Downsizing, needs must

latest out, vibrapower, cafetiere and a very good de-humidifier. All re-homed later today. All useful in their own way but I will adapt. De-humidifier was just for drying washing anyway

I love house breaks just as much as walking back through the door and seeing how much I've accomplished -

Have you heard of square foot gardening? I do square foot downsizing, I mentally estimate the volume of what is going at any one time. It might seem to be a little bit but eg today I have 3 cu foot in my car boot and it is no skin off my nose to get to the tip, the scenery en route is lovely and it is a house break. Any which way that helps to get it done, to make it meaningful

Paddyann, I was also told I could sell and rent, well no thanks, having to move twice, that would definitely send my stress levels skywards. I am having to believe in fate, it keeps me cheerful and the time is not wasted because I keep finding things to downsize. This afternoon it was some flour into a loaf and some plant troughs, emptied and destined for the tip. I was tempted to keep them but no, my new garden is a 1/4 the size of this one

Oh it is hard to stay cheerful, no news this week again.

we're downsizing ,well hoping to.This is the third time we've had our house on the market.It sold within a week both last times and it was the seller of the houses we were buying who pulled out that meant we stayed put.Thsi time we got an agreement from the seller saying he was willing to wait for our home to sell.He's already moved in with a new partner so in no hurry to complete...he said.Now just a month down the line and with two couples who are keen but not ready to go to completion he jas decided he wants us to sign the final papers the second week of April!!!! It wont happen so it looks like we'll lose this house too and we've already spent money on plans for an extension simply because he said he was willing to wait.I think we ight just stay put if it falls through again .My OH says we could rent our house but I'm not keen to go down that route as the estate agent says demand is very slow due to Brexit nerves .

start slow if the thought terrifies you. If not sure that
you can give stuff away then put into something like a shopping trolley for a few days, Thats what I did, then took the full trolley to the hospice shop. It was a huge release to give stuff away, no point on dwelling on the money wasted, we all wasted money but it is nice to know that other unknown people can benefit

I would say that I have spent 4 years doing this downsizing seriously, a nibble at a time, a cubic foot at a time. Today 6 large lovely stone outdoor pots have gone and a large roll of brown wrapping paper and an acer plant. My new garden does not have room and these pots will be cherished by family. So I decided only yesterday that they should go, in that instant I was all of a sudden, ready to release them

JD does storage cost you much?

You are all ahead of me! I have to confess that after my mother died, I was faced with the entire contents of her large flat, which was absolutely stuffed full of books.
I work full time at a demanding job.
I got most of the contents into storage which I pay for. I keep meaning to make space in my house and shed so that the stuff can arrive before I can put them here. Then the plan is to sell, keep, donate as you have done.
But that was years ago and the things are still in storage!

sunseeker can you lend me your s-i-l !! I really need someone to give me a kick up the bum to declutter!

It is so difficult! I have been "sorting" prior to selling and downsizing for going on 2 years! I finally bit the bullet and asked my sister in law for help. She is going away for a few days but will come and help when she gets back, has arranged for her husband and brother to call to remove heavy items and sort the garage and she is contacting the local auction house to find out what the procedure is! I should have asked her months ago

Yes, I thank Marie Kondo too. I never followed her methods accurately but I did use some of her ideas and philosophies. I did my underwear drawer 6 years ago and it is still pristine, trick was to use dividers and I had enough small fibre floppy bases, no idea how to describe them. They fit together nicely in a drawer and each has some expanding or squashy characteristics. It gives me joy to see my neat short row of bras and my pack of rolled knickers. I gave very many hardly used and unused bras away, to women in need, in a refuge. Sent them anonymously. I never sold anything, always gave them and believe me karma does come back

Absolutely true for me, too- Difficult and yet emancipating in some strange way- Another truth is that I'm certain I've parted with stuff that at time was hard to do but have probably totally forgotten about all these years later!

My husband died last year, I didn't procrastinate either straightaway- It was how I coped also, to keep busy- I did slow my pace later, some days to a standstill- There was once death after the next and a collection of other life events that were draining- Stuff does get done, only at a much slower pace except on high energy, motivating days ..

I've chosen to stay put at the moment, enjoy where I'm at, and just keep at it- He was a hobbyist also- Some of his items were given to others, some of it donated to charity and the rest I've been selling on eBay-

I'm keeping what brings me joy -- thank you Marie Kondo! Very thankful she published her book- It helped me immensely many times over to let go-