| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/20/2008 6:53:11 PM | Are you a pack rat? Is stuff spilling out of your closets and drawers?
This is my situation. I was just over at my neighbours and every room in their house is organized. My bedrooms needs some work. Any advice about decluttering?
Please note: I am not a pig or a troll. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/20/2008 7:00:33 PM | Try taking a load or two to the dump.......
It's a weird feeling, not bad,just odd getting rid of perfectly good junk one has'nt used in yrs.......
I've done a few in the last couple weeks...spring cleaning
Caution though, once started, nothings sacred | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/20/2008 7:13:31 PM | My first step to declutter my place was to stop buying CRAP no matter what commercials say. Started this about 9 months ago with the daughter and we've been doing extremely well,like actually going to the mall to buy ONE thing that we actually went for. I'm also starting to NOT replace things that break and see how long I can go without them.
Sally Anne is a good friend when doing your spring cleaning. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/20/2008 7:29:41 PM | I'm not a pack rat. I guess that's because I'm also not overly sentimental...I can't be bothered to keep tonnes of mementos, trinkets, and keepsakes.
I have a drawer that's full of junk...pens, keys to God knows what, tape, and all the little bits and pieces I have no clue where to put.
Other than that the only truly messy place is the back of my closet. I have no idea exactly how many shoes(and possibly dead bodies)are back there. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/21/2008 1:51:46 PM | I need to go into my closet get rid of my old clothes and donate them, then go shopping! Yipee! | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/21/2008 2:31:01 PM |
Are you a pack rat?
Am the opposite....I am a purger. I dislike clutter, piles, disorganization, etc. I am not a clean freak either, just happily sitting on middle ground.
Any advice about decluttering?
-You wouldn't have stuff spilling out of your closets and drawers if you didn't buy it. So before you buy, ask yourself if the item is a want or a need. And instead of buying an item on a whim, go home and think about why you want it, where you'll put it, if it will be useful, and if it will add to your life or merely add to the clutter.
-If you haven't used an item within a year, you don't need it.
-Adopt a "less is more" attitude. The less you have, the less stuff, muss, fuss, and cuss you have in your life. lol
-Be happy with what you have instead of always wanting more. A little gratitude goes a long way.
-If you lose it, break it, or lent it out and don't miss it....don't replace it.
-If you have children: if they bring a new item (eg. toy) into the house, an old one has to go. One for one.
~Missy~ | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/21/2008 7:25:58 PM | | I cringe at calling myself a 'pack rat' but I think I have that disease. My house is full of useless junk that I have no need for, but I can't stand the thought of throwing it away if only because with my luck I would need it next week and have to go waste the money buying it again. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/21/2008 8:33:04 PM | | Good Luck with the job interview! I am glad I am not alone with a clutter problem. I don't really just have an excuse for the clutter other than I like the mall. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/21/2008 10:12:14 PM | I need a big Bin outside my front window.... I would love to dump out everything!
I am a simple woman...with very simple taste and I am a frugal woman who knows how to live within my means.
my problem?... well.. I inheirted a lot of 'Other People's Crap'!!!!!!!!!!.
* bought the house from my folks when they downsized and moved into their lovely clutter free condo on the waterfront.
* got divorced and got all his stuff and yes he was a pack rat!
* mother in law died...got her crap!
huge house...but I downsized...and live in half of the house.... tenant moved up all the crap to my deck over the Fall and Winter... I left my few things outside over the winter..brought in everyone's crap in...now I can not walk or breathe!!! TOO MUCH STUFF and most of not mine!
Im like that 'Guy with a Pick Up Truck'...you know the one....the guy that is obligated to help you move!... I am the gal with the house to store everyone's crap!
how do I toss out designer clothes and designer appliances, etc that belongs to others?
how many times do I have to beg them to get their stuff? | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 12:36:01 AM | I can relate OP....I really, really need to declutter as well. I moved to my house almost 6 years ago and there are still boxes in my garage that have not been opened...actually my garage is full of stuff. I would say I am a packrat but in regards to one issue of this phenomena, I am not buying anymore "things" to add to my stuff that just accumulate and well, I really don't need them. I watch those declutter shows etc on TV and I sure get motivated when I am watching the show but afterwards, I don't even go there because there is just too much crap and it is overwhelming....one day though it will happen! | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 11:08:50 AM | When my youngest son was about six years of age he watched me de-clutter my storage shed. He saw the vinyl records and asked what they were, I told him and he looked up at me n smiled (wow my mom is old).  The fad at the time was to “simplify your life”.  I had a major garage sale of items collected over the years such as books, old 45’s, LP’s (vinyl records), old picture frames, jeans (red labeled levi’s), ceramic fruits n veggies, and of course vintage clothing.
 The biggest regret I have to this day is having sold Joan Baez’s album with the song that I thought was titled “finger bowl of fruit” with the last line of the song being “men are a pain in the ass”.  This particular album of Joan was a live concert. I have searched the world for the song and could not find it on line or anywhere else for that matter. IF anyone has the particular song mentioned, could I get a copy? | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 11:45:46 AM |
how do I toss out designer clothes and designer appliances, etc that belongs to others?
how many times do I have to beg them to get their stuff?
