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When we made the decision to go FT 3 years ago, I thought my husband (pack rat and HUGE wood shop owner) would have a grabber by the time we were done. Sold the furniture, gave 12 truckloads of stuff away to Goodwill and it was Christmas in August for my husbands woodworking friends. The stuff we could not release went into a storage unit. Took 3 “how to” books with us:-) Rather than have a grabber, as we drove away, he heaved a huge sigh of relief and said “I feel like I’ve had the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders”! And that feeling of freedom gets better each year when we stop by “home” and give more of the stuff still in storage away You’ll be amazed at how simply you can live. Good luck!
A “grabber”….hahahahaha…I’m gonna remember that! You’re right, it DOES feel better! And the bigger your release, the better it feels. Some of us have to go in fits and spurts and that seems to be my style. I try to do a little every day, but sometimes I just have a fit and get rid of lots!
I’m FTing in the Lurch now, and I have nearly everything that will fit without going overweight. So no more stuff in, unless something else goes out! RULE!! 😎
This is an article about clutter, but could help with downsizing as well… He talks about how to figure out what to let go of…
Hi had a time of it when my hubby passed away at 40. He was very fond of his stuff. It was hard letting go of a lot of it, but really.. what good was it doing me? Constant reminders of his passing? I gave away a lot to the people that knew him and wanted the items. A lot I donated. I paid in tools someone to clean out the garage and do some maintenance type stuff to get the house ready to sell. I went from a 1500sqft to a 1000 sqft house without garage, so a lot needed to go anyways. And it was freeing!!!!
Didn’t stop there, while in said 1000sqft house, I kept getting rid of stuff. The more I got rid of the better I felt. Of his things, I kept about 4 boxes. Which later turned into 3 boxes.. down to one box. Didn’t stop there, I had a few other boxes holding other items, who needs 4 boxes of pictures, anyways??!! I weeded through them and kept only most precious ones. And then did it again. Had 2 boxes of paper documents, some dating back from the 90’s, that I just lugged around with me. Two whole boxes of the never ending cables and wires that comes with everything, gees!!! Two boxes of office type stuff. Box of old yearbooks.. like, um, who cares?? When I pass I would really hate for my one child to have to go through all of that stuff, ugh!!
Anyways, kept going and going and going purging until all of said items fits neatly into one box with a handle. Only the most precious stayed. And I don’t miss it. I have since sold the house and downsized some more to move in with someone, and still am purging. Furniture is my biggy problem right now. What I had fit perfectly for what he didn’t. High dollar, heavy duty, pain in the rear furniture. I don’t want it! I’ve been purging my closet and getting into the wardrobe capsule idea.
Stuff… just too much stuff!!
a lot of the stuff I have are artifacts from around BC that my parents collected that shouldn’t be lost as it is part of our history. I contacted our prov. museum and archives to see if they need/want any thing that I have. Now I just have to wait for them to get back toot me. I am sure glad I have a few months to downsize, as sure takes time.
Found a “Haynes souvenir Album Yellowstone National Park” Copyrighted 1938, 1939 and 1940. Don’t want to throw it out. Any one got any ideas ?? I believe my parents would have got this booklet in about 1950 on their way back to BC from Oshawa Ont. where they went to pick up their new farm truck The b&w pictures of what the park looked like back then are really interesting
Scan it in, upload it to Dropbox, and sell it on ebay. That kind of stuff goes for some pretty good $$.
Ah,ladies you give me courage. We started to down size a year ago and it seems like a never ending process. Each time we go in our R.V. I think what do I miss & what do I really need. Memories I’ll always keep in my heart, but I think we are fortunate as D.H. & I have that choice to downsize at our pace rather than no choice. Lots less to dust,anyways!!!!
Sometimes I feel like getting a dumpster and throwing it all out, but won’t do that! I don’t feel the freedom in purging yet, but I am amazed at how many clothes, measuring cups, paperwork files, pictures, tupperware, kitchen gadgets, etc we have and I haven’t even gotten up into the attic or basement!!!!! AARGH!! I fear I’ll get rid of something and regret it! I can’t wait until we are on the road fulltimimg!!! :wacko:
There will be little regret, Nancy. It’ll usually be something small and cheap and easily replaced. :yes:
On Norma! You are struggling way to much….. Dewey has a harder time than I do of letting go of stuff, but he is getting better… Today we sold some plants, China cabinet, small antique cabinet, outdoor wood burner., desk and wood filing cabinet and washer and dryer… All to three neighbors!!! Also listed the gun safe, our bed and two end tables on Craig’s list! Amazing. Right? But so exhilarating!!!!
Ah, Marsha, I am getting so much better! If it doesn’t fit, I gotta get rid of it! 🙂
The more you do it, the better you get at it. I started off like, “Ok, I have to get rid of HALF this box and put HALF the next box in it.” Pretty soon, I was like “Why am I keeping ANY of this?” hahahahah!
I’m not planning on being in a S&B anytime soon. I’ve seen 80+ year olds still out there. That’s 30+ years away! I’m not gonna pay storage fees for all that stuff! And a bunch of stuff I bought for the Lurch (before there was a Lurch) I don’t need and will never use. Out it goes!
RE: paper and paperwork.
I read that the IRS is going to start 2015 by accepting digital copies of receipts and other proof of income/expenses. If they’ll take ’em, everyone else will too. I’ll keep my original birth certificate, Social Security Card, etc. But everything else gets scanned in to Paperless, then shredded.
Except for the pictures Chewbacca draws for me…
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