Not quite a horder - decluttering

Mominator

I went through some boxes and found several pairs of shorts, all but one with tags on them. I bought them in 2011 when I was at my heaviest. Looks like I wore the one pair, and was intending to return the rest as I lost weight.

I did lose the weight, finally, and have been wearing the smaller shorts on the left. The shorts with tags, along with several bras (good condition but also too big), some of my son's clothes, and some winter coats are being picked up today by the United War Veterans Council.

MinusTwo

Jazzy - what a fantastic decluttering response. Thanks for today's chuckle.

Did any of you read the recent articles about how millenials (& probably Gen X) don't want all the stuff we've prized for so long? Here's one of the articles. At least I know it's not just my son who has no interest in my treasures. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/boomers-unwanted-inheritance/2015/03/27/0e75ff6e-45c4-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html

I've been sidelined with a broken arm, but have started to take baby steps towards tossing stuff out again. Two speakers that were installed in my kitchen have been removed since the 'in the wall' wiring no longer connects to my stereo. So I was able to clean the top of the fridge. Found five unopened BBQ lighters in my giant sized wooden bowl. Two had price tags from a store that my Dad used in CA. He died in 2007 so I guess I don't need to wonder how long they've been there.

DivineMrsM

We must have some kind of collective unconsciousness going on.

Mominator, you are nice and tidy with your things. Congratulations on the weight loss. Your colors organized that way...that is how The magic of tidying up suggest doing it.

MinusTwo, haha, 8 years those lighters been hanging around. Keep or toss?

This past week, I was reading the book "Everything that remains" written by a couple of minimalists. I don't worry that I'm not a strict minimalist, far, far from it actually. But I am inspired by their line of reasoning. And it inspired me to tackle about eight boxes of stuff I'd save of my son's school work from preschool to twelfth grade. For some reason, after all these years, it was easy to pitch quite a lot, and those boxes are condensed down to one, which might be the size of a cardboard bankers box, filled with fun, successfuland creative stuff ds did in school. Real success for me. I looked around in that same room where the boxes were and decided I will take a few more things there to goodwill soon, an old mirror, a hat that belonged to my dad (well, maybe), some old baby blankets.

MinusTwo, I have also come to realize the next generation doesn't want most of the crap we hold on to. I keep things that I like that I figure someone might be willing to fork over a few bucks if my son ever decides to have an estate sale of mine and dh's things.

If it ever comes to that. The wife of the guy across the street in his 60s died about three years ago. He recently remarried, and all year, we've watched him and his new wife get rid of stuff and have new stuff brought in. Out with the old, in with the new I guess.

Teka

Jazzy, time to toss out the bathroom scale.

Mominator, mentioning winter coats reminded me to wash Daughter's winter jacket. June was hectic!

I need to get back to decluttering Son's bedroom this Summer.

I feel reading about decluttering is more fun than decluttering. ;o))

glennie19

We just had a HUGE rummage sale at my synagogue. I volunteered a lot of hours to help with setting up and pricing the items. Most of the other volunteers are retired, and several of them commented how their kids, the younger generation, is just not interested in their nice dishes or matching sets of glasses, etc, etc. I did get rid of some of my stuff too,, still more to go! Our sale made about $7000, and then the rest of the items went to various charities. We took books to the Friends of the Library for them to resell, I took some old comforters and rugs to the Humane Society for the animals, and Habitat picked up the rest for their resale store.

My front closet is all cleaned out now and nicely organized. I can easily find the dog's leash, etc!! I want to paint it next,, but having carpal tunnel surgery on the 11th, so painting will have to wait for a bit.

barbski60

I do one drawer a day - doesn't take too long and I don't have to do it on the weekends.

mustlovepoodles

After nearly a year of dealing with breast cancer and all it's issues, my house has been terrible neglected. It looks like a pack of wolves lives in here! I think I'm just going to have to put it on the calendar and do some small thing every afternoon. We're going to put the house on the market some time in the next 12 months, probably, so I need to do some serious downsizing.

Wren44

I read the Marie Kondo book and thought about my belongings. If I only kept the things that brought me joy, they would fit in a carry on suitcase. Have I tossed everything - no....

mustlovepoodles

LOL, Wren. I feel the same way. If i had to move tomorrow, the only furniture i would take is my four-poster rice bed and matching dresser & mirror. Everything else can go to the thrift store or to the kids.

MinusTwo

The thing I thought would be easy is the hardest. I only have one child so I saved every single photo - even those that are crooked or with weird backgrounds - and carefully wrote on the back & put them in albums. At least I did that until he went away to college. When I sit down with those albums I find it impossible to throw away photos. I know he would like maybe only one album for 20 years (if that) and I know they are not having any children who will want to see the "funny pictures of Daddy" later on, but still.... He lives in a different state and I only get to see him once a year, but still... I'm slowly trying to get with the picture (pun intended).

The furniture are mostly pieces that were my parents or their parents or other older relatives, but I'm content that I could leave it tomorrow. The books - not so much. And why am I still saving a gigantic turkey roaster when I'll never cook another 20 lb turkey in my life? Nor will I make a pan of lasagne for 20 people. I need to get going with my sorting again.

ShetlandPony

Marie Kondo says to save sentimental items for last because they are the hardest.

freyabennett

The rule is - if you didn't use it for 3 years or more, throw it out or sell/give away.

BrooksideVT

Yikes! I read the Marie Kondo book (free audio book on Youtube) about a month ago and have been cleaning and organizing ever since. My shirts are all hung with the black ones on the left, then shading to other colors. My coat closet has the longer coats on the left, jackets on the right. My nightgowns are folded the Konmarie way, and my junk drawers! For twenty years, things have gone in, but nothing has gone out. I could barely get anything in any more. Now, they are all nearly empty, perfectly organized with little dividers everywhere. Bonus: I tend to throw change in drawers. Wrapped about $100 in coins and carted them off to the bank. Sounds like a lot, but $100/20 years = $5/year.

