My place is a mess! I want to get organised.

[Rectify]

As for all of the stuff that's still in boxes, you obviously don't need or want to use any of it, so why not just take it straight to a charity shop without unpacking it? No chance of sentimentality getting in the way then.

Oh my god I hear you - I do - but when I read your idea I cramped up. I've become very stuck mentally with regards to my things. I was not like this when I was younger. Then again, I never had to darn much back then either. You're right though. I know that in essence you are right.

I have heard of the 30 day minimalisation game. Does it start small and work up though? I think it does and that always seemed weird to me. I felt it should start big and then wind down because with each day surely it's harder to find things to get rid of.

 

[Rectify]

What stopped me was I got stuck in the past. Old things suddenly became important to me. I got sentimental. I've become very attached to many things and this has made it hard for me to stay minimal. Though I do know people practice it differently. I'm not a big fan of those people who get all judgy and say 'that isn't mimimalism' and it sounds like you aren't either. It can never be the same for everyone.

I'm still inspired by minimalism at least. Like the question you put: Does this add value to my life? I try to ask those kinds of questions when I want to prize things from my physical and emotional grasp.

Even Marie Kondo has elements that can inspire though I would agree as an overall plan to follow hers is not the best for me. But it might appeal to some people.

I like the idea of a uniform too but have trouble deciding on specifics.

 

[Rectify]

...But I always stall at getting started on the task so I totally commiserate with you.
...
One sister took all the old photos

I would be totally stuck on the photos too. That kind of thing is like gold to me

Yes, it's so hard getting it done! I stall too. Having said that I did a bit yesterday and I plan the same today so lets just see...

 

[Rectify]

My sister and I have a term we share. 'Death cleaning' - the act of going through and cleaning out your own things so your kids won't have such a burden to do so after we die. Sounds a little morbid, but we both would find ourselves doing it - especially after my dad's death where it took days with a trash dumpster to clean out his stuff.

I like that idea @Pats and I think it's catching on with a lot of people. If I died now it would be a pain for my kids so I would like to keep that in mind (and act on it, of course).

 

[Rectify]

@GadAbout
It's a shame that fabrics don't keep very well. They used to be so beautiful too, with embroidery, but white cotton always gets those marks on it :/

I like the idea of having an 'organising principle' as a fall back or something to consider when sorting. I think I've had that in the past but, as I'm now mentioned a lot on here - I'm a bit stuck - so I need to work on it.

@Pats mentioned death cleaning which is just what you're talking about too. I have seen the results of not doing it as well. It's so hard for those left behind because they are generally grieving too so not necessarily able to make the decisions they need to.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

Oh my god I hear you - I do - but when I read your idea I cramped up. I've become very stuck mentally with regards to my things. I was not like this when I was younger. Then again, I never had to darn much back then either. You're right though. I know that in essence you are right.

I have heard of the 30 day minimalisation game. Does it start small and work up though? I think it does and that always seemed weird to me. I felt it should start big and then wind down because with each day surely it's harder to find things to get rid of.

Yes you start with 1 thing on the 1st day, 2 things on the 2nd day 3 on the 3rd etc. The point of it starting out easy and getting more difficult is that you gradually gain momentum, inertia works in your favour. Either way you get rid of the same number of things (if you make it to the last day), but if you start big and work down the 1st day would take a load of effort and you'd probably just never do it, or it would be so demoralising you'd give up on the 2nd day. But starting with one thing is easy, I bet you could get up right now and find one thing to throw away with little effort, and it's started, easy as that.

 

[Rectify]

I bet you could get up right now and find one thing to throw away with little effort, and it's started, easy as that.

Haha you're right about that. I could. But I will stick to my feeling that for me it should work the other way around. Maybe they should have two versions

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

@Pats mentioned death cleaning which is just what you're talking about too. I have seen the results of not doing it as well. It's so hard for those left behind because they are generally grieving too so not necessarily able to make the decisions they need to.

Oh yeah I wish death cleaning is a mainstream thing, my gran and grandma have both died over the last 2 years (both grandads have been dead for decades) and clearing out all their stuff was a nightmare, and this is after they've downsized at least once due to old age. I now look at my parents house, and their attic, and really hope that when they get to the downsizing stage they let me help them de-clutter.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

Haha you're right about that. I could. But I will stick to my feeling that for me it should work the other way around. Maybe they should have two versions

Well it's not that there are rules engraved on a marble slab... you can do whatever you want

 

[tlc]

I recently got rid of most of the stuff I had stored in the garage for 3 years after I moved here. Lots of things like old toys and games and things from when my daughter was younger and was here. Those days don't come back so it really served no purpose.

But I do tend to keep anything that still has a usable service life. For so many years I was totally broke and had to keep anything I could to make sure I could survive. I don't have to do that anymore, so I got rid of a bunch of stuff like old appliances that didn't match my new kitchen, other old furniture. Car parts is a different story, I like my old cars and those parts are getting harder and harder to find, those parts I saved from 20 years ago have helped me time and time again.

I just kept thinking of all the stuff I've been wanting to do with that space, that I couldn't because it was full.

I can't do a mass purge. I have to do it in stages. First get rid of the stuff that's obviously junk. Then go through it again and sift out the next bunch of stuff I find I have no use for. Then think about it again for awhile and find more stuff to get rid of. It takes awhile to get into the mindset totally.

When I lived in my old house, I did this after I got divorced. I cleaned and got rid of a ton of stuff. One thing that helped was this book I read "Idiot's Guide To Organizing Your Life" by Georgine Lockwood I think. I've probably read 20 decluttering books before that, but for some reason this one really spoke to me.

 

[Rectify]

Hi @tlc

I recently got rid of most of the stuff I had stored in the garage for 3 years after I moved here. Lots of things like old toys and games and things from when my daughter was younger and was here. Those days don't come back so it really served no purpose.

Well done! It must feel great. I get stuck on that type of thing because I think I might like to have some things to pass on when my children have their own children. Did you have to get past those thoughts too? Or it wasn't a problem for you?

I just kept thinking of all the stuff I've been wanting to do with that space, that I couldn't because it was full.

It's a very motivating thought!

I have to do it in stages. First get rid of the stuff that's obviously junk. Then go through it again and sift out the next bunch of stuff I find I have no use for. Then think about it again for awhile and find more stuff to get rid of. It takes awhile to get into the mindset totally.

Me too. I have started with obvious things too. Putting away things that should have been put away but for some reason I'd let live on the floor for months instead. Sorting through my receipts and getting rid of them. I keep them for a while because I hate it when a product is faulty later on and I can't return it. Those are just examples. I haven't got to the difficult decisions yet.

I've probably read 20 decluttering books before that, but for some reason this one really spoke to me.

Some things are more inspiring than others. I have a collection of quotes that I refer to...to encourage myself.

 

[tducey]

Find someone to help you. Pick out things that matter most to you as well and go from there.

 

[tlc]

Hi @tlc
Well done! It must feel great. I get stuck on that type of thing because I think I might like to have some things to pass on when my children have their own children. Did you have to get past those thoughts too? Or it wasn't a problem for you?

Wasn't really a problem for several reasons. First of all she grew up and moved out, and she herself said she didn't want those things. Also she has no desire to have children. I know she's a young adult but I doubt she ever will unless it's accidental. She has long since been severely annoyed by small children.

Back then I also took the time to look up the author of that book and wrote her a big thank you. She wrote a nice reply back a few weeks later.