[Joyeuux]

I'm a total pack rat and recently moved into a new apartment. I've begun to throw things out, but it gets so overwhelming. Has anyone had the same issue and was successful in simplifying their life by reducing clutter?

Thanks so much in advance!!!

[Maja]

I'm a recovered pack. lol I use to have tons of things I didn't want to throw out because they all had some sentimental value. But I did it and I survived
The truth is, these are just material things to which we give sentimental value. I read somewhere that every once in a while you need to make room for new things and that it is very important to get rid of the old. It had to do with life's flow of energy. And it is true. Life gets simpler and easier when you're living in a clutter-free environment, at least mine did.

Let's face it, if you haven't used something in the last 2 years, you probably never will

And this doesn't mean you have to get rid of EVERYTHING, think about what you need, what you'd like to keep and what you have absolutely no use for anymore. But be honest with yourself It's hard and heart-breaking at times, but it gets easier with time and you'll see - there will be some things you'll never miss.

Good luck!
I hope I helped a bit

[anne7]

Yep, I used to want to keep everything, but I've been really going through my stuff and throwing away useless stuff, and I have a box full of clothes I am going to sell to a consignment shop when I move. It really is overwhelming, and I usually only tackle one thing at once, like desk drawers, a bookshelf, closet, etc. If you start pulling things out of everywhere at once, you will be so overwhelmed with all of it. I just cleaned out my car, and I was surprised at how much junk I had in there, and I found a bunch of "lost" papers, pencils, etc.

[Pauline]

I know exactly how you feel. I have recently blizzed my and have thrown about 10 years or memories and uselss stuff out and i feel 100 x better.I swear i can actually breath easier too.Its a weight off the soul too.

[Marisol]

Here is my motto... when in doubt, throw it out!

[Becka]

Think about how much less stuff you will have to dust if you toss a lot of it out!!!!

[Liz]

it's hard for me cause i'm sentimental about stuff. lol. i guess just be organized with everything

[NYAngel98]

Oh boy --- TOTAL pack rat here. I have a closet about 18' long, and it is PACKED. I have stuff in all sizes, stuff I've worn a million times for years & things with the tags still on them. I buy stuff in 'classic' basic styles that never really get 'old'.. So I have a hard time getting rid of anything. If something doesn't fit - I still keep it for the day when it "Might". I have too much stuff & just not enough room for it all. I hate throwing things away - but I think I'm going to have to soon... I hear crap from everyone about how much stuff I have. I just hate throwing away perfectly good things.

[anne7]

You can donate your clothes, Janelle, or if they are still with tags (I know the feeling!) you can try to sell them to a consignment store. The only things I really "throw away" is junk that I wouldn't give to anyone anyways.

[NYAngel98]

Originally Posted by anne7

You can donate your clothes, Janelle, or if they are still with tags (I know the feeling!) you can try to sell them to a consignment store. The only things I really "throw away" is junk that I wouldn't give to anyone anyways.

Yeah, I have to go through it all one day. Its hard because a lot of the stuff I still like and would wear - but either I haven't had a place to wear it --- or it's just not something that I'd grab when I wake up in the morning and rush around to get ready for work (which has been a lot lately) lol I tend to grab the 'usuals' that I know I don't have to worry about matching at the last minute or the 'will it look ok' stuff. I know I should just plan it out at night -- but that never seems to happen! lol I also have my huge overload of hair and makeup stuff... lol

[bluebird26]

I totally understand you...I moved to a new and bigger place a month ago and we tossed tons of stuff. I felt kinda bad because we could have donated it to Goodwill or something but we were just too tired to do that stuff, all we wanted to do is get rid of it and not worry about it anymore.

[anne7]

I know what your saying, some things in my closet I rarely wear (except on laundry days when it seems everything is dirty!) because I have my 'favorites' that I just grab out of habit, and they are easy to wear and go with a lot of things. I have really been monitoring my shopping habits, like not buying dupes, anything that I don't have to wear with it (for everyday), or it's just on sale and the bargain shopper in me is telling me its worth it. I already weeded out my closet and got rid of about 30 things, but it's still full and I still don't wear all of it. But I still shop! lol

Oh, and I can never plan overnight, unless it's a special occasion where I have to have something picked out. For everyday though, I put it on, then decide it's not right, and go through about 3 oufits before picking one. Which wastes more time than I would just pick something on the fly.

[NYAngel98]

Originally Posted by anne7

I know what your saying, some things in my closet I rarely wear (except on laundry days when it seems everything is dirty!) because I have my 'favorites' that I just grab out of habit, and they are easy to wear and go with a lot of things. I have really been monitoring my shopping habits, like not buying dupes, anything that I don't have to wear with it (for everyday), or it's just on sale and the bargain shopper in me is telling me its worth it. I already weeded out my closet and got rid of about 30 things, but it's still full and I still don't wear all of it. But I still shop! lol

Oh, and I can never plan overnight, unless it's a special occasion where I have to have something picked out. For everyday though, I put it on, then decide it's not right, and go through about 3 oufits before picking one. Which wastes more time than I would just pick something on the fly.

my long lost twin! lol

[anne7]

See, I knew I wasn't the only one who was crazy like that! LOL

[ClassicGirl]

I have the same problem! In the year and a half that I've worked at the mall, I've ac***ulated so much stuff and I tend to buy stuff because it's a good deal or because I just have to have it. I don't really think about whether or not I'll really wear it, lol. I'm trying so hard to get rid of the stuff I know I'll never use but it's just so hard because I have stuff ... eveywhere. I don't really have much to offer except that I can understand your frustration.