As you get older, do you find yourself downsizing, decluttering.

[jujube]

I've tried the Japanese method of decluttering where you hold every item and look at it to see if it brings you joy. If it doesn't, you discard it.

So far this week, I've discarded all the vegetables in the refrigerator, my bra, the electric bill, the full-length mirror, the scale and the treadmill.

I feel much better.

 

[MickaC]

You’re all going to get tired of me posting on this thread.
I’m feeling a lot less stressed, now, that I’m at this stage of downsizing.
Maybe I stress unnecessarily…..when I started posting for selling…..I worried, will things sell…..what do I do if things don’t sell….that’s where the donations and giveaways take place. I wanted to do as much of this before winter…..not sure if people want to bother in winter time…..and I didn’t want to keep my shed doors cleared all winter, because the snow really piles up back there. I have enough shovelling to do without having to do that area.
I’m more settled and I’m sleeping better….so, that feels like a good thing.

 

[StarSong]

I've tried the Japanese method of decluttering where you hold every item and look at it to see if it brings you joy. If it doesn't, you discard it.

So far this week, I've discarded all the vegetables in the refrigerator, my bra, the electric bill, the full-length mirror, the scale and the treadmill.

I feel much better.

Kidding aside, I used that method when we remodeled the kitchen about 6 years ago. I looked at everything before putting it in my new kitchen. For instance, I kept less than half of my wooden spoons, spatulas, knives and other utensils.

I've also used that method with shoes and clothing, but it's definitely time to pare things down again.

 

[RadishRose]

Today finished up the sales of storage containers I listed on Monday……paid for and picked up.
Guess what…….the persons that did their pick up today, looked at the larger and big storage tubs I had finished cleaning yesterday, bought all 14, I had downstairs…..so I’ll have to make a trip to the shed and get the rest of them……these persons could be interested in more…….so once they’re cleaned, and let them know first before listing them.
Was a good week at the office and for my pocket..

Micka, May I ask,,,,why do you have so many storage containers? I've never heard of anyone having so many. Thanks

 

[MickaC]

Micka, May I ask,,,,why do you have so many storage containers? I've never heard of anyone having so many. Thanks

On the farm…..when we went out of pigs,,,,,so therefore we didn’t have any warm places for the outside cats, they had lived in the barns.
So, the mice moved to the house…….
Everything stored in the basement were put into storage containers…..all of my fabric, wool, yarns, craft supplies etc, had a collection of puzzles and other items.
Upstairs…..in the hallway closets with sheets and towels, put in containers……my sewing room, all things in containers.
Was pretty madning when I’d pull out towels and bedding and to find mouse shit all over all of it.
Would set up mouse traps every nite, and would trap some every nite, very seldom was there empty traps……we used peanut butter in the traps.
Wasn"t because we had a old house, wasn’t that old.
How’s that for a Micki Mouse and all his relatives story.

 

[FastTrax]

On the farm…..when we went out of pigs,,,,,so therefore we didn’t have any warm places for the outside cats, they had lived in the barns.
So, the mice moved to the house…….
Everything stored in the basement were put into storage containers…..all of my fabric, wool, yarns, craft supplies etc, had a collection of puzzles and other items.
Upstairs…..in the hallway closets with sheets and towels, put in containers……my sewing room, all things in containers.
Was pretty madning when I’d pull out towels and bedding and to find mouse shit all over all of it.
Would set up mouse traps every nite, and would trap some every nite, very seldom was there empty traps……we used peanut butter in the traps.
Wasn"t because we had a old house, wasn’t that old.
How’s that for a Micki Mouse and all his relatives story.

lol.

 

[MickaC]

lol.

I can almost joke about it now…..almost.

 

[FastTrax]

I can almost joke about it now…..almost.

I'm from the ghetto so believe you me I know your pain. TTFN.

 

[MickaC]

Well……I parked my butt on the stool today, and washed storage containers, still have 8 to do, got tired of bending over for today.
The persons that bought the 14 storage tubs from last week are buying the rest of these……so I won’t even have to list….
So, that’s called more downsizing.

 

[MickaC]

Will have to scout around and see what could go next……I think the toilets and bathtubs go with the house……better not sell those. .

 

[MickaC]

This selling stuff can take a lot of time, besides getting things ready for sale, and listing them…….
Then I get to listen to all the ding dings on my phone…..potential buyers…..you reply…..they reply…..you reply again to arrange pick up……then reply to other interested customers……stating items are sold…..I do reply to maybe more than necessary, because I don’t remove the listing till items are paid for and picked up……so……persons will say if others don’t pick up, to let them know and they will buy……so then I message persons with the end results.

