Monday 14 March 2016

I can't possibly throw her out.

Hello. I need to do more decluttering, I have too much stuff. I keep revisiting cupboards and drawers, going through things over and over again. Do I really need this or can it go. Maybe I should keep it, it might come in handy. I have had this a long time, and can't let it go, always excuses as to why I should keep things. I have too many pairs of socks, why do I keep the holey ones? Some of my sweatshirts are faded, stained, and worn out, maybe they will be useful for wearing around the house. 
Sometimes I am in a brutal mood and put things in bags and take them to the Age UK shop, but no matter how many times I do this, I still have far too much. Things find their way into my house when I am not looking. I need to balance it out and take more stuff to the charity shop. 
But what to take? I've found a few things here that I have had for many a year, they have moved house with me several times, I can't leave them behind, or give them away. 
My first and only baby dolly,  it must be about 60 years old. It still has the same romper suit on, and it has a lazy eye. I called it Amanda after my German Grandmother. Poor dolly is losing it's stuffing, the rubber arms and legs have perished and it's falling apart. I can't possibly throw her out. 
My jewelry box from when I was about 13. It's got a red silk lining with a tray dividing the top and bottom. I never had any proper jewels to put in it, just a few chains and beads. This has to stay.

My mum's musical jewelry box, she had it for as long as I can remember. I love to lift the lid and listen to The Blue Danube. Mine to keep forever.

Mum's transistor radio. I always used to nick this and take it to bed with me and listen under the covers. She used to put it in her handbag and take it with her when she went out anywhere. She was a big fan of Derby County Football Club and always listened to the match on it. I have to keep this.

These books belonged to my dad, he had a big collection of film books which he kept in a cupboard in the living room. we weren't allowed to read them, but often sneaked them out when he wasn't looking. I got into trouble once because I scribbled in one with a pencil. After he died we had to sort his few belongings out and his book pile was thrown away. I kept these. What a shame that I didn't keep them all, they would have been collectors pieces now. I might as well keep these, they are not taking up much space. 



Oh well, back to the drawing board, these things stay, but surely there must be more stuff lurking in my house that I can move on. I'll have a check round.

Do you find it easy to declutter, or do you hang onto stuff? How do you decide what you actually need to keep, or what you can manage without?

I haven't done much in the garden today. Crafty Club this morning, and I took Rocky for a check up at the vet this afternoon, and to get some more medication as we are just coming to the end of the bottle.

I was tired last night after all that brick humping so I didn't do a walk. I must go and do it now. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

35 comments:

  1. I have spent most of today chucking stuff out of Le Crafterie.... utter junk and easily replaced so why oh why do I keep it. I will have another big chuck out tomorrow. I have some really nice stuff in there... trouble is I will never use it so I may as well pass it on to someone who will. Dont' suppose you have a kiln do you? I have loads of glass enamel powder going spare.

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  2. Don't throw out your doll or the other things they must hold really precious memories. Clothes are another matter gather up the old things and take straight away to the charity shop even if they can not sell them I am sure they can make money by selling them to the ragman, (I work in a charity shop and we make good money from rags, shoes, old books etc). Good luck. Hazel c uk.

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  3. I love Amanda. I couldn't part with her either.
    I am four drawers away from a comple decluttering and spring cleaning of our bedroom. I really struggled over the sentimental things and have kept most of them. They are my memories and I love them.

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  4. I find it extremely hard to declutter, not only of my stuff, but also other peoples. I have been doing my family history for nearly forty years, consequently I have a lot of certificates, discharge papers etc etc. not only that, but an aunt of mine gave me the books that both my grandparents received as prizes for good attendance at Sunday School. I have a lovely bound book entitled The Cottage Girl which belonged to my Great Grandfather. The story is that he collected the story which was in a weekly newspaper and had the pages bound into this lovely book. I don't know how true that is, but how can I get rid of it? It's difficult.

    Joan (Wales)

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    1. Could you donate some of this to suitable museums. That way you would feel good at not chucking them out and more people could get to see them?

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    2. That's a good idea. I never thought of that, although my father-in-law did donate something from the second world war he received from his uncle to a museum. Worth thinking about.

      Joan (Wales)

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  5. The sentimental stuff is the hardest to let go. Keep those items that mean a lot to you and get rid of the stuff, like faded and stained clothes, that don't mean much.

