Page 4 | How does decluttering make you feel?

Elllieuk · 2023-08-30T11:01:37+00:00

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?

Meadowflower2023 · 01/09/2023 16:58

husbandcallsmepickle · 30/08/2023 12:39

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.

This is me this week! Im new to Vinted but my god, how easy it is to list and sell on there?!

I'm halfway through a huge clear out and going for a 'capsule wardrobe' as I end up with so many clothes that I either wear once or not at all.

I'm a bit of an obsessive declutterer (🤔) generally but have left my clothes for ages so I'm loving the fact they're going and I'm getting some money for them too.

ThelmaBorden · 03/09/2023 07:01

Polkadotfleece · 30/08/2023 16:22

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?

Show quote history

Polka, you will not know that until you have Vinted it - I was thinking more of hard stuff, granny’s china, bits of jewellery, which I still mourn after years.

On the other hand, I can be ruthless, emptying boxes, not remembering
ever buying/using/storing items.
I have an ancient Wallis snakeskin jacket I cannot part with, not sure I would ever wear it out, bit tight now, but holds happy memories, blush -
Keep the dress, if it sparks joy

CeriB82 · 03/09/2023 07:58

Liberating!

im not a hoarder but DH is. I tend to see an item and bin it. Then play dumb when he looks for it and i say “it has to be somewhere amongst your shit!”

AncientQuercus · 03/09/2023 09:04

KSJR · 31/08/2023 09:16

We have a 6 month rule, if you haven’t used it, played with it, worn it or seen it in 6 months out the door it goes. We do this every May before holidays/birthdays and every November before Christmas. I always feel so much lighter once it’s done.

I believe this is what started my hoarding tendencies when I was little, with my mother just deciding I no longer needed xyz and just getting rid of them. The absolute stress of never knowing when a favourite toy or outfit would just disappear forever.

I have a strong attachment to "things" (rather than people). We are drowning in "stuff" and we've just moved so it's everywhere in boxes but I get major panics when DH says he is going to sort out a room.

MargaretThursday · 03/09/2023 12:01

@AncientQuercus

Me too.

TroysMammy · 03/09/2023 12:06

I rarely get to declutter as it makes me exhausted because it means I have to go to the charity shop and/or the tip. I haven't got the energy or motivation to sell online or have a car boot sale. I can't even be bothered to set up a stall in my garden either.

PoppyPansyCampion · 03/09/2023 12:10

Elllieuk · 31/08/2023 20:28

I'm not a hoarder and I don't really buy much stuff but I think that's the problem as opening my wardrobe everything has memories and is a bit stuck in the past. I think I need to accept I'm a bit older since I bought most of it and have young kids and my body won't be snapping back any time soon! Then just buy some nice new key pieces. I have got rid of some things but find it hard to get rid of most of it when I think what if I need this or I do like this one but haven't worn it in ages etc... then end up getting stressed and putting it all away again, hence me feeling like I should just get rid of all of it (to avoid thinking about each item) and start again 🙈
I liked the comparison to it being like on holiday when you only have the necessities with you.
Inspiring comments everyone thank you!

Can I recommend Project 333 @Elllieuk
I have found it extremely useful.

Project 333

Welcome to Project 333! Learn more about The Minimalist Fashion Challenge that has been changing closets and lives around the world.

https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

ŁadnaPogoda · 03/09/2023 12:12

I’m staying at my late mother’s house and decluttering. Her philosophy seemed to be, if you buy something new, keep the old thing too. I’ve got rid of four tea sets, two dinner services, 55 table cloths, 25 jumpers that were never worn, 16 leather bags either unused or lightly used, and that’s the tip of the iceberg. There are too many sets of glasses to count, I’ve found 24 cut glass bowls of varying sizes, and that’s before we start on jugs and vases. The odd thing is, her house never looked overly cluttered and was always tidy. But she did have a lot of storage…

Rosiem2808 · 03/09/2023 12:12

OP Do what I did. Bag up all the clothes you have not worn for a good while and put them in your loft.
You will be surprised. I did this almost two years ago and in that time have rescued one item. The rest will now be going on Vinted/charity

ŁadnaPogoda · 03/09/2023 12:12

And we haven’t even started on the loft or garage.

PoppyPansyCampion · 03/09/2023 12:14

Re the above: i bought some of those vacuum bags to put clothes in that i won't use in a particular season but that i want to keep. They take up very little room and can go in the loft without ending up smelling old or the bag full of spiders

SquirrelSoShiny · 03/09/2023 12:14

Just marking place for inspiration.

RichTeee · 03/09/2023 12:23

I LLLLOOOOVVVVVEEEEE decluttering. I have a big go every 3 or so months.

I have a bit of am Internet selling sideline so everyone I know gives me their old stuff. Some of it I am very grateful for....but some of it they have obviously dumped on me instead of taking it to the actual dump.

