topic Re: Too much stuff! in Among Friends

Too much stuff!

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:02:35 GMT

Anyone else feel that way?

Re: Too much stuff!

godi — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:06:06 GMT

Do you mean with life or in your home? I got rid of so much when we moved a few years ago. I will not let it pile up again. As with life TV is off and the outside is where you'll find me. Winter comes way to fast and I'm enjoying my garden and deck as much as possible. 🙏

Re: Too much stuff!

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:13:49 GMT

In our home. Altho, I think we are,sadly, going to see shortages in things.

I cannot be outside at all. Lots of allergies! Especially to mosquitoes.

Re: Too much stuff!

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:14:54 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 If you mean in your home, the answer is yes I have too much. In the last year since my husband died, I have gotten rid of a lot.

I went through my kitchen and unloaded a ton of stuff. It's just DD and I and I don't entertain or do big family holidays so I didn't need four or fice 9x13 pans. I had enough mixing bowls for 3 households. Gave most away. Same with glasses and dishes.

My nieces will be thrilled, I have a huge armoire with nothing the purses. I am keeping a couple and they can have the rest.

I am over stuff.

Re: Too much stuff!

Still Raining — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:18:16 GMT

Yesterday I got out the oil for just one little wood thing, and before I knew it, I had swapped out.

Somehow, with my purging, I was left with just the right amount for a switch.

Still happy this morning. For me, every one has a memory.

Re: Too much stuff!

nevergivesup — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 13:57:53 GMT

DH still wants to stay in our large family home while I have wanted to downsize before we have a crisis, illness or are just too old to manage it. I do understand that his garage workshop is his greatest joy so I don’t want to pressure him into something that will make him unhappy. However, I want to be happy too and have worried about this for a few years. We came to a compromise and I am free to clean out inside the house and the garage is his space.

SO, I have reduced my kitchen and dining room items to the bare minimum, cleaned out closets, clothes, bedding, artificial flowers, candles, books, my 42 year old son’s drawings from preschool! etc etc It has been so freeing and everything is clean, uncluttered and well organized. I have been able to do it without pressure and I know whenever we do move it will be very easy. My husband is happy because to him everything looks the same but I know the enormity of the job I’ve completed. I’ve cleaned out multiple elderly family members homes in the past and never want to put that burden on anyone else.

Re: Too much stuff!

vermint — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 14:01:39 GMT

I know I have too much stuff! I've been purging handbags over the last year...I have two of my bigger ones left, and I'm about ready to let them go. I've given them all away to someone who is thrilled to have them! We're retiring next year, and I just won't need them anymore. Crossbodys and smaller bags will be sufficient.

We're in the process of having the inside of our house painted (should be finished today, yay!), and I've decided several things are not going back on the walls...and nothing will replace them. Also packed up my mother's china, and will put another set of dishes (inexpensive, and more to my taste) in the china cabinet. My niece will get the china as soon as she has a place to put it...yes, she does want it, much to my surprise!

Re: Too much stuff!

queendiva — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 14:17:42 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 most of us have been on quarantine for nearly half the year. If you have not started to pare down and purge the stuff, you should start today. Start small, maybe with a drawer and go from there. The key to success is twofold: do some purging every day, if only for 15 minutes to start and get help where needed. Things will look so much better by the holidays.

I did a major purge and lifestyle change when I downsized and my kids had left for their own homes. I felt it was money well spent when I called in help (junk haulers) to purge the garage and basement. (almost) Instant gratification! I also had a garage sale and at the end called in a downsizing auction company to sell what needed to go. Very successful and recommended. The process took months and was HARD but totally worth it. Today my life is so much less stressful. I enjoy my home, which is necessary as we are at home almost 24/7 these days. I continue to part with things as needed on a much smaller scale and each January I do a thorough cleaning of the pantry, cabinets, drawers, etc. around my home. When the weather cools off I will get after the garage, which always seems to collect junk (but at least my house looks good, LOL!)

Don't just keep things because they are "good", keep them because they work for you NOW, not someday. Donate the good items. Faster than selling, unless you want to have a garage sale in the fall, then donate the remaining items. Only keep the clothes, shoes, bags, etc. that you LOVE- donate the rest. You will not miss them. Get rid of everything that could be replaced for a dollar or two if you need it in the future.

