I’ve always been drawn to vintage treasures from charity shops. A lovely mid-century vase? Right in the basket. Six sherry glasses? Absolutely! There’s immense joy in rescuing items that others no longer cherish. Even if my family doesn’t understand, my home reflects my personal style, blending the old with the new.
But when it was time to downsize from our large Georgian manor, my passion for collecting hit a snag. With two kids off for university and only one left at home, we realized we were paying a hefty mortgage for space we hardly used.
We moved into a rental and stored our belongings as we searched for a new place. When we settled on a smaller Victorian terrace, I faced the daunting task of decluttering after a decade of collecting. Where to even start?
I began with the forgotten items in the garage and cellar. Surprisingly, I found many things I had kept out of sentimentality. Three boxes of kids’ art that should’ve been discarded ages ago. Old paperwork from home purchases spanning 25 years. And yes, unopened baby clothes that none of my kids had worn.
I took photos of the sentimental items and shared them with my family. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t want any of it. However, I held on to a few drawings from each child and some local newspaper clippings. The rest? Off to recycling.
Next, I tackled homeware. I realized I had way too much glassware—34 sherry glasses, for instance. I decided to keep only a few favorites that I actually used, like wine glasses from my late dad and a coffee set from my sister. The rest went into boxes to donate.
Then came the accessories. Using the “Swedish Death Cleaning” method—a strategy to prepare for easier inheritance—I sorted through my items. I made three piles: keep, donate, recycle. The longer I cleaned, the more ruthless I became. If I hadn’t displayed something in years and was keeping it just for the memory, then it wasn’t worth it.
Surprisingly, I found a sense of relief in letting go. I realized I’d been storing items that didn’t spark joy anymore. Reducing my collection by two-thirds felt liberating. When the moving company arrived, they told me that I had eliminated an entire van load—about 100 boxes! The charity shop even raised around £600 from my donations.
Decluttering not only made my new space feel more organized; it helped me keep only the items that truly mattered. Here are some tips to help you, too:
- Start Small: Work on one room or area at a time.
- Set Goals: Decide what you want to keep and why.
- Be Ruthless: If you haven’t used it in a year, consider letting it go.
- Celebrate Progress: Every box you clear out is a victory.
- Stay Motivated: Remember how good it feels to have less clutter.
In today’s fast-paced world, a simpler space can lead to a simpler life. Just like my journey, you might find that what you choose to keep reflects who you truly are.
Ultimately, letting go of excess is not just about making space in your home but also about creating space for new memories and experiences. Give it a try—you might be pleasantly surprised by how freeing it feels.
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