Not quite a horder - decluttering
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Melza, Good for you! Papers are hard to get rid of and seem to pile up endlessly.
Gumdoctor, Nevermind your supervisor's endless wardrobe. If you don't look good in it and feel great you're not going to wear it. Someone else might totally love it and wear it weekly. In the spring, I'm attracted to bright cheerful colors. I don't think I need anything but haven't pulled out my short sleeve T shirts yet. I hung a few this morning because it's hot the rest of the week here. Then back to 60's. (Hot in Seattle is high 70's)
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Wren it was GoKale who wrote about her supervisor's wardrobe.
Gumdoctor
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Thanks, I should read more carefully. Or remember what I've read. LOL
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I have two boxes of books ready to go to the library.
Went to a coin store last week to take in some mint sets & foreign coins for an out of town friend. They bought everything - although many of the foreign coins sold only by weight because they had been de-monitized by the respective governments. I was able to send her $189. Even better, I was able to help her get rid of stuff that the previous coin store she visited wouldn't take. The owner of the store was most interesting. He said ladies come in all the time to sell their Lladro or Lalique or Hummels and were always disappointed that no one will really pay much anymore for those things we carefully dusted all these years. He also said he often takes the opinion on value from a couple of the estate sale ladies since they see the prices every day. Unless of course people are selling sterling just for the value of the metal.
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Melza89--welcome!We don't get too hung up on the definition of "hoarder" here. It's clutter and we all approach it a bit differently, and we all got there on different roads, and we're all here to support each other. A garbage bag full of outdated papers is a very good step!
Gumdoctor--You've come a long way! Good for you! It is the process that's important.
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Native is right - it all counts. Sorry I missed sending a welcome to Melza and GumDoc. Glad you've joined us. The more folks, the more ideas & inspiration.
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It's great to read about your successes! I did very well last summer/fall but then coasted a while.
Lately, it's been time to change from winter to summer clothes. I've been throwing things away rather than putting them in the hamper. These have been things that are worn out, uncomfortable, don't fit, or are too ugly. It's really BAD if it's too ugly for me, lol. So, that's a little progress.
Also, we are renovating our master bathroom. By we, I mean my husband is doing 99% of the work, ha ha. Anyway, a new vanity means the old one had to be emptied and I tossed a lot of junk! The walk-in closet is going to have to be emptied too for new flooring and paint so even though I had made a good start in there, I vow not to put back more than half, and hopefully less. We're getting a new shower, new vanity and sink, new light fixture over the vanity, and a new wall cabinet which we didn't have before. We haven't selected a light fixture yet, but once we get these big things done (with the help of a plumber and the flooring guy), that will be a minor thing. Husband and I are very good at DIY, although I'm not physically able to do very much. Oh, also while we have the plumber here, we're getting a new kitchen faucet installed, so that cabinet will get a good purge too.
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I'm not a hoarder. I like to get rid of stuff. But like basically everyone else in the US, I still have too much. I took a lot of things out of my closet late last year, so I could see better the things I actually want (and a few more I don't.) And when my husband or I buy "replacements" for anything, we actually do get rid of the thing we don't want anymore.
Last year we got rid of a lot of bigger things. We donated the ping pong table to the park district rec center -- and they came and picked it up! We took a wooden stereo cabinet and an antique trestle table to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, which resells things like that and some construction items for cheap.
I take books to the public library, as they resell to raise funds. Of course, books that are mildewed have to go in recycle if possible, or trash if not.
Our city has "Mayor's Clean-up Day" twice a year, when they'll do curbside pickup of a lot of things you can't put out on normal trash days. We usually don't have much to put out. The spring pickup was last week and we didn't have anything. Along with that, we also can do paper shredding once a year. Today we took a grocery bag full of old statements and tax documents to the shred truck. It is monitored by a police officer (just so you can have confidence in the process) and shredded on site. Occasionally we take other documents to our bank and ask them to drop in their shred bins. That really only works with a fat folder or so, not big boxes full.
Last month we helped our son clean out his house so he could sell it. There were lots of paint cans the prior owners had left. We hauled them all out. The latex paints can be solidified by mixing the paint (in the can) with cat litter, until it's thick like overcooked oatmeal. Then it can be put in regular trash. Of course check with your own waste management service to make sure that's okay. The oil-based paints and other chemicals have to go to the hazardous waste building at the landfill. Again check with your locals for that.
