How does decluttering make you feel?

[Elllieuk]

Maybe I'm having a Britney moment but I feel like just getting rid of all my clothes and starting again, and getting rid of stuff all round the house. It's hard to get rid of clothes when I've spent so many years getting them but I never feel like I have anything to wear and they're not good brands or anything (mainly high street and primark etc). Looking to hear some inspiration from those of you who have decluttered (clothes and or house) and did it have a positive effect on you?

Yes. I hired a skip a couple ofnyears ago and cleared 15 years worth of crap from everywhere.

Mentally, i felt so much lighter! I could relax properly. Everything felt fresh and bright even though most of the crap was hidden away and couldn't be seen. Just knowing it was there was weighing heavily on me.

I would park clothes in a separate category.

Or at least get some new stuff you do like before getting rid of the other stuff.

As for the rest of the house, ours still very much a work in progress, but it's great.

Work out what you need for what you want to do. Say you want to make clothes, keep sewing machine and all things needed but perhaps get rid of the crochet and knitting needles (you can pick these up 10 a penny in charity shops).

I now, almost always, get rid of books I have read, too much to read, new stuff all the time, only so many hours in the day.

Chargers for phones long gone.
Etc etc

You can find things easier, you do more of what you want because you have the space.

I had to throw out (donated) half our pans when we got an induction hob, keep saying I will replace my favourite two, but I haven't needed to.

Life is so much easier.

You won't regret it. Just don't do it too quick.
Some stuff is easier, redundant chargers, other stuff but more difficult.

And it strangely stops you buying more stuff to fill the space.

Well not quite to those extremes but I keep my house pretty much clutter free and even so now and then will go through drawers and cupboards and just get rid of things in there we no longer use - not because we need the space but because it annoys me holding onto things for no reason.
I always feel better for clearing things out but I am very careful about bringing things in to our house (not everyone I love with is on the same page as me 😂).

Oh yes but @Elllieuk it doesn’t matter how many times I have a big clear out, it all bloody comes back! I just want to open my wardrobe and see three or four lovely high quality outfits, all immaculate, all ready for me.

And one pair of shoes and one coat. But no, I have about 30 tops, 10 bottoms, 10 dresses. I wear literally three of them! 🥴😩

You will feel so much freedom when you get rid of all that shit. You don't wear it. You don't need it. Just let it go.

As part of my decluttering, I've started selling clothes on Vinted and getting a bit addicted. If I find something in my wardrobe/drawers that I don't like or haven't worn for a while then I list it on Vinted. Only takes a couple of minutes.
Now I have space in my wardrobes and extra cash for a rainy day.

I love it! I'm currently going through my summer stuff and selling it/ charity shop.
We are going to downsize and I am ruthless at getting rid of stuff. I am very good at it 😅

I blooody love decluttering. It absolutely makes me feel so much better. Everything feels more tidy, has a place, I'm not overwhelmed.

The only problem is it can be a bit addictive. I give things to charity and regret it as I'd probably have worn it.

I love decluttering once I get started! Then I become really ruthless. I really like the time you get back from not having to deal with endless 'stuff' everywhere!

The hardest part for me is to not replace it all with other things though...I'm working on that part.

Downsizing or decluttering seems frightening at first.

Try choosing one room and focus on cleaning out one wardrobe.
Finish that room before beginning elsewhere to avoid overwhelm.

Have 3 piles for 1) get rid 2) charity 3) not sure yet. Remove first 2 promptly from home.

You will feel so much better and will not regret or remember anything you parted with.

I feel incredible after a declutter. I'm a minimalist so having less is fantastic.

It's also taught me to not buy anything we don't need. Even bargains hold no interest unless actually needed. It's very liberating & our bank account is happy too!

I've had major declutters twice in the last two years, both skip jobs. I think I've got one more in me-or at least a major charity shop drop. I love it! Makes me feel so much better.

@completelypleased SAME HERE!!

I LOVE a good declutter! Especially of clothes - recently did one of my wardrobe clothes and going to do another of my drawer clothes as some drawers are getting too full...of things I've not worn in ages as well! Keep saying I'll start doing capsule wardrobes but don't really know where to start to be honest!

declutterers regret is a terrible thing

Yes, I love a good declutter
I have to do it regularly as I've got a tiny flat and a small single wardrobe
If I haven't worn something for a year. Out it goes
If you're not sure, put it on top of your wardrobe for another few months
I only have clothes that make me feel good
The money is already spent but you could resell on Vinted to recoup a little

I love it, no feeling like it for me. Massive stress reliever. I’m addicted.

Does anyone regret it really? I've got some stuff like a dress I love but haven't fitted into in 5 years that I should lose but would I regret it?

That sounds utterly amazing. I'm feeling a bit dragged down by stuff at present and really would like to whittle down.

Can't see the woods for the trees, as the expression goes.

I am in the middle of a declutter - as am downsizing from a 4 bed house to a 2 bed
At first it was difficult but now it is easier - I think I was a hoarder - every TV licence / paper pay slip from the last 20+ years
Info from cars I don't even have
And the wires....
I have been to the dump everyday for the past 2 weeks
Am going to do the garage soon (not looking forward to that)
I am feeling as if I am in control but I have a great deal of trouble getting rid of any of DH's things - ie things he has written and am not prepared to do his clothes yet - as he died last year

I get quite a kick out of getting rid of stuff. Need to be in the zone for it though.

Well my favourite day of the week is Bin Collection Day, so there you go.

My husband is a hoarder and my house is full of junk. It really depresses me and I wish I could afford my own place. We get a skip every couple of years but he hangs on to so much ‘just in case’ or because ‘it cost a lot of money’.

I buy and sell most of my clothes via Vinted. I also get rid of a lot through the Facebook group The Great British Clothes Swap

I've just sorted out my entire wardrobe and organised it all. It's feels liberating. Ended up taking everything that was decent to the charity shop and other stuff to the clothes bin. I contemplated trying to sell the stuff but then it is just hanging around for ages making aess.

I really need to do the entire kitchen, like empty every cupboard and reorganise but it's such a big job.

Decluttering feels great but has a dark side for me. I look at the ‘stuff’ and start feeling awful about ‘wasted money’ and start adding up how much I’ve spent and what I could have spent it on. Plus the environmental impact. I then put things to one side to sell, and end up with another pile of clutter waiting for me to deal with. That then becomes overwhelming and the the cycle starts again…..The most difficult part is getting rid of the clutter.