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[Regal Bee]

I don't keep clutter anywhere in our home. It makes me crazy and really stagnates my creativity. 

[LoveMyBaby]

@pupwhipped

🤣 I hear ya, but sometimes one just gets inspired, and is sick of looking at the 'stuff'! Lol. I downsized last year from 2000 sq ft to 1350 sq ft, and can't believe all the stuff I moved with me. And I thought I purged a lot with the move (and I did). I always think maybe someone in the family will want it some day. Highly doubtful 😏 

[151949]

This summer we sold our camper and brought home a ton of stuff. It had been our full time summer home for 7 years so it was a mini version of our house. Anyway - last winter I had cleaned out everywhere and had nice organized closets etc. but now we brought home all this stuff that had to find a home and filled up everywhere. So now I'm going to have to go through and reorganize it all again! 

This seems like an endless journey! Fortunately, though our home is small it has a lot of storage space.

[Susan Louise]

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@lucymo wrote:

@Susan Louise Thank you for boosting my desire to be less of a hoarder.  I have donated tons in the past few years but have brought in more than I took out.  I had plenty of decor displayed for the Christmas season and didn't make a dent in what's in storage.  I could donate everything left in storage and still be able to do a nicely decorated  holiday home.  I may just do that too.

Now for the clothes closet.  Yes, I'm a clothes hoarder too, have enough that I don't unpack some of the storage containers each season.  Since I like classic styles they don't go out of style much so they build up as I buy new ones.  Yes, it's crazy hoarding. Shoes and purses were donated already.

Kitchen was purged earlier this year so I'm in good shape there. I could still give up a few bakers and large pots since we don't entertain as much as we used to. 

Desk, dresser, chest and table drawers all need cleaning.  Thanks to you, my friend, I'm in the mood.  I won't put a deadline on it but I will get it done.

Happy New Year to you and DH and thanks for your help.  Hopefully, I'll go further this time withe purging.  We need the 'Buddy System' in place for CIJ this year.  Help!! 

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@lucymo  ITA about the 'Buddy System'! Honestly Lucy, I can't believe I also bought more this past year than previous years too.

I felt so confident before the past CIJ that I expected not to buy a single piece of new decor. At the same time, the REAL crazy part is I have no regrets of the pieces I bought and kept. At least about half of them I was able to get at the 'As Is' price.

I felt as though my taste in decor has at least narrowed down drastically. I do use several pieces every year too. I think I'm better at honing in on my choices I make. When I say that though, it sounds so wrong since I bought so much...LOL

However, with each piece I did buy, I see myself using all of them several times, for many years and none taking up prime real estate in the basement and collecting dust. So that is a huge improvement.

Some of the decor I have been purging were the 3 VPH cloches I had....1 lg & 1 sm cloches of the Dicken's Carolers and the sm church cloche. I only used the lg Dicken's carolers once in the 4-5 yrs I had them and honestly didn't see myself using them again. GAWD, if I only had the foresight...SMH

One thing that has been helping me to decide on what decor to purge is asking myself "How many times over the next 3-5 years will I actually use (fill in the blank)?"  

Here's an example of my working on/winding up with less in the end with one type of decor...

Since this year I got 4 sets (2 natural - 2 white) of the 'As Is' VPH H209362 pedestals, I was able to let go of  6 sets of the VPH MG pedestals H205247 (2 silver, 2 red, 1 gold, and 1 chocolate) I have bought over the years...so besides having 2 less pedestal sets between both types, I'm also using less MG overall.

I see myself using the new pedestals all the time! Out of the 4 new sets (12 pcs), currently 9 are being used now for holiday decor vignette set ups. I see myself using them all year round too and not just once or twice. I got 2 sets of each color so if I wanted to be symmetrical with the same height with 2 candles or anything else, I can. 

I also got rid of the VPH large MG square pedestals and just kept the MG pedestals with inserts.

Some MG pieces I still use every year are the spheres for Spring/Summer decor in the livingroom and again during the Fall...which I don't see changing anytime soon.

I don't know if any of that info would help you in deciding what to keep or let go, but that is how I was rationalizing when purging and lowering the amount of decor as I am going along.

Blah, Blah, Blah...I see this post getting winded...sorry...sigh. 

As for clothes, yes...way too much...I do need an intervention...  

The last pieces of clothes I bought was back on 10/11 and it was 2 sets of A293908 in 'berry' and 'evergreen' which I have been wearing both of often lately. My weaknesses are mainly sweaters, D&Co/QF tops and Carole Hochman PJ's and I don't need anymore of any of it! LOL

I'm really hoping I can start and finish the new year without buying one more piece of clothing...seriously!

Shoes I'm not a fan of, so thankfully it's not something I have an excess of. I have about 17 prs...12 are sandals which are easily stored in a small container (always having spares of a few because I wear them til they fall apart), 3 prs are shoes, 1 pr of sneakers and 1 pr of boots. The 12 prs of Sandals are all 4 different colors/styles of Okabashi. Honestly, I loath wearing anything on my feet and have always favored walking barefoot...which I do 100% of the time when I'm home. I do wear the sandals when I am gardening or mowing the lawn though. I do favor this brand of sandals since they are as close to walking barefoot as I can get wearing shoes. I even wear them in the winter when grocery shopping/running errands unless there is a foot of snow or it's icy of coarse and wear the boots.

