Nothing lights a fire under your arse like making a public proclamation that you’re going to get rid of 100 things. So even though we’re not moving until mid-December, we made our way from room to room paring down every single thing that we don’t love/need/use. The mantra as we went? No mercy. Because nothing is worse than packing, moving, and unpacking things that aren’t worth the time they took to transport or the space they’re eating up in the new place.
Here’s our getting-rid-of-it office pile:
Then we tackled the kitchen (Clara helped):
Here’s our outgoing kitchen pile (what you don’t see are a bunch of baskets and towels on the floor):
And here’s our den’s see-ya-later pile (cry not for the board games, they were doubles so we still have a copy of each one):
Our garage to-go pile:
Our basement done-zo pile:
And our big bedroom buh-bye pile (minus the baby and the dog of course- they stay):
And now for the full list of purged items:
- 11 pairs of shoes (10 of mine, one of John’s)
- 36 books (10 of which were cookbooks)
- 10 video tapes & DVDS
- 1 alarm clock
- 1 computer mouse
- countless padded envelopes & mailing tubes (from the days of our online print shop)
- 6 board games (some of which we had two identical versions, so we got rid of one)
- 2 yoga mats
- 1 radio
- 1 stocking
- 2 faux pumpkins
- 1 lamp
- 4 pillows
- 1 mirror
- 5 frames
- 54 items of clothing (including coats, hats, ties, tees, jeans, shirts, socks, etc)
- 4 plastic plates
- 6 ceramic plates
- 1 power screwdriver
- 4 outdoor chairs
- 2 welcome mats
- 1 rug
- 2 baskets of faux plants (they lived in the not-sunny-enough-for-real-plants basement)
- 1 floor lamp
- 4 plant pots
- 6 garden hooks
- 1 stencil
- 1 frisbee
- 4 old quarts of paint
- 2 buckets
- 2 metal tins (we came up with a new diaper & wipe disposal system- more details soon)
- 1 sprinkler
- 1 trash can
- 1 fabric basket
- 1 dark wicker basket
- 5 bath towels
- 1 nursing cover
- 8 baby toys & feeding supplies
- 4 glass cups
- 3 vases
- 4 pieces of faux fruit
- 8 wine glasses
- 8 mugs
- GRAND TOTAL: 222 items
Saweeeeeeeet. I mean on one hand it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that we were storing all that excess but boy does it feel good to get rid of it. Yup, that’s right. It’s all out of our house already – thanks to donating and selling every last item (we had an impromptu moving sale this weekend while we still had some steam and that no mercy attitude). We feared if things sat around for a while before we had a chance to donate or sell them we might have changed our minds and kept things that we didn’t need. And you know I have the patience of a 5 year old, right? More of those get-it-gone details coming soon.
What have you guys been purging? Have you identified any problem areas? We definitely held onto lots of books and clothes that we had no need for, but we were also surprised how many unnecessary kitchen items we were hoarding (many of which we had used exactly zero times).
Lisa says
We’ve definately been hoarding things. Thanks to moving around we currently have a 40ft container of stuff stored in Sydney, another one stored in England, a few things in both parents garages (one in Australia, one in England) and some bits and pieces with us here in Sweden. Crazy I know. We can’t wait to finally settle and go through everything and sell, giveaway and throw away most of it. Seeing as the container in Sydney hasn’t been touched in 4 years, it’s pretty safe to say that half of it we don’t really need anymore. Seriously looking forward to our cluttered free future.
