Author Topic: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! (Read 1382316 times)

acorn · « **Reply #2050 on:** July 05, 2015, 11:09:52 AM »

Emptied out a huge dresser and got rid of it. So much more space in the room now. Getting rid of furniture (esp drawers and such) feels really satisfying! I find that the lack of storage space really helps in decluttering/accumulating things - after all I have no place to put it now.

Also sold an old spare bike yesterday. July's looking good!

mc6 · « **Reply #2051 on:** July 05, 2015, 08:52:14 PM »

After giving it a couple weeks on Freecycle with no bites, I took my old broken Canon printer to the trash room this morning. I feel glad to have that nonfunctioning monstrosity out of my living room.

Mrs.LC · « **Reply #2052 on:** July 05, 2015, 09:03:51 PM »

A good friend informed me that she is having a garage sale in a few weeks and that I'm welcome to bring stuff over. Yeah! I'm sure there is something stashed in this house that I can get rid of. We had a huge sale in May but there is always more.

meadow lark · « **Reply #2053 on:** July 05, 2015, 11:41:53 PM »

Mrs LC, I like your blog!
Today I admitted I needed to give away a shirt that looked great on the hanger and horrible on me. Even though the tags were still on it. I had a whole fight about it.

Squirrel away · « **Reply #2054 on:** July 06, 2015, 02:25:05 AM »

I got rid of a few more things yesterday. I am sending my old mobile phone and charger for recycling. I don't know why I was holding onto it for so long.

I threw away a blanket for my cat which she had ruined.

A couple items of makeup binned, the mascara had dried up.

I am waiting for my new drawer dividers to arrive and I want everything non clothes related to fit in three of the drawers so I may have to move some stuff around and see if there is anything else that can be purged.:)

ETA I just moved some paperwork from the drawer to the box files and threw away some advertising flyers. Threw away some old costume jewellery as I doubt it would sell at a charity shop.

theadvicist · « **Reply #2055 on:** July 06, 2015, 03:34:01 AM »

Quote from: MsPeacock on July 04, 2015, 07:49:28 PM

Anyone done the big stuff and not just the little piles of stuff?

MsPeacock, I hadn't intended to get rid of any big stuff, but I found that getting rid of the little stuff freed me to get rid of the big stuff.

The first item of furniture to go was a chest of drawers, which (of course) was given to me as a hand me down. It held napkins, placemats etc. When I cleared out some drawers of kitchen gadgets I never used I decided to put the dining items in there, so the drawers were obsolete. Moving them out gave me space to move other stuff around and freed up much needed circulating space near our dining table.

Then just on Friday night I cleared out another chest of drawers in the bathroom. I've mentioned my toiletries struggle before, but after finishing Marie Kondo I just tackled it head on. I haven't bought and toiletries for months, and pretty much never intend to again (I make all my own creams and lotions and get given enough bubble bath / shower gel etc to see me through).

So knowing I was bringing no more in I felt better about throwing out stuff I was never going to use. I had a few duplicates I know I will get to, they went into a small cosmetics bag on a shelf. I moved the first aid and medicines out of the bathroom into another drawer which had been cleared out thanks to Marie.

Getting rid of that chest of drawers opened up the bathroom immensely.

So if you've done the little things you'll likely have excess storage capacity and be able to get rid of some bigger items.

Melody · « **Reply #2056 on:** July 06, 2015, 04:56:45 AM »

Tossed a cardigan out which had faded badly in the sun (after only 2 days on the line in winter - WTF???) and a merino long sleeve t-shirt that a moth had had a feast on. Neither need to be replaced, I have plenty more cardis and merinos so that's two less items in my home.
Bought new winter work shoes today but left them under my desk at work (oops) as soon as I have them home and waterproofed the current pair is going in the bin. I didn't feel any purchase guilt as I knew they were replacing a pair that had well and truly done their time. Next planned purchase is a pair of summer work shoes to replace the two crappy/beat up pairs I currently have in my closet. The aim is to have two good quality and stylish pairs of shoes for work and be done with it.

