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[Susan Louise]

On 7/26/2014 mrs clause said: Susan Louise thank you. I had started purging and then got side tracked, which seems to be very easy to do. Reading your gave me a jump start that I need. Thank you.

Hi Mrs Clause, That's wonderful! Glad to have helped

[kittymomNC]

On 7/26/2014 mrs clause said: Susan Louise thank you. I had started purging and then got side tracked, which seems to be very easy to do. Reading your gave me a jump start that I need. Thank you.

"For those who have been wanting to purge, but haven't begun the process, start with a small area like a drawer, a bag, or container each day. As you get more into it, the momentum does pick up and the 'letting go' does get easier. The length of time it will take to complete depends on how much stuff you have to go through. Don't let that discourage you...keep plugging away. It can be exhausting at times, however, clearing the clutter is very satisfying too!!!

I hope this info helps someone get started...or if they are 'stuck' in the process, this will get them get going again "

Susan Louiseand also casuallady, I must add my thanks to you. I've had a lot going on in my family (illnesses, deaths, lost jobs, sick cats, etc.) in the last couple of years. Prior to my retirement and for a while after, I had been collecting from antique shows, flea markets, etc. So many things, including chintz china, antique furniture pieces, antique decor pieces, paintings, tole trays, all of which I loved. But with life getting in the way, a lot of things wound up in boxes or closets, or the attic. Then when I retired, I went on a buying spree of casual clothes, since most of my wardrobe had been "corporate work style" and I didn't need it any more - but it's still in the closets.

A year and a half ago, I got a POD delivered to my home, and kept it for 5 months (cost a fortune) while I cleaned out and organized - boxes for yard sales, boxes for eBay, some to donate, stuff to keep, stuff I couldn't decide about...but everything was labeled and organized. My first thing was to have a couple of yard sales and get rid of all that kind of stuff, then my son sells on eBay so I was going to get him to sell some of it. That would pare it down to "not sure" and "definitely keep". But as I said, life got in the way, and everything is still in the boxes, and it is driving me crazy!

Now things have gotten to the point where I'm going to start going back through some of the stored things to re-evaluate and find more things to get rid of. I can't have a yard sale in 96 degree/high humidity weather - I wouldn't be able to tolerate it. So I'm going to start over and be READY as soon as the weather gets cooler.

But you have given me new incentive to really GET BUSY! Even if I only do a little bit every day, I will feel like I'm accomplishing something, and it will eventually get done! Just reading about your excitement over getting things organized, and a place for everything and everything in its place, may have given me the jump start I also so desperately needed!

[flickerbulb]

I just purged four huge bags of clothes this past week. I also have been shredding tons of old papers. In all, I have cleared out a ton of junk from my house.

[Cookie06]

I have been ready to purge our garage forever. But I have a promise from my husband that we are spending his vacation in August cleaning and purging our garage. It is an embarrassment. I can't believe we let it get so out of hand.

So thank you for the heads up and any hints on how to purge would be greatly appreciated. It is so hard to decide what to keep and what to donate or toss????

[Annabellethecat66]

Cookie, I see that commercial where the people are wearing shirts that says, "Vacation". At first I didn't get the commercial, then I paid attention.

I guess it's a 'catch 22' in that you are using time for something that might be more fun doing something else, but in the long run you will benefit from spending that time. Right?

Good for you. I know what you mean. My friends had an amazing yard sale last Saturday. 3/4 of the things were mine from QVC and HSN.

I didn't take any of the money. The rest was donated to the friend's church. I got rid of so many of QVC's dishes and you name it.

But, we did 1/2 of my garage, so I know what you mean. Good luck.

[Marsha2003]

On 7/26/2014 Susan Louise said:

Congrats on clearing out your storage unit. That has to be a tremendous weight off your shoulders!

Doing away with the monthly fee will make my wallet feel happier, too!

I know what you mean about decorating a bit differently each year. I've only been really decorating for Christmas for the last 10 years or so since we moved into our current house. Before that we lived in apartments with very little storage, so I would do a centerpiece for the table and put some snow globes around, but not much else. It's been fun to shop for holiday decor from QVC. I buy less each year as I have more than I need at this point.

In order to not over-purchase, I've had to discipline myself from buying certain kinds of things, like gingerbread, snowman or cardinal items. I think the items in those themes are really cute, but I have to create limits for myself some way. I also won't buy things made of resin, another effective constraint.

[Susan Louise]

On 7/26/2014 Cookie06 said:

I have been ready to purge our garage forever. But I have a promise from my husband that we are spending his vacation in August cleaning and purging our garage. It is an embarrassment. I can't believe we let it get so out of hand.