Of course you can try using Freecycle to offload things for free to people in your own community. (They pick up. Be cautious/smart and make sure someone is with you when they do.) You can try selling things locally on Craig's List.
Our town has a reseller or two of sporting goods. Those golf clubs and tennis rackets and the treadmill no one uses might be able to be sold through them.
Just a few ideas of how to get rid of stuff.
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A few years ago we had a 'recycle day' where you could take larger items to a school parking lot. They had people there to sort out junk from usable stuff. We came home with a pedestal table. When we were tired of it we gave it to DS & DIL. She covered it with plastic material or oilcloth and used it as a table on the patio. Long life for used furniture. It was fun to see what people were bringing and others getting good bargains. We have curb side recycling every other week for the smaller things.
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Just packed up large trash bag of clothes, 1 box and several loose items for donation. YAY!!!
Gumdoctor
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Yay! Good progress.
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Muddling--WOW, you are getting a LOT done!Good for you!
MountainMia--I don't have a lot of paper I want to shred, so I bought a little, over the top of a trash can shredder and use that and then use the shredded paper in the garden as mulch. It works great! I do cover it with a layer of dirt or other mulch for looks. I wish I had a local waste management area to take stuff too. I can only take stuff to a neighboring town's on 2 days per year, and have to pay, and sometimes even have to register in advance. It's much easier for me to rent a dumpster and have it emptied once a month!
Wren--my town has curbside recycling, but there are so many restrictions (has to be out by 7 ayem, can't be put out the night before, can't be in plastic bags or containers (which I found out about right after I bought a big Recycling container, like you see in stores and businesses), everything separated, nothing piled up on the ground, it's almost impossible.
Gumdoctor--GOOD JOB!
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Minus Two - So interesting about the coins. I have a few old foreign coins that aren't any good anymore. I also have a US State coin collection. My sister got me into collecting the coins. One day, I will just have to spend them.
Muddling - it's great that your husband can do most of the work on the remodel. We just make lists of what needs to be done, and I procrastinate hiring someone to do it.
Wren - it doesn't bother me to be called the wrong name. I have made similar mistakes.
MountainMia - great ideas on getting rid of stuff. The paint reminded me of a house we used to have. When we bought it there were easily 30 cans of left over paint in the cellar as well as lots of other junk. When it was time for us to move, I knew we had to completely clear out the cellar. So for some paint, I used kitty litter to dry it up. Other paint, I poured on a huge sheet of plastic hoping it would dry faster. I got it done, but it was quite the production.
Native Maine - that's too bad about the restrictions on your recycling. Sounds harsh. When we lived in a very rural area, there was no curbside garbage and recycle pickup unless you hired a company to come. Instead, I drove the garbage and recycling to the town dump and paid a few dollars each time for the garbage. I didn't love doing that, but the fellows who worked there were so nice and helpful and I saved money.
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The city will accept latex house paint. They combine the colors and end up with a beige color. It's used to paint over graffiti. The oil paint is considered hazardous waste and goes to a different facility.
Native Maine, I'm not surprised you aren't recycling with all those restrictions. I don't understand not using a plastic container. They're just emptying it and putting it back, so why does what it's made of matter. The city furnishes the containers here. Someone took ours while we were out of town so they had to replace it. What a strange thing for anyone to take!
I still have the kitchen to tackle as far as getting rid of stuff. I don't think a family of two needs 5 large salad bowls. The problem is which one(s) to keep. Two are handmade pottery and different shapes. I think the rest could go. One is clear glass, one wood, and one plastic that looks like glass. Needless to say they take up a lot of room. They got a lot of use when we would have the whole family over for Christmas or a party. I think it's been years since we've used any of them. DH acts like they're his children, however, so this will be a long process. For the 2 of us, the large mixing bowl is plenty.
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Love it Wren - I have a family of one and have 4 large salad bowls - wood, pottery, blue blown glass & pyrex inside silver plate - oh - two blue glass so 5 large bowls. And a huge wood bowl that would hold salad for 20. This is not to mention the two medium salad bowls made in Poland which I love & use every day, which each hold more than enough for two. Not to mention the mixing bowls. This is really embarrassing.
