Recently, I helped my parents move out of their “forever home” into an assisted living facility. It was a HUGE eye opener how much stuff can accumulate in a house over 30 years and how hard it is to part with our items that we’re clearly no longer using, need or have any plans for. Today I want to give 5 questions to ask as you’re making these choices.
Before we get going, if you’re feeling paralyzed by your home, sometimes you just need a little help to get going. I recommend this.
Am I Currently Using This?
There was a lot that immediately went into the box for the new apartment because they’re currently using it. A lot of healthcare items, clothes, puzzle books — they’re things they are currently using and that is OK.
Sometimes we think we need to dive deep into how useful something is, but if you’re using it and it does the trick then you’re good to go. This is is not the area that’s the problem.
BTW, I 100% recommend my post on moving my parents into assisted living for more tips on this whole moving process.
Do I Have Anything Like It?
Often we have multiples that do the same purpose. For instance, I have a few nail clippers. They’re all stored in one spot, but I honestly have a few because my kids steal them frequently. So, inventory varies an I keep a few on hand because I know someone will need (and take) them.
But, how many…
- White shirts
- Measuring spoons
- Types of detergents
- Pens
do you actually need?
There is NOTHING wrong with having a favorite and sticking to that. I love Pilot G2 pens (see my whole post on black pens for more info). Yes, I keep some other pens in a cup for my kids to borrow (anyone seeing a trend in this article) but I try to just keep G2’s around for myself.
So, ask yourself if you really need multiples. I do have have two sets of measuring spoons because I sometimes end up baking twice in a day and having two prevents me from having to wash — but could I do it with one?
Could I wash out the vanilla I measured previously. Yes, I could.
No reason to think you need to have measuring spoons. Never bake or moving to a place you won’t bake — chuck ’em! Social normsl aren’t a reason to keep something, use is a reason to keep something!
If you’re thinking this whole decluttering thing sounds pretty good — join me in my free 5 word challenge where I help you see the easy ways to declutter!
Can This Bring-In Cash?
So, you have something you don’t want — could it bring in some money? That’s an incentive to try to get rid of it, right?
A few thoughts:
You can always list it, and see if someone bites! If not, you can think about if it’s worth the effort to get rid of.
It’s not as lucrative as we think. My dad really was shocked by how little some of the items in his house sold for at his estate sale. I get it, we buy nice things and then we find out they’re not as worth it as we’d hoped. It hurts.
Sometimes the biggest incentive is moving on with our lives. Plus, that’s much easier than a Facebook market place sale!
That being said, I have a lot of friends who make some nice cash selling things on Facebook market place, just don’t let it take over your life, and don’t let unwanted things hang around just because you haven’t sold them.
Set a date that if the items haven’t sold, you’re hauling them to Goodwill.
Sometimes making small agreements with yourself on items like this can really help. You can do more of that in here.
Could Someone Else Use This?
Maybe the idea of listing things for sale online isn’t appealing to you, but maybe the thought that your baby items could bring a needed relief to a young family, or a new refugee family.
I think having an “in” where unwanted items can find a valued home can make us feel better about giving them away. It sort of lessens our “grip” on the items and we move on faster.
Does My Family Want This? (be honest)
It’s easy to think your kids will want these items when you no longer need them.
I know my parents thought that.
But I just didn’t. There were a few things that really surprised me how they tugged at my heart strings after my parents chose what they were taking — but most things just seemed painful to move.
Honestly, they weren’t the things I adored growing up, they were things that just reminded me of happy times through out my life. A few puzzles, a few tiny statues, nothing big — just mostly happy memories.
That to say I’m definitely a minimalist, and we don’t live close to my parents. Perhaps if we lived closer I would’ve had more things I would’ve wanted (aka furniture) but even then my brother that does live close by — he didn’t have much use for the items either.
I really want to challenge your thoughts that your family will love these items as much as you do. That, most often, just isn’t the case. They love you, they love the memories you have with these items, but they want you happy and healthy more than anything.
And often that means, getting rid of stuff.
Oh, and when you get rid of it — clean!
Now, that I’ve been through my 5 questions — here’s a few other ones I think are amusing to ask yourself:
- If this had 💩 on it, would you clean it to keep it?
- If this was on the store shelves, would you buy it again?
- If I hauled this outside, would you walk back out there to get it?
Often we keep things just because they’re there, and it’s easier to NOT get rid of it (or frankly, to not make a choice). But, if the choice was made FOR us would we work to reverse it.
When my parents moved out we actually just went through with boxes for the things we wanted to KEEP. Then, we left the other items for the estate sale. I think that was an easy way to declutter, because it actually took more effort to keep things.
If you’re feeling like you can get started on decluttering, but could use some encouragement and some systems to organize what you need come join me in The Organized Home. I a jiffy you’ll:
- Get your brain engaged in the process and why you need a change
- Declutter easier with a buddy
- Get ideas that work and spark more ideas for your area
Not sure you’re quite ready for the full course. Come join me in the totally free 5-word organization challenge!
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