Not quite a horder - decluttering

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Teka, I think you have identified it!!! I have not needed it for years, but by habit just kept them around.  Thanks for helping me solve this one.... I seem to get caught up in that psychological stuff, wondering "gee, what does it all mean?"  How liberating!

Oh, Patoo - great idea about the bag of clothes!  There are a few things in my closet that I just want to wear one more time, then get rid of them because they are favorites, but just don't meet my needs for work and play anymore.  So once a week, as I put away laundry, I think I will look at what is there and pull out at least one item per week - either wear it or give it away!!

Hey ladies I finally got to do my closet 6 bags later between my clothes and hubby I'm happy , now for the rest of the cupboards takes effort, energy, time

Too funny!

Had my professional organizer here today! Tackled the area that had been accumulating boxes and miscellaneous from the rest of the house that I have been avoiding making decisions on.  She headed straight for that mess right off the bat... I cringed... nearly had panic attack... onward we worked... and VICTORY is MINE!!!  My fireplace had been hidden behind boxes, bags, stuff to toss, stuff to go elsewhere, and now those things are all gone and my fireplace is beautiful and the room is now cozy and inviting instead of the beginnings of a horror show!

n3ypb, congrats on uncovering your fireplace.  That's a big accomplishment.

I hear you about the clothes but if I manage to lose another 20 lbs I will reward myself with "new" favorites during a shopping spree.  Actually the old favorites are kind of dressy and I really don't go anyplace that special anymore.  (party days are long gone)

Teka, are you unloading older items?  That would be one method - item in; item out.  I also need up-to-date stuff as I'm wearing some items that are 20 years old.

Hello everyone,

So great to read about everybodys progress. It's too hot to work on my garage. 115 degress F. here in Arizona today. Working inside a bit. I sent 10 T-shirts, 2 shorts, 4 pairs of shoes, and 3 dresses and other things to Goodwill.  3 bags went in the trash. I did buy 5 new t-shirts and 2 new shorts. I hit a great sale at Macy's.   So my closet is looking pretty good.  I remember reading somewhere that old clothes make you look old. I don't need to look any older than I am.  I think somewhere around 40 I stopped buying new clothes except when totally necessary. I've seen this with so many women where our  wardrobe seems to hit a standstill.  I have kept a few old things like classic black dress etc. I'll never feel young again, but at least I feel more modern with my new clothes,  

well, got some real progress here, and then got sick . now, im simply frustrated. i have found a line of clothes that ar expensive; they're made of material called "slinky" and its wonderful. I bought one 3 piece "suit" not structured, real soft. on HSN; but it cost too much for anymore. then, i found a place in an indoor flea market here that sells the whole outfit for the cost of one piece by the other site. so, i've gotten one in almost every color in the rsinbow. they're comfortable. light enough for s. Fla. so, now, the big job is go thru the closets, match tops for the sets, and declutter the rest.. its a big job, i have 3 closets!!!but, one little bit at a time. im getting a little better, even sick, i can take two sets of clothes out, and sort them. by the end of the wk' we have a big bag for goodwill....heres to a little at a time, but getting it done!............3jays

I also have 3 closets, one full to the hilt the other 2 just have stuff I haven't worn in ages.  Saw on community TV channel a call for clothes for women in a shelter so need to sit and watch for it again.  I have about 10 suits that I haven't worn in at least 5 years so need to unload them.  Turning the channel now and will get that info to call.  Aha, turned it on DVR so I don't have to try and get the info before it goes by.  (I'm so smart!  )

hotandcold - thanks for that thought.  I never thought of it that way but I know my clothes need to be updated as I've been saying for probably a year that my clothes are worn out.  Problem is finding things as I seem to be in that age gap, stores have clothes that are either too young (everything hanging out) or too old (dowdy) so I end up frustrated.and still wearing clothes past their expected lifecycle.

3jaysmom - hope you are feeling better.

Teka, have fun shopping. 

Hoping to make some headway this weekend since Irene has sent many plans awry.  I'm more inland so probably will only get lots of rain and heavy winds but should not be damaging.  I plan on cleaning this weekend and trying to sort stuff into 'donate' and 'throw out' - notice there is no 'keep' listed.  Okay, so I'll also have a 'maybe' that can be thought about for a spell.

Those of you on the east coast, be careful and stay safe.

I've been working in the yard more this summer so not so much decluttering going on inside. I did get a bunch of old magazines thrown out. Why do I save the magazines??? I don't know. Some  of them were at least 5 years old. Still needing to shred old receipts and payment stubs. (this one is hard for me since it's so boring and takes forever to shred)

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