Let it GO! Decluttering (simplifying) your life of (people, places or things) success stories?

yirara

I'm moving internationally once again soon, and it's unbelievable how much stuff I've binned or brought to charity shops! I never really accumulate so much stuff compared to many other people (my 60m^2 flat feels rather empty) but still I was able to kick out so much. Phew, so glad it's gone.

LeeH31

pennysob wrote: »

Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.

When I was first decluttering, many, many years ago I read a statement in my decluttering book " Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. She said in effect that when she had a hard time letting go of something because of the money she paid for it, she told herself "Someone else would love to have these things. I don't want them and I don't want to be selfish and keep it." I don't like to think of myself as selfish, so I donated most of my things to Women in Need.

Is there a cause you can donate your goodies to? An animal shelter, homeless shelter, hospice?

JessiBelleW

LeeH31 wrote: »

pennysob wrote: »

Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.

When I was first decluttering, many, many years ago I read a statement in my decluttering book " Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. She said in effect that when she had a hard time letting go of something because of the money she paid for it, she told herself "Someone else would love to have these things. I don't want them and I don't want to be selfish and keep it." I don't like to think of myself as selfish, so I donated most of my things to Women in Need.

Is there a cause you can donate your goodies to? An animal shelter, homeless shelter, hospice?

It’s worth thinking about how you’ve spent the money one way or the other, but if you no longer use it or need it it’s a waste of your time now too (thinking about it, cleaning it ect). Don’t spend your time on it too as well as your money!

RubyRed427

Our school will be closing and a new one will be opening. The principal is begging us to declutter. We will be given a few boxes to take our things to the new school and that's it. I've moved buildings several times, so I don't have a ton of stuff. However, some teachers have been in the same room for 20 years. That will be so hard for them to part with things they find useful or have saved "just in case ".

Anyway, one teacher raised her hand, and sincerely said she has a very tough time parting with anything that she finds useful or could be used in the future. She asked for help! She said she seriously doesn't think she can declutter her materials, craft items, etc....so the principal offered to help her declutter. I thought of this thread during our staff meeting. I guess sometimes it is so emotionally hard to part with things. That's why this thread is so helpful and motivating!

kekeiko860

This thread is amazing and all the comments are worth reading. We are in the middle of downsizing 30+ years worth of things we had to keep. It's overwhelming as we are moving across the state so it has to be done. My advice to anyone reading this would be to go room to room each year and get rid of those clothes you haven't worn for a couple years, shred the paperwork, get rid of those piled up magazines and donate those books. All of those material things weigh you down. We're finding it's freeing as we are emptying closets, drawers and rooms.

summerviking1

I am decluttering one room in the basement. I hate all this stuff.

summerviking1

Got rid of 10 garbage bags of stuff for charity.

yweight2020

LeeH31 wrote: »

pennysob wrote: »

Want to declutter but paid good money for some things, and don't have time to have yard sales. I just can't bring myself to just give some stuff away for nothing. Need suggestions on to get over the need to hold on to some things.

When I was first decluttering, many, many years ago I read a statement in my decluttering book " Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. She said in effect that when she had a hard time letting go of something because of the money she paid for it, she told herself "Someone else would love to have these things. I don't want them and I don't want to be selfish and keep it." I don't like to think of myself as selfish, so I donated most of my things to Women in Need.

Is there a cause you can donate your goodies to? An animal shelter, homeless shelter, hospice?

This is a wonderful ideal, when I had to figure out what to do with a lot of my mothers belongings after she got sick and lives with me now.

I offered to family members and what they didn't take I put on line as free, lots of people in need. Who came and took most of it from dressers, tables, clothes etc. Only had one big item left which I had to pay to be removed but giving really helps others and saved me a job of what to do and who to pay. And I know my mother would love the ideal her items were enjoyed and helped someone else.

yweight2020

I'm decluttering my hall closet to many items I haven't used in forever. Got rid of a old big 1990's radio I had, even though I didn't use it but once a year and have no space for it, I hesitated getting rid of it. But I did, one down more to go.

clairedrose

I am happy to see this thread. I have also been decluttering. It began in my mother's house after she died. Three stories and a garage of stuff! I sold a lot with an estate sale. I donated tons. I gave away lots. I threw out at least four full dumpsters. Then shoved everything I couldn't deal with in my basement so I could sell the house. So I started going through the rest this winter, eliminating more and more. Then I took a break from family stuff and started going through my closet. How did I get so much stuff? Every time I take a load to donate I feel lighter. I used to think I would sell more things, but then I decided it was more trouble than it's worth.

