I ask myself how much I'm likely to get if I sell the item versus how much hassle it will be. If it's less than $50, honestly, it's probably not worth it. So many "no shows," or shipping, or driving to meet people.

I feel you. My mum has 2 houses FULL of crap she doesnt intent to get rid of before she passes.

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Correct-Condition-99@reddit

It took me 3 tries to learn this pro tip: Hire a clean out company. Don't even look through the stuff. It's worth it.

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Screamingfist_1990@reddit

My Mom has tried to give me things like her China set. I’ve told her that I don’t have space to store it and don’t host those kinds of dinners.

When she passes, there won’t be much that I’ll take from her house given it’s 1000mi away.

I keep telling my mom this. I also got booted out of a Facebook group around cleaning. These older people were asking about what they should do with their things because their kids didn't want it. Some of the responses were "your kids are terrible people of they don't want your possessions." I had enough of it and said "No Karen, YOUR possessions aren't our problem. We don't want your crap so donate or toss! Don't leave it for us to have to purge and clean up when you kick the bucket!" I got booted after being honest.

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Horror-Background-79@reddit

They couldn’t take the truth. You are so right! I have my very own home with plenty of stuff I need to get rid of.

I go through this almost every week with my 80 year old mom! She is (thankfully) in constant ‘give it all away’ mode.

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ViQueen331965@reddit

Thank you. My mum was a hoarder too. Her room was trashed. I took off 5 months to mourn her and clean out her stuff. I did an amazing amount of grungy cleaning, painted, put in new carpeting, and made it my exercise/Zen room.

Believe me, your youngin appreciates your downsizing!

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Tiny_Reference_3697@reddit

And I appreciate you for sharing this. I have been missing throwing dinner parties, but your post was like a little message from Above that I am on the right track with my new Tiny House lifestyle. Have a great weekend!🤗

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hazeldazeI@reddit

r/swedishdeathcleaning

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Screamingfist_1990@reddit

I just cleaned out my dad’s house after he passed. He kept everything. Report cards from middle school. Every letter of appreciation or award he received over his 40 year career. Tons of letters and memos. Crates of Kodachrome slides. The house is being sold, and we were moving (as stated above), so a lot of it got scanned and thrown out.

Ok-Appointment-4333@reddit

Leaning towards this. Still renting a unit now, but the business has a new owner and prices are increasing a bit much for my budget. Would love to do a purge of stuff in the unit and at home (if I can commit to it like I should; sometimes it's overwhelming tbh), but also buy a used shipping container to keep in my yard, for tools,yard equipment etc

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mynewusername10@reddit

My husband and I argue over this. I would rather have sheds than a storage payment while he doesn't see any issue with the payment.

We had one years ago and everything about it was a hassle. You can't just grab something real quick, even the locked down-no public access ones get robbed, if a person next to you happens to be there you may not be able to do what you need to because they're in the way, you fall on hard times, you better get your stuff out asap or its not yours anymore, and I'm cheap, $60 a month for a sliver of space is nuts to me.

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Complete_Bear_368@reddit

Idk when last time you looked at storage unit prices was but it’s way more now!

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mynewusername10@reddit

We started using one in like 1999. It was tiny and $35 to start and in the $60's five years later when we were done with it. Maybe getting current prices will dissuade him.

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Horror-Background-79@reddit

$60? Do you rent from your condo complex? Those buildings we all drive by with hundreds of spaces charge a lot more and once you get all your stuff comfortably moved in, the rates go up every 6 months. You pay hundreds in no time.

Thank you. I really needed this motivation. Turned 50 and realized there's stuff I have not even looked at in years. And this stuff moved with me a few times also. That "I'm going to tackle this on a day off" never happens, due to work demands or just wanting to unwind on my days off.

I have done this several times: when my grandmother-in-law, father, and oldest brother died. It actually helped us process our grief by coming together to do this. My adult children asked me to do it this way, after my mother went through a massive decluttering, getting rid of many irreplacable things my father made, old family records and photos, as well things that she knew meant a lot to me or my kids. It was vindictive. My kids want me to live my life and enjoy the ability to have and use the things I have accumulated. We have a system to process If they change their mind, I'll make adjustments.

About 10 years ago, I went through my own clothing… and got rid of more than I knew I’d accumulated!

We got rid of our storage place a few years ago and that felt so good!

After emptying 3 houses of old people I helped look after I have decided that there will be

a small table of stuff that's important to me for my kid

asmall table of stuff that was important to somebody else in my family. my kid can make decisions on its importantance

and the rest is crap to throw out before it's my kids issue.

Over the last 7 years my wife and I have been moving around to finalise the "retirement home" and downsizing at the same time and getting rid of the junk that my wife and I have accumulated over the years. So between the two of us we had originally filled 1 and a half shipping containers with "stuff" and to be honest I didn't release how cathartic it would be in downsizing.

I wish. I'm married to a man who doesn't want to ever get rid of anything. Skates he'll never use. Aquarium stuff, we don't have one. Books, books and more books. Albums, tapes, cd's and old tubes for equipment that doesn't exist except in some other hoarder homes. I could write for days. There are 2 of us, no kids - just one brother in the US and some cousins. I do NOT want to be the one who has to clear this 3 story home w/2.5 car filled garage out - along with a man cave and a shop.

I'm begging the Lord to take me before him - been through it with my parents home - I'm not doing it again!!!

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ReeCardy@reddit

We periodically paint a room, when we do we go through the things stored in the there before we put it back together. Anything we aren't using anymore we let go. If it's usable we donate it, if not we dispose of it. It would be easy to just keep it all since it is just the two of us living in a big four bedroom house with a full walk-up attic and basement.

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allmykitlets@reddit

A full walk-up attic AND a basement? You're living the dream!

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ReeCardy@reddit

Everyone asks if they can store stuff here because they know we have space. Only one of our five kids has completely taken all their stuff from the attic. The two oldest just have one or two totes of what they saved from their childhood and teen years. They have purged the rest. The third isn't a saver and purged it all. The two babies both have a lot of hobbies and not much space. They both live within thirty minutes of "home" so they stop over when they need things.

Our house is really old and strange. The garage was a combination house and barn originally. When the house we're living in was built they turned the barn/ house into a garage. The living quarters are still upstairs but it never had running water. We keep outdoor holiday decorations up there. Attached to the garage are two good sized garden sheds.

The whole upstairs has one closet for four bedrooms. The joy of a 100 year old house.

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allmykitlets@reddit

The older the house, the more numerous the quirks, to be sure. By comparison, our house is young. It was built in 1978, a kitchen to die for, yet a pantry so small it would struggle to be a coat closet. Our last home was also built in '78. It had a nice walk-in pantry and a kitchen so small it seemed like an afterthought.

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Cdn65@reddit

Last month I threw out four garbage bags of cassette tapes (even the thrift stores don't want them any more), a pile of old computer cords, and gave away the two milk crates full of LPs to a neighbour, who is 35 and collects LPs. It was VERY therapeutic.