So thank you for the heads up and any hints on how to purge would be greatly appreciated. It is so hard to decide what to keep and what to donate or toss????

I wish I could see your garage...being able to suggest things would be easier. I don't know how much space is available for both of you to work in...see? Is it full to the max and cars parked outside the garage? Do you just have walkway space and actually need to remove LOTS of stuff to start?

DH and I each have a car in the garage. He drives his truck to work. So, since I had space to work in, this is the way I cleaned/purged our garage:

I backed out my car and started in one corner removing everything along the wall and either leaning it on my car (like our long poles with hooks we use for bird feeders during the winter) outside or placing them where my car was parked. I was able to do 1/3rd of the west wall at a time (the wall which would be the driver's side of my car...if that makes sense...or one of the long walls if that helps too.

Anyway, after I removed everything from a section, I would sweep/dust/vacuum the area and wipe down the wall...even getting up on a ladder and getting rid of old cobwebs. Before putting anything back, Wipe down everything you plan on putting back in the space you just cleaned as you go. SOOO many things get covered in cobwebs/dust/crud. It makes no sense to put things back that are filthy. If need be, use a leaf blower outside on whatever it is 1st, then wipe it down!!!

I would also think of how I would put things back...placement...and ask myself:

Does it already have a home and one of us was just too lazy at the time to hang it back up somewhere in the garage? If so, put it back right then and there!

Does it belong in the house?

Do we REALLY need it anymore?

A donate or toss?

Another thing was if where I wanted to put something was on the other side of the garage, I put it back in it's 'home' or close to it til that side of the garage got cleaned.

AVOID double work!!! Try not to put things back in the same spot where it was unless that WILL be it's home. Somehow, saying "I'll put it back in it's home later/another day/someday" does not seem to work well. At least put it in a spot you will still need to work on and not back where you just cleaned. Put things back as you go that will be it's home! Avoid double work as you go as much as you can.

After I finished my side of the garage (where my car is parked, that is)...again, 1/3 section at a time, I parked my car back in the garage. Things DH needed to go through were left outside in the driveway close to the house for when he got home from work...like loose tools, machinery, power tools, auto parts/supplies. He is pretty good choosing what to keep and what to toss/donate. He likes to do projects, but doesn't have the urge to save everything that is usable.

Also keep in mind...keep asking yourself, how many of 'fill in the blank' do you REALLY need?

For example, my MIL is bad about saving things! For example, she has 15 different spatchulas...some are in sets. HOW many spatchulas does one need???? I have used the same spatchula I bought when I got my 1st apt when I was in my early 20's and it still works great. I have one spare...that's it! Use that info to help decide on how much to keep of 'like items' in your home and garage.

Another example is we had 2 leaf blowers. One we had that was electric and used for many years..a Black & Decker. A couple of years ago I asked my DH if we could get a battery powered one because I got sick and tired of dragging out the heavy electrical cord. Well, bless his heart, he said ok. You know, I used that battery one a couple of times and I wasn't all that impressed. By the time I decided I didn't like it, unfortunately, it was too late to return it. So it just sat in the garage, taking up space...my thinking was "well, if the other one doesn't work and I need a leaf blower...blah, blah, blah...".

That was silly! Especially since it didn't work that great anyway! So, that battery operated leaf blower went to charity!

Something else to keep in mind...don't keep stuff you don't enjoy using or doesn't work well! Donate if it works. If it doesn't work, toss it or make sure it WILL get fixed. Keep those 'fixers' to a minimum too!

So, in conclusion tackle one wall at a time...

HTH

[Mominohio]

I will second some of the things already mentioned here, that may help those of you trying to purge.

First, if you are in a situation where you are storing other's things, either make them get their stuff out, or, make a place for that stuff, and know that you can't count that as "your" clutter. I have a teenage son, and I'm sure he will be leaving home in the next several years. I have so much stuff that he will be taking when he leaves, because we have spent several years building him a "hope chest". Tubs of kitchen and household items from second hand stores and auctions. He has some great stuff, all in excellent condition and most of good vintage quality (complete huge Corning, Pyrex, and Farberware sets that would make any bride of yesteryear green with envy, Stiffel lamps, linens, blender, toaster,knife sets, Kitchen Aid mixer etc.). That along with his tools and hobby stuff, and the house will breath a sigh of relief. I just can't do anything about this stuff right now, other than organize it and store it in plastic tubs. We have a basement, luckily.

