Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2

[okisok]

Getting items returned is a real achievement! How nice to get the refund to reinforce the good work of going through with the returns.

The bag of clothing was handed off to the co-worker who takes them to her volunteer gig. That's a new personal record for getting donations out! Not so much the bag of household items to donate that are still in the car...

Cleaned out my car of litter and random detritus that ends up in the cup holders.

Organized my tea drawer and got rid of a box that was nearly empty. Brewed and drank some of the tea that had gotten pushed to the back and forgotten about.

[SunnyDays]

They didn't sit in my car trunk or bedroom floor for weeks!

Now that's achievement!!

Speaking of things that have been driving around in trunks for weeks, I finally added a pair of new-with-tags leggings that don't fit to the bag of Costco returns. Then, I actually stood in line and returned everything!  They took it all though I have no recollection of when I bought the items. About $150 was refunded to my card.  I love that store. 

Well, you're both doing better than I am - I've had a stack of egg cartons to go to a local egg producer for months now.  They go into the trunk, then out of the trunk whenever I need room for something else.  I've told myself that tomorrow is the day, but we'll see.

I also have leggings to return to Costco.  They make me look like a sausage.  I hope I get a refund, because I no longer have the receipt.

[Poundwise]

Well, you're both doing better than I am - I've had a stack of egg cartons to go to a local egg producer for months now.  They go into the trunk, then out of the trunk whenever I need room for something else.  I've told myself that tomorrow is the day, but we'll see.

I also have leggings to return to Costco.  They make me look like a sausage.  I hope I get a refund, because I no longer have the receipt.

Ha, I do that too!  I have also been driving around for months with a bag of old soccer cleats that I was going to donate to the local cleat swap.

As long as the tags are still on your leggings and they were bought within the last... year? you will be fine because they use your membership card to look up past purchases. Yes, the leggings gave me the most hideous muffin top and made me sad.  And if I lose enough weight to make them fit better, I may as well wear some other leggings that I outgrew and still am hoarding. I'm not sure whether I should keep aspirational clothes.

[Fresh Bread]

Went through the stationary, gift wrap, craft and tech draws. A few things are being given away and I've ended up with two drawers to put things in that were being stored on surfaces. Right now tho it's a mess because the giveaways are still lying about and I'm not well enough to sort them out. The worst stage :(

[slackmax]

Made good on my previous post, to declutter a container on a card table in the kitchen. Decided to clean off the tabletop while I was at it. Took everything off, and it was easier to see what was there.

Ended up recycling about 40 plastic pen tops (think Bic pens). And about 10 pieces of paper. Moved a few things off the table to more appropriate places in the house, where they are not in the way.

[Sibley]

Bagged up the stuff that had been accumulated on the guest bed, dropped it off at the thrift shop.
Grabbed the stuff from parent's garage that needed to go to thrift shop, got dropped off.
Grabbed the various cans of paint which are no longer needed. A couple can be donated, most will have to sit, opened, in my garage to dry out.
Pulled out the boxes of LVP flooring from under the guest bed, listed on FB marketplace, and sold for $250. I got them for the utility room but have determined that installation would be a PITA and would screw with the door. I'll live with the concrete floor.

Also rearranged the guest room, including temporary installment of a litterbox, food station, and many cat accessories. Then installed the new kitty in the there. :) Cross your fingers that he gets along with Arwen.

[Roadrunner53]

UGH, I have an issue. A friend of mine sent two identical flower arrangements for Christmas. Both are little wooden houses with 'snow' on the roof and had a live plant in them but both died. Now, I have these two adorable 'houses' that I have no clue what to do with. I hate to donate them but I am running out of room! They are gorgeous little houses but I think they were not so good for the plants. Very hard to water them therefore, I guess I killed them. I am on a guilt trip!!!!

[oneday]

A lot of really great wins recently, good job everyone!

So far, have identified half a dozen items I no longer want, while boxing up my stuff for the move. Actually got rid of only one thing...recycled the gallon jug that has just a dribble of vinegar left in it, after decanting it into the smaller container that fits in the cupboard. It's something, at least.

