Not quite a horder - decluttering
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Such a little thing, but a few weeks ago, I got rid of all the shoes I still had that pinched my feet. Then I gradually replaced them with larger shoes. My toes are singing! They have so much room to wiggle now. My whole body feels like a big sigh of relief.
I was just focusing on the closet, because the weather was warming up and it was time to rotate to summer wear. I also got rid of most of the stretched and faded T shirts and jeans that seemed to make up my whole wardrobe, and bought better clothes. It was important to get rid of what was old and familiar so I would actually wear the new things, for everyday, and not save them for some mythical special occasion.
When your time is short, every day is special.
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9-12, I think all steps, big or small, towards decluttering are positive to hear about! I have a small one to mention, too. I was “shamed” into tossing some large pants into the Goodwill pile. It was my own fault! Last year I bought several comfy large pants because I was steadily gaining weight each year. In fact, they were extra big in case I gained even more. But, over the year I started walking and lost 20 pounds. Then, a couple weeks ago, I was going to a mall about 50 minutes away. I was feeling kinda blah so I threw on a pair of those extra big large pants, wanting to be comfy as I shopped. Of course, I ran into a classmate from high school, the type you prefer looking your best when you see them. Haha! When I came home, I put those pants and the others in the Goodwill heap. Live and learn!
Zills, punishment and bribery sound like a winning combo!0 -
I will be renovating and moving in to a converted garage (320 square feet) in the next year. The easy thing was getting rid of furniture, that was the first to go. But now I have all these books... And the kitchen. And old lipstick that I think will somehow be useful if the Apocalypse comes and there is no more make-up being made...
I don't know. For me, there is this whole Post Apocalypse scenario in which all my trash becomes irreplaceable treasure.
Does anyone else get these weird ideas that stop their decluttering momentum? (I mean, I had this expired corn oil that I kept under my sink in case the power grid went down and I had to make torches out of oily rags... Maybe I watch too much science fiction?)
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NineTwelve: Haha. I had some rope I was carrying around in the car. Maybe I need to make a clothes line? Tie up the Bad Guys? Hurricane Irma may have made me a prepper again.
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you two are funny. Must be a cross between a Girl Scout (always be prepared) and a depression era mindset with just a pinch of scifi.
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Zillsnot4me--I love bribery, I even bribe myself when I can!It works.
Nine Twelve--I am gradually getting rid of old, worn clothes, too. I grew up being told to change out of school clothes "into old clothes" and "save the good clothes" so always associated being at home with sloppy, old, worn clothes. Made sense as a child, but not as an adult, but I do have a tendency to "save" clothes for "good". My pjs are all the oldest of the old clothes. Now I am trying to weed out those items and get rid of them, and start wearing the good looking items during the day, cuz I really do feel better about myself and am more likely to get things done when I'm not dressed like a slob. Hmm. I writing this made me realize that the best thing I can do for myself right now is to get dedicated sleeping things--REAL pjs, and toss the junky stuff. I wonder if that will make my sleep better, too? And get the sewing room up and running again, cuz I worry about getting the "good" clothes dirty/stained and I used to love to make and use aprons, which is the perfect answer to that concern!
Mrs. M--sometimes fate sends us a little motivator!Good for you for getting rid of the "big" pants!
Nine--I run into the "what if" mentality quite often. Not exactly Post Apocalypse, but "what if I need that or something like that someday?" Yet I can't keep a workable wrench in the house to save my soul. The big bump I'm running into recently is the "This was a gift, it would be ungrateful to get rid of it" idea. Even when I can't remember who gave it to me, or if the person is gone out of my life. Still working on that one.
MexicoHeather--If I kept everything I am "supposed" to keep in my vehicle there would be no room for me! I can understand keeping some rope in the car, useful for many things, including getting pulled out of a snow bank or ditch. Of course, anyone driving a vehicle capable of pulling another out of such will have his/her own preferred towing cables or ropes. . .
Zills--LOL!!
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Native, If the gift is in good shape pass it on. If someone liked it enough to give it as a gift, someone one else will appreciate it. I know what you mean, though. Once my Mom made me a dress that I got rid of without ever wearing it. It was brown with beige raindrops and I think the material might have come from the depression. It was ugly and not a color I can wear, so I just tossed it and appreciated her love for making it. People think I can wear brown because my hair is brown, but it just makes me look like a dead leaf.
I have a box of size 14 clothes I should get rid of. I worry that I'll be immobile from an injury and will gain the weight back. It's a little ridiculous because I'm wearing 8-10 now, so 12 would be the next size up. And I could always go to Goodwill and get a few larger things if I need to. Wednesday we went to Value Village (a step up from Goodwill) and I got 2 pr capri pants and a pair of jeans that fit perfectly. They need hemming, of course, but so does everything I buy.