Mrs.LC · « **Reply #2057 on:** July 06, 2015, 06:49:40 AM »

Quote from: Meadow Lark on July 05, 2015, 11:41:53 PM

Mrs LC, I like your blog!
Today I admitted I needed to give away a shirt that looked great on the hanger and horrible on me. Even though the tags were still on it. I had a whole fight about it.

Thanks. Glad you liked it! The blog is just getting started so come back for more and bring your friends!

theadvicist · « **Reply #2058 on:** July 06, 2015, 07:12:51 AM »

Quote from: Mrs.LC on July 06, 2015, 06:49:40 AM

Quote from: Meadow Lark on July 05, 2015, 11:41:53 PM
Mrs LC, I like your blog!
Today I admitted I needed to give away a shirt that looked great on the hanger and horrible on me. Even though the tags were still on it. I had a whole fight about it.
Thanks. Glad you liked it! The blog is just getting started so come back for more and bring your friends!

I checked it as well and liked it as well!

MsPeacock · « **Reply #2059 on:** July 06, 2015, 08:05:28 AM »

Finished Knodo's book this weekend. I have folded most of the drawers in my dresser as she recommends - why have I never heard of this before??? It is such an improvement to be able to see everything.

Started on weeding down my books - which is a major hurdle for me. I didn't take them all off the shelf as she recommends (that I will probably save for round 2), but took shelves and shelves out for donation. And now thinking back to some I left behind - those will go too.

YAY!

kander · « **Reply #2060 on:** July 06, 2015, 08:20:39 AM »

Great, MsPeacock. I've also read the book and I'm very enthusiastic about it!

Didn't start with the clothes, because I did that a few weeks ago, so I started with the books. I've cut or book collection in half :)

Sibley · « **Reply #2061 on:** July 06, 2015, 09:20:56 AM »

Sunday morning I was in the basement, and finally got around to opening the box and putting the furnace filters in the utility room. Looked at it, thought that I really needed to clean it out, closed the door and went back upstairs.

An hour later roomie and I were frantically removing everything from the utility room because the ejector pump failed and was flooding the basement. Thank god, it's laundry water and not toilet water!

Most of the clutter is paint cans. Some were there when we moved in. 2 gallons of a color that had been tried and rejected by a previous occupant and 9 pint cans of test colors from the living room got put on the free stuff section of Craigslist. One person coming tonight for the gallons, and someone hopefully coming tomorrow for the rest. If they flake out then I'll just put the ad back up.

Need to figure out which can of brown is the right color and use it for some touchups, then dispose of the other can. Also need to go through the rest and figure out what's actually on the walls, then get rid of the rest. Plus, I think the huge container of spackle has dried out and can get tossed. Already tossed the cardboard boxes that got wet.

Looking forward to getting the pump fixed so we can wash everything that got used for mopping up. Still working on the cleanup in the basement, but mostly trying to dry everything asap.

acorn · « **Reply #2062 on:** July 06, 2015, 11:45:41 AM »

Quote from: Sibley on July 06, 2015, 09:20:56 AM

Sunday morning I was in the basement, and finally got around to opening the box and putting the furnace filters in the utility room. Looked at it, thought that I really needed to clean it out, closed the door and went back upstairs.

An hour later roomie and I were frantically removing everything from the utility room because the ejector pump failed and was flooding the basement. Thank god, it's laundry water and not toilet water!

Most of the clutter is paint cans. Some were there when we moved in. 2 gallons of a color that had been tried and rejected by a previous occupant and 9 pint cans of test colors from the living room got put on the free stuff section of Craigslist. One person coming tonight for the gallons, and someone hopefully coming tomorrow for the rest. If they flake out then I'll just put the ad back up.

Need to figure out which can of brown is the right color and use it for some touchups, then dispose of the other can. Also need to go through the rest and figure out what's actually on the walls, then get rid of the rest. Plus, I think the huge container of spackle has dried out and can get tossed. Already tossed the cardboard boxes that got wet.

Looking forward to getting the pump fixed so we can wash everything that got used for mopping up. Still working on the cleanup in the basement, but mostly trying to dry everything asap.

ouch! that sounds like a big mess, hope the pump gets fixed asap and you'll get a sparkling clean and decluttered basement!

Zaga · « **Reply #2063 on:** July 06, 2015, 12:13:20 PM »

DH and I spent some quality time in the basement over the weekend throwing crap out.

