One aspect of the going through our stuff is new to me: I am decluttering without moving! We moved a LOT when I was a kid, and it only continued through university and young adulthood—and each time I moved, I/we got rid of a lot of stuff. (Too much, in fact; I don’t have a single story or art project from my childhood). Well, at almost 39 years young I have just this year finally managed to live in one home for 5 years! (Finally planting perennials, LOL). Add two kids and a very busy self-employed hubby into the mix, and wow! We’re drowning in stuff!

So I started reading a book called _It’s All Too Much_ from the fellow who does the Clean Sweep show (which I’ve actually never seen) and liked his approach. Rather than starting in on the clutter right away (sorting, organizing, etc.) he says to stop and ask of each room (or part of a room, like a closet): what is the purpose of this space? From this perspective it became easy to see things that did not belong where they were being stored (e.g., hockey skates, ironing board and picture frames in the masterbed closet), as well as places where the clutter was being caused by there being too many uses—dining room table: eating area, homeschool area—including messy science experiments!, arts and craft space, place for family to play board games and do puzzles, place to chat with friends over coffee….the list went on and on. So it made us focus on where else we could move some of those activities in the house (which is a challenge in a 1950s, 1000-sq foot bungalow). I also liked what he said about family heirlooms and other “treasures”: if they are being stored in a box in the back of the closet/basement/garage, they aren’t treasures to you. Display them or pass them along.

And now I have Gail’s question to add to my process, about replacing stolen items. Excellent! Happy decluttering everyone!

(Plus, you can use the scanner to make digital copies of receipts that you buy for big-ticket items so that if you need it half a year down the road due to a broken product, it hasn’t faded away completely and is easier to find; credit card statements, and assorted other documents you might need in the future but might not want cluttering your house.)

My mother saved every schoolbook, “work of art” and essay I ever wrote. When I bought my first house, she schlepped the entire collection across the continent to deposit these things in my basement. It took me a number of years to go through the stuff. Most of it went straight into the recycle box.. after all, does anyone really care what they got 19/20 on their spelling quiz in November in grade 3? Also, many of the boxes were sealed when both my parents were heavy smokers, so the stench of stale cigarettes permeated much of it.

I have had difficulty getting rid of books and things that were gifts from people who have sinced passed away (the “lovely” handstitched orange and brown cushion made by my ex-husband’s grandmother), but even those are being moved on to others. Garage sales, Craigslist, Kijiji, EBay, and consignment shops are great opportunities to sell things. Shelters (women’s, men’s and animal), senior’s homes, school book fairs, Book Crossing (www.bookcrossing.com) and freecycle (www.freecycle.org) are marvellous destinations for the leftovers for our decluttering activities.

My father in law is someone like your friend…but I think I have convinced my husband that the stuff is not coming to our place, ever, he can take pictures but I don’t need all his memories that our not ours in our home.

With a 6 year old and a 6 month old, the toys and clothes are starting to take over the house. I used to be a huge collector, (I only just got rid of my collection of birthday cards, every one I’ve ever had, I’m 29 this year!) and I don’t miss them like I thought I would. I’ve also stopped giving cards because a wedding card last month cost me almost $8 only to be thrown out. I have a 200 lb box of pottery that I made in highschool 12 years ago. It’s all half finished and is horrible but my Mom kept it and gave it to me recently and it was stashed under our stairs. We had to move it when the basement flooded and I realized what a pain it was! I didn’t want to get rid of it then, but it’s not like I’m going to decorate my house with it…..it’s really BAD!

The kids hardly get their clothes dirty before they’ve outgrown them, so I’m selling them off piece by piece. Some still even have tags on them! But I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. Instead of buying new, I look around to see what other Moms are getting rid of. (Facebook has lots of groups in my area for Moms who want to sell or swap, most of the items are brand new!) Since birth, I’ve bought my daughter only a handful of things from the store, on sale, on because I couldn’t find it on Craigslist or other used websites.

Now that my son is out of school, we’re organizing & decluttering the house room by room. Anything that could be sold, is being listed for free anywhere I can. (I HATE garage sales but seeing as I work at a newspaper, I can get classified ads for the big stuff for free!) Our goal is to buy our first house in the next year and I don’t want to move anything I don’t have to!

Thanks Gail for your show, your site, your books & all the great advice. My husband may roll his eyes when I’m redoing our budget or ask him to hand over his debit card, or when I’m watching another re-run of your show, but he can see how it’s helping our downpayment grow & he doesn’t complain.

I used to be like that! A few traumatic losses had me clinging to the THINGS in my life. I started to feel more and more suffocated, and I realised it was a matter of space. So I am letting go of some of my unfinished business and dreams….you are right, it opens up space for new dreams and opportunities, and no small amount of FREEDOM too!!! Then there are the 2 big totes of painting supplies….. I WILL paint again one day, just not now…