Start small. I go through my entire house every winter and do my "spring cleaning". I start in the clothes closets and dressers, as it is very easy for me to purge here, and goes quick. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something. Then I move to other cabinets, drawers, linen and coat closet etc. As others have said, ask yourself how may ------ do I really need. That differs for everyone. Some people cook and bake a lot, and one spatula or one colander wouldn't work for them. I am one who doesn't need or want a lot of clothing or shoes. I easily get rid of those worn out each year. You know what you use and need, but we really don't need an extra three or four or five of everything, no matter how Q tries to convince us that we do.

I think it is eye opening to have a yard sale, and see how little you get for your stuff. It will help you avoid buying too much, when you watch something you paid $50 for with the cost and shipping combined, then used it a year or two, and had trouble getting $10 for it at your sale. It makes you think twice before you spend again.

Take a hard look at those things you inherited, and are sentimental. Are they too worn and broken, to the point you wouldn't display or used them, and only pack them away to remember someone? Keep the very best, the most useful, and purge the rest. Our parents/grandparents/aunt/uncles don't expect us to stay burdened with all their things once they are gone. Try to move those things you can learn to live without to other family members who might love and use them. When all else fails, to the donation box or trash.

Some things you need/want to save can be stored in things that do double duty. I bought some of the VPH ottomans (Amazon has a huge selection of them as well in all sizes and styles) and store off season thermal underwear in them in the bedroom, the magazines I want to keep in the rec room, and the throws and afghans we use in the winter in a big one in the rec room. Pieces of furniture that double as storage are always a way to keep things you want, but keep them orderly and out of sight.

There are things you know you want to get rid of, so put them in a box in the car and donate on your next trip to town. Other things that you are unsure about, let them sit in a box in the garage, and if in a few weeks you get used to the idea of letting them go, move them to the car.

Stay out of the stores, and stay off the online shopping sites. Once you get cleaned out, make yourself a rule, "one in one out" unless it is a consumable product like food or health/beauty items. If someone gives you something, and you have many similar things, find one to go (like if someone brings you a candle for a hostess gift, get rid of that half burned one that gives you a headache every time you light it anyway).

My cousins are just finishing up cleaning out their parents home after they passed within weeks of each other last year, one very unexpectedly sick and gone in a matter of weeks. It has been a hard job for them, and something we shouldn't make any harder on those left behind than need be. Even when we keep things under control, we live in a society where we have so many things. Most people are finding freedom in controlling the volume of stuff they have to deal with. Do you enjoy opening a closet/cabinet/drawer/ and moving 10 things to get to the one in the back? Do you realize how much time each day/week/year you are spending just handling your "stuff" to clean it, organize it, move it to get what you need? Does it bother you? All good questions to ask yourself when you get off track or bogged down making the decisions.

We keep renewing these types of topics here, and I enjoy and gain encouragement from them every time they resurface. Good luck to everyone on this journey!

[casuallady]

Casuallady again, I am on a roll again, once my new bathroom is finished. Rule 1, is to go through everything going into new vanity and wooden amish wall cabinet (hubby painted it a light grey on the sides and top to match the bath. I need to take pictures, but lazy about doing that. Anyway tonight I went through a small dresser drawer, and purged a small waste basket full of stuff. Its amazing how easy it all becomes, and almost becomes fun, and Oh so freeing.

I am happy we can encourage each other. It really makes life easier when opening a kitchen cabinet and things don't fall out. Everything has a place. The challenge continues to be our garage and basement. We can still put 2 cars in garage, but it looks dated and we have to be careful not to hit something. Most of this is hubby's area, and he gets offended if I get in his space. The same is the basement, although I have some Christmas stuff that I want to purge, and other stuff. I read an article that says I just need to keep on my stuff, and hubby will catch on. He is a great guy, and does a lot around here. Lots of mowing, painting, keeping cars clean and repaired, so it will all get done.

[casuallady]

OK, the master bathroom is finished and it turned out beautiful. We can't do anymore remodeling for a while, however my storage area off the Master bedroom needs cleaned out. I am struggling whether to purge some Christmas snowmen. I really don't have a lot of space in the Great room for decorating, and I am tired of the same old same old stuff on the mantel. I started to take all stuff out of the storage area to reevaluate if we have enough for me to do a table at a local flea market. Hubby has stuff but he isn't interested yet. I am going to take stuff out of his side of closet to get an opinion from him on what to keep. He will discard. This is always difficult, but it always works out.

Tuesday we are getting a new water softener to rent in the basement. They will take the old stuff, and this more compact.