A few months ago we got a pretty large dumpster and gutted the basement. In this process a ton of crap got thrown away, which was way awesome. However, this weekend showed both of us that there is still a lot down there that has to go. We only had the dumpster for a week, and we filled it right to the brim with everything from some concrete walls and ceiling tiles to old things of DH's gram that we just didn't want around any longer.

Still found some old expired food. Still scraping tiles off the floor. Still going through boxes we ignored in the demolition purge. It's coming along. Trash goes out tonight, I'm hoping for at least 4 bags of trash and to fill the recycle bin at least halfway (we have one of the huge 55+ gallon ones).

Mrs.LC · « **Reply #2064 on:** July 06, 2015, 08:04:05 PM »

Quote from: theadvicist on July 06, 2015, 07:12:51 AM

Quote from: Mrs.LC on July 06, 2015, 06:49:40 AM
Quote from: Meadow Lark on July 05, 2015, 11:41:53 PM
Mrs LC, I like your blog!
Today I admitted I needed to give away a shirt that looked great on the hanger and horrible on me. Even though the tags were still on it. I had a whole fight about it.
Thanks. Glad you liked it! The blog is just getting started so come back for more and bring your friends!

I checked it as well and liked it as well!

Thanks for the support!

Nancy · « **Reply #2065 on:** July 07, 2015, 07:20:45 AM »

I finally decluttered the kitchen gadgets! Woot! I'm excited. I knew it wouldn't be hard to get rid of things, but was nervous about the volume. Turns out, we don't have that much stuff, just limited space. I didn't declutter food since I am strongly against food waste (sorry Kondo, on this we part ways), but I'm committed to eating down my dried goods once again.

We are inching closer and closer to the hobby supplies. I'm actually excited to get to them and get rid of them!

Melody · « **Reply #2066 on:** July 07, 2015, 06:14:12 PM »

Task for the weekend: get the book from the library and do some focused decluttering. I also want to learn the folding tricks as I wear a lot of t-shirts and tank tops and have yet to figure out a way to keep the draw clean.

Melody · « **Reply #2067 on:** July 07, 2015, 06:21:34 PM »

Quote from: Nancy on July 07, 2015, 07:20:45 AM

I finally decluttered the kitchen gadgets! Woot! I'm excited. I knew it wouldn't be hard to get rid of things, but was nervous about the volume. Turns out, we don't have that much stuff, just limited space. I didn't declutter food since I am strongly against food waste (sorry Kondo, on this we part ways), but I'm committed to eating down my dried goods once again.

We are inching closer and closer to the hobby supplies. I'm actually excited to get to them and get rid of them!

In terms of food decluttering could you take the unwanted/unhealthy items (unopened stuff like cans etc) and put them in one of those donation boxes out the front of the supermarket. We always have them at Christmas but they also appear at other times of the year like homeless week (yes its a thing) and the like. Another alternative is to given the unwanted food to family/friends/neighbours. I gave my mum a bunch of flavoured tea I didn't like... The tea will get used and I don't have to drink it. Win win! I have also gotten rid of food by leaving it in the kitchen at work (stuff like weird powdered iced tea mix) co workers happily consumed it.

Nancy · « **Reply #2068 on:** July 08, 2015, 05:08:15 AM »

Excellent point, Melody! If I left food at work it would get devoured. I'll go through my food with that in mind. Thanks!

happy · « **Reply #2069 on:** July 08, 2015, 06:10:24 AM »

I made a foray into DD's room and even though I hardly touched the surface we ended up with a large bag of rubbish which half filled the garbage bin, and 4 bags/boxes of stuff went to the family store. And another two to go. This is huge since DD is usually very protective of her treasures.

I honestly don't know how I ended up with a house with so much stuff in it.

norabird · « **Reply #2070 on:** July 08, 2015, 07:17:23 AM »

Brought some stuff for clothing re-sale yesterday (though I did use store credit to get a skirt at one of them oops...), and a bag of books to re-sell today with a bag for donation hopefully going out tomorrow. Growing the twice, clothing swap, and fall trade piles. I feel like most of my 'de-cluttering' is mostly just trying to turn things I'm not using into small cash infusions, so not very Marie Kondo maybe, but I realized I might be able to move my cookbooks onto my regular bookshelf from their space above the stove. Not sure what else would go where they are now but kitchen space always is useful. Costco buying really takes up room!

