Do you donate or sell your clutter? Declutter with Me

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Hi! I'm so glad you're here. So what do you think? Do you sell things or go straight to donating? Are there things you feel kind of pressured to declutter and you have doubts?

[@ObiMomKenobi13]

The hardest thing to declutter are sentimental things.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

@@ObiMomKenobi13 absolutely!

[@albareyes7412]

@@TowardsASimpleLife I donate because I get rid of things faster that way; I don't hold on to stuff

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

@albareyes7412 that’s where I’m going these days.

[@laurat7324]

Ah, one of the benefits of getting older is seeing through the whole "you need new things" trick. I loved it when you said it was your choice to keep the cutting boards. That was funny! Also, I decided to watch a new video instead of getting back to your older ones (I'll do that this evening) and I noticed the shelves in the kitchen replaced the art board. Then I remembered asking you about your shelves and you told me about them so I need to look into that. I am so wishy washy about what shelves to get for the bathroom. For some reason, everything seems like a life or death decision when I choose something like shelves or knobs, etc.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I love those shelves so much! Sometimes it can be hard to decide what to do about these sorts of things. For some reason, it feels earth-shattering!

[@pst47wings]

I so agree!! I've found trying to sell items just not worth the time or the energy. I'm currently going through my in-laws things and some family member want me to try to sell certain things. I might mail it to them and let them 😂

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That's what I'm thinking too. Decluttering is hard and emotional. Adding selling to the mix makes it even harder. I love the idea of mailing those things to your family member.

[@nancyfranks3505]

You are amazing. This was a great video. I’ve just begun to declutter. Been married for 48 years and we have so much stuff. Sadly, our oldest child, Laura age 41, died unexpectedly October 25, 2023. I have so much stuff thinking she would want it some day….now she is gone. Our son, Jason, age 38…he doesn’t want our stuff. He has his own home and style. I understand. One thing I need help with is my Longerberger basket collection. In the 80s and 90s, they were a big thing here in Colorado. I spent lots of money on them. I’ve enjoyed them, but many are now in the basement in bins….ugh, what to do. I’m honestly thinking of just donating, but I’m stuck. I admire you could donate your camera equipment. Good job.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! We'll be married 48 years on August 17th - so nearly there. And man... the stuff does pile up over that amount of time. I'm so sorry that you lost your daughter. That would be so hard. My sons don't want anything either. I remember those Longerberger baskets. They were big here in Utah, too.

[@sharilafleur3792]

The surprising gift decluttering gave me, is learning to listen to myself and figure out what I like. I realized I didn't like decorating. I only set out the things that made me happy and gave away the rest. Decluttering helped me let go of things I thought I should like and hang on to what I actually do like.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Isn't that true? It really does help clarify what we prefer individually.

[@urbanbeachbum2148]

I love your channel! At 61 I bought a house in the country and left the city. Thank you for keeping me company while I unpack and organize my new house. I relate to you in so many ways…ok, I’ll get rid of a few of my tshirts that say things. But I refuse to part with the ones that only another math geek would find amusing; they make me smile when I mow. 😎 Your channel is reaching people who appreciate your real and encouraging style. Thanks for opening up your life to us.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thanks so much. I'm glad you're here with me! It sounds so great to be able to move to the country. I grew up in a small town and it was so quiet. Even the air felt still. Is it like that for you?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are delightful!

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

What a nice thing to hear! Thanks!

[@crimequeencreates8248]

I have gotten to the same point you are at. I’ve been downsizing my decor stash. I do like to keep enough options that I can rotate my holiday decor and put out some different stuff each year without having to buy more stuff. I kept my most favorite stuff, and I got rid of anything I didn’t absolutely love or was sick of using. I love how you kept the plates and incorporated your seasonal decor into that display instead of swapping out everything on the shelves.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That sounds just like I’m doing! I love using plates on those shelves. I’m about to swap the blue and white plates (my fav) out for my grandma’s china because the colors are fall-like. It makes things easy and I enjoy seeing them on display.

