Stuff is too hard to get rid of

[Clutterbusting]

I want to be free of my stuff. I’m drowning in it. My house is a mess and all that happens when I have a sort out is it gets moved about. I spend money on storage solutions when I need to just get rid.
I want to but where to? Charity shops are picky and I have A LOT to shift. Selling takes too long and I can’t be wasteful so a skip is out. What can I do?
AIBU to think this is just too hard?

I recently did get a skip. It’s very liberating.
My car is tiny so couldn’t really take everything to the dump.

Guilt is apparently a big reason for stopping people decluttering

Not sure if this has been said, but Freecycle is a great way of getting shot of things. Clothing bins at the supermarket are great, and dumps sometimes have recycling areas where they sell stuff on.

I am awesome at getting rid of stuff, I hate it!!!

I will throw it rather than have clutter stopping me from relaxing!

@Anordinarymum

How can a charity shop be picky when you leave the bags of stuff outside?

Please don’t just drop everything outside the door. Charity shops are there to make money from resealable items. They are not there for people to get rid of their junk. It costs them money to get rid of stuff that people tend to be to lazy or tight to get rid of themselves.

I was a hoarder...well maybe still am, I just don't have as much stuff!
While it's wasteful to throw stuff away, your house cannot also be a landfill. I gave myself permission to make less than optimal decisions when I had excessive belongings and once things are under control I will (and do) make better decisions. I carefully consider items before bringing them home - how long will it be useful, what will I do with it when that time is up etc. And then obviously making the best choices possible when stuff leaves my house.

As for money, on the whole, the money is gone when you bought the thing. Usually you won't get much back if you sell. Decide if you can afford to give yourself a clean slate by just giving away everything that's not needed. Consider donated or given away items your good deed for the week (I gave in lieu of my usual monthly cash gift)

I've noticed that more and more people in my area have started doing yard sales. Check a Saturday when the weather is decent and the flood your local FB pages advertising.

Find a friend to help you. I am a bit of a hoarder and I work best to stop dithering about decisions (it is all about decision making) if DH is sat with me - he hands me a pile to look at - keep, throw, donate. He gives me a 3 second rule to prevent procrastination and getting lost in looking, handling and over thinking.

Honestly once the decisions are made and the stuff leaves the property, you almost never think about it again. There are some good FB pages on de cluttering if you want a support group. Keep your aim in mind - less mental clutter/stress and physical space you can reclaim.

It can be hard but it is rewarding.

There are often baby banks or refugee help groups locally for whom your trash may be treasure!

I find this super difficult and get overwhelmed.
I have started with one cupboard at a time and as others said advertise free on local FB sites,
take to charity shops and one of our local tips
has a second hand shop for things that are
to good to throw away. You might find the same in your area. Perhaps you could persuade your teens to sell some things online and tell them they can keep the money? Or get them to run a garage sale in the spring?
I am starting with the smallest room in the house next week as I currently feel totally overwhelmed.
If you can’t cope with any of the above just
hire a skip, you will feel so much better for the clear out.

:-( Folk not RTFT
Still saying BHF are great. :-(

Are you a facebook user? I am on an American FB page called 40 bags for 40 days. Its decluttering all year round but then at the start of lent you try and do one back a day for the whole 40 days. Its a nice group of people, so you could try that? Work steadily until then and then go for it?

It can be overwhelming. Sort it into boxes- charity shop, sell on websites ( or collect for free) and dump yard. Take to charity, let them take what they want from your car. The rest add to dump. Our dump has a section the workers use to put charity stuff tbh I think they take it.
Be ruthless. Not used in a year- must go.
Just done my house and garage and I love less clutter. I am supper fussy about buying anything now. Do it a few boxes at a time each wee but I did it in one dedicated weekend. The hardest part is starting. Good luck!

@Anordinarymum

How can a charity shop be picky when you leave the bags of stuff outside?

You're not supposed to do that... it's illegal fly-tipping so if you are you are breaking the law.

EVERY charity clearly states not to fly-tip outside their business, all donations must be taken in during business hours then handed over to a worker.

I am a hoarder and after reading a mumsnet thread found a website with qualified organisers. Usually part of the package is they will take some things to charity. They can also tell you which local charities take what. I find it helpful to get rid of things if I can find them good homes so I found it helpful her taking boxes to her charities.

I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it (only read the OP's posts), but the Olio app is brilliant. On Sunday, I passed on 2 bin bags of clothing, a lot of scarves, DVDs and crockery. I originally got the app to get collect leftover food, bit it has been invaluable in helping to pass on unwanted items, in large numbers

A small skip around here will set you back over £250 so not an option if you're just about having in there

Do you have any of those charity bins nearby? You can find them in shopping centre car parks etc.

Olio is good too

[quote Clutterbusting]@Tiredalwaystired I must have misunderstood. It’s a touchy subject for me. I do know what some people give is dreadful. Headless dolls and barbies with no arms teddy’s with holes in etc but for me it seems to be because the charity shops are so full they sometimes seem really disappointed when you show up with a box even before they know what’s there. I have a friend who gives away the most beautiful things - things I would be trying to sell as they’re dead expensive and in pristine condition. I went to the charity shop with her and the volunteer virtually rolled her eyes before coming to the car to “check” the items. She changed her tune and couldn’t get them out the car fast enough but the initial attitude was that my friend was another scummy person offloading crap. Friend said she’ll not give there again and donates elsewhere.[/quote]
Marie Curie was deffo like that today but the Salvation Army guy was literally grabbing them out of my hands! I did go to a less well off area with the items for Salvation Army. Marie Curie is in a naice area so does get a lot of stuff!

Try your local homeless charities. Many look for things for children/young people as well as for women and are happy to pick up donations.

Our house and garage are full of boxes of stuff that we are trying to sell. We do sell a lot of stuff on Facebook and eBay but there's always stuff that doesn't sell but still seems to good to throw away. We do a carboot sale every now and then and I'm always amazed at what sells which just proves most things are wanted by someone and you need the right person at the right time to sell it. Just because it doesn't sell doesn't mean it's junk and I hate the idea of throwing away things that could be used by someone. But I do feel it's a never ending thing and eventually we should just throw everything away...

wait till you have to do 3 parents in 18 months! Oh and during lockdown.

I say have a couple of boxes 1. Charity 2. Tip/bin
and aim to get rid of them each week - actually walk them out of the house. Charities are only picky if you are sending them crap - sorry but true.

Occasionally they are overloaded (like I bet they are this month) but wait a week - phone them to check, be clear what is is the box and take it. They don't want tapes and videos or out of date stuff but household items, clothes in good clean condition and general bric a brac I have never had anyone say no

I have so much "vintage" stuff from the 50s am thinking of selling it via etsy! I got rid of a charity box today and am booking tip for Friday - there is a tip shop (charity but will take rougher stuff and sell cheaper) and then the actual tip I have a box for each. Feel like I am winning at the moement but its a long haul and DH is def a hoarder - 80;s tapes anyone

@Clutterbusting - I just want to thank you so much for sharing this and posting. I could have written your post myself. Also there are so many kind and helpful people who have commented and shared their own experiences and ideas. I have a big birthday this year and After reading this thread I am determined to get organised and sort my s**t out! Thank you 😊

Watch Stacey Solomon's programme on BBC. Great cleaning/sorting tips and helps with the morale. Hoarding has an emotional connection so go easy on yourself 💜

freecycle it - loads of groups on fb

Me too!!!

I am exactly like this!!