Ask:
I have some things I just have a terrible time letting go of. Silly things! Mine are ....
Cloth bags...duffle bags, fabric totes, old purses...you know! WHY????
Containers...rubermaid storage, canister sets, mason jars...stuff like that. All not being used and stored in the walk in closet.
Frames...not being used, as shapes and sizes. You know...what I need it later syndrome.
What are your "problem items?" I know I'm not the only one!!!
Answer:
I have two...
Fabric - no matter how small the scrap I have left over from sewing I can't throw them away. I always think that I will need a small bit of something for a quilt, or patch, or a craft, or whatever.
Towels - We have got to have about 30 towels...bath towels, beach towels, Kitchen hand towels. I always have some rational about how we may need them someday. Dh was just giving me a hard time last weekend about getting rid of some of them and I came up with some other lame-o excuse.
Answer:
Containers and boxes (if you have sent me something I have either re-used the box or saved it!)
It's always in my head that I can use it for soemthing, so when I DO use it, it's like a small victory.
Answer:
Since I do crafts I don't consider those items in the way, especially once I finally start selling again so the picture frames and jars are part of my "business" lol Nice loop hole huh?
But I won't get rid of books, unless I just hated it. I have a lot but I love them and they make me happy.
And I have a hard time getting rid of bags too. Not purses as much b/c I haven't changed my purse in over a year so I've finally gotten rid of most of the others but traveling bags. I use some for taking my craft projects with me on trips, some I only use in summer, etc. Its ridiculous but I try to justify it.
I have these yellow Eddie Bauer duffle bags that are dingy but I won't get rid of them b/c we use them when I don't want to get our "good" bags dirty, like camping. See I can justify anything! lol
Answer:
Clothes that do not fit or that I don't wear. I don't buy a lot of clothes for myself, and I always think that I wille ither fit into it again (yeah, right!) or that I may actually wear the ugly orange sweater that was given to me 3 years ago
Answer:
Is it fair to say everything??? Clutter and hoarding is a huge problem for me. I always think "well I might be able to use it later, or it's too good to just throw away, or I can sell it, or...." I'm terrible.
Answer:
Well, I still have my "Brownie" uniform and my high school "letter jacket" does that count??
Also, I am not a pack rat, but for some reason when I wrap presents, I will not throw away any little squares of paper, i always think that I will use it for something....is that wierd??
Answer:
Nothing.
Everything I have could be gone in an instant should some disaster occur. It is just stuff.
I'm reminded of the story of the old Buddhist priest. He took a vow of poverty so his entire worldly possessions consisted of his robe, which he wore to tatters, and his rice bowl. One day he tripped and fell. In the incident he dropped his rice bowl and it shattered into many pieces. His response, "Wonderful! I'm free!" He no longer had to carry his rice bowl around.
My solutions to the items mentioned above ...
Towels: My husband does wood working so he has a frequent need for old cotton rags. Plus, I prefer to use rags instead of paper towels as a frugal way to save money. One day I made a rag bag. I took an old pillow case, split one side and put a string through the casing (the string was an old waistband tie). Now when I have an old towel or something worthy of the rag bag, I put it in there. When the rag bag is full, I know I have more than enough rags for now. More rags will come into my life. I don't have to save more than a bag full. Old towels and blankets are wonderful for donating to the local Humane Society or an animal hospital.
Skinny clothes: When I lose weight, trust me, I'll enjoy buying new clothes.
Food storage containers: These are so difficult to store (bulky AND lightweight - a dangerous combination), I can't tolerate having these around. Besides, getting rid of them is my way of 'getting rid of the evidence' that I purchased take-out or a more expensive prepared food item. As for mason jars, I donate those as my way to 'share the wealth'. If I'm not using them, I am more than willing to pay-it-forward to someone who will. Big Rubbermaid-like totes go out the door, too, because I have a personal rule against storing things on the floor. If the tote isn't up on a shelf and being used, I don't want it.
Everything else: Getting rid of things are my way of inviting something new and exciting into my life.
Answer:
I can't throw away...
A really not pretty at all blanket that my parents had on their couch from the time I was born until i was like 12. Then my mom packed it away and when I was 18 and moving out I asked for it. DH always complains about it, but its still on our bed to this day.
Answer:
Books.
It's the first thing people notice when they come into our house. No TV on the main floor but walls of books. Most of them are from dh, the eternal scholar. I tend to get my books from the library but dh gives me books every year for Christmas and birthdays.