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[marky]

Well, I've jumped in with both feet !! I started gathering up all of the stuff sitting around--the knick-knacks, the unnecessary items, the multiples, unused items, etc. My husband loaded the bed of his pickup truck and I loaded my SUV down (I made two trips with the car loaded to the max both times) and we headed to the auction house. May take me a couple of weeks to get any money but I'm just glad the stuff is GONE. I had my grandmother's sewing machine, my first mother-in-law's machine, and my mother's also. I don't even sew, so off they went. I got rid of my first food processor. It was more trouble to clean than it was worth and it was huge. I have no idea how much I will make but it's worth it to me to be rid of the items. I still have some things to go through and I plan to continue de-cluttering but I will probably take any remaining items to a charity. I did organize my attic last fall but I plan on getting some of the ornaments and Christmas items down when it isn't so hot up there and out they go too.

It is so hard to clean with so much clutter and when I get it all clean, I'm going to hire a painter to freshen up the walls and ceilings. I used to burn candles and there is some soot that needs to be removed and the paint will make me feel like I'm in a new house. I have already cleared most of the items from a shed and plan on working on my craft room next. I still have alot of my mother's treasured papers to look through but that will have to wait til I'm not so emotional about her passing.

I feel so much better and I will soon have my exercise room back so that we can make use of the treadmill. I vow never to let this mess accumulate again. I don''t want to spend the rest of my days cleaning and rearranging "stuff" that I don't need or love.

I still have too many candles and too many shower gels but I am not going to buy anything else until I absolutely NEED it. Now, I'm off to the QVC and HSN websites to cancel all of my remaining auto-deliveries. YAY !!!

[jackthebear]

wow , feels good doesn't it

[Helping]

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for the motivation!

[GinaV24]

congratulations! I've been working on cleaning up and organizing, too, but I'm not as far along as you. I never thought of taking things to an auction house - I think I'll have to look into that as an option. I hate just taking things to goodwill just to get them out of the house and I don't live in a place where I could have yard sale as it would be too dangerous for people to stop.

[marky]

I had never used an auction house either but a friend of mine took a van load of his things and got back around $ 170 even after the auction house got their cut and I don't have to worry about the items that don't sell. They just keep putting items together until someone buys the lot and that way everything goes.

[~moxie~]

I just started this week. I still have a closet full of my husbands casual wear and some shoes. They are boxed up and ready to go to the salvation army. I have more sheets than anyone needs so I am getting rid of the ones that don't fit right on the bed and some I am saving to use on a table to do my spray painting. I have tons of clothes and more pjs than any woman could ever wear. I am donating those as well.

I cleaned out my 3 piece TV media center and found some books and toys that I kept here for my grandson. Well he is 10 now and it is time for me to donate them. I have friends that gave me little crystal angels over the years. I don't want them, I only kept them out for a bit, and so those are going to the Salvation Army as well.

I have a huge box of VHS tapes and not interested in watching any of them. Those will be donated as well. Lots of other junk like papers and ads and they will be recycled.

I am moving on to the other cabinets in the great room and since I have 4 of them plus a vintage buffet that will take a bit of my time. I do hope to be done by the end of next month as I go from room to room.

My back is still bothering me so I am moving slowly. But at least I am moving and taking care of my home. So far it feels good.

[GinaV24]

Sounds like it is worth looking into to me. thanks very much.

[RedTop]

My decluttering started 2 years ago, and has encompassed every room in the house except for my daughter's bedrooms. Once I got started, it was easy to let go of things; some of which were laid aside for a second look, some that needed a repair I never made and are no longer of interest, things that had sentimental value at one time but not now, and the load of stuff I kept "just because". Letting go is so freeing, and for me at age 58, I just don't want to be bogged down with loads of stuff; whether it is my personal stuff, or just household stuff. My closet has half the clothes it used to now that I'm retired. My bathroom vanity holds only essentials and no extras. I have a dozen pair of shoes and feel confident that's all I need. Every week I toss something, and know I will never hang onto a large amount of stuff again. Once you make that initial start, you will be committed to continue your efforts into the future and be thankful you took that first step.

[Mominohio]

You go! This sounds so wonderful and freeing! You'll be so excited when the painting is done, it does make a place look like new.

I'm throwing out 12 years worth of school papers! I saved everything my kid did! It is going down to one bin of paper, projects and art!

[miata1]

I really enjoyed reading your post. It is really inspirational. I need to de-clutter so badly but keep getting sidetracked or overwhelmed by the whole thing. Last weekend, I did one little corner that had gifts from Christmas and that felt good but that is just the tip. We have things that we do not need and they end up on the shelf downstairs. Please post again so we can hear of your progress. You really made me want to get started now. I will wait for the weekend but I am going to make a list of what needs to be done first.

Miata 1