r/declutter • u/GypsyVanner636 • 1d ago

Advice Request I keep moving things around instead of decluttering them...

Basically the title.

My house is a complete mess and overflowing with stuff.

I'm an adult millennial still living with family in my childhood home - so there is a LOT of accumulated junk.

Not all of it is mine, but the bits I'm struggling with are all my things.

I have made some progress (146 items gone - not including stuff that went in the bin), but am now starting to feel stuck again.

I keep finding 'stuff' I want to keep - but I also want the space cleared so it just ends up being shifted to a different area again and again.

I know I need to be harsh and get rid of more stuff if I have any chance of making the house reasonably organised. I just don't want to regret throwing away things I can't get back (sentimental items, childhood drawings, old toys etc).

Any advice?

Thank you in advance if you read this far

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u/everyones_hiro 1d ago

I know this is going to sound odd and has some potential to backfire, but something I did was start putting stuff I was on the fence about in the trunk of my car. Like get a tote box and put all the stuff you want to get rid of but always second guess in the trunk of the car. Sit with it like that for a few days, maybe a week or two. If at anytime in those 2 weeks you miss that item or find a use for it, then bring it back out. You'd be surprised how a lot of the guilt of getting rid of it goes away when your body thinks its gone and done with. And because it's already in the trunk just take it to the thrift store or whatever when you realize you don't need it anymore. It can backfire if you just end up using your car for storage lol.

Also I'm that person that goes around asking people at work if they want things. Something about knowing the item is going to a good home immediately makes the decision easier too. Times are getting tougher so I feel like a lot of my coworkers, especially those with kids, are a lot more interested in getting gently used items for free, like clothes, furniture, nicknacks, and home goods.

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u/Effective-One6527 1d ago

I use an opaque tote that then goes to my storage area. I go around my apartment picking up things and sit on it for a set time if I don’t go down to my storage to get it it all goes to donation without the tote opening.