Decluttering Regrets

[@tamerastewart484]

I’m 61 years old and still love decluttering. I just love a fresh start!

[@GetOrganizedHQ]

A fresh start - yes! What a great way to look at it!!

[@janethunt4037]

Thanks for sharing. This is encouraging. I'm slow at decluttering. I ponder the space when I'm away from it and realize that some more items could be decluttered, then go back and take them out. You make a great point about stamped cards and serving pieces styles going out of fashion. I had not thought about that.

[@ahoardersheart]

Hey Love!! I just subscribed 💞 So excited for our collab and excited to hear this video: that’s the hoarders worst fear: regret Decluttering something!!

[@maddyrichards7881]

I love this video!! I have regretted decluttering a beautiful big Bomber jacket that my best friend gave me when she moved, it was so unique. Also, early in my minimalism journey I was so excited and I decluttered half of my horse ribbons ahahha "trying to cut down on space". That's about it though! Oh and the other day I was being so good at decluttering I deleted some messages off my phone my Negative COVID Test and then a few days later I actually needed it for the doctor!

[@Homelifelearning]

A little story of 'regret'. My daughters 7th birthday fell into a lockdown last year. We had been planning to go bowling on her birthday. I thought about a plastic bowling set we had but had decluttered. That's a shame I thought we could have played that, but I didn't want to buy a new one as we never played with it any more. So I had to think of something else for her birthday. I actually put something thoughtful, enjoyable and memorable rather than just getting out a rubbish plastic bowling set and spending 5 mins playing it. She (we) had a fantastic day. I was so glad I didn't have that set anymore. Fast forward 8months I have been clearing the loft as its so full and we can't find what we actually need. I found that bowling set, I'd totally forgot I'd put it in the loft in case we wanted it. Needless to say it went straight to the charity shop along with loads of other stuff we stored and never needed or used again. So actually I never regretted it and I have never regretted anything I have got rid of any may be purchased again as I have gained so much more than the few £s I have had to spend or I have made do.

[@GetOrganizedHQ]

Yes - so much yes!!

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

My only actual decluttering regret is a couple albums, I still use a record player and from time to time I want for a couple of those oldies, BUT not enough to replace them.

[@beverlyleibold3980]

I am in the middle of purging so many things I don't use anymore. And one is a tote of rubber stamps. I am having a yard sale this weekend and whatever don't go will be donated to our local goodwill.

[@bfitzloff]

I kept all my rubber stamp stuff from 20 years ago but you are right they are out of style now! I do feel guilty every time I look at them because I haven't used them in forever so I definitely can relate to that!

[@GetOrganizedHQ]

I totally understand!!

[@griseldaguerrero7199]

I regret giving away my Disney DVDs ollection. I have a son now and I refuse to pay a lot of money for those Disney movies.

[@AM-wt2ul]

What about family heirlooms? How do you handle those? I've got a ton of sentimental items that have been given to me by relatives over the years. Things like bronzed baby shoes, yearbooks, etc. It's cluttering up a closet in my house but no one wants them in the older or younger generations. I don't know what to do with them but I don't want them.

[@bugnbelle]

Toss them. My kids don’t even want their yearbooks- once they are gone you won’t think twice about it.

[@Homelifelearning]

If you don't want want them and your family don't want them then get rid of them with a clear conscious. They brought you joy at the time and now they can bring you joy by freeing up space. Xx

[@CharissaWagner]

@@bugnbelle I would keep them. I told my parents I didn’t want some handmade things I had made as a child when I moved out. I was planning on taking most of the Christmas decor. Come to find out when I went to get it from them a couple years later they had given almost everything they had to a friend who had lost theirs in a fire. I wouldn’t have minded at all. I just wish they had just let me know and asked if there was anything I decided I was worth keeping. I was heartbroken to have lost all the Christmas stuff I grew up decorating the house with. In those few years of living on my own and getting together with my family during holidays I had learned the importance of family heirlooms. I didn’t care if they had cash value, they were valued by so many in our family and should continue to in the future. I don’t know maybe I’m just sentimental but I think once kids have some time to actually grow and mature outside of school they’ll realize the importance of different things in life.

[@johncware66]

I take a few pictures, maybe one with the note or description of the item in the photo with the item. Take some bit of time to enjoy the item, make the photo look good, clean the item, maybe use a photo booth or some neutral backdrop. Then save the digital photo (no space), and let go of the item. If it isn't worth the effort, then the sentimentality is a lie so just toss it. :)

[@Sandra-rf5fs]

@@johncware66 ....What a great idea! And you get a few more "minutes" enjoying the items while getting ready to photograph. Especially lovely to include a written story about the item, to help remember the good times with it!

[@youandmeandmultiplescleros402]

No regrets, though I caution everyone to look carefully before you just give or throw things away. I had a few bad moments when I thought I'd accidentally included my MIL's dessert plates in a box of things I gave to the senior center...though thankfully they turned up before my husband missed them!