Community Chat

[Flatbush]

@RedTop 

Thanks for the suggestion. I never thought of that.

[Natureluvr]

For me…. harder. 😬

[JoyFilled Warrior]

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@Jesse Ann wrote:
I think it depends on how emotionally attached someone is to their possessions and not necessarily someone’s age that determines whether it is easier to let go of their stuff.
I have been trying to slowly organize and thus “clean out” all spaces. I listen to the Clutter Free Academy Podcast while I am sorting in my garage. It helps me to listen to the reasons people KEEP stuff or feel the NEED to KEEP stuff. It helps me to depart with anything that I am keeping for reasons such as: FEELING GUILTY-for giving something away, especially if it was a gift from someone; It COST A-LOT OF MONEY-but by keeping it…it still doesn’t bring me back the lost money!; I MIGHT NEED IT ONE DAY- well, maybe, but if it has anything to do with me “MAKING” something…IT GOES!!; THIS MIGHT FIT AGAIN—keep 1 size up and 1 size down from your size now, BUT if it is 2 sizes to big or small…DONATE IT! And if you haven’t worn those clothes in a year or 2 DONATE! And give yourself 3 seconds to decide whether that item makes you happy or not- if NOT-DONATE! Basically, I ask myself questions while going through my stuff: Does this make me happy? When is the last time I used/wore this? Do I really NEED this? … Then I have to think, mainly with clothes; SOMEONE ELSE CAN BE USING/WEARING THIS!
Especially in this economy, I am seeing a lot more people shopping in thrift stores. And I see people there who look “lost and uncomfortable”. This shows me that there are people out there that WILL actually USE my “stuff”! And that makes me a lot more willing to donate something I don’t need, wear, or enjoy as much, especially if I am holding on to it because it was expensive to buy or a gift from someone else-that I didn’t want or can’t use. I also ask myself, while looking at my stuff, WOULD I BUY THIS IF I SAW IT AT THE THRIFT STORE??? That question right there is the main reason I will put something into a donation bag QUICKLY!

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WOW @Jesse Ann 

These are *ALL* the questions I need to ask myself!

I love your process, AND, I'm going to check out your podcast "Clutter Free Academy Podcast"

Thank you for explaining this process! 

[JoyFilled Warrior]

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@Natureluvr wrote:
For me…. harder. 😬

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Yeah, @Natureluvr 

"Harder" is what I thought would be the response of many ppl as they, we, get older. 

At least, that's what my late Dad has said about elders. 

And what my siblings said abt my late Dad's items.. and it made sense to me... "there's alotta living in 'them, there items!'"

Late Dad also warned me that most upcoming generations, want nothing to do with the family's (someone's) cherished "antiquities."  Which I found to be surprising, & a bummer, esp for some, "special family items." I guess the youngun's "cherished items" & "our cherished items" are drastically different/

I like the idea @RedTop mentioned, of offering up items to the Historical Society .

...  & of course to Thrift, Salv Army, Goodwill. 

As well as MANY GREAT ideas offered up by people posting here!

THANK YOU!!

[Flatbush]

@JoyFilled Warrior 

Greyt suggestions. Thanks for posting. I think it will help me when I am undecided.

[Starpolisher]

Much easier! I look around at most of my things and realize now that they are just that, Things!