Throwing Stuff Out - Who's with me??

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Update: I've started my own blog about this. If anyone is interested in following it here is the link: http://clearupcheerup.wordpress.com/ 

I've been wanting to start a blog of my own, so now here's my chance. I will be writing about my experiences as I sort through my stuff (both physical and emotional), and what it means to me to chuck it. My first post is up. I hope you enjoy it!

 

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I've been desperately feeling the weight of my clutter lately, and have been searching for ways to freshen up my life.

 

So, in an effort to change things up I recently bought some new sofas, and threw out my older ones (my beloved Big Red and Little Red). I have a tendancy to get attached to physical belongings and often even name things I get attached to (my new car is named Roxy and I haven't even picked it up yet). Well, finally letting to of Big and Little Red felt good, like a wight had lifted. Looking around my apartment I realize my summer house guest is right, I have TOO MUCH Clutter! It's time to get busy.

 

I was passing by the local bookshop and felt compelled to stop in yesterday. There on the shelf, staring me down, was a book called "Throw Out Fifty Things" by Gail Blanke. I snapped it up, and read through the introduction and chapter one over a beer yesterady after work. I am fully hooked and inspired. She has a website: www.throwoutfiftythings.com where you can download worksheets and report your progress. I might even blog about this. Letting go of the old clutter, both physical and emotional, will open up your life to receive new and exciting things.

 

The Author's mantra is "If you want to grow, let it go".

 

So, does anyone want to grow with me? Let's throw stuff out together!

[Donna K & Quincy]

My 5 things for the day are in a box destined for the Goodwill. (I actually threw out more than 5 but have a lot more to go)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

great!

[Kyoko]

Oh, I have to look at this website!!

[Kyoko]

Oh, boy! I just looked at the intro video! That woman is so convincing!! My eyes were total round circle each time she spoke!! I never thought throwing out stuff meant so deep!! Really? Will I have a serge of energy to take charge of my life? I have to try this and see how I feel!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

It will feel great. I promise you!

[Leslie and Halas]

I just dropped some stuff off at Goodwill yesterday, so that's a good start for me.  Although I still have a lot of stuff I could get rid of.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I have the back of my closet full of stuff that needs to be photographed (for my taxes) and then taken to goodwill. I am sure that there is also a carload in the garage if I start to look! I got rid of a lot of things last year, but am still surprised by the amount of old stereo equipment and unwearable clothing that i still have.

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

I'm in.  have been decluttering lately too . The clutter in my house often feels like clutter in my brain. I started with the study and now I'm on the kids' rooms. In an attempt to redecorate these rooms, I've been throwing stuff away. Now the trick is learn to not let this stuff accumulate again. No more buying books. I think we'll start using the library and Kindle more. No holding on to stuff out of sentimentality. I had kept all of the baby clothes belonging to my kids from 5 to10 years ago. Now I am keeping a couple of really special ones and giving away the rest. Sigh! It is so hard.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

How about taking photos of them all and storing the photos on your computer. That way you can still see them and have your moments of nostalgia, without the clutter.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh darn, I am too late to join in.  I am just finishing up this weekend.  My mother passed away two months ago and after dealing will all of her "junk" and asking all the grandkids to take what they wanted which was basically nothing, my brother took nothing and I  took the photo albums.  It is so sad that there was 55 years of junk in her house and it didn't mean a single thing to anyone in the family.  We had an Estate Sale and then what didn't sell we had a bulk buyer come and give us a flat price for everything in the house.  After going through all of this I got on a huge cleaning kick in my own home.  I got rid of sooo much stuff.  I don't want to do to my two kids what my mother did to us by leaving all the clutter, junk and crap that was bulging out of every closet and drawer!!!  My DH moved 40 years of office files home a few months before my mother died and so this weekend I insisted he clean them out and get organized.  No more boxes stacked in the garage after today!!!!  I have even gone as far as getting rid of all my china, crystal (except for my Waterford) and sterling silver flat ware and serving pieces.  I have had the stuff for 41 years and have used it maybe 10 times!  WTD???  Why am I saving it.  Neither my daughter nor my daughter-in-law are at all interested in that kind of fru fru stuff.  This generation of young people seem to be much more practical and like the Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn stuff...I agree...much more fun to entertain with and easier to maintain!  I am now enjoying my neat house where everything has a place and all my closets and cupboards are neat and tidy!!!  Still having a problem with DH and his desk though!!!  Maybe he is the one who should get thrown out...ha hahahaha!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What I need to know is what to do with the kind of things you mentioned...Steuben glass, sterling, Lalique, etc. I have all of these things from my mother that don't fit in my home or my lifestyle, but you certainly can't throw away a thousand dollar Steuben vase or put it in a garage sale.

[Adina P]

Ebay auction?  Craigslist?  Just the first thoughts...I know nothing about "Steuben" but perhaps there is a collector's site somewhere that is into such things.