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  6. My advice is don't chuck anything out unless sentimental; get a free valuation. Years ago I cleared out an attic and to my horror found out a horrid dark brown cabinet would have been worth a pretty penny. I have since found out that my childhood annuals (books) that I wisely kept are worth a few bob so will be looking to sell them. Best wishes Ilona. Amanda

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  7. I'm quite the hoarder and my Mam kept all and I mean all my toys and dollies.
    I had a little shop selling teddy bears/ crafty stuff/ vintage a bit back so I sold loads of things practically everything in there and on eBay.
    In a way I wish my Mam had given them away earlier so they could have been played with and loved.
    But people bought my toys from all over, the best "sale" was a beautiful baby doll made from hard plastic a lady from Belgium bought her because she had never had a doll as a little girl.
    So eventually the toy hoard spread a little love around the world:).
    I have my two teddies and and my sons teddies and a ted my Mam got me for my 40th birthday they sit on the attic stairs minding their own business.
    I'm on constant clear out alert cos I hoping to move in the near future. I'm also trying to train myself not to buy new stuff.


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  8. Meant to say no don't throw your dolly out or the books or the pretty boxes etc. As another poster says it the clothes and even somethings kitchen stuff that you can have too much of.
    At one point I had loads of knives forks plates cups and there are only two of us! (and two dogs). Now I only have what we need.

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  9. I think it is really lovely that you still have these precious things. They hold great memories for you and that is important. Chuck the old clothing out instead.
    Rosezeeta.

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  10. If it's something you're not going to miss get rid of it. Are you honestly going to miss holey socks and worn out sweatshirts? There's a difference in keeping things for sentimental reasons and being a hoarder of rubbish.

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  11. Take your baby doll to a doll maker (we call them doll hospitals in the US) and have them make a new body for your doll. Or you can take classes to make her a new body and sometimes they will sell body patterns and you can make your own. I rebuilt my Tiny Tears doll when her rubber body fell apart. I also have my teddy bear from my first Christmas. It's 63 years old.

    I'm with everyone else don't get rid of sentimental things if you don't have too. Dump the raggedy clothes. For me, I don't pick up 'new' clothing if what I have is wearable. I also started going through everything and either fixing broken stuff or tossing it, if I can't repair it. That's felt pretty good.

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    Replies
    1. A doll hospital is a great idea, or another project for creative and nimble fingered Ilona! I wonder if you could do a head transplant and make her a new, simple linen body? JanF

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    2. That's exactly what I did with my favorite baby doll! Then I dressed her in tights, Mary Jane shoes and my favorite of the dresses Mother had made for her.

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  12. I always keep things far too long. My Other Half always likes to be clearing things out and then he wonders why he has 'nothing to wear'!!! But of course those wonderful items you are keeping are part of your heritage and bring you back some wonderful memories. Hang on to them. They are to be kept for ever. Ann x

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  13. I would keep all those lovely memories, Ilona. These things are very precious.
    Just did a quick check on EBay, also a website www.abebooks.co.uk and you would be surprised at the prices for the Mickey Mouse book, especially on the abebooks site....just as a matter of interest. I would still hang on to them though, you cannot put a price on keepsakes like this in my opinion. Amanda is just so precious. I still have one of my dolls, she is now about 65 years old, I could never part with her.
    x

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  14. I would keep the items you have pictured. They hold too many memories to let go.
    I downsized 3 years ago from a 4 bedroomed house to a 2 bed flat. I had to be ruthless and sold most of my stuff at carboot sales then treated myself to a few holidays on the proceeds!
    Since moving I have become less bothered with things, and my flat is very un-cluttered. I love it!
    I read somewhere that if you buy/bring an item into your house, you should take 10 items out, to either sell or give away. If I did that I would have an empty house!! :)))

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  15. A hard job...I decide if I enjoy something or it holds memories or if it is still useful...the rest goes. Best of luck.

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  16. Hold on to the things that fill your heart with the sweetest memories...Other stuff you can chuck out. :) Make that dolly a little body suit to keep her all stuffed inside. The Blue Danube is one of my favorites. My dad had a little transistor and I still remember him listening to the baseball games during the summer. I miss that.

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  17. From Margie in Toronto - I still have the first doll that I received after we came to Canada - I'd had to leave most of my toys in Scotland when we emigrated and its probably one of the last things I'd ever give away.
    I've been doing a lot of decluttering this past year - I'm not a hoarder and keep things pretty neat but there is always more to get rid of. I keep saying that I'm going to move to an even smaller apt. just to make myself get rid of even more things.

