A couple of weeks ago, I got rid of 5 bags of clothes, 4 brand new bedspreads and 2 floor pillows. That was just in my son's old room. His fiancée came over on Wednesday and went through Christmas ornaments that I've had for 30 years. I had decided some years ago to save them and as each of our three children got married they could go through them and choose what they liked. She found enough to fill a large Rubbermaid container. My husband was so excited.
After Christmas when my husband's busy time at work is done, we're destashing every cabinet, drawer and closet in the house, workshop and cabana.
Wish I had seen this thread earlier, for some moral support! In August, I was faced with cleaning out 50 years of accumulation at my parents' home and decided I was crazy not to attack my own, too. Still have lots to do for my mother's house, but I have been "apprenticing" at my own home, first. With the help of a couple of great kids, I have cleaned out a literal couple of truckloads of "stuff" from the basement and garage that travelled straight to the dump. Determined to make my life less stressful, sacks and sacks, boxes and boxes of "things" went directly to Goodwill or SA. Other items, that I don't want to occupy my home or garage any longer, but too large for me to transport to Goodwill, were listed as free on CL and now have new homes. I feel so much better and although I still have lots to do at my parents' home, I am now energized to get it finished and move forward. Thanks, again, for all the inspiring stories. I read this thread until early-thirty this morning, feeling so good that others are doing the same as I.
PS I especially appreciated the "got rid of the wedding dress" post. I have been wondering what I should do with mine and now I have some confirmation that it is just an out-of-date dress and removing it from my life is acceptable.
thats a lot of work! I've only been in my home for almost 14 years and its our first home so we started with nothing. Now its all over the place. 
I'm so amazed! I cant imagine clearing out 50 years of stuff plus doing your own home. I think you win a decluttering crown
Some might not consider this true decluttering but I'm going through my spare room and boxing stuff up to sell on CL . Those boxes are then moved to the garage until i get buyers. My goal is to clean , organize and paint my spare room. Once that finished I will move to the garage. I've labeled the boxes so if a buyer is interested I just pull it out.
My room is almost finished but painting wont be done until sh has freetime. I'm off work for winter break so I will have 2 weeks to hit the garage. Once garage is finished then my home will be pretty much decluttered free
ok , the misc box i was filling up is just about full. I also got rid of a bag that equals 3 grocery bags. and I got rid of lots of DUST!!!!!
Everyone here has inspired me too. I think sometimes we just need a lil motivation.
I hate doing yardsales so this year dh got me into Cl. I really dont like meeting strangers but the $$ comes in handy. I'm only a 10 month employee so I dont work in the summer or qualify for unemployment. This summer was pretty hard. I've had issues with my body and was having to go to Chiropractor ($45)on a weekly basis and reflexology($25) from time to time . Well i put everything on the card. Late Sept I had to cut back on my treatment since I started physical therapy($10copay) and I go to massage therapy($61) 1-2 month. I do get medical reinbursment but I have to send in paperwork and wait for the $$. IN the mean time selling on CL comes in handy.It does take patient but the extra money comes in handy.I've had things list since March. Luckily I made $90 which came in handy. It will go to my CC. I still do shop and use creditcards but treatment was killing me $$ wise. Glad I'm doing better.
As far as x-mas dh and I havent echanged gifts for 2 years. We dont need anything and enjoy spending that $$ on our Daughter. We dont go all out either its not worth getting more debt. I bought a keurig on clearance for $65 and thats our x-mas gift for us
To be honest I did have a very difficult time letting go of things but after my mom died almost 14 years ago I realize I wont be taking anything with me. The things I leave behind might be junk to my loved ones but the memories will be priceless and live on in their hearts.
So with the decluttering it helped me buy something new for the house, spending money last year when we went to Disneyland, food, dd's bday and lil gifts for dd stocking so thats why I force myself to be patient-lol!
So everyone who needs motivation put some music on and have fun decluttering. I like to listen to soothing slow music, helps me stay focus
You mean you don't talk to yourself, reinforcing the de-cluttering with continuous encouragement? lol
I have a bull terrier "help" me and we "talk" during the process. When he doesn't answer when I ask, "Should I keep this?" I take it as a "NO!" and out it goes. He is funny, though. He won't let me out of his sight and barks when I am grumbling about "others" not getting rid of their own junk.
I like music, too. Makes it go faster.
Now I can charge it up so I can use it on the treadmill. I also found some pictures of me in my younger thinner days. Decluttering and weightloss were my goals for this year. I've followed through with declutttering but not the weightloss. I read you cant lose the weight until you deal with your emotional issues. People who have so much clutter sometimes its because they cant let go of something that happened int he past. Well i just think its funny that i found the cord to the mp3 player cuz i need music to walk so these two things go hand in hand. My body , spirit and mind feel so much clear and free.