MinusTwo

I am aware of the 3 year rule, but I got sidelined by cancer. Not once, but twice - so I have 5 years invested in something that has no relationship to the rest of my life before - and hopefully after.

I'm not sure if I'll go back to a job that requires my blazers & jackets or if I'll live in jeans. I'm not sure if the neuropathy in my feet will get better so I'll be able to wear many of my shoes, although I've already thrown out all the heels. I'm not sure if I'll regain the energy & love of working in my garden again, although I did get rid of the lawnmower that I can no longer start because of lymphadema. I don't believe I'll ever entertain like I used to, so the kitchen is packed with dishes & pans, although I have gotten rid of most of the food I used to stock in the pantry. I don't know if I'll go back to the gym for a strenuous workout every day so I've kept my workout clothes & shoes. And, etc. I'm taking baby steps but I know I will have to dive in sometime (pun intended). It was relatively easy after the first diagnosis & treatment. When BC came back two years later, not so much.

Sorry for the whine. I appreciate this thread. It gives me inspiration. At least I'm not a shopper so there are relatively few new things added. I KNOW I just need to pick one area & get going.

Wren44

Minus, I see what you mean. I wouldn't get rid of clothes if I thought I might go back to work. I'm retired, but my job was so casual that we wore jeans most of the time. I'm gradually getting rid of perfectly good clothing that I don't feel good in. I think I should wear the items but I never do. I put them at the bottom so DH doesn't notice.

We have a lot of camping equipment although we're getting pretty picky about where we sleep. I think we should keep one tent, the good air mattress and the cooking stuff. The rest could go to the scouts or somewhere. I've thought of using our backpacks as emergency packs in case of earthquake. The problem is where on earth to store them that would be accessible in an earthquake.

mustlovepoodles

I just drove home from visiting my mother. We went through about 10 boxes of stuff she had brought down from her attic.  90% of it is trash. It took 12 hours to go through it all, pick out the several things she wanted to keep, and toss ten 55-gallon bags of crap.  And the rest of the house is 9 times worse. It's just overwhelming to her (and me!)  I came home, went straight to my closet, and removed at least half the clothing in there.  Going to the thrift store on Friday!

Wren44

Nothing like inspiration to get you going. My 11yo GS wouldn't clean his room until his parents showed him an episode of hoarders. Then he did a pretty good job of picking the things he wanted and organizing them. Perhaps I should get Netfliks too.

ShetlandPony

Poodles, I can't imagine working twelve hours on the attic project, then going home and doing more!

DivineMrsM

Brookside, great job tackling your your stuff via the Marie Kondo way.

Poodles, wow, you have a lot to contend with regarding your mother's stuff. Good luck with it all.

Wren, ha, ha, it was like watching an episode of "Scared Straight" for your grandson

Jazzygirl

Thought for the day!

glennie19

DivineMrsM

I have to say that it's nice to get to a point where I don't feel surrounded by a variety of unnecessary things. I don't think I would have reached this place until now because I am at the stage of empty nester. Having kids around, my focus and energy was elsewhere and that's okay.

I still have some things I can address, but it's like it's a different level now. I have a three drawer bureau in the living room. One drawer holds travel brochures and magazine and I can get rid of the outdated stuff. Another drawer has son's college info and forms, ect. and he's graduated now. I'm going to box the stuff up and put a date on it. Whatever isn't taken out of the box in a year from the date can get pitched,

I have a closet next to the kitchen I use as a pantry. It gets cleaned out at least twice a year and still manages to get refilled with all manner of congested miscellaneous catch alls. When cooler weathers hits, I'll tackle it once again. During the summer, I haven't done hardly any decluttering, focusing on being active while weather's nice. But I haven't felt the need as much to declutter because I've been effectively eliminating it and not replacing it .

Teka

Jazzy, perfect. ;o)

I still have son's and daughter's paper clutter from college stashed away in the living room and our bedroom.

I'm now lame from doing Spring and Summer outdoor work!! :o(

The Fall is my favorite season before the holidays, followed by decluttering during the frigid Winter.

RubySlips

So glad I found you ladies on this thread! I have been preoccupied with simplifying since starting now Taxol (because finally got some energy after AC and not working for now). Ok, maybe obsessed is a better word. It's a lot more fun than being preoccupied with cancer. I feel like some good is coming from my time in treatment.

Finally had a HUGE garage sale last week. I sold the package of skewers that had been in my kitchen drawer for 2 years for 50 cents. Had always wanted to do kabobs but realized they were wasting space. Monday my sis asked if we could do a graduation BBQ for my nephew at my house. You guessed it - a kabob party.What are the chances? Guess I should have followed the THREE year rule!'

Teka

RubySlips, Hi and Welcome!! )

I only follow the rule............1 new in......1 old out.

I got tired of old pairs of shoes piling up. ;o)

RubySlips

Thanks Teka. That's a great rule. The trick seems to be how to get my husband on board. Any tip are appreciated

Mominator

My daughters cleaned our their rooms. Here are 5 bags of clothes going to charity.

Plus two bags of fancy dresses going to their cousins.

Hubby cleaned out my son's room. Here's one big box of Transformers, and an XBox game going to his cousin, plus some small clothes going to the youngest girl cousin.

It was a good week.

Wren44

Mominator - that is beyond impressive!

DivineMrsM

Mominator, doesn't that feel good to clear that much stuff out? Great job.

RubySlips

Wow Mominator - you're killin it! You've inspired me!