Decluttering problem advice

[flyingdream]

I'm having a problem decluttering.

I declutter something and then take it back out thinking I could use it more and save money or get my money's worth. I'm not a hoarder or anything but I am really overwhelmed with life at the moment. How do I just get it right and get rid?

Not sure.

Lob half a ton of baked beans over it?! Also wasteful. I think willpower.

To throw away:

1. Something that doesn’t give you joy, doesn’t add value, that you haven’t used in a year (discard, gift, donate this pile)
2. Anything that’s beyond repair / clean

Then put the things you are unsure about into storage (even a box under the bed) so you can get them back anytime or revisit the box in a year to discard.

And would you rather ‘get your money’s worth’ out of an item that irritates you every time you use / see it? Sometimes peace of mind is worth a lot too.

I’m sorry you feel overwhelmed, can you

• make the decision to NOT be overwhelmed?
• commit to only the necessary things you need to do
• make a list with baby steps to do every day

@AgathaMystery love your suggestion 😂

Try listening to some podcasts or you tube videos - it can help shift your mindset. I find Dana of A Slob Comes Clean great (she has an episode where she talks about the problems of selling things), and Dawn of The Minimal Mom has videos about how much work your stuff makes for you.

Definitely yes to YouTube inspiration!

Also decluttering isn't an end in itself - the point is to simplify life to make space (physical and mental) for other, better things. So maybe give yourself a little goal of getting one area / shelf / drawer clear because you know it will make you feel better. I found having these mini targets made all the keep/get rid decisions easier.