Re: Too much stuff!

BluestarFL — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 14:35:12 GMT

I definitely have way too much stuff. I have trouble getting rid of 'good' stuff - stuff that is still in really good shape. Will I ever use these items? No, but it was drummed into my head as a child you don't throw out 'good' things because you might use them someday and they cost good money to buy in the first place.

Someday never came for many of these items. I just lived my life without ever needing or using them. Now I must purge them. I admit, though, I am having a hard time getting started. The whole process just seems so overwhelming.

I do little bits here and there, but nothing serious like I need to do. During our states shelter-in-place time I had every intention of purging, but I decided to re-do our landscaping instead so I could be outside and not stuck in my house. Then I got called back to work....now I'm too tired.... you see where this is going... haha

Thank you for starting this thread. It has reminded me - I NEED to clear the clutter. I am going to start with shoes. They have taken over my closet floor, and I feel that's a nice, smaller space to try this again.

Re: Too much stuff!

ScrapHappy — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 15:33:25 GMT

My husband's stuff ways heavy on me. He is a collector of many things and it's not junk. He has been collecting comic books for 40 plus years. All in alphabetical order and catergorized in mint condition, full sets. Same with baseball, basketball and football cards. Up to a couple of years ago, he had every hall of fame baseball player signature on a bat and a ball. He has signed Jerseys from Reggie Jackson, Lawrence Taylor, Barry Bonds and others. When we lived in California, he'd go to autograph shows. He has a replica of chitty chitty band band signed by ****** Van ****** and a I Dream of Jeanie bottle signed by Barbara Eden. He also likes cars. I managed to talk him into selling the corvette but still have an 1985 Shelby because it's sentimental to him though he never drives it. We've had discussions that if something were to happen to him, I would just be beside myself with all this stuff. And believe me, there is a lot more. It's a double edge sword, it brings him joy and I like that for him. In the back of my mind I am just overwhelmed.

Re: Too much stuff!

Othereeeen — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 15:48:20 GMT

Me too for too much and no more stuff!!!

I've gotten rid of a ton of stuff, and when I see storage containers being sold on QVC, I think..."Nope...no store...get rid of it.

If it needs to be "stored" it's going. That includes clothes I don't wear, blankets and throws still in thier plastic covers from purchase years ago, christmas ******. I am using the Xmas stuff each year and then getting rid of it.

Getting rid doesn't mean throwing away of course. Good Will, Salvation Army, friends. Womens and Mens shelters. Just put on end of driveway with FREE sign ( l live in a rural area...but stuff goes by the time I get back to the house!!!!).

My weakness is cooking stuff. Being single, I of course have WWWWWAAAAAYYYYYY too much of that too!!! But the colors!!! and the grill marks!!!! and the ability to leave it to your heirs ( LeCreuset etc...)

I have no heirs!!!

NO MORE STUFF is coming in. I have TWO china cabinets full of "good" dishes etc...At age 64, I don't have enough life left even if I start using them tomorrow for daily use and the stuff breaks, for me to use the stuff up. So I will buy no more plates, cups, bowls etc.

Funny how it goes. You think you need all the junk, you picture in your mind the fantastic meals, the pretty decorated house, the gifts you'll hand out to people from your gift closet.

But most of it is in "storage boxes with windows so now you can see the junk you never ever use!!!"

Re: Too much stuff!

Witchy Woman — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 15:47:42 GMT

@nevergivesup

If you could see my husband's garage, you would probably faint! He is a builder and still working. Not only does he have every auto tool known to mankind, he has duplicates. And, he has work-related items that he has gathered over the years. This includes many vehicles and large building equipment.

In all fairness, he uses most things, but it really has gotten out of control. And, he saves EVERYTHING!

I cannot go into his work area without getting queazy.

Like you, I think of what will happen if he's suddenly gone and I have to get rid of things.

This is how I resolved it in my mind.

I've told him that I'd call his best friend and give him the first chance to take what he wants. After that, I'll have an auctioneer come and clean the place out to the bare walls.

What cannot be sold/auctioned, will be removed for junk.

Just having a plan helps me deal with it mentally.

For my own part, I have been purging/cleaning our large home for several years and still doing so. No children and my two nieces are not interested in inheriting anything I have.

