To find "stuff" overwhelming

[NicolasFlamel]

Just all the bits and bobs you can end up accumulating if you're not on it with decluttering.
I've gone through our porch today and there's loads of hats, gloves, old coats, umbrellas etc. In the shelves in the study there's books we never ever look at, multiples of the same stationary item for some reason, loads of drawings the kids have done.
The wardrobes have lots of shoes that never see the light of day and sets of bedding, towels, blankets etc.
And then you get started on the toys.. just the amount of crap.
So I want to get rid of it but some of it I don't even know what to do with! Does an old coat go in the bin if it's nice enough for charity? Then I worry about all my crap sitting in landfills.

People with less clutter and stuff, how do you do it?

With regard to paperwork, I got myself a binder display book and file important documents in there which makes them easier to find and to keep on top of.

I have:
Birth/marriage certificated
Education certificates
Current tax credits notice
Current rent/council tax statement
6 months bank statements
Current financial year payslips/previous p46
Home Insurance policy
Mobile contracts
Warranty documents

We are downsizing & have got rid of soooo much! If you are staying put, try tackling one room at a time & be ruthless. I once spent 4 hours doing the living room! I am a hoarder for sentimental reasons & still have diaries etc from my teens ( I'm 51). I used to keep every single greetings card I ever received but have got much better on that. I find less clutter equals more energy

This is step that has worked for me with things like towels /bedding where it just accumulated. It was all in a heap. I picked out 2 good bath towels per person, half a dozen hand towels, 1 beach towel each and a set for guests. Everything else I told myself i could not justify keeping. I The minute it went out of the house I didn't miss it.

Basically it's about choosing what to keep rather than what to throw. Is more positive.

I bought a Marie Kondo book months ago. If it wasn't for the distraction of MN I would have read it and be living in a clutter free house. As it is, it's just another bit of clutter.