The How...

There is a reason this is the last of these segments to write.  #1, it’s still ongoing and #2 it’s not easy.  Getting started is definitely the hardest part but you tend to gain steam as you go.  That being said, it’s truly a mindset.  I mean it’s SOOOO hard and then something clicks in your brain.  It’s like learning to walk or using a muscle that never has been used before.  I remember when I taught myself to raise one eyebrow.  I was in about 10^th grade and decided it would be cool if I could raise one and decided on my right one.  ???  So I would practice in the mirror and put my finger on the muscle above my eyebrow, trying to teach it to go up and if it did, both went up so then I held one down and so forth.  Eventually, I did teach myself and now it just jumps up at will but until then WOW, it was nearly impossible.

I have always been someone who donates a lot to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and to our local Humane Society that has a retail store where you can also donate items and the money earned goes towards the clinic to help animals.  We were already working as fosters for them so they got a large part of our household, pet items and clothing.  At first, you begin by giving things you no longer need and don’t really want so that’s easy.  Then you start getting to things you don’t need but DO want!  Then it gets harder.  Here are some tips I have compiled that are helping me.

Use the whole three bin (or area) system like on the TV shows.  Keep, Donate/Sell and Trash.  You will be surprised how much trash you have.  The first time you go through an area (such as your clothing) you will find a LOT in the save pile and that is ok.  Revisit that keep bin/area every couple of weeks and you will find it’s easier to continue the sort 

Like me, you probably have multiples of items that are in great shape but you really don’t need one, but REALLY don’t need two.  For instance I have 2 really long, heavy wool coats.  Now my plan is to keep away from any really cold weather but I LOVE these coats.  I looked forever to find them during my life and that is why I have two of them.  They are basically blankets with buttons J  Besides, one has a hood which makes it TOTALLY different from the other, even if they ARE both wool, black and floor length J  I thought about the poor people I see downtown with NO coat or with an inadequate coat and asked myself, why do you need TWO when they have NONE!  That helped in being able to put ONE in the donate/sell pile.  Mind you ONE.  I still haven’t gotten to the point of losing that other one…it’s a process, folks.  I also would play the game “if there was a fire and you could only save one which one would you grab?”  If I was still undecided, I would pick one up and say OK THIS IS THE ONE I KEEP and then see if I felt relieved or sad.  Did I mention one has a HOOD?! 

Have a garage sale.  Mind you, you won’t make it rich but depending on your area, the type of items you have and the pricing, you CAN make some money.  It takes a lot of work and time so honestly if given the situation again, I would probably not do this unless I had a few really nice items that would bring in more money and not selling my clothes for $1.00 each again

When it comes to high ticket items, like motorcycles, or appliances, etc., start by posting on your Facebook page.  I gave my FB friends first nod at my items and gave them “friend prices” which they could share with THEIR friends but THEIR friends had to contact me and refer back to my friend.  That way I also didn’t have to deal with any scary strangers coming to my house and killing me like off Craigslist, etc.  Also, you are less likely to get “looky-loos” as I call them that say they are interested and then waste your time and gas meeting them and then they never get back to you, or never show in the first place.  Surprisingly, we were able to sell MOST items this way.  The best part about selling to friends is that you get to see your stuff again when you visit.  J  Also Facebook has many “garage sale” groups in many areas so I was also able to list things in those as well as using Craiglist for some of the more specialized items.  This extra money of course is what helps fund your dream.  However, no one cares how much you paid or how much more you have invested in this item.  It’s all about what they are willing to pay.  In short, you will more than likely take a loss

The items I have struggled with the most are unfinished projects and momentos.  Having to sell an unfinished project to me is like failure.  I never got to finishing it, etc.  There is this hope in an unfinished project and in selling it you not only admit defeat but lose that hope of what could have been.  Get over it and let someone else finish and enjoy it!  That is all I have to offer on that subject J   Because I never had kids, I have things that normally you would pass to your kids, dolls, etc.  Also because I have lost so many people in my life, I have a ton of cards, things they bought or made me, etc.  I have found it a LITTLE easier by taking a photo of it and keeping THAT instead of the item.  If their item has value to others, I try to donate it so someone else can enjoy

Allow yourself to keep SOME stuff that isn’t needed.  This may change for me in the future but for now I have allotted myself a cabinet with a small footprint where I am placing ALL unneeded but wanted items.  Mostly it’s filled with cards, tax returns (ok those might be needed), cards and letters, etc.  I do have a few “item”, items but you get the gist.  If it doesn’t fit in there, it doesn’t stay.  That way I don’t feel SO cheated and empty but it’s also controlled. It lets me control whether I want to keep 1 large item or many smaller items and somehow that makes it easier for me

If you know the setting, space and area of where you are moving to (be it an RV, TH whatever) it’s easier because you know how much space you have to work with.  I am a big fan of baskets and other items to organize things.  So there were things I had to purchase to get organized even when just going from 1500 – 800 sq. ft.  That is ok!  Just don’t get crazy and bring more unneeded things into the house.  In fact, if something catches my eye now, I play a game with myself that I can only bring it into the house if I get rid of three other things.  I purchased a GREAT white, no iron blouse that can be dressed up or down and was able to rid myself of 2 other white shirts that didn’t fit as nicely that required ironing AND another white long sleeved t-shirt to bring that baby home.  AND I paid less than $5.00 as I got it at the 2^nd hand store!  No matter what the item is now, if it’s not NEEDED then I only can bright it in if I rid myself of 3x as many items.  There is nothing magic in the number 3 but it works for me J

After a while I started feeling like I had learned a secret.  I remember checking out at the grocery and looking over at the magazines and items near the register area.  Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I struggle with patience and just being still so waiting in lines for me is killer.  Normally I play on my phone or find something to look at or read to keep my sanity.  I couldn’t believe how many ads for THINGS and having the right THINGS and buying the best JEANS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE and smiling kids with bright shiny new THINGS I saw.  I chuckled to myself.  Not in a “holier than thou” type of way but in a “wow, we are SO programmed” type of way.  It’s no wonder we all struggle with having too much.  It’s too easy to do and it’s so encouraged and even dictated by our culture.  There is nothing wrong with having stuff and I don’t claim to be “green” or have a “tiny footprint”, etc. and if you do that is great.  I just know that for ME it’s very stressful to have so much STUFF around taking up your time and energy and money; and for ME it kept me away from the people and animals and nature that gives me so much joy!  It’s a process.  I hope those around me seeing me go through this are inspired to just even slim down their items a little.  Just take one more minute, to consider whether bringing that item into your house will increase your joy or just your debt.  For that, it’s worth sharing this experience.