[@UniquelyLesa]

Hi there and happy Friday! I just donate whatever I declutter. My new daughter-in-law and other son's girlfriend looks through things and takes what they will use but the rest goes to the thrift store. My life is too busy to add even one more thing to my plate. Great motivation to just move out the things that are blocking the positive energy we could have in our homes. Don't fall! 😘 There is peace for me in being an "old lady" and just decorating how I like. 😅 Your shelf decor looks great. I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. XO

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Hi Lesa! I'm finding that before I donate decor, I have to let my daughter look at it. She likes to decorate and can't afford to buy anything and she likes what I have. (Memories!) That's an extra step, but I'm glad to do it for her. It has made me realize that I can't sort through it until after the season is over, because I need to see what she uses first. Funny - I would never think of you being an "old lady." You're so peppy!

[@ArtyAntics]

My favourite thing right now is to buy supermarket flowers and turn them into floral arrangements at home. I have a 3D envelope box with flowers exploding out of them. Makes me happy 😊

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I love this! That sounds so pretty.

[@kathycarter1553]

Rozanne, great video and I continue to go through my things, and getting rid of stuff I do not need. I find staying out of the stores is the best thing for me only going for something I need. Take care and have a great week.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Me too! Shopping is my problem. I made a video about that for next week because I have to keep the clutter out to begin with. Also, we have to really cut down on the spending right now. Hope you have a great week too!

[@healthylifeingredients6211]

I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!! You never have to think about those items EVER AGAIN!!! Can you hear my excitement for you??? LOL. Great job!!!! The more you let go of, the more free you will be (physically, emotionally, spiritually). Less is more! Keep going. You are doing an amazing job.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thanks! It does feel wonderful to have them gone. They were really weighing heavily on me. I appreciate your encouragement so much!

[@alexisquinn2784]

Always enjoy the life you have and celebrate the person you are. You said it- you are enough.❤️

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Yes! That is so wise. We need to do this!

[@amandazplace5663]

I'm so fortunate to live 10 minutes from a thrift shop that takes EVERYTHING. So, the decision about where my junk ends up is being made by someone who is getting paid to sort through it all. Hey.... I'm helping create jobs! The energy it takes to just get it out of the house is enough work for me. I gave up trying to sell stuff myself years ago. That said, if my husband lost his job, I might change my mind. But, it would have to be more than just household knicky-knacky stuff.♥️🇨🇦

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That's so true, especially with the place I donate to. They actually teach people how to work - put them through a program - and give them skills and then, help them get another job. One of my sons went through the program because he has a few handicaps.

[@KymAtHome]

Hola. I will say, I've been decluttering a lot lately and it feels really good. I still have items in my truck I need to drop off for donation. I like to have different choices, too. I have decor I shuffle thru that I won't get rid of b/c they are timeless pieces. TFS this is a great perspective. The yellow looks great. Bee kind 🙌🏽

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

😀😀 It does feel good. My main problem is that I have to go slowly because of my health, but maybe that’s a good thing. It’s given me time to decide how I want to do it (instead of doing it like “they” say it should be done). I’m glad you enjoyed it. See you friend!

[@amandazplace5663]

I think the rule of "don't put out pics with signs" is for when you're selling your home. You don't want potential buyers to focus on figuring out the homeowner. You want them to focus on the home so all your decor should be very neutral & non-specific. But, if you're decorating for your own enjoyment, and you love some signs, express yo' self, sweetie!! ♥️🇨🇦

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Hmmm... I hadn't thought of that before. Good points!

[@yolandagutierrez7465]

Thank you! Exactly - be uniquely you! 🙏🏻

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

You're so welcome!!

[@wendyhummel9600]

Your shelves are the perfect place to decorate for each new month or season. They look great!

