How do I get past 'but I might need it one day'

[overwhelmingshitville]

I'm driving myself crazy. Seven years ago I was brilliant at binning crap. Present day me, not do much. I have anxiety and less money, so I'll see the top in the wardrobe I haven't worn in years and think 'well I don't have money to buy another, I might need it one day'. My logical brain knows this is crap.

It's happening with everything in every room of my crap filled house. Please help! How do I break through this barrier!

Can you remember the last time you wore/used it? If the answer is no then out it goes

Could you put it away somewhere? I have a big box in the cellar where I put things I am not sure about ditching. If I haven't looked for it in 6 months then I actually get rid.

I have this problem too. On the occasions that I have binned/charity shopped stuff, I have wanted it a few months later. Like a navy cardi that I hadn't worn for a couple of years, I went to look for it last month as I had bought two new tops and this cardi would have been perfect with them. And then I remembered that I had sent it to the charity shop in the spring.

It puts me off having another sort out!

My problem is that when I had a small flat, I bought less stuff, as there was nowhere to put it all. Now I have a house, with masses of storage, I have placed to stash things so I am not motivated to have a clear out.

Right, hoik up those big girl pants and roll your emotional sleeves up!

Does it fit? Will you wear it? If not, give it to charity.

Same with stuff, useful? Sentimental? Would you miss it if it was in the loft? If no get rid of it.

The declutter threads in housekeeping are popular and supportive.

Hope that helps!

I saw something about if it takes more than 20 minutes to find or less than £20 to replace then it goes.

Also think about the value of each square foot of your property - how much rent / mortgage are you paying to house this stuff.

I find less stuff lifts anxiety and make cleaning much easier.

If I gave myself a pass to shove it in the loft, everything would be up there! But yes, I've had moments of thinking 'where's my...' and I've sent it to the charity shop! I hate those moments.

I try to do some clearing, feel utterly overwhelmed, and sit back down. It's as if my brain can't take it. Perhaps I should bin it all and start again!?

One day hasn't happened yet and you need space now. Think of it as buying space rather than throwing things out. It sometimes helps to think about what it would cost to put it into a storage unit, if you had to would you do that or bin it? Most stuff ends up in the bin

Buying space. I like that angle a lot! I'll buy some space, in my own house. I'll reclaim my space.