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TinaLoco@reddit

Nope. I want my things, although I’m not hoarder level. I’ve told my kids to take what they want and then call an auctioneer. Auctioneers can come into the home, assess things, and hold an on-site auction.

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hattenwheeza@reddit

Exactly. We are using an online auction house to purge down later this year. I've been to lots of estate sales - there in fact ARE people who want and can use my stuff. I don't even want to make any $ off the sale - I just want the person who is looking for a pair of matching mid-century lamps or hand embroidered 1940s pillowcases to be able to find them, which auction accomplishes.

Here to speak up for the amazing-ness of my local freecycle events. We did 4 last year, each time a whole longbed pickup truck worth was claimed. Stuff thst coulfnt be donated in my area. Freecycle keeps it out of landfill, provides to artists and teachers and folks who resell for a living (which i dont want to do.) One meets the nicest folks, also.

We sold our house, moved to a rental, then to the new place. We had THREE storage units and the spare bedroom in the rental full.

This was AFTER we purged a quarter century of accumulated junk. We thought we needed what we stored, aside from some furniture we knew we were selling.

We moved in, realized we hadn’t seen this stuff for almost a year, and about 75% of it we hadn’t missed. Most of it we couldn’t even list!

We’re down to one unit now, and it’s nearly empty after several trips to goodwill. I gave up on yard sales a long time ago.

If it weren’t for a family emergency and an unfortunate round of flu, it’d be done already. Before summer it’ll be gone.

I’m so excited! My house already feels more empty, and we’ve got more stuff to purge.

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Omg same about the CDs and we got rid of loads of DVDs too. We used to go to Blockbuster and buy loads of the cheap ones, now I wish we still had a bunch of them.

I love skin care products and clothes too, I'm just trying to be good and save a bit more money these days, but the temptation to buy stuff still pulls me in occasionally 😂

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faerie99@reddit

I moved several times in the last few years and that forced me to get rid of stuff every time. It's hard to let go of things especially if they have sentimental value but you just can't lug them to your next residence.

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Safe-Savings-6612@reddit

I’m combining households with my fiancé in July into a house with one tiny closet and absolutely no storage. Which means literally 90% of my shit has to go. I treasure the art, rugs, cooking tools, a couple antiques, and lamps. Those will integrate into my boo’s house. The rest? Gotta go!! Like Swedish death cleaning on steroids. Can’t wait until it’s done!

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Due-Consequence6321@reddit

My parents were Depression Baby pack-rats (I am an oldest Gen X'er who had older parents than most). A pack-rat is different from a hoarder, IMO. Most of the stuff was in good shape, and they never bought new stuff but just kept inheriting until their fairly big house with the big basement was chocked full. Probably as a result, I cannot stand clutter and crowded rooms. Still, even with multiple moves over the years that purged stuff, we found ourselves with too much stuff and are doing a huge purge now. It feels great! Next, we simplify and purge the house itself for a smaller one, since it is now just the two of us.

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StunGod@reddit

I started this years ago, since I've moved a lot. Except for seasonal things like winter clothes or holiday decorations or things like tools that are useful when I need them and expensive to replace, nothing lasts longer than 6 months with me. If I haven't touched it in 6 months, it's gone. I don't need books from the 80s, old table lamps that don't have a place in my house, or an old 440BX motherboard.

I recently came to this realization as well. Downsizing so we can save for a future house, and I HATE packing lol. At some point, between my wife asking "when was the last time you used that?" and preparing yet another box, I was done. Lol.

At first it was soooo hard. The big issue for me was growing up where my mother had to stretch every dollar, so anything we spent money on was viewed as important. But after deciding I can donate the things I felt were not trash-worthy - OMG. The pile just kept getting bigger and bigger.

And the best part? After we moved and started unpacking, since we moved to a smaller place, I started realizing what I truly needed and actually had space for and started another pile lol.

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paperkitten75@reddit

What do you do with handmade items given as gifts? My late grandmother was a knitter and I received several items from her over the years. I also have more than a dozen hats, scarves, and blankets from my late step-mother who was also a prolific knitter. I don't use them, but it feels wrong to get rid of them or even donate them. I've seen stacks and piles of donated, unwanted, hand knit or crocheted items at flea markets.

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ThreePinesRetiree@reddit

If you don't want to try to sell them online, which is a lot of work with the posting and mailing, etc. Donating them is a lovely thing to do. With each thing someone else will use it to keep them warm or make the top of their bed look nice and homey. I think it's okay to let them go and let them be a part of someone else's life.

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paperkitten75@reddit

I like that. Pass them on and let them become part of someone else's story. ♥️🙏

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dragonbait-and-the-P@reddit

That would be really hard for me. I’ve always wanted to learn and do admire. Maybe you could gift them to other family member, your extended family or newer members like children. Or maybe donate to a new mother’s group.

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paperkitten75@reddit

Those are really good suggestions! Some of the pieces are really nice and obviously took a long time to make. Others were probably knocked out in less than an hour.

CntBlah@reddit

I just got rid of many old trophies. No one cares that I won the little league championship in ‘79,’80 and ‘81.

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eatitwithaspoon@reddit

hope treatment goes smoothly. 💜

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McSmackthe1st@reddit

I know. My mom had to go through all the stuff her and my dad had amassed during their lives after he passed as she was preparing to move. Their whole life in a small storage unit. That hit home for me and I have nothing.

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Select-Regret-9840@reddit

My wife and I have talked a lot about this over the last 10 years or so. Both of my wife's parents and my dad passed over that time and dealing with their stuff was pretty overwhelming. We discussed many times that we needed to purge our crap. Not only the broken stuff or the old junk of no value. Also really needed to go through the things that really have no value to anyone but ourselves.

Whelp, in July of last year our house burned to the ground. Like almost nothing was salvageable. It was, and still is, heart breaking. 28 years of marriage. 3 grown kids. Virtually everything gone.

But you know what? It's been an awesome "reset button". I know that statistically there is no way we will accumulate the same level of stuff we had and that's fantastic. We moved in to a long term air bmb right after the fire with 4 Walmart sacks of new clothes to our name. We'll move into our rebuild later this year. There will be furniture and clothes. Some new tools, etc. But no crap.

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Traditional_Fan_2655@reddit

For me, it was the cutesy couple statues I haven't even looked at except to dust.

My father has like 8 speakers from the 80s and 90s. Speaker stands. Etc. And he says he spent a lot of money on that stuff. Um, ok. 30 years ago. He will never use them again. Makes me crazy.

When his father died in the 90s, he saved his telephone and bathroom rugs. My grandfather was everything to me but bathroom rugs??? And no, none of the stuff is cool or anything. My grandfather had a lovely antique mirror. I asked where did that go. My father didn't have enough room in the car filled with crap so he gave the mirror to the building security guard. Thanks for the rugs!