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I think so too! I really love them. My husband thought up the idea to install them and I'm always so glad. They make the room feel cheery.

[@Mythriftedhome214]

Bravo decorating for yourself and your home! If you love it, who cares if anyone else does! ❤

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thank you so much! Yeah, who cares. Ha!

[@raydineseltzer5555]

Love your flowers. I have a lot and I am old Love the sign too. I follow a lot of people on you tube but you be you because in the end that’s all that counts. Enjoy your stuff as we all should. I have declutterred to the point I,m ashamed I got rid of so much but I only by what I Truely love. I don’t follow trends I am me. Love your video.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

🌹🌸💐🌺🌷🌻🥀🌼 Flowers are so wonderful! I’m learning a lot by decluttering and part of it that I should keep more than I initially thought I would (even though I’m getting rid of a lot). I’m discovering me and getting stronger in that. It’s a good time. I don’t follow trends much either. I am my own trend. 😀

[@crimequeencreates8248]

As a former Goodwill employee, I can assure you that the camera equipment you donated will be looked up to determine its value, and it will mostly be sent to their e-commerce department to be sold online on their website. That is what they do with most high dollar items to get the most value out of them.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That’s cool that Goodwill does that. I don’t think this thrift store has that ability. They have a special area where they sell high-value items. I’ve assumed that they sold them there.

[@albareyes7412]

I love your channel ❤ I haven't had a chance to watch it but I have decluttered my computer room and Wow do I feel great. My son has been decluttering his home and we just both feel better 😊

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

So nice to see you Alba! Good for you for doing that decluttering. It is a relief to see the extra stuff go away!

[@samanthagore8498]

I'm currently clearing my mum's flat. I am selling some of her good quality decorative china for low amounts on Facebook just because I want to feel those things are being valued. It's working so far.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I’m so glad to hear that. I bet the folks that are getting the china are thrilled to get it!

[@BluVelvtbutitsreallyNancy]

You do such a great job decorating! I usually donate. I might have a yard sale once a year with other ppl but most stuff I donate. Id like to sell high ticket items on Amazon Marketplace but my hubby and I dont want strangers in our home or to come to our home.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thanks! I enjoy doing it. I will probably always keep decorating despite decluttering. It’s fun and I’ve learned now to declutter my fun away. I don’t do as much as I used to, but I like what so do do. I used to sell used books and camera equipment on Amazon and it worked well. I don’t have the energy for it now, but I think it may be because getting Long Covid made my Fibromyalgia worse so I have to protect myself more than I do. I used to do garage sales and they were actually quite fun. Things have sure changed. So glad to talk to you today!

[@anniey949]

You are so inspiring.. I have been decluttering lately. Your hair looks lovely Xx love your videos.xx

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Oh, how nice to hear. I appreciate that!

[@Kathyathome]

I like to just be rid of it, so I always donate. It feels great to get rid of stuff!!!!

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

It really does feel good!

[@debnelson3979]

VERY WELL DONE!!! And what wonderful blessings to others! Way to go! I loved the bright yellow bouquets!

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thank you so much! It means a lot to hear you liked it so much. Very encouraing!

[@janetr5929]

I donate to a senior dog rescue who has a thrift shop. My good stuff goes there. The donate-able stuff that is still in good shape we drop off at good will. Worn out items are thrown away. I can’t deal with trying to sell to the general public. It’s not worth my time.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

It sounds like you have a great donating plan! It is difficult to deal with people when you sell things. The most fun I've had with it was when I posted on Facebook that I was giving away something really nice - like those cabinets in the office. Having them come take them away (without me having to do a thing) was awesome.

[@cassandragrau7029]

Love you and your thoughts😁

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you're here. :-)

[@knye3116]

Brava! I think this is one of your best videos. Thank you.

[@vynedvyne59]

Your an artist❤perhaps a watercolor pad and set to play with ❤

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That sounds fun!