Sibley · « **Reply #2071 on:** July 08, 2015, 11:05:09 AM »

Quote from: acorn on July 06, 2015, 11:45:41 AM

Quote from: Sibley on July 06, 2015, 09:20:56 AM
Sunday morning I was in the basement, and finally got around to opening the box and putting the furnace filters in the utility room. Looked at it, thought that I really needed to clean it out, closed the door and went back upstairs.

An hour later roomie and I were frantically removing everything from the utility room because the ejector pump failed and was flooding the basement. Thank god, it's laundry water and not toilet water!

Most of the clutter is paint cans. Some were there when we moved in. 2 gallons of a color that had been tried and rejected by a previous occupant and 9 pint cans of test colors from the living room got put on the free stuff section of Craigslist. One person coming tonight for the gallons, and someone hopefully coming tomorrow for the rest. If they flake out then I'll just put the ad back up.

Need to figure out which can of brown is the right color and use it for some touchups, then dispose of the other can. Also need to go through the rest and figure out what's actually on the walls, then get rid of the rest. Plus, I think the huge container of spackle has dried out and can get tossed. Already tossed the cardboard boxes that got wet.

Looking forward to getting the pump fixed so we can wash everything that got used for mopping up. Still working on the cleanup in the basement, but mostly trying to dry everything asap.

ouch! that sounds like a big mess, hope the pump gets fixed asap and you'll get a sparkling clean and decluttered basement!

All fixed now! Basement is just about back to normal - still have ventilation going to help with the drying process, but we think it's about 95% dry.

Got rid of 2 gallons of paint. The rest of the paint colors that aren't currently on the walls are in the garage, going to check them to see if they're still good (I suspect at least one isn't), and then put them up on Craigslist. The ones that are on the walls can stay.

jrubin · « **Reply #2072 on:** July 08, 2015, 11:18:32 AM »

For me it's been an ongoing struggle - both the DH and the two kiddos are more on the hoarder side - and while I'm not a hoarder, I have a lot of my own stuff that is pretty disorganized. I've been working on reducing the amount of "stuff" little by little - selling it on the FB tag-sale sites. No shipping like ebay and where our house is - not much ability for a tagsale. In the past month, I've managed to sell almost $300 worth of things, and probably about $1000 in the last 9 months or so. All of the proceeds going to our Early Retirement :) Finally the Hubs and Kids are seeing the benefits and have started to randomly bring me things to post/sell for them. I've cleared/donated 3 bags of clothes from my closet (not even a dent - but not ready to MK it yet), and 3 bags of clothes from the kids closets. It's pretty overwhelming for me - we REALLY have a LOT of stuff - seriously UGH!! But getting there. The MMM mindset and this forum have really helped me to see where I'd like to be in comparison to where I am. I literally haven't even been to the mall since October 2014, which is HUGE for me - no mindless shopping and adding to the 'stuff'. It's a long road - and I really appreciate everyone on this forum that reminds me I'm not alone, I'm making progress, and there are lifetime rewards in sight. So thank you all!

alleykat · « **Reply #2073 on:** July 08, 2015, 11:29:12 AM »

I am beginning to declutter again. I had to take a break from it as I have done a major declutter within the last year or so. I have taken out some storage containers and am ready to go through them. I just don't know what to do with my collectibles. They aren't worth much, I checked on ebay and most are not selling at all. I am not ready to take that hit but I don't want them either. What a dilemma.

Sibley · « **Reply #2074 on:** July 08, 2015, 12:00:49 PM »

Quote from: alleykat on July 08, 2015, 11:29:12 AM

I am beginning to declutter again. I had to take a break from it as I have done a major declutter within the last year or so. I have taken out some storage containers and am ready to go through them. I just don't know what to do with my collectibles. They aren't worth much, I checked on ebay and most are not selling at all. I am not ready to take that hit but I don't want them either. What a dilemma.

