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Own your possessions, lest you be owned by them!

As I'm preparing to move from a single-family suburban home to an urban flat with half the footprint, I'm wondering just what I want to take with me, and what I can leave behind.

I like cooking so I'm keeping most of my kitchen stuff. Tools will probably come in handy. A few small mementos and objets d'art. A wine rack. Pictures of my family.

I probably don't need nearly so much furniture. It pained me to let books go, but the fact is I mostly read on my kindle these days, and those books take up zero space.

Less is more! What stuff could you edit out, and still live the life you want?

ErikGunderson 6 June 21
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14 comments

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0

There is something cleansing about getting rid of a bunch of stuff. You always end up with more stuff later anyway.

0

Very hard for me to get rid of things. I currently live in a small space and had to downsize to move in when I did so some years ago. The things I got rid of mostly were books and furniture. Still live in a somewhat cluttered environment and trying to get that knocked down.

0

Everything, start from scratch. Keep what you need, not what you want, throw everything else out.

0

It takes lots more time to get rid of stuff and to get it.

I have been reviewing and replace the software i use. And my physical filing system for projects.

And disposing of lots of work related computer parts.

And i have lots more musical instruments than needed. Sure is difficult to pass on some of the stuff. Sold a guitar i had purchased nearly 50 years ago. I wasn't using it much. But it sure did play well. And I am now sure the new owner is making that baby sing.

JacarC Level 8 June 21, 2018
0

Getting down to traveling-weight is challenging.

I started my mid-life cleaning 23 years ago. I go more now. Some of it is the same. And other stuff compliments what was here already.

Recently the wife "retired" from doing some work. So, she has a little more time. She has been reviewing everything. Lots of stuff donated to charities/resale stores. Lots recycled.

I'm trying to keep up. But, the next project is replacing the plumbing. So, plans, and purchases, and prep. Oh well, the house is going to love me for it.

JacarC Level 8 June 21, 2018
0

I moved from a 2400 square foot home with huge yard to a 400 sf apt in New York city. I loved the small apartment. Except my then husband had to move his 7 foot grand piano there, too! That was a bit much.

But with less 'stuff' comes less responsibility and the freedom to live your life. I missed my porch though.

Then I got pregnant and moved back to Ohio and back into suburbia into a big house with a big yard and accumulated way too much stuff. I am currently downsized to a 1300 sf house with still too much stuff. Decluttering IS cathartic. I'm having the most trouble with throwing out my kid's stuffed animals most of all. ☹️

Hihi Level 6 June 21, 2018
1

I moved from a 2400 square foot home with huge yard to a 400 sf apt in New York city. I loved the small apartment. Except my then husband had to move his 7 foot grand piano there, too! That was a bit much.

But with less 'stuff' comes less responsibility and the freedom to live your life. I missed my porch though.

Then I got pregnant and moved back to Ohio and back into suburbia into a big house with a big yard and accumulated way too much stuff. I am currently downsized to a 1300 sf house with still too much stuff. Decluttering IS cathartic. I'm having the most trouble with throwing out my kid's stuffed animals most of all. ☹️

Hihi Level 6 June 21, 2018
1

Everything...learned that at 19. Have lovely things, most with memories attached, but things are just things....

Ain't it the truth?

2

A couple of guides:
-Have you used something in the last month?
-Do you love it? Do you need it?
-If it is in the I-might-need-it category, ask yourself the 20/20 question: Could I replace it in 20 minutes for $20 or less?

Good luck.

1

Letting books go is also the worse for me, but I have already read them and need space for new ones. I am also pairing down...the key is not what to get rid of, but what to keep...figure out what you truly love and enjoy, throw in a few practical things like clothes and kitchen stuff, then you are set. Also, think how you really live...rarely does anyone sit at my dining table to eat, so I am not taking it. I now have a free room to use for other things, like painting perhaps....good luck...it will be freeing!

2

Decluttering is cathartic. At the same time, it is difficult as there can be emotional ties to objects, which induces feelings of guilt.. We can get caught in materialism's web.

I would keep quality items and discard cheap quality items. Old technology that's on its last legs. Books I'm never going to read again or clothes..

I hope you have a happy life in your new flat.

0

Too much stuff ...thinking about George Carlin's routine.

I did this, gave some things to friends, and donated the rest to charity.

Love my condo.

cava Level 7 June 21, 2018
3

What I own will fit in my truck and it has been that way most of my life (outside of my time raising kids)
I prefer experiences to things

My goal in life <3

@Jellifish1 Makes roadtrips simple 🙂

0

Ah, just thinking about downsizing and getting rid of my belongings hurts my head.

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