Comments on: Decluttering and Purging http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/ About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:29:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: dianna http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-68053 dianna http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-68053 I have two basic guidelines for items in my house. I keep what I use and I keep what I love. My items all have a "place" which keeps my home organized and clutter free! I have two basic guidelines for items in my house. I keep what I use and I keep what I love. My items all have a “place” which keeps my home organized and clutter free!

]]> By: aw http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-66618 aw http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-66618 Thank you for the article, I think age may have something to do with the need to discard. I feel like when my children were young and I was young I spent all my time trying to accumulate, wealth, material possessions, home, car, status, now that my children are older all I want to do is to live with as little as possible. Clean, clutter free, simply. I eat more simply, I buy less things, I am constantly getting rid of things that I used to think I couldn't live without. My new motto is a room should have rugs, books (not too many) pictures, flowers and a comfortable place to sit... Thank you for the article, I think age may have something to do with the need to discard. I feel like when my children were young and I was young I spent all my time trying to accumulate, wealth, material possessions, home, car, status, now that my children are older all I want to do is to live with as little as possible. Clean, clutter free, simply. I eat more simply, I buy less things, I am constantly getting rid of things that I used to think I couldn’t live without. My new motto is a room should have rugs, books (not too many) pictures, flowers and a comfortable place to sit…

]]> By: Amy http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-57521 Amy http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-57521 Two days ago, I went to my grandparents' house with a few other family members, and we dug through and picked out things we either wanted or needed. Me, I only took what I needed. After moving so many times over the years, I have lost necessary kitchen items and other completely random things you don't think you need ... but you do. Two things I took were wire whisks. Simply because they were sizes I didn't have. But when I got them home, I was shocked. (Well, not really b/c I know this to be true, but...) I had my boyfriend come and feel the whisk we already had. And then I had him hold one of the whisks from my grandma's kitchen. Major difference! Huge! The whisk we already had felt like you could crumple it up in one hand and the older ones are beyond sturdy. They've lasted decades and still look the same as the newer one. On top of older things being made better, I also like the idea that these things have a history. Whether they are from my grandparents or not (who are still alive, by the way ... just in a nursing home and selling their house), there's something cool about having something that means something, rather than buying a new item because it's pretty. That's actually one thing my b/f and I disagree on. He hates that I love antiques. We've somehow managed to make his newer purchases fit in with my older stuff (I won't allow the purchase unless the new item meshes in some way lol), and it's kind of a cool combination, but I also adored my house how it was when it was just my stuff -- furniture and lamps and tables and such I got from my family because they didn't need the items anymore and I desperately did. Sorry for the long comment, but I just wanted to throw out a different reason for buying older things -- they're cheaper (sometimes...) and they're made better. Why NOT buy them? I don't want to spend more money on something that will fall apart sooner... Anyway ... I'm done now :) Two days ago, I went to my grandparents’ house with a few other family members, and we dug through and picked out things we either wanted or needed.
Me, I only took what I needed. After moving so many times over the years, I have lost necessary kitchen items and other completely random things you don’t think you need … but you do.

Two things I took were wire whisks. Simply because they were sizes I didn’t have. But when I got them home, I was shocked. (Well, not really b/c I know this to be true, but…) I had my boyfriend come and feel the whisk we already had. And then I had him hold one of the whisks from my grandma’s kitchen. Major difference! Huge! The whisk we already had felt like you could crumple it up in one hand and the older ones are beyond sturdy. They’ve lasted decades and still look the same as the newer one.

On top of older things being made better, I also like the idea that these things have a history. Whether they are from my grandparents or not (who are still alive, by the way … just in a nursing home and selling their house), there’s something cool about having something that means something, rather than buying a new item because it’s pretty.

That’s actually one thing my b/f and I disagree on. He hates that I love antiques. We’ve somehow managed to make his newer purchases fit in with my older stuff (I won’t allow the purchase unless the new item meshes in some way lol), and it’s kind of a cool combination, but I also adored my house how it was when it was just my stuff — furniture and lamps and tables and such I got from my family because they didn’t need the items anymore and I desperately did.