[Captain FIRE]

My MIL took the box of rag-clothing away to drop off for me.  Ripped clothing, used underwear (I decided my kids could have their own new underwear), etc.  Very glad to have it out of the house!

[LaineyAZ]

I was chuckling at a sign I saw at a local storage facility:  "Declutter your home now - store your extra items here!"

My reaction, to paraphrase a popular meme, is "I don't think your use of the word 'declutter' means what you think it means ..."

[Sibley]

UGH, I have an issue. A friend of mine sent two identical flower arrangements for Christmas. Both are little wooden houses with 'snow' on the roof and had a live plant in them but both died. Now, I have these two adorable 'houses' that I have no clue what to do with. I hate to donate them but I am running out of room! They are gorgeous little houses but I think they were not so good for the plants. Very hard to water them therefore, I guess I killed them. I am on a guilt trip!!!!

Either repurpose them for something else, or get rid of them. It's ok.

[Sibley]

Stopped by parents house and loaded a small table into the car, then went up to the Habitat ReStore and donated, along with some paint.

[marion10]

Donated my wedding dress to an angel gown charity - but paid to have a piece of dress framed, handkerchief made and a bouquet charm. So keepsakes if my kids get married. Still deciding what to do with the veil.

[slackmax]

UGH, I have an issue. A friend of mine sent two identical flower arrangements for Christmas. Both are little wooden houses with 'snow' on the roof and had a live plant in them but both died. Now, I have these two adorable 'houses' that I have no clue what to do with. I hate to donate them but I am running out of room! They are gorgeous little houses but I think they were not so good for the plants. Very hard to water them therefore, I guess I killed them. I am on a guilt trip!!!!

Donate one, keep one?   

It's the kind of thing I would try to sell at a flea market, if I wanted to get rid of it. Unless it had sentimental value.   

[Captain FIRE]

Donated my wedding dress to an angel gown charity - but paid to have a piece of dress framed, handkerchief made and a bouquet charm. So keepsakes if my kids get married. Still deciding what to do with the veil.

I wore my mom's veil headpiece (not her dress though) and she made a new veil for it for me.

[SunnyDays]

UGH, I have an issue. A friend of mine sent two identical flower arrangements for Christmas. Both are little wooden houses with 'snow' on the roof and had a live plant in them but both died. Now, I have these two adorable 'houses' that I have no clue what to do with. I hate to donate them but I am running out of room! They are gorgeous little houses but I think they were not so good for the plants. Very hard to water them therefore, I guess I killed them. I am on a guilt trip!!!!

Yeah, I got rid of a lot of stuff like that.  I categorize them as "Cute But Meaningless."  You won't miss them once they're gone, but as long as you have them, you'll be devoting mental energy to them.

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

Sold a rain jacket that was bought on sale (not returnable) but turned out to be so vastly undersized I had to sell it. Made more money than I paid for it.

But the bonus was meeting the person who bought it, talking about boats and sailing plans. I am hopeful we will see her and her family again as their boat is just down the street from ours.

[Poundwise]

UGH, I have an issue. A friend of mine sent two identical flower arrangements for Christmas. Both are little wooden houses with 'snow' on the roof and had a live plant in them but both died. Now, I have these two adorable 'houses' that I have no clue what to do with. I hate to donate them but I am running out of room! They are gorgeous little houses but I think they were not so good for the plants. Very hard to water them therefore, I guess I killed them. I am on a guilt trip!!!!

Yeah, I got rid of a lot of stuff like that.  I categorize them as "Cute But Meaningless."  You won't miss them once they're gone, but as long as you have them, you'll be devoting mental energy to them.

I would put them on Buy Nothing. Somebody may want to put fresh plants in them for regifting next year.

[Prairie Gal]

I have been getting rid of lots of small items like papers (7 years of old pay statements), photos, etc. Sold two art panels that I made. (Yay! $40 to my crafting fund.) But, overall it is going slowly. I buggered up one of my knees and standing or walking for long is painful. And I find that I am compensating by standing mostly on the good leg, which is making my back hurt. Oh well, it is slowly getting better.