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AngstyAF5020@reddit

So my mom and sisters are low level hoarders. Like class 1. Just a lot of clutter. And most of the time my mom's kitchen counters are covered in random stuff. Been like this for as long as I can remember. I think because of this, I am a little extreme in the opposite direction. My husband always jokes that if we haven't used it for 23 minutes, I get rid of it. 😆 We keep very little on our counters, and there is no clutter in general. Like you won't find a shoe that's not in its proper place. I don't know if it's a healthier mental state, but when I die, people will only have to worry about weird shit I have stashed for their future laughs. 🤣

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runerx@reddit

Cleaning out your parents house will get you motivated for sure... Some of tge nostalgia was nice, but, I'd like that time back.

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piercesdesigns@reddit

My mom was a hoarder. 4 floors. 450 pairs of shoes, 500 brand new camisoles and shape wear. Thousands upon thousands of designer outfits. Most still with tags.

An entire basement that could have equipped 5 households with new appliances and pots and pans and dishes. 10 hairdryers and 14 curling irons? All brand new.

And 27k in credit card debt. Yay.

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ephur@reddit

Isn’t this why estate sales exist? Because all that doesn’t have to be your burden.

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piercesdesigns@reddit

My dad didn’t want the town to know. So we loaded it all in a uhaul and drove it 600 miles to my house to sell it

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runerx@reddit

Same boat 1700 SQ FT house 600 of it accessible The rest stacked 5ft, head height for her, with unopened QVC. Dad Had a complete car minus the body and tons if ither crap in the basement.

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OldDude1391@reddit

My in-laws recently moved into an “old folks” apartment. Their house was literally falling down and FIL is a hoarder. I refuse to go with my wife to the house with her dad. Half the stuff just needs to go in the dumpster. The remainder, a portion could be donated and a small bit kept. The man has a bucket of golf balls, he never golfed once in his life!

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Individual-Trick3310@reddit

The man has a bucket of golf balls, he never golfed once in his life!

My mother died in January. My brother and I have had a hard time getting around to cleaning out her old stuff, but a week ago we finally cleared off 1 shelf in the kitchen of stuff we weren't going to use. We filled 3 trash bags. It felt so relieving when it was done, and now we can actually clear the kitchen table.

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MinusGovernment@reddit

gif

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Sithscorch15@reddit

😆

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James_T_S@reddit

Another thing to do is to finish projects. I have so much crap in my house that I am "going to use"

A couple pallets of pavers that I got free and am going to install on my front porch. Bags of insulation left over from another project I am going to blow in my attic. Wood working projects. Etc.

I have gotten my ass in gear and actually started working on those projects. Im slowly reclaiming my garage. Sold a fridge, a bike, a grill and a garage door opener. Donated 2 more bikes. Used up the pavers and I'm slowly re-landscaping my front yard.

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Captain-Pig-Card@reddit

Momentum is a powerful thing. Congratulations on getting things moving.

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James_T_S@reddit

It really is and thank you. One of the challenges is NOT starting new projects. Like I want to make my laundry room bigger by moving a wall. I am using it as a carrot. Can't start that until the front and back yards are done. And my closet too 🤣

BRAVO!! We just did this, because we moved overseas. We are bringing only what will fit in our new place. Got rid of about a third of our stuff, stored half the rest in a container i own and shipped the rest to our place here.

Really, much of what's in that container i don't need, but didn't have time to sort it all before we had to leave. Heirloom furniture for formal dining and living room, workbenches, lots of tools that are only usable on USA current... Probably won't use any of that again unless we move back into our old house.

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Lucky_Astronomer_435@reddit

Questions about overseas shipping in a container. Did you pack it yourself? Did you own a container? Did you hire an overseas shipper? I’m getting one estimate now for shipping what we want to take with us. But looking for other people’s experience since we have none. I really appreciate it. We are moving to Asia.

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Cytwytever@reddit

I moved from CO to the UK. Hopefully you're not in the middle of the continent and pricing will be better for you.

I used to work in logistics, so I did pack all the boxes and blanket wrap the furniture myself, and then I had a crew of 4 experienced men load the containers for me. You can hire it done from start to finish, but I'm picky, had the time and experience, and wanted to save a few thousand bucks.

I shipped a 20' container packed 80% full to the UK with all the furnishings for my home, and my wife's art studio and finished pieces. That container is not mine, I just paid for transportation and insurance against total loss, and the total bill was $12-13k. I used SDC International. You should get a few quotes. Make sure the freight company is certified to handle household goods. My first quote was from a forwarder I'd used before, much cheaper (yay!) but they are not certified for household goods ocean shipping (boo!), so they couldn't to it after all.

Some people will tell you you shouldn't bother shipping anything, "just buy replacements where you go", and maybe that works for some people, but we have heirlooms that we like living with, and it would cost a LOT more to replace those things in the UK than we paid to ship. Depending on where you go in Asia, what you're replacing, and how patient you are, you might just want to buy stuff, new or used. That's up to you.

If you're shipping 500# or less, you can move that as extra baggage.

If you're shipping 1,000-5,000#, you can move that air freight or LCL (Less Than Container) ocean freight, if you don't mind the expense. LCL could take a while because they have to consolidate your shipment with others before it moves. Air frieght is fast, but more expensive, but I don't know rates anymore as it's been 20+ years since I was in the business. In either of these cases, though, you can't blanket wrap anything, it has to be boxed or crated (crates if there's any glass, marble, or too heavy for a box.) Crating can be hundreds per crate.

The other container I bought for $3k. When I'm done with it I'll sell it for about $3k. Free storage for as many years as I need, since I fortunately don't have to rent the dirt it's sitting on.

My garage is 50% junk and 50% my woodworking stuff and tools. Well, there’s also seasonal decorations, lawn equipment, etc., so the percentages aren’t quite right lol.

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Heavy_Spite2105@reddit

I purged "my" spaces in my house on a regular basis but my hubby is kind of a hoarder and I can't go and purge his stuff he collects. I am waiting for him to be ready but we're running out of room.

Lots of it is sentimental, at least to us. But it’s sinking in that it will mostly mean nothing at all to our kids’ generation. And they won’t have space to store it anyway. I’ve managed to be at peace with the idea of “winding down” without feeling despondent or morbid. It’s just another part of the cycle that includes our ancestors, the vast majority of whom we know nothing and whose personal effects are lost to time. Just as we will be.

But that’s not a grim thing. It’s a reminder to be present with our loved ones and cast off all the objects you’d like to spare them paying to cart off one day.

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ephur@reddit

Yeah their collections were truly useful, now things lose their usefulness so quick, and most people can’t really do anything with old dead circuit boards. Can’t burn ‘em if you’re cold

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SuccessfulList4731@reddit

This was me growing up. Mom and dad went through the depression. They saved everything. String, rubber bands. I was cleaning out the garage and found two large green gas cans. I asked Dad what are these for? Smiling, he replied, "Gas rationing during the war." Going through moms China hutch came upon a little book. Asked Mom, what it was for. She replied, "It was a rationing book for meat during the war."

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PaperbackBuddha@reddit

I’ve noticed a definite shift from “save it, fix it, keep it just in case” to “just get another one” and it’s compounded by the modern product cycle that’s faster, cheaper, and less focused on durability.

