Decluttering GUILT!

[Mybestusername]

I’m getting stuck in with decluttering and have sorted out plenty for the charity shop / tip. But I’m struggling with having to face up to the amount of money I have wasted on stuff that I’m getting rid of. I know that my house and family will be better off without the clutter so it’s not going to hold me back, I am just kicking myself at the amount of unused and unloved things that I’ve bought over the years.
Tell me how to deal with this please!

RunRabbit thank you, that’s really helpful

Yes I am going to look up how much things sell for and see if it’s worth the effort, or if it would be better going straight to charity shop.

Just dropped off a huge bag of clothes, a box of books and a box of other stuff to the charity shop so I am getting there!

That’s good! You’ll feel so much better when it’s all gone.

RunRabbit - you've made some excellent points. Real food for thought.

I use "What is kindest to future me?" a lot.

Another gem, Rabbit.
"What is kindest to me? Keeping the item and maybe getting $10 for it but maybe not, including having to organise pickup or delivery? Or taking it to the charity shop tomorrow and having a tidy dining room where we can redecorate, fix the holes where the mice can get in, and not have the kids embarrassed about the house?"

Or even worse Penelope, leaving poor old future you to do the job of getting rid because you didn't do it for her. Poor old future you has to spend all the days in between feeling guilty knowing the item is there, unused, waiting for disposal.

Future me has a packed schedule anyway. I am always adding things to her to-do list. I try to be less of a cow to her.

Seriously, I struggle with my life as it is but future me will exercise more, eat healthier, spend more time with loved ones, be able to maintain a home to a high standard, get further qualifications, get a better job, meditate, volunteer, learn a musical instrument etc.

The least I can do is to make sure she doesn't have to pick up my mess.

Well, that's a good point because it's definitely Future Me that has to do it if I don't. Nobody else will step in unless I'm dead

Penelope one of my motivators is that if I don’t sort this mess out and drop dead, someone else would have to deal with it

I am struggling a bit with getting rid of things I have been given as presents, extra guilt there. I have a scarf in my wardrobe that I was given 21 years ago (by someone I didn’t even like that much!!). I have worn it once, I am not a scarf person. Why have I kept it for so long?!

Why would you keep it any longer?