I just completed a 100 item declutter. Actually there were more than 100 items total, but I grouped some things together. 100 doesn't put a big dent in my hoard and many of these first things were easier emotionally to declutter, so I definitely have a lot more work to do. But I learned some valuable things about myself in the process.
I have hoarding tendencies. I keep things I don't use because what if. I also keep things I don't intend to use, usually because I feel bad that I've wasted my money. I avoid the bad feeling of being wasteful by putting it in a drawer and telling myself that maybe I'll use it one day. I keep things because my fantasy self would use them. I have tons of painting supplies that I hope to use someday, but I likely won't. I have boxes of yarn that I want to knit someday. I have a very nice stand mixer that I used once 7 years ago.
I collect consumable beauty items like makeup, nail polish, and skincare. I have an entire drawer in my bathroom of beauty-related samples. In fact, I also have stashes of samples in multiple areas of my house. This is even after I decluttered a huge bag of samples I didn't want. I have more beauty stuff than I could possibly use over my lifetime. I keep the things I don't use until past their expiry date. I then have a good reason to get rid of them and don't have to feel as guilty. I still feel guilty though. I still look at the stacks of stuff and feel bad.
I have trouble getting items I don't want out of my house. Boxes meant for the donation bin will sit in a closet or the trunk of my car for months. This time I made a point to donate right away.
What I learned: I have to stop buying things in bulk. They expire before I get to them. Often I get sick of using that thing and wish it was used up so I could try something new. Giant bottles of conditioner look shitty and take up too much space in my shower. My cupboards are full of backups and backups of backups. What will happen if I run out of bodywash? I might have to pay full price? Better buy 8 bottles now while it's on sale. So what if my cabinet barely closes? Ugh. I'm not saving much money anyway when I don't even finish the thing and have to throw it out.
I buy something to replace an item that is worn out or I no longer want, but I still keep the item I was supposed to discard!! I do this mainly with clothes and shoes. I recently bought a new pair of black ankle boots to replace the pair that I hated. I bought a new pair because they were comfortable and beautiful. I kept the old pair too that were uncomfortable and kind of ugly. Why??
I get an emotional payoff from knowing something is there if I want it. I do this with food a lot. For example, I'll buy a box of crackers and share a certain amount with my husband. Then I will start to feel like I'm not getting my share, so I'll declare that the rest are mine and put the box in my designated spot. It will sit there for weeks. Then it will go stale and I'll throw it out.
I'm on mat leave now so I'm home all day. I'm confronted with my stuff all the time and I hate it. It's so depressing. I take my baby out to the mall for half the day to avoid my mess. Then I buy new things and add to it. What am I doing?
So I'm starting to get rid of it. I'm not doing it as quickly as I'd like and I'm still making excuses to keep certain things, but it's a start.
Here is what I decluttered and why.