LeeH31

I have tried selling stuff, either through a Facebook "trash to treasures", Letgo (or whatever it is these days), Craigslist. I find that for myself it is too stressful. I get unreasonable offers on pricy items, and have even had people as if I would deliver free items. . .two counties away! No thanks. At least by donating them I know they will get good use by someone in need, or sold by the charity to provide for those in need. And, realistically, I just don't have the mental temperament to sell stuff. I get too anxious about dealing with strangers, haggling, no-shows, etc. And no yard/garage sales, especially these days. People get angry and violent at the drop of a hat over any perceived slight. I just cannot deal with that. So donating is the way for me. It makes me feel good that I am helping someone else, and just getting rid of stuff makes me feel better.

Having downsized from 3000 square feet to 963 square feet truly makes you take stock of what you REALLY, TRULY need and USE, and love. The rest. . . pfft!

ziolove

Beautiful. I salute you. This all resonates. Ran across this random quote online the other day--"I'm learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me."
Peace

RubyRed427

Last weekend, I went into a decluttering frenzy. For two days, I totally declutter my bedroom and closets. I filled a large garbage bag of clothing for donation. I found cobwebs in my closet and lots of dust. I cleaned so thoroughly that this weekend, it was still so clean in there.

I also went through drawers and got rid of things I simply don't use like eye shadows, makeup, soaps, lotions, samples from makeup counters, etc. Some really good stuff but when you have so much, you need more containers. I was ruthless.

This weekend, I didn't need to clean at all just some dusting.

yweight2020

Going to get rid of 3 lamps that take up to much space and purchase 2 slimmer smaller lamps that work just as well.

jaded989

So glad I came across this thread, my Mom was a life long hoarder so I learned from the best. I just restarted MFP and need to lose the clutter as well as the weight. My house and my weight go in phases and reading this made me realize that when I am at the higher end of the scale I don't take care of my house and the clutter stats to accumulate, I just have no motivation to take care of it. Once I start trying to lose weight I want to start cleaning everything up. I never realized how much in synch these 2 things are.
Anyway, I'm going to start small & start in my bathroom with the vanity. I have a ton of old make up, hair products, first aid items etc. (some of which are years old) which I don't use and never will use, they're all going in the trash. So many other places to move on too but I can't think too far ahead or I will feel overwhelmed and not even start.

sargemarcori

you got this, @jaded989 !! as the saying goes, inch by inch, everything's a cinch.

RubyRed427

jaded989 wrote: »

So glad I came across this thread, my Mom was a life long hoarder so I learned from the best. I just restarted MFP and need to lose the clutter as well as the weight. My house and my weight go in phases and reading this made me realize that when I am at the higher end of the scale I don't take care of my house and the clutter stats to accumulate, I just have no motivation to take care of it. Once I start trying to lose weight I want to start cleaning everything up. I never realized how much in synch these 2 things are.
Anyway, I'm going to start small & start in my bathroom with the vanity. I have a ton of old make up, hair products, first aid items etc. (some of which are years old) which I don't use and never will use, they're all going in the trash. So many other places to move on too but I can't think too far ahead or I will feel overwhelmed and not even start.

I'm sorry someone pressed disagree. I find that mean spirited. Please ignore that.

annk18

It could easily have been an accident. I don't know how many times I have pressed disagree on the phone app. If I notice it I correct it, but what if I don't notice????? Sorry to anyone I did that to'

Sableness

My decluttering motivation is to ask myself do I really want my daughters to have to deal with this when I’m gone? My mom used to watch an episode of Hoarders and immediately go clean something out!

TerriRichardson112

I agree. Disagree Button is in a very awkward place if you’re scrolling through on the phone. It’s just far too easy to accidentally had it, so I would just ignore any disagrees that appear.

