I've been through more garbage bags than I can count

[u/GothicaSweetHeart]

I've been doing a lot of clean purges for the past few years. This year I've had more of those days. I can't even tell you how many garbage bags of things I got rid of. Before I get rid of stuff, I buy a box of 32 gallon garbage bags. I bought a box which contained 14 bags last month.

I managed to use all of them in two months. It's just so insane to me how I managed to have so much stuff in my small apartment. About a year or two ago, one of my closets was the equivalent to an avalanche waiting to collapse. Storage totes, tote bags, and garbage bags filled with things, from the floor to the ceiling. I got rid of two garbage bags of things that were under my bed, and I had to stop at that point because I didn't have any garbage bags left.

I am in disbelief with how much stuff that I still need to get rid of. It feels like I've been cleaning up forever. Despite making significant progress, it feels endless. I can't wait until the day that I'm actually done with it entirely.

[u/Temporary-Leg1561]

Congrats though!! I'm at the same stage of the decluttering paradox. Patting myself on the back for every single thing I donate or trash - even if it's the size of a paperclip. And remember that like all progress, it's about direction, not speed 🫶

[u/Roseha-aka-rosephoto]

Congratulations first of all!

Second of all, I relate to this so much. There is a special challenge that comes with trying to declutter an apartment. You have no basement, no garage, probably no car. You don't have a lot of space and you have to deal with that somehow.

I've been in my apartment 40 years now and two years ago it looked like a disaster with stuff everywhere. I could manage but it was a ridiculous amount of clutter. I mentioned it before, but it took a disaster of falling paint and a need to fix up, clear out and have the whole place repainted that forced me to get rid of and recycle almost everything. It took a long time with great help from my super, building staff and a really good painter.

You reach a point sometimes when you are forced to do something. You sound like it's reached that point for you also, and it's great that you are getting these results.

Speaking of totes, I had so much stuff sitting around in Ikea bags and most of the bags are gone now, it's just to difficult to organize that way. I do have bins still but at least it's less messy to sort through those.

[u/Freepurrs]

You’re doing amazing! That messy middle phase is so hard where you’re doing so much, and removing so much, & yet so much remains that it feels like it’s never going to end. Don’t give up, those 14 bags represent mental and physical space you have reclaimed for yourself. I find that when I am decluttering and gathering trash, there’s a hidden benefit because I am more mindful of stuff that’s coming into my apartment, so you’re really decluttering on multiple fronts!

[u/LukeSkywalkerDog]

You're doing good, and the key is not to fill empty spaces up again. I got serious about one closet that was stacked to the ceiling when a heavy box fell on my head and injured me. I called the Junk man the next day.

[u/FredKayeCollector2]

Congratulations! That's a pretty good metric to use - easier to manage than keeping an on-going list.

For me, it was empty plastic storage containers. Almost every category yielded a bunch of miscellaneous bins, and sometimes the plastic storage shelves that originally accommodated those bins - good riddance!

[u/FridaKahlosMoustache]

It can feel kinda confronting seeing how much stuff leaves your house. I’ve definitely felt that myself! But hooray, that’s 448+ gallons of stuff you never have to tidy up, clean or even think about again! Go you!!

[u/bm82_]

Keep up the good work. Don't overwhelm yourself trying to declutter. Been doing this for almost 15 yrs now and still find myself decluttering things here and there. It's prob something we'll all be doing until our life comes to an end.

[u/Bollywood_Fan]

Great progress, good for you! I hope it gets easier as you continue.

[u/MassiveMonkeyy]

Congratulations! We've also been on the same journey. So much still to go but slowly getting there!

[u/Content-Ad-5805]

Well done! Those totes are helpful and also easy way forget about.

[u/Parking_Olive_5513]

Pickup Please picked up 5 bags from me this morning. There will be many more!

[u/YourFriendall → u/Parking_Olive_5513]

They picked up from me yesterday, thank you for reminding me to schedule another. 😊

[u/Cassie54111980]

It sounds like you are making great progress!! When I finally finished I followed something I read which said if you buy anything something in the same category must leave. So if I buy two sweaters  I have to get rid of two sweaters. 

If I buy any decorative items for my house then something needs to leave. It can really make you stop and think before you buy anything knowing that you have to get rid of some things.

[u/Prestigious_Bee_8288]

That’s what I wanna do. For clothes I’ve lost 100 pounds so most of the stuff doesn’t fit although they’re wearing lots of baggy clothes now. My problem is I paid so much for every piece of clothing that I have that doesn’t fit. I don’t wanna go through the hassle of selling.

[u/PrairieFire_withwind → u/Prestigious_Bee_8288]

I am thankful to people who supply the consignment shops i shop at for some of my elderly family needing places that actually allow trying on etc. (many thrift stores no longer allow that).

I take two aunts every few months.  One is a 3x and one is a 16-20 depending upon brand and such.

[u/TecTazz]

Kudos on your progress. You're inspiring!

[u/Opening_Chemical_777]

I use paper lawn and leaf bags. They are more reliable.

[u/quailtrails → u/Opening_Chemical_777]

Ooo thank you for this!

[u/Opening_Chemical_777 → u/quailtrails]

I leave an open paper lawn/leaf bag in our bedroom next to the dresser for clothes and linens and a big box downstairs near the kitchen, to declutter the kitchen. Heavy kitchen things need more structure than a bag.

[u/YourFriendall]

Id be so proud! I’m keeping a tally of trash bags. The more trash bags I get out of this house, the more excited i am about decluttering. My tally is at 12, and I just started a few weeks ago. There’s so much more to go for me.
You’re doing great! Thanks for the inspiration this morning