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 18:06:49

And some cupboards needed sorting. Especially those with drawers.
Have been able to get rid of about 6 pieces of furniture so far.
About 2 more to go.

I will buy another bookcase though.
They are still in some corners and in loft.

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 18:04:48

I had stuff in corners and behind sofas. And in loft.
It didnt look too bad to a casual visitor.

fancythat Thu 16-Jul-26 18:02:45

I am on 38 years of being in the same house too Cossy.

As I have written elsewhere, I am on year 7 of the declutter.
I think I will finish this year. Hurrah!

I have done it at my own pace.
I expected it to have taken 1 year.

Luckygirl3 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:48:24

My place is a bit of a mess too, but I can't bring myself to worry about it.

One reason is that bending is painful, so I leave things out and to hand rather than put them away.That's my excuse anyway!

Also my kitchen diner is also my art room so the island in between the two is covered in art materials (cooking gets squeezed in where I can). It is also my music room - so there is sheet music everywhere too!

But it is my home ......

ClicketyClick Thu 16-Jul-26 17:46:48

A hoarder friend has resorted to child proof cupboard locks to keep hers closed. They are like these. I may have to buy some soon 😅

JaneJudge Thu 16-Jul-26 17:42:14

Isn't this the red hat ladies poem? smile

anyway, it's not even 6 and I've poured myself that wine blush older son wants a teapot and some expresso mugs I am throwing out and I've offered him my bread maker...

Cossy Thu 16-Jul-26 17:31:31

Plevey08

I love the poem MayBee. I almost can't wait 🫷

I too love that poem, almost as much as I love “Dust if you must” and “Warning”

Cossy Thu 16-Jul-26 17:28:03

Honestly, I really respect your openness, his my house to a tea X 6 adults plus 4 dogs plus 38 years of living here 😱😱😱

I’m just so pleased I’m not the only one grin

Plevey08 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:24:59

I love the poem MayBee. I almost can't wait 🫷

MayBee70 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:20:36

I've got 50 years of accumulated stuff in my house plus my ex's stuff and his dads train books and jigsaws. Toys. Things I've bought for the cottage I was going to live in in my old age [divorce put paid to that].

Astitchintime Thu 16-Jul-26 17:18:00

I think half the problem is having large cupboards…….we can open the door, put stuff away and it’s out of sight, out of mind! Then we just get to the stage where we have a full cupboard, of random stuff, some out of date, some outgrown, some in its wrong place and we thought it was lost.
It is quite therapeutic though, culling a cupboard!

Esmay Thu 16-Jul-26 17:17:21

You and me both .
I find housework boring and tedious .
I've done far too much of it .
Besides it's to hot .
When I tidy -I promise myself a treat at the end of it .
I'm watching Sky Arts now and that's my treat ìn advance !

MayBee70 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:08:44

Here lies a poor woman who always was tired,
for she lived in a house where help wasn’t hired.
Her last words on earth were: "Dear friends, I am going
Where washing ain't done, nor sweeping, nor sewing,
And everything there will be just to my wishes;
For where they don't eat, there's no washing of dishes.
I’ll be where loud anthems will always be ringing,
But having no voice, I’ll get clear of the singing.
Don't mourn for me now; don't mourn for me never,
For I'm going to do nothing for ever and ever.

This poem is in the public domain.
I saved this years ago although the version I saved is slightly different. Sadly though, I can't relax with the mess around me; I was a filing clerk in my youth and need everything to be neat and tidy and labelled and in it's right place. If I can't achieve that it scrambles my brain and I shut it out. My drawers and cupboards are immaculate but the bits you can see are a complete clutterfest. And instead of doing fun things like reading books with the time I spend not cleaning and tidying I just procrastinate on the internet [or sleep]. Which is what I'm doing now...

Plevey08 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:01:04

However I'd love to be like you MayBee70 as I've never seen on anyone's headstone 'I wish I'd cleaned more'

Plevey08 Thu 16-Jul-26 16:57:50

AmberGran's advice is good. I read that you're more likely to get it done if you focus on one room at a time, drawer by drawer and corner by corner. Don't think of any other room until you've completed one. Makes it seem more manageable. It's easy how builds up again though 🤣 I'm a bit like Sago as too much clutter sort of overwhelms me and I don't feel peaceful....Def something to do with childhood trauma.