I am the exact same way. I can not stand extra stuff in my house. I purge almost yearly. I keep sentimental things, but they have their specific storage spot. But hey, there's only 3 of us so that makes it much easier.
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Help me or Shoot Me Now!
- Thread starter whitesands
- Start date
whitesands
Beach Lover
lucky13 and Johnrudy...you guys are so cool. My question is HOW do/did you "detach". Or, were you ever "attached"? I know I have to let go...I have wonderful chaffing dishes I know now that I'll probably never use...I've been trying, but something always changes the "theme". So, what's the "secret" or were you never "attached"???
audie, I hear ya...I'm not there yet, but...:rofl:
gttbm, you sould like you've got a handle on it. Know what happened today? I told my husband that I'm "thinking about it"...I mentioned all his tools in the shop and "stuff" in the garage. He said that was "stuff" he needed!
God help me, I know we're not related in any way but by marriage...so it can't be a gene! 
I think a yard sale is in our future! And give-aways too. I just need to be strong. "Give it away, give it away, give it away NOW!"
Seriously, thanks everyone. My home is not cluttered really, but I can see it would be in the future if I don't "grab this bull by the horns"...I just have to let go emotionally!
audie, I hear ya...I'm not there yet, but...:rofl:
gttbm, you sould like you've got a handle on it. Know what happened today? I told my husband that I'm "thinking about it"...I mentioned all his tools in the shop and "stuff" in the garage. He said that was "stuff" he needed!
God help me, I know we're not related in any way but by marriage...so it can't be a gene! I think a yard sale is in our future! And give-aways too. I just need to be strong. "Give it away, give it away, give it away NOW!"
Seriously, thanks everyone. My home is not cluttered really, but I can see it would be in the future if I don't "grab this bull by the horns"...I just have to let go emotionally!
Well, I probably need to be analyzed but I just don't get too attached to stuff, other than the mementos from my son's childhood, etc. I guess I just start looking around at the 3 or 4 concert programs I've kept (per each concert!) and then realize it's just way too much bulk to have around. One will do.
But what will help you is to give away the things that you know someone else would receive pleasure from. I'm sure your loved ones who gave you these gifts would agree. The "giving" replaces the "needy" feeling you currently have.
Find a church or an organization in your village that supports less fortunate families or young families that are just starting out. I'm sure they would be thrilled to be gifted some of your things! Then you know it's o.k to "let it go."
Good luck!
But what will help you is to give away the things that you know someone else would receive pleasure from. I'm sure your loved ones who gave you these gifts would agree. The "giving" replaces the "needy" feeling you currently have.
Find a church or an organization in your village that supports less fortunate families or young families that are just starting out. I'm sure they would be thrilled to be gifted some of your things! Then you know it's o.k to "let it go."
Good luck!
lucky13
sussa
lucky13 and Johnrudy...you guys are so cool. My question is HOW do/did you "detach". Or, were you ever "attached"? I know I have to let go...I have wonderful chaffing dishes I know now that I'll probably never use...I've been trying, but something always changes the "theme". So, what's the "secret" or were you never "attached"???
audie, I hear ya...I'm not there yet, but...:rofl:
gttbm, you sould like you've got a handle on it. Know what happened today? I told my husband that I'm "thinking about it"...I mentioned all his tools in the shop and "stuff" in the garage. He said that was "stuff" he needed!
I think a yard sale is in our future! And give-aways too. I just need to be strong. "Give it away, give it away, give it away NOW!"
Seriously, thanks everyone. My home is not cluttered really, but I can see it would be in the future if I don't "grab this bull by the horns"...I just have to let go emotionally!
I do get attached, so I keep the things that are sentimental, but I think I go through phases. There are some "throwing out phases" when I com across stuff that there's no way you could pay me to throw away, but a few months down the road in the midst of another phase, I might see the same stuff and realize I've done nothing with it since the last phase. I'm talking mostly about clothes and shoes, which, if I haven't worn it in a year, many times less, I let it go. Other stuff, though, if I keep it, it has to have its own place!
I guess I'm saying there's no real rhyme or reason to it, which isn't very helpful, but you'll find what works for you. Just visit the Container Store and see all of the cool stuff you can buy to organize your life and then you'll really want to clear out! :funn:
Cheering472
SoWal Insider
I think I come by it honestly. Going through my daddy's files I found old greeting cards I'd sent him dating back to when I was in college. He still had the "beautiful" lopsided paperweight that I made him in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Let's face it, there's no hope for me, it's genetic.
whitesands
Beach Lover
Well, I am starting to get my mind around this thing. I like the idea of giving to someone who would like it or could/would use it.
BUT, the plot thickens. I spoke to my husband about actually getting rid of my unused, unnecessary stuff. I asked him if he'd start going through his stuff in his shop, garage, pool house, etc. Funnily enough, it turns out that he thinks he needs all his stuff. And so it goes! 
BUT, the plot thickens. I spoke to my husband about actually getting rid of my unused, unnecessary stuff. I asked him if he'd start going through his stuff in his shop, garage, pool house, etc. Funnily enough, it turns out that he thinks he needs all his stuff.
And so it goes! 
dbuck
Beach Fanatic
Well, I am starting to get my mind around this thing. I like the idea of giving to someone who would like it or could/would use it.
BUT, the plot thickens. I spoke to my husband about actually getting rid of my unused, unnecessary stuff. I asked him if he'd start going through his stuff in his shop, garage, pool house, etc. Funnily enough, it turns out that he thinks he needs all his stuff.
I can soooo sympathize with you. I have junk, Mr. dbuck has valuable items. :roll:
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
If you can't remember the last time you used or wore it, or why it's special to you, get rid of it.
One easy way to get rid of items you are quasi attached to, but don't need is to give them to the younger generation. My mother and grandmother do this all the time w/ good quality clothes, kitchen items, furniture, artwork etc. that they can't bear to toss. Your stuff is still "in the family" but is being used by someone who needs it.
One easy way to get rid of items you are quasi attached to, but don't need is to give them to the younger generation. My mother and grandmother do this all the time w/ good quality clothes, kitchen items, furniture, artwork etc. that they can't bear to toss. Your stuff is still "in the family" but is being used by someone who needs it.
Beachlover2
Beach Fanatic
Whitesands
It is really a matter of diving in and going for it. Tackle a closet or room at a time - schedule a pick-up from Amvets or some other charitable organization and make sure you do it by their pickup date. I have recently decluttered by home of 23 years and I don't really miss any of the stuff I have given away. Most of the stuff I hadn't seen in 23 years. I complained for 23 years I didn't have any closet space and now I have plenty of room in my closets and I know I could still give away even more. I was keeping clothes I hoped to fit back into someday - now I realize that either isn't going to happen or I deserve new clothes if I get back down to that size. Decluttering is really very freeing. I now have a office in my home instead of a junk room!!!!!!
It is really a matter of diving in and going for it. Tackle a closet or room at a time - schedule a pick-up from Amvets or some other charitable organization and make sure you do it by their pickup date. I have recently decluttered by home of 23 years and I don't really miss any of the stuff I have given away. Most of the stuff I hadn't seen in 23 years. I complained for 23 years I didn't have any closet space and now I have plenty of room in my closets and I know I could still give away even more. I was keeping clothes I hoped to fit back into someday - now I realize that either isn't going to happen or I deserve new clothes if I get back down to that size. Decluttering is really very freeing. I now have a office in my home instead of a junk room!!!!!!