apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Is that "we" plural maiesticus?

Thanks for this post. I agree that sometimes a space needs either a second set of eyes or a second comb through to purge those last few things that are unnecessarily taking up space.

And I wish readers would let go of their 'we' tick.

I totally agree. I just went through the same thing. I moved to a new apartment about 6 months ago, which required a lot of pre-moving purging and donating. After settling in and trying to find a place for everything, I've gone back into my tiny closets to see if I could improve their organization and capacity and have found that it is so much easier to get rid of some items. I figure that if it's been buried for 6 months and I haven't missed it then maybe it's time to say goodbye!

I try to do a lot of mini organizing sessions throughout the year, rather than a huge one once a year. Not only does it make the job more manageable, I've found that the mood I'm in can make a big difference in letting things go. If something makes if through a purge when I'm feeling a little sentimental, it won't survive the day when I'm feeling particularly ruthless!

I'm a pretty ruthless declutterer. Just yesterday I got rid of a too-large ficus tree I've had for years. None of my friends wanted it, so I chucked it into our trimmings recycling. That was difficult. I get rid of stuff all the time, but I felt quite guilty sacrificing a LIVING ORGANISM for my space. :-) I had talked myself out of it a few times already before I finally just did it. (Husband didn't even notice it was gone.)

i just had this experience too! we moved last week and while putting my bureau back together, my mom and i eliminated almost 3 trashbags full of clothes that are off to charity. i went through my stuff before we packed up and was really hesitant to throw things out, but moving to a new place totally changed that. in fact, maybe i will give it another pass. why i still have clothes left over from high school, i will never know.

I recently did The Great Purge of 2009 of my closet and enlisted the help of a girlfriend in another state. I set up the laptop, jumped on skype, and tried on and modeled just about everything. Having a second (and third since her hubby chimed in too occasionally) set of eyes was invaluable. They didn't have the emotional baggage connected to the items and I was able to get rid of much more that had already withstood previous purges. It took a full day, but it was fun and the results feel and look amazing. :)

I used to be keeper, even things that don't belong to me (my ex-roommate stuff just in case she comes back and ask for it, or newlywed's friend christmas game set because it did not fit in their apt closet) but since January I made almost 15 trips to Salvation Army , both arms with full bags and I feel so much lighter... and my closets are to die for... I did not remember some of the stuff I had for years because they were thrown on the dark side of the closet...

I love it

Where can I get those Houndstooth boxes??

Yes those are adorable. Where are the round boxes from?

Although I don't go through my things nearly as often as I should, I have found that it is easier for me to get rid of things after a second or third consideration. Sometimes time really does confirm that I no longer need or really want something. Another things that prompts me to rethink organizing is to take pictures of my spaces. I can often perceive things differently when looking at a picture than when looking at an actual space for some reason.

There's an element of the purge process that isn't often mentioned, which I hope will spark some conversation and suggestions: parting with past gifts from loved ones. I recall an AT post from not too long ago, laughing about what happens when friends or family identify a theme that they think relates to your personality or preferences, e.g., cow print anything, cat-themed decor, coffee-snob accessories, etc. Sometimes, that results in having a boatload of random stuff that was given with good intentions, which you don't want but feel obliged to keep (often, on display in your home). Sometimes, getting rid of things like that can be really hard, especially if someone actually asks, "hey, where's that whatever I gave you for your birthday?"

Kealoha - I just went through this...mom decided that I loved pig-shaped piggy banks when I was a tween because I made one in a ceramics class and Beanie Babies! I had a ton of the things that were in totes in my backyard shed. My little sister also had loads of dolphin related items that were given to her, she loves live dolphins but everyone kept giving her stuff for b-days and Christmas. They were purged into our sister-in-laws garage sale last week, made $78!

I love the idea of hanging the shirts with the sleeves rolled. How chic!

I purged clothes before and after our last move - it seemed weird to get rid of things right after moving them, but it seemed easier to let more things go. I still have more clothes than I could possibly need, but we do have massive closets, so that wasn't the problem.

whenever we try to purge our belongings in a garage sale we end up keeping about 75% of it all again. :\ I had a TON of tshirts I use to wear in school that were childrens shirts that I only wore once or twice and only sold like 7 of them. They weren't faded and they were good brands too but the people in my town like to haggle 50 cents as their final offer. >.

Yes, this has happend to me aswell. I think somehow purging begets more purging.

ps: can we (and I mean we) let go of the "we-bashing"??

I would love to do a big purge this spring. I find chaos ensues when things pile up over time. Would do it in a second, but my partner is the opposite. He still has items unpacked from our move in together 18 months ago. Any ideas on how to get him on the organizing/purging bandwagon?

It usually takes me two or three times to get rid of something. I always fear that if I get rid of it I'll later regret it. I use to move a lot and would use that time to purge things. I've been in my house for 5 years now so I have to make an effort to go through things periodically.

witchbaby, don't keep stuff you don't need just because you couldn't get money for it! If you can't get rid of it in a garage sale, you're just not going to get money for it; at that point, it goes to the Salvation Army or the like.