What type of collectibles?

riverffashion · « **Reply #2075 on:** July 08, 2015, 12:47:05 PM »

A bag of clothing out today to neighbors - a dress, pants, several shirts, a skirt, a couple handkerchiefs. And a book .

riverffashion · « **Reply #2076 on:** July 08, 2015, 12:50:49 PM »

Also went thru a small stack of papers in my dressers top drawer . always mange to collect ...
Also, go thru my car to order things every week or so ( recycle expired coupons and trash out from door etc. Tidy up items in trunk & donate any items hav gathered there ) .

DagobertDuck · « **Reply #2077 on:** July 08, 2015, 01:37:53 PM »

Quote from: alleykat on July 08, 2015, 11:29:12 AM

I just don't know what to do with my collectibles.

Quote from: alleykat on July 08, 2015, 11:29:12 AM

I don't want them

You do know what to do ;-)

jrubin · « **Reply #2078 on:** July 08, 2015, 04:23:31 PM »

I have some collectibles too, like Lladro statues that were gifted to me. Not really moving from what I've seen on eBay, not sure how to sell any other way :(

Melody · « **Reply #2079 on:** July 08, 2015, 10:55:43 PM »

Quote from: Nancy on July 08, 2015, 05:08:15 AM

Excellent point, Melody! If I left food at work it would get devoured. I'll go through my food with that in mind. Thanks!

Happy to help. I am very good at giving things away but not so much to charity where I am sometimes doubtful if the stuff gets used/appreciated and don't have the personal connection to get a warm fuzzy from it. I have never felt the need to de clutter a suit jacket which is too big for me (and I have two more black suit jackets) but as soon as I saw an unemployed friend needed one I was very enthusiastic about decluttering it. So I usually focus on finding more appreciative homes for things which helps me de clutter. I suppose because I then don't feel "omg I wasted how much on this" but I go "yay... I am making someone happy... Warm fuzzy feelings!!!" I am super good about old towels to the cat haven though... Excuse to visit cute kitties and always appreciated.

Melody · « **Reply #2080 on:** July 08, 2015, 10:57:03 PM »

Also three bottles of medication last night... One of them was 6 years out of date... Oops!!! And I thought I had done a really good job on the bathroom the other week.

Bardo · « **Reply #2081 on:** July 09, 2015, 05:42:11 AM »

Quote from: jrubin on July 08, 2015, 04:23:31 PM

I have some collectibles too, like Lladro statues that were gifted to me. Not really moving from what I've seen on eBay, not sure how to sell any other way :(

So you have some rubbishy statues that were "gifted" to you and that you don't want. Would it really be so wrong just to toss them into the trash and be done with them? If nothing else you would get that quick rush of being done with them and having them out of your sight.

Myself, I have a couple of decorative bowls I was planning "re-purpose" with a hammer.

Nancy · « **Reply #2082 on:** July 09, 2015, 06:54:58 AM »

Quote from: jrubin on July 08, 2015, 04:23:31 PM

I have some collectibles too, like Lladro statues that were gifted to me. Not really moving from what I've seen on eBay, not sure how to sell any other way :(

I had a similar issue with an expensive watch that was gifted to me 15 years ago. I decided to give it to a family member, who I know will wear it. Do you know anyone who would appreciate the statues?

I learned something about myself when I decluttered my valuable. I don't like "nice" things. I get tremendous joy from old repurposed items, but fancy/shiny things stress me out. Not sure if it's a fear of breaking them or what, but I prefer used.

plainjane · « **Reply #2083 on:** July 09, 2015, 07:33:33 AM »

Quote from: jrubin on July 08, 2015, 04:23:31 PM

I have some collectibles too, like Lladro statues that were gifted to me. Not really moving from what I've seen on eBay, not sure how to sell any other way :(

Are there any kids in your family who would want them? Since you don't care if they get broken/chipped.

If you really need to sell them, perhaps a high-end consignment furniture shop? They often have such things, and if you try there and it doesn't work, you're not out anything.

jrubin · « **Reply #2084 on:** July 09, 2015, 12:06:34 PM »

Quote from: Nancy on July 09, 2015, 06:54:58 AM

Quote from: jrubin on July 08, 2015, 04:23:31 PM
I have some collectibles too, like Lladro statues that were gifted to me. Not really moving from what I've seen on eBay, not sure how to sell any other way :(

I had a similar issue with an expensive watch that was gifted to me 15 years ago. I decided to give it to a family member, who I know will wear it. Do you know anyone who would appreciate the statues?

