How much stuff do you have - de-cluttering

[Flowersfordays]

Not sure if this is the right place but posting for traffic.

I've recently started having a very big clear out. I was completely overwhelmed with how much I had gathered over the last 15 years. I didn't have much growing up so I've always found it difficult to get rid of things - not quite a hoarder like you see on tv though.

I've managed to get things down to one wardrobe and one cupboard of clothes (including coats). A small unit of books and just general kitchen wear with the odd piece of furniture. The kitchen now just has a few cupboards of tinned goods etc and I have a small cupboard of toiletries in the bathroom.

Has anyone else felt like they just had too many things and has anyone tried living more minimally?

MarieKondo will save you! I never read her book, just read about Kondo-ing online. It’s very satisfying and makes life so simple.

It sounds like you've done really well! I'm impressed tbh.

In answer to your question, yes, I'm constantly clearing. Getting there slowly.

I need to look up MarieKondo. I've heard her mentioned a few times. Thank you.

SandandSea - it's taken over two months. I have been ruthless. Three journeys to the charity shop. Most of my books were donated to a local hospice. A car full of clothes to the salvation army. It feels so good to be free of it all and it's hopefully come in useful for someone else. I'm planning on going travelling - with a 40L backpack so I realised I didn't need all these things. How does it all build up!?

I have a lot of things but it's not really too much because I love all of it, plus we have lots of cupboards and shelves so there is room for it all. For the past few years I've hardly bought anything because our house would start to feel overcrowded if I did. I now just replace broken or tatty stuff with really good quality. I buy very few things, but when I do I buy things that will last.

OP, I'm even more impressed that it only took you 2 months. I've got a pile of boxes of old stuff I've been dithering about for years. I keep clearing other things so I don't have to deal with them. How did you make yourself get down to it and stay focussed?

I have plenty! But I like my stuff, all of it is functional and gives me joy.

2 fingers to you, Marie!

SandandSea - I've done little bits here and there over the years but never 'broken the back of it' so to speak.

At the end of the summer, it sounds very stupid but I noticed a lot of spiders in the house and I am terrified of them. I realised I'd have to clear a lot of this to make cleaning easier. I have set myself tasks for each week.

On weekends I've spent the whole day being ruthless in different rooms. I used to have a sort through but end up keeping most of it...not this time. I have given away more than half of my things. I have even gone through the freezer. All of the food in the kitchen is now organised. I plan on going through everything again too. Starting was the hardest part - it becomes quite addictive.

Set manageable goals - don't aim to get it all done in one go because I didn't know where to start in the beginning. My friends have been asking what I've been doing in my spare time and they must think I was living in a right mess as every time I say 'oh I've been clearing again'. Even the garage now just has my bike and the summer table for the garden.

If I can do it (seriously used to hate getting rid of things), you can :)

Thanks, @Flowersfordays.

I own nearly a thousand books, so much as I love a minimalist aesthetic I’ve had to accept it’s just not who I am

Minimalism isn't for me. I like having all my nice things around me. They make me happy. I really struggle with "showroom" type homes. For example when there's a kitchen with nothing on the surfaces but a kettle! It just feels so cold and unwelcoming to me. Especially paired with the trend for white walls everywhere. I feel like it must be like living in a hotel. I know it's very popular though but I prefer a more homely feel.

I like white walls.I like to put the colour in wth fabrics,pictures.
Being decluttered make cleaning less of a chore.I was forced to start again after divorce.My waekness is books but they dont count if in a bookcase and I've reduced enough s there is ame room for some nice things.I have a big stack of virago books to freecycle next then reducing classics that I have on kindle.
My 2 untedy areas are my desk and the dining room being used for GCSE art so I just close the door.