My storage is multiple hobbies and crafts that belong to my Nana. I have 2 bins of fabric, a bin of yarn (I've gifted boxes of yarn to people), a bin of mostly completed projects and a bin of completed knitting.. I wanted to try to finish her incomplete projects and gift them to family members but they have been total asshats that don't deserve that much energy.

Let's not forget about the 3 boxes of fancy colored glassware.

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RedBaron180@reddit

I have zero attachment to “things”. My plan, sell everything at 62, move overseas.

This is also good for when your family (or whomever) has to deal with your shit after you die.

I'm a millennial but have had to deal with my mother's shit, my grandfather's shit, and eventually my dad's shit. All of them don't/didn't toss old papers, didn't organize anything, just kept stuff just to keep things. Going through my papa's house was like going back in time and everything was covered in dust. When we all went through his things, we had no idea what half of it was, if it was important to him, or important for us to keep. Took a whole team of us to clean out the house and took two days. He was on hospice and had been going south for so long that he knew this was coming and never chose to unburden anyone else.

My mom had so much stuff, but like why keep insurance docs if we don't have insurance? She also was stage four cancer and made no plans. Did not get her affairs in order, or anything.

Our neighbor across the street is also older and lost her husband recently, also not sudden as he had been diabetic and going downhill for as long as we have lived here, but they never cleaned out their garage that is overflowing with just stuff. He just left her with it all.

My kids hopefully will not have to do this. My husband and I have created a master file with all of our info, our log ins, what they're for, who our own health insurances are through, our live insurance, who to call if something happens to us, what not to pay, what to keep, etc that we update periodically.

I thought about stripping the wires for copper scrap or selling pieces on eBay, but I realized those were just more excuses for keeping this crap another decade.

So I put the bins on the curb and now I’m free!

Gen X here. We literally grew up watching our parents cling to wicker furniture, shag carpet, and whatever weird collectibles and Tupperware they swore would be worth something someday. I spent the 80s and 90s idolizing clean, minimal spaces from movies and shows with actual breathing room. Now many of us are stuck dealing with houses full of useless stuff and aging parents who never want to let anything go.

When my parents moved into assisted living last year, they had to pay someone to sell most of their valued furnishings at an estate sale. My parents weren’t hoarders; all of their items were in perfect condition with the original boxes intact. That reinforced my idea that keeping stuff you don’t use is not worth it.

I don’t need 12 place settings for a dinner party I’m never hosting. I live alone. Two plates, two cups, done. If I need more, I’ll survive or go out. At some point it’s not sentimental, it’s just storage with guilt attached.

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ThreePinesRetiree@reddit

"Storage with guilt attached" ---- oh my God you just put into words what I've been dealing with for over 30 years. Brilliant. Thank you. I love it.

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DresserPeens@reddit

I could have written this too.

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DocCEN007@reddit

If you are paying for storage, you absolutely need to purge!

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Dogzillas_Mom@reddit

True story: my dad married a dumb Mormon woman who likes to do arts and craps. They were visiting me in N FL one time and I took the out to a National Forest to look around, maybe find a trail and tramp around a bit.

Welp. We have these longleaf pines here that make enormous pine cones. Like 6-8”.

My stepmom sees all these pine cones and starts rummaging around in the trunk. She comes up with two plastic grocery bags, had some each to my dad and me, and then ordered us to go collect pine cones for a project. Sigh. Off we go, braving black bears, wild boar, and bobcats (oh my), picking up the biggest, whole-est, best looking pinecones.

She has hearing loss, so when we had gotten a safe distance away, I muttered to my dad that we both knew good and damn well that there would be no project and he’d be moving these pines cones around do the rest of his life.

Friends. That was like 20 years ago. They’ve moved house 2 or 3 times since then. Pretty sure they still have them. I will be the one to toss them in the trash after she finally dies.

Don’t leave pinecone projects behind either, please. After my mom died, I’ve been slowly going room to room, cleaning out a cupboard here, a drawer there. I really need to get to my junk room. But yeah. Start purging now. It could take a minute.

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ThreePinesRetiree@reddit

Arts and craps-- love it.

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4onceIdlikto@reddit

standing to face everyone "HI , my name is ---- and I'm a hoarder!" I've recently become the Grand Dragon Hoarder. My 30+years of hoarding on my 3.3 acre spread is creating a creeping monster. Somebody please call for help! PS Safety toe shoes, Hard hat & Safety glasses required.

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ThreePinesRetiree@reddit

😂

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coopnjaxdad@reddit

I watched my Mom struggle with my Grandparents shit when I was a kid and then at some point learned about Swedish death cleaning. I have steered my object obsessed mother on her 70s to clean out and the only things I am leaving my sons are things I 100% know will be useful to them. Tools, stereo equipment, boat and cars. Every other things goes away before I do.

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Sasselhoff@reddit

Swedish death cleaning.

That's a smart idea...but honestly, a bit too morbid for me. You're basically planning to die soon. Maybe I'll feel better when I get to that stage myself, but I really hope my aging father lives another 10 years (statistically unlikely, but I can hope) and I'd don't think I could bring myself to ask him to start getting rid of stuff so I don't have to deal with it when he dies.

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coopnjaxdad@reddit

The name is a bit dark but the principle is giving and freeing for you and your children.

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Sasselhoff@reddit

No, I 100% hear you, and think it's a great idea. I just really struggle with such conversations (I'm a wimp...the will and power of attorney stuff was tough enough, much less, "get rid of your stuff for me").

To a certain extent he's doing that already with my mom's stuff, as she almost was a hoarder, but unfortunately has pretty advanced Alzheimer's now and can't use 99% of her stuff (he was working on shoes the other day, and she had 87 pairs just in her closet, not including the garage shoe rack...granted, all were probably bought for 10 cents on the dollar, but still).

I’ve been purging on and off for last year. Inside the house first. I have a storage building I’ve got to go through. Lots of old clothes kitchen stuff old paperwork etc. hope to clean it out next month. Letting the kids get what they need/want some nieces nephews renting apartments to go to college. I’m going to have a huge yard sale after.

NotGodsFavPet@reddit

Well, it IS harder to find shit in a larger place. Ya know, logic and all. Also, ever heard of rental properties? Lol. Gonna guess young, dumb male?? Am I right? Lol Oh, and in case you haven't guessed it- NOT a dude. Just a very smart, cool chick 😉

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loopofthehenley@reddit

Why do people have to be haters! Gosh! You should be able to share without judgement!

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obsolete html and coding books from ‘98-‘04

Are you me? lol

Surely this Photoshop 5 Wow book is still useful somehow! And this Actionscript 3 book, I used it so much in the past, maybe I’ll need it in the future.

Because I still have my Power Mac 8600 and a G5 too lol. And the adapters, so many adapters. Gotta have those.

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l0st1nP4r4d1ce@reddit

I will never pitch the Apple //e. with TWO half height floppy drives!

Ya know, for reasons... yar.

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arthurdawg@reddit

Vintage computers are worth it! In any case… if it works you can sell it easily too.

