Beginner10

Hi Everyone! I have finally gotten to the point of trying to get rid of some things I have been hanging on to.
These things were from parents, grandparents, other family members or just when I was much younger.
I know the saying is: if you haven't used it-get rid of it. The only trouble is some of these items are sentimental items.
I freely admit I am too emotional (can't think of right word right now-soft, etc), hope you get my drift.
I thought about keeping just 1 of some things. People have said sell it, take it to resale shop-you'll get money from it.
Well, lot of people are doing the same thing, downsizing. I can't just throw some of this away....I blame my mother, grandmother-lol.
I have asked my son "if I was to die tomorrow, what would you get rid of?". That has worked for some things, but not so much on others-lol.
Okay everyone, how did you do the downsizing...what is your secret to get rid of items that are just taking up room???

zozee

In November I came across a YouTube video on this very topic, and posted a link to it here. Several members posted that they watched it and enjoyed the presentation and approach. She deals with the emotional aspects that you're talking about. I think you'll find it timely.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/person...g-t300946.html

redquilter

My church has a thrift shop. I'm always bring bags there. Someone can use the items and get a good price, the church can make a little money and I feel good knowing it's not going in the trash. I rarely throw anything away if it's not damaged. Just let it go. I understand your emotional attachment, but you'll get over it. I assure you!

tranum

A small book “Swedish Death Cleaning” is helpful. I’ve been looking at things and saying to myself “if I move, do I want to take this ?”

peaceandjoy

I am not emotionally connected to most things. Exceptions - quilting things and some things from when our girls were little. People and memories carry my emotions, not things. I have no problem getting rid of most things, and have been doing a lot of it over the last 2 years. I retired and started with my clothes. No need for many dress clothes now, only for an occasional dinner out or special occasion. I don't like knickknacks. We remodeled our kitchen/bathroom/laundry room, and a lot of things that were rarely, if ever, used have been donated. Most of my donations go to Salvation Army as it is convenient. I have a large box that I drop things in and take when I am in the area.

DH, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. While one daughter was here and going through things that are hers, she came upon an acrylic rug that her grandmother made. It's the type that has precut acrylic yarn, not wool. Not terribly cute in its best days, it has a hole in it where several of the loops came out. Into the trash it went. DH pulled it out. When I asked him about it, he said he would put it in the garbage. Nope, I found it again, moved to a different spot in the garage. It'll never be used - but his mother made it, so it has to be kept. The garage (including rafters), shed and basement are full of "stuff", much of which I call junk. Some he feels attached to, or was given to him (shirts in boxes that are not his taste - still in the box), or it might be useful someday (scraps of wood, etc.).

The remodel we did on the house is way beyond what we (or our children) will ever get out of the house, due to the location and other issues with the house. He was willing to spend the money because he simply cannot move.

It is what it is. I'm not going to change him. People are all different with different comfort levels. I just feel bad for our daughters, who will end up dealing with it.

Beginner10

I like that "if I (had to) move, do I want to take this?" I also will be looking at the link and you-tube others have posted.

I haven't quilted in so long. I get frustrated because I can't get organized.
I have donated some things and even did some Ebay. But Ebay takes too much time I think. Which is stupid because when I donate, my mind says "I bet someone will put this on Ebay and make money off of it". Dumb and lazy, huh??

ptquilts

When I want to get rid of something, I either think about how someone else will love it far more than I do, or I picture the executor of my will rolling their eyes and saying, What on earth did she keep that for?

I did an almost complete cleanout when we moved as we were going to a furnished condo. It is a very freeing feeling to get rid of so much stuff.

If there are sentimental items, take pictures of them, keep the pics, donate the items.

bearisgray

When "getting rid of stuff"-

such as items commonly found at yard sales, such as vases, dishes, clothing, shoes, etc. (items sold for $5.00 or less) -

have you found it worthwhile having a yard/garage/rummage sale - or is it easier/simpler to just bag up a few items at a time and drop them off at whatever place will take them?

Jane Quilter

I have a rule: If I buy one pair of shoes/pants/blouse, then one of the same item has to go. I am deeply committed to this rule, but obviously not, because my closet got so packed it was hard to put away clean laundry. So yesterday, I sorted out 3 garbage bags of perfectly good clothes, eliminated store/dry cleaning hangers, and put remaining clothes on my best/matching hangers.

I tried not to think of how nice they were, so I said if I was going to a funeral, what would I choose? I kept that one. going to church? kept 3; going out on the town, kept 2; everyday outfits? kept 10; raincoat? one; topcoat? one. Anyway....the result of a workable closet and the ability to see my choices as well as not dreading laundry putaway is so worth much more than owning all those clothes that I was only going to "pick over" anyway for that best outfit.

Now, if I can just practice my "rule", I might not get so overwhelmed again.

That is how I tackled my closet, best wishes on your journey.....

Sandygirl

Make a photo album then get rid of the items. You won’t miss them.