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  18. Definitely don't declutter your sentimental items. They are precious. I am VERY sentimental about family items myself.

    I do have difficulty decluttering even mundane items, but I constantly try to go through my closets and cupboards. When I clear away even a few things it makes me feel good. Once I set aside items to donate, I try to get them out of the house as fast as possible.

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  19. Love decluttering! Did Louis' wardrobe yesterday - as therapy! Yielded,two bags for the charity shop. He needs more socks though! x

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  20. Your little dolly is beautiful. Lainey Gee.

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  21. Perhaps you could make some new arms and legs for Amanda? You are so creative and of course you can't throw her out. So sweet. I have my father's two beloved stuffed animals, a bear and a rabbit - both stuffed with straw. They will stay forever. I keep going over cupboards again and again to try to downsize just a little more. Filled a sack with old clothes last week, and went back and dug in it the day after as I had had an idea for a couple of items. Not easy :). Have a nice tuesday, Pam

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  22. I am on a massive clearing out streak at the moment. To (sort of) paraphrase William Morris - if it isn't useful, beautiful or has sentimental value it's going. If there are any items that mean a lot to you and cannot be replaced then of course they must stay - your dad's books look great. Right now though even my family know not to sit around too long in one place ;) Vicky from Brum

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  23. We are hoping to downsize in about 2 years time and I am gradually decluttering. We have lived in our house for 22 years and I periodically do a 'let's pretend we are moving' declutter but in reality just means I move things about the house. However, this time I have to be a bit more ruthless. I found a box of our engagement and weddings cards, as well as my 21st birthday cards, which my husband kindly reminded me I had celebrated 2 more times since then. They have all gone, although I was a bit sad about the birthday cards as they were a reminder of old neighbours, workmates etc. However, my dolls are staying! I wish I hadn't hung on to them but couldn't bear to part with them, when I was younger. I tell my daughters that they will be antiques in the not too distant future. One of mine, Maureen, has the same head as Amanda although Maureen's body is solid like her head. I also have the dolls clothes knitted and sewn by my mum and grandmother. Generally, I find decluttering quite cathartic.
    Frances

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  24. I read once that the way to sort out what to keep was to askyourself how you felt when you saw each item. If it made you feel sad or guilty get rid of it. I find this very helpful advice when I am trying to decide what to part with.
    Your doll brought back memories. I had one with the same head and a solid body and parted with her a few years ago. Every so often (like now, reading your post) I wish I hadn't but she just lived in a drawer. I hope someone treasures her now. Sue

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  25. One suggestion I've seen is just to keep photos of sentimental items, it's the thought rather than the actual thing that matters. Another aspect as we all get older is to think about what will happen when we are no longer here - unless an item is to be left to someone it is likely to just go into a skip - better to arrange disposal of items now so you know what happens to them instead of some house clearance company doing it.

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  26. I found I had too much furniture. Every corner does not have to be filled. I had a loveseat and a sofa, so I got rid of the loveseat and some odd tables and the living room looks so much better. I rarely have company and how many places can one sit at once anyway? Clothing I get rid of twice a year, if I have not worn it out it goes. I have also reduced glasses, plates, bowls, utensils, etc. to only the ones I use on a regular basis. It is so much easier to clean and keep things organized when you do not have too much. I hope to downsize from my large house to a small 2-bedroom condo in a few years.

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  27. Burt Lancaster, Roy Rogers, oh they bring back a few memories of going to the Cinema in days gone by.
    As for throwing out stuff, yes I find it easy, all bar my craft stuff, I can't part with any of that.
    Briony
    x

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  28. Once I get started I can be quite brutal when decluttering, but I have to be in the right mood to begin with. I started on my hundreds of craft magazines last week, and have sorted through a whole shelf full so far, but have stalled this week. I'm getting rid of any that are over 2 years old that I haven't made anything from.

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  29. My favourite film book was Hollywood Album! And there was the Picturegoer Album, too! Who remembers Picture Show, Picturegoer and Photoplay? Those were the days, Ilona!!!
    What memories - not only Burt Lancaster, but who remembers Fernando Lamas, Arlene Dahl, Piper Laurie, Jeff Chandler, Tyone Power ...
    My age is showing ...
    Margaret P

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  30. I've been having a decluttered, five of us in one house = far too much stuff. I have a list of places that need decluttering and when I have a spare afternoon I tackle one of the places on the list. I currently live by the one in one out rule. I only purchase something to replace something that is dilapidated.

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