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l0st1nP4r4d1ce@reddit

It works. But I wouldn't trust the power supply without a good check out. Still have the 5.25" floppies with some games too.

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RoninRobot@reddit (OP)

You know how easy it was to look at those and pitch them in the garbage? “I haven’t cracked these open in 25 years and haven’t made money that way in 15.” —>garbage can

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Curious_41427@reddit

When my Grandmother passed, my Dad and Aunt cleared out her little cottage in CA. There were “some things” that they didn’t want/need that they thought my sister and I might want. Since we lived several states away and I worked in logistics I said that I could get it packed up and shipped to my home.

It was THIRTEEN PALLETS worth of…stuff. Stuff for us to sort through. To make the decision to keep or toss. To set aside for our brother (in college at the time in another state).

So much of it just went into my attic to be stored because the grief at the time wouldn’t allow us to toss some of those items (old pictures from before we were born, Momentos from military service from family members during WW II, Korea, Vietnam) and the list just goes on.

15 years later, I was downsizing and selling my home and had to make those hard decisions on my own. That time, I was newly divorced and had an entirely different mindset and frankly things just had to go.

Siblings didn’t want the old pictures? Someone on FB Marketplace purchased them.

The local VFW took the war Momentos and documents to take care of getting them to museums or archives as needed.

And the rest of the stuff? It honestly went to the curb. And I questioned why I kept it and promised that I wouldn’t keep this “stuff” for my kids to go through when I pass.

My daughter is the dragon in our family. Never met something shine she hasn’t kept.

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KBAR1942@reddit

The local VFW took the war Momentos and documents to take care of getting them to museums or archives as needed.

Why didn't you want these?

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Curious_41427@reddit

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KBAR1942@reddit

I work as a contractor and I am often inside the homes of elderly people. I see the fine China they have and more often then not I am told that none of their children want it. One lady even asked if I wanted it.

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Cool_Wealth969@reddit

I might be a dragon...

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Mental-Ask8077@reddit

Same.

The bibliophile kind at least…

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KBAR1942@reddit

My wife made me donate about six bags full of books that I was going to read someday.

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AutomaticFennel1658@reddit

Name checks out

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Italiano26@reddit

Can anyone suggest what to do with family photos? Mine are all organized in photo albums but I have 4 storage bins and when I am gone no one will want them .

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reddof@reddit

Digitize them. Either take a picture of the pictures, or better yet, buy a scanner.

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doctorlongghost@reddit

Check your township website. A lot of them will do spring cleanup events where they’ll take excess trash bags (for those with a limited number in the first place). Mine is next week.

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Simon-Says69@reddit

I like the 6 month rule. If you haven't used in in the last 6 months, and likely won't in the next 6, out it goes!

Oatybar@reddit

After having to go through all the stuff that my parents left behind, I’m determined to not put my kids through that.

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Silver_Basis_8145@reddit

I am constantly purging and love it! Once my son finishes college and moves out I will be doing a deep purge. I love him to death but good lord, he is a collector of things and have of my storage containers tubs filled with the “Pop” figures he collected when he was younger. I explained that those will be like the 1000 beanie babies his grandmother had when she passed that are worth nothing now. His album and baseball card collection, that can stay. lol

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oneprivatenumber@reddit

Are they Funkos? Some of them might actually be worth something. Sell some before they get to grandma beenie stage lol

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Apprehensive_Shame77@reddit

I am a Dragon! So not purging my book collection.

Honestly I try every spring and fall to go through clothes, and other stuff to purge.

I chase that wisp of memory with items from my childhood. I really enjoy happening upon a toy or trinket I remember in a second hand shop, the brief jolt of remembrance, it’s like a soothing balm.

My mom, who now suffers from Alzheimer’s, has been hoarding family photos for decades and keeping them from her siblings (she’s weird and I don’t know why she did it). I realized as I started going through a bunch that I have no idea who they are, nothing written on them…after my aunts and uncles pass they’ll just be thrown away and it makes me sad.

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wanderingdev@reddit

my mom used to work estate sales for my aunt's business and she said that the end they'd always be throwing away hundreds of old photos that the family didn't want.

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Dry-Ranch1@reddit

Same with me. I found a large box among my mom's things, filled with black/white photos of people I don't know. I come from a relatively small family and obviously, the images are of distant family from long ago but, as mom is gone now, there is no one to ask.

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Initial_Run1632@reddit

I love this. Not least because it's so powerfully gen-x.

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Curious_Field7953@reddit

Why on earth would you expect that a memento of your life would be important to someone else?

sheshops12@reddit

Can confirm. We moved (after 22 years in a smallish cape) when my younger son left for college. If you had asked me before we started packing, I would have told you I was a minimalist. Well. 3 garage sales, 3 significant donation collections, and MANY Friday trash day curb piles said otherwise. I was disgusted with myself and my family for the mindless consumption. I agree with OP. This “death cleaning,” as the Swedish call it, is good for the soul.

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Mr_Stike@reddit

I'm at the tail end of emptying my late father's house and agree with the OP. I recently came across tax returns from 1969! Just the amount of shit that was moved through three different houses that was never used. I really don't want my kids to have to deal with this after I'm gone.

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oneknocka@reddit

This post is so condescending. You don’t knooow me!

I have been secretly throwing stuff out a little at a time without partner's knowledge or consent. I know I shouldn't, but I can't live like this. It's not good for my mental health, it's not good for our kid's actual health (dust mite allergy; it's hard to keep dust down with all the clutter), and it's not easy to keep clean or organized when I'm the only one doing the cleaning and yard maintenance.

My mom came over for a 2 week visit after Covid restrictions were lifted. We spent most of that time decluttering and donating to 2nd hand stores or taking trips to the dump to get rid of the trash.

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I'm not sure what you mean?

What about my partner's mental health with regard to getting rid of junk they don't realize is gone?

Or

What about my partner's mental health that leads them to hoarding and filling up every nook and cranny in the house with things we'll never use again?

Or something else entirely?

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Exsp24@reddit

The first one.....what if for some reason they are attached to the junk? Some people use material items to cope with trauma from their past. I'm not saying it doesn't need to be thrown away, I'm just saying that maybe you should talk to them about it.

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TheGreatLabMonkey@reddit

Why do you assume I haven't already had this discussion with them? I have talked to them. Repeatedly. Starting since about half a year after I moved here. They do not want to throw anything out because, "I might use it one day". We're talking about a hayloft full of old computer components that my partner hasn't even thought about in the almost 15 years I've lived here, much less touched. It's all been in boxes and never used, catalogued, or organized. We're also talking about all the stuff my partner's ex still has stored here - old college textbooks, an old tanning bed in pieces, old clothes and shoes including wedding finery. Ex will not come to retrieve their things, and my partner will not throw them out. Then there's all the extraneous furniture up there as well - IKEA bookcases, old bedroom furniture, various tables in various stages of disassembly, old exercise equipment no one uses or has used in 10+ years.

We have tools that go missing because they get lost in the junk, which means we buy new tools all the time to replace what's been lost. I've been trying to implement the simple procedure of putting things away/in the same spot after being used so we know where things are. It has not happened. Any type of system I talk with them about it dismissed.