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Just wanted to check in and say hello. It has been a long time. Glad to see everyone is still downsizing. I did well for awhile and then got sick again. Balance and vertigo issues and ended up not being able to move much. Turns out I was suffering from B12 deficiency. So that ended the toss away my stuff phase. I am now moving some and back at it. I have the basement to get back to.....who really needs a professional Emeril Lagassee deep fryer anyway? There is a lot of stuff down there I may never use in boxes still. All that stuff from QVC etc, UGH. I have been wearing the same jeans and tops for over a year. Going to start to donate that stuff. Just did a box with size 14 in case I need it later....8 pairs if jeans. I still have 12 in size 12. OMG what is wrong with me? Ok rant over. I have to wash my clothes about 10 times before I can wear them new. I am allergic to dyes and sometimes polyester mix in clothes. I am about on number 7 wash on 2 newer pair. Then I can dump the knee ripped ones I have been wearing at age 65 hahahaha. Have a great week end.
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Bunkie, Good to see you again. Stuff in boxes could go to consignment or be sold on ebay. Consignment is easier, I think.
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Hi all, jumping in here. I packed up my office last week as I medically retire at the end of this month, while I threw away a lot, I still brought home 3 tote bags of personal stuff collected over the last 10 years, a 2nd culling is definitely in order.
Later this summer/fall DH and I plan to sell our 2 story 4bdrm home and relocate to our 1 bedroom cabin. What do you recommend for getting rid of the nearly new big stuff like dressers, bookshelves, tables, etc? I think they’re in a condition to sell but I don’t want to haul the heavy stuff out to the yard.
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Maybe list them individually with photos on Craigslist or similar? There are some furniture consignment stores here, not sure about Houston. Where is your cabin? Moving to a cabin sounds like heaven to me. It's probably DH's worst nightmare as he's the one with all the stuff.
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Bunkie--It must be hard to restart after being sick again.Good for you for making progress!
Illi--I hear you about the need for a second culling. The last time I cleaned out an office I brought home a whole care full of stuff, much of which is still in the basement! Got to do the 2nd look.Selling the big furniture will be a challenge, I bet. I think Wren is right, pics and post on Criag's List or Facebook Marketplace? Maybe as you get things cleared out you could move those items into one room and have a moving sale?
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Good ideas, thank you!
Wren, the cabin is about a 9 hour drive west of Houston roughly between El Paso and Mexico. The elevation is 7,000 ft and the climate is very similar to Southern California where I grew up, I love it. DH built the cabin himself, although we did hire someone to do the roof and deck due to safety and timing issues. Here’s a pic.
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Bunkie, gosh, thats a lot of work washing new clothes so many times before you are able to wear them! Its not something I ever thought of before, that some people are allergic to the dyes in fabric. As for set backs, life has a way of derailing us from time to time and we have to take detours to get to where we want to go. Despite my determination to stay the course, I still get bumped off it every so often (darn!). However, having the break from decluttering like you have, and now getting back to it can be very helpful in seeing your stuff with fresh eyes and making more discerning choices what to keep and what needs a new home.
Illimae, when I was working, my piddly little job as a school aide got downsized and I brought home several boxes of stuff I couldn't yet part with. Over several years, I revisted the stuff several times, being able to part with more as time went on. And some stuff I found use for at home. I don't think its a problem keeping things if you have room for it. Right now, the office items you kept are very meaningful to you. There is no need to detatch those emotions quickly. How you feel will change naturally over time.
Definitely put your large items on Craigs List. I find great success putting photos of for sale items on my Facebook page. Often, someone I know will say, “I'll buy it!"for an item I had no idea they were in the market for. Priced reasonably, the stuff will go, especially as it sounds like everything is in great shape being rather new.
Awesome cabin photos!
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Awesome Cabin!
I worked for the school system until 2011. I resigned then to stay home with a multiple a handicapped child. At first I kept everything I had ever made to use in the classroom. I had a storage room full! Is time went by I started giving it back LOL! I had lots of friends who are still working and if they needed things they called me and I sent it on its merry way. So we all must do that when we leave a job!
Happy de-cluttering and organizing to you all!
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Nice cabin and nice area. We took the kids camping at Big Bend National Park in the early 70's. That's probably the closest I've been to your cabin. I went to El Paso and Cuidad Juarez a long time ago and can't remember much about it.
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Lovely cabin, illimae!
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How's this for a de-cluttering story:
Neighbor a few houses down has been camping on/off last several years with his girlfriend. She retired a few years ago, and he just retired this year. They bought a beautiful Airstream trailer and decided to go camping full-time. He's currently selling his house and they will be living and traveling in the trailer. She kept her home (Oregon maybe?) for their permanent address. They plan to stay in every National Park, see a game in every MLB stadium, and visit every state.