[@belle6219]

I don't have anything left worth selling, and the few charity shops in my small city are so overstuffed, they regularly refuse to accept any more donations. So my discards usually go straight into the dumpster, with the exception of craft items that go to a yearly craft swap at the library. But I don't take anything in return! Something to consider: If you took down the top two shelves in that corner, you could reduce the number of decor items on display, which would better reflect your newly decluttered home. And you wouldn't have to stand on a chair to reach way up there. It just seems like too much. Four of the same plates, for example. Why not just one? And so on. Less is more.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I guess I'm lucky that it's so easy to donate. Our locate charity shops (Deseret Industries are the large ones) use the items to create job programs and then they use a lot of it to send to people all around the world, especially after situations like natural disasters. They do a lot of good in the world. I wouldn't get rid of any of my shelves. They were my husband's ideas (because he knows I like to decorate and he likes seeing what I do). I really enjoy the process of decorating and to me, not having decorations around would make my house feel kind of sad. Everyone feels differently about that and that's good.

[@CynthiaMiller-cc3qj]

Your summer decor is so cheery❣️

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Thanks!!

[@cheergirlxox55]

We've had the hardest time selling things in our area. We will list expensive items, already at a really low price, trying to sell them quickly and we'll get absolutely no offers or people trying to haggle it down to pennies. Like we have a $400 piece of furtnitue listed for $65 and people are trying to haggle to $25... at that point.. it doesn't even feel worth it 😑

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I know what you mean. I had actually listed that bit sound box thing on the stand and someone wanted me to give it to them for less. So I came to a half-way point. Then they wanted me to take it to them 40 miles away. I said no. I think that might have been the thing that made me say, "I just need to give all of this away." It was hard enough to list it. It was too hard to deal with people like that.

[@diane938]

What a great uplifting video … thank you !

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Glad you enjoyed it! :-)

[@elizabethpaul989]

Donate things. First to family members then to charity.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

Yep. I agree with this. Selling has become to hard for me.

[@Essy311]

If I feel like I can list it for $150+ and actually sell it for over $100, I'll put on facebook marketplace for a couple days. And then donate if it doesn't sell.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That's what I used to do. I'm not sure why it started to overwhelm me to sell things. Maybe it's because I've been decluttering so much this year. I can't even think of how many car loads I've taken to the donation center.

[@LegoFlipC]

I have always just donated…so much less stressful. And now that I see that there are people that are eBay resellers that shop thrift stores….i feel like my donations are helping someone and they are working to make their money off of cheap thrift store deals. Also I always get a receipt for tax write offs!

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

That's a good way to think of it - the resellers are finding things they can sell which helps them a lot!

[@ObiMomKenobi13]

I have to be honest. I have given up on selling or donating. I have been throwing it away.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I can totally get that. I think if it wasn't so easy to donate for me with this particular thrift store, I might go that way too.

[@ArtyAntics]

So hard to donate in the UK so I’ve gone the same way. Charity shops don’t take donations half the time and when you find one that does you can’t park anywhere near it so I’m not able to carry things with my disabilities.

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

@ArtyAntics Too bad you don’t have the donation option. It sounds like the best thing is just to dispose of them.

[@donnaotto2544]

If I think I can get $100 or more, I try to sell items. Below that, they get donated or I give them away free on a Facebook group I belong to. However, if something sits for more than a month and cannot be sold (even after dropping the price), I give it away.

[@sharonhenry2820]

I totally agree. I would have tried to sell the expensive camera equipment but set a time limit on how long you try. After that, you can donate with a clear conscious. Lol Smaller, less expensive items we just donate now because we feel it's not worth the time or effort to try and sell. p.s. I love your shelves and the seasonal decor you switch out. 🌼

[@TowardsASimpleLife]

I tried to see a few things (not the camera, which felt too complicated), but it didn't work out and I just couldn't face the rest of it. I love the shelves, too. They were my husband's idea and I think it was a good one!