MAN !!!!!! Now I’m tired just explaining the prodocal. Need a day off….or week off…...

 

[Aprilbday12]

I sold everything I owned in a "everything must go garage sale" when I decided to live on a boat for a few years. It was a weird experience in getting rid of it all. Some of it I didn't need. Well, in retrospect, I actually didn't need any of it, but it spite of the "scary/weird" it was a good feeling. Of course, I was looking forward to a new life adventure.

But eventually, us seafarers come back to the land, and in 10 years, I'm back where I left it before my garage sale. I've already got shelves and sheds filled with things I don't need. Some of it is a comfort, and some of it just takes up space.

I was going to ask if you filled back up again! Interesting! I am downsizing now and hope I refrain from getting too much.

 

[Aprilbday12]

Today finished up the sales of storage containers I listed on Monday……paid for and picked up.
Guess what…….the persons that did their pick up today, looked at the larger and big storage tubs I had finished cleaning yesterday, bought all 14, I had downstairs…..so I’ll have to make a trip to the shed and get the rest of them……these persons could be interested in more…….so once they’re cleaned, and let them know first before listing them.
Was a good week at the office and for my pocket..

I don’t understand the concept of long-term storage containers other than for military or health absence. If you have something you are not using - why keep it? But just because I don’t understand it, doesn’t make it wrong at all. I am learning.

 

[Aprilbday12]

This selling stuff can take a lot of time, besides getting things ready for sale, and listing them…….
Then I get to listen to all the ding dings on my phone…..potential buyers…..you reply…..they reply…..you reply again to arrange pick up……then reply to other interested customers……stating items are sold…..I do reply to maybe more than necessary, because I don’t remove the listing till items are paid for and picked up……so……persons will say if others don’t pick up, to let them know and they will buy……so then I message persons with the end results.

MAN !!!!!! Now I’m tired just explaining the prodocal. Need a day off….or week off…...

Made me laugh!!!

 

[Aprilbday12]

These containers I keeping for myself……they’re a perfect fit to slide under my bed, and my futon couches.
With my bed cover and couch covers you won’t even see that they’re there.
They will stack well in my small storage room in my future suite.View attachment 232805

They are quite nice.

 

[Aprilbday12]

I’m thinking here we’re lucky…..anything sold on selling / buying groups on Facebook, there is no fee or charges…..have never tried eBay or Craig’s list.
The only time I’ve let people in my house is for the big stuff, I ask them to wear masks and sanitize their hands, which no one has any objections to.
Smaller items are wrapped in plastic bags to pick up in front of my garage entry door.
Most of the time, I have left a storage container there, and have them leave the money in there, I don’t even see the persons.
People have been quite happy to do that.
I haven’t been taken yet.
I’m making my move in late 2023, I know I’m starting early with this selling stuff, but I can’t be doing this 2 months before my move…..it would drive me nuts.

How much downsizing are you doing? How small will your new living quarters be?

 

[Aprilbday12]

Over many years of traveling.We been collectors of different stuff for all the family.Have to start to get rid of stuff.Every time I intent to get started I come down with some aliment.I have fallen 9 times.Some with good injuries .

Ebay prices have come down a lot & now their fees are 21% for Canadian sellers since July 1st.They are collecting the taxes to remit to gov't. Lot of work to list & then pack to mall.

My neighour sold 40,000 of stuff on facebook marketplace when her husband died.It took her nearly 2 years to do it.

They is KIJIJI here but a lot of time people say they are coming & never show up.Similar to Craig's list in the US.

I am not that pleased to let someone in my home..Some expensive stuff we will keep.Could we become target for break in?

Lot of stuff that you bought long time ago.no one wants now.

Will start to get rid to stuff to donate to thrift store..Garage sales are a lot of work.,Maybe an avenue for unused kitchen stuff.etc.

Will have to start small & move on.

Smart to start small. I bet a lot of these things become more valuable as time goes by like the old canons people find at the bottom of the ocean. But it’s hard to keep a lot of things that are not useful to you other than memories, and hard to let go.

 

[Aprilbday12]

Doing that now. Getting rid of a few things I thought I HAD to have when I moved and never used, Plus going through clothes

I just went through clothes, and now need to do it again as the closet in my new place is tiny!

