Chucking your stuff

She · Sep 4, 2011

So Im really no where yet getting my van. Still have to save up for it. But a girl can learn along the way ...right? LOL Im chucking what I don't need. A LOT. I live in a small converted 1 car garage (Cottage). Its cute. Bigger than my van will be (not by much!). I was surprised going through my dresser I have clothes I haven't worn in a year or more. Chuck. I have blenders ,a printer (I can always got to the library for printing)and a purifier which I also haven't used. Chuck(to free cycle). I cleaned the top of the kitchen cabinets. Chucked except for the thermos and screening material(which I can use for the van)  I got rid of a lot of nick knacks which I really didn't care for(didn't cry one drop disposing them) Except for one doll. Shes beautiful and can't part with her. <div>I just got a part time job. Plus I have a full time which I hate and have no benefits. I plan to work part time there when I live in my new home. If they they don't like it.....well Im chucking them. LOL</div><div>Now be honest folks was it hard chucking some of your stuff?</div><div><br></div>

cyndi · Sep 4, 2011

<FONT size=3>I purged four years ago.  Gave the stuff I loved to friends and family, donated what was saleable to Salvation Army and St. Vincents (they'll come pick it up) Each thing that left the house made me feel a little lighter.  </FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>I've been back in a house for almost 4 years and have collected a few things that need to go and am doing the same thing.  I haven't collected much, but when something leaves it feels good! I can't wait for the point where I can get rid of the furniture!</FONT><br>

Suanne · Sep 4, 2011

<P>

She said:
Now be honest folks was it hard chucking some of your stuff?

</P>We're in the process of downsizing right now.  We have lots of storage space and lots of stuff.  We started downsizing because we we were going to move; but those plans have changed.  We keep downsizing because we want to be free of so much stuff.  It took years to accumulate, and it'll probably take at least a couple of years to purge.<br><br>For me downsizing is both hard and freeing.  It's hard because I usually think the stuff I've kept is either cool or useful ... or, I spent good money for it and it's seems ashame to get rid of it ... or, there are some cherished memories attached to it.<br><br>On the other hand, it's freeing to get rid of the stuff that we don't need.  Less stuff to store, to clean, to maintain, to be responsible for.  Easier to hit the road on a whim.<br><br>Because the stuff I'm getting rid of still holds some value to me, I've enjoyed knowing to whom it's going.  So, we've given and sold things to family and friends, done several garage sales for the neighbors, and sold on ebay and craigslist.  It's satisfying to pass on something that I value to someone else who also considers it of value.  What doesn't sell, goes to a guy who is starting a thrift shop.<br><br>Also, I'm getting rid of most all of my momentos, digitizing the most cherished.  I'm scanning photos, and taking pictures of the other stuff.  It's the memories that these things invoke that are most important to me, not the things themselves.<br><br>Our next garage sale is this coming weekend.<br><br>Suanne ... who's striving to get to "just enough"<br>

She · Sep 4, 2011

Glad to hear Im not only one who has a bit of challenge getting rid of some stuff. And a lot of it too. There are things I simply will not part with but thank god they are not large or a lot.<br><div><b>Seraphim </b>if your clothes are from the 60s or 70s they ARE certainly in again. </div><div><b>Suanne</b> thats a great idea for the pictures. That's what Im going to do. I agree also its very freeing when there's not all this stuff laying around. Its easy to clean too.</div><div><b>Cyndi</b> I didn't think of the Salvation Army. They are close by too. I think that's where I'll take my stuff or have them pick it up. Thanks</div><div><br></div>

bobbert · Sep 4, 2011

Ever since I was a kid, I never regretted either giving away or throwing away stuff I don't need, which is really a shame; it just goes to show how materialistic I am at heart. I am coordinating a garage sale & eradicating some dishes, pots & pans. I am donating to AmVets some clothing that I haven't worn in the past year. <div>I eBay'ed my cuckoo clocks, drumset, cymbals, stereo, model railroad, pro audio recording equipment and some other odds & ends. I sold about $2000-worth of unneeded possessions.</div><div>I have constructed a tiny Z-scale train layout (appx. 2'x2' square) for my van (when I take possession of it), & the trains operate from 1.5 volts! </div><div>I might dwell in NYC when I make my exodus, & will make a tiny bop drumkit, consisting of a 10" snare & 14" bass drums along with a ride cymbal (just to keep my chops up in the event I get a gig with a jazz trio or something). </div><div>I really want to live by Ghandi's ethic way of life, which he calls "simple living", where all you really need are the bare essential things, but I am a bit materialistic to a degree.</div>

dragonflyinthesky · Sep 5, 2011

<B>Folks that see me here know most of my comments have humor in them regardless of the situation. My little gift I suppose.  A few weeks ago I and my sister, who has some problems with alcohol, had a huge garage sale and I made a lot of money. Of course, me being my Pollyanna self, and believing my sister, that she is dry, well, lets just say, I let her take care of the money, I did the selling we had a great time laughing and having fun at the sale. I just never learn. All things are relative, my relative took all my things. In this case my money, and she hasn't been sober in a couple of weeks. My father just looked at me with his 'And this suprises you how?' look. I live but I just never learn. I even paid tree trimmers once before they finished their job. They are coming back to finish the job tomorrow, at least thats what they told me last year.<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif"></B><BR><B>Dragonfly</B><BR>