Purge | Pad Patter 6.23

It's funny you asked this because I spent time going through my closet today. I like to flip my hanger so they're not facing out as usual; when I wear a piece of clothing, It put it back on the rod with the hanger facing out so I know it's been worn. Then about every 6 months I go through and get rid of the clothes with hangers that haven't been switched because it means I haven't worn them. There are some exceptions (dress clothes that don't get worn often get more time than my everyday wear). And it makes purging easy because I just look at the hangers. I think I first read about this method in Real Simple magazine. It works for me.

I keep telling the kids that we are going to go through their rooms, but we haven't yet. But it needs to happen soon!

 

Ah, yes I started. So last year, we emptied out my oldest son's bedroom. He had been out of the house for 6+ years. We cleaned and painted it and now it is an art room for dd and me. We also have an extra TV and the gaming system in there. The husband was wishing he had a place for his paints, so this summer I am turning the bonus room which has become a junk room into an art room for him. So far I have worked a hour and half on it and it doesn't look all that different, but there are 5 boxes to go away in the hallway.

 

I've been doing bit by bit for a while now. We got a lot of things when my parents passed and my in-laws downsized two homes into a condo. I try to bring at least one bag of goodies to the consignment store a week, sometimes twice. I bring 12 items each time, so it does add up.

I'm a sentimental fool so it's hard to let go of things, especially since my parents are now both gone. But when I do some cleaning, I ask if I've used the item; if no, then does it have historical family importance? If no, then it's gone. I've a long way to go, but if I keep on going it'll get done over time.

 

I purge - it grows back. It seems like I'm always purging but there's just so much stuff. The garage makes me crazy. My hubby always says he's going to get it under control (he's said it for years) and he just never seems to get it done. My saying has always been "if he takes it to the garage/attic/basement - I'll never see it again.

So, I'm constantly purging. Sara @Tree City - I love your trick with the clothes. My DD and I are going to try to sell all of the clothes that we don't wear - we even bought a mannequin - and we're going through stuff now. I told her as soon as DH and I get back from vacation we're going to hit it and get it.

 

We purged SO MANY THINGS before moving. I think my mom filled her mini van to the brim at least four times. Plus we got rid of several car loads, sold some things, gave several big items to family, donated a big television, a fridge that lived in the garage, and all our living room furniture, and gave our friends some stuff as well. So much stuff that didn’t move with us. A few things- like the sofas- will need replacing when we move in next month, but 99% of the stuff we got rid of doesn’t.

 

OH I LOVE a good purge! We usually do a couple times per year- once before christmas (ugh.. toys...) and another in the Spring before our community garage sale. This last spring we did a deep dive- purged even more than usual & right after our sale was over, I loaded it all up & took it straight to goodwill! One of my summer goals is to go through this office/craft room- that seems to be one area I don't purge as often as I should!

 

Our remodel is starting this week. We are renovating our basement, so we’ve been on a purging binge. I wasn’t able to get through everything so we had to relocate some to the garage. We will have a dumpster on site, so no more dump runs. I donated a ton to goodwill- including two couches and I listed other items on my local Buy Nothing group. I have a few things I want to sell too.

I borrowed The Life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo from a neighbor and have been working my way through clothes. It’s a slow, but necessary process. I can’t wait to be done. I’ve already start telling family members I don’t want gifts. I almost never need the items and then I just feel guilty if they don’t get used.

 

I haven't purged anything for a while. I haven't bought stuff for a while either (unless it breaks and needs to be replaced). Love the idea of the hangers here, indicating what has been worn or not. I switch up my wardrobe from summer to winter and the rest gets stored.

 

Oh, it's so hard! I don't blame her.

We went to a downsizing seminar given by the guy who hosts the Hoarder's tv show. The most important thing he said was we're in a strange scenario today with so many different generations living: those who went through the depression, their children who learned to "save everything in case you ever need it", and the younger generation doesn't want the stuff at all, only throwaway IKEA junk. It's especially hard when everything we have reminds us of someone who's gone, which the kid's don't know or remember. BUT the silver lining is that the kids want the MEMORIES in place of the stuff. Take a photo and write the story. Tell the kids about things, show them places, etc. - but make sure it's documented. So, that's what I'm trying to do. Knowing all that has helped me go through things. My DD wants nothing, and if she does want anything it'll be a decade or so from now. She left the house and took nothing - only wants new things that are "hers". My DS, on the other hand, wants anything we can give him because it's free, but he's a minimum of 5 years away from moving out. So, lots of stuff!

I like the Fly Lady and her 21 Fling Boogie: Take a bag and go around the house and put 21 things in it that need to go. It can be 21 chewed up pencils or 21 broken rubberbands, but it gets you used to sorting through things quickly when you need to do it.

But I still can't let go of the leaf, twig and crayon drawings I made when camping in the Redwoods when I was five years old... and I'm approaching 60! lol!