Community Chat

[hoosieroriginal]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I've started 'downsizing' or purging my home, closets, and storage shed last Spring.  Haven't stopped and I plan to do more.  Where'd I get all this stuff?  Why did I hang on to it?  I hauled most of it off to a non-profit where it can be used for a good cause. 

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@Puzzle Piece - Oh I know - how do we get all this stuff?  I purged two years ago when I retired, held on to some work clothes, but then realized I won't be needing them anymore and out they went. 

[hoosieroriginal]

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@Reba055 wrote:

I think the problem as you get older is moving less, haha. When you're younger, at first renting a few places, then moving as you make more money or for a job, you are forced to clean out all the things we tend to put off. As you get older and stay in one place, it just multiplies, like a bunch of bunnies!  Of course there are clean freaks and people who can't stand any clutter (me, before back issues) that don't have this problem. 

Also, for me, I want less to have to take care of. I'm having a hard enough time taking care of me.  Good luck everyone!

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@Reba055 - I hear you Reba!  Less stuff sitting around, less stuff to clean - and yes, it does multiply like bunnies!  My neighbor's house is FILLED with stuff - it drives me absolutely crazy - she holds on to EVERYTHING!  And if someone dies, she's the first one there loading up her car and is upset if another family member gets there before her!  Her husband went down in my basement and said "wow, it's not filled with stuff!"  I have a living room and bed down there in case of storms and it's very organized.  They can't walk through their basement!

[RedTop]

It's been nearly 4 years since I started decluttering my house, and as time has gone by, it has become so much easier to let go of things.  With that first go round, I had so many magazines and various catalogs from Christmas to get rid of.  Since then, I am down to only one magazine coming in each month, and the catalogs go out of the house weekly.  I read the paper online, so nothing piles up.  Our kitchen remodel helped get rid of 3 trash bags, and 2 large pieces of furniture.  I am thrilled with where I am now, but continue to work on getting stuff out, instead of bringing stuff in.  I would just like for my husband and daughters to get into the decluttering process as well.   

[buyornot]

I totally agree with you-I'm in the same mood!!

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@hoosieroriginal wrote:

The older I get, the less I like to see "stuff" in my house.  Yesterday I spent all day pulling things off walls, going through closets and cupboards, getting rid of clothes and home items I haven't used in last six months.  For the new year I vow not to shop anymore shopping channels, save money, live frugally and spend money only on necessities!

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[Julie928]

I can relate to so many of you!  It makes me crazy when I want to find something but have to move things to get to the things I really want to use, lol!  I was motivated the other morning and donated three bags of clothes and a pile of winter coats to a local resale shop that helps the developmentally disabled.  I'm going through my knick-knacks now and getting things ready to donate to a wonderful wildlife rehab place that has a barn sale every spring.  I already called them to find out when they start taking donations.  I feel great getting things cleaned out as well as knowing the money raised is helping two very worthwhile causes!  Shopping in the new year will be kept to a minimum.  These are the promises I made to myself....

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

[elated]

I go through my closet every two weeks or so and donate my clothes to a thrift shop to help the disabled. I can not believe all the clothes that I don't wear anymore. I gave five bags of clothes and still have more to donate. For some reason I can not give away my shoes that I no longer use. I am a shoe freak. It is just hard to depart with shoes. I know I have many shoes that I will no longer use. I probably will start to try and give them away. I have so much jewelry I don't know what to do with it. I no longer work so I don't wear much of it any longer.

[SunValley]

Ladies, if we pooled our purges we could stock a whole new second hand store. I wish everyone success with declutering and a sustained resolve in the new year. I bet we could all fund a mini vacation for ourselves if we didn't buy more "stuff."

[Daisy Sunflower]

I started going through my clothes and other stuff again to decide what to keep and what to donate.

[Snoopp]

I used to donate at a thrift store a lot; it was so convenient but they closed and looks like they won't be running the shop anymore.  They took all types of things too, housewares, books, etc.  That convenience really helped me get rid of things.  I miss it.

[Bird mama]

Does anyone else kind of choke when it comes to tossing a stuffed animal?  I tossed three small ones and it was hard for me to look them in the face when I did it.