How to sort through years of accumulation when moving for the first time in 30 y

1. 79

   KCC Big Countryposted 12 years ago

   How to sort through years of accumulation when moving for the first time in 30 years?
   
   After you've been settled for a number of  years you tend to accumulation a lot of junk.  It can be an emotional and daunting task.  How do you begin to sort through it and decide what to keep and what to get rid of?  Please provide tips.

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2. 85

   pstraubie48posted 12 years ago

   O bless your heart. My parents retired to Florida in 1966...they had lived in their home for 40 years and there was stuff galore. It was a huge task to go through everything. A lot of things came to Florida just for the ride...they were never used after they arrived. So I hope I learned fromt that.
   I am in the process of moving and I have stuff that I have dragged around for 35 years. My motto is, if it is someting that I have not seen or used or worn in the last year (it used to be 2 but that is not my thought at this juncture),  it is time to let go of it, via Salvation Army, Goodwill, yard sales, local churches, or recycling centers.
   If you come across something that is broken and cannot be reparied toss it.
   Set up a series of containers, label...save (those will go with you), Salvation Army, Goodwill, Church, yard sales, recycling center, trash.
   Handle each thing ONCE. Pick it up, make a decision, and move on.
   If you have a lot of time and you know YOU want to make the decisions about what goes in each container, then begin. If, however, you have helpers who know what you can live without, enlist help.
   Happy packing ...I am right there with you.

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3. 72

   alipuckettposted 12 years ago

   It's so easy to accumulate, yet so hard to let go!  Sometimes you just have to sort through stuff item by item and force yourself to make those difficult decisions.  I think the best rule of thumb is to ask yourself how long it's been since you've actually used an item.  If it's been 2 years since you've used or even thought about it, it may be time to let it go.  If you're having trouble, also consider if there is someone you know who might need it.  It can be easier to let go if you know someone else will put it to use.  Best wishes to you!

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4. 0

   shazwellynposted 12 years ago

   I have just recently done this, so can help. 
   
   1. Start with the loft and garage - sort through these... then
   car boot it.. ebay it.. charity shop it... recycle it.. dump it!
   
   Make sure your loft is EMPTY!  Good neat trick but be ruthless!
   
   2. Go through your cupboards and wardrobes.. then...
   
   car boot it.. ebay it.. charity shop it... recycle it.. dump it!
   
   3.  Then there is the sheds... do you really want that rusty saw?... then...
   
   car boot it.. ebay it.. charity shop it... recycle it.. dump it!
   
   4.  Have you been ruthless enough?  Go through it again... then...
   
   car boot it.. ebay it.. charity shop it... recycle it.. dump it!
   
   5.  Stuff with sentimental value?  Photograph it... it is the memory you want to keep, not that favourite chair that Auntie Flo loved so dearly, for which you inherited!  What should you do with it?....
   
   car boot it.. ebay it.. charity shop it... recycle it.. dump it!
   
   So, just in case you want to know about car boot sales... here is one I prepared earlier:
   
   http://shazwellyn.hubpages.com/hub/Engl … ar-Booting
   
   ..... and charity shops with ebay concerns:
   
   http://shazwellyn.hubpages.com/hub/Engl … arity-Shop
   
   Hope this helps and good luck!

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5. 60

   julianamontgomeryposted 12 years ago

   Breaking up the task into bite-sized chunks will make it easier. Depending on how much time you have, pick one room a day or a week to go through.
   
   Have sets of boxes ready that are labeled as Save, Toss, Give Away. It is also a good idea to have a set of Give Away labels so you can label any furniture items that you will donate.
   
   Go through everything in the room and put items in the appropriate boxes. Since many items are bound to have a sentimental value after living with them for so many years, try to pick out only the most important ones to save. Ask yourself if you will miss the item if you no longer have it. Think about your new living space and imagine your things in that space. What would be the things that are most important to have in that space?
   
   If you have difficulty parting with some items, consider checking with family or friends to see if they would want to keep any of these sentimental items. That way you can still visit them even if you don't own them anymore.

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6. 77

   JamaGeneeposted 12 years ago

   Pretend you have to evacuate because of a fire, tornado, or flood.  Put everything precious you wouldn't want to lose to such a disaster in one room, like family photos, important documents, family heirlooms, and furniture and mementos too dear or too expensive to replace.  Lock the door to that room. Then call Goodwill or a trash hauling company to cart off the rest. Or do like a friend did and just have an open house for everybody you know to come and take whatever they want.  Trust me, you'll never miss it, and the time and energy you'll save NOT stressing yourself out sorting through 30 years of accumulation: PRICELESS! ;D

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7. 67

   golfcart34posted 12 years ago

   The best advice I could give is to have a close friend or relative help you if at all possible.  I've often found having a friend help keeps you motivated and will help you make better decisions about what to keep, what to toss, and perhaps even how to sell stuff that is still worth something.

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