I also try and sort out 1 cupboard or drawer a day it takes between 2 and 10 minutes and keeps on top of paperwork or clothes that have been shoved into drawers unfolded. Or mainly me sweeping my makeup away so I can't find any of it when I want to quickly get out of the house

I adore the feeling of seeing the black bags piled up ready to leave my house. But, in fact I live in quite a maximalist house - there are "wankily curated" collections everywhere - that will not be leaving. Though DH will prob throw straight out if I were to pop my clogs.

CeriB82 · 03/09/2023 13:08

ŁadnaPogoda · 03/09/2023 12:12

I’m staying at my late mother’s house and decluttering. Her philosophy seemed to be, if you buy something new, keep the old thing too. I’ve got rid of four tea sets, two dinner services, 55 table cloths, 25 jumpers that were never worn, 16 leather bags either unused or lightly used, and that’s the tip of the iceberg. There are too many sets of glasses to count, I’ve found 24 cut glass bowls of varying sizes, and that’s before we start on jugs and vases. The odd thing is, her house never looked overly cluttered and was always tidy. But she did have a lot of storage…

My late MIL was like this. Say a friend died, shed be happy to help out the clearing then collect the bed sheets. He airing cupboard was full of sheets she never bought. 🤢

livinglifetothefull · 03/09/2023 13:15

Im a minimalist .
I once had a partner and i ended it as i could not deal with his clutter .
I hate clutter im very very minimal only have what i use if i dont used it or need it i wont have it .
You feel better after a good clutter clean my living room is 1 small leather sofa on tub chair small coffee table a small book shelf with some books thats it i do think the books and shelf will go soon as im not using it and ive read all the books .
kitchen - cooker -small fridge frezzer -kettle - 4 cups 4 glasses - 4 plates&bowls
2pots 1pan 1wok just basics forks knifes spoons 4 and 2 very good pealing knifes & a camping twin tub washing machine that is in the back closet .
Bedroom one kingsize bed and a single popup wardrobe only keep clothes that i will wear 4 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of carpet slippers .
all my bathroom stuff is in a lovely 3 shelf basket that sits behind my bathroom door.
I dont have piles of bedding i have one on and 2 off . 3 sets .
mop and bucket a brush as i dont like carpet i have black marble floor tiles and light gray walls i have blinds cant stand nets and curtains . im on first floor so dont need them .
My home is all ways clean tidy feels light a spacey i love it .
But i should say i do live alone i just hate clutter i was surrounded with it growing up with my mum and with my ex i just got so sick of the crap piles of rubbish and ornaments no thank you . I Do have 4 wind chimes 2 in my room 2 in the living room . I do think once you get the right mind set you wont look back.

livinglifetothefull · 03/09/2023 13:20

TroysMammy · 03/09/2023 12:06

I rarely get to declutter as it makes me exhausted because it means I have to go to the charity shop and/or the tip. I haven't got the energy or motivation to sell online or have a car boot sale. I can't even be bothered to set up a stall in my garden either.

you could just sit all unwanted stuff outside your home on a nice day with a sign saying free.

ŁadnaPogoda · 03/09/2023 13:24

@TroysMammy Anglo Doorstep Collections have collected everything we have got rid of directly from the house.

ŁadnaPogoda · 03/09/2023 13:26

@CeriB82 strangely there was very little bedding apart from blankets. But don’t get me started on the towels and bath mats! There were nice new sets of bath mats and towels, yet the cupboards were full of old, holey, worn stuff.

ThinkingAgainAndAgain · 03/09/2023 13:31

I think I’m an anomaly 😂as I often decluttering but I don’t seem to feel any better after I do. I got rid of masses of black bags of clothes and shoes, many, many bags for life full of books etc. And I didn’t feel any different about it at all. Ok, I had more space, but I didn’t feel better for having more space. I didn’t feel worse either. But I suppose it all went to a better home!

Justkoko · 03/09/2023 16:31

AncientQuercus · 03/09/2023 09:04

I believe this is what started my hoarding tendencies when I was little, with my mother just deciding I no longer needed xyz and just getting rid of them. The absolute stress of never knowing when a favourite toy or outfit would just disappear forever.

I have a strong attachment to "things" (rather than people). We are drowning in "stuff" and we've just moved so it's everywhere in boxes but I get major panics when DH says he is going to sort out a room.

Show quote history

I'm not sure why but I also have a strong attachment to things. I find decluttering extremely stressful even though I absolutely know I want to live in a lighter more minimal home. Clothes are the most difficult thing. It's like I'm giving up part of myself, accepting I'll never be slender enough to wear this or that again, like I've given up or something. I really need to work through this part of my thinking. Anyone know of good books or blogs that might help? I have a double wardrobe of things that don't fit, but if I get rid it's like I've given up trying.

I need to find ways to reframe it!