I learned something about myself when I decluttered my valuable. I don't like "nice" things. I get tremendous joy from old repurposed items, but fancy/shiny things stress me out. Not sure if it's a fear of breaking them or what, but I prefer used.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I will start by asking family members if they are interested in these things, then move on to a consignment shop, and as a last step - the thrill of tossing (or hammering) them ;) I also prefer older, repurposed things that I don't have to stress out about breaking - based solely on what someone else spent on them.

Practical Magic · « **Reply #2085 on:** July 09, 2015, 12:12:06 PM »

Oftentimes you can get more benefit from donating and using the tax deduction than you can get from selling the item. I do a combination of selling on eBay, donating to thrift store or giving to friends. (Have mostly given up on Criag's List except when trying to sell cars). Last year I cleared out almost all my books and donated them, even some valuable ones. I typed up a list of the titles and took pics for proof of donation (along with thrift store receipt). ~We had a really nice tax deduction last year!

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #2086 on:** July 09, 2015, 01:02:59 PM »

Quote from: Bardo on July 09, 2015, 05:42:11 AM

So you have some rubbishy statues that were "gifted" to you and that you don't want. Would it really be so wrong just to toss them into the trash and be done with them? If nothing else you would get that quick rush of being done with them and having them out of your sight.

I at least would give them to a thrift shop or freecycle them. That doesn't take much effort, but produces less waste, as someone might want them, just not for much money.

I think I will have a similar problem with Hummells in just a few years. There are at least 8 family members with significant collections. And they know I'm the one who cares about "family stuff". Except I don't consider mass produced figurines to be family antiques like the trunks my grandparents brought over from Hungary. Totally different category.

4alpacas · « **Reply #2087 on:** July 09, 2015, 03:52:51 PM »

Quote from: Eirene on July 09, 2015, 03:24:41 PM

Quote from: Melody on July 07, 2015, 06:14:12 PM
Task for the weekend: get the book from the library and do some focused decluttering. I also want to learn the folding tricks as I wear a lot of t-shirts and tank tops and have yet to figure out a way to keep the draw clean.

YouTube videos are great for that. I couldn't figure out how to fold just based on the description in the book.

Here's a link to Marie Kondo folding undies

https://youtu.be/tglp9eWQEhY

There are countless videos of other people (not Marie Kondo) folding T-shirts, I liked this one

https://youtu.be/EIjGlMD0Nz8

I spent about 20 minutes watching youtube videos before I put my clothes back in the drawers. I save a lot of time finding things because everything is so easily accessible. Organizing my socks was life-changing.

Zikoris · « **Reply #2088 on:** July 09, 2015, 03:57:46 PM »

I read the Life-changing Magic book a couple of months ago but can't remember - why does she suggest folding all your things rather than hanging them in the closet? It seems much easier and faster to just hang everything, especially when you hang shirts to dry on the hangers and can just pop them in the closet when they're dry.

Anatidae V · « **Reply #2089 on:** July 09, 2015, 04:18:13 PM »

Quote from: Zikoris on July 09, 2015, 03:57:46 PM

I read the Life-changing Magic book a couple of months ago but can't remember - why does she suggest folding all your things rather than hanging them in the closet? It seems much easier and faster to just hang everything, especially when you hang shirts to dry on the hangers and can just pop them in the closet when they're dry.

Because when you fold, you check the condition the item is in, as well as folded items taking up much less space than hanging ones.

Melody · « **Reply #2090 on:** July 09, 2015, 04:49:36 PM »

I have been doing the hangar trick for about a month and wanted to try it for the folding stuff. With the new "folding" and a bit of cardboard I reckon I can move things from one side of the drawer to the other.the idea is that when I move to Melbourne any winter clothes that haven't been used are to stay behind or in the very least to be seriously scrutinized. My problem is I can not wear something for more than a year and then "rediscover" it and wear it to death. Generally the rediscovery relies on a complementary item entering my wardrobe. I had this shirt I really liked by found I wasn't really wearing it as it didn't go with much. Since my grey tights have entered my wardrobe it gets worn a fair bit.

wintersun · « **Reply #2091 on:** July 09, 2015, 05:06:24 PM »

My clearing clutter energy came back and it is so satisfying to be almost through the first round of clearing the house out. Another load to the dumpster this week has left me seeing the finish line ahead. I am revelling in the feeling of being able to locate most things, being able to access them easily, being able to walk into each room with ease and best of all feeling a yummy feeling when I walk into a room and it has clear surfaces and a clear floor.

