Down-sizing
Two weeks ago a young woman left a slip of paper on my front door. She was organizing a Block Yard Sale and wanted to know if any of the neighbors would be interested.
I contacted my next-door neighbor to see if she wanted to bring her things to my garage for a sale. The lady across the street asked to join us, and I invited two other ladies to bring their things as well.
I spent last week pricing my items and preparing my garage (covering the items along the walls, sweeping, and finding tables) for the sale.
I've lived in this house for 20+ years, and I have a LOT of stuff that I do not need. Earlier this year, I hauled two packed car loads to the Casper Salvation Army Store, donated cookbooks to the local library for their sale, and tossed things that no one would want.
My down-sizing efforts are beginning to make a difference, and no objects have escaped this process: I've even scanned old photographs and sent the originals to my nieces and nephews.
How do you deal with excess "stuff"?
I contacted my next-door neighbor to see if she wanted to bring her things to my garage for a sale. The lady across the street asked to join us, and I invited two other ladies to bring their things as well.
I spent last week pricing my items and preparing my garage (covering the items along the walls, sweeping, and finding tables) for the sale.
I've lived in this house for 20+ years, and I have a LOT of stuff that I do not need. Earlier this year, I hauled two packed car loads to the Casper Salvation Army Store, donated cookbooks to the local library for their sale, and tossed things that no one would want.
My down-sizing efforts are beginning to make a difference, and no objects have escaped this process: I've even scanned old photographs and sent the originals to my nieces and nephews.
How do you deal with excess "stuff"?
I don't have a strategy and that's the problem. Our stuff is taking over and it's time to go through every closet, drawer, cabinet, the attic and the garage and get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI try to muck out little areas at a time but "stuff" still piles up...I think for me my famous saying "for now" creates my problem:)
ReplyDeleteOur family has a garage sale every year. We share the work by rotating garages and sales responsibilities. This year is my turn. I'm not looking forward to it but it is VERY necessary!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of scanning photos and giving the photos to family members. I think I will try that.
Unfortunately, for too long I have just ignored all the "stuff" - but I can't do that any longer. This is a really big house with room for lots of stuff and somehow we've ended up with boxes of things belonging to adult children and dead relatives.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I've begun to tackle it a little at a time. Right now I have 3 boxes of kitchen things and decorator items ready to take to Goodwill. But ironically just this morning I found a tub in the basement that I thought was empty that turned out to be full of fabric.
GREAT POSTER, Nancy. Got a good laugh...oh it's so true.
ReplyDeleteI stare at all the stuff and think I NEED to get RID of all THIS. Then close the door.
ReplyDeleteI have clutter. I get overwhelmed at everything in our apartment. I just keep bags of goodwill items going. I try to go through paperwork a few times a year but I still don't seem to get rid of enough. le sigh.
ReplyDeleteI had a garage sale. I donated all the clothing that was usable to the DAV. I sell some "stuff" on ebay and locally we have a Swap and Shop on Facebook. I still have too much "stuff." I am dealing with it one bag at a time:)
ReplyDeleteOther than my craft stuff, I don't hold on to much. When I'm done with books, there are usually others that want to read them. Through the past couple of months, I've cleaned out old clothes that are too large (or that I don't wear) and household stuff. All went to the Goodwill.
ReplyDeleteI need to get with it and follow your example!
ReplyDeleteI move, it forces me to deal with all the stuff!
ReplyDeleteI've been so much better at getting rid of things than I ever have been. I love doing garage sales with friends.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to having time to deal with the clutter! I thought it was going to be "here" June 1, but life had other ideas.
ReplyDeleteI keep a very large old Rubbermaid container on the floor of my craft closet and I am forever tossing things in there. When it is full, I empty it and take the contents to one of the thrift stores. We're too far out to have garage sales, but I recently took a truck load of things to my Mom who lives 9 hours away. She is having a garage sale this fall so I am hoping our things will find new homes then. I hope your sale is very successful! It's amazing what comes out of the nooks and crannies of a home!
ReplyDelete