Clutter

[MyNewGenericUsername]

DH has ADHD and we're both very sentimental. I'm finally starting to tackle to the clutter and it is unbelievable. Every cupboard is crammed. I haven't looked in the garage in years because honestly it stresses me out. Our actual rooms themselves are tidy, although a bit too much stuff for my liking. Where do I even start??

Is there a declutter method that isn't too radical? I struggled to get DH to get rid of some DVDs today even though we no longer have any way to watch a DVD.

There are loads of methods - some people do a room at a time , others do themes so all clothes or kitchen equipment for example.
Marie Kondo does the one where she keeps what is useful or beautiful (sparks joy) and ditches the rest.

I would advise that whatever you choose, get the stuff you are going to bin out of the house immediately. Drive it to the tip/recycling/ charity shop as soon as you have a car load. Don't leave it in the house or it will get filtered back in!

You can photograph sentimental cards/pictures and just keep the most sentimental.
Have a watch of Sort your life out with Stacey Solomon on iplayer.

I have found this blog useful over the years. Slowly but surely worked for me. My ex was a hoarder but he left most of his stuff with me and started a new one elsewhere.
I have said elsewhere but I also find Flylady very soothing, as long as I use the website and don't get the emails.

Flylady

Becoming Minimalist sorry

Just start in the corner of one room and employ the -if in doubt, chuck it out- method.

Im a minimalist i cant cope with any clutter.
My home looks empty.
Im not at all im brutal.
If you dont use it or want it bin it.
start in one room and work on from there.
One thing i would say not to do is get them large storage boxs and store everything because thats not decluttering thats just storing it.
But you could put all sentimental items in a box out the way then go in for the big decutter.
But may be hard if your husband is not on the same page.

Meant to say im not sentimental im brutal .

Look up Dana K White on YouTube, she is great

Marissa at A to Zen life is a recovering emotional hoarder, and is not at all preachy.I find her very relatable and helpful.

I suspect I have ADHD and neither me and my DH are minimalists but we do have to try to move things out as live with DS is small flat/no storage.

It's not easy but mental habits can be changed over time. Start with least sentimental stuff 1st - like kitchen or clothes - whatever is most neutral before you go on to harder areas (for us - books).

DS is way better than either of us as getting rid of things he's outgrown - hope that continues!

https://www.youtube.com/@AtoZenLife

I'll second Dana K White.

Her books "Decluttering At The Speed of Life" and "Organising For The Rest Of Us" have genuinely changed my life. Very simple methods that are easy to implement and she really gets what it's like to have a disordered mind.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Books are a problem here too. Most of ours are actually stuffed in our garage so I'm not even sure what state they'll be in. We had to quickly store them because we have DC with severe learning disabilities who kept trying to destroy them. It's ironic really, we don't read them and they're not even on show anymore.

I'm going to look at the links before I tackle the next area.

OK, I've started with the easiest parts of the garage - obviously broken things and packaging. We've got rid of about 3 cars worth!!!

Well done @MyNewGenericUsername I hope you'll keep us posted!

Everything you own is talking to you. What is each item saying? Then decide if that is worth keeping or would the space be more important to you? I read something like that and it helped me.