Sorry for the long comment, but I just wanted to throw out a different reason for buying older things — they’re cheaper (sometimes…) and they’re made better. Why NOT buy them? I don’t want to spend more money on something that will fall apart sooner…
Anyway … I’m done now :)

]]> By: Dream Mom http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-30812 Dream Mom http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-30812 I am a Professional Organizer so I find this post interesting. The key for me is to keep things that have value to you. It's not just about having space for things, but about the time those items cost you to store them, clean them, etc. There is often a concept of enough. What I find more often than not, are hobby rooms filled to the brim with supplies but nothing is ever created. A scrapbook room and nobody takes the time to scrapbook, and stuff like that. That doesn't mean you shouldn't collect anything though-it's about choices and limiting things. I liken the analogy to a woman getting dressed-an elegant woman knows just how much jewelry to put on meaning it's not how much jewelry you wear but knowing when to stop. That's the difference between looking elegant and looking cheap. It's the same with homes. You can have a small but elegant space by limiting your possessions. That doesn't mean it can't be beautiful and it doesn't mean you have to live in one of those tiny homes of 100 square feet or less (God Bless you if you do-I just need a little space to blow dry my hair without smacking my elbows on the wall, lol!) I am a Professional Organizer so I find this post interesting. The key for me is to keep things that have value to you. It’s not just about having space for things, but about the time those items cost you to store them, clean them, etc. There is often a concept of enough. What I find more often than not, are hobby rooms filled to the brim with supplies but nothing is ever created. A scrapbook room and nobody takes the time to scrapbook, and stuff like that. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t collect anything though-it’s about choices and limiting things. I liken the analogy to a woman getting dressed-an elegant woman knows just how much jewelry to put on meaning it’s not how much jewelry you wear but knowing when to stop. That’s the difference between looking elegant and looking cheap. It’s the same with homes. You can have a small but elegant space by limiting your possessions. That doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful and it doesn’t mean you have to live in one of those tiny homes of 100 square feet or less (God Bless you if you do-I just need a little space to blow dry my hair without smacking my elbows on the wall, lol!)

]]> By: sw http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-25976 sw http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-25976 it's easier for me to purge more cltter w/another person's assistance but it is so hard to find the right person. Some don't understand that something means something to you that wouldn't to them & they want to just thow it away. They need to listen why it's important then help decide best - keep or toss. I can get rid of more if it's going to someone who will use it rather than just trashing it. I don't keep what I cconsider trash. I keep what I like or what still has life in it (even if I'm not the one using it at the time.) I have stuff in my car going to various places (church thrift store, goodwill, consignment, storage,,etc) I'm trying to use freecycle.org also. it’s easier for me to purge more cltter w/another person’s assistance but it is so hard to find the right person. Some don’t understand that something means something to you that wouldn’t to them & they want to just thow it away. They need to listen why it’s important then help decide best – keep or toss. I can get rid of more if it’s going to someone who will use it rather than just trashing it. I don’t keep what I cconsider trash. I keep what I like or what still has life in it (even if I’m not the one using it at the time.) I have stuff in my car going to various places (church thrift store, goodwill, consignment, storage,,etc) I’m trying to use freecycle.org also.

]]> By: Claire http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-25422 Claire http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-25422 Sometimes people purge stuff that DOESN'T BELONG TO THEM. Like I have four kids and a husband; it's easy for me to see what they aren't using that is just "clutter" but somehow I can always find excuses to hang onto my own "stuff." How hypocritical, right? Hubby's DVD collection is "just junk" and my fabric stash is priceless? Right! lol. The kids, on the other hand, are all still small enough that they really can't be responsible for organizing/curating their own collections, and coupled with three very generous grandparents, this spells disaster without agressive top-down management. So I don't feel as bad about summarily purging their stuff. I'm just saying, it's easy to cross the line there. Sometimes people purge stuff that DOESN’T BELONG TO THEM.

Like I have four kids and a husband; it’s easy for me to see what they aren’t using that is just “clutter” but somehow I can always find excuses to hang onto my own “stuff.” How hypocritical, right?

Hubby’s DVD collection is “just junk” and my fabric stash is priceless? Right! lol.

The kids, on the other hand, are all still small enough that they really can’t be responsible for organizing/curating their own collections, and coupled with three very generous grandparents, this spells disaster without agressive top-down management.

So I don’t feel as bad about summarily purging their stuff. I’m just saying, it’s easy to cross the line there.

