hi, my name is jo and I am a packrat. I was raised by a pair of packrats. I am married to a guy who would have no material possesions other than a computer and a chair if it weren't for me. I'm pretty good at controlling the amount of stuff my kids have because I'm VERY VERY picky about their toys. but there are tons of other things in the house... i feel like it's just too full.


I'm really struggling with this issue right now. I feel the need to streamline and there's some stuff that I am parting with now problem:
~i don't use it
~someone else can use it right now
~i didn't buy it myself and never liked it much

but....

what about the art supplies. I have A LOT! of art and craft stuff. I mean an entire studio. and even the stuff I don't use currently the kids do or will as they grow. so do I keep it or loose it?

what about the clothes? I decluttered my closet the last time I lost all the weight and then I had to replace a ton of clothes because I go through six sizes as I loose weight sllllloooowly after pregnancy (like 18 months basically a size every 2 months) I got rid of maternity clothes I didn't like but kept the ones I did because I am fairly sure we'll have another baby in the next hmmmm.... not sure when.....?

the other thing I get confused about is books. I love books. I have a huge collection of non-ficiton. and I use it- I read /research every single day. I could use the library more but with homeschooling I justify many the book purchase.

I guess I'm just looking for two big answers:
how did you decide what could stay and what could go?

what are your favorite resources for guidelines on decluttering (I'm using Aileens right now from the articles section but would like to read more)

I could really use the help today :) thanks!

~jo

Art supplies: like anything else, if you don't use them regularly, they're stagnant energy in your space. And they could be a huge blessing/help to someone else. Pick out the media you and the kids really use, and freecycle the rest or take it to a school.

Same with the clothes. Anyway, who wants to wear 10 year old clothes? ;) You can get a new-to-you wardrobe on the market board or in an ebay lot when the time comes. No need to keep something that could clothe a woman who just left a bad situation with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Books: I admit, we're book hounds, too, but I stil declutter them regularly. If the kids haven't shown any interest in the books in the last year, they're outta here. I can always get them again later with paperbackswap or something if they neeeed them. My books are even less sacred. I devour subjects passionately, then send the books on to the next person who wants to learn what lies within.

Here's a simple guideline: When in doubt, send it out. Of all the things I've decluttered, I've needed just a few again later. And they were all perfectly replaceable.

If you just need inspiration, Flylady is great. If you like reading about decluttering, the Don Aslett books are nice. And then there are the silly-but-inspiring TV shows like Clean Sweep.