Have you ever gotten to the point of saying enough and began decluttering?

**homesteadmamma** · 08-24-2002, 11:44 PM

When I begin the journey of inner simplicity, the first place I began was in decluttering "things". It wasn't long before I realized I had way to much "stuff" and it was driving me crazy. I had no room to put all these things and I didn't have an empty space in my home, even on my walls.

I began to declutter. Its been a long process and one I want to talk about more in a couple of other threads, but for now want your thoughts on decluttering.

**aylasmommy** · 08-25-2002, 03:52 AM

my thoughts,

that I need to STILL declutter lots of clothes I don't like anymore..I've already hauled out a lot..but it's so hard..especially when my neighbor keeps giving me stuff

I also really need to go through Ayla's things and get rid of or pick what I want to keep of things too small for her..

And I need to declutter kitchen items..especailly dishes that don't go with a set..that I just can't let go..And what about the things that are chipped but usable? I hang to those too..

I have this vision of my house always looking like a quaint bed n breakfast (ha! I got that idea from reading fly lady one day..then I asked her how we'd do it..SHE DIDN"T have idea's lol)

Sooo..I want to declutter art work that doesn't match..dishware that doesn't..clothes that don't fit/out of style...frames that don't match etc..

When we moved in here my house was literally a hodge podge of everything ..so I want to simplify it to one theme..

**justjenn** · 08-25-2002, 06:07 AM

I have gotten to that point, but I need to get to it again. I really need to get rid of a lot of things. We just have too much stuff around here. I am going to try to start thinking everytime I buy something if it is worth keeping it up. Usually it's not.

**AandAmom** · 08-25-2002, 07:48 AM

I have been constantly decluttering, a little at a time, for about a month now. My biggest problem is not letting it all go, but getting DH to! My plan is a simple one. We have about 8 boxes of his stuff. I have put them all away, out of sight. If he doesn't ask about it, or need anything from it, within 6 months, it's going!

Honestly, I think this will work, for he hasn't used any of this stuff in years

**heaven** · 08-25-2002, 02:55 PM

i have a major problem decluttering. I think i need everything i have and if i give it away it will not be taken care of. so that is my delema. But i am trying to downsize here too

**simplemom** · 08-25-2002, 03:11 PM

I have bought a book 9 years ago called Clutters Last Stand by Don Aslett and thus began my journey to declutter my home, BUT I have refilled my home with so much stuff since then, and now I have been decluttering since almost a year. I have realezed I am a chronic saver! lol I have to convince myself of letting go of stuff everyday or else we wouldn't be able to walk in my home!

I have read a few books on simplicity and like you Homestead Mamma, I have striving for a simpler way of life for many years and I have realized the life I want; I am living it, except that I have to work on my inner simplicity and making peace in my heart for the imperfections of our life.

**QuilterMom** · 08-25-2002, 03:48 PM

Decluttering is an ongoing process for me. I have big spurts where I get on huge decluttering binges and then I lose interest/get busy with other projects and don't get back to decluttering for several weeks sometimes.

**bluffgirl67** · 08-25-2002, 05:10 PM

I have started decluttering around here too. When things start piling up it makes me depressed and the house just doesn't look as nice.

The worst part is I need to do the kitchen cabinets and they are packed and very unorganized.

**Karla** · 08-25-2002, 05:51 PM

When we put our home on our lot 5yrs ago I took 5 carloads of stuff to local charity's and swore I'd never get that bad again, well ladies I'm a pack-rat, I have stayed out of the second-hand store's so I didn't collect a lot more there, that promise to myself I've kept. Now I've got to start again I've got full closets, things get set there to be taken care of later and later never seems to come. I've made a promise to myself after my ds gets back in school (the 28th) its back to work on the house and the decluttering...

**mustang80** · 08-25-2002, 07:35 PM

I am exactly like kahana, I run in spurts. Some days I'm heaving everything, then I stop for a while. Drives the kiddos crazy!

**seadream** · 08-25-2002, 10:10 PM

I can't stand clutter so if it doesn't get used or we don't really need it, it gets thrown away. I have always been this way so I really don't throw much away as I don't buy it unless we really need it.

Dh on the other hand has so much junk in the garage and I've learned to leave his stuff alone. I have thrown some of his stuff away and a few weeks later he was asking me if I saw those perticular items

**heaven** · 08-25-2002, 10:24 PM

speaking of decluttering i have a ton of books that need a good home anyone want some.

**Heather** · 05-18-2003, 09:27 PM

Great thread.

I am doing this now, decluttering! When we moved here three years ago we brought way too much stuff. The way our old house and this house is laid out is so different. Not everything fit so...I majorly got rid of stuff and away it went. And all was fine, but about 6 months ago I was getting this uneasy feeling and felt I needed to simplify more and declutter more and so that's what I have been doing. I honestly think this is a gradual process and that at different stages of our life "simplicity" means different things.

**MANDERS** · 05-21-2003, 04:10 PM

I do this all the time.It really helps to do it often,it kinda gives me a since of peace knowing that I have everything I NEED and if I look deep down to the things I want in my life I allready have them.

**momof42003** · 06-19-2005, 07:27 PM

I have begun to realize that I too have just way too much stuff.. I am starting with the kids... If it doesn't fit, missing parts, don't like it, or is just plain trash it is out of here....I am using this idea all around the house.. Yardsale here I come... It has been two years since anyone has looked at this thread.. How have things been going for you that have already posted? Just curious....