Do like my Mother did - she sent us all letters telling us that we had 2 weeks from the date of the letter to move our stuff out of her house because on this date she was having a garage sale. If it didn't sell, it was going to the dump.
It worked for the most part, my brother & I got our stuff out - my sister didn't and lost stuff. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 2:07:53 PM | get a big garbage bag and if its something you haven't used or worn in a while, chuck it.
You won't even miss it | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 10:35:42 PM | | the term "pack rat" runs on my mums side of the family lol. I know what its like to collect crap. I just can't take my own advise half the time ;) | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/22/2008 11:44:29 PM | ok, ok, ive talked to a few friends today and they ALL say that I simply have too much stuff. I'm saying ummmmmmm WTF??? 
I'm getting better and trying to differentiate what constitutes a want and a need.
Now, I'm moving to a 1 br suite closer to my work and gotta get rid of some gear!
Yah, u see me camping with all my gear and I say HEY! i NEED that etc. NOT!
At the new place storage lockers r a premium so I really gotta pare on down1 | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/24/2008 12:03:06 AM | I just went through my basement. If I hadn't touched it or looked for it in a year and a half it went to the thrift shop. I can't believe the space I have now. If only I could do it with the rest of my house. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/24/2008 10:51:45 AM | What an awesome shot of you and your dogs, Xav! 
Declutter ! I keep getting rid of stuff over the past 7 years - always feels great. Then gradually I collect, enjoy things for awhile, then get rid of them - round it goes! arghh..
I like to think of de-cluttering as making space - for new intention to enter - not more 'things' even though that happens!
Cheers with your task! | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/24/2008 11:19:16 AM | it's a really nice feeling to declutter and i love that show on the HGTV ... pple accumulate STUFF over the years that's understandable but when u hoard up stuff (as it's ONLY stuff) materialistic goods there is an underlying issue that may need to be reexamined. ... scarcity? having to do without while growing up? ration control...
Had this discussion with the ex (been having alot of these lately for some reason) ...
Yes, i used to be a pack rat as I had/have a a bad shopping problem to make up for something which brought me joy. I love shoes, purses, earrings etc....
Since my most recent trip to Cuba where material goods r in short supply u really learn to apprecriate to make do with what u have....... Here, in the Canadian society we r SPOILT ROTTEN!!
BTW: I work @ a shelter and supplies such as shampoo r in short supply for some reason. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/25/2008 3:56:27 PM | It never ceases to amaze me the useful things that are ending up as landfill. One person's cast off is another's enrichment. I'm living the life of splendor through recycling other people's compulsive spending habits.
Clutter should be proclaimed a global renewable resource. What's needed is a fleet of freighters to spread unwanted clutter to those who need it.
Meg | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 5/30/2008 2:45:07 PM | I do not need to declutter. I actually started decluttering in a hardcore way in March and I have gotten rid of almost everything that I do not need or use on a regular basis.
I don't drink coffee, did I really need 20 mugs? Nope. So I kept 4, just in case I have someone over for tea or hot chocolate. There's only 3 people in this house so did I need 30 towels? Nope. So I kept approx 10-12 of the best ones and the rest either got cut up into rags or donated to the animal shelter.
I dislike clutter. In the past few months I have helped a few of my single male friends go through their houses and get rid of stuff. If you are trying to meet someone it's best not to bring them home to a house full of useless junk where every surface is covered. Also, guys... why do you keep t-shirts from highschool when you are in your thirties? It's quite funny the odd crap I found when helping my guy friends. | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 6/14/2008 4:28:27 PM | Get many boxes.
Label 3 boxes: KEEP, SELL, THROW AWAY
Pick up each item and be objective(HINT: have a friend who is NOT a packrat assist you if possible)
If you haven't used it in a year, and it is still worthwhile to someone put in SELL Box.(everything going into sell box should be priced right away).
If you have used it in a year, and you will use it again, put in KEEP box.
If it is broken, and you have meant to fix it, and never got around to it, put in THROW AWAY..
Then, as each box fills up, put in appropriate pile.
Take THROW away box to dump.
Put SELL box in garage sale pile.(set date for garage sale ASAP)
Take each box of KEEP, and find a place for it, or put it in sell box.
NOw...I just need to follow my own brialliant advice! LOL...
Seen this on an organizing show...
Heavenscent1 | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 6/14/2008 5:31:06 PM | | *sigh* I'm scared to open my bedroom closet; I'm a pack rat. I keep telling myself 'one day I'll clean this out'. and it never happens. :( | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 7/3/2008 2:56:34 PM | | Now how do one stop the clutter chain? I have jeans size 32 they are10 years old, but someday i may be able to fit in these, but I need a 36 and my list goes on and on, I live alone and have 3 full sets of dishes lol I need help, Dave | |
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| I need to declutter. Do you?
Posted: 7/3/2008 4:50:36 PM | Thanks Tango for the kind words about the shot of me and my dogs. I have probably changed my photo a few times since you wrote that. (I am going to begin fostering another hound tomorrow. It is kind of exciting.)
Well, I am starting my decluttering project this weekend. It is so bad I don't even know where to begin, but the main thing is I am going to begin.
Please do not think my home is a mess. It's not, but I have a lot of drawers, storages spaces, cupboards and closets that are overflowing. Personally, I just want to put a lot of stuff in the garbage but then I become guilty for not recycling and hurting the environment. | |
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