My second round will involve dealing with all the paper that was kept and organised into categories in last year's mammoth paper purge. For some reason I am putting off scanning since I don't know how. The second round will also include checking each closet and drawer and cupboard for things which I am now ready to release. That part should be quite quick.

Ongoing projects such as using up all lotions and toothpastes and other toiletries are bringing me weekly joy as I slowly reduce the number of jars and bottles.

Repeatedly lately people have been offering me their culled items: tonight someone brought two bags of clothing to a party for a give away and people kept holding things up for me to try on. Finally someone asked me why I was not trying things on and I said I simply do not want to add to what I have.

I feel excited that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have never lived in a state of choice, where everything we own has been recently examined and chosen.

wintersun · « **Reply #2092 on:** July 09, 2015, 05:09:24 PM »

This week two groups of people came to our house and remarked that it looks different and feels different than the last time they were here. I explained that I had cleared out every drawer, closet, box and bin and they said they could feel a freshness in the house that was not there before.

Made my day!!!!

acorn · « **Reply #2093 on:** July 09, 2015, 06:00:07 PM »

Quote from: 4alpacas on July 09, 2015, 03:52:51 PM

Quote from: Eirene on July 09, 2015, 03:24:41 PM
Quote from: Melody on July 07, 2015, 06:14:12 PM
Task for the weekend: get the book from the library and do some focused decluttering. I also want to learn the folding tricks as I wear a lot of t-shirts and tank tops and have yet to figure out a way to keep the draw clean.

YouTube videos are great for that. I couldn't figure out how to fold just based on the description in the book.

Here's a link to Marie Kondo folding undies

https://youtu.be/tglp9eWQEhY

There are countless videos of other people (not Marie Kondo) folding T-shirts, I liked this one

https://youtu.be/EIjGlMD0Nz8
I spent about 20 minutes watching youtube videos before I put my clothes back in the drawers. I save a lot of time finding things because everything is so easily accessible. Organizing my socks was life-changing.

my favorite t-shirt folding video. always awesome when i do it successfully.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6rjbw0ZA0

Practical Magic · « **Reply #2094 on:** July 09, 2015, 06:07:27 PM »

Quote from: wintersun on July 09, 2015, 05:09:24 PM

This week two groups of people came to our house and remarked that it looks different and feels different than the last time they were here. I explained that I had cleared out every drawer, closet, box and bin and they said they could feel a freshness in the house that was not there before.

Made my day!!!!

Yay, wintersun! That was a fitting affirmation for all your efforts. :-)

theadvicist · « **Reply #2095 on:** July 10, 2015, 02:45:46 AM »

Quote from: wintersun on July 09, 2015, 05:09:24 PM

This week two groups of people came to our house and remarked that it looks different and feels different than the last time they were here. I explained that I had cleared out every drawer, closet, box and bin and they said they could feel a freshness in the house that was not there before.

Made my day!!!!

My mum also commented on our house. She literally walked in and said, "What have you done?" as if we had redecorated or something. I suppose it's like people say that they get a face lift and everyone knows something is different, but can't put their finger on it, and so think they've changed their hair or something.

I just said, "oh I just tidied up" and she remarked about how great it was looking. It did feel nice... but it also made me slightly regretful for living in such disorder for so long (I always had an excuse, we are about to start a remodel soon, so there was no point in giving things a home etc etc). Anyway, it was nice that she noticed.

Thanks Eirene for posting the link to those videos - very helpful. I was interested to see she doesn't fold bras in half down the middle as I do. I guess she thinks it's bad for the material to be effectively turned inside out (I tuck one cup into the other).