I have decided to list my house for sale this summer, so I need to buckle down. I am still not sure if I will be staying in my town (and moving to a condo), or moving across the country, but either way I need to downsize the house contents. It feels a bit (a lot some days) overwhelming.

[Rosy]

For almost four months I have been using up my bead and jewelry-making stash for creating my own garden art and/or donating a lot of it (supplies) to my neighbor. She runs a hospice for felines over 12 years old and functions as a non-profit cat sanctuary nursing and taking care of kitty babies up to about 8 weeks old.
She makes and sells all sorts of art to support her charity.

Yesterday was the first time that I noticed I actually put a dent in my supplies and jewelry and items held onto for future projects or leftover from past projects. I'm close to decimating it by half.
The jewelry hooks held so many necklaces - some from several decades ago - that it got tangled and " I couldn't find the one I was looking for" any longer.

So there is plenty of progress, but it is oh so slow, but the dust collectors and unloved items are all slowly disappearing.
It feels good.

Who knows maybe I'll tackle some of my clothing next week - it is time for a closet clear out.

[LaineyAZ]

Wanted to mention a city-sponsored recycling event today that had included some extras:   
In addition to the city accepting certain recyclable electronics and having free paper shredding available, they allowed several non-profits to participate by setting up tables to collect food donations, hygiene items, school supplies, and old bicycles to refurbish.  All of this was drive-through, didn't even have to leave your car.

I thought it was a great combination of services in one spot which allowed households to de-clutter multiple things and to donate needed items to different non-profits. 
A win for everyone and super easy - I hope future recycling events are the same.

[iris lily]

2 steps forward, 1 step back.

I squeezed down Christmas decor from the better part of a walk-in closet to ONE bin. I did this over a two year period, releasing most of the stuff during holiday seasons because people don’t take Smas junk in July.

So smug I was at my accomplishment!

Then I opened a cabinet door recently and found several sacks co trainer Xmas lights. Ugh.

Now I will have to go back to two Xmas bins stored, I guess. Unless I am very lucky and none of those strings of lights work! Haha.

[Poundwise]

@iris lily My friend lent me this tool call the "Lightkeeper Pro" which is amazing at fixing holiday lights!  I went nuts and fixed so many light strings that I was able to give some away.
https://www.target.com/p/lightkeeper-pro-light-repair-kit/-/A-52352111

[iris lily]

@iris lily My friend lent me this tool call the "Lightkeeper Pro" which is amazing at fixing holiday lights!  I went nuts and fixed so many light strings that I was able to give some away.
https://www.target.com/p/lightkeeper-pro-light-repair-kit/-/A-52352111

I did watch much of that demo video. That little gadget is pretty amazing.

[okisok]

I had a bag full of wrapping paper from buying some loose dishes. Took the entire bag to a friend who is moving in the near future.
Finally got a gift wrapped and delivered to the recipient. Not only the gift itself, but a box and some wrapping paper I don't love out the door.

Finished a body wash and threw the empty bottle in the recycling. Finally tossed a package of candy that I don't like. Gift guilt was the only reason I kept it for three months.

Got all the winter throws and blankets washed and hung on the line, as it's finally warm enough for them to dry outside. Once they are dry, I can put them away in the closet instead of having them strewn about. Washed all of the winter hats and gloves, too. (Hope I'm not jumping the gun and spring is really here!) The house feels lighter and brighter already.

I'm making an effort to go through all my packages of tea before I buy any more. 'Decluttering' some peppermint right now.

[Fresh Bread]

I need to work my way through my tea as well. I think there's still some green tea in the back of the cupboard and neither of us drink it and not one visitor has ever requested it. It can go in the compost.

[oneday]

Ah, tea. My old nemesis (or something). I have some flavored tea I'm very "meh" on. Thanks for the reminder @okisok and @Fresh Bread . I will make an effort over the next few weeks to use it up. Today would have been a good day for a cup in the afternoon, too! Ah well.

The de-box-ening has begun (I just moved house). Today two separate people stopped by & took car loads of used moving boxes & packing materials away. My garage was empty! Afterwards, I emptied another box, so the emptiness was not long-lasting. But soon I will have another pile worthy of a craigslist post & the cycle will go on...