 

[officerripley]

On the farm…..when we went out of pigs,,,,,so therefore we didn’t have any warm places for the outside cats, they had lived in the barns.
So, the mice moved to the house…….
Everything stored in the basement were put into storage containers…..all of my fabric, wool, yarns, craft supplies etc, had a collection of puzzles and other items.
Upstairs…..in the hallway closets with sheets and towels, put in containers……my sewing room, all things in containers.
Was pretty madning when I’d pull out towels and bedding and to find mouse shit all over all of it.
Would set up mouse traps every nite, and would trap some every nite, very seldom was there empty traps……we used peanut butter in the traps.
Wasn"t because we had a old house, wasn’t that old.
How’s that for a Micki Mouse and all his relatives story.

We've got a lot of mice around here too; I have to keep my dish towels and dish cloths in great big zipper bags or the mice will get right in the drawers and poop all over, ugh. The towels and cloths are totally clean but I guess they try looking everywhere for food, they even got into a cupboard where I had Halloween decorations and chewed up the little hay bales I had (and of course pooped all over there too), sigh, don't like mice at all.

 

[MickaC]

How much downsizing are you doing? How small will your new living quarters be?

I am down to a little less than half of furniture.
I’m going down to about 500 sq. ft from just under 1100 sq. ft, plus I have a finished basement.
There is no furniture left downstairs except for a huge wood table that my X and I made many years ago….it will stay with the house, because it’s too heavy to move…..it’s 7ft x 3 and a half feet, top is solid wood and laid an arborite top on it……used for a cutting table…..sewing…..hobbies, etc.
Upstairs…..just have my dining table to go yet, it’s too big, when I find a small round pedistall one I’ll sell mine……possibly a coffee table and a 4ft x 20” storage ottoman may go yet, but not till latter…..that will take care of all the furniture.

 

[MickaC]

We've got a lot of mice around here too; I have to keep my dish towels and dish cloths in great big zipper bags or the mice will get right in the drawers and poop all over, ugh. The towels and cloths are totally clean but I guess they try looking everywhere for food, they even got into a cupboard where I had Halloween decorations and chewed up the little hay bales I had (and of course pooped all over there too), sigh, don't like mice at all.

Sad…..I know the feeling…..they can wreck anything they get into. So GROSS.

 

[MickaC]

I don’t understand the concept of long-term storage containers other than for military or health absence. If you have something you are not using - why keep it? But just because I don’t understand it, doesn’t make it wrong at all. I am learning.

Short answer for the reason for so many storage containers…….on the farm…..when we went out of pigs…..developed a mouse issue, our outside cats left because we no longer had warm barns for them…..so the mice moved to the house. Had to put so much in containers.

 

[Aprilbday12]

I am down to a little less than half of furniture.
I’m going down to about 500 sq. ft from just under 1100 sq. ft, plus I have a finished basement.
There is no furniture left downstairs except for a huge wood table that my X and I made many years ago….it will stay with the house, because it’s too heavy to move…..it’s 7ft x 3 and a half feet, top is solid wood and laid an arborite top on it……used for a cutting table…..sewing…..hobbies, etc.
Upstairs…..just have my dining table to go yet, it’s too big, when I find a small round pedistall one I’ll sell mine……possibly a coffee table and a 4ft x 20” storage ottoman may go yet, but not till latter…..that will take care of all the furniture.

That table sounds gorgeous!

 

[Aprilbday12]

the trouble is downsizing needs a lot of energy.. ..really it's a job for the young..., but if you can manage to do it or get help to do it, you will have a lot lifted from your shoulders..

I have an attic which is pretty packed with stuff, almost all of it boxed but the boxes are etremely heavy and my estranged o/h was the one who put everything up there ... It's impossible for me to bring them down, I never expected not to have my husband around to do it .. ..so I'm going to have to call in a loft clearance company, not to junk the stuff, but just to bring it all down for me to sort through and donate or sell... and then I'll keep the loft space empty except for luggage...

I love that you are doing that as one realizes you can’t take it with you and it’s selfish to leave such a huge burden on others when you can not take custody of it any longer. My mother left a lot of useless things that none of us had the interest or time to give away or sell. Was mostly things she just did not want to throw away. It’s not easy downsizing, but necessary as we age in my opinion. Good for you!

 

[Aprilbday12]

Short answer for the reason for so many storage containers…….on the farm…..when we went out of pigs…..developed a mouse issue, our outside cats left because we no longer had warm barns for them…..so the mice moved to the house. Had to put so much in containers.

The cats left?!!!! I’m sorry to chuckle. Precious babies! But they do need warmth. Sorry that happened.