Decluttering regrets...

**cab54** · 09-21-2010, 09:42 AM

Do you have regrets or "DOH"s after working to declutter your house? I sure do. I can toss or donate stuff we haven't even THOUGHT about for 5 years or more, and sure as he!!, not two weeks after getting rid of something, I will hear "honey didn't we have a ______ around here somewhere?"

I mean...I can only organize what's HERE just so much. I have to toss/donate some of this crap!

Do you get squeamish about decluttering when you know something needs to go, but you KNOW that someone is going to suddenly 'need' it and you'll have regrets?

**IntlMom** · 09-21-2010, 10:23 AM

no... no.... and NO!!!

**angelbumpkin** · 09-21-2010, 11:06 AM

No, because there was a reason it had to go in the 1st place.

**imagine** · 09-21-2010, 11:44 AM

Yes yes and yes

De-cluttering is so hard as soon as it is gone someone needs it (like you said even if I has been 5 years) and the people in my house especially the males remember everything and where it was or should have been.

I have many decluttered regrets.

But I do still have to declutter.

We just try not to bring to much stuff in so there is less to declutter.

**Rebookie** · 09-21-2010, 11:53 AM

I could honestly burn my house down and not miss any of it.. *shrugs*

**cab54** · 09-21-2010, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by IntlMom

no... no.... and NO!!!

But HOW? My particular item at this moment is a thermal lunch bag. I used it for DH's lunches up until he retired a couple of years ago. It is taking up a lot of needed space in a cupboard that I would love to make more space in. But I KNOW as soon as I donate this sucker, I am going to have a situation come up where SOMEBODY is in need of a thermal lunch carrier. I just KNOW it. It's uncanny!-- almost like God is telling me---"don't throw things OUT!"

Another group of items I have trouble with--is when I go into the master bath and start cleaning out drawers and cabinets. Things like cosmetics/lotions/bath and body, etc. I will look at things I have had for months or years and hardly ever used--and haven't touched for over a year. I just can't bring myself to get them out of here and declutter the cabinets and vanity, because I ask myself 'what if?' I HAVE gotten rid of things before and then thought "oh, DARN, I could use that right now!"

Then, I feel wasteful!

Help! I am getting anxiety ridden with my decluttering, lately!

**stinkbug** · 09-21-2010, 01:06 PM

Funny this came up....

I need my wallpaper seam roller, which I got rid of ...because when am I ever going to use it again? Today...I need just that for a project (not wallpaper) but have decided to improvise with a small paint roller wrapped in cling wrap (so it won't get gummy and stick!) and the roller will still be usable after I'm done (remove cling wrap ;-)

**IntlMom** · 09-21-2010, 03:42 PM

For me, clutter and "stuff" sucks every bit of enthusiasm, joy, and life out of me.

I have never once had a regret about getting rid of stuff. Quite the contrary is true for me.... I feel lighter!

As far as the cooler goes, let it go to Goodwill, there person that you think needs it, can find it there.

Lotions, cosemetics, etc.... those are fun to get rid of (donate to a womens shelter)... I love seeing the shelf empty! Besides, I usually got it all for free anyway, and now I could go get more for free to replace it, and start the cycle all over again!!

good luck - and remember, you will feel soooooo much lighter when the STUFF is gone!!!!

**annymoll** · 09-21-2010, 04:43 PM

We have been avid antique collectors for years, and have a very large home. Can you say three floors, plus a basement, attic ,and barn of stuff?I keep telling myself that it is for the kids, all of which have no interest .My DD always tells me that as soon as we are gone they are having a sale and a bonfire, which lights a decluttering fire under my buns, but it is short lived. Oh God help me.Maybe I need American Pickers to come and help.

**gapeach** · 09-21-2010, 05:07 PM

I don't regret many items that I have gotten rid of over the years. The one item that I do regret is an All Clad pan that I wasn't using much at the time but now I would use it if I had it.

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-21-2010, 05:35 PM

I only regret the books.

**shoiji** · 09-21-2010, 06:00 PM

My only regret with that a thru out a chair that I was planning on re-doing for about 15 years. It was really old and probably worth a little money since there is a similar chair in a museum near me. All I can think of is OHHHHH C$^P!

**Palooka** · 09-21-2010, 10:36 PM

Never no regrets!! My parents never cleaned out because....they thought they would need it someday...At 70, they are still trying to declutter. I never wanted my house to be like that, so I'm always donating.

**cab54** · 09-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by imagine

Yes yes and yes

De-cluttering is so hard as soon as it is gone someone needs it (like you said even if I has been 5 years) and the people in my house especially the males remember everything and where it was or should have been.

I have many decluttered regrets.

But I do still have to declutter.

We just try not to bring to much stuff in so there is less to declutter.

YES! My household is/was all males (dh and two ds's). They have no set place for anything, toss everything right where they are, but yet can remember that we had a (insert stupid never-used, hardly noticed, weird/goofy/bizarre item here) and where I kept it. They will insist it MUST be here---and get so cranky, I end up going out and buying a new one (depending on price).

I hate that.

They tell me tossing stuff is wasteful and get angry that I'm doing it, even if I do it on the sly.

**cab54** · 09-22-2010, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by IntlMom

For me, clutter and "stuff" sucks every bit of enthusiasm, joy, and life out of me.

I have never once had a regret about getting rid of stuff. Quite the contrary is true for me.... I feel lighter!

As far as the cooler goes, let it go to Goodwill, there person that you think needs it, can find it there.

Lotions, cosemetics, etc.... those are fun to get rid of (donate to a womens shelter)... I love seeing the shelf empty! Besides, I usually got it all for free anyway, and now I could go get more for free to replace it, and start the cycle all over again!!

good luck - and remember, you will feel soooooo much lighter when the STUFF is gone!!!!

Well, when I say 'toss', I do mean donate when it comes to anything that's useable. Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul. I used to donate cosmetics/lotions/etc to a womens' shelter thru my church, but they stopped that. I'll have to look in the yellow pages....do they even list in the yellow pages?

I agree--I do love empty shelves.