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Just had to share this because this so happens to me. Even funnier because I have a mask a lot like this too!
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Jazzygirl—- soooo funny! And true.
We are SLOWLY clearing out my parents home and this is me each day I am over there.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Been there!!! LOL
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Jazzygirl-HILARIOUS!!!
I too have been derailed by my stuff. Too easy to become too attached.
But today....drumroll...I just returned from another donation drop. I was up at 0500 because I could not sleep any longer. I jumped into pulling donations from my closets and general stuff all over the house.
I was able to pull 30 items of clothing...including some sentimental items...also 5 more pairs of shoes/boots, numerous household items...THEY ARE GONE GONE GONE from my life.
Such catharsis. Aaahhh.
Gumdoctor
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My neighbors told me their house sold for asking price in a single day (5 offers) and I immediately started packing, lol. I had hoped to put it on the market by late summer, now it’s sooner. So much to sell and donate....
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Spring cleaning- took six bags to my fav donation place today, a bunch to consignment last weekend. Closets looking much better!
Ill- oh friend you have some work ahead of you. Find places that will come pick things up (Big Brothers and Sisters is one I know of) if you have a lot to get rid of. Especially if you donate larger pieces.
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Ill - the other place that is really accommodating in Houston is Salvation Army. And most of the donations go to the needy and not to the management of the organization. Houston # 713-869-3551.
After June 6th, I am happy to come help sort/pack/load. Before that I'm helping my BFF clear out her big house in Conroe, which will close on 6/7. Let me know & I'll PM you my phone number.
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Thanks minus, that’s an amazing offer. Unfortunately, DH is the tough one to nudge, he must see his stuff but hates the task, planning and prep is subject to changes daily. I’m pretty motivated, so we shall see how it goes.
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If any part of de-cluttering the house includes getting rid of pieces of the house in good condition: also don't forget Habitat for Humanity. We replaced a window with a door, the window was still in good condition, and they are happy to take it...
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I have been reading with envy, you all are doing so good cleaning out clutter. Since my husband died I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff I need to do. Friends and family keep making weekend plans for me, or I end up having to watch grandchildren. I think they are trying to be nice, but my husband was not sick, he died suddenly and was a vital, active person. So my work load at home is a lot more. I wanted to get the outside stuff taken care of before it got too hot. (Its hot here now). I think I am good on the outside stuff now and can get back to clearing out some junk inside. Reading about your progress gives me inspiration and motivation! Hopefully, it gives me energy! lol
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Hey mistyeyes, it's okay for you to say "no" to plans other people make for you. That includes "having to watch grandchildren." You can say no to that, too. What happens if you ask them to come help you, instead of the other way around? Good luck with your home. It IS a lot of work!
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Mia - I agree
Misty - I think that is the biggest problem for most women. We don't know how to say NO
...Sorry I have other plans...Sorry I'm tired today...Sorry I have a lot on my plate...Sorry I want to just sit & think about my DH... Sorry I'm reading a book I want to finish...Maybe next time...
We are trained to make sure everyone else is happy, and has whatever they want or need, or that we lighten their load - and we end up putting ourselves LAST
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Amen MinusTwo I babysit a lot for my two grandsons but my son is in a difficult situation with their mother. Long story. My son always asks if it’s okay so at least he doesn’t assume plus he’s getting no support or much help from their mother. I do feel better knowing I’m taking care of them rather than an outsider. They will be in school a few days a week starting next month
Diane
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Mistyeyes- we know each other from another thread. You are still grieving. It's okay to ask for help & also to say not now.
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mistyeyes, I am sorry to learn of the sudden passing of your husband. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you. Please be easy on yourself. It may help to make a list. Nothing too detailed. But I find that a list can help me stay on track. Life does get busy. But when there is some down time, I refer to my list and say, “oh, yeah, I wanted to go through the hall closet" or, “that's right, I want to declutter the kitchen pantry." If you can, go through clothes first. They're easiest to part with. I adapted the Marie Kondo thing where instead of pulling out all clothes from every room in the house, I pulled all the clothes out in one room at a time. So everything from my closet and dressers went on the bed, I put back only what I knew I'd wear and either tossed or donated what was left on the bed. I watched tv while I sorted, took my time and took a break every 15 or 30 minutes. Getting one area done usually gives you incentive to tackle the next area you want to declutter.
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