[Dutch Comfort]

Cleaned out the kids toys from the shed. They are teens now, and a few soccer balls, super soakers and some tennis gear is enough for the summer. All the other things (like hoops / sandbox items / toy cars) could go.
Put 2 bags of used items on BuyNothing group and they will be picked up today. Put 1 bag on Craigslist (the new/almost new items) and this will be sold and picked up today as well.
Now hoping that we can clean the whole shed this weekend. There might be more things coming out of there.......

And tea..... I'm almost at the end of my packages of tea (only 2 boxes remaining). Thanks to WFH/Covid in the last 2 years...... I might need to think which tea I'm going to buy, since I have not bought any tea in the last 2 years.......

[slackmax]

Looked through some donate, sell, or recycle stuff and found a bag of old ripped clothes I can take to the textile recycling place. Found one item I was OK with just throwing out, and did so. 

Also spent 20 minutes cleaning off big plastic salt and  pepper shakers. So much grime accumulating over the years, and me not even noticing it! Until now. Nice and clean once again. Scrubbing with dish detergent and scrubber pad.

[Prairie Gal]

I need to go through my tea shelf also. I seem to have somehow accumulated a lot of it, and I rarely drink tea.


So, today was a big day in my "getting rid of stuff" world. My DH passed away nine years ago, and I have given away almost all of his stuff, but wasn't ready to give away his collection of hats. They just seemed too personal, and I didn't want people pawing through them at a thrift store. Anyway, I saw a post on FB from a lady I went to high school with and she was looking for clothing (including hats) for a rehab facility. That seemed like a good use for them, and I was able to part with them that way. I kept a couple for sentimental reasons. I still have his tuxedo and a few other things that I need to find a home for.

[mspym]

@slackmax well done on cleaning off the grot. It's startling how these things build up without us noticing.
@Prairie Gal that seems like a meaningful way to give the hats a second life.

[Prairie Gal]

Did a major de-cluttering of the closet in the hall a.k.a. the linen closet, except that it was a catch-all for all kinds of stuff. Found some sea-sickness meds that had been expired for ten years! Purged probably half of the stuff in there, and now it looks nice and neat and tidy. I left the door open all day so that I could admire it every time I walked past. lol.

[rivendale]

I bought a puzzle over Christmas from a Friends of the Library sale and finally got around to doing it. While doing it I realized that I actually didn't like looking at the picture (a dragon that was more horror than fantastical). So I posted it on Offer Up for $5. I'm always amazed how far people will drive for random items, so when one someone contacted me to buy it from over 30 minutes away, I was doubtful. The man shows up in a minivan, windows rolled down, two small boys in the back, and tells me, "We are on a quest to find a dragon!" It was adorable and heartwarming!

[mspym]

We have had a summer of endless rain (thanks La Nina!) and after a week of walking past nice leather shoes that were slowly mildewing, I suggested to Ofpym that anything we hadn't worn in multiple years should be cleaned up and donated. So that was 6 pairs of shoes donated yesterday. I'd rather someone get use of them now instead of letting entropy ruin them for everyone on the off-chance that we would want them in the future.

[Dutch Comfort]

Further decluttered our shed. Posted some items on the buynothing group and had takers within an hour! Tossed all broken pots and other plastics to recycling.
Now the only things remaining are 2 large items on Craigslist and a few small ones on BuyNothing AND a nice and clean shed where we have no trouble parking our bikes!

[oneday]

@Prairie Gal that must be one beautiful closet! I know that feeling of joy from seeing a usually-hidden organized spot.

After my move, I've donated a small box of mostly unused kitchen items and dishes.

[Shinplaster]

Donated a large bag of books this morning.  Next up - shoes.   I have too many shoes I never wear.

[oneday]

Finished off the open box of tea! 1 down, 2 to go.

[slackmax]

Finished off the open box of tea! 1 down, 2 to go.

Way to go, Oneday!  I have lots of tea bags to go through, still. My next food decluttering will be the almost empty box of Tapioca flakes. Not planning on buying any more Tapioca, so it is indeed a decluttering win, lol. 

