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

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 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!

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.

Got rid of 10 garbage bags of stuff for charity.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!