They had a party last weekend. I did NOT bring a "house cooling" gift.
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I think your neighbor is on to something, sounds like lots of fun travel, if you enjoy driving. DH does most of our driving, I tend to get sleepy on long trips.
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I am not that much into driving a trailer, even an airstream (which I think looks cool), but all the National Parks and ballparks sounds great to me. Something to aspire to!
I am slowly making progress on getting rid of stuff in preparation for selling our house, and best yet, I convinced hubby to put in serious time on it this weekend as well! I insisted he follow the 'touch it once only' rule and that really helped. The bedroom closet is cleaned out. Woohoo!
Octogirl
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Illi--BEAUTIFUL!The views are great, too!Love the rainbow pic!
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Hi. I think a photo of your cabin is a great inspiration to downsize!
A few weeks ago, I spent 5 days on a canal boat in London. It was like a tiny house experience! In the end, I think I like having space. We had a compost toilet, but hot water and a small breakfast area. The bed had you tuck your feet under a shelf. Seeing swans float by in the morning, and to feel that level of peacefulness within London was really a great experience.
Now I am traveling again...and I have brought too much stuff. My husband had his things in one, smaller suitcase. I have the big suitcase and 2 other bags. It's NOT helpful to have most of this stuff with me. Except the wet wipes! I feel like winner for having those....and some athletic tape that I gave to a lady in distress for her feet. Hey, I am midway in the clutter life.
Also when traveling I tend to get gifts and general stuff. I am trying to hold this at bay with the thought that I want to save my money from impulse buys for something that I really want.
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MexicoHeather- great awareness about not buying gifts on trips so you have the money for something else. I used to do this a lot when I was younger. About the only person I do this with now is my sister, although we often have an agreement to not buy each other anything, unless there is something from the place that person really wants. For example, she went to Australia in 2005 and said she was going to buy some opals and would like like one? Oh yeah, and I took the stone she got for me, and made it in to a fabulous ring. I will do a bit of gift shopping for birthdays and Xmas on trips, but only if I see something for someone I exchange with and put it away for those occasions. I do a lot less gift exchange with people through time.
I read a really great book a couple decades ago called "Your Money or Your Life" about where you focus your money and how spending on things that don't bring value or are done out of habit frees you up to spend money on the things that do bring you joy. It is a good read and think it has been updated a number of times since I read it. Financial de-cluttering is all part of this!
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Jazzy, I’ve read that book, and wish more people would! I find myself sometimes looking at something I want to purchase and think, “how many hours does dh have to work for me to afford this?” I buy far less expensive makeup and it helps limit the frivolous buys. An acquaintance on FB commented that she didn’t know if she should by some very expensive purse. She has a good nursing job but does she need that purse? I commented. “Figure out how many hours you’ll have to work to earn the purse and then decide if its worth it.” She never commented back, but I did want to plant the seed of smart consumerism.0
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Divine- this is why I love consignment so much! It allows me to have great stuff at a fraction of the price. I love Eileen Fisher clothing (great for my work life), but for any of you that like her line too, her items are very high priced. I get them on super sale when Dillards has their sales here, but have found great EF items at consignment. I always think a $400 top can be ruined in a flash with something spilled or torn along the way. Your Money or Your Life really makes you think about your income and what things cost and how much you need to make to have them.
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There's a 'Green Eileen' store where they sell second hand EF clothing - with her permission. She feels badly about stuff just getting tossed, so gently used clothing can go there and is sold for a lot less. I love the look of her clothes, but think I would need to be taller to look good in them. I'm shrinking with age and am only 5'2" now.
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Great progress everyone! So jealous of that cabin.
Check out EBTH.com for selling stuff.
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I’m loving this motivation! I gave away many clothes to a friend a couple months ago and I need to do it again. Since I’m retiring soon, I’m asking myself “am I going to wear this on the mountain?” when I see something nice for work.
I love the purse cost reminder too, I admittedly have a love for new handbags, I bought my newest a week ago. It was originally $284, then I saw it on sale for $155 (which I thought about) but a few days laterit was eligible for a 40% off flash sale, so I snatched it up at $93. It’s about 3 1/2 hours worth of work, so I’m ok with that.
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MexicoHeather--what a wonderful and unique experience!
Jazzy--I'm going to look up that book.
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I, too, have a love for purses. Its the one thing I probably have more of than I need. If a purse is pricier than what I think is reasonable, I sometimes ask for it as a birthday or Christmas present. It’d be hard for me to spend more than $100 for one, even if asked for as a gift. Illimae, great use of sales to bring the handbag you wanted down to a more affordable price!0