Approaching the 1300 mark in my 2015 in 2015 challenge. I have a fair few things on ebay finishing this weekend, so they'll get checked off as they go out of the door. The money will be useful too, we've been doing an unusual amount of entertaining this month (probably linked to the fact I don't feel the need to clear up for company coming?) so we're short on booze.

Zikoris · « **Reply #2096 on:** July 10, 2015, 08:53:22 AM »

Quote from: anatidaev on July 09, 2015, 04:18:13 PM

Quote from: Zikoris on July 09, 2015, 03:57:46 PM
I read the Life-changing Magic book a couple of months ago but can't remember - why does she suggest folding all your things rather than hanging them in the closet? It seems much easier and faster to just hang everything, especially when you hang shirts to dry on the hangers and can just pop them in the closet when they're dry.
Because when you fold, you check the condition the item is in, as well as folded items taking up much less space than hanging ones.

Wouldn't you check the condition when you wear it? I'd certainly notice if something I had on had holes in it or something. As far as space, I think it just makes more sense to get rid of enough clothes that you don't need more space than your closet has. But I guess most people probably have more clothes than me...

Sibley · « **Reply #2097 on:** July 10, 2015, 09:32:20 AM »

Quote from: iowajes on July 09, 2015, 01:02:59 PM

Quote from: Bardo on July 09, 2015, 05:42:11 AM

So you have some rubbishy statues that were "gifted" to you and that you don't want. Would it really be so wrong just to toss them into the trash and be done with them? If nothing else you would get that quick rush of being done with them and having them out of your sight.

I at least would give them to a thrift shop or freecycle them. That doesn't take much effort, but produces less waste, as someone might want them, just not for much money.

I think I will have a similar problem with Hummells in just a few years. There are at least 8 family members with significant collections. And they know I'm the one who cares about "family stuff". Except I don't consider mass produced figurines to be family antiques like the trunks my grandparents brought over from Hungary. Totally different category.

Are any of the Hummells valuable at all? If not, just donate them when you end up with them.

Actually, my sister and I have figured out how to handle parent's stuff eventually:
1. We take what we want (luckily, not aware of much overlap)
2. Offer to family
3. Offer to friends
4. Donate/sell/trash

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #2098 on:** July 10, 2015, 09:58:49 AM »

Quote from: Sibley on July 10, 2015, 09:32:20 AM

Are any of the Hummells valuable at all? If not, just donate them when you end up with them.

Expensive to buy ($150-$300!!!). But I can't imagine many (if any) of them have retained their value at all. Way too many people have these things.
Ebay tells me they go for $10-50. Which on the lower end doesn't seem worth the effort of trying to ship something breakable, which can lose the seller money.

So yeah, we will probably donate them. Although, with my parents I suspect we will have to have some sort of estate sale. Are stamp sets from every year since 1950 worth anything? What about coin proof sets? (At the very least I can open those up and have $1.41!) My Dad collects so much crap.

Sibley · « **Reply #2099 on:** July 10, 2015, 10:08:11 AM »

Quote from: AerynLee on July 10, 2015, 08:59:59 AM

Quote from: Zikoris on July 10, 2015, 08:53:22 AM
Quote from: anatidaev on July 09, 2015, 04:18:13 PM
Quote from: Zikoris on July 09, 2015, 03:57:46 PM
I read the Life-changing Magic book a couple of months ago but can't remember - why does she suggest folding all your things rather than hanging them in the closet? It seems much easier and faster to just hang everything, especially when you hang shirts to dry on the hangers and can just pop them in the closet when they're dry.
Because when you fold, you check the condition the item is in, as well as folded items taking up much less space than hanging ones.

Wouldn't you check the condition when you wear it? I'd certainly notice if something I had on had holes in it or something. As far as space, I think it just makes more sense to get rid of enough clothes that you don't need more space than your closet has. But I guess most people probably have more clothes than me...
Her reasoning is that it's hard on clothes. They don't like being hung up (back to the slightly batty "objects have feelings" mentality)

To me, it's definitely batty. But then again, so is my roommate. She's not willing to part with anything, even though she has more clothes than she needs. She won't even get rid of clothes that are now too big for her! "I can get them altered" um, not worth it on a large scale. Either learn to sew and do it yourself, or get rid of them and just get new clothes.

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Author Topic: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! (Read 1382316 times)