I would like to have some room to myself in this giant house. I do not have that. Yet my partner has an office and hobby room stuffed to the brim with trash (literally bags of plastic trash that my partner will not throw away, boxes filled with other papers and empty boxes that they will not put in the recycling bin right outside the door, bins of construction trash that they will not bring to the dump or throw in the trash can in the kitchen or in the bin right outside the front door), a workshop in the hayloft they don't use any more because - surprise surprise - it's stuffed full with things we do not use or even look at that my partner refuses to get rid of and refuses to let me get rid of it because, "I might use it one day".

This is a losing battle and I have had to figure out how to win small skirmishes from time to time in order to continue living with my partner and our kid.

I keep the common areas clean and free of clutter as much as I can. I stopped taking care of my partner's spaces because I can't. I work, I parent, I clean the house every week, I take care of the dogs, and I take care of the yard on my own because my partner has asthma and hay fever; they cannot dust or mow or vacuum because of that. And since our kid was diagnosed with a severe dust mite allergy, I have also taken on the intense routine of bi-weekly decontamination of their bedroom, sheet washing, and making sure everything is stored in plastic bins to cut down on the dust mites.

I am exhausted and just trying to make things easier on us all, as well as manageable for our kid to be able to exist without being sick all the time.

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Puzzled_State2658@reddit

I just did this with my linen closet. Went from barely able to close the door to room on the shelves. It feels great! Oh, but I might still be a dragon.

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Lisbei@reddit

I had to do some major clearing - of books I hadn’t read in over a decade, video cassettes boxsets (haven’t had a vcr in over a decade) etc - and I feel so much better now.

Don’t forget gen z too

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Slumunistmanifisto@reddit

The grown ups are talking...

Jkjk.

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LEDKleenex@reddit

And even more important; stop buying so much garbage to begin with (and don't buy things just because you have more space now).

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plemyrameter@reddit

I can't be the only one who barely ever feels like buying stuff anymore. Covid shut off clothes buying for me since I work from home in yoga pants and comfy t-shirts now.

And there's nothing like purging 30 years of stuff to make you realize how much money didn't need to be spent on random stuff. Ugh. I think of that and suddenly that cute tchotchke isn't so desirable.

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Sweaty_Marzipan4274@reddit

Minimalism has some great tips on trimming the lead and keeping things down

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heliskinki@reddit

In some ways I wish I’d grown up in a time when digital media already existed. I’m sinking under the weight of a 4k vinyl collection, CDs, DVDs and books.

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plemyrameter@reddit

I'm moving soon and have been loading up the recycling bin with work-related books that no one will possibly want. The library gets the stuff that may sell at their book sales. I'll still have a LOT left after the move, but I'll be retiring in about a year and can really be ruthless then. I just don't have the mental bandwidth to get rid of things that are more meaningful to me yet. The day is definitely coming though, and I'm looking forward to it.

SnooBooks5315@reddit

I feel bad that my hubby had to do this all on his own. Last year I spent a month in the hospital & then two months in nursing home. In order for me to come home it had to be approved by nurse with enough room for my medical equipment & my wheelchair. I'm still amazed how much stuff he cleared out. I know it was super stressful for him so if you can try doing it now in small chunks.

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Thescubadave@reddit

It was probably easier for him because you'll never be able to remember all of the things that he got rid of. I'm glad you made back to your emptier home.

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

True I've been home for a few months and every once in awhile I ask where is such & such. I'm so glad to be home I don't care.what is missing besides he finally got rid of the boxes of wires & adapters😅 Thanks it really is good to be home.

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WaterFrogSnail@reddit

I lost nearly everything I owned multiple times over, about once every 10 years due to poverty, general hardship, and moving.

I generally don't like buying or collecting stuff anymore as it feels uncomfortable and "wrong" because of my life experience with losing or having to sell everything I owned. Everything I have left that I've had for 10 years or more, including old photos (which are few) could fit into a small box.

caarmygirl@reddit

I AM a dragon.

This goes for Boomers too. I had to clear out my parents house after they passed in '23.

I just had 7 new hardcover books arrive this week to add to my stupidly large book collection.

This-Shape2193@reddit

I get it, but just remember: you never actually needed that stuff. You just wanted the stuff because you couldn't have it at the time.

But you didn't really want "things"....you wanted permanence and stability. Belongings are what represented that stability and permanence.

So the stuff you have now is representing that in your heart, but that's not the truth of it.

Because stuff really doesn't matter. You die and it all ends up in a dumpster. Stuff isn't stability.

Your experiences matter. Your friends matter. Keep those tight. Your stability isn't from the things you own, it's the peace in your chest at night.

imalloverthemap@reddit

Swedish Death Cleaning - we are not too young to start embracing that concept

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ku_78@reddit

Was just about to type the same thing. We cleared out 2/3 of our 3 car garage. I want to take a whack at getting another 25% out.

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bradc2112@reddit

gif

Smaug has entered the chat.

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Docautrisim2@reddit

I’ve moved 6 times in 3 states this in the last 5 years. We’ve purged so much shit just to fit in a 26 ft Penske truck. The furniture we use all of it so it stays. We’ve purged a bunch of trash that you accumulate over your life. The hardest part for me is the garage. I’ve accumulated a lot of tools over the years that I don’t use when I’m renting, which I currently am. So I have to store them. Right now our storage is about half a single garage space on shelves. Also I’m currently storing all the boxes from the last move.

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Rock_Samurai@reddit

I’m in the same mindset. I’ve sold two thirds of my guns. I’ve sold sports equipment, given away clothes and footwear, and backpacking equipment. I’m down to just a few items I use at least every couple of months. Anything else I just don’t need.

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Avadragon@reddit

But I love my small horde of shiny things. But honestly I did dump almost all of my dad's things when he passed away at 75. I would get rid of of a lot more in my house, but now I have my mother living with me. My kid doesn't want my stuff, but every time I go to get rid of something my mom will throw a fit. When she had to move in with me she brought so much useless junk. I just want a dumpster and open a window and toss it all out.

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Thescubadave@reddit

This made me think of a new question for when I'm cleaning stuff out...

I'm a dragon...

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Current-Anybody9331@reddit

I might be a dragon.

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Southern_Air3501@reddit

But wait, I am a dragon! 🐲

Step 1: Rent a dumpster Step 2: Yard Sale Step 3: Purge

Feels so good. I’d like to make it an annual event.

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CaliSunSuccs@reddit

My parents hoarded so many things. It's too much. I spent my adulthood donating anything that no longer fit with my needs. It feels good to be free of crap I don't need.

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fwambo42@reddit

one of the first arguments my wife and I got into 20 years ago was around an old player piano that was probably a nest to black widow spiders. so glad I kept my position on that and got rid of it

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EnochIblis@reddit

Yeah. I'm doing this as well. My kids don't want any of this shit.

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Five_String_Serenade@reddit

I’m a purger. Always have been.

Highly encourage donating, up cycling, and recycling where possible.

