What is the hardest for you to get rid of?

**AmyBoz** · 05-23-2010, 08:35 PM

As we all purge and declutter our homes (which I hope we are all doing consistently!) which items do you find the hardest to part with?

For me, it has always been books, however, last year I finally went through and purged every book, except for the ones that I believed I would read again, and a few select authors that I just love. (Buying a Nook helped, as well!)

Other than that, though, I'm pretty good at getting rid of everything. Sentiment has never been a problem for me, but I do have friends who can't get rid of anything that a loved one every looked at or touched. Or another friend who can't get rid of kitchen items. Another friend keeps every piece of paper that comes into their homes.

What about you? What challenges you when it is time to purge?

**Debbie-cat** · 05-23-2010, 09:58 PM

I never use to be able to get rid of anything but that has drastically changed. Now I want a clutter-free home with the least amount of 'stuff' laying around. The best part is I am making money from the stuff I am getting rid of! Every little but helps.

**Liane** · 05-23-2010, 10:15 PM

By far the hardest things to get rid of were my daughter's baby clothes. I remember every outfit and where she wore them. We have not been successful in having another child and it looks like it is not in the cards. So parting with those clothes/memories was sad and painful. I have pictures and I saved some special things for my daughter but it was a struggle to donate them. It is great to know that someone who needs them will get them and that we helped a charity but it hurt my heart a bit to do it.

**StartingOver** · 05-23-2010, 10:33 PM

I have a hard time throwing away anything the kids bring home from school. Papers, art projects, cards, gifts etc....I know I can't keep everything, but at times it's so hard to choose.

**Neeley** · 05-23-2010, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by StartingOver

I have a hard time throwing away anything the kids bring home from school. Papers, art projects, cards, gifts etc....I know I can't keep everything, but at times it's so hard to choose.

I had a friend who also had a hard time getting rid of her kids' school works. What she started doing was taking a picture of the child holding the item and made a special scrapbook of the pictures. She still keeps a few special items. But, the vast majority she is now able to get rid of since she has a photo of them.

**Judi Dial** · 05-23-2010, 11:00 PM

For me, it's the obvious one, books.Part of it is that I remember which customer wanted this book, sold me this book, told me about this book, etc. The entire history of my bookstore, piecemeal goes through my hands when I'm purging the books.

My family always read. Reading in many ways saved my life, it gave me models, hope, inspiration, etc. which mostly my famiy did not. I've had PTSD since I was 3, but wasn't diagnosed until I was 45, and in between at times it was very bleak and lonely, and books were my constant friend, when nothing else worked, I could read. In some ways, giving up the books is both finally admitting that my bookstore will never exist again AND is also saying good bye to all those old friends too....if I think about what I'm doing sometimes, I can't do it!

Judi

**Palooka** · 05-24-2010, 12:01 AM

I don't like clutter so I enjoy cleaning out and getting rid of stuff, but for me the hardest part was baby clothes.

Neeley, great idea with the kids school work.

**pollypurebred39** · 05-24-2010, 12:46 AM

All those things gifted to us by well meaning friends and relatives.

**frugalfranny** · 05-24-2010, 01:52 AM

I can get rid of any book if I have read it and usually do...right away.

I have trouble with some kitchen stuff........those 'trinkets' that you might have two of.........but ...what if one breaks? I have a horrible time parting with my kitchen 'toys'!! And 'some' hobby stuff!

**Nada.Leona** · 05-24-2010, 06:39 AM

Clothes, books, toys, bedding, linens, knick-knacks -- no problem tossing those. But pots, pans and kitchen accessories are a tough one. Ironically, I have no problem getting rid of appliances.

My other one is magazines. I love them, but I never have time to read them.

**YankeeMom** · 05-24-2010, 11:07 AM

DEFINITELY books! It was a huge deal for me to donate ONE paperback to the library last week...and I had already read it & didn't like it lol. I didn't have many books as a kid and just love being surrounded by them.

Also, pens. I have a pen fetish.

**frugalfriend** · 05-24-2010, 11:54 AM

Everything!

I don't subscribe to magazines because I can't get rid of them - there are always a few articles I wanted to read or a recipe I wanted to try! I only get the Sunday newspaper because of this problem and they still stack up! I need to purge big time, but it's so hard for me to do. The kids just brought home all their end of the school year papers, artwork, projects, so I have all those to go through. They each have a "special box" which is a Rubbermaid tote, where we keep only their/my favorites, which has helped. When I do get rid of stuff, it feels great, I just need to be motivated to do it more often!

**thesightofoneself** · 05-24-2010, 12:01 PM

i organize sanitize and pack into crates. i'm a hoarder. i only have four big ones and four little ones..... i want a few more big ones. i love my stuff. its clean. and mostly free or cheap or worth the money.

**shoiji** · 05-24-2010, 01:08 PM

For me it would be furniture. It took me about 15 years to furnish an apartment. Somehow I ended up with to many chairs. Ended up slowly getting rid of the chairs and a sofa. Don't even miss them and really happy with the extra space.

**piney** · 05-24-2010, 01:31 PM

Shoes is one thing that hard for me to get rid of and who needs 15 pair of shoes no one.Books was but about a year ago i went through my books took a lot to good will.Gift from children and kitchen items are hard for me to let go.I don't have the clutter i ust to have but should get rid of some shoes and kitchen items.