What can't you throw away?

A very appropriate topic at the moment for me! My mother has just gone into a care home so we need to empty her house ready to rent it out. My brother and sister have begun to sort through her personal possessions ( I am shielding myself so cannot go) and dividing the stuff into rubbish, charity shop and keep. Of course everything is still in the house as the tips near us are still closed, as are charity shops - and when they do open I suspect they will both be very busy!

It's the growing "keep" boxes that bother me as I've offered to store them - but not for too long I hope! Mum only has a small wardrobe in her new room so I'm happy to store a few items of seasonal clothing for her. My son and daughter have both just bought their first houses so have asked for a few bits of kitchen wear and small pieces of furniture but I'm hoping those things can be collected direct from mums house. I personally only want a couple of special ornaments and maybe some quality crockery ( to replace my cheap things!) so I do worry about how much I'm going to be left with!

I suspect they will sit in my spare room and garage for a few months then I will chuck them out!

We cannot do a lot anyway during lockdown as the property management company that will be letting the house is closed and we will need to get someone to remove all the heavy furniture.

Nightmare really!

For us, if it hasnt been looked at or used in 2 years it is gone. We put lots of good stuff onto trash nothing and freecycle. Someone else can make use of it they are welcome to it. less for me to dust or keep clean.

Horrible memories.
And biscuit tins.

I have a wardrobe full of things I can't throw away - some of which don't even belong to me!
I have a scrap book full of pictures of David Cassidy , including the tickets from the concerts I went to, also scrapbooks of the cards etc from when I got married, including receipts for my dress, shoes etc - even though divorced , I have kept them all - I only have 3 of my wedding photos as ex kept our wedding album, even though most of the photos are with my family as his were all in Aus!
Scrapbook of my son's birth cards and another of all of his birthday cards until he was 10!

I’m getting more ruthless about throwing things away as I get older. I realised when I had the sad task of clearing houses after loved ones had died that most of what I have kept will mean absolutely nothing to whoever clears my home. I’d like to make the task as easy as possible for them!

I've been asking DH to sort through my clothes and throw at least half of them away, I just can not do it! I've tried things on, sorted through things just to then put them back where they started. I have things I haven't worn for around 15 yrs, some never worn but all in great condition and can't get away from thinking that I may need them oneday. I suppose it stems from the many years when I had very little. Help!!!

Help! I'm trying to become a reformed hoarder of things, but I get stuck trying to make decisions about things such as birthday cards from my DH and children. As others have mentioned in their comments, I'd like to save family the task of sorting this stuff for me, and I know it will all end up in a skip, but I fear I'm a sentimental old fool! Is there any hope for me?!

RubyGran: Birthday cards? They stay up a week, then into the bin. In fact with no-one else to see them, a day is enough

Mine is Pandora boxes and bags!

I cannot and won’t let go of my husband’s ashes I want to keep them and when I die I want us to be
scattered together, I don’t mid where it is as long as we are together. Does anyone else feel the same or
Is it wrong not to let him go, even though it’s a great comfort?

Photographs, books, clothes worn to weddings, most other clothes, loads of china mostly gifts, just about anything really.

yggdrasil Thank you, I will remember your wise words when I next tackle my cards etc, and remember that although they've had their day, the sentiments expressed in them are still valid.

Two washed out, brushed cotton plaid shirts that my dad used to wear. He died 22 years ago.

Lots of card making things that I've bought over the years and use very little now. I did however make 4 cards a couple of weeks ago to send to elderly friends in Care Homes. So you see why I can't get rid of it just yet.

I still have every mobile phone charger I've ever used even though those makes of phones are obsolete now and I can't throw batteries away (unless corroded) because they may have a tiny winy bit of charge still in them. Also, I find it hard to throw any toy animals away if they have lost limbs- oh well, the deer etc. can be half eaten by the lions when my grandchildren play with them!

My wedding outfit. I worked for the designer and he gave me the sample as a wedding present. It was never made up because it was too expensive, and, apart from one in another colour it's the only one. It's pale yellow with a hand embroidered skirt and a lace jacket which was supposed to be worn with nothing beneath it - (it was the seventies!) I wore a camisole, 'though! The designer is dead now but his clothes were shown in an exhibition at the V&A a few years ago. I thought of donating my outfit, but in the end couldn't let it go (even 'though it has 22 inch waist!)

Can anyone recommend a wart remover I cannot get rid of one on my hand do you think the freeze spray is best any suggestions would be great thank you

No I think that is a lovely idea and I would be the same

I have things from my mother that I cannot part with some of her clothing and a handbag even notes she used to give me

Of course I am the same

My daughter's bridesmaid dress from when she was 10 and in my sister's wedding. She is now 35!

My tatty old teddy bear, Bubby, who I pinched from my cousin when I was 2. That's 66 years ago!

Too many to list on here and thereby lies my problem

Nanjust60. My Granny had a cure for warts that involved dead mice, cats and digging holes at midnight.

I would suggest asking your local pharmacy for advice rather than heeding my long gone Granny.

I have too much of everything. Not well enough to sort things out so I decided at the beginning of the year I wouldnt buy anymore shoes, clothes or household items. That way the clutter wont increase. I have enough clothes in every size I might need. My husband has too much too but is unlikely to sort it. He has a lot of Harley Davidson clothes he has never even worn which would fetch a lot of money although he did finally sell his beloved motor bike last year. So it looks as though my DS and
DDiL, as they live in the same country as us, will have a lot of work to do when we have gone.