Veronica says
This post couldn’t come at a better time! My husband and I are in the midst of a huge purging/organization project that has been a few years in the making. When we moved out of our 1,000 sq foot condo into our 2,300 sq foot house, I was amazed that all of our stuff pretty much filled up the storage space in our new house (that I thought was HUGE when we were buying it). We are expecting our first baby and I finally said NO MORE!, we need to start going through these boxes (most of which we had never even unpacked) and get rid of this stuff. So far we have gotten rid of a lot of stuff but there is much left to do! It seems like we have a ton of momentos from childhood (old pictures, yearbooks, old t-shirts) that I am having a hard time parting with. Any tips on what to keep/what to purge? I am thinking of making a photo wall in the nursery similar to what you did in Clara’s and put baby pics of me and my husband. It was good to find some of those old pics in boxes! It seems like most of the stuff we are getting rid of is stuff that we haven’t needed in the past 5 years anyway, but I have a much harder time when it’s something that I think I might use (i.e. decorative pillows, frames)because I would hate to have to buy that again..you guys are good at deciding what to get rid of, I’m impressed!
I would be interested in hearing about the strategy you use to keep it or chuck it. Also, looking forward to the babycenter post on your diaper disposal. We’re considering cloth diapers but one of the biggest drawbacks at this point is storing the dirty ones and what do you do with the wipes?!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Veronica,
We just took a hard look at everything and asked ourselves if we need it or use it all the time. It also helped to remember that we’d have to pack it and move it and unpack it so we better really like it to go through all that trouble! If we thought we wouldn’t even remember having something, it wasn’t something we needed to keep! As for the wipes and cloth dipes, we still do disposable wipes (but plan to switch to cloth sometime) so we have two different disposable containers (one that gets tossed for wipes and one that holds cloth dipes until we wash them). We’re actually doing a post on that tomorrow over on BabyCenter to look for the link over to that write-up in tomorrow morning’s post!
xo,
s
Darbi@A Pinch & A Dash says
I am right there with you! I have 2 trash bags full of clothes to be donated and a third one full of shoes. The BF did his own bag of clothes also. Now to tackle all of our “junk”! LOL!
susan says
Aahhhh……………….the sound you make when you get rid of all the extra stuff. It’s called breathing room I think. When is the next 100 thing purge? Yep, I bet you can do it again. Susan
amyks says
We cleaned our garage this weekend. Tired of not being able to park both our cars in there, and winter is coming, I have to get my car off the street before the snow falls. We still have lots to do, but I feel “lighter” already. Kudos to you, but crack me up, that you have such an itemized list! Love it.
Nichole@40daysof says
This is so inspiring! I’m starting on my closet today!
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/bathroom-before-after/
Jen says
You found a house? I didn’t know that! Where did you end up finding one? Did you get an offer on your house??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jen,
Yup, we’re so excited! Here’s that post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/11/to-the-tune-of-katy-perrys-hot-n-cold/
xo,
s
susanne says
I moved recently….twice actually….once from my condo to a storage unit, and then storage unit to our new house. I was sooooo glad I had purged as deeply as I did during the first move, as the house we bought is a 1930’s colonial with few and tiny closets! Actually, we have been organizing the basement, and the purge continues…Feels good!
Melissa says
Good for you! I know what you mean about not wanting to move useless things. My poor husband was a pack rat when we met…no more! We are moving in Dec too and already I have moved one box out of our 800 sq ft apartment…it feels great! You just dont realize what you accumulate over the years.
JM says
I definitely thought I needed a bigger kitchen but you inspired me to clean out my cabinets this weekend. I actually don’t need a bigger kitchen. Sadly I found several wedding presents (been married for over a year) that I haven’t used. I’m going to try to use those but I did get rid of a bunch of stuff like my electric fondue pot that is missing the pieces that make it turn on.
Lauryn says
it took me a minute to find Burger in the bedroom pile!!
Beth@Just{Heart}It says
Nice going! I love purging! We live in a 1600 sq. ft. home and one of things I appreciate about my house (just one of many), is that I can’t keep too much stuff. Just yesterday I went through all my boys’ toys and got rid of some stuff, since Christmas is coming and I know they’ll be getting more.
Do you think you’ll miss any of that stuff? Even though I purge, I’m always afraid I’ll want it later (and often that happens the day after I toss it).