PatriceFitnessPal

@TerriRichardson112 - I made a request to the MFP moderators to consider switching the placement order of the heart/hug icon and the disagree icons to help eliminate the accidental selection while scrolling on a phone. You can see the request and weigh in with your thoughts here:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10840601/request-can-you-switch-the-placement-order-of-the-heart-and-disagree-icons-in-the-community#

TerriRichardson112

PatriceFitnessPal wrote: »

@TerriRichardson112 - I made a request to the MFP moderators to consider switching the placement order of the heart/hug icon and the disagree icons to help eliminate the accidental selection while scrolling on a phone. You can see the request and weigh in with your thoughts here:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10840601/request-can-you-switch-the-placement-order-of-the-heart-and-disagree-icons-in-the-community#

Good on ya. I read the posts, and have added my comments, and would encourage others to do the same. Let's hope that this request gets a more positive response than previous ones regarding this matter.

TerriRichardson112

Sableness wrote: »

My decluttering motivation is to ask myself do I really want my daughters to have to deal with this when I’m gone? My mom used to watch an episode of Hoarders and immediately go clean something out!

This is so true. I have had to clear out so many houses that I am determined that my family won't have that to add to their stress when I go.

CenFlo7

I'm currently reading my 2nd book about this process and getting my mind set back in "get rid of stuff" mode.

I listened to an audio book over a year ago written by a Japanese author on this very subject and it always helps me to get motivated, that is, hearing other people's successes at this process. I've done the process to some extent, but there's more... and more to do!

I'm slowing getting at it and making progress.

cory17

I have bins of 4 sizes smaller clothing in the garage. And alot also under the bed. It's been about 10+ years since could wear. Passing it on feels like giving up on myself. Postmenopausal my weight distribution is changing! Anyhow, gave myself a deadline of next summer for loss or start donating.

sargemarcori

@cory17 you might also consider if you'll still want to wear those clothes, or if you'll want new stuff...?

A few years ago I lost 80 pounds, and got rid of all my bigger stuff, then, sadly, gained back most of the weight. When I could no longer wear the new stuff, I picked my absolute favorites (my Rebel Scum Star Wars shirt, the first size M I'd worn since middle school, my favorite linen pants) and packed one box. the rest I passed on. I feel like that was a smart choice--I kept them bc they're beloved, not bc that's the size I "should" be. (I had meant to keep going for another fifty pounds at least! But things went badly.)

Not saying that's what you're doing, it's just a thought.

cory17

@sargemarcori Oh I'll want some new stuff undoubtedly, smaller size clothing is just so much nicer looking with details and styling. But i'm also very frugal, and they're newish condition, loved wearing them and kicking myself now. But no point in crying over spilt milk. Lately, I've been eyeing what I'm currently wearing and telling myself "I want to donate these pants soon".

We're approaching the end of this year - telling myself to clear off the desk, throw out the papers sitting there and organize for next year (and taxes).

Cookbooks? keep or donate? I've got a bunch but find myself going to the internet when looking for recipes.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

cory17 wrote: »

Cookbooks? keep or donate? I've got a bunch but find myself going to the internet when looking for recipes.

My guideline is "Is it something you can easily find/buy again?" (A lot of my cookbooks are out of print/historical things...so no) or "Is it something that you would turn to for basics?" (My Joy of Cooking from 1950, my Cake Bible, and my copy of Cookwise fall into that category.) But we are bibliophiles and decorate in book. One element of us buying the house we are in now was a large built in bookcase.

Walkywalkerson

I love to have everything de cluttered and in order 😁
I'm a firm believer if if you don't use it get rid of it.
I hold no attachments to stuff other than a few bits like photos etc ..
There is no better feeling than a clean tidy home!
I just wish I was as good at de cluttering the rest of my life 😂

ashleymshields

I watch "the minimal mom" on YouTube for inspiration. I decluttered a lot this summer. Last night i had a bit extra energy (from starting to eat healthy nutritious, energizing foods again and even working out) to tackle my closet - i finally let go of that tote of smaller sizes and kept only a few favorite items that can fit in a smaller spot.

Why should i hoard ALL of these awesome clothes/crafts/supplies/decor/whatevers for "someday" when i fit/have time/motivation/interest ... when that day may never come, when there's someone out there who does fit, who will use it, who is interested in it, right now?! 👍👍