Keep or throw out?

sistergoldenhair · Mar 6, 2008

So, I am starting a massive project at home with the intention of GREATLY reducing my possessions. I mean by half or more. I don't like having lots of STUFF, and am moving to a smaller place (though it has half a garage for storage) , and I am seeing this as a first step to eventually relocating ... at some point. 
Would you or do you keep or throw out:
<ul><li>Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance</li>
<li>Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember)</li>
<li>Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now.</li>
<li>CDs you never listen to but like the music</li>
<li>Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know</li>
<li>Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to</li>
<li>Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day</li>
<li>Decorations stored and not used in 6 years</li>
<li>Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person)</li>
<li>Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at.</li>
</ul>
I know I will get in the midst of this and feel very overwhelmed, but it will feel sooo good when it's done.

evanflein · Mar 6, 2008

Well, I'll be interested to hear what others say. I'm always paralyzed by the "I might need it later" feeling. And to make matters worse, just this past year I did throw out some things and sure enough, I needed them the very next week! Not much help for your situation, sorry. The cards and photos are easy though... toss 'em! Also, remember that things you don't need or use could be very valuable to someone else. Recycle and donate whatever you can!

purple hayes · Mar 6, 2008

Rid the CDs to your hard drive. Then, throw out everything.

sistergoldenhair · Mar 6, 2008

evan -- what did you need later? 
Oh yes, the thrift stores around here will be benficiaries. I don't intend to add much to the landfills.

QuixoticNotions · Mar 6, 2008

Would you or do you keep or throw out:
<ul><li>Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance Trash </li>
<li>Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember) Trash</li>
<li>Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now. Trash (cost to replace < cost of room to store)</li>
<li>CDs you never listen to but like the music Keep, or sell at one of those $1 cd stores</li>
<li>Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know Keep</li>
<li>Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to Trash </li>
<li>Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day Keep</li>
<li>Decorations stored and not used in 6 years Trash</li>
<li>Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person) Trash</li>
<li>Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at. Trash</li>
</ul>

luckylily · Mar 6, 2008

<ul><li>Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance 
toss </li>
<li>Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember) 
toss </li>
<li>Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now. 
keep only if reasonable, orderly storage is available </li>
<li>CDs you never listen to but like the music 
keep </li>
<li>Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know 
keep </li>
<li>Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to 
toss </li>
<li>Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day 
keep </li>
<li>Decorations stored and not used in 6 years 
toss or give away </li>
<li>Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person) 
toss or give away </li>
<li>Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at. 
keep</li>
</ul>

coachie · Mar 6, 2008

I agree almost 100% with QN.

bobswife · Mar 6, 2008

Load the CD's to your hard drive, scan the pics & clippings too. Donate anything you haven't used in the last year. 
I go through the house a few times a year & purge stuff. It feels great when you're done!!

runningINnyc · Mar 6, 2008

I love simplifying and de-cluttering. Anything that you don't need on a day to day basis but want to keep, put it in storage. It'll keep your place cleaner, simpler and allow your mind more freedom <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

Alternative School Grrl · Mar 6, 2008

My rules of thumb when helping friends declutter are: 
if you find it and say "I forgot I had that!" you obviously don't need it. Toss it. 
If you haven't touched it or looked at it in 1 year - toss it. 
If you can get it elsewhere if you need it again - toss it. 
If it doesn't fit or you haven't worn it in one year - toss it.

Jhi · Mar 6, 2008

<ul><li>Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance Trash (look through as you go)</li>
<li>Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember) Trash (look through as you go.. last time i did this i blew up one image and gave it to a friend..)</li>
<li>Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now. Trash!</li>
<li>CDs you never listen to but like the music Are they in jewel cases? Put them into a sleeved organizer and move them to a new place for a few weeks. See if you play them. If not, give away.</li>
<li>Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know Toss 1/3rd of them</li>
<li>Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to If you have time, go through, rip out really great pages and put them someplace useful. Near your yoga mat at home, on your desk at school. If you don't use them in a few weeks, trash.</li>
<li>Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day Trash. You don't cook, right? Besides, a new place needs new kitchen gear anyway.</li>
<li>Decorations stored and not used in 6 years Trash</li>
<li>Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person) Trash</li>
<li>Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at. Your work? Pick a small subset to save, toss the rest.</li>
</ul>

evanflein · Mar 6, 2008

It was some kitchen stuff, can't recall what now. Also some papers I had been hanging onto and tossed thinking I wouldn't need them. Then the company said I needed a copy of a letter they'd sent me 4 years earlier to prove a claim.