]]> By: M.L. http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-21606 M.L. http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-21606 This is a great, moderate approach. As for many, I don't like clutter because it makes me feel confined, but I do keep things I like even if they have no other purpose than my enjoyment, which is a good reason. I tend to pass along those items that don't touch me on a deeper, personal level; things that will never be missed. I like to have things around me that "are me"; things that are really a reflection of who I am. Sometimes I like to keep things because they are reminders of ways in which I want to grow, but am not there yet. For example, I have a banjo that I've had for several years because I want to learn how to play it, but I haven't found someone yet to teach me how to play it. Even though I never use it, just having it is a constant reminder that I WILL learn how to play it someday, and not to give up on that dream. This is a great, moderate approach. As for many, I don’t like clutter because it makes me feel confined, but I do keep things I like even if they have no other purpose than my enjoyment, which is a good reason. I tend to pass along those items that don’t touch me on a deeper, personal level; things that will never be missed. I like to have things around me that “are me”; things that are really a reflection of who I am. Sometimes I like to keep things because they are reminders of ways in which I want to grow, but am not there yet. For example, I have a banjo that I’ve had for several years because I want to learn how to play it, but I haven’t found someone yet to teach me how to play it. Even though I never use it, just having it is a constant reminder that I WILL learn how to play it someday, and not to give up on that dream.

]]> By: Rich http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-20780 Rich http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-20780 I have been going through a major decluttering effort. For a while, my bible was Peter Walsh's "It's All Too Much", which encourages people to ruthlessly purge. I have gotten rid of so much stuff, it's unbelievable -- stuff that had no meaning, random papers and dead batteries and the like. However, I have several old comic books and pulp fiction magazines -- while I'll scaled back my buying to near-zero, I haven't made the effort to get rid of the ones I already own. I figure that as long as they're on bbokshelves (where they belong) it's okay to keep them. It's when they start congregating on and over the coffee table, and appearing in stacks on the floor and the closet, that maybe it's time to sell off the one you really don't want. I think Peter Walsh and others secretly know that unless they encouraged us to get rid of EVERYTHING, most people would get rid of NOTHING. It's the old "Give An Inch" proverb ... encourage people to keep the stuff they really want, and they hang onto everything, even if they're home looks like a landfill. Encourage them to get rid of everything, and people determine what they really value. I have been going through a major decluttering effort. For a while, my bible was Peter Walsh’s “It’s All Too Much”, which encourages people to ruthlessly purge. I have gotten rid of so much stuff, it’s unbelievable — stuff that had no meaning, random papers and dead batteries and the like.

However, I have several old comic books and pulp fiction magazines — while I’ll scaled back my buying to near-zero, I haven’t made the effort to get rid of the ones I already own. I figure that as long as they’re on bbokshelves (where they belong) it’s okay to keep them. It’s when they start congregating on and over the coffee table, and appearing in stacks on the floor and the closet, that maybe it’s time to sell off the one you really don’t want.

I think Peter Walsh and others secretly know that unless they encouraged us to get rid of EVERYTHING, most people would get rid of NOTHING. It’s the old “Give An Inch” proverb … encourage people to keep the stuff they really want, and they hang onto everything, even if they’re home looks like a landfill. Encourage them to get rid of everything, and people determine what they really value.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-19260 Stephanie http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-19260 Even though I'm trying to cut back on some pack rat tendencies. I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I can sell off my comic book collection. Even though I’m trying to cut back on some pack rat tendencies. I don’t think I’ll ever get to the point where I can sell off my comic book collection.

]]> By: Ileen http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-14045 Ileen http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/decluttering-and-purging/#comment-14045 I have seen on some of those decluttering shows where they make people get rid of books they haven't looked at in a while. It shows a total lack of understanding about how beautiful a room full of books is. I would be showing them the door. I do pass on books that I know I won't reread to friends but anything else on my shelf is a treasure. I could get rid of most of my stuff but I must keep my books. I have seen on some of those decluttering shows where they make people get rid of books they haven’t looked at in a while. It shows a total lack of understanding about how beautiful a room full of books is. I would be showing them the door. I do pass on books that I know I won’t reread to friends but anything else on my shelf is a treasure. I could get rid of most of my stuff but I must keep my books.

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