YoungHouseLove says
No way! We honestly didn’t even remember half of what we had (or even what we sold right after the garage sale- it’s instantly forgotten). We know we won’t miss a thing!
xo,
s
tarynkay says
Now the real challenge is not going out and buying 223 items to replace the ones you just got rid of!
patrice says
i need the lamp and the nursing cover…
Leanne {The Energetic Mommy} says
Wow! I would have never guessed that you two had that many things to purge! We’re working on our annual “before x-mas” purge. I hope that I can be as ruthless as you were :)
Jennifer says
Good job decluttering before you move! We had military movers for our last move so we were very lax about the decluttering process. We just found a box that we hadn’t even opened – and we have been here 3 years! We had to laugh when we realized that we have been storing socks, half empty tubes of rash cream, and old baby doll bottles for so long. Today I’m attempting to declutter our basement (with the “help” of my 2 year old).
Sara says
Bravo! I think you’d have to come to my house and hold my hand through this process.
Taylor says
Wow- way to go! I would have snapped up the lamp in the kitchen picture. Mind sharing how much you ended up selling and making in the yard sale before donating the rest?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Taylor,
We have a post all about the yard sale and the donation process coming up soon.
xo,
s
Marie says
How do you balance keeping things to reuse and/or repurpose later with reducing clutter? Especially when you’re moving into a larger house. I’m in the process of purging in anticipation of a future move, however I constantly battle with wanting to keep it to fill the extra space I will have. It’s easy enough to do when I don’t like something, but it’s a different story when I just don’t have room to display something in this house.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Marie,
If we don’t love it and use it all the time we try to sell/donate it so someone else can repurpose it! We don’t have to give everything a second life if someone else will! We just like to keep what we love and give everything else a new owner if we no longer have a need for it!
xo,
s
Robynne says
When my husband and I move (and we move often, thanks to the military) we purge before we pack and once again when we get to our new space. I have a hard time letting go, but having weight restrictions when the military moves you has helped me to get cracking on the purging!
P.S. I can’t believe y’all got rid of Taboo! Please tell me you have another one?! That’s a rivalry game (men v. women) in my family! Reminds me of the holidays at home :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Robynne,
Yes, it was a duplicate!
xo,
s
Laura says
Good for you!
I went on a huge purge before and after we moved. It was nice after we moved because we had more space to spread out. Now I’m slowly shifting myself into the mindset of having a net gain of items, but buying carefully and mindfully like you guys do. Can’t find the perfect clock for a room? Do without. Find a shirt that’s okay fitting but don’t make you look or feel great? Pass. It’s surprisingly difficult, and I’m definitely not a shopoholic.
Sara K says
When you live in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with a 2 dogs, a husband and a toddler you learn to purge, like it or not. Big Brother is coming today for the bag of weekend discards.
Way to double your goal… some lucky craiglisters are going to be happy shoppers.
Lynn says
Oh wow! I wish I would have known. I would have been all over buying a ton of those things off of you. I am not too far from Richmond and have some family there…=( Oh well. I went yard saling and got a few projects to work on. Taking your advice, my own blog has started…check it out. Many kinks in it for sure but I am no computer genius.
http://mycreativityunleashed.blogspot.com
Thanks
Lynn
PS please let me know of future sales…hehe =)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lynn,
Admittedly for our privacy/safety we don’t announce any yard sales that we’re having since we don’t give out our home address, but had we listed anything on ebay or consigned it to any local stores we definitely would have shared that info!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Unfortunately I seem to want to do this during the fall…when I am never home on the weekends due to football. Will try to find new year’s motivation.
KT says
I had to laugh when I read your post because the list reminded me of an extended 12 days of Christmas list…just in time for the holidays! :)
Barbara says
No doubt, more stuff will go before you have moved out. When you seen things in a new, uncluttered, light, other things don’t seem so necessary any more.
