Do you keep "stuff" thinking you are going to use it "someday"??

**Heather** · 06-18-2003, 03:37 PM

I am going through another ruthless throw it away week here......I look at some things and think, why on earth have I saved this??? At the time it seemed like a good idea picking it up, purchasing it, whatever...I had good intentions for it and then here it sits. For example....I bought a foot stool (older style) and was going to recover it, never have! And here it is in my way and bugging me that I haven't completed the project. Well, it is now in a big box that is being filled for Goodwill. And to tell you the truth a weight has lifted that I don't have to worry about it anymore..........who says "stuff" isn't emotional!! lol!!!

What about you?

**simplemom** · 06-18-2003, 03:40 PM

Oh, my goodness! I save so much for *if I need it some day...* ....sigh...You're right, Heather; stuff can be emotionally draining. I have a hard time in parting with some stuff...but I know I should. Our home is just too small...

In 2 weeks, I'm going to try to get rid of lots of stuff at a garage sale...then I'll give the rest to our church...

**Mom23boys** · 06-18-2003, 03:43 PM

Yes, I do. I have no clue why. I guess it is like you said, an "emotional" attachment. I have to finally make myself get rid of it and not think about what I could have done with it or where a perfect spot for it was.

Feels good to be free from the "clutter" doesn't it?

**homesteadmamma** · 06-18-2003, 03:49 PM

Great question Heather. I use to save "stuff" for the exact same reason, until I decided to really get serious about simplicity.

When I realized that I could donate or give "stuff" away and make others happy, the emotional attachment wasn't there anymore. I begin to think specifically about where to give or donate my stuff and when I got serious, it made it so much easier.

An example was my china cups and saucers. I had way too many, couldn't display them all and they took up room. They also took away from the ones that I really wanted to display. My oldest dd loves china cups and saucers like I do, so when she came out one time, I gave her a box full. To watch her eyes light up and to see the grin on her face made it all worth it to give it to her. I've done this numerous times with family or friends and the rewards far outweigh keeping all the "stuff".

The interesting thing - everything I've given away, donated or thrown out, I've never regretted it and have never found I needed it again. If I had, I would have just gone and rented it, found someone who could loan it or made something else work.

**gemmbp** · 06-18-2003, 03:56 PM

I never have collected much stuff,but I am guilty of keeping what I do have"for a rainy day" I think it comes from my grandma being aroung during the depression,and teaching me not to waste. i do need to declutter,the girls are notorious pack rats too!!!!!

**Heather** · 06-18-2003, 05:54 PM

That is so true about giving things away and seeing the enjoyment another person is getting from it. That does make me feel better. And I can say that maybe only once I missed something that I donated. Since I posted last I have another box started for our Amish friends. What they don't use they share with their community. I have blankets, bowls (bowls seem to multiply around here!!

) and a black winter coat.

**Dedlered** · 06-18-2003, 07:29 PM

I have collected too much but with this move, I have also chucked a lot of it... It was hard at first but the thought of moving it across country certainly changed my mind.

**voodidit** · 06-18-2003, 08:03 PM

I must admit I am a "stuffer" too. Maybe we need to start a club

**Kristina Katarina** · 06-18-2003, 08:14 PM

I am a major pack-rat. I always have been - its my nature. UGH. how to become a "thrower-outer"??? LOL!

**Darlene** · 06-18-2003, 08:36 PM

Duh!?! Sorry, I couldn't resist. You just never know when you'll need xyz. It is so very liberating when you get rid of xyz. I vote to purge.

**halo475** · 06-18-2003, 09:33 PM

One of my problems though-is that even though I have saved "xyz" I never know where it is and drive myself nuts looking for it and ripping things apart saying "I know it's here somewhere"

In the last 2 weeks, I have been purging my house of "stuff" and it feels so freeing!!

**bamamomto4** · 06-18-2003, 10:17 PM

If I keep it,I never use/need it.if I throw it out,I want/need it back lol

**guest2** · 06-18-2003, 10:21 PM

Guilty!!!!

I have so much "stuff" in this house that I need to get rid of. Unfortunately, the boys have inherited the "packrat gene" from me.

**Missy** · 06-18-2003, 10:28 PM

I have had a big time problem trying to throw stuff out, as i wind up looking for it when someone asks if i have one to give them or loan them, lol then i look all over the house till it dawns on me i threw it out. But I have been getting rid of all kinds of stuff, and it feels much better in the end to have gotten rid of it. I have had a heck of a time trying to donate stuff to the salvation army, goodwill etc. because once i decide to donate stuff i can't wait to get it gone till their schedule date for pick up, i waited a month once and can't do it that way again. With the kids, it is difficult for me to load the car, drive to the donation center, unload (they won't unload here either,) then load up what they don't want again, etc etc. I have thought of going after dark and unloading in their drop boxes, but there is a big sign about after hours drops being unwanted too.....i got off the subject again didn't i? So much lately though I have been getting rid of things as often as i can.

**April** · 06-19-2003, 10:22 AM

I'm a huge pack rat. I've got drawers, cupboards and baskets full of stuff that I haven't opened in months. Do I reall need anything that's stuffed in there? I think we all know the answer but it's so hard to part with it.