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It doesn't sound like money is an issue so giving the toys and kid things to a family or families with kids might make it easier to get rid of that stuff.
Don't look at all the stuff that needs to go. It's over-whelming.
Just pick something, either one room or one type of thing (toys will go this month; unused kitchen stuff goes next month, etc)
You might pick one room for keepers. Then after all the other stuff is gone, put all the 'keepers' in the trash.
and if you can't afford to move, redecorating might help with the memories. Nothing like a coat of paint and new sofa to make it just yours.
Personally, I would get rid of most everything except the photos and maybe a few toys. No one wants the trophies unless there is something super special that was won. You can donate or toss those. Old baby beds, car seats and high chairs need to be thrown away. They will not be considered safe anymore. Donate the rest of the furniture. I might pick one or two toys that the boys loved when they were little. They've forgotten about most of that. If mom kept any of their old baby clothes and blankets, those can go.
If you aren't using the tools, I would sell or donated and get back to the basics. One toolbox with hammers drill, screwdrivers and a few other items is really the most needed for basic home repair. The rest is just clutter that you may have bought for one time use or old projects you don't do anymore. If you really need a tool that bad, you can buy another one.
I assume you are living in the old house, you shared with your family. Maybe it it is time to sell that and move on. That's something you know I don't. I've found that I have to hold on to stuff for years and when I finally let it go, I was free. I could move on and do things I needed without feeling the responsibility for other people. Moving has forced me to make a choice to purge and discard things that were no longer right for me or my family.
First, I was married with children but after 23 yrs my wife decided to move out followed years later with divorce. The boys are grown young men now and on their own. Everyone has moved away but me.
We had a pretty full life and she collected things that we had planned to keep forever: kids toy sets, toddler furniture, sport trophies,wedding, vacation and family albums and much more.
It's been 7 years of living alone in the house full of memorable things but I don't use them anymore and they are sort of painful memories of good times gone.
I've struggled with what to do with all this stuff that is collected in the attic and their rooms.
At the end of last year, I did finally just load up about 2 truck bed loads of stuff, mostly mine, and drop it at the goodwill. Afterwards, I felt pretty good.
By nature, I don't like clutter but I'm surrounded by it. I even have lots of stuff in the garage including tools and various shop supplies used over the years.
Sometimes, I wish I'd get back to the spartan lifestyle I live when I was young. You know, everything I owned could be thrown in the back of my enclosed bed of my pickup truck if I wanted to move.
I know and have read of the 3 month rule but I hate just throwing stuff away.
I notified my boys that they should get the stuff thats important to them or ask their mom if she wants it but they live across the state and the other lives 4 states away ;besides the boys have no where to keep it.
I'm at a struggle of what to do because it feels like an anchor around me with all this stuff I'm just keeping.
I want to feel free of all this stuff.
You have four choices on each item. Keep it, sell it, throw it away or give it away. Give away can be through freecycle.org or Craigslist. CL for selling. Ebay is a good place to sell vintage tools.
Believe it or not, EVERY SINGLE PERSON has to learn how to let go.
The beautiful thing about letting go is that life will soon fill up the empty space
with something that you need and want. You have no idea what it is, but it will
find it's way to you. If you had not cleared it all out, than the good thing or
situation that is now on it's way to you would never arrive. There would be no
space for it. Letting go equals growth.
I too was carrying and storing the goods of other people. It has been 3 yrs.
and I am still purging. I donated and sold all that I could, at first it was hard but
then it felt so good. Recently I noticed that I could still keep purging, I found a
consignment shop and they came out and took a bunch of furniture from me to
sell. Some of it was a very nice bedroom set, I ended up going online and ordering
a very inexpensive new platform bed. I put the bed together and it looks great!
It is ten times more comfortable than my old bed, and I am so glad that I bought
it. I paid less than 200 bucks and it shipped to my door. I paid over a grand for
the old bedroom set 11 yrs. ago, and I am so relieved it is finally gone.
I found another consignment shop and I am now currently boxing up a ton of
stuff to take over to get rid of. Looking at all the stuff on my floor that was
previously taking up valuable closet space makes me realize how much I just don't
need or want any of it. Symbolically I am also hoping that clearing out the stuff
and then giving my little tiny house a very good cleaning will help clear my mind
out as well. I have so much to learn and I am not getting any younger.
Sometimes for inspiration I will go into a wealthy neighborhood in town and I
will drive around looking at the homes. There is one home where you can see
inside some, the space is clear and beautiful. Then when I go into the consignment
shop, it is all clutter and stuff. I feel like all of those people who parted with all of
that stuff feel the same way I do, relieved.
Not wanting to sidetrack this thread, but can you tell me where you ordered platform beds (does this include the mattress?) for $200? I am moving soon, and not taking my old mattresses/bed frames. This is also what I am hoping to do for new beds. Thanks!
Letting go of things with sentimental value is always tough. If they make you feel bad, then it's definitely time to let go. Sorting through them alone, however, is not recommended. You can ask a friend or two to help even just for emotional support. Hiring a service also sounds good if you feel comfortable letting strangers go through your things. Some people may have a problem with that. Whatever you decide, better act on it quick. Postponing will only make you feel agitated.
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