| Thing | Category | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Charger cable | Electronic | Broken |
| Cat food | Pets | Expired |
| Pumpkin x2 | Decor | Ugly |
| 2016 planner | Stationary | Old |
| 2018 planner | Stationary | Old |
| Pocket mask | Health | Duplicate |
| Vichy moisturizer | Beauty | Expired |
| Magnet | Decor | Don't need |
| Protein powder | Food | Expired |
| Nivea lipbalm | Beauty | Old |
| Covergirl mascara | Makeup | Old |
| Revlon liquid lip | Makeup | Ugly |
| Peripera pang lip | Makeup | Ugly |
| Essence eyeliner | Makeup | Old |
| Dead plant x2 | Decor | Dead |
| New Balance Underwear x2 | Clothes | Doesn't fit |
| Bath and body works candle jar | Decor | Ugly |
| Eye masks | Beauty | Expired |
| Hair pins | Hair | Don't like |
| Fresh face mask | Beauty | Old |
| Tiger balm | Toiletries | Old |
| Olay moisturizer | Beauty | Don't need |
| Hair clips | Hair | Duplicate |
| Pencil sharpener | Tools | Duplicate |
| Nail clippers | Tools | Duplicate |
| Pure skincare | Beauty | Expired |
| Peridot ring | Jewelry | Broken |
| Travel size bbw lotion | Beauty | Old |
| LAMB perfume | Beauty | Old |
| Kevin Murphy Shampoo | Hair | Old |
| Contigo travel mug | Kitchen | Broken |
| Chopsticks | Kitchen | Replaced |
| B&BW Pearberry fragrance | Beauty | Don't use |
| Plastic hair brush | Hair | Don't use |
| Tresemme styling spray | Hair | Duplicate |
| Peeling gel | Beauty | Expired |
| TCFS pumpkin sleeping pack | Beauty | Expired |
| Sheetmasks x24 | Beauty | Expired |
| Skeins of yarn x4 | Hobby | Ugly |
| Puzzle x2 | Hobby | Don't need |
| Art gifts | Decor | Ugly |
| Purple clock | Decor | Husband hates it |
| Random cord | Electronic | Don't need |
| Scarf from mom | Accessory | Broken and ugly |
| Magnetic schedule | Decor | Broken |
| Textbooks x30+ | Books | Old |
| White towels x4 | Linens | Old |
| Red vase | Decor | Don't need |
| Lipgloss picture | Decor | Don't want |
| White throw pillow | Decor | Old |
| Floss x2 | Toiletries | Duplicate |
| Expired food in fridge | Food | Expired |
| Innisfree liquid eyeshadow x2 | Makeup | Don't like |
| Wisk | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Vishy night cream | Beauty | Expired |
| Lancome cream | Beauty | Expired |
| Misha liquid eyeshadow | Makeup | Expired |
| Medication | Health | Expired |
| Eye makeup remover | Beauty | Old |
| Coffeemate | Food | Expired |
| Thinksport Sunscreen | Toiletries | Expired |
| Patak seasoning kit | Food | Expired |
| Crisco oil | Food | Expired |
| Aldo boots | Shoes | Replaced |
| White measuring cups | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Vitamins | Health | Expired |
| Funnel x2 | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Wedding planning book x2 | Books | Don't need |
| Bottle Nipple x2 | Baby | Wrong size |
| Red coasters | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Deck of cards | Games | Duplicate |
| Yoga notebook | Books | Don't need |
| Straw cleaner | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Dr. Jart+ disapore BB cream | Makeup | Expired |
| Simple makeup wipes | Beauty | Old |
| Nail polish mini x5 | Beauty | Don't want |
| Silicone baking cups x8 | Kitchen | Duplicate |
| Homemade soap x2 | Beauty | Old |
| First aid beauty blemish pads | Beauty | Expired |
| Giraffe toy | Baby | Don't like |
| Underwear x5 | Clothing | Old |
| Bra padding x4 | Accessories | Don't need |
| Throw blanket | Decor | Replaced |
| Phone holder x3 | Electronics | Duplicate |
| Icebreaker merino dress | Clothing | Broken |
| Bathing suit coverup | Clothing | Old |
| Princess Bib | Baby | Ugly |
| Wall hook | Decor | Ugly |
| Booties & bow set | Baby | Ugly |
| Tons of documents | Paper | Don't need |
| Brown ankle booties | Shoes | Old |
| Franco Sarto shoes | Shoes | Don't fit |
| Keen shoes | Shoes | Don't wear |
| Vans shoes | Shoes | Old |
| Pens x4 | Office supplies | Broken |
| Face mask | Health | Don't need |
| Head band | Hair | Old |
| Onesie x3 | Baby | Don't need |
| Easy Peasy by Lesley Glaister | Books | Read |
| Night by Elie Wiesel | Books | Read |
| Leaf candle holder | Decor | Ugly |
| Metal vase | Decor | Ugly |
| Fake fall flowers | Decor | Ugly |
Submitted December 14, 2018 at 09:56AM by JuneSleeper https://ift.tt/2Qvxp92
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