Struggling with decluttering

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I’ve just moved House to a smaller property, and I have So Much Stuff 😱

I really need to declutter, but I don’t know where to start. For example - vases. I have 4. I only use one at a time, so I probably don’t need 4. However, one was bought by my OH, one was my gran’s who died last year, one was given to me by my best friend at her wedding, and the other I bought and really like. So how do I get rid of any?!

That’s just one example. I am a total bugger for keeping stuff “just in case”.

Help me?!

If you often use a vase then rotating between 4 isn't excessive.
Assuming you will always be able to find them.
Kondo recommends going by categories, so you could try all books or all clothes, etc.

maybe re purpose them? if you have house plants use on as a plant pot? use them to hold things?

@lljkk is Kondo the one who suggests that you only keep things that spark joy? Might work...

@idontknowwhattosay yes, that's an idea. Although it's just "stuff", everywhere. Even if it's stuff I like, the house just feels and looks so cluttered. I know I need to be ruthless, but I'm finding it very difficult!

the only solution is to buy more flowers

the only solution is to buy more flowers

Haha, brilliant!

Be really honest with yourself, which one do you like best? If you could only pack one in a suitcase which would it be?

Kondo says to acknowledge the love in the gift of the item, but remember that the love isn't tangible. The vase is just an object, getting rid of it doesn't mean that you getting rid of your friendship or your OH.

I'm trying to do the same as we are going from 1800 sqft to 850sqft. This approach has really helped.

I have 4 vases, all different sizes. I need that as a tall one won’t do for my daffodils and short ones fir lillies.

Its ok to have 4😃

@IAskTooManyQuestions

But if all 4 genuinely spark joy, keep them.

There will be other areas e.g. books, kitchen stuff or something else, that you can get rid of stuff from.

I don’t like the Kondo method as no room ever seems to get completely done. I’d go room by room. If you can take everything out and only put back what you want in there. Then bin, give away or sell what’s left.
The key is storage for what’s left and then training yourself to put things away, not just down on the nearest surface (my big problem) otherwise you’ll just mess it up again.
If you have a tidy friend see if they can come help provide motivation, if I was left to my own devises I’d give up after ten minutes!

Your home will function best with a unique number of vases, books, towels, etc.
Maybe you could put the 4 vases away (together) for now, and move on to the next category.

Decluttering is not about getting rid of things you like. Start with the the things that have no emotional attachment. In my case I had 9 bottles of the same cough mixture.

My advice would be to download the Kondo checklist. It is so much easier than following the book. I don’t think anyone has the time or space for this. An example is books. Instead of clearing all of your books divide them into categories. Self help, novels, children’s, cook books etc. Small steps really do lead to big steps.

My DH had 45 years of paper work and 18 coats. 6 months after he saw my efforts he started very slowly to clear stuff out. We had two full wardrobes just of paperwork. Now it is on one shelf. Also remember the first rule, is the same thing in the same place.

The minimalists do a good bit on Just in Case Items
www.theminimalists.com/jic/

Having 4 vases isn't excessive. Start with something else.

Clothing is the hardest to declutter but the most satisfying once it's done. So maybe leave that for now but make it your goal to get that done fairly soon.

Pick a room, pick a cupboard, start there. Kitchen is a good one.