Clutter free help please

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Giraffes one and two.

As downsizing move is imminent, I have just spent the morning clearing a small cupboard of paperwork that I kept when I retired.

None of it had been looked at in 3 years! Also, why did I keep all the receipts, MOTs from cars long gone? I have no idea!

A Removal firm came to give a quote this morning, it looks like less than 50% of what we have got is being removed. Lots of trips to the tip in the next couple of weeks! I'm tired already!

x

I am dreadful for keeping things in case they are needed in future. My husband's rule is...if you can replace it, throw if away.
Wish I was better at following it.....

I will never be able to declutter unless I offload DH! Wires! Screws! Tools! Piles of paper! Objects that the French call 'trucs'

But he has his uses so the house will just have to remain cluttered! Makes housework a nightmare though

I like the giraffes; which charity shop have they gone to?

We have loads of books which we never look at and don't particularly want, but they could be worth something. CBB to Ebay them though (or I might if I could sort out exactly how to do it and what all those terms mean, eg 'slight foxing on the end paper' etc. )

They havewn't gone to a charity shop. I got them OUT OF THE BAG AND PUT THEM BACK IN LIVING ROOM.

Oh shoot! caps again.

This advice is all very well but if your OH is a hoader who will not part with any rubbish you have to be far more subtle and smuggle it out of the house when he has gone out.

jings
I like your giraffes too and quite understand you fishing them back. Perhaps too much thinking about things once they are in the bag should be avoided?

Marie Kondo...brilliant book. Has helped me. So much advice and fun to read as well.

It isn't wanting things back when I send them to the charity shop that stops me de-cluttering it is the fact that whatever I send off, a couple of months later SOMETHING will happen and I will think "I have the very thing!" only to realise whatever it is, the item in question was in the last charity bag. Of course if I hang on to things they are no b*** use whatsoever!

Had friends who moved to another part of the country (1500 miles away) and decided to sell everything and replace brand new on the other side (save money on movers too). A short time before the big move, in a near empty house, they hosted a (free) Chinese 'adoption' auction, one tag per guest, per item. Basically, my friend collected all the things they hadn't sold or never wanted to go to strangers, and put them on display. They ordered a keg of beer and lots of pizza and invited neighbors, friends and family. All their unwanted things found new homes! Lots of fun too and a great success!

What a fantastic idea willa45

So, here's another clutter story....Hubby and I have also been thinking of downsizing. Not right away, but hopefully within the next two to five years. We could have done it earlier, but the housing market in our area (Pennsylvania, USA) has been such a drag and is finally beginning to show signs of life. Our two story house is just too big for two people and upkeep is a lot of work. Like many of you here, every time we try to de-clutter, nostalgia gets in the way. We live in a community where yard sales are not allowed and Ebay is too cumbersome for selling heavy furniture, exercise equip. etc. Local pickup is risky, because you never know who you're letting into your house. To add to all this, one of our daughters and SIL bought a new house in 2006 and stored a lot of unwanted furniture and boxes in our basement (much of it is still there). My mother died in 2010 and a lot of her things are in my house now too which added a few more boxes in the basement. So, here we are with a house full of memories (and way too much stuff). It's so easy to dispose of things you don't want; not so easy if they're things you love or have sentimental value. So, I'm left wondering how I'm ever going to "psyche" myself into detachment from such prized possessions. Otherwise, I will never be ready, no matter how much time passes. Thankfully my house is tidy and well organized and I know where everything is (unlike TV show 'hoarders') but I need to listen to some of your advice, even if I have to start one knick knack at a time...and for whatever it's worth, that was my rant. Best, Willa

I think you need to hire a professional team to perfectly declutter your home.

There's a corner of my bedroom occupied by paper work of various kinds - some most of it out of date. I try to pretend it isn't there and close the door on it when I finish getting ready in the morning, but something must be done before my DS2 brings the boys up to visit the week before Christmas!

Two thoughts, as our loft and garage are in a very similar state.
It can be an idea to bring in some "muscle" to help with trips to the dump or being ruthless, for instance I "hired" my cleaner for a whole day to blitz the garage, but when I read this

I think you need to hire a professional team to perfectly declutter your home.
I did wonder if the professional team in mind might be called clutterbusters

So I would lay it on the line with any family who are using you as free self storage!
and 2)
Go at it a corner at a time - or if storing things, a "person" at a time

Freecycle is very good. People are often glad to pick up something they need for free.