Community Chat

[Bri369]

I moved about 5 years ago, and I vowed to never have to deal with all that accumulation and excessiveness again.  I have what I need and what makes me happy.  When I open the drawers and the closets, I can see space and organization.  I'm constantly going through and weeding out things that I don't use or don't have a need for any longer.  It's a never ending process.  My husband likes to hold on to things for much longer than necessary, so the garage is a struggle to keep pared down.  At least it's organized.  LOL

[GinaV24]

What a great idea @KingstonMom! 

[CelticCrafter]

Not so much downsizing to go someplace smaller but decrapitating to get rid of decades of junk.

[wagirl]

Oh my gosh yes!! I went thru a divorce starting 2021 , had to sell my house, then get rid of tons of stuff I had in my house that I lived in for 35 years to move into a tiny aparment!! tons of clothing and shoes and purses , kitchen stuff, furniture and the normal things you never think about---took hundreds of boxes full, to donation and gave alot away. Sold a few things. I was forced to get rid of it all,  even tho I was not ready too--am still so angry about all that. I have a garage her at my apartment full of the things I refused to part with--am going thru it all,box by box ,to decide what needs to go----it boggles my brain!!!

[traveler]

10 years ago we moved back to Alaska. I donated a lot of decor. Adult kids were surprised their childhood treasures would not be stored forever at mom's. I weeded out their stuff. Nw I still have more items to clear out.. I have original Barbie, Ken, Skipper I'd like to sell this year. Not sure if eBay is where to go.

[layla2450]

YES, I'm downsizing. I am getting ready to participate in my community garage sale happening next weekend. What doesn't sell will be donated to a local thrift shop. Every year I donate several boxes of clothes, kitchen items, etc. around this time and write it off the amount on my income taxes.

[Carmie]

Thankfully, I was never a fan of decor stuff.  It just made more work having to move and dust around things that served no useful purpose.

About four or five years ago, I stopped putting up a big Christmas tree.  I wouldn't even bother with one, but my husband wants a tree.

We have a three foot flocked tree with lights that I clip a red cardinal on and call it a day.  I do put out a few Christmas things, and burn scented candles.  It is freeing not to drag that stuff out, then pack it neatly and put it away.

My husband still puts outdoor lights up...it's his thing.  I stay away while he is doing it.  As a bonus, we washes the windows inside and out before he puts the lights up.  Win-win for me.

I was responsible for clearing out a friends home after she was placed in nursing care.  She had hoards of overly expensive holiday decor and expensive collectables that I struggled to find a home for.  No one wanted it, not even charities and thrift stores.

Sadly, I ended up throwing the majority of it away....

What surprised me? the Halloween stuff was the most wanted.  It all found a home.

[smoochy]

we retired and moved from Michigan to Florida five years ago. After 33 years, our house was packed from basement to rafters with "stuff". The moving sale got rid of most of it. Now we live in a one level home, no basement so much less space to put unnecessary items. I'm pretty good about purging and organizing. Hubby, Not! Our small attic and the garage store overflow items that can't fit in closets. But I try to stay on top of decluttering 

[Puppy Lips]

This year I vowed to get out all my Halloween boxes and sort through all the stuff.  I was really hoping some of it was broken or ruined somehow.  Well none of it was.  I put it all out.  I did pick a few things to dontate.  But then I added to my collection buy buying some Jim Shore gnome figures that were Halloween themed.

I am going to do the same thing with Christmas decorations.  I know I have a lot I can get rid of - throwing out dumb handmade ornaments that were made years ago that I never put out anyway, to ornaments I am just tired of.   

Once Christmas is over, it is time tackle the garage.

[wilma]

I started downsizing several years ago. I've made lots of progress on getting rid of clothes, decorations, and all kinds of stuff we don't use, but my husband likes to keep things forever. The basement and garage are still full of his stuff, but our cabinets, dressers, and closets have been mostly cleaned out & organized.