The things I used for entertaining just remind me of days gone by that will never come again. I find no comfort in having "extras" of anything. It's an endless process of getting rid of stuff.

Unlike me, my husband just goes day to day and doesn't let it bother him. I wish I could do the same!

Re: Too much stuff!

wilma — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 18:28:32 GMT

I’m a ruthless purger, but my DH likes to hold on to things.

He still has college textbooks from over 40 years ago that he refuses to get rid of. He has boxes and boxes of old computer & electronic parts. He has more clothes in his closet than I have in mine. We have an entire wall full of his DVDs & CDs on shelves.

I ask him to go through & get rid of things once a year, but he never does it. I purge what I can & leave his stuff alone.

I’ve purged a lot of holiday & seasonal stuff. I gave all my teaching supplies to other teachers when I retired. I purge my wardrobe regularly. I went through & got rid of a lot of collectibles, vases, kitchen stuff, housewares, etc.

Our flooded basement a couple years ago finally gave DH incentive to put more metal shelves in the basement so we no longer have boxes stacked all over the floor. Other than luggage & holiday decorations just about everything on the shelves down there is his. That’s a lot of stuff.

Re: Too much stuff!

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 18:30:07 GMT

@ScrapHappy your husband sounds like my best friends husband...sadly he died unexpectedly several years ago. He had several very expensive hobbies and she has spent 3 years clearing out, selling, etc. It has been a huge job.

Re: Too much stuff!

wilma — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 18:30:18 GMT

Re: Too much stuff!

wilma — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 18:30:59 GMT

If you have to buy more stuff to store your stuff, you probably have too much stuff.

Re: Too much stuff!

queendiva — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 19:04:38 GMT

Keep what you use and love NOW, not for someday in the past or future. You only need things for the life you are living NOW, not some fantasy someday life.

If it was a gift or "heirloom" and you neither use or love it- if you are keeping out of some kind of guilt- you have my permission to get rid of it before the sun sets today.

The items must have value to YOU, not some perceived monetary value, unless you have had them appraised recently. Things you think have great monetary value, just because you paid a lot back in the day, rarely do. (fine jewelry and some musical instruments among the exceptions).

Re: Too much stuff!

chickenbutt — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 19:59:26 GMT

"Too much stuff" is what I say almost every day. I had been so overwhelmed by it for some time and finally I decided to try and hack away at it, a little at a time. Then I was sick for a week and that cut into it and I need to get back to it.

The only way I can stay out of the overwhelmed mindset has been to do a little each day - either find a place for stuff, put it into donations, or toss it.

As long as I stay away from being overwhelmed, I can go back to just dealing with it a little each day. It's not like a hoarder house, or anywhere near, but there is just still too much stuff and it will be a relief if I can get totally on top of it one day.

Re: Too much stuff!

jeanlake — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 20:05:22 GMT

I'm the organized minimalist in our family. Childhood family was tidy, parent with military background, and we didn't have a basement so we didn't 'collect.' Hubs' childhood family is a different story. We don't think, at age 19, to ask the guy we're dating -- How do you feel about keeping a tidy garage?

When we moved from our 24 year residence 3 years ago we were able to shed a lot of junk. I could breathe again. Hubs' garage is getting out of control after 3 years. He promised to keep it tidy. We still park both vehicles in the garage, but he's keeping junk again and garage isn't organized. So ... I'll start tossing things soon. Married over 41 years. We have a good relationship but this subject has been our conflict. Can you tell this is a real subject for me?

Re: Too much stuff!

gidgetgh — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 20:10:11 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
@Group 5 minus 1 If you mean in your home, the answer is yes I have too much. In the last year since my husband died, I have gotten rid of a lot.

I went through my kitchen and unloaded a ton of stuff. It's just DD and I and I don't entertain or do big family holidays so I didn't need four or fice 9x13 pans. I had enough mixing bowls for 3 households. Gave most away. Same with glasses and dishes.

My nieces will be thrilled, I have a huge armoire with nothing the purses. I am keeping a couple and they can have the rest.

I am over stuff.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 -I have been ruthless getting rid of kitchen things. I now live alone. I really don't cook. I have gotten rid of a ton. I figure if I have use for some things down the road that I got rid of, stores sell them.