Enjoy the freedom!

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Fokewe@reddit

@all who’s have done the purge. I need to get over bad programming. “Pride in ownership” and “Time = money”

Any perspectives?

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MuttsandHuskies@reddit

We did a purge when we moved about 10 years ago. Then my daughter and grandkiddo moved in with us, there was so much crap we couldn't clean. About 2 years ago my daughter moved out, and 3 months after that she died. When she moved we bought her barstools, a couch, storage cubes and kitchen stuff. Welp, all that stuff is back at my house. Now that we've had time to get to a place where everything isn't a monument to her we are slowly purging again.

I am the hoarder (not literally) in our house, but once you order that 10 yard dumpster and it's there, it feels so liberating to toss stuff! My goal is a place for every thing, rather than a thing for every place. As others have said through here, it's a PITA to not know where things are, or not being able to use your workshop because there's literally no room.

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Fokewe@reddit

Thanks. I’m Mr Fixit and understand the shop issue. Do you have a perspective on ‘extra parts’? Getting over “what if” is the struggle.

For my shop, I do computer repair and those extra bits really save the day sometimes. I’m thinking the first pass is getting rid of the replaceables. Then sorting the one of a kinds. Honestly this is just my cope. I know I should just say it is what it is and fuck the money. Too bad, so sad.

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MuttsandHuskies@reddit

I keep all the bits and pieces. Shop stuff if they can be used to repair the house or keep zombies out it stays. Like seriously it stays. I’ll throw the furniture away before I get rid of my shop stuff. The trick there is staying on top of keeping it organized.

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Oh, yes.

I am rage cleaning and while doing that, I am constantly looking thru my stuff to find anything at all useful for our local mutual aid group. We have so many people in our community with basic needs....the minute I post something free, it is gone. So my perspective is that I have things that other people could use today that I don't use anymore. And they are so grateful to get it.

My city does a bulk trash pickup every year. Schedule it several weeks out, and they take just about anything. No paint, tires, stuff like that.

We do it every year. So much shit thrown out. Last year was huge. Went through every room except my wife’s office. Started on Friday afternoon and finished Sunday night for Monday morning pickup. We got rid of so much stuff like my kids’ old toys and the bike they both learned to ride on. Stuff like that bike went over to the side to make it easily visible. We figured if it was still there Sunday night, we’d bring it back in rather than send it to the dump.

Bike was gone in less than an hour. Same for Barbie dream house and stuff like that. People felt weird stopping and going through stuff while I was putting it out, and I told every one of them I’d rather they take it than have it end up in the landfill. By Sunday night, nothing good was left. And I was pretty happy about it. Didn’t advertise it on Facebook or the like either.

I really want to donate stuff, but Salvation Army and Goodwill have been pissing me off lately. They keep rejecting stuff and it’s like I’m trying to do something good and they’re ruining it. I understand them not taking stuff like cribs and car seats, but not taking Barbie stuff?

And no matter how much I get rid of, somehow we’ve got too much shit and need another huge pickup the next year.

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61797@reddit

I did this last big trash pickup. So much stuff gone. Made me happy to see people picking up things they could use or resale.

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Certain-Criticism-51@reddit

Same here: putting things by the curb works great. Got rid of everything but a tire, and we knew that was a long shot. 😂

I started selling years ago.

Nobody is gonna buy my cool ass shit for pennies at some estate sale!

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JenNtonic@reddit

Where do you sell? Have a lot of $25-$200 items that I hate to just throw away. But trying to sell things seems complicated.

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Certain-Criticism-51@reddit

Pawn shop? I did pretty good selling some jewelry and a camera.

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Detroitdays@reddit

I started selling on eBay around 6 years ago. I did put it on pause because it was taking over my life it felt like.
eBay have changed their fees structure in the last few years I understand. I’m going to check out some other platforms when I’m ready to get back at it. I’m not interested in meeting in person so online it is for me.

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IHadTacosYesterday@reddit

You just have to bundle that shirt with a few other shirts.

pchandler45@reddit

I paid someone to haul away my stuff, didn't care what they did with it.

I have a bed, and a table with two chairs. I really only need one. I don't need a couch or decorative items. I do not have boxes of things sitting around. I try to only keep what I am actively using.

I was describing my angst over things I've been choosing to buy that I consider junk and not needed and I'll be giving away soon enough. To be honest how often will I bake? Don't really need a fancy ice cube maker, but I go down these trails of accumulating stuff I don't even know why.

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Upbeat_Rock3503@reddit

I've told both of my parents (divorced each with their house full of junk) that, when they go, everything will go in a dumpster in the driveway.

I've been trying to give things away myself. I've made progress.

I've been trying to get my kids to give things away, too, but it's their childhood so I understand their reluctance. We have a good size house but just way too much stuff.

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ZipperJJ@reddit

I’m doing a big purge this year. Some stuff I’m selling, some recycling, some going to specific donation places, some going to general donation places, much going to the trash.

Tip if you want to sell stuff: take whatever they’re offering. It wasn’t making you any money sitting there. It wont make more sitting there longer. And the alternative is to throw it out. If you sell for cheap it’ll go away, someone else will get use out of it , and you’ll have more money than you did yesterday.

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rpbm@reddit

And a big eye opener if you have a storage building-are you going to earn back what you’re paying each month to store stuff?

That calculation made me realize a lot of my stuff wasn’t worth the cost of the storage. If I pay $65/month for my unit, and think I can make $100 off what’s stored, if I keep it for two months to try to get more out of it, I’ve paid out more than I earned.

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ZipperJJ@reddit

Heck yeah! Paying to store the stuff you don’t even use is both normal and oh so wrong. Glad you got out from under it.

Also I have a toy collection that is mine and I love it. It’s my hobby and the items bring me joy. I’ve already told my nieces that when I go they are to SELL it. Sell every piece, get some dough, do your thing. The last thing I want is my toys rotting in boxes in my nieces’ houses. Or worse, cluttering up their houses needing to be dusted.

i needed to see this today. i have cancer, and though things are going okay, i have some scan-ziety for the upcoming annual scans.

i was showering this morning realizing all the things i'm 'hoarding' that will mean nothing to my son when he's eventually tasked with cleaning it out. so i was just thinking earlier today, nuke all of it, and anything you keep, offer at least notes alongside so he knows why you hoarded it, with a note of permission to toss.

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karen_boyer@reddit

Bless you for this thoughtful approach. I dread having to throw away my parents' things but I know that will occur. Good luck with your ongoing scans. I hope you're around for long enough to accumulate a whole bunch more treasures.

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ofthrees@reddit

my husband died abruptly a few years ago. it took four for even me, as his partner, to eventually part with some things via sale or donation. i mean, it was an emotional thing for the big stuff, but i'm still hung up on the little stuff. i mean, some was an obvious keep because i had memories of him with it, but some was also stuff i wasn't close to, but didn't want to toss because it might have been close to him.

as a result, i kind of want to eliminate as much of that mental noise as i can for my kid.

for instance, i still have my second grade diary. maybe my son will like to see that some time in the future - but does he need all my grade school greeting cards (which i've also kept). i'm a sentimental sort who likes ephemera, but he's not, so it seems like a gift to toss that for him, so he doesn't have to feel like he's "throwing me away" later.

this is all just so hard. they never warn us about this.