Will you have your new home before you must leave your current home? I can only imagine your moving process and that leaves me a little breathless.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re most likely have to move within one day’s time (directly from our current house into our new one within a few hours). We’ll keep everyone posted as that gets closer and is confirmed. Ack!
xo,
s
Travelstovegas says
Great job ~ I am impressed at how you went over your goal! My husband and I have been doing an ongoing purge ever since we moved in together, and something that helps us is that we have an open bin in our garage that we toss items to donate in any time we come across them. When the bin is full, we take it off to Goodwill. Then it goes right back into the garage to await some more stuff.
Your comments about all the kitchen gadgets you don’t use has me thinking that I need to take a look in a few kitchen drawers myself though – I’m sure there’s stuff in there we’ve never touched.
And to try to stay on point with the “don’t bring it in the house” mantra we’ve been going for, I recently sent an email to my family regarding holiday gifts and our desire to have less “stuff”. The response has been positive so far and I expect we won’t be getting nearly as many random little knick-knacks to feel guilty about getting rid of anymore! Yay! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jane says
Trust me, as someone who is now sifting through a LOT of supplies and things that I thought I would want in my new house, it is well worth the effort!
Jessica says
Well done with the purging! It feels incredible once you’ve finished. I, too, find the trick is to take advantage of the ravenous tossing sprees when they hit you.
I began a similar mission this weekend with my Monica Gellar closet (no judgment). I’m happy to announce that I now only have bedding and towels that I like; I no longer have to take a running start to close said closet and I will no longer have to sweat profusely if curious guests feel inclined to open up every door in my home, unaware of the impending danger of being smothered by a giant (hand-me-down!!) bath towel, circa 1999. Oh, the shame.
Lisa says
GREAT JOB! That was a quick turn around to sorting through everything. I’m interested to hear of the new cloth diaper disposal system. I have found that our identical cloth diaper can is too small to hold more than a days worth of stinky diapers.
Also – happy belated 1/2 birthday to Clara!
brooke @ claremont road says
You guys are my heroes. Since I was a kid I have always held onto too much clutter (I blame it on being a sentimental sap) and I’ve gotten a lot better at purging things over the last few years, but sometimes it’s hard! I’ve lived in the same apartment for 6 years, so things can slowly pile up, but fortunately we don’t have a lot of storage space so that helps clutter not get too out of control. I just have a hard time getting rid of things that I may need sometime soon, even if I haven’t used it/worn it in a while. We’re not in a financial situation where we can throw things away just to have to buy them again, so it’s sometimes a tough call to make.
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
I’ll be moving (hopefully) around the beginning of April and will be purging some major accessories like a fridge, stove, etc. Any advice on listing something on Craigslist? I’m nervous to sell but its a must.
I also have like 5 bags full of clothes/items I’ve recently purged but need to use them to itemize my donation…so they sit til I have time to do that. Kudos to you guys and your organization/purging binge!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ashley,
Hmm, just look at other craigslist listings for guidance. We just take a good pic, provide some info, and wait for the emails to come. They almost always do!
xo,
s
Elisa says
Funny….it must have been something in the air because I did the same thing today. Not on as grand of a scale, but I did a quick run through our office, our catch-all area, and my closet! 3 trash bags full!
I love your website. I’m in Oregon and there’s a whole group of us inspired by your postings and we love your site!
Kerri says
I have been giving away clothes like crazy. First of all, I have way too many items of clothing (I love the minimalist approach to clothing you have, Sherry!) and second of all, when I move in with my boyfriend after I graduate from university in the spring, I won’t have as much space to store clothing. Plus do you really need shirts you wore once two years ago?! As much as you think you might wear it again, you probably won’t!