grimupnorth · Mar 6, 2008

I am afflicted by a bizarre disorder which means I come out in a cold sweat if I even think about throwing out a book.

wyrillco · Mar 6, 2008

Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance - toss it out! 
Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember) - toss it out! 
Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now - ack, I struggle with this. I throw it out, and then a month later wish I didn't have to go buy another $3 roll for something. Keep it if you can find a place to stash it. Or get a box, go to the $ store and fill it with gift sacks of different sizes. I keep those and reuse them constantly. I try not to wrap much, it's such a waste. Except for my nieces, they get wrapped stuff. 
CDs you never listen to but like the music - burn to mp3 and toss it out! 
Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know - I never throw out books. Ever. 
Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to - toss it out. I keep these forever, but then one day I'll put the whole stack in recycling. 
Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day - keep 
Decorations stored and not used in 6 years - toss it out 
Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person) - toss it out 
Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at. - I'd keep this stuff, just 'cause.

wipaddler · Mar 6, 2008

<ul><li>Old letters and cards that are not of sentimental significance</li>
<li>chuck</li>
<li>Photos not of sentimental significance anymore (like of a place I've been that now I don't care if I remember)</li>
<li>chuck</li>
<li>Wrapping paper. It takes up room and I'll need it again, but not now.</li>
<li>keep</li>
<li>CDs you never listen to but like the music</li>
<li>Burn to MP3 get rid of the rest</li>
<li>Books you liked but don't plan to re-read, but you never know</li>
<li>keep</li>
<li>Stacks of magazines (Yoga and running) I've held on to but never went back to</li>
<li>rip out interesting articles and put in plastic sleeves and organize in a binder.</li>
<li>Kitchen stuff barely used but maybe would use some day</li>
<li>keep</li>
<li>Decorations stored and not used in 6 years</li>
<li>chuck</li>
<li>Christmas/seasonal decorations (not a huge "holidays" or "decorating" type person)</li>
<li>chuck</li>
<li>Boxes of old published writing clips (college newspaper, newspaper, magazines etc.) that I never look at.</li>
<li>put in plastic sleeves and organize in a binder.</li>
</ul>

coachie · Mar 6, 2008

I cannot believe how fast you people are getting rid of CD's! 
(I'm keeping mine)

wipaddler · Mar 6, 2008

I will have to do the same thing at the end of the summer. So I think I'm going to start now so I can donate to other peoples garage sales and just get it over with. I have a problem with keeping papers and pictures and Christmas cards. I don't know why I keep them all but I do and it has to stop. 
I wish I could get rid of most of the stuff in my kitchen but I use it all. I do how ever need to do a pantry clean out for the food drive at the gym. 
Thanks for the inspriation SGH!!

runningINnyc · Mar 6, 2008

Shortly after purchasing my first Mac (and ext. hard drive) I ripped everything to the machine & got rid of all CDs. I play music via our surround sound directly from my iTunes library. When you live in an apt. with less than 700 square feet, every inch counts. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

RaisingArizonainNH · Mar 6, 2008

I'd get rid of it all.. except maybe to rip whatever of the CD's onto one disk or computer. Same with writing samples - if you think you may need. 
They say you should get rid of kitchen stuff you don't use within 6-8 weeks. I bet you will find if you loaded in a box and put it away for a few weeks you wouldn't need them. 
Give books to friends who might enjoy them or donate to library/ charity book sale. You can always get the book again from the library to read again ( or borrow it back from the friend? ) 
Wrapping paper- pitch - buy a gift bag when you need it or wrap gifts in a nice dish towel or even news paper with a nice ribbon. One or 2 spools of nice ribbon are smaller than a bunch of wrapping paper rolls ( Next time by flat folded paper? sptres easier) 
Good for you BTW! I am waiting for spring to do the big purge and reorganize .. I have to move furniture and in an old house with narrow stairs it involves lifting pieces out and in through a 2nd floor window! Not happening in 2 feet of snow! )

RaisingArizonainNH · Mar 6, 2008

Maybe she should send hers to you?.. or me? 
Instant idea for you ..SGH- a PRT freecycle event! <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

Keep or throw out?

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