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karen_boyer@reddit

I'm sorry for your loss. That sounds excruciating, and I'm impressed you are able to be so philosophical about your own mortality. A well-curated set of keepsakes is a kind gift from a parent. It shows you thought of your son specifically with the item in mind, that brings more meaning than a house full of unexamined stuff.

Well, no more!! Tomorrow, they’re out of my cramped closet and overstuffed attic and they’re going bye bye.

Thank you for freeing me and carry on.

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Nahuel-Huapi@reddit

I have a book of computer code... for games in BASIC.

I thrift, reuse, and donate for the ultimate recycle. I could always do better.

Shocker: recycling as trash ISN’T the answer

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sardu1@reddit

I'm renting a dumpster in a couple of weeks to get rid of junk. There are things I haven't used in years like video games and horror figures that I can't seem to part with though.

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blackpony04@reddit

Then don't. I still regret not saving my Atari and games in a move of desperation I made in 2010 after a job loss. And my 28 year old son is a big gamer, so I'm happy he got all of my PS1/2/3/4 games (get yer own PS5 games kid!). He proudly displays them in his apartment.

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this_kitty68@reddit

Do it for yourself and for your children. Cleaning out my parents’ basement was a nightmare and I’ll never do that to my son. I didn’t want their stuff and he doesn’t want mine.

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bethster2000@reddit

I can't bring myself to purge all of the beauty stuff I have.

Oh I use them, Vietnam Veterans of America, regularly. IDK where all the stuff goes, but they call and email me *begging * for more donations and I'm happy to oblige.

Purge your books too.

Swedish Death Cleaning.

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blackpony04@reddit

You can use my books to burn my dead body.

Until then, keep your meany hands off of them!

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cia-ninja-gurl@reddit

I got so excited! But they do not service where I live 😭 I hope other people use this link that can though. Thank you for sharing it.

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Luvpups5920@reddit

A lot of animal shelters will take old towels and blankets. I always liked having extra of these items for when our dog was alive. I used them for cleaning him off from a rainy day or putting in his crate or on his “cushy” to make it more cozy.

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karen_boyer@reddit

Thank you for this. Our local animal shelter takes them too -- stained, holey ok, just need to be clean.

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LouLouAnsi@reddit

Yes! I'm so glad you posted this, because it's easy to forget, when throwing away old household stuff. So many people don't think about how valuable old blankets, comforters and towels are, to an animal shelter!. Please don't toss those, if at all possible. (It's probably a good idea to call beforehand to be certain your local shelter can use these things).

We have a wonderful no-kill animal shelter here, that relies mostly on given supplies, food and cash donations, to keep going. It's a clean, loving shelter that provides low-cost vaccinations, and free sterilization. They are so appreciative of the very things you mentioned for the benefit of our furry friends!

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I was in the same boat at the same time. Boom, boom and boom. But when I moved I didn’t purge. I just moved it all. I wish I hadn’t.

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Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit

Lord it was painful...but liberating in many ways. All that stuff felt like a trap...hard to explain, but I think you know it now.

Glad to see you're OK on the other side.

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filledoux@reddit

Yes so much. Swedish death cleaning.

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Elegant-Error-8010@reddit

Will be hitting 48 in a couple of weeks, and im already working on this. Ive been back home for quite some time to help my parents out, both are now in their 70s. I have a shed in the back full of "stuff". 99% of it i haven't touched for years. Obviously if I haven't used it in that long, why do I need to keep it? Starting with the stuff in my room, and then will slowly work on the shed. Mixture of donating and trashing.

Junior_Statement_262@reddit

YES!! This!

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robbok@reddit

Congratulations on your accomplishments! I long to start the same work, but keep coming up with excuses. I’m running out of clean horizontal space, though, so soon I won’t have a choice! 😆

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tuctrohs@reddit

To make it extra satisfying, set aside the metal stuff. Take it to a scrap dealer and get actual cash money for it. Especially copper, brass and aluminum. Even insulated copper wire.

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soft__parade@reddit

Purging is good!

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DragonTHC@reddit

It’s not treasure. You’re not a dragon.

GooseySill@reddit

I seriously need to heed this advice.

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ConfidentRecover3343@reddit

I am proud of you & thank you. It is hard, I am doing better, but not all the way there yet.

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RoninRobot@reddit (OP)

It’s real hard. But while I was sitting in all that crap one day asking myself “why do I have this?” Over and over made it easier. More you do easier it gets.

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Useful-Badger-4062@reddit

Happy Cake Day!

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notabadkid92@reddit

But this could be useful for something

Its the best! We purged a bunch of stuff during the pandemic when we were bored, and we just started doing it again. Moving in a few months, so we'll be organized and well prepared, and it really is a great feeling.

CountryMaleficent439@reddit

But I am a Dragon!!! :(

Yep. Either pass them on, put them in the coffin with me, or burn them up in my Viking boat with me.

On the flip side, when my grandmother went into a nursing home and was losing her house, family went in before some of us could get there and purged so much stuff. Some stuff held sentimental value and some monetary. I am still livid and it’s been 10 years.

I've offloaded craft supplies to the local library, sent books and fabric to my daughter, and donated kitchen stuff to the thrift store. I have to start weeding out old textbooks next, but it really hurts my soul to throw them away and nobody wants them as donations.

One shirt and one pair of pants fit my 19 yr old and he kept them for funsies.

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I tossed several photo albums over the last month and that feels successful. Pulled out a few photos for myself and will give others to those who might enjoy them. I need to keep going with other things! Digital photo purging is next.

I’m an only child with no kids. Nobody is ever going to want my crap. And if I had kids, they most likely wouldn’t, either.

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Life-Wealth-3399@reddit

We have a semi-annual home purge. Love it!! Gets rid of everything we don't use!

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HiddenUser1248@reddit

My wife still has all her college papers, reports and assignments. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I try every few years to get her to at least thin out the horde.

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SereniteeF@reddit

Perhaps if it were digitized she’d be willing to let the physical papers go? There are even services to do it for you.

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lizeee@reddit

I read something once that went like: “You spend the first half of your life collecting stuff, and the second half of your life getting rid of it.” I’m 46, I’m starting to get rid of stuff. It feels good.

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FeralFinalForm@reddit

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WAY outdated and obsolete html and coding books from ‘98-‘04

I only let go of my AutoCAD 13 textbook a couple of years ago. Not AutoCAD 2013 mind you. AutoCAD 13, released in 1994 to run on Windows 13.1.

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HousesRoadsAvenues@reddit

My husband and I have been doing this for a few years. Books, linens, knick-knacks, some jewelry I never wear, clothes, musical instruments...More to follow.

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BrilliantWeb@reddit

As someone who's moved overseas and back, I agree wholeheartedly. It's just stuff. Get rid of it. It's liberating. You won't miss it.