Household Hints & Help

no_hypocrisy

(48,818 posts) Tue Jul 11, 2023, 07:48 AM Jul 2023

De-cluttering

I've had a variety of matters that have distracted me until recently. They have been mostly resolved.

With the sweltering, unbearable heat, I had no choice but to install a portable A/C.

But where to put it? Books, papers, boxes. Do/Did I really need every single one to live a productive life? Or am I inadvertently hoarding?

My summer "vacation" is now dedicated to removing stuff from my apartment. Little by little, every day, something's going.

The A/C is a blessing and it forced an otherwise problematic situation to the fore.

7 replies

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De-cluttering (Original Post) no_hypocrisy Jul 2023 OP

It definitely takes ongoing committment to de-clutter. lark Jul 2023 #1

I am decluttering my entire basement for the 2nd time in 30 years. CrispyQ Jul 2023 #2

Yesterday lambchopp59 Jul 2023 #3

r mdmc Mar 2024 #6

i use a snow shovel and toss everything into the trash samnsara Jul 2023 #4

I have had a fantasy of throwing everything out the window, no_hypocrisy Jul 2023 #5

I have done exactly that mdmc Mar 2024 #7

lark

(24,165 posts)

1. It definitely takes ongoing committment to de-clutter.

Reply to no_hypocrisy (Original post)

Tue Jul 11, 2023, 08:50 AM

Jul 2023

7 years ago we decided to remodel the house and install porcelain tile floors, added some crown molding to 2 room, removing the popcorn from all the ceilings and redoing the middle bathroom, along with a complete paint job. We also got new den furniture at the same time. So we had to get rid of the old furniture and decided this was the time to declutter. We ordered one of those large dumpsters and filled it up 3 times. I was literally amazed at all the stuff we had once we started having to move it around and decide what to keep and what was not needed. I sold & gave away over 300 books but kept all the really good ones, got rid of 50 pairs of shoes between me and hubs, and pobably 30 hats too. We still have a few things in boxes from then - like some pictures we need to go through and decide which to hang and if there's any to get rid of. We now take small areas and declutter. Last week we cleaned out our medicine closet and a few months ago we did the linen closet. Next will be the drawers in the kitchen & dining room.

Good luck with this committment. I bet you feel lighter as you progress.

CrispyQ

(38,280 posts)

2. I am decluttering my entire basement for the 2nd time in 30 years.

Reply to no_hypocrisy (Original post)

Tue Jul 11, 2023, 09:03 AM

Jul 2023

Throw away. Give away. Put away. This time the throw away & give away are going to be much bigger than the put away. I tried decluttering during the pandemic, but I guess everyone was & it was hard to find a thrift shop accepting items.

Good luck! It's such a great feeling when you finally let stuff go & your space is neater.

lambchopp59

(2,809 posts)

3. Yesterday

Reply to no_hypocrisy (Original post)

Tue Jul 11, 2023, 09:03 AM

Jul 2023

I hauled a truckload of boxes to my storage locker. Climate control there being out of the question for such a large space, realizing my old Pontiac I have in the rear of that locker is only barely visible behind all the flotsam. Damn if it's going to hit 113 here this weekend.
Realizing I'm overwhelmed, I must put the idea of re-vamping the Pontiac until at least fall.
I got a good deal on that space years ago, even better rate because I pay them yearly rent.
Comes in damn handy to put the flotsam and jetsam out of sight, out of the way.
Now that I'm retired I'll be able to sort through, expunge old records, eventually have a yard sale and trailer loads to the landfill transfer station. Once weather allows.