Handbags I am able to keep in check (with the 1 in - 1 out policy) since I store my D&B in the armoire cubby holes and the bags/totes of Vera Bradley are in one drawer below. That is one area I try to keep in check all the time...LOL The last D&B handbag I got I bought 'As Is' about mid-June. Hopefully I can stop buying those for several years! Ah...so many New Year's resolutions I want to keep!

Anyway, on the other hand, the linen closet is stuffed. For me I think it's one area I'm always frustrated with. Our bathroom has no storage area for towels/washcloths whatsoever other than a single bar for a couple of bath towels and a hook for a hand towel. So our narrow linen closet holds everything for our bedding (4 sets...2 Fall/Winter and 2 Spring/Summer...those alone take up a LOT of space), bathroom, most of our health and personal supplies, the sewing kit, dishcloths, cleaning cloths, mop heads, etc. I have to find a better way!

Our 'full' bathroom is so small, you only need to take 1 step to get to the sink and 2 steps to get to the throne and bathtub. The 1/2 bath downstairs...well, it only takes 1 step to reach the sink, throne and stand up shower...LOL

OK...time for me to start prepping dinner...

I want you and your family to have a wonderful Happy New Year! Hopefully we can all help each other keep our buying in-check from now on and enjoying just window shopping for a change

[deedledeedeedle]

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@pupwhipped wrote:

It's becoming painfully obvious that I don't have a purging bone in my body.  

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Me either, pupwhipped. Waaaaay too much is coming in, and not nearly enough going out the door 

dee

[RedTop]

I started purging this house nearly 6 years ago, and continue to let go of my accumulated items easily.   I’m retired and go out only when I have to, so I have right-sized myself as far as all clothing, shoes and handbags.   I hate spending money on clothing, and have gotten rid of many, many things since I retired.   If I died today, my daughters could pack every single item of clothing I own (except my 3 coats) into one 18 gallon plastic tote.  

2 large items left here this week, and I have 2 pieces of furniture to burn as soon as we have safe burning conditions.   My 2018 goal is to move more and more stuff to the curb.   

For the last year, my husband has talked about buying a storage building for items currently filling our garage.   Every time this comes up, my response is clean the garage, and get rid of items that are not being used.  I am not in favor of spending $3000 for more storage space, when this house has enough space—-we just have too much stuff.  

Just today, I made the comment to my husband, and sent texts to my girls, that in another week or so, I will be able to start working in the basement, and I intend to get everything off the floor and on a shelf, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!   

[Catiele]

For me it is a work in progress. About two years ago we did a really good clearing out. My husband was not really ready. He had to be part of it because of the cellar and garages. In these areas practially everything went but the tools. Every so often I will get into one of those moods. I grab the biggest bag I can find and fill it. Sometimes its two bags. Maybe I will get a bag———no not today.

[Snoopp]

I am doing one drawer at a time.  I find the sorting and purging exhausting.

[lucymo]

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@Susan Louise wrote:

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@lucymo wrote:

@Susan Louise Thank you for boosting my desire to be less of a hoarder.  I have donated tons in the past few years but have brought in more than I took out.  I had plenty of decor displayed for the Christmas season and didn't make a dent in what's in storage.  I could donate everything left in storage and still be able to do a nicely decorated  holiday home.  I may just do that too.

Now for the clothes closet.  Yes, I'm a clothes hoarder too, have enough that I don't unpack some of the storage containers each season.  Since I like classic styles they don't go out of style much so they build up as I buy new ones.  Yes, it's crazy hoarding. Shoes and purses were donated already.

Kitchen was purged earlier this year so I'm in good shape there. I could still give up a few bakers and large pots since we don't entertain as much as we used to. 

Desk, dresser, chest and table drawers all need cleaning.  Thanks to you, my friend, I'm in the mood.  I won't put a deadline on it but I will get it done.

Happy New Year to you and DH and thanks for your help.  Hopefully, I'll go further this time withe purging.  We need the 'Buddy System' in place for CIJ this year.  Help!! 

---

@lucymo  ITA about the 'Buddy System'! Honestly Lucy, I can't believe I also bought more this past year than previous years too.

I felt so confident before the past CIJ that I expected not to buy a single piece of new decor. At the same time, the REAL crazy part is I have no regrets of the pieces I bought and kept. At least about half of them I was able to get at the 'As Is' price.

I felt as though my taste in decor has at least narrowed down drastically. I do use several pieces every year too. I think I'm better at honing in on my choices I make. When I say that though, it sounds so wrong since I bought so much...LOL

However, with each piece I did buy, I see myself using all of them several times, for many years and none taking up prime real estate in the basement and collecting dust. So that is a huge improvement.