Rebecca says
Ok, I read this post and went straight to my closet and got rid of 8 pairs of shoes. I admit it- I lost one half of a pair of shoes 8 years ago but held onto the lone shoe in case the missing one decided to make a reappearance (even after 4 moves in 3 states). So, to be fair, I got rid of 7 1/2 pairs.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahha. That made my morning.
xo,
s
Jenski says
I recently did this with my clothes – trying things on like it was back-to-school shopping time. They are in my car waiting for a lucky donation bin. I’m inspired by your post to be more aggressive with the rest of my home though!
melissa says
Sherry and John:
You should really have an “ONLINE TAG SALE” :) WE WOULD ALL LOVE TO BUY YOUR THINGS :)
Let me know your thoughts on it. I wouldn’t mind helping you!!
Thanks,
Melissa
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melissa,
As we mentioned in the last paragraph of the post, we already sold and donated every last item. We wanted to get rid of stuff before our no-nonsense attitude wavered!
xo,
s
kathleen says
Nice pics. But good luck getting them when she is really mobile – short of duct tape, there is nothing I can do to take my son’s monthly picture now, even with help. So I end up with lots of pictures of his butt, back, side of his head. Sigh.
Jessicah says
I shoulda counted! What a great idea! But recently I got rid of 28 books, plus a big bag of shoes and shirts and pants. Plus I gave away some baby clothes and paraphrenelia. I bet it was more than 100 items all together, but I only actually counted the books (bc those were the most painful for me to part with!)
Theresa says
Ack, I have that lamp (the one on your kitchen counter), and have been debating on whether to buy another one to match!
Jackie says
We had an impromptu garage sale this past Saturday! My rule is if we haven’t seen or used it in 1 year, then it’s time to go!
Mira Mae says
Due to recent lifestyle changes. MULTITUDES OF CLOTHING!! Old bags that I once loved and felt I might carry again, that I never have. Horrible wedding presents, I felt to guilty to give away when I received them and are un-returnable (i.e. peach embroidery picture frames) That’s the stuff I’m getting rid of.
Things I’m hoarding. Random Electronic supplies (i.e. random cords, cd’s to things I’m not even sure I have, but just in case)College books which could become a resource. Someday.
-MiraMae
Allison says
I purged like mad this weekend and pulled 15 bags of stuff to donate out of my apartment. I have no idea where it all came from, but my place is looking a lot better. It’s ludicrous that I was letting that stuff live with me, rent-free.
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
I love purging my closets! It is so freeing. Moving is a great motivator to get ‘er done!
Alexandra says
I love your site! I spent the better part of a weekend getting caught up on what you guys have done, but now I can’t remember what brought me to your site in the first place! Regardless it was love at first peruse and you now have another(?) reader in Seattle. My husband and I are currently in a holding pattern waiting for grad school, but in preperation for what is to come we decided to start decluttering our house. 2 trashbags later and we had only tackled the hall closet! Your blog has inspired me to get moving again on making my house a home! Thanks!
Jill says
Great work! I do this nearly monthly. Children’s clothing (gifts from my thrift store loving mother), books and paperwork are our problem. I am not a keeper and I have no regrets when I remove clutter from our lives. I do feel guilty at times when the item is a gift but the feeling doesn’t linger – the most important things in my life are my family and by clearing out the clutter, we spend less time trying to find a place for stuff and more time having fun together. With the exception of our dearly loved and classic children’s books, I got rid of most of our books this summer. Shelves of books that need to be dusted. No thanks, I’ll pass.
heather j. says
Ah! I so wish I would’ve known about the moving sale…I totally would’ve hit that thing! Please hint at it in your blog next time for those of us Richmonders!
YoungHouseLove says
It was so last minute Heather J! So sorry!
xo,
s
heather j. says
and how much ya wanna bet Rebecca finds that other shoe tomorrow :)
Lauren says
I am impressed with all the stuff you were able to get rid of since you guys always talk about only living with things you love. It makes me feel a bit better about all my clutter! I think I’m going to set a goal to get rid of 100 things too!
Jessi E says
I love, love, love that she has her toe pointed in the ballerina shot. I am generally not the type to get all fuzzy inside because of a baby’s cuteness, but that one gets me. Great job, Clara!