I almost recycled a small stack of old work documents. But I noticed the paper was printed on one side only, so I put the stack on my kitchen table to use for note paper. Probably two months worth. 

Will donate the binder the papers were in.   

[Prairie Gal]

 - listed a decor lot on FB Marketplace. Good way to get rid of lots of small items all at once. No takers yet though.
 - gave a fleece jacket away to a person in need.
 - listed two never worn blouses on FB Marketplace.
 - tossed some expired food that was purchased at the beginning of the pandemic.

Today's project is to work on my walk-in closet and get it looking spiffy and spacious for potential buyers.

[Dutch Comfort]

1 Large item on Craigslist SOLD!!!!! So happy, since this frees up a lot of space in our shed/garden.
Now only 1 item from the shed remaining and I need to go through the last pile of pottery this weekend. Then it is all clean and decluttered (and we'll have a very nice view from our new lounge-set.... no clutter in sight!).

Next thing will be the kid's summer clothing....... (and.... mine......)

[Poundwise]

At last some real progress...  I finally was able to drop off two big bags of kids' clothing to a friend who has kids a little younger than mine, and I dropped off two bags of used kids' books to the school, which is doing a collection.

Items keep going to my garage and car, but then it takes years for them to actually leave our property.

[iris lily]

I bought a puzzle over Christmas from a Friends of the Library sale and finally got around to doing it. While doing it I realized that I actually didn't like looking at the picture (a dragon that was more horror than fantastical). So I posted it on Offer Up for $5. I'm always amazed how far people will drive for random items, so when one someone contacted me to buy it from over 30 minutes away, I was doubtful. The man shows up in a minivan, windows rolled down, two small boys in the back, and tells me, "We are on a quest to find a dragon!" It was adorable and heartwarming!

That is an amazing little story about the dragon puzzle! How cute!

[okisok]

I ordered an item for a specific need and it did not work. I initiated a return to the website and printed a label. Found a padded mailer envelope I'd saved for just such a case. Now to drop it in the mailbox for a refund and a useless item out of my house.
Cleaned up the yard and am enjoying a lovely fire with all the sticks and branches I cleared out.
Sent my mom a fun surprise package of items I thought she'd like. More things out! Now to drop off the two bags to the donation center...

[Prairie Gal]

Purged two garbage bags of clothes from my closet and will take them to the thrift store on my way to pick up my grocery order today. Why is it so hard to give away my clothes? Still lots of things in there that will have to go. Now that I am not working, you would think I could give away my work clothes, but thoughts creep in like "What if I go back to work part time?" Oh well, I will just keep picking away at them a bit at a time.

Person never came to get the fleece jacket so I guess I will put it in the thrift store bag as well.

[ZsaZsa]

Dumped two full make up bags full of products that I will never use in retirement. The only way I could let it go was to not even look inside before dumping...then I took the trash bag out to the can! Why do I feel so guilty?

[SunnyDays]

Doing some spring cleaning and getting rid of stuff along the way.  So far: 9 books, a pair of mitts and a snood, jeans for recycling, a dog toy, a picture and some fiber optic flowers (yes, really).

I finally got rid of my stack of egg cartons - yay!

A few bags of frozen compost scraps are waiting outside until I go to the dump next week.

With each item that leaves the house, I breathe a little more freely.

[slackmax]

Dumped two full make up bags full of products that I will never use in retirement. The only way I could let it go was to not even look inside before dumping...then I took the trash bag out to the can! Why do I feel so guilty?

Good going! Not going to psychoanalyze you, ZsaZsa.

I am trying to make myself select a few pounds of old computer programming manuals to recycle. I can do it, and have done it before, but every time, I feel as though I have done something wrong. There must be someone somewhere who wants to buy this 'retro Americana' chic, and maybe place it on a coffee table for avant garde  decor. But then I realize I'm crazy, and I take a few pounds to recycling. And I haven't regretted it yet. 

[Loretta]

I’m going to try to use up some Stuff this weekend. 

[SunnyDays]

I also composted 2 geraniums that we’re not overwintering well and have a small fern to the thrift store.  I have my eye on another plant that I don’t have patience for and might find itself at the thrift store too.