Some of the decor I have been purging were the 3 VPH cloches I had....1 lg & 1 sm cloches of the Dicken's Carolers and the sm church cloche. I only used the lg Dicken's carolers once in the 4-5 yrs I had them and honestly didn't see myself using them again. GAWD, if I only had the foresight...SMH

One thing that has been helping me to decide on what decor to purge is asking myself "How many times over the next 3-5 years will I actually use (fill in the blank)?"  

Here's an example of my working on/winding up with less in the end with one type of decor...

Since this year I got 4 sets (2 natural - 2 white) of the 'As Is' VPH H209362 pedestals, I was able to let go of  6 sets of the VPH MG pedestals H205247 (2 silver, 2 red, 1 gold, and 1 chocolate) I have bought over the years...so besides having 2 less pedestal sets between both types, I'm also using less MG overall.

I see myself using the new pedestals all the time! Out of the 4 new sets (12 pcs), currently 9 are being used now for holiday decor vignette set ups. I see myself using them all year round too and not just once or twice. I got 2 sets of each color so if I wanted to be symmetrical with the same height with 2 candles or anything else, I can. 

I also got rid of the VPH large MG square pedestals and just kept the MG pedestals with inserts.

Some MG pieces I still use every year are the spheres for Spring/Summer decor in the livingroom and again during the Fall...which I don't see changing anytime soon.

I don't know if any of that info would help you in deciding what to keep or let go, but that is how I was rationalizing when purging and lowering the amount of decor as I am going along.

Blah, Blah, Blah...I see this post getting winded...sorry...sigh. 

As for clothes, yes...way too much...I do need an intervention...  

The last pieces of clothes I bought was back on 10/11 and it was 2 sets of A293908 in 'berry' and 'evergreen' which I have been wearing both of often lately. My weaknesses are mainly sweaters, D&Co/QF tops and Carole Hochman PJ's and I don't need anymore of any of it! LOL

I'm really hoping I can start and finish the new year without buying one more piece of clothing...seriously!

Shoes I'm not a fan of, so thankfully it's not something I have an excess of. I have about 17 prs...12 are sandals which are easily stored in a small container (always having spares of a few because I wear them til they fall apart), 3 prs are shoes, 1 pr of sneakers and 1 pr of boots. The 12 prs of Sandals are all 4 different colors/styles of Okabashi. Honestly, I loath wearing anything on my feet and have always favored walking barefoot...which I do 100% of the time when I'm home. I do wear the sandals when I am gardening or mowing the lawn though. I do favor this brand of sandals since they are as close to walking barefoot as I can get wearing shoes. I even wear them in the winter when grocery shopping/running errands unless there is a foot of snow or it's icy of coarse and wear the boots.

Handbags I am able to keep in check (with the 1 in - 1 out policy) since I store my D&B in the armoire cubby holes and the bags/totes of Vera Bradley are in one drawer below. That is one area I try to keep in check all the time...LOL The last D&B handbag I got I bought 'As Is' about mid-June. Hopefully I can stop buying those for several years! Ah...so many New Year's resolutions I want to keep!

Anyway, on the other hand, the linen closet is stuffed. For me I think it's one area I'm always frustrated with. Our bathroom has no storage area for towels/washcloths whatsoever other than a single bar for a couple of bath towels and a hook for a hand towel. So our narrow linen closet holds everything for our bedding (4 sets...2 Fall/Winter and 2 Spring/Summer...those alone take up a LOT of space), bathroom, most of our health and personal supplies, the sewing kit, dishcloths, cleaning cloths, mop heads, etc. I have to find a better way!

Our 'full' bathroom is so small, you only need to take 1 step to get to the sink and 2 steps to get to the throne and bathtub. The 1/2 bath downstairs...well, it only takes 1 step to reach the sink, throne and stand up shower...LOL

OK...time for me to start prepping dinner...

I want you and your family to have a wonderful Happy New Year! Hopefully we can all help each other keep our buying in-check from now on and enjoying just window shopping for a change

---

@Susan Louise  I enjoyed reading the post and thanks for being so specific about the items you purged.  I have a lot of the pieces that you speak of. I do still love the square pedestals though, I think more than the round ones with mirror inserts.  I have donated some colors like all of the silver ones but kept gold, chocolate and green, i set each color.  I only bought gold and chocolate in the ones with inserts, two sets each. I will get in the garage next week and start sorting what's there and then into the storage room inside the house.  You have inspired me...again. 

Yes, if we clean our excess out, we don't need to fill every nook and cranny right back up again.  'Buddy System' it is.  lol

[bonnielu]

I am slowly getting rid of stuff.  My only problem is I have oodles of my mothers possessions and I have a hard time letting go.  

And I have collected lots of stuff on my own.  When I look at my personal clothes I feel guilty having bought them in the first place.  When I look at decor trinkets I feel like I must keep them.  

It is hard to declutter.  I almost need a personal assistant and I need to leave and let him or her do it for me.  I have not gotten to that stage yet.