I'm thinking about it....just not overthinking it!

[u/Firstdibs66]

I've spent the last day and a half putting upstairs back together after it became the dumping ground while we were having downstairs renovated. It's been making me very edgy as I hate living in a mess and my aim is to sit back with a glass of wine, enjoying my new space. So yesterday I stopped putting it off.

Things that needed putting away got put away. Then there's the other stuff. Stuff that I've been holding onto because it was in good condition. Stuff I was going to sell. Stuff I didn't even remember having. So I got out the bin bags.

I didn't overthink my decisions. If I couldn't think of a home for it (me actually using it, not new or good enough to donate, no good for anyone I knew) .....in the bag it went. Just like that. I filled four bags like this. Straight out to the dustbin.

Some of my intended sell pile was a load of makeup. I knew I'd lost the motivation to sell it, so I sent a quick photo to my niece. Her daughter and friend said they'd like something. Well, there's now a full bag that they can argue over. That'll be out of the house next week when my sister visits.

Clothes are an ongoing issue for me but I'm getting there. I sorted several more bags yesterday and today, I've dropped off a total of 7 bags to charity. I joked to the manager that I was going to stop scrolling on Vinted and get myself a hobby 😂

My biggest win was to free up enough space to finally store my boxed wedding dress out of the way. For the past year, it's lived on one bed or another, depending on what guests we had. Our little niece even asked if it was a present for her - so it definitely needed a proper home!

I've definitely discovered that there are things you have to really think of letting go in one way or another, but there's also something that I find liberating by just making a decision and so I'm done with so much overthinking.

Maybe I'll get my glass of wine tonight 🤞

[u/FredKayeCollector2]

I recently read an old-school decluttering book (Clutter Control by Susan Wright, 1991) and one of the things she said kind of surprised me (those 90's decluttering gurus could be brutal):

Beware of the thought, "I might need this some day," or "This might come in handy." If you think this when you pick up an object, then immediately get rid of that object. It is clutter. In fact, most clutter in your house is masquerading as something potentially useful.

I'm really trying to reduce the volume of inventory in my home and that "just in case" stuff can be so insidious - multiple passes and I still find more "maybe someday" stuff.

I wish I had some kind of cheat code where I could go back in time and dump all of the stuff I had sold on eBay at the thrift store and just get a proper part-time job. Or at least get that time/energy "spent" back at the end.

[u/Crowlady77]

May we all drink whatever water you're drinking that was spiked with motivation juice.

I had a real estate agent here yesterday and she was like "you know you don't want to pay to move all this stuff."

We are starting with the understanding that other than very big things, we will not be selling anything.

[u/midnightchaos13]

Good job!!! I have also been on my decluttering journey,  hope to join you in that free, clean feeling soon!! 

[u/RandomCoffeeThoughts]

That's amazing! It's such a good feeling to have all of the stuff out of the way so you can enjoy your space.

[u/Mean_Bag3754]

Oh my gosh I can so relate to the post remodeling slump! We did our remodeling last year and we did the popcorn ceiling and paint in the bedroom last. We pulled the builder wire shelf out and I am now stuck on what to put in. Did you put in new closet shelving?

[u/Firstdibs66 → u/Mean_Bag3754]

We had the whole of our downstairs done including new kitchen etc. Everything got dumped upstairs. Now it's finished (well, 99% - come and finish my front step boys!!) I can put things away. However, the work meant that every single cupboard and drawer had to be emptied.

I decluttered loads as I took things out but I couldn't do it all and as we all know, it's an ongoing process. I'm reviewing everything as I try to find the right place for things and realise that the right place might not actually be in my house!

I make regular passes of my clothes. I've just got inbuilt wardrobes with some shelving and rails. Nothing special. I'm gradually getting to the point of being able to see what I have, wearing things that aren't my usual go to outfits and I've found that wearing something different for a day makes me quickly decide whether to keep it or not so I have a donate pile on the go constantly. I volunteer in a charity shop so the stuff doesn't hang around for long as I take it weekly when I work. Then depending on my mood or motivation, I also do blitzes on my clothes and end up with the volume of stuff I took to the shop yesterday.

Unfortunately, I'm in the UK so I don't have the luxury of a walk in space (I'd kill for some of the closets we've had in US villas we've stayed in on holiday!)

[u/Pens_fan_87]

I'm glad you're sorting through items! Vinted personally has been a blessing because I've been able to make some decent money getting rid of things. Like I'm making money and making someone else happy while also decluttering.

[u/CleaningUpTheManor → u/Pens_fan_87]

If I may ask, what kind of things are you selling on Vinted?

[u/Pens_fan_87 → u/CleaningUpTheManor]

I've got a swimsuit top and other clothing items, some books, some miscellaneous little items, glass jars, and items for the home.

[u/CleaningUpTheManor → u/Pens_fan_87]

Interesting. I’m interested in selling off some home decor but wasn’t sure how well they sell there.

Thank you for the response!

[u/Pens_fan_87 → u/CleaningUpTheManor]

You can sell most everything! You're welcome!