Friday 2 January 2015

The year of stuff...


We normally do quite well now that we are older, to realise that a lot of what we think we hold dear, is just stuff and what we might love and collect, probably will not have any interest to those that follow. I showed DS the large cabinet he will inherit full of family history things, it made him open his eyes quite wide:)

Mind you, we also intend to sift that as well, keeping only the items that cannot easily be replaced or those that have cost money such as certificates. He has promised us that he will keep it - somewhere safe - to pass down to anyone who needs it. Maybe his own children or himself as being interested in your family history seems to happen more as we age. Everything else, not of great monetary value, can go or be kept at his/their discretion.

That aside, to anyone who has had to sort out the property or belongings from a deceased parent, it is not only heart breaking and full of memories but difficult, as you realise you are getting rid of things that they found interesting but which are not interesting to you. There is only so much stuff you can keep, before it adds to your own stuff and if you are not careful, becomes a mountain of stuff, in cupboards, drawers, up in the attic etc.

Our stuff seems to be breeding despite it leaving the house continually. Someone on blogland mentioned about getting rid of 1000 items in a year. I have no idea if we could do that but have already made a start by taking 5 barely used cushions to our favourite and local charity shop.

Anything made of cotton that is okay for quilting or rag rugging, will go in the appropriate box. All old but still usable craft stuff from my degree course, will be offered to local schools etc.

We do have one simple rule that we abide by in this household, 'if it is not a thing of beauty, if it has no great value, if you haven't used it for a year - get rid of it'

When we de-clutter the kitchen, we photograph what we are not sure of, it goes up in the attic, and if it hasn't been used for a year, it goes! DB is a great collector of empty boxes. Some we need to post things that have sold on eBay, or to send parcels at certain times of the year, others though, need to go. So empty boxes will also count, by going to the recycling bin and leaving our house.

We hope to throw little away, as we don't like the idea of filling in landfill any more than absolutely necessary. Mugs are often a bane. We have loads up in the attic that have been given us over the years that are no longer in use. I have decided to smash those and used them in the bottom of pots in the garden - hopefully I won't cut myself when I accidentally find them again!

Watch this space, although I am not planning on showing you what I give away, I am going to keep a tally.


15 comments:

  1. I am standing in mute admiration, Dc! I WISH I could be as strong minded as that. I do have frequent forays into my sewing room only to get distracted by the 'but what if I want it later' thought that WILL pop into my mind just as I try and get rid of an item or two. The thing is, I HAVE been known to regret having given away or thrown out something which I wanted to make use of, and this stays in my head. But I MUST make another attempt on all my "Stuff". Well done you. 1000, items in one year? Wow that is scary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not saying I will do it but will give it a go and see where we are in 12 months!

      Delete
  2. It's just so strange where STUFF comes from. I swore not to do a car boot sale for at least another couple of years yet there is already a box of odds and ends in the spare room waiting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We like to visit but not take part in car boots, probably because it reminds us of craft fairs.

      Delete
  3. We're trying to de clutter at the moment. The loft, the garage and many kitchen cupboards. My husband is a hoarder of boxes too - just in case the item we bought has to go back! We've never done a boot sale but I can't bear the thought of selling on EBay, too much trouble. I give lots to charity shops but there is a lot that I'd like to sell. So the garage is now RE CLUTTERING with the stuff from the lift waiting in the wings for a boot sale which apparently does not restart until the Spring. I too hate the thought of precious and loved heirlooms and books etc just being dumped one day. My Daughter in law has offered to be the keeper of all my family history documents and findings, which after all these years of time consuming but fantastic research gives me great pleasure to know it will keep within the family.
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hard work isn't it? Some things need labelling so they don't end in the bin in future!

      Delete
  4. Well done you on sorting out your excess 'stuff'. I too am trying to gradually cut down on my 'stuff' and it is a lovely feeling when you have a declutter!
    In 2013 I cut the Christmas decorations from 6 large boxes down to 2 large plastic crates. In 2014 I have cut the two to one plastic crate! So much easier. I imagine my sons will probably ebay/dump most of my possessions when my husband and I are no longer here, so although it appears brutal, I do think it will be easier for them if the loft is not bursting with our stuff!!!
    I will follow your progress with interest x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We de clutter all the time but have decided on a big one for this year.

      Delete
  5. I too need to start decluttering but I'm more on the side of what Lynn said. If I get rid of it, sure as anything I'll need it later. I don't now what size of a town/city you live in, but I took a huge box of various odd coffee mugs that we had acquired over the years to the homeless shelter. They were so glad to get them. They also took a big bag of hotel soaps and shampoos that had been collected over time. Son #2 works for an airline and is always travelling and bringing home the soaps etc. from the hotels. They said they had a 'shower program' and were grateful for soaps etc and any old towels. I was happy to send what I had.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Our house is on the market and we have so much stuff to declutter. I must try harder!
    Twiggy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I feel like everyone is at it. We have also had a massive clear out of one of the big cupboards. where the heck does all the paper work come from?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I for one would like to know which bits of stuff are female and male so I can keep them separate she says with tongue in cheek!

      Delete
    2. Mugs drive me mad! Another two have appeared over Christmas. Bloomin things. I've sent a load to the cs already. Looks like another load will be going soon!

      Delete

I love hearing from you, will read all your comments and try and answer any questions you leave. Please leave comments in English. Don't forget to come back and read my reply! All comments are moderated so if you try to link it to a commercial web site, it will not be published.