How to de-clutter and prevent hoarding and bring myself to through things out?

24th

How to de-clutter and prevent hoarding and bring myself to through things out?

Posted by How To Get Organized, in how to declutter

I wouldn’t consider myself OCD for hoarding as I don’t have an awful lot of possesions. I have a tidy room and a bit of stuff in my closet and a few boxes in the garage, not a crazy messy house spilling with stuff if thats what one pictures of a hoarder(not too anxious about it too),but I am trying to declutter my life and need a little help here!I have in the past kept things because I think I will need them in the future habit from my mom i think, now I am trying to be ruthless because I want simplicity and space and organisation, should I throw away old school work papers/books too?

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7 Responses to “How to de-clutter and prevent hoarding and bring myself to through things out?”

Queenie
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I know the feeling — being concerned about throwing something out because you might want it in the future. But I read a wonderful piece of advice on that. You rarely will want the item in the future if you are even considering throwing it out. And if you do want it in the future and have to buy a new one, think of the cost as rent. You basically paid someone else to hold the item for you.

Of all the things I have throw out, I’ve only had to buy another one maybe 4 times. And we’re taking countless things that I have thrown out.

If it would cost less than $20 to buy a new one, take the gamble and get rid of it. It’s a very freeing, empowering experience. You won’t miss the item, and you’ll be so glad you have the space it once took up.
werd
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
i just took last saturday to finally get rid of some of my old stuff that was weighing on me. first thing i did, was clean out my drawers. at first i just put all my old clothes back because of the ’sentimental’ value. then i thought ‘why am i keeping this stuff? i will never wear it again, its un flattering and way too small. i will never in my life wear it again.’ and just remember, the more old stuff you throw out, the more room for newer better stuff =) so i put all that close in a black garbage bag for donation and i feel so much better!

next i did my closet. i actually sold a few things i would not be using anymore and made some extra money! i also gave away some of my clothing and reorganized everything, now i feel much better not having any of this old ‘baggage’ and i do not feel guilty about buying a few new things with the extra money i made.

yes you should throw away old school work and papers, why would you keep that? anything you have not used in a year that is not something ’seasonal’ like a winter coat you should throw away. trust me, just start getting rid of stuff and you will feel so much better. its liberating throwing away old junk and moving on!
macca,smrs
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
my mom always said if you haven’t used a item in 3 months throw it out because if you haven’t needed in that time you haven’t missed it if things are in boxes and have been that way for 3 to 6 months don’t even open the boxes just get rid of it because its when you go thru things you make emotional decisions based on whats in the box i hope this helps you the other thing is i was once told if you unclutter your home you unclutter your life because if you cant control the mess you cant control what goes on in your life
Bambi Berkowicz
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Buy yourself a footlocker. Use it to store things that you want to show to your own children one day. Don’t put anything else in it. When it gets full, throw something out before you put something in. Imagine yourself showing these things to your kids when you’re deciding what is important enough to keep. Toss everything else out.

If you have stuff you think you’ll really need, keep it and donate the rest of it to Goodwill or elsewhere. It shouldn’t go in a landfill, but you have to limit yourself to what you need to be prepared for. Maybe you think you need that extra coffee pot carafe, but do you really need three dozen candles? Try to keep things that you will definitely need in the next year or that cannot be replaced if you need them. Get rid of the rest. Magazines? Give them to an elementary school for crafts. The family oriented ones are always welcomed there. Books? Sell them in lots on ebay or donate to a hospital or charity book sale. You can also give stuff to your family and friends who could really use it with the understanding that you might want to borrow it once in a while. Tell them to be upfront with you about whether they really want it or not.

Check out Freecycling. It’s a really good organization that will put your good items to use and a good resource for you if you find yourself in need of something a little odd.

You can do it if you try.
Peachie
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I was the same way. My husband does have OCD about neatness. I’m the hoarding clutter rat. He constantly feels if I haven’t used, worn or looked at an item for two years, it’s not going to happen again. My development has a yard sale twice a year and I try to sell what I can, then donate the rest. Items such as books, which you say you have, always sell at the yard sale. Clothing that doesn’t sell, I then donate to Good Will or The Salvation Army. I now toss papers away immediately. As soon as you start to think about holding on to them, you end up doing it. Toss them. I still have a hard time getting rid of home decor items, since I do like switching things around in the house every so often. But, I’m talking about wall pictures and a few candle holders, etc. Those items fit in a flat tote which can then be stored under a bed. I’m actually able to now walk into our walk-in closets. That was impossible before my husband laid down the law. Plus, now, before I buy something new, I must toss, sell or donate another item I already have. Believe me, it’s hard. But, once you see how neat it looks, and how much room you can free up. It starts to get easier. So, have a fall yard sale. Get started now. P.S. I have some Christmas cards that were sent to me over 30 years ago. But, I will never part with them. As, you won’t with any item that has a sentimental value. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
sarah
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I know its hard to get rid of things sometimes! This is what I do-I put things in a box, seal it shut, if I have not used or needed them in 3-6mths(you set the time) dont open the box. Just throw it out.
rima
April 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I answered a similar question some time back, and it was chosen the best answer.

I’m pasting the answer here for your benefit.

In addition, do not ever rent a storage unit for your stuff. They will, over a year or two, cost more to maintain than your stuff is worth.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Avgl.suHEoq4IWOeRBReOOrty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090716005508AAUMqXj&show=7#profile-info-AA11221025
You can give away most of your unused items to a goodwill store, that way, you would know that they will be used by someone in need, and you will feel good about it.

If you are scared to let go of things because you think that someday you will need them, then host a yard sale and sell them away. With the money, you will have consolation that you can buy the item again (new or used) if at all needed.

If you cling to stuff because of the memory of a person, put the stuff to use. My grandmother’s saree (a flowing garment worn in India) became the softest towels that we used.

Once you get yourselves organised, here is a simple way to avoid clutter in the future:

If something comes in , something has to go out.
A new scented candle? think if you can reuse the old one.
If the old one has lost its scent, throw it away / donate before you buy another.

Same for clothes etc.

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