I can relate. I feel frustrated that I get attached to stuff. Logically, I know it’s just stuff, but sometimes it’s hard to get rid of either because of memories attached or because of monetary value attached. I will say that when I have actually purged unused items in the past, I have felt sad for about an hour, but then the relief of having it gone takes over. Zero regrets!

At least you have started the process. We have an attic, basement and garage filled with stuff. sigh.

I do try to purge my clothing. I have a wonderful house cleaner who loves receiving them.

I began the huge task of purging the end of 2016/beginning of 2017 when my parents died six weeks apart. That spread over into purging our house when DH and I decided to purchase the house from the estate. The process began again during CV when we started looking for our next house and has now moved into Phase 4 after purchasing our new home - half the size and in another state - which will lead to Phase 5 after the downsize when I realize there isn't enough wall space, places for accessories and/or furniture to land. Hopefully this 5 year process will come to an end in 2021.

Once I got started, it became easier. After we closed on the new house and stayed there a week, I got even more serious. So begin the process by letting go of the items that have been boxed up or unused, or didn't make the cut. It does get easier.

fwiw, I gave some family things I have never used and don't want to us to a friend with booths at two antique stores. I was happy to know she would keep herself, sell in her booth or give to other vendors for theirs.. and not end up broken in the donation truck or tossed because they didn't think it would sell.

If I have good stuff, I check to see if any friends need it. I’ve done garage and yard sales, but my minimum revenue potential needs to be at least $500 to bother. Fortunately I don’t have enough extra stuff to make them profitable any more. So if friends don’t want it, we donate.

It helps that we only have a 1,500 sq ft old house and nowhere else to keep our stuff.

If I’m being honest, you all know about my fashion and accessories hoarding problem so I empathize with your DH😉

I go thru a household purge about once a year, usually just before or after the holidays. Then I do mini purges throughout the year. Some kind of request for donations will come to my attention, and I will go thru the house seeing what I can give up. Even though I do it regularly, oddly enough I can always find a few things! So there are no pans here that haven’t been used in 10 years, and no clothes that haven’t been worn in 5 years, etc... I’m no minimalist, but I can’t stand having a bunch of stuff that I don’t need, especially because we don’t have a lot of storage space. And if I can’t use it, I feel good about passing it (whatever “it” is) to someone who can.

Of course, I still have wayyy more shoes and jewelry than I need...and craft/hobby supplies that only get used sporadically...

2katz4me, you were able to explain your attachment to the electric frypan. However, you did not seem to clearly understand why you hold onto the giant pot or other items. If you can clarify in your mind why you hold onto the other items you may then be able to part with them or decide you really want to keep them. I know that some people hold onto things because they are afraid that they may need them in the future. I venture to say that rarely happens and if it does it can be replaced. It cost money to move things, often more than it cost to replace the item. There is another cost, the mental cost of caring for and space usage in your home. I once read, "If you take the value per square foot of your home, add up the square footage of unused, uneeded, and unwanted stuff in your home you will be shocked at the number and wonder why you use your home as a storage facility." As you can see I have thought about this issue a lot.

I will never, ever do another garage sale. LOL We usually donate or give to someone in family if they can use. This past year I have sold a few things on Market Place. I actually have some pieces of furniture that I'll be putting up for sale there in the next week or so. I really am not one to keep alot of things but the Mr. is. The garage, basement and attic are evidence of that LOL. Once the pandemic started I decided going through closets, drawers and cabinets would be a good project for me. I really didn't have alot to get rid of, some, but mostly organizing. I have the Amvets pick up items once a year or two usually, so that helps. Six years ago we cleaned out my grandparents house. Last year, we emptied mom and dad's house and I brought home several pieces (apparently I get my love of antiques from my mom and I'm happy to have some of their things). That's why I now have some things to get rid of. Good luck!

ETA: Did you mean an electric skillet? I use mine fairly often and not for frying.

Get Rid of Stuff! I am swamped with the junk my mother has accumulated over 60 years in the same house. Now is your chance to find a good home for your stuff, rather than some stranger who may toss it in a dumpster. When I have things at my house to purge I post it on our local Buy Nothing Facebook page. Most of it goes. I don’t post useless stuff.

I love getting rid of things. I struggle with the sentimental things. Don’t know what to do about that, especially the old photos. Guess they will just get passed down until no one knows who these people are and tosses them gladly!

Here garage sales seem to be total fails. According to my neighborhood social media reports people just don’t go to them like they once did. And those that do show up to shop are only paying bargain basement prices. They do seem to be able to sell things better using FB marketplace. Good luck.

One thing our community does for the yearly neighborhood sale is to arrange for Salvation Army to come through to pick up unsold items at the end of the day. (For those who want to donate.) Makes it nice not having to pack your stuff up and take it back inside.

2katz, Sheesh, I could have written your post. I am late 60s, as late as one can get without being 70) and my DH is mid-70s. I am working hard on letting go of that "stuff" I never use. It is so hard sometimes. For the 689th time, I mentioned cleaning out DH's side of the garage (he cannot get his car in, my side is fine-duh) and we had the same discussion we have had 688 times before. I ended it with, "I had better die first because if you die first, I am throwing out ALL your stuff." He said, "I know." LOL.

It definitely gets easier to let things go once you get into the purging groove. I purged all my closets two or three years ago and a lot of my seasonal decor. Then I got busy with other projects and I haven't gotten back into the purging process, which I need to do. Inertia is my enemy. It's too easy for me to procrastinate starting the process when I'm under stress for other reasons. It's like I have a limited amount of mental bandwidth to deal with unlikeable tasks. Good luck with your garage sale. I don't even try to sell my items because dreading the selling process creates another hurdle for me to overcome.

I can't have a garage sale in the community I live. Luckily I purged a lot when I downsized over six years ago. Now I'm getting ready to sell again and have given much away to needy people. I'll put the rest on local my areas Facebook online garage sale sites and Nextdoor. There are a few things I keep lugging around. I have a huge stacks of B&W dinner china plates for that "big" party. I just know I'll regret getting rid of them. My husband, who could be a secret hoarder if I let him, has zeroed in on that one and only thing.

I got rid of a lot when I moved - donated a lot and had a garage/moving sale at our old lake cabin. I wouldn’t do the sale thing now were it not that it is a big community event that will generate traffic. Some of the stuff I think I might use someday but chances are slim and as mentioned, if I really do need it I’ll buy it. The sale is in early June and I need to get it all ready before Memorial Day. It is a process but I do like getting rid of the stuff - both because I like clearing it out and I like knowing someone else is putting it to use. I wish I could get rid of more of DH’s stuff but keeping things runs in his family and we have generations of accumulation including Norwegian language books from his Norwegian immigrant grandparents. Kind of interesting though we can’t read them.

I am one who regularly goes through stuff and regularly schedules a charity pick up. ( used to be a lot more often when we were in our previous much larger home and had all the "kid' stuff as well). We downsized a few years ago so definitely did the big purge then.

There's still a lot of stuff though in our new home and while it's really not crowded, there are plenty of things that I just haven't come to terms with.

Ded, I am with you on the photos and sentimental items. I try to get on that project but all I am able to do is baby steps. ( in addition to our immediate family I have my parents' and in law's photos and stuff).

I have never had a garage sale and have not used marketplace but I am very big on buy nothing and freecycle and nextdoor for free. I have done that with furniture and it saves us the trouble of hauling it down or up stairs and out. The people who have wanted the items have been totally lovely.

